Tombstone.
This morning I walked over to Kate’s and waved to the crowd. “Morning all.”
“Town didn’t want the clocks, I figured I could put them to good use somehow,” Ali said and greeted me.
“Don’t worry I ain’t law. I am a doctor. We are good at keeping secrets,” Frank smiled as he said hello to me and I chuckled.
“We still talkin’ about the clocks?” I asked them both.
“I ain’t worried about law. They can go out there and look to see where the clocks are now. Someone’s got to use them,” Ali said.
“Nope. Talking about the balloons,” Frank shook his head. “Did you know there a big chicken one?”
“Uh huh,” I chuckled.
“I think that’s suppose to be a dove,” Ali said and I laughed at that again.
“Have a shootout over and let the rowdy mexicans walk off with the clocks again,” Richie went on.
“And one of them got my hungry. I bet who ever owns that one sure love’s there food,” Frank said.
“I reckon you talking about the skillet?” Ali asked him.
“Yes ma’am,” he nodded.
I decided to wander around town and waved to them as I walked down the street. Paige was sitting in front of the hotel and we talked about the balloon race. I went inside the hotel and poured myself a cup of coffee. I came back outside where Paige and Waterfall were still talking about the balloon races. Paige asked me how business was going and I told her that it was slow. After sitting there a while I walked back to the office and sat at my desk.
***
This afternoon I walked over to the Sheriff’s office and saw Ansar standing in front of the entrance. I sighed with relief, needing something to do. “Hey Ansar, you got a sec?” I asked him as I came over.
“Hey Trin. Can I help you?”
“Hey. Well I was hoping I could help you... I need a case to investigate. I don’t even know what’s going on right now and I’m going stir crazy. I need somethin’ to do.”
“Let me see...” he flipped through some papers and looked up. “Know anything about a lady named BB?”
“BB?” I clarified.
“Also said she called herself Ghost.”
“Doesn’t sound familiar though I may have heard it in passing. What’s she done?”
“Shooting law, Weapon Un-holstered in Town, Weapon used in a crime,” Ansar read from the paper.
“Sounds like quite a nice lady,” I raised an eyebrow and said with sarcasm. “How recent was all this?”
“The first. Want you to find out where she camps at.”
“She don’t live in Tombstone I take it. Any known relatives in the area?”
“Yeah, she’s a real hoot,” Ru said from across the street and I looked over at her.
“You know her?” I asked Ru.
“Who me?” she looked innocent.
“Yeah you said ‘she’s a real hoot.’”
“Well she is. I mean, um.... Oh hell.”
“How do you know?” I asked and nodded as it lined up with Ansar’s description. When she was quiet, I looked over at Ansar. “Can I have a copy of the arrest warrant for reference?”
“Oh sure,” he nodded. “Just don’t be given it to anyone other then law.”
“Of course not I just want it for my own records. Heck, write out a copy if ya want.” He handed me a copy of the report and I turned my attention back to Ru. “Ru? You know something about this woman BB?”
“Some and not much. She’s one of my adopted aunts.”
“Adopted aunt, eh?”
“Yep!” she sipped her drink.
“Look at there.. a lead already,” Ansar observed and I winked at him.
“When was the last time you seen her?” I asked Ru.
“Seen who?” she looked back over slowly.
“Your adopted aunt BB.”
“Oh her... Well now let me think... Must be nigh onto a few months.”
“Where bouts? How’d she seem to you?” I asked her.
“Seemed same as usual. Right over there,” she pointed to the hotel.
“What was usual demeanor for her?”
“Ohh bout the same as any high spirited woman round here. She sure knew her way around a gun.”
“Great,” I muttered. “Where she normally live, do you know?”
“In a house.”
“Not gonna give me more than that huh?” I smirked.
“Nope. Now if’n I knew she done it, and I knew where she was, then you’d know. Who’d she shoot, supposedly?”
“Don’t know yet,” I answered.
“‘Cause chances are it was one of my other aunts or uncles,” she winked.
“Well I’m just startin’ to dig up information. I ain’t formin’ an opinion yet.”
“Yeah ta be honest I ain’t sure where she settled in to. Might a been out Benson way... but I ain’t sure.”
“I’ll poke around. Anything else you wanna tell me? Even to make sure she’s safe or somethin’?” I nodded.
“Yep, just one thing. Don’t draw on her.”
“Ain’t my job to do the arresting, Ru.”
“You will be sitting in the front of this here store afore you know it,” she nodded to the undertaker’s office. “They don’t call her Ghost fer nothing.”
“Understood. Well, thanks for this Ru. It’s a good start.”
“Alrighty well I am heading up to Bisbee for a spell you all take care,” Ru said and walked away, but not before adding, “And remember... Yer funeral.”
I nodded grimly and watched her walk away before I decided to wander over to Benson.
Benson.
I smiled when I saw my old friend Chet standing in front of his house, just past the entrance to the town of Benson. I walked over and smiled, “Hey Chet!”
“Well howdy Miss Trin!” he smiled. “How ya been?”
“How are ya my friend?” I hugged him tightly and then leaned back. “That a Sheriff badge I see?”
“Good thanks, and sorry about Tom. He never got head back. Docs took him to asylum since he thinks he is a chicken and tried to hatch cactus. And no, just deputy.”
“I’ve moved on, Chet. But I ain’t here to talk about my love life... I need your help on a case.”
“What’s the case?”
“Do you know of a woman named BB? Also goes by the name of ‘Ghost’?”
He rubbed his chin and said, “Can’t say I do...”
“Well it was worth a shot. Apparently she’s not the most pleasant woman and ya don’t want to get in a gunfight with her. Someone said she might live out here though so I had to check it out.”
“Only people I see here is me and Souzan and Kwaibebe.”
“Well if you see anyone with that name...”
“What’s her crime, Trin?”
“A bunch of ‘em, Chet. unholstered weapons, weapon used in a crime... Shooting law...”
“Ah, so nothing too serious then.”
“Alright I should make my way back to town. Just wanted to come out and investigate a bit.”
“I shot law, heck, I still have money from banks buried somewhere... Just not remember where.”
I shook my head at him and said, “You never change do ya?”
“Heck I found the money before was deputy.”
“Uh huh,” I hugged him again and said, “Congrats on the wedding by the way. Sorry I couldn’t be there.”
“Thank ya. Ya can still send a gift,” he laughed.
I chuckled at that and we said goodbye before I hopped back on my horse and rode back to town.
***
Tombstone.
I walked back into town and saw Pet standing in front of the hotel. “Wondering if you know of a woman by the name of BB... also goes by the name Ghost sometimes?” I asked her, thinking if Ru knew of the woman, Pet probably would too.
“Ahh yes I do. What about her?”
A woman standing nearby rolled her eyes slightly and I looked over, “Saw some recognition go across your face too. What can you tell me about her?” I looked between the women.
“I can’t say I really know her, but seen her around off and on over the years,” the woman told me.
“Hmm... I know enough not to be on the other side of her side irons,” Pet commented.
“I’ve heard that before,” I nodded.
“She don’t miss,” Pet said.
“She just flat out crazy,” the other woman said and Pet agreed.
“Great,” I sighed.
“Gives outlaws a bad name... and that takes some doin’,” the woman noted.
“Ya seen her in town lately?”
“Yesterday when she shot Cletis, but I ain’t seen her since.”
“She shot Cletis?!” I raised an eyebrow.
“You didn’t hear about that?” she asked. “She turned herself in, eventually.”
“What happened?”
“Well that’s a first!” Pet exclaimed.
“Yeah, not sure why.”
“I’m sure if you look in Diamond there are plenty. She’s been known to hang out up that way,” Pet pointed out.
“Oh? In Diamond?” I clarified. “What about Benson? Or the other areas?”
“Hmm, well she does tend to make the circuit, but yeah Diamond the most though.”
“You happen to know where she might live maybe? Not just hang out?”
“No! And if’n I did I’d walk a mile or two as not to pass it,” Pet shook her head.
“Most likely under a rock in the desert,” the other woman said.
“Oh she ain’t scared of nobody, Trin... and if she knows you’re snoopin’ around whew! You wouldn’t see her when she drops ya!”
“I’ll keep it down then,” I nodded. “Just ridin’ around the area to see the sights.”
“Like Jan said, ‘crazy’ in capital letters and bold print.”
“Great,” I sighed again.
Lawrence walked over then and I brightened, smiling at him. “Well hey there,” I greeted him.
“Miss Paige, Miss Pet,” he tipped his hat to us.
“Just in time, Lawrence. I need a shadow for the evening,” I winked at him.
“Oh good,” he smiled and nodded to Jan.
“Well Lawrence, feel like taking a walk out towards Black Diamond?” I asked him.
“Maybe. Though you could introduce me first.”
“Oh, of course, my manners,” I chuckled. “Well this here’s Pet and that lady there... I don’t know her name yet. And this lady in the green dress is Star Rubble, Judge Jimmi’s wife,” I said as Star walked over. “Ladies, this is Lawrence Faulkes,” I smiled.
“Really? I guess I’m not as famous as I thought,” Jan laughed.
“Pleasure to meet you all, especially the lady with no name,” Lawrence smiled.
“I’m Jan, nice to meet ya,” Jan said and I chuckled, remembering that Pet had already said her name earlier.
I asked Star how Jimmi was doing and she told me that he has been busy in Goldfield. After talking with the group for a while, Lawrence and I decided to take a walk.
Bisbee.
We walked into Bisbee and he stopped and said, “Getting that feeling.”
“What feeling is that?” I stopped and smiled at him.
“Ambush, my dear,” he grinned. “Also the feeling of taking you into a hotel room. Shall we continue?” he winked.
“One thing first,” I smiled and reached for his hand. I kissed his lips softly and whispered, “Hi...”
He kissed me gently and then leaned back. “Well Sherlock, we do have work to do.”
“Nice to see you again, dear,” I smiled at him.
“And nice to see you too,” he took my hand. “Come. Let’s go investigating.”
“Wait,” he held out my arm to stop me from walking past him.
“What’s wrong?” I looked over.
“Firstly, do not draw a weapon.”
“Honey, we’re just looking for information,” I shook my head. “I only want to find people with badges.”
“And secondly... I’ve not been entirely honest with you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a strange contraption. “I have one of these.”
I looked at him, confused. “One of whats?”
He placed it back into his pocket and pulled out a small paper bag. “Here, have a jelly baby,” he offered me a sweet and said, “Just making sure the area is safe.”
I took the jelly and ate it. “I’m confused. What’s so special about a jelly?”
“Taste it,” he said and I did so slowly. “A light fruity sweet jelly dusted with icing sugar. What’s not special?”
“Well it does taste good,” I smirked.
“I know,” he nodded. “So anyway, Miss Investigator...”
“Mmhmm?”
“Let’s investigate,” he smiled.
“Alright. We’re trying to find someone in law. Ranger, marshal, deputy, sheriff... I don’t care which.”
“After you,” he nodded.
“We won’t talk with someone without a badge.”
“Oh?”
“Unless I know and trust ‘em already,” I winked. “If the wrong people hear we’re snooping around about this it’ll be our heads.”
“My dear child,” he smiled, “I’ll talk to whomever I feel.”
“I could kiss you,” I chuckled.
“Come on, off we go. Save it for later.”
“Yes sir,” I nodded and led the way into Black Diamond.
Black Diamond.
“Wait,” he waited as we crossed into the town and I turned back to him. “One question.”
“What?”
“What exactly am I looking for?”
“Someone with a badge,” I chuckled and winked.
“But there is no one here.”
“We haven’t searched the whole area yet. The woman I want information for has been known to be arrested here quite a bit.”
He looked puzzled but said, “Okay, lead on.”
“I wanna know if she’s been around recently.”
We walked around and looked in the bank, and then wandered over to the chapel. It was quiet, and there seemed to be no one around. Lawrence mentioned that the small church reminded him of home and I told him that I played in the church sometimes.
“Need to find our way to Benson. Do you know the way?” I smiled at him.
“I do. Just need to get my bearings.”
“S’pose me kissing you wouldn’t help, eh?”
“Oh, it might.”
I smiled and leaned forward, kissing his lips softly. He held me gently and I hugged him, whispering,
“That help?”
“Think so.”
“I do what I can,” I winked.
Benson.
We wandered on then and eventually found our way to Benson. We walked around the saloon and then headed towards the sheriff’s office. “Ah, there’s the sheriff!” I smiled, seeing Al standing in front of the office. “Hey there Al! Hope you ain’t busy? Had a question for you.”
“Hi there, Trin. Sure, I can answer anything.”
I introduced him to Lawrence and then said, “I’m lookin’ for information about a woman...”
“Okay, how can I help?”
“Well, she’s been known to hang around here in Benson... Her name’s BB, also known as Ghost.”
“I don’t know much about her.”
“Have you seen her around?”
“Not really. I know she was active in Tombstone last night, when I was helping Sheriff Skyla.”
“Yes Sir. I’ve been assigned to investigate for some information about her.”
“She is no longer a sheriff.”
“For Ansar actually. Probably going to be something out in these parts... Seems she’s known to.... What?!” I blinked at him.
“Yes, they fired her. I don’t think it was right, but she will always be sheriff to me.”
I shook my head in dismay, sad that the rumors were true. “Geez... Who’s the new sheriff then? That just ain’t right.”
“Was told it was Cas.”
I blinked and said, “I never see him around town!”
“That’s what I was told. He is an outlaw.”
I shook my head in frustration and said, “Ridiculous. How the hell does an outlaw become a sheriff?”
“He did not work his way up, I know that.”
“Sounds a familiar tale,” Lawrence put in then.
“Does, Lawrence,” Al nodded.
“Pardon me for interrupting.”
“You’re not interrupting,” Al shook his head.
“Not at all,” I shook my head, still upset over the news. “I just can’t believe... Goodness... what will Si think when he’s back..”
“Maybe I could hire you to look into who the new sheriff is,” Al wondered.
“Oh you don’t have to hire me for that. I’ll be lookin’ into it already. This is madness.”
Al handed me some money and I smiled widely, “Really, Sheriff?”
“Yes. You do good work. You need to get bit of thanks from me.”
“Well thank you so much. I’ll keep you posted,” I promised.
“Do you know Lawrence here?” Al asked me.
“Lawrence is a... close friend. He’s helping me look around,” I smiled.
“He is a fine man,” Al nodded.
“Thank you, Sir,” Lawrence smiled.
“One thing I recommend though...”
“He is at that,” I agreed and then asked, “Yes Sheriff?”
“Invest in guns and learn to shoot.”
I patted my gun on my holster and said, “Tye was teachin’ me back when I was a deputy for a week... Don’t like to use ‘em but it’s there if I have to.”
“Never too sure what you could need them for. You were a deputy for a week,” Al said to me.
“Yeah found out I liked the investigating better. Being a deputy I was more focused on self defense than actually solving cases.”
“You do a good job.”
“Thanks, Al, that means a lot. We’ll see if the new sheriff thinks so,” I sighed.
“I think Adrian’s not going to let this go down too long.”
“I surely hope not. I’ve already wired him with my thoughts.”
“He will lose half his law.”
“He’ll have a mutiny of his town if not his law.” I looked to Al and asked, “If you hear anything about BB or Ghost or whatever name she decides to go by... you’ll let me know?”
“Yes.”
I reached out and shook his hand. “Thank you, Sheriff. Always good to work with you.”
“I’d get you coffee but it’s not done.”
“It’s alright. We should carry on,” I chuckled.
“You have a nice day.”
“You too,” I smiled and looked to Lawrence. “Shall we?”
“After you. Pleased to meet you, Sheriff,” Lawrence said then.
Tombstone.
We walked back to Tombstone and danced at Kate’s. While we were dancing, Cletis came into the saloon.
“How do, sorry to barge in but either of you got a handcuff key on ya?” he looked between us.
“Cletis, howdy. Uh... no sir. Had a question for you though.”
“How do Ms, good to see you again,” he nodded to me.
“Heard about the incident with BB yesterday. You alright?”
“Sho ‘nuff, its the incident today I’m still working through,” he nodded again.
“He’s the one BB shot,” I looked to Lawrence and then looked back at Cletis. “Which incident is that?”
He looked down, a little embarrassed. “Tried to stop 4 outlaws from robbin’ the bank. They shot me, cuffed me, tied me up in the apache village and left me. But the apache war chief came along and untied me.”
“In the Apache village, sir?”
“Nice fella but he didn’t have a cuff key. Sho ‘nuff, far as I know since he said he was the apache war chief.”
“No law around I’ll bet...”
“Just me,” he said and I sighed.
“Town’s falling apart,” Lawrence observed.
“And handcuffed, gunless and badgeless. May as well be an accordion player.”
I chuckled softly and said, “Wish I could help you, Sir. We detectives don’t have much need for handcuffs.”
“Well, if you all don’t have a key, I will be on my way to find one. You all have a better day than me.”
I watched him walk out and shook my head, looking over to Lawrence. “We need more bloody law.”
We danced a little longer and then Lawrence and I headed home to enjoy a quiet evening together.
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