Tombstone.
This morning I walked over to the saloon and greeted Ali. We talked about how good it felt for me to be a Pinkerton again and she asked if I’d seen Richie since she hadn’t seen him for a while. We talked about how coffee hour wasn’t the same without him and I promised I would ask around.
I asked Sky if she’d seen him and she said she’d seen him yesterday. I talked to her about my decision to be a detective again and she understood. I told her I was staying in the office in Tombstone since the house Pet showed me in Bisbee was too small.
“You know what’s sad, Sky…”
“What’s that?”
“Last man I was with was Kyle, and went and got hitched. Geez that feels like ages ago…”
“And Kyle ain’t hitched yet.”
“That’s surprising,” I looked at her.
“Well he’s engaged to one of my long friends… So I’ll be at the wedding.”
“Mmhmm. I just need to meet a decent cowboy, ya know?”
Vic came over and we talked about her pregnancy and how she and Nhil were going to get married at the fort. I noticed a man reading something down the street and I asked Sky, “So you’re not gonna introduce me to the man over there readin’?”
“Ya wanna know, go ask… We don’t see eye to eye.”
I nodded and wandered over. “Morning sir. Whatcha readin’?” I smiled.
“If he’s reading poems, I’ll be shocked,” Sky admited.
The man looked up at me and closed the book with a smile. “Hamlet miss. By the famous William Shakespeare.”
“Ah, that’s a good one... That’s the one with the three sisters, right? Toil toil , something and trouble?” I asked, noticing Skyla’s jaw drop.
“Something like that miss, yes,” he chuckled.
“It’s been a while since I read it,” I smiled.
“Toil toil boil and trouble," Sky said.
“All Shakespeare’s stuff come mingled together... Something about a son and a father right? Or is that Macbeth?”
“I’m pretty sure you’ve read more than most folks here if you know any details like that,” Serenity snickered.
“Well not all of them. Romeo and Juliet was about two lovers. Mister shakespeare is more of the romantic writer,” he said.
“Two lovers who in the end killed themselves!” Sky said.
“That he is. But he can’t help but throw some tragedy and family drama in there too,” I winked.
“What is love without tragedy miss?” he looked up at me with a smile.
“Ain’t that the truth. Name’s Trin. And you are?” I smiled at him knowingly.
“The name is Alvin Dean. Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he shook my hand.
“Pleasure to meet you as well, Alvin.”
“Are you new to this town miss?”
“Been here just over a month actually,” I shook my head. “Just applied to be a prosecutor last night. Hoping to hear back soon.”
“That’s kind of funny, because I just applied to be a defence lawyer,” he chuckled.
“Oh did ya?” I chuckled. “Well I should tell you sir... In another life I was undefeated.”
“Well miss, be prepared to take your first defeat,” he smiled.
“Of course it helps that the jury disappeared except for the wife of the defense lawyer, and the guy on trial lied to his own lawyer… Didn’t even have to give my closing statement.”
“Yeah, That tends to happen,” he laughed.
“How long you been in the field?”
“Well miss... I’ve never actually had a chance to be until now. I just rode into town two days ago. Before then, I was in Colorado.”
“Oh did ya? Well this town kinda sucks ya in,” I blinked as he said Colorado. “No kidding... That’s where I was before coming here too.”
“Oh really? I loved the life there, but I came here to visit my father,” his eyes widened a bit and he looked me in the eyes.
“I.. Needed to leave there and start fresh so I came here. There’s a few of the same people but not enough that it feels like a clean slate still.”
“That is very true miss. It’s like a fresh breeze of air into a new life,” he nodded in agreement.
“That it is. Colorado was a very... small town. The natives were taking over and then it all went to heck…” I nodded.
“Well, I had native friends in the orphanage. They taught me a couple of things and what not. My main focus was reading and learning. I’ve always had a passion for it.”
“I’ve always loved reading as well. It passes the time and lets you escape into a world where you would normally get to experience,” I smiled.
“Well miss, I was thinking of writing my own book about this town. Of course it’d have to have two romantic characters.”
“Funny, I’ve been writing out my journals lately for that very reason. I don’t wanna forget any memory around here,” I chuckled.
“Would you like a drink miss?” he leaned off the pole and offered me his hand.
“It would be my pleasure,” I smiled and took his hand.
We walked into the saloon and he held out a stool for me as he got me a whiskey. “So miss, tell me more about your journals,” he said when we’d gotten comfortable.
“Well... I made one book about this investigation when I started back in Colorado... Made it into a book. Was gonna do that with the other journals but the project seems to have grown to the point where the series would have over ten books in it… So now I’m just gathering them all and am gonna try to print them just by month... Still keep everything together if I need to look back and remember somethin’.”
“Well miss, you know that the best book writers are usually the ones who never intended it to happen. They just have a story they want to share,” he held my gaze as he talked.
“That’s for sure,” I smiled. “Best part about writing as you go around these parts... Anything can happen. Bein’ from Colorado... You probably heard of a man called Dutch Solo, hmm?”
“Of course! He was like a mentor to me,” Alvin nodded. “Taught me a couple of things.”
“Really? I investigated his uh.. murder for the first month when I moved to town. Then found out he wasn’t actually dead,” I smiled. “Then..." I coughed. “Kinda fell in love with him... Then he disappeared for months on end and would show up randomly. Didn’t see him again till I found him over in Cripple Creek around New Years.”
“Now that’s a place you don’t hear about often. Ahh Cripple creek,” he frowned a bit. “Been a while since I’ve been there.”
“Yeah well,” I looked down. “Not great memories there. I can’t believe our paths haven’t crossed in all this time. Seems we have a lot ofthings in common.”
“A lot of things in common. Maybe it was destiny for us to meet like this?” he smiled.
I smiled and drank my whiskey. “Who knows, hmm? What kind of things did Dutch teach you? He sure taught me a few things…” I said with a regretful sigh.
“Well, he helped me learn to shoot, build and create things. He also helped a friend of mines run for sheriff once. He was a man of many talents,” Alvin said.
“Ain’t that the truth…” I shook my head.
“Miss, would you like to hear a poem?”
“I would love to,” I smiled. I heard shouting outside and was relieved I didn’t have to worry about Voo anymore unless I wanted to.
Alvin took out his notebook and read from the pages, “Some people believe, there is a one The one who points, your way to the sun.A person they believe, makes them complete. The one who will support, when facing defeat,” he smiled. “I heard it once in colorado. I wrote it down so I would never forget it.”
“That’s beautiful, Al…” I smiled.
“Thank you very kindly, Miss…” he pulled the bottle over and poured himself some more whiskey.
I looked at him, speechless. “I’m finding it hard to come up with words... I feel like I’m looking at my past when I look at you... I’m just a bit overwhelmed.”
“Well miss, I could say the same to you. It’s not every day that you meet someone who has almost the same background, and interests as you. I feel... Well... A bit honored.”
I nodded and looked in his eyes. “Out here... it’s hard to start over, ya know? When no one knows you and thinks things based on one or two instances... When someone comes from where you were for so many months…”
“I understand completely miss. People look at me as a common criminal, but have no intentions on finding out who I really am. I’m glad you did,” Al nodded.
“I try to understand the person inside and don’t make judgments on appearance or hearsay. I hadn’t met you yet so I figured I should find out your name. Little did I know we had so much in common…” I shook my head, still amazed.
“Well miss, fate has it’s ways of introducing people,” he looked deep in my eyes and put a hand on my leg.
I felt the warmth at the contact and looked back into his eyes. “Yes it does…”
“You know something miss... I never asked what is you do. Would you mind telling me?” he smiled.
“Now why would I give all my secrets away right at the start, hmm?” I smiled.
“Well secrets eventually come out anyways miss,” he chuckled and rubbed his chin a bit.
I smiled and reached down to put my hand on his, which was still on my leg. “Well then we’ll just have to give it the proper amount of time, eh?”
He leaned down to place a kiss on my hand and looked back in my eyes. “Time never sounded so good miss.” He headed out of the saloon.
I smiled, walking out towards Ali and the others outside. I told her that Sky had seen Richie yesterday and she said that Richie had been shot. I was then surprised and she told me that someone came up to her asking for a donation for the orphanage. When she said she didn’t have any coin with her, the man drew a gun on her.
“But no importance, seeing law don’t care,” Ali muttered.
“Can you describe him, Ali? I care,” I looked at her.
“I reckon I know who it is, but can’t be for certain till I take a closer look.” She looked at me and said, “I reckon you do, but you ain’t law.”
“If she wanted to make a report, she would’ve. And that’s a ‘Cole’ line,” Sky looked at me.
“Well sure, she could’ve. Don’t mean nothin’ happened though,” I nodded to her.
“Last time I done make a report it was ignored. I ain’t making no more. It wasn’t Cole. I know Cole.”
“I ain’t never ignored a single report, Ali,” Sky raised an eyebrow.
“Can't do nothing not knowing what a person looks like or a name,” Ansar said. “Be like saying a lady took my gun. You know how many females there are in this town?”
“Well I done drop it in the box. Not a one of you even come to ask me about it.”
“Need to go fix that box,” Ansar said.
“Okay Ansar,” Skyla nodded. “Ansar just don’t like ta have his leg pulled.”
“I’ve mentioned several times I’ve dropped a report in the box and nothing been done. And now they all concerned the box is broken,” Ali rolled her eyes.
“Actually Ali, it goes to someone who’s hardly around,” Skyla said.
“Well that ain’t my problem, now is it?”
“Naw, but you could’ve let me know and it would’ve been dealt with.”
“I ain’t letting ya’ll know nothing.”
“Then that ain’t my issue either,” Sky shook her head.
“I do not understand the hierarchy of the law here,” Muriel muttered.
I looked over at Ali and handed her a piece of paper from her notebook and a quill. “Write down who you think it was, Ali.”
“Hierarchy, Muriel?” Sky looked at her.
“The order of command.”
“Well that’s simple. What ya wanna know?” Sky asked.
“It seems from this discussion that if I am wronged... I file a report. But you can’t do anything before it is reviewed by a mysterious person who is hardly around.”
“Well that’s why it’s being fixed,” Sky said.
I looked at Ali and waited for her to write down a name but she shook her head at me and I sighed, taking the paper back. “Don’t complain that I didn’t care, Ali,” I sighed and put the notebook back in my vest.
“So then you are helpless to the people of Tombstone, Skyla,” Muriel stated.
“Till that’s fixed, unless it’s handed to me personally… which I recommend anyways…” Sky sighed.
“Sounds frustrating for you.”
“Indeed it is highly!”
“I ain’t complaining about you Miss Trin. I know you trying to make the town a better place,” Ali said.
“But that means that we all can raise hell…. and nothing will happen,” Muriel muttered.
“Oh no… Something will happen.”
“Well I’m going to head to my office if anyone needs me,” I sighed and stood. They continued to argue and I said, “Ya’ll know where to find me,” as I headed for my office.
An hour later I received a telegram saying I was accepted as a prosecutor. I walked over to the hotel and talked with the group who was there. “You alright?” Sirus kept his gaze on me.
“Why wouldn’t I be alright?” I looked at him.
“Ya got no guns on fer a deputy.”
“I feel better than I have in weeks. Feel like I’m floatin on air. I got no badge either, Si.”
“So how’s it feel regaining a few brain cells again?” Sirus asked.
I chuckled and said, “It feels great.”
“Floating on air?!” Richie blinked. “Sounds like love Miss Trin. You went got a feeler?”
“Nope I’ve got less weight on me. Metaphorically and literally,” I said as we heard shooting.
“You know you can’t be using big words like… no guns… Well how you gonna be law with no guns?” he asked and I spun around, pointing where my badge and gun used to be. “Well, well… Give it up, did ya?”
“Went back to what I did before... Bein myself. Always was more brain than braun,” I winked at him.
“MARSHAL YAH SHOULDN’T BE WALKING AWAY FROM A LADY THAT’S SPEAKING TO YOU” Jade shouted then.
“Kris sounds like shooting in the street!” Sky shouted.
“You back to investigatin’?” Richie asked and I nodded with a smile.
“Feels great too,” I said.
I continued to talk with Richie and Cora and I introduced the two of them to each other. I looked over at Richie and said, “Rich I almost had a case on you... You were missed this morning for coffee. We almost sent out a search party.”
“You a public defender, Richie?” Sirus asked.
“Oh well, I just got caught up in a long poker game is all,” he said.
“Uh huh…” I chuckled.
“Nope, too lazy fer working,” Richie said.
“Dang, I need to find me one.”
“Nice thing for me now is I can choose when I work.”
“You in trouble Si?” Richie asked.
“Seems I being framed for the bank robbery last week,” Si said.
“Oh?” I looked at him. “Wasn’t there already a trial for that?”
“Went to help sky and the dang dumb baker shot me for no good reason.”
“Well how that happen?” Richie asked.
“Not sure? Well I went into the bank to help Sky cause I heard she been shot. Dang banker thought I was the one that done robbed the bank and shot her.”
“Seems the banker should be one needing a lawyer,” Richie muttered.
“Sheesh,” I shook my head.
“You shot her?”
“Then just unloaded on me no questions asked. ‘Course not,” Si shook his head. “She was already gone to the clinic but I dint know.”
“I thought Punk was on trial for that robbery last weekend... Or is this a different robbery?” I asked.
“Well if you was with the sheriff you got solid alibi,” Richie said.
“Always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time is all I’m guilty of,” Si said.
“You’d think, Rich. Shouldn’t even be a case.”
“Ifin law stands up fer you in court you got no worries,” Richie said.
“Yeah, you’d think the judge would of seen that..but this town os itchin to see me get found guilty for one thing or another,” Si said.
“KRIS SHE DIDN"T EVEN SHOOT AT YA!” Serenity shouted then.
“Yeah but don’t let them bully you into jail either. They should be takin’ Skyla’s word to heart,” I looked at him.
A woman came over and Sirus was surprised to see her again. Her name was Souzan and we continued to talk about the incident with Sirus getting arrested. Ella came over and I could tell she was upset with all the shooting outside. I hugged her tightly as Punk shouted for a doctor and we continued to hear shouting back and forth. I told her about my different job and we talked about the bad language and we decided to take a walk. I showed her my office and we took a seat in the chairs.
“Have a seat hon. It won’t always be unlocked but yeah... When I’m here you can come hang out with me. So what have you been up to today Ella?”
“I will get over my teenage stage…” Ella said.
“Just give it time,” I nodded. “Don’t rush it.”
“Mother helped my sister over it.”
“What was her advice?”
“I will make it.”
“Yes you will,” I nodded. “I know it ain’t easy though.”
“True, I do hug my teddy at night.”
“Yeah... Don’t tell anyone but sometimes I still hug my teddy,” I winked at her.
“I did lots. Seeing all the blood yesterday.”
“There was a lot of shooting yesterday?”
“The Mr. Kris one.”
“Oh... I heard only pieces about that one. What did you see?” I asked.
“I heard about revenge then heard shots and all the infirmary and the pastor shooting.”
“Revenge huh?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm... Who shot him?”
“Kris? The pastor son did.”
“Pastor’s son? Oh…”
“Yes.”
“Which pastor do you mean, hon? I know Pet doesn’t have any kids.”
“Not Pet, she knows him. He baptist.”
“Oh I see... What’s the son’s name that shot Kris?”
“I am not sure.”
“Guess I’ll have to ask around... but that’s more than I knew this morning,” I smiled at her. “You wanna try and go outside? I think it’s quieted down some.” I stood and led the way to open the door for her.
We walked down the stairs and headed back to the hotel and talked with people standing around. Ella and I talked about how quiet things were around town now and then I headed back to my office.
***
A few hours later I headed towards the saloon and talked with the group there. I heard Bryan knocking on the sheriff’s office door and she called, “Marshal, did I hear it right? You killed my son?!”
“What did Kris do now?” I looked at Si.
“The fool just shot a fella fo a no good reason,” he said.
“They swear Charity shot em pastor,” Sky shouted.
“I did not!” shouted another woman.
“Need doc at the jail!” Kris shouted.
“Kris is the half wit!” another voice shouted.
“He’s a no good snake, I tell ya!” TJ shouted.
“Ms Charity? Are you in jail?” Bryan shouted into the office.
“NO pastor...the girls told me charity shot em not David!” Sky shouted.
“If anyone wants to pay my bail. Feel free!” Alvin shouted from in the sheriff’s office.
Hearing Al shout, I banged my head against the post with a sigh and muttered, “Figures.”
“Go ahead, Trin. Ya need a man? Bail him out,” TJ chuckled.
“Same man gave me some whiskey earlier today. I don’t have that kind of money anymore,” I chuckled at him.
“He did write ya name down, Si. Maybe he will make ya famous,” TJ suggested.
“Ain’t gettin’ paid now,” I sighed. “Hey Vic? Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure can,” she nodded.
“Why is it that every man I have a drink with ends up shot or in jail?”
“Because that is what men do here,” she shrugged.
“Either that or I’m cursed,” I chuckled.
“Ya cursed, Trin,” TJ said.
“Don’t even get me started, TJ,” I winked at him knowingly.
“Remind me not to have a drink with ye lassy,” said a man nearby.
“They like to to whats the word... um compensate for the lack of real manliness,” Vic suggested.
“Well I reckon I’ll go see how much the fella’s bail is,” Sirus said and excused himself as he headed to the sheriff’s office.
“I seen you talking to that man earlier to day, I was gonna warn you but…” Vic started.
I looked over at her and shrugged. “He lived in the same places as I did... knows lots of the same people. He knew Dutch Solo. Well.”
“Some things are better left to find out for ones self,” Vic said and I heard TJ shudder at the mention of Dutch’s name.
“Hell I been with a few men that’d been in jail.. they weren’t lackin anything,” Jan said and I chuckled.
“I’ve really been with one man in that way to really know,” Vic said.
“Cause ya know real men, Janny,” TJ said.
“Mmhmm,” she nodded.
“Guess I do too then,” I chuckled.
“It was just speculation for why men here act the way they do,” Vic said.
“I believe that,” I chuckled.
“Better to speculate on somethin ya know,” Jan shrugged and we laughed.
“I suppose you are right there,” Vic said.
“And? How much is it?” I asked as Sirus came back.
“Fella’s bail too much for my blood...190...and turns out..the book write shot law to begin with,” he shrugged.
“Aaye...he returns without springing a leak. whad dandy man sey?” Van asked.
“Ain’t no book worth that much.”
“Sheesh,” I chuckled and then smiled seeing Cole and Del together. “Now that’s a refreshing sight.”
“Hey Si, what was that Cole thinks the hotel is now?” TJ asked.
“Every one is so talkative and cheerful and friendly this evening, I just what happened ya’ll go to church?” Vic asked.
“Enjoy it while it lasts, Vic. Don’t question it is what I say,” I chuckled.
“Umm I think he done said it looks like miss abby was running a brothel out of it or somethin,” Sirus said. “Then again..my hearing ain’t always so good.”
“Best not hang out in front the hotel Vic folks might get the wrong idea bout ya,”
“Cole’s just wishful thinking,” Jan said.
“Oh I am sure they already have Tj, not to worried about it at this point,” Vic said.
“The man seems to have found a decent woman..don’t know why he’d think something of that sort,” Si said.
“Well, the word traiter does come to mind.”
“Hey Trin, long time no see!” a girl walked over and I blinked.
“Well I’ll be…” I said, recognizing Tessa from Amiville. TJ called her Gali and I grew curious to what she had been up to.
“I am innocent I tell you! I am framed just because I was born a slave!” Charity shouted then and I listened to Vic say that TJ being mad that she wouldn’t join his gang.
I greeted Josh as he came over and we continued to talk. Chet came over then and I greeted him slowly. “What Chet, not even gonna say hi anymore?” I chuckled when he didn’t say anything.
“Howdy Deputy Paige,” he nodded.
“Detective Paige,” I corrected him.
“Ya develop a conscious, I see?” Chet asked.
“Nope. Stepped down from deputy and regained my office as a Pinkerton,” I told him.
“Better than working with murderers n child killers like the marshal.”
“Can focus on conversation more than gun play.”
“You should investigate the crimes of the marshal.”
“Stayin as far away from that one as I can, Chet,” I looked at him.
“Ain’t no one gonna investigate chicken walker,” TJ muttered.
“I’ve brought it to the judge and the marshal’s attention. Nothin else I can do,” I told Chet. “They promised me they’re workin’ on it.”
“I just might have file a civil suit against him on behalf of the town,” Chet said.
“I ain’t stoppin ya, Chet,” I winked at him. “So Chet, you ain’t wearin your army getup… You have a concussion yourself and forget about that part too?”
“Hell, I say we burn the marshall out,” TJ suggested.
“I refuse to be in an outfit that employs Nhil,” Chet said. “I gotta head home. Oh, I fergot to tell ya.. getting married.”
“Really…” I blinked at him, shocked.
“Yes ma’am, but I must git going.”
“Congrats…” I said with surprise. “Stay safe, Chet,” I watched him go and shook my head. “Well guess that’s another curse I’ve got against me.”
“You have curse on you miss Trin?” Ya’ii asked.
“Yep. Guys I have drinks with... Either they get shot, or locked up in jail, or they land up marryin’ the next girl they date. Every bloody time.”
The group continued to talk about a new person getting a room at the hotel and I greeted Lil as she came over, surprised to see her too. TJ introduced her as an ex wife and I chuckled, thinking that marriage felt like a lifetime ago.
Al walked out of jail then and snuck up behind me, covering my eyes with his hands. “Guess who.”
“Well hey there,” I chuckled and reached up to take his hands and turned to him. He smiled and kissed me on the cheek and I blushed. “Nice to see you too.”
“Well it’s always a pleasure to see you,” he wrapped his arms around me.
“I believe you owe me a dance,” I whispered to him, hugging him tightly.
“Well the saloon is this way I do believe,” he offered me his hand.
“Lead the way, darlin’,” I said and we went to the saloon to dance, forgetting about the troubles of the day.
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