Tombstone.
I walked into the Oriental this morning and saw Lil with a man I didn’t know. “Morning folks, don’t mean to interrupt.”
“Good morning,” the man greeted me. “Pleased to meet you, I am Krell.”
“Come on in, have some coffee,” Lil smiled.
“Coffee sounds perfect. It’s actually my birthday today!” I said, sitting down at the bar.
“Trin, the is Mr. Krell new Mayor of Diamond,” Lil introduced.
“Well, happy birthday may I ask your name?” he asked.
“Oh! I’ve been wanting to meet you, Sir. I’m Detective Trin Paige.”
He tipped his hat and said, “Pleasure to meet you Trin, a detective you say?”
“Mmhmm. Been a Pinkerton for a while.”
He smiled, impressed. “Well Trin, where is your jurisdiction?”
“Pretty much everywhere, Sir. I help the local laws solve crimes. Doesn’t really matter where they are... If there’s a difficult case, I can help save it.”
“Well can you serve warrants as well?” he asked as Lil made me a cup of coffee and set it in front of me. “The coffee is fresh and warm,” he told me.
I smiled at Lil and took the cup from her. “Nope, I don’t do the arresting part. Once we figure out who was involved and who they can arrest, the local law does that part.”
“Have things been calm in Diamond?”
“Well, I will keep your name handy. We are growing pretty fast and you never know when we could use your services. Is your office here inTombstone?”
“I am usually around and could use the work. Things have been awfully quiet lately. I’m a lawyer as well... Mostly District Attorney. I don’t dabble with the defense side. My office is right across the street actually.” I looked over at Lil and asked, “Lil, how have things been at the Oriental?”
“Starting to pick up,” she said.
“Well we have a new law office in Black Diamond, there are a couple desks open,” he said.
“Actually believe it or not I’m still a lawyer out that way. Used to live in Diamond...”
“Think were gonna have a dance here Friday night,” Lil said.
“I just got a judge so we will soon be trying cases, could be some work,” Krell said.
“Oh a dance will be fun, Lil. That’ll get people out,” I smiled.
“Oh a dance, thats wonderful,” Krell agreed.
“Do hope you can make it Mayor.”
“Well, Miss Lil, is it a formal affair?”
“No, not this time. Maybe another time I will have one,” she said, sipping on her water.
“So Lil, you don’t drink coffee or tea?” Krell asked.
“Do you have any place that I could call home out there? Maybe run a small office out of? I can’t afford much...” I looked at him.
“Not coffee but tea,” Lil replied.
“Well I think we can find something for you,” Krell nodded.
“Mind if we take a look?”
“Well that would be just fine, after I return back home I will wire you and invite you out.”
David walked into the saloon and we greeted him as he sat down and took a cup of coffee from Lil.
“Oh God bless you child I’d love a cup.”
“That kind of a morning, hey David?” I chuckled
“Yeah, didn’t sleep well.”
“Something wrong?” I looked at him with concern as I drank my coffee.
“Oh I kept hearing Jewel’s damn howling all night.”
“Mr Krell you know David of course,” Lil smiled.
“Mayor Krell is my boss Lil,” David nodded. “As District Attorney I report to him.”
“Suppose he’s my boss too,” I winked at David. “I’m still a lawyer out that way you know.”
“I guess that I am a friend ‘cause I don’t work in Diamond no more,” Lil said.
David raised his cup in salute and said, “Here’s to the hard working lawyers of Black Diamond!”
“I’m thinkin’ about movin’ out that way again if Krell can find me a nice place to live that ain’t too expensive,” I clinked my glass against David’s. “I do miss the area out there.”
“Ahhh, as always Lil a mighty good cup,” David took a long sip of coffee and smiled. “The best part of walking up is Lil’s coffee in my cup.”
“Well I do try ya know,” Lil smiled.
“So David anything happening out in Diamond these days?”
“Well Jewel’s dog crapped on the court house steps.”
“Uh huh.”
“Well if ya find any single good looking men send them my way,” Lil said randomly.
“How’s a beautiful lady like you need help finding a man?” David smiled.
“Guess my standards are set to high.”
“Nothing wrong with high standards just need to treat ya right and provide.”
“Just cause I run a saloon don’t mean I ain’t a lady.”
“Lil, you are every bit a lady,” David smiled.
“I try to be.”
“I’d say I gave up on men so I can focus on my work but that ain’t happenin’ too well for me either,” I put in.
“I have just about gave up. Maybe some day,” Lil agreed.
“Well if you want it I gotta prove Jewels dog was the one who shit on the court house steps, and the only one who seen it is our talkative Mayor Krell,” David said.
“And how am I gonna solve that?” I chuckled at David.
“Well Miss Trin I’ll leave that to your detective skills.”
“Uh huh,” I chuckled. “Better than nothing.”
“Hey Trin did ya hear about the bet I made with David?” Lil asked.
“But if I prove that the dog did it, then the dog goes on trial?” I asked and looked at Lil. “What bet is that, Lil?”
“The dog’s owner gets a fine,” David ansswered.
“Oh, I see,” I nodded.
“I bet him he wouldn’t make lawyer,” Lil said.
“I didn’t say it was a case to make your career,” David said to me and I winked at him.
“Said I would dance on the stage at Annie’s if he did,” Lil said.
“And look I am more than just a lawyer,” David nodded. “Seems that wins me a private show.”
“Yep but I never said without clothes on,” Lil laughed.
“Maybe even something extra for being a DA,” David said.
“I might get shot by a certain lady,” Lil laughed.
“Aww come on Lil we all know what goes on at Annie’s. It’s a given that clothes would be off,” David said and I smirked a bit as he asked, “Which lady that be?”
“If I ever dance on Annie’s stage, I want a crowd,” Lil said.
“Hey, I can be a crowd,” David said.
“Well it do seems to me ya got a lady I see ya with.”
“Yes Miss Myst but she just caught a stage back east to visit family a few hours ago,” David nodded.
“Now even the Mayor here has a Lady,” Lil said, “And a very nice lady too. You will like her, Trin.”
“I’ve accepted the fact that I ain’t meant to be with anyone. I’m happy being on my own. I’m looking forward to meeting her.”
“Me and you both,” Lil nodded.
Krell woke up again from drifting off at the bar and I said goodbye as I headed out to find something productive to do.
No comments:
Post a Comment