February 6, 1900

Black Diamond.

I walked through town this morning and saw Alex talking with Alyssa in front of the hotel. I pet Leonidas, Alex’s horse, and he started chewing on my braid. Alex asked if I could use a cup of coffee so I followed him to the saloon. I still hadn’t found Lot to give him the statement from Aleaya but I was almost certain that I would help his side of the case this time. 

“So, what’s eatin’ at ya?” he asked when we were seated at the bar alone. I said nothing and took out the statement and showed it to him, handing it to him to read. He smoothed out the paper and read it over, nodding. He finished reading and handed me back the statement. “That sounds like he was provoked.”

I took the envelope back and put it in my vest. “I’m torn, Alex... on the one hand I prosecute one of my own people even though I know he’s not guilty... On the other hand, I give that statement to Lot and help the defense. Something that I never would do otherwise.”

He looked at me seriously and said, “You know, Trin, there are times when a person is innocently charged with something. That’s why we have trials and don’t just hang people. Some people need defending. If he’s innocent, he shouldn’t be found guilty.”

“I don’t know if I ever told you about this but I had this same situation happen in Colorado Springs. The chief was being charged for something and they all wanted me to do it. I almost prosecuted him too but then at the last minute I bolted out of the courtroom cause I couldn’t do it anymore. But one of the Native kids saw me in there and it changed my relationship with them, and with the law there, forever.”

“Do you believe he’s innocent?”

“Yes. He was protecting his family. As any Apache father would.”

“Then help him. Don’t let him hang for this.”

“You’re right,” I nodded. “It doesn’t have to be complicated I guess.”

“This isn’t some outlaw you’re helping get off a crime. This is helping a man who was defending his family.”

I nodded and went back behind the bar to send the statement as a telegram to Lot with a note saying: I don’t usually do this, but I went to get a statement from Aleaya about what happened between her husband and V. This statement might help you in court. I took a deep breath and walked back around, sitting down. 

Alex patted my shoulder and said, “I know that isn’t easy, but it was the right thing.”

I nodded, squeezing his hand. “I know you’re right. I couldn’t have done it without you here.. No one understands my past like you do. That trial started a war between the Natives and the law... I had to pick sides or be neutral and not be involved.”

“We’ve shared a lot,” Alex smiled. “Relations with the natives can be a tricky thing. This will help, I think.”

“They’re my family too, Alex. Not a lot of people in town know that and I don’t want it to become public knowledge... I can still use it to my advantage. Aleaya knows now... This will help me get information on both sides because they know they can trust me to pick the right side when it comes down to it.”

“I won’t tell anyone your secret,” he smiled. “Doing that will help build the trust.”

“I hope so. I should send one more wire to Aleaya to tell her that I sent it to the defense.”

“She’ll appreciate it, I’m sure.” 

I went back around the counter and sent a wire to her: “I just wanted to let you know that I have submitted your statement to the defense lawyer in your husband’s case. I hope this will help him get justice.” I walked back and sat down again. “I feel better now that’s done.” 

“Good!” 

“I hope I am around so that I can be on the jury for that one.”

“I hope I’m not.”

“Did I tell you... Jimmi hired me to look into the jury members last weekend. He had suspicions they were related to the defendant. He even paid me for it when I got the job done.”

“That’s great! You’re a good detective and they should use you more.”

“I hope so... Jimmi sent out a telegram to the other lawyers to make use of me too.”

“Good. They should do that.”

“Have you been healing a lot?”

“No, not much,” he shook his head. “I had that one shooting the other day when you were there but that’s it. It’s been pretty quiet whenever I’m around.”

“Yeah... there was a shooting in town last night. I saw Mac and Jewel drag Desi off to the clinic here... Guess she was trying to arrest them for the whole thing with Leigh.”

“Oh wow. Seems most shootings are at night.”

“So it would seem...” I nodded. 

He sipped his coffee and then put his mug on the bar. “I probably should head out. I’ve got a lot of work today.”

“I need to get to work on gathering more witness statements.. Just in case they call me for court this weekend.” 

I reached over and hugged him and he pulled me close saying, “Good luck with everything. I know you’ll do well.”

“Thanks, Alex. You too,” I smiled and watched him walk out of the saloon. 

Tombstone. 

I walked into Tombstone and saw a crowd in the Oriental and went in to greet everyone. I met Red, Sam’s son who was on the jury for Jewel’s trial. As we were talking in the saloon, we saw Skyla walking outside, looking in the window. Lil and I ran out to greet her and welcome her back to town. Ella announced that she was getting married and Devin started to noticeably hit on Skyla. 

I pulled Lil aside and asked, “You were a witness for the kidnapping charge against Twain Orfan, right?”

“I heard him say he wanted to take her to the desert and ravish her,” she nodded. 

“Anything else? I just noticed you hadn’t put in a witness statement so I wanted to cover all my bases in case I get called to prosecute.”

“Well he might not of said that in so many words, but we all knew thats what he wanted to do to her.” 

“Did you see him actually take her?” 

“It was only a threat.” 

“Hmm... can’t much use that I guess then.”

“He didn’t actually take her.” 

“Alright. Thanks then,” I smiled at her. 

Meanwhile, Sky was asking about local law in town still and I told her that Dave was the sheriff. We continued to talk about the state of things in Tombstone and then I decided to ride around and see if there was anything that needed to be attended to.