Tombstone.
This morning I greeted my horses in the streets and smiled as Lawrence walked over. He asked if I had any plans today and I said that I needed to track down some witnesses today. Tina came over and the three of us talked a bit about my horses that I had acquired. Lawrence said goodbye after a while and headed off down the street. I decided to go to the office and got some work done.
When I went out for a walk to get some fresh air later, I saw a horse standing in front of the bank. The door was open and I smiled seeing Chase inside. “Just the man I’m lookin’ for,” I said as I walked in.
“Howdy ma’am, and welcome back to the tombstone Bank and Trust. How might I help you today?”
“I don’t know if you remember the incident te other day where the woman came in to rob the bank... and then her husband came in and shot us?” I smiled, wondering if he remembered me.
He gave me a short nod and said, “How could I forget ma’am? My stomach’s still sore from that mess.” He lifted himself slowly up from the desk and approached the counter. “Now can I do for ya today Miss Pinkerton?”
“Well I’m actually here as a prosecutor today... I’m going to be going up in court against the woman and I was wondering if you’d be willing to be a witness for me?”
He scratched his chin and thought about it. “For robbing the bank and gunning that there Marshal down? I’d be happy to. All apart of m’job ma’am. When would the trial be exactly?”
“It’ll be tomorrow night. It would be great if you could be there. If for some reason you can’t... A written statement might be a good idea as a backup if you could write one up for me? Just in case something comes up?”
“Doesn’t sound like it would be a problem. Might take me a little while to get it written up. But I can certainly have it sent over to ya’ at the prosecutors office when I’m done.”
“That would be great. Just in case something comes up, you never know, right? That way at least I’ve got your perspective. It’s only against Tessa coming in and robbing the bank and shooting the marshal, not about her husband coming in and shooting us both. I reckon that’ll be a separate trial.”
“You got it. I’ll see what I can do about pulling it all together, starting from when she came in to the moment I gunned her down” he gave me a returning nod. “Is there anything else I could help you with today while you’re here ma’am?”
“That should be it. Thanks so much... Your first name isn’t Kemp, is it? Or is that your last name?”
“Banker Kemp ma’am. Banker Chase Kemp. That’d be my full name”
I smiled wide and said, “Fantastic. Thanks so much, Chase... I’m hoping this will be an easy trial.”
“With you behind the prosecutors desk Miss, I’m sure it will be,” he reached down, pulling a pen and paper out from under the desk. “I’ll see what I can do on getting that information written down to help ya through it. Just in case I can’t make it.”
I blushed and said, “Well thank ya darlin’. Lookin’ forward to tomorrow night. How have things been in the bank since then?”
“Not too bad at all, there were a few shady people to come on in here over the past couple of days. But there was fortunate enough to be a Deputy or two around at the time.”
“Glad to hear that,” I smiled. “Deputies have been few and far between when I’m around it seems. Ain’t been given an official case in weeks from the law. Alright well I best let ya focus on your work. Thanks, Chase. Ya can drop the statement off at my office at the courthouse.” “It was good seeing you again. You have yourself a fine morning now.”
“You too,” I smiled and walked out of the bank.
I waved to Dee and asked her if everything was going alright and she said it was. We talked about the busy day she had tomorrow. I decided to hang around the bank, just in case anything happened while it was open.
Voo was inspecting the post in front of the undertaker’s and said, “Hum... Interesting.”
“What’s so interesting?” I asked him, curious.
He looked around and said, “Huh? What? Is someone there?”
“Hi,” I smiled.
“Aah! Damn near frightened me ta death!”
“Sure I did,” I chuckled.
He adjusted his shoulder against the post and just whistled a tune. I chuckled at him and leaned against the wall in front of the bank. Chase came out and locked the bank. Meanwhile, Voo drew his gun, placing a few new bullets he’d removed from his belt. Then he locked the chamber and gave it a spin. I watched him but tried not to show that I had reacted. He holstered the gun swiftly as he drew them and I just shook my head at the movement.
A woman walked into the bank and wanted to know if her account was still active. Paisley walked over then and I smiled to her, talking a bit about how the day was going peacefully so far. The woman in the bank asked who the sheriff was in town and I perked, wondering why she wanted to know. Jess entered the bank then and the other woman walked out of the bank.
I noticed someone standing in front of the Sheriff’s office and wondered who he was. I walked over then and said, “Good morning.”
“Mornin’ ma’am,” he smiled at me. He was definitely attractive; tall, dark, and broodingly handsome.
“Detective Trin Paige. I wanted to introduce myself,” I smiled and held out a hand.
He shook my hand and said, “Deputy Frost, pleasure to meet you.”
I shook his hand firmly and said, “Pleasure is mine. Good to see some more law in town during the day.”
“I saw the need for law, so I figured I’d step in and try my best.”
“Guess I won’t be so lonely anymore out there,” I winked at him.
“Good, and I won’t be either,” he smiled and gazed into my eyes, making me blush.
“I basically help the law with investigations if they need it... Since ya’ll are sometimes busy with the arresting stuff. Hopefully we’ll work closely together.”
“I could only hope, It would be an honor to work with ya.”
“Just been keepin’ an eye on the bank this morning. Been some stuff goin’ on there and I didn’t like the idea of that poor banker in there all alone.”
“I was actually just about to go over and make sure things were alright with the banker myself.”
“So far things seem calm. Day is still young though, of course. Did that woman come over and ask you about who the sheriff was, by the way?”
“Yes, of course, and naw, she just had to report an attempted robbery”
“Oh?” I asked, curious.
“Sirus... Skyla’s man,” he said and I blinked with surprise.
“Robbery of what, if I can ask?”
“I believe it was a gun belt and a locket from the child she was with.”
“Mind if I look into it and get some information for you? Did the woman tell you her name?”
“You’re more than welcome to, Her name was Chezz Firelyte.”
“I’ll see what I can find out,” I nodded.
“No rush, it was only an attempt, they still have their items, the woman said he got frightened and ran off.”
“Ah okay, something to just keep an eye on then I guess.” I sighed with relief and he nodded, letting out a small smile. “I have to go over to Bisbee, that’s where I’m originally stationed. I’ll be back in a little. It was good to meet you miss.”
“Alright. Great to meet you as well, Deputy. Look forward to working with you.”
“Likewise,” he nodded a farewell and continued on his way.
I walked over to the bank and peaked inside. “Everything alright in here, Chase?”
“Just fine little lady, thank you for asking. And how are things out there? Quiet morning it seems.”
“Indeed. Seems we have a new deputy in the area. Mighty glad to see that.”
“Mhm, yes. I do believe I heard you all talking about that just outside those doors.”
“Seems like a nice fella. Stationed over in Bisbee as well so at least I know it’ll be safe over there too. Hope to see more folks like that steppin’ up. Well I’m heading back to my office. See ya soon, Chase. You can drop that statement at the Pinkerton office as well if ya like.”
“You got it ma’am. You have yourself a nice day now,” he said and I headed back to the office.
After some time I walked outside to get some fresh air and found a woman trying to lasso a horse who was having nothing to do with her. I chuckled and watched, introducing myself to Chezz as we watched the woman struggle. I walked over and saw Ansar standing in front of the sheriff’s office. I asked if he would be around tomorrow night and he said that it should be no problem.
“I got a case for you to work on,” he said then.
“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow with curiosity.
“Well it’s a bit complicated, and long...”
“To discuss in an office perhaps?” I asked, not wanting Voo and Keiki knowing too much as they stood nearby.
“It be best to go some place and talk over all the details.”
We walked into the sheriff’s office and he closed the door. “Been a while since I been in here.”
“These two reports is all I know about what happened that day,” he said and handed me a couple of witness reports. I read the case and saw that Sheriff Paty Dalton had been murdered. “Only problem is I try to talk to TJ and he shoots me. All I got out of him is a bullet, but he the only person I know that seen anything.”
“I’ve known TJ a long time. I may be able to talk to him. If anything, I’m good friends with his girl.”
“So I need ya to find out anything about this case. I run it dry and I run out of places to go. You were on vacation or I would’ve got this to you sooner.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” I nodded. “Thanks Ansar. Not exactly a vacation... I was up north dealing with some threatening letters to my family.”
“I’ll call it vacation. Easier to say.”
“I’m sure the situation ain’t over... I got shot. I’ll be fine I guess. Just focusin’ on things here and tryin’ not to worry.”
“Right. That’s everything.
“Okay I’ll get to work. Thanks for this,” I nodded.
“See ya around.”
I nodded to him and reminded him about the trial tomorrow night and he promised to be there. Walking into the bank again I said, “Me again,” with a smile.
“Howdy ma’am, welcome back to the Tombstone Bank and trust.... How might I help you today?”
“Just had a quick question for ya... You don’t know if the assayar’s office was moved to the bank, do you?”
“I do believe we have all of the materials here to assay anything you might need us to. Why do you ask?”
I smiled that the point wasn’t fabricated. “That’s great. I’m just working a case and needed to know if that point was valid or not. Glad to hear the witness wasn’t told false information.”
“We are more then happy to help ma’am. Do let us know if you need any more information.”
“Will do. Thanks Chase,” I nodded and headed out to the street.
Black Diamond.
I walked into Black Diamond and waved to Ali and Gabe. I talked with Gabe as Ali walked away to deal with something. I asked him if he knew anything about Paty’s murder and he said that he didn’t. He said he’d just arrived in town as she’d passed away.
Ali came back and I told her, “I was just assigned the case of Paty’s murder by Ansar. Was wondering if we could chat.”
“Of course.”
Gabe walked away so we could talk. I asked Ali, “Did you recognize any of the people standing between the assayar’s and the clergy house?”
“No ma’am. Didn’t have much time to look before the gunfire started.”
“Guess you didn’t hear any of the conversation then, huh?”
She shook her head and said, “I was coming from this side of town, walking to the saloon by way of the bank and general store side. When I got just past the cafe is when I noticed the group of folks down the street. Next thing I knew I was running for cover.”
“So you didn’t see who shot the first shot?”
She shook her head and said, “They were too far down the street for me to see much. Looked to be perhaps five or six down there but I cant be sure cause I was running pretty quick. Them guns start shooting, I’m running.”
“Of course,” I nodded. “Do you know what was put in the vacant assayer’s building? I heard the things were indeed moved to the bank.”
“There was only a vault in the building. But from my understanding from Mayor Wise the assayer’s office was moved to the bank and there is where all the business was being done now.”
“But the vault is still there... and was opened when you saw it... as was the door..”
“But, like I said in my report the fella said something about gold. It was open. I don’t know if the vault was not emptied or if someone had access to it and was hiding something in there perhaps.”
“Wonder whose gold was being stored in the vault of an empty building...”
“Wasn’t mine,” she shrugged, “whatever was in there.”
“Well that helps. Guess I’ll try to track down the mayor.”
“Perhaps Gabe put something in there, you can ask him.”
“Perhaps,” I nodded and looked around. “Thanks Ali. Gonna go find that husband of yours.”
“I thought I saw him walk to the other side of town.”
I nodded and walked down the street, finding him in front of the saloon. “Gabe, question for ya.”
“Yes ma’am?” he turned to me.
“You know the old assayer’s building?” I asked and he nodded. “You know who would have access to the vault in there?”
He thought for a moment and then said, “Can’t say I do. I would assume Mr. Menke, hmm... think his first name is Jackson, since he was the one running the mining around here a while back. Other than that maybe Mayor Wise.”
“That’s what I thought. Where can I find Mr. Menke?”
“Only met the man once when he first came to Diamond and set up the mining. Haven’t seen him since.”
“Alright. Thanks, Gabe. Have a good afternoon.”
“You may want to talk to Richie,” Ali told me as she walked over to us.
“Oh?”
“If my memory is correct, he mentioned something about being here the night it happened.”
“I’ll head over to his place. Thanks, Ali.”
“Don’t know how much he saw happen.”
I walked over to Richie’s place and saw him sitting on his balcony. “Rich? Can I come up for a bit?” I called up.
“Sure. Surprised you got time to stop with everything going on over here.”
I walked up to his balcony and leaned back against the railing. “Well you’re part of my investigation actually... Was told you may know somethin’ about Paty’s murder?”
“Well I was asleep actually looked up bodies everywhere.”
“Bodies?!” I blinked. “Plural?! Who else was killed?”
“Didn’t really know who was living or not but I did help Punk to the clinic.”
“Great,” I muttered, not wanting to have to talk to Punk.
“Wish I could be more help.”
“You know anything about the old assayer’s office vault being broken into?”
“Oh I know who you can talk to...”
“I’m listening,” I smiled.
“The medic. She would know.”
“Which one?”
“Um... calvary medic was a lady, or ranger... She was uniformed.”
“Oh, have to go find out at the fort then...”
“Started with an A maybe.”
“Angeles?” I wondered.
“That is it I reckon.”
“I know her. I can find her. Thanks, Rich.”
“So you got Punk and the medic. And who’s vault got robbed?”
“Oh it was the old assayer’s building that had a vault in it. I guess someone was goin’ on about it bein’ open and empty. Don’t know whose gold it was though and I don’t know who had access to the vault to store their gold there in the first place.”
“Well you will be busy a while I reckon.”
“I hope so. Nice to be workin’ on somethin’ again.”
“Well I’ll be sure not to bug ya but if you need anything, just ask.”
“Thanks, Richie, I appreciate any help I can get,” I smiled at him. “Nice place ya got here.”
“Oh just a hotel room but I’ll tell Ali you like it. She and Gave did good work.”
“They sure did. Well I best be wanderin’ around yet again. Talk to you soon, Rich!”
I waved and headed back home.
Tombstone.
I walked into town and wandered into Kate’s, smiling when I saw three people there that I needed to talk to. “How are ya’ll tonight?”
“Getting better,” Nim chuckled as she drank some whiskey.
“We are all celebratin’,” Tony told me. “You caught the gang all in one place.”
“Mmhmm. Starling and Nim first... I’m prosecuting the trial against Jet Black. Wondering if you both would be my witnesses in court?” I asked them.
“Yes, celebrating that we found a saloon with some good music.”
“I was so relieved to hear that you were safe, Starling. That must have been awful.”
“I will be there as I was the one that was taken,” Starling nodded.
“Sure Trin, I can do that, since we seem to be facing each other at four.”
“Right, in the trial against Tessa.”
“Can you maybe tell me what you witnessed from your perspective, so I have your statement in case somethin’ comes up and you can’t be there?” I asked her.
“I will be there, 10:30?”
“Jet’s trial is actually 1:30.”
“Oh, easy then.”
I took the witness report from Starling and said, “Thank you hon. Will you be there tomorrow?”
“I would have been there anyway to see you in action before ours,” Nim smiled.
“Yes I will still holding the bruises on her wrists and ankles,” Starling said.
“Right, all the same I’d love to hear your side of things before we get into the courthouse if we could?” I asked Nim.
“Let’s have coffee tomorrow before court, say noon?” Nim asked.
I shook my head and said, “I’d rather do it now if we could... tomorrow’s going to be busy enough doing two trials.”
“Well Miss Trin, I am enjoying my whiskey and the company at present.”
“Alright then, I guess it’ll have to be tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Nim nodded.
“What time do you want me there tomorrow?” Starling asked me.
“As long as you’re there by the start of trial at 1:30 I’ll be happy, Starling. Thank you.”
“Miss Trin, why don’t ya hang up yer workin’ hat and have a drink and join us for some fun,” Tony suggested.
“Great, thank you Starling,” I smiled to her.
“Have you spoken to Sheriff Rikki?” Nim asked.
“No, I haven’t yet. Should I?” I looked at her.
“Yes, she was with us, her and I were backing up Steve.”
“With the kidnapping? Okay, I will certainly find her. Thanks. And I’ll see you at noon tomorrow I guess, Nim.”
“Thanks, and sorry about tonight, been a long day and I just feel like relaxing. I will give you all you need before your case tomorrow.”
“It’s alright. I just like to have these things sorted when I can. Things come up last minute, you know...”
“I just hope it goes ok as I not done this before,” Starling said nervously.
“I’m sure it will, Starling. We’ll try to get you justice for the nasty situation you were put in,” I assured her.
“I just so scared...”
“Yours should be easy Starling, I could not defend Mr Black, since I was involved,” Nim smiled.
“Oh hon... nothing’ll be more scary than when you were kidnapped that day. Court will be a breeze,” I assured and added, “I hope.”
“Kind of glad, going to be a hard defence,” Nim said. “You know TJ was involved on Mr Black’s side, Trin?”
“I’m aware,” I nodded. “Hopefully we won’t have to worry about him though.”
“He and I took each other out, long distance, three shots each.”
“Thought you didn’t wanna talk about it,” I smiled at Nim.
“Oh, that is funning about it. Helps one relax you know.” I chuckled and Nim lifted her glass to me, taking a sip.
“Miss Trin, were you wantin’ to talk to me too?” Tony asked.
“Oh yes...” I chuckled and looked over at him. “Was just wonderin’ if ya had any more trouble with that situation we talked about before I headed up north?”
“Well... just last night actually... after the dance, I went back and found some more things gone from the warehouse.”
“Oh did you? Do you still want me to look into it for you?”
“Just small stuff... fixin’s fer buildin’ and such. Naw, I got an idea who it is now. I will deal with them personally. It’s an old friend of mine.”
“Oh,” I said, somewhat disappointed I wouldn’t get to investigate it.
“His idea of property and mine are different...” Tony explained. “You sound disappointed, Trin. I can still take you out there and show you around if you like.”
“Just was willing to help if ya need me but if you’ve got it worked out I hope it stays peaceful.”
“Well, it seems to have worked out. You see the guilty party left me a calling card, if you get me.”
“I’ll let ya’ll get back to your dancin’ and drinkin’,” I said then.
“I’d like to show you that calling card sometime Trin, just to help you maintain a certain perspective.”
“We can do it another time. Ya’ll are havin’ fun tonight. Don’t wanna spoil it with work,” I looked at him. “Anymore than I have,” I said, somewhat feeling guilty.
“Well you could always join us for some fun,” Tony suggested.
Nim smiled and leaned over the bar for an empty glass and turned to me. “Shall I fill you one?”
“Come on Trin,” Tony insisted. “All work and no play...”
“Sure, what the heck. Guess I could relax. Haven’t really let myself do it so much lately...” I said, not wanting to admit that it was to distract myself from the loneliness.
Nim sat the glass down and grabbed a bottle, filling it near ful, as well as hers and Tony’s. She offered the glass and I took it from her. “Thanks hon.”
“My pleasure,” she nodded.
“To friends and fun,” Tony raised his glass and we clinked as we enjoyed the whiskey. “There we go! Good music and good company... Who could ask fer more?” Tony winked at Nim. “Good to see you loosen up a bit Trin,” he said to me. “You must be the second hardest worker in Tombstone.”
“My work is all I have lately it feels like...” I sat down on the stool and reached out my glass for another drink from Nim.
“There you go,” Nim filled my glass.
“Ms. Starling, yer very quiet over there,” Tony looked at her.
“Just thinking about tomorrow,” she smiled.
I tried to think about something other than work to talk about but found it hard to do.
“Does Annies still have theme’s for Thursdays?” Nim asked.
“Good question. I don’t go there that much. I know Kate’s has a thing Monday night’s with themes.”
“Thursdays at Annie’s does have a theme,” Tony nodded. “Not sure what it is this week though.”
Bravo walked in then and Tony wanted us to let our hair down so I undid my pony tail, letting it hang long. Bravo told me that his wife was expecting a baby. I congratulated him and Nim said that Tony wanted me to dance with him. I chuckled and stood, taking his hand. We danced and I smiled, enjoying the company and the chance to let loose with good friends and not have to think about what would happen next.
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