July 12, 1899

Tombstone. 

This morning I greeted Angel and Bria who were sitting with their new friend Hannah. A woman in a dress was standing near them and was worried that they were out sitting on their own. I insisted that the girls were smart and would be able to handle themselves. She introduced herself as Stareyes Galaxy. She said she was originally from Boston and I said that I was going to head down the street for some coffee. While I was there, Bria came and asked me to help get her some doughnuts from the cupboard so I helped get her some. 

While sitting in front of the Epitath, a man walked over and introduced himself as Tony Nelson. I told him that I was a detective and we talked about how there wasn’t that much work right now but he said that I might be a good source of information. 

“Source of information for what, Sir?” I smiled. 

“Well, I run a business in the area, wholesale goods from the cities to the local stores... and I’ve been losin’ inventory... just a little at a time...” 

“Hmm.... like things gettin’ stolen?”

“Oh yes. All small time stuff each time. Not so much, you’d get the law involved for. Most likely, it’s the local Apache helpin’ themselves.” 

“Still it seems curious... Where is this business you’re talkin’ about, Sir?”

“I run a small warehouse in Benson, near the railroad depot, and I run my stuff out in my wagon.” 

“Perhaps I could wander out with you sometime and check it out... Seems like a very curious case.”

“Sure... why not?” 

“Just give me a few minutes to finish this up here.”

“Oh, I can’t be going just now, I’m expecting someone any moment.” 

“Sure. I’ll wander over there sometime later today maybe if you’re interested in my assistance.”

“Maybe you know her, her name is June...” 

“Ah yes, she was just in town a few hours ago. Works over at Annie’s?”

“That’s her. A few hours ago huh? I just missed her then.” 

“Well she might be back, ya never know.”

Over at the sheriff’s office, we watched as Jamie and Sarah and Mary worked together moving a cow and setting it on the roof. They called out that this is what people get when they try to take control of kids. 

“So what kinds of things have been missing from this store in Benson, Sir?” I asked him, trying to focus on the as he sat down beside me. 

“Strange mix of things... some shovels.... some cans of olive oil... and some nails, roofin nails. And three barrels of bourbon, meant for Annie’s.” 

“That is odd... so no sensible pattern then. There a specific time you notice things missing more? When’d this all start?”

“That was the more serious one, but not all at once... every few days or so. Started about two weeks ago.” 

“Hmm... No one unusual hangin’ around that you notice?”

“What’s really strange, is that the door they come through is locked secure every time and it’s never forced open.” 

“That is indeed strange,” I blinked at him. “How many people have the key other than you?”

“I got the only key.” 

“Huh... otherwise I would say it sounds like an inside job.”

“I’m renting the place, maybe a former renter kept a key...” 

“That’s a possibility. A list of past renters might be a good place to start.”

“I’ve been meanin’ to make inquiries... but I never have time, I’m usually out on deliveries.” 

“Well sir if you need my help...”

“Were just on a roof hosting a cow up here to show them to GET A BETTER MATRON! A cow would be better!” Mary shouted from the roof then and I just shook my head with a chuckle. 

“A cow?” Tony looked over. “Did that kid just say a cow, on the roof?” 

“Yep... I stopped questioning things around here,” I nodded. “People ain’t makin’ sense lately.”

“Well, Trin, maybe tomorrow if’n I run into ya.” 

“We shall see. I will be going out of town on Sunday for a week... Heading up north to visit family.”

“Not to worry if yer not around... like I said, it’s strange, not worrying me too much.” 

We shook our head as we watched the group up on the roof and just chuckled to ourselves at the craziness happening before our eyes. 

***

Later I sat up on the balcony of the undertaker’s office and watched the crod in the street as I pulled out my notebook. Shen called for Ace and said that the next time he shot a child, he’d cut his throat and give him to the Apache. 

“You do what you have too, Mr. I haven’t lived my life listening to threats yet... Wont be starting now. I didn’t make it a secret that I was about to blow that bastard to the floor. You better believe that kid wont jump in the way again. Bullets teach lessons quick,” Ace laughed. 

“They also take lives quickly, remember that.” 

I watched then as Castion tore a piece of paper off the wall of the sheriff’s office and looked to Ansar and said, “Ansar.... I want a job.” 

“Just what town needs some real Law,” Keiki pointed out from nearby. 

I decided to wander downstairs and stopped in front of the clinic when I saw people inside. Mac was sitting in a chair and Ella lay on the bed. 

“Mac!” I exclaimed and went to him. 

“Howdy Miss Trin,” he smiled at me. “She got caught in a cross fire,” he explained about Ella. 

“Long time no see Mac,” I said and looked over. “Is she okay?” 

“Yes, it is not too bad. needed ten stitches. V tried to treat her but did a half ass job,” Jess told me and I shook my head. 

“Are you alright?” I looked back to Mac. 

“Ya just here to make sure Voo doesn’t try to hurt her more.” 

“Good for you,” I smiled. “Missed ya Mac... Feel like joining me for a drink when you’re free?”

“Sure,” he nodded. “Wanna make sure she makes it home safe.” 

“Of course. You want to just meet me at the Oriental when you’re free? Or we could go to Annie’s...?”

“Which one ya like better?” 

“Annie’s is probably better.”

“Then I’ll meet ya there.” 

I nodded and walked over to Annie’s, sitting down at a table. I waited for him to join me and he arrived a few minutes later. “Everything alright over there?”

“Didn’t realize she lived so far away.” 

“Nice to know some good men still exist.”

“Piggy backin’ her home didn’t help either,” he laughed and I chuckled. 

“So how ya been Mac? Feels like it’s been forever.”

“Good as I can be. I see there are more and more outlaws comin’ in.” 

“And less and less law stickin’ around,” I nodded. 

“That’s sad to see. Makes it less fun for men like myself.” 

“I was deputy for about a week. Turns out I like investigatin’ more. I’m also a prosecutor now eh?”

“Nice.” 

“Yeah... ‘cept that both my trials got canceled this weekend so I’m suddenly a free woman.”

“Just remember with that gun at your side ya still will be fair game to an outlaw.” 

“I would be fair game without it too. Only then I wouldn’t have anything to defend myself with.”

“True true.” 

“Probably would get laughed at for spendin’ time with someone like you... But you and I go too far back.”

“That we do.” 

I sighed slightly, reaching for the flask in my vest and holding it out to him. “Want a sip?” 

He nodded and took a sip, “But hell I was a lawman at one time too...” 

“Yeah you were.” 

“I was a Marshal for sometime. Made me a better outlaw though.” I just shook my head with another sigh as he said, “But even outlaws have rules, and when we break em we end up dead.” 

“Like what?” I looked over at him curiously. 

“Well like stick to your guns and help only your gang. Be the quickest man. Share your loot with the group ya rob with. And the most important one Look before ya leap. Ya need to know what ya gettin’ into.” 

“Yeah I s’pose...”

“But I suppose I am a gentleman Outlaw since I have morales.” 

I drank my whiskey and my mind drifted back to a time in the past when we both had lived in Georgetown. He pulled out a bottle of whiskey from his coat and set it on the table. 

“Try some of this,” he said and I looked from him to the bottle. “Might bring ya back a bit.” 

“Where’s that from?” 

“Duke sends me a bottle from the Cherokee once a month. Made in Colorado Springs.”  

I took a sip of the whiskey and cringes, “Geez that’s strong.” 

“Yes, yes it is,” he smirked. 

“I miss that place some days...”

“So do I,” he smiled. 

I looked over at him, wondering if I should ask him to dance. I longed for the feeling of being in a man’s arms again. “Mac could we maybe... Dance?” My heart pounded with nerves as I waited. 

“Well I’d be honored. Just don’t tell Duke,” he laughed. 

I laughed and took his hand as we moved to the dance floor. “Your secret’s safe with me.”