January 2, 1900

Tombstone. 

I walked into town and saw Dash standing in front of Kate’s. “Well howdy Miss Trin,” he greeted me. “Hope the day finds you well.” 

“Dash, just the man I wanted to talk to,” I smiled. 

“Oh... what about? I ain’t done it, I tell ya.” 

“Could use your help on a couple things.”

He rubbed his hands together and said, “I reckon I could try.” 

“I heard about your run-in with the kissing bandit when you were out for a walk with Mysti?”

“Yeah,” he smiled. “That was a bad night... if I ever see that fella again I’ll be sure to plug em.” 

“We’re trying to figure out who he is.... You didn’t recognize him at all I s’pose...” 

“Lumped me in the back of the head the crook done did. Nope, ain’t never seen the fella in my life.” 

“See we’ve got a problem... It was starting out that he only robbed new women to town. Now it seems he’s stepping up his game.”

“Ohh so... um... You been huntin this fella for a long time?” 

“Just for a few days but the sheriff has known for longer. He enlisted my help.”

“I see... Sheriff Dave... Hum...” 

“Nothin’ else you can tell me about him?” 

“I ain’t got the feelin’ he took me serious.. ya know.. well umm...” 

“How do you mean?” I tilted my head at him. 

“Well I heard tale of this kissin’ fella from a few ladies.. they all sayin’ him a handsome fella.. and a mighty good kisser.... and in my opinion... he don’t look all so handsome as they tell... can’t tell ya about his kissin’.. I recon ya have to ask Myst bout that but... Dave... When I told him what happened yesterday.. he didn’t even let me fill out a statement.” 

“I sure will,” I chuckled. “But the fact is he ain’t just goin’ after robbin’ women now if he had you on his list.”

“I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed.. but I know when I’m just pushed off.” 

“I know you ain’t gonna take this kind of thing sitting down, Dash.”

“I don’t think I was on his list.. I think Myst was. I mean its her house and all. I rarely go to Bisbee myself.” 

“Right...” 

“I’m thinkin’ maybe he didn’t think she have a fella over or somethin’ like that.” 

“Speaking of lists... I hear you’ve got some trouble in Diamond.”

“I’m thinkin’ maybe he didn’t think she have a fella over or somethin’ like that,” he nodded. “Yeah.. Them folks hired a dang assassin ta kill me.” 

“How do ya know that?”

“Fella walked into the saloon... called me out saying his client payin’ him well. I know it’s them Black Diamond folks... They always trying to get someone to throw me outta town. That kinda thing just don’t sit right with me.” 

“Don’t suppose you know the hit man? Recognize his voice?”

“When I didn’t turn my colts over to the fella... He made it clear his intentions. Yeah, his name is Redd. He didn’t make out so well. They really should hire a good assassin if they gonna hire one at all.” 

“I ain’t seen him in days,” I raised an eyebrow at that. 

“Well you went to the clinic with him that day. I ain’t seen him since. Hope he didn’t die.” 

“He didn’t die... I talked to him afterwards about what’s been going on over there,” I said honestly. “But I haven’t seen him since literally that day.” 

“He tell ya whom hired him?” 

“No,” I shook my head. “Just that he didn’t like the fact that two gangs were takin’ over Diamond.”

“Well that’s not a very good reason to go and get yerself shot.. but whatever floats his boat. People just gettin’ dumber and dumber these days. Had a fella just last night stirring things up cause he ain’t liked the way I looked at his gal.” 

“I don’t need to make things up to you, Dash. You know I always tell it like it is. Truth is... I’m worried for you and I’d like to find out why he was hired to kill you... but frankly I ain’t seen him since then so I’m not sure if you have much to worry about.”

“I near begged the fella to step away... quite a few times. He didn’t leave me much choice when he went for his pistol. Then I gotta deal with Dev and Kris... It never ends, I tell ya.” 

“I know, Dash... What can I do?”

“Well Miss Trin... don’t you be worryin’ none bout me. I been holdin’ my own these days and well... between Black and Kimmee.. if it gets much worse, I won’t be able to hold them back. You just bring that kissin’ bandit fella to justice, I reckon,” he smiled. 

“See the thing is, the deputy asked me to look out for this whole situation in Diamond... Wanted me to find out who had been hired, and now that I know it was Redd... Well there ain’t much more I can do.”

“I’d like to know who hired him.” 

“Then I’ll find out.” 

“That’s the person I got a beef with.” 

“Understood. I’ll poke around Diamond and figure it out.”

“Be sure to tell ‘em all I send my regards.” 

“I have a feeling they know all about your regards,” I said and he smiled. “Been good to catch up with you, Dash. I’ve been wanting to talk to you about all this.”

“Anytime, Miss Trin... Anytime.” 

“You stay safe, Dash,” I said and headed for Diamond. When I saw that Redd wasn’t in his office I found some stationary and wrote a note for him, leaving it in his mailbox: 

Redd, 

We have some serious matters to discuss. Please send me a telegram when you are able to talk in private, preferably at my office in Tombstone. 

Detective Trin Paige.