Tombstone.
This morning I walked into town and got a coffee from the hotel before going to sit in front of the sheriff’s office. I looked up when Twig walked over and she asked me if Lot was a nice man. I asked her why she wanted to know.
“He speak to mother of my white sisters and they are all upset.”
“Why are they upset? What did he say to them?”
“This I do not know, for I was told to go when they talked as family.”
“Hmm I’m worried about them now. That’s not a good thing. I’m guessing Mr. Josh wasn’t there?”
“No he must have gone to different town he is not there.”
“Is that why the girls aren’t in town this morning?” I asked and she nodded. “Does the phrase ‘Let My People Go’ mean anything to you?”
“It sound like the words of tribes after white make them stay on reservation.”
“Yeah?”
“White man make treaty let tribes stay on land even tho land belongs to no one. Then when metals found in mountains white man put tribes on small lands where nothing grows. Even all this where tombstone is, was hunting grounds for Apache. Not apache lives in mountains with no place to hunt. No open spaces to ride or hunt buffalo everywhere is white man places with less room for tribes.”
Bria walked over then and I asked her, “What did Lot say to you, Bria?”
“Miss Trin say that man Lot say threats to her,” Twin told her.
“Do Lot be a good guy?” Bria asked.
“He didn’t seem to like that I was wandering around his town,” I shook my head.
“Ghenna, or whatever,” Bria said and I nodded.
“That town called Ghenna belongs to that man Lot?”
“In not so many words I guess. At any rate I’d stay out of there if I were you girls.”
“Wonder where the sheriff is,” I sighed.
“I want to see sheriff too,” Twig sighed. “Punk say sheriff told him I tell her I think he is bad warrior. I never say any Apache is bad warrior.”
“No, you wouldn’t,” Twig agreed.
Twig said she had to leave and I went to make myself another coffee. Pet came out of the hotel and I smiled, “Pet, just the woman I was hoping to see!”
“I didn’t do it,” Pet chuckled and said, “Wait, maybe I did.”
“The words ‘Let My People Go’... Moses said them to Pharaoh to get the Israelites out of Egypt, right?”
“Sure did! He meant ‘em too.”
“Any idea how it would have context in our town today?”
“After ten plagues, Pharaoh finally got it.”
“I’ve heard it being yelled by people when there’s some folks in jail, I’m just tryin’ to remember who. The words are written on the clock tower over there, in place of the clocks that have been stolen.”
She looked over at the clock tower, then back at the jail. “Is it a specific group of people or just anyone in general?”
“That’s what I’m tryin’ to remember. I’m goin’ over my journals and everything but I wanted to see if you had some idea what it means... In the context of how it was originally used.”
“Well, yeah I do. Ya see, after Joe, I call him Joe, one of Jakes son’s, I mean Jacob was captured by his brothers and sold to a caravan, he was taken to Egypt. His brothers were a might jealous of him being Jake’s favorite in all. Then see, what his brother’s didn’t know was that everything he foretold about his life was just God’s play and was about to unfold. He was blessed, that Joe, and God’s hand was on ‘em. Soooooo, he prospered in Egypt, even as a slave. So much so, that he was even working in the house of Pharaoh. Well he got accused of some stuff by the wife of Pharaoh, but, he didn’t do it. As a result he was thrown in jail.”
“You think they’re mad because they’re bein’ framed for somethin’?” I wondered.
“I don’t know about that. I really ain’t been around to hear the cases in court, but could be.”
“Hmm... It’s an interesting angle.”
She went on to keep telling me the story of Joseph in Egypt, even though it was one I knew since childhood. When she got to the part about him becoming second in command I asked, “But Joe never said ‘let my people go’ did he?”
She said she was getting to that and continued to tell the story continuing to Moses being rescued as a baby and growing up under the Pharaoh. She talked about him killing a soldier and then he got a message in the burning bush. “It was then he got the message from some burning bush on top of a mountain in that desert to, ‘Go tell Pharaoh, Let my people go so they can go to the desert to worship me’ is the whole of the message.”
“Right...” I nodded.
“But.... just saying, Let my people go, is what it got shortened to. So that’s exactly what Moses done.”
“So that’s the story before it starts another story of the journey in the wilderness,” Pet looked around and said, “Hmm this is the desert wilderness ain’t it?”
“Guess it could be...”
She looked from the jail to the clock tower and muttered, “Let my people go, hmmm. Could be some connection to that story I reckon.”
“That’s why I came to you. I wanted to see if that was the meanin’ behind it.”
“I’ll pray about it and look to see what God might have to show me.”
“The natives feel like they’re livin’ in the wilderness under someone else’s power, such as the Shreiff and our laws... You think the natives could be behind it?”
“Could,” Pet nodded. “Could also be the Doves. They don’t get a fair shake in town, do they?”
“I hadn’t even thought of that...” I shook my head, amazed at the idea. “It could also be the outlaws,” I looked at Pet... “So it could be the apache, the doves, the outlaws...”
“That’s a possibility too. Just the daily ordinary business owners too. Hmm but they don’t go to jail though.”
“Yeah the doves don’t really go to jail either. Must be the outlaws or the Apache then.”
Cora came over and asked what we were talking about. Pet meanwhile looked over to Ghenna and then clapped a hand over her mouth swiftly. “Oh my God!!!!” she exclaimed.
I looked to her and followed her gaze and said, “I know. The clocks are in Ghenna.”
“It can’t be that simple...”
“I’m just tryin’ to figure out who’s behind it. I about got kidnapped over it.”
“Can’t be!” Pet shook her head.
“Tell me what you’re thinking, Pet.”
“Tell me, Trin, where do the outlaws run to escape going to jail?”
“Ghenna,” I sighed.
“And tell me about the Sheriff of Ghenna. Why ain’t she more outlaw than law?”
“I have no idea who the sheriff of Ghenna is.”
“Rikki,” Pet answered.
“I wonder who ‘the people’ are that someone wants freed?” Cora said out loud.
“Outlaws, of course,” Pet answered.
“Oh right. Do we have many of them locked up?”
“Maybe to have the town law hand them over to the Sheriff of Ghenna,” Pet suggested. “I’m gonna start paying close attention to who gets thrown in jail from now on till that sign comes down.”
Richie came over and Cora gave us some coffee. I looked over and asked Pet, “So where did we land? We think it’s the outlaws? Since we know the clocks are in Ghenna... Question is... which outlaws?”
“Only one person would care about folks being in jail in town, the Sheriff of Ghenna, protecting the outlaws, them Young Guns! Rikki’s also been known to set a few fires around as well.”
“Pet... you said something about fires... I’m in serious trouble...”
“Ya in the family way?” Pet guessed.
I reached for the note I had received and said “I found that on my desk last night when I got back from town. At the office.”
“What kinda note?” Riche asked as I reached over to hold my hand.
I read the note out loud and they agreed it was a serious problem. “I only remember a few people by the office last night. There were some natives on horses... Ali had just gone to send Gabe to bed... Anyone coulda gone around from the other side.. Punk walked me back to the office ‘cause I was afraid and he was there when I read the note. He seemed surprised by it so I don’t know if he’s involved or not.”
“Ghenna is mighty close to the White Mountain Apache Village too,” Pet observed.
“That’s why I suggested the Apache earlier. I don’t think Ali or Gabe could do somethin’ like this. They may be outlaws but they’re two of my good friends.”
“Oh it be okay if somebody just trying to be a bully,” Richie suggested.
“Lot was threatenin’ me after I left Ghenna saturday night... Almost got tied up by him and TJ... For bein’ out in Ghena. But I found the clock there at Serenity’s store.”
“Hmm... the Wild Bunch does hang out up there too,” Pet remembered.
“Coulda been one of them two but that ain’t TJ’s style to hide behind notes,” I said. Pet started to say something but then said nothing. “Tell me what you’re thinking,” I looked to her.
She started pacing and ringing her hands, “No, no, no, this can’t be happening.”
“Pet come on... tell me... I’m not gonna stop doin’ my job just ‘cause people are tellin’ me to back off.”
“Maybe, no... that wouldn’t happen in a million years...” Pet shook her head and continued to pace.
“Reverand Pet, please...”I insisted, looking at her with pleading.
“Trin, what if, maybe, if... um.. the Wild Bunch and the Young Guns are working together?”
“That would explain why TJ was so willing to show me the way to Ghenna...” I blinked.
“And gonna get backing from the White Mountain Apache?”
Waterfall had joined then and Pet looked over at her, “We both Native maidens. You know something? Tell it!”
“I will leave the area then,” Waterfall said simply.
“Tell it! What do you know? Are the Apache planning another attack on the town?”
“White eyes think me silly, Pet,” Waterfall said.
“Well, they think I’m silly too Waterfall.”
I looked between them, not liking what they were suggesting and wondered if it was time to reveal my secret that I was part-Native. “I just... what do I do?” I looked between them.
“I was with those who got Little Chief back to the Chief. We did not do it! We sheltered and protected him! We did what was right! The white eyes, the Navajo - Punk- and Cherokee - me! We did it! We keep him safe!” I swallowed hard, wondering what was going on and she continued, “And I would have that man strung up for hitting Aleaya while she was carrying her second baby.”
“I think you are safe Pet.”
“I best be! Or this Cherokee will lose her temper, call down heaven and swoop with an eagles fury!”
“He was stringed down,” Pet,” Waterfall told her.
“And the town too! But I make no negotiations. Chief knows, not to touch the church or those inside it.”
“You think there’s a chance there’s a war coming?” Cora asked, looking over at Pet and I gripped Richie at the sound of the word ‘war’.
“Is it?” Pet looked at Waterfall.
“It is, Pet,” Waterfall answered.
We talked about where the safe houses in town and then Richie and I went to the hotel for coffee. When we were alone I sighed and said, “I need to ask you a question.”
“Me?” he looked around.
“Yeah. Doesn’t seem like you’re all that worried about this threat I got last night.”
“Well, way I see it just people trying to spook ya.”
“They’re gonna keep threatening me. I can’t do this on my own, Richie. I need help staying sane and calm.”
“It’s just a note fer now.”
“Fer now...”
“You be fine they who ever it is making such threats been thinking the same thoughts fer as long as you been doing your job, they just ain’t told it, and they really ain’t told it yet.”
“Doesn’t make me feel better...”
“Iff’n hey wanted to spook ya they come straight to ya and tell ya.”
“I guess. Let’s just get some coffee,” I sighed.
“Don’t worry till they give ya something to worry about. You are well liked by the whole town they will rally behind ya.”
“I guess,” I nodded. “‘Cept those who don’t think I do my job well.”
“Well they mostly cowards till they get in a bunch.”
“I just need to know you’ll stand beside me if this all goes to heck.”
“Well ifin it don’t require to much energy,” he snickered but then wrapped his arms around my shoulders, giving a reassuring hug. I relaxed into his hug and sighed with relief, holding him tightly.
***
I busied myself in the kitchen making lunch. I’d left Richie in town and was now at home taking some time away from town to gather my thoughts about the threat and try to relax. I heard a knock on the door and wondered who it was, knowing not many people knew where I lived. I opened the door and blinked, seeing who it was.
“Josh! Come on in!” I exclaimed, backing up to let him in the house.
He walked inside and wrapped his arms around me, giving me a big hug. “Hey Kiddo, How have you been?”
“I’ve missed you bro...” I hugged him tightly, trying to hide the fact I hadn’t been sleeping.
“I have missed you too sis, I have some news for you before I we get into how you have been, cause I can tell you haven’t been doing so well it seems, You look tired.”
I sighed, knowing I couldn’t hide anything from him. “I was just making some lunch. Let me make you a sandwich too and we’ll talk over some food?”
“Let me help you with making them sandwiches,” he nodded and followed me into the kitchen.
I reached for the bread and meat and made us both some sandwiches. “So how’d you find me? Thought I was pretty much untraceable out here.”
“Well let's see I was able to find you years ago back in Colorado silly,” he chuckled.
“True,” I nodded and offered him the plate and a cup of coffee.
We walked out to the living room and sat down with our lunch. “So I finally found my other half, and we have been together for a few years now, she has been helping a lot around the ranch, and mom loves her I wanted to bring her with to come find you but we didn’t want to leave ma alone.”
“Well I’m glad you found someone. I’ve been seein’ a guy too but it’s still new... Only been a couple of weeks or so.”
“That is great to hear sis,” he smiled.
“Yeah... I have some bad news though...” I said and he frowned. I sighed and set my plate on the table, reaching for the note from the office. I looked over at him and wondered what his reaction would be when I told him my life was in danger yet again. “Let’s just say... your timing couldn’t have been more perfect.”
I handed him the note and waited for him to read. He gasped as he read and then handed the note back to me. “Looks like I am staying in town longer.”
“Probably a good idea, Josh. It’s a mess... The clocks have been stolen from the clock tower in town. I’ve been looking into it and I guess they don’t like me snoopin’ around much. I know where the clocks are but we can’t do anything until we’ve got more manpower. The sheriff knows about it and it’s out of my hands but I’m still tryin’ to figure out who stole them. It could be a number of people though... there’s a couple of outlaw groups that it could be, or the Apache who are in the area past the fort, or... the two groups could be working together, or heck all three could.”
He sighed and said, “So I guess the Apache aren’t any nicer here... well sounds like the town has their work cut out for them. Speaking about Apaches I had talked to ma about them and one day an Apache clan was passing through the ranch..”
“Oh?”
“This wasn’t any normal Apache clan though, They came up to the door and were seeking help and wanted to advance their ways.”
“Oh really?”
“Ma wanted to just close the door on their faces, But I was able to convince ma that it would be a good thing not only for them but also for us, since we are part Apache, so we brought them in and they work around the ranch helping ma and me with the daily duties. We even found a nice spot to make housing for them. They even have been teaching us about their ways.”
“No one in town knows that I’m part Apache except the sheriff and Tye Durden, who runs the hotel and is a deputy, but he ain’t around that much. We have to keep that under our hats around here.”
“I agree sis, that was a really bad idea years ago with trying to learn about our past.”
“Yeah it was. I have a book that has helped me learn the language... Got it from Sheriff Skyla... I know how to understand it when I hear it but I can’t really come up with it on my own yet. At any rate... it’s been invaluable.”
“Well that is good to hear.”
“Anyway I should go find the sheriff and tell her about this note. You want to come with me or you gonna get settled in here?” I looked at my stop watch.
“I think I am gonna settle in it has been a long trip to get out here,” he looked at me.
I showed him the office upstairs where I had set up a single bed and I hugged him tightly. “I’m just glad you’re here, bro. I’ve missed you and I really need your help here.”
“I can see that kiddo, I have missed you as well,” he hugged me tightly and I said goodbye as I headed into town.
I walked back into town and told Richie that my brother had arrived. We walked down the street and I greeted Ali who was there, asking her if she had seen Skyla. I went over to the sheriff’s office and Skyla said, “Trin, get over here and talk ta this woman before I just go plum loco.”
“What’s going on?” I asked, looking from one woman to the other.”
“This woman works security,” Pet said.
“But you a very good sheriff,” the woman I didn’t know said.
“Ya keep messing with bank, ma’am, and ya’ll find out,” Skyla raised an eyebrow.
“I am proud of you, Sheriff, I really are. Well I have done all I came to do, actually.”
“Trin, she works security, so she says.”
“Uh huh...” I nodded, not believing it.
“And she was inspecting the bank. An investigator of sorts,” Skyla explained.
“You got credentials, Miss?” I asked the woman.
“And failed in all tests,” she insisted. “The door is too big; a single stell door should do it. With four locks.”
“I think you need ta talk to her,” Skyla told me.
“The door is fine. What else ya got?” I muttered.
“The door is not fine. Four locks, solid door.”
“The door is fine, ain’t it?” I looked at Skyla and she nodded.
“The back door should be thicker, with a four lock system. The window is a joke...”
“Okay that’s it... I’ve had enough!” Skyla got angry and pulled out her gun. She shot a warning shot at the woman’s feet and I blinked, backing up.
“There you are,” Richie smiled, walking over with a cup of coffee in his hand. “Here, it’s gonna get cold,” he handed it to me.
“NOW!! Are you listening?!” Skyla asked the woman.
I took the coffee from Richie and nodded to the hotel, guiding him there as Skyla continued to yell at the woman. “Not a good time to talk to the sheriff.”
“Let’s get a seat, enjoy the coffee,” Richie suggested.
“Good idea,” I smiled and sat down beside him.
“I wasn’t sure memory served me right on your coffee... A bit a cream and sugar okay?”
“Just sugar but it tastes alright,” I smiled.
“Sorry, I’ll remember.”
I watched the action at the bank from a distance and then looked over to Richie. “So my brother... Came to tell me he’s found the woman of his dreams... Had to leave her with ma at the ranch though ‘cause it hasn’t been safe. Josh has a sixth sense when it comes to danger. It’s like he knows when I’m in trouble and comes just when I need him.”
“Josh, I reckon, that be your brother’s name?”
“Yep,” I nodded.
“You’re pushing it, Missy!” Skyla growled from at the bank and I sighed. “You put a band on the bank doors!”
“I ain’t seen that Josh in a while. Besides I guess I should call him Joshua... he likes that better.”
“That’s enough for me with your intentions!” Skyla shouted. “Now if you don’t want to get shot, show some REAL credentials! This ain’t Mexico or Washington! This is Arizona! Or do I need ta spell it out fer ya?!”
I reached over to hold Richie’s hand and he chuckled, “She sure do shout a lot.”
“Mmhmm. Somethin’s got her upset today.”
“Perhaps one day she will lose her voice,” Ali put in from her spot in front of Kate’s and we chuckled.
“I’m guessing telling her that a detective’s life is in danger ain’t gonna help her mood much,” I sighed as the woman in question walked over. “You have any credentials sayin’ ya are who ya say ya are?”
“Yes I do, but the sheriff was rude.”
“This woman a Pinky, Miss Trin?” Ali asked me.
“Nope not that I know of. Feel like showin’ me?” I turned to the woman.
She showed me papers from Mexico, New York, and Washington. “They all top of the line forts now,” she told me.
“Security investigator huh?” I read the papers.
“Security expert.”
“If you say so,” I looked at her skeptically.
“This bank is a joke and failed all tests.”
“If ya had shown the sheriff these in the first place you might have avoided a near-security breech,” I advised.
“She was rude.”
“Because you didn’t show these to her first.”
“I reckon you’re new to town?” Ali chuckled.
“Ya can’t just come and wander around here claimin’ to be someone without proof,” I told her.
“Well I was going to then she fire a warning shot.”
“Hey Sheriff! Time to serve! My cup’s empty!” Richie shouted.
“Ya got two legs and two hands, do it yaself!” Skyla shouted back.
“You’re to serve and protect, ain’t ya?” Richie called back and I just laughed.
“I was a deputy sheriff here once,” the security expert insisted. “The sheriff say that can be stolen. That really made me sad. A badge is earned, and I earned it.”
“You’ll have to take that up with the higher-ups, ma’am. I’m just a detective,” I shrugged.
“I actually stopped a bank robbery. For that I earned my badge.”
“Law around here these days I reckon isn’t the best,” Ali put in. “It being stolen ain’t as hard to imagine, miss.”
“Yes law is not how it was here,” the woman agreed.
Across the road I saw Skyla talking with Dee and Ansar and set my cup on the table. “Excuse me for a bit, hon,” I said to Richie and stood.
“I am Lana by the way,” I heard the security expert introduce herself as I walked across the street.
“I need to talk to ya’ll,” I said when I walked over.
“Well, handy we are all here then, huh?” Dee asked.
“If it’s something I did, I didn’t do it. Skyla did it,” Ansar insisted.
I took out the note I had received and read it out loud for them to hear. “Aww hell, not that dead rabbit gang again,” Skyla sighed.
“Good God.. Let my people go. Dang Jew already been freed,” Ansar put in.
“Was no rabbits around at all. Has nothin’ to do with rabbits. I’m thinkin it’s the folks that stole the clocks tryin’ to tell me to back off.”
“That saying, ‘Let my people go’, is surrounded by Punk, Alvin, Ali, Gabe, Keiki, Voo, Ripley, TJ..” Skyla said.
“Hmm... Sure sounds like an odd one,” Dee nodded. “But after hearin’ Voo and them hollerin’ ‘Let my people go’ in the streets all the time, figure it must be some of them.”
“The clock was stolen?!” Ansar exclaimed. “When?”
“Duh, Ansar. Ya been asleep!” Skyla said.
“Where ya been, Ansar? We ain’t had a clock in that tower for days,” Dee told him.
“Nope just wanted to see if I could fool ya,” he chuckled.
“So my guess would be ‘cause ya found the clocks, Trin,” Skyla told me, getting back to the letter.
“Yeah, not that we can do anythin’ about it. Lot and TJ wanted to tie me up. I ran out of there as fast as I could but Lot kept yellin’ threats at me.”
“We’ll have it taken care of soon,” Sky laughed. “Steve and I saw the clocks.”
“What if the two outlaw groups are workin’ together?”
Al walked over then and we greeted him. “Hey there other sheriff,” I smiled to him.
“I doubt it,” Sky answered me, “Unless it’s the Young Guns and Punk’s thing. They the only ones who do it, but could be a false trap.”
“Jews have already been freed. And with a saying like that. Only Voo could thought of using it to be more.. well you know,” Ansar suggested.
“Heck it could be the Apache too. Saw a couple of them ridin around the office before I went back there last night,” I suggested. “Punk walked me back to the office to make sure I got there okay but he seemed oblivious to the note. He could be just yankin’ my chain though.”
“Yeah, but Lot and his bunch are smart enough to hear that and use it in a better way to confuse ya... so wouldn’t be quick to jump to conclusions,” Dee pointed out.
“That’s true... I dunno... It ain’t like I can do anything more anyway. We know where it is we just can’t do anything about it.”
“Yeah taking apart a clock ain’t easy. your right. No way Voo could pulled it off,” Ansar said.
“It had to be a group of them. Or two groups of them,” I nodded.
“Thank ya for lettin’ me know,” Dee said to me. “Now I will keep my eyes and ears open.”
“Thanks Dee,” I nodded as Al and Ansar and Skyla continued to banter back and forth.
Lana walked over to them as I walked back to the saloon and stood beside Richie, nodding to Ali and Punk. We talked about the security expert and how shady she seemed. Punk offered to show Richie how to use his guns and Richie said that hopefully he wouldn’t have to protect me. I stayed quiet as they continued to talk. Ali asked if I had found someone to protect me against the threats I’d received and I told her that my brother was in town.
“If I spread the letter around too much, Blake, they’ll see that I’m afraid and they’ll just play off it,” I told Blake.
“Do what you feel you think is what an investigator would do. But, judging from how the lawmen work here.. I’m pretty sure they ain’t gonna be getting far. It’s obvious by the way things have been going, that most of these outlaws are smarter than your so called Law Dogs.”
“Basically a bunch of folks tellin’ me to back off on the clock tower case, Ali,” I told her the simple version of what was going on.
“Buuut.. if you want to fail your case,” Blake went on. “Then go ahead Trin. Do what the lawdogs do. And when the crap hits the fan, don’t ever look at us with a pout.. when I tell you, I told you so.”
“Hey Punk?” Richie looked over at him. “You ever thought of being Law?”
“I was the best bounty hunter the County had, Richie. You know this,” he answered. “They did me wrong.. even when I served and fought for the Cavalry, they are not worth fighting for.”
“Well bounty is one thang,” Richie observed.
“I told you the contents of the letter already, Punk. Just told Ali the main points behind it. I don’t know what else you want me to do,” I said, going back to the name everyone else called him.
“They were warned of the consequences kicking me off the hunters,” Punk sighed.
“Well I know yer good with a gun seems you'd be good behind the badge...But ifin you got done wrong I understand,” Richie told him.
“And now, this is the result of it. Outlaws rule the town. This is probably what they didn’t wish for when they tried to persecute me. But it is what it is, Richie.”
“Don’t the fact that I asked you to walk me back to my office last night show some kind of respect for your skills on my part?” I looked at Punk.
“Can’t say I didn’t try.. I offered my help and they refused it,” Punk looked pensive and then looked at me. “Respect or no respect, this town ain’t gettin’ none of my help no more.”
“You not bounty hunting anymore, is that because of the incident with cole?” Ali asked.
“It started when I captured Clint Houston.. and the Wild Bunch tried to hunt me down for it,” Punk nodded.
“When *you* captured Clint Houston...” I smirked.
“The very same Judge and Bondsman I have helped with a lot of bounties,” Punk went on. Chose to revoke my license because Skyla was too poor at her job in keeping Clint behind bars, he ended up shooting the town.”
“Then got shot himself,” I sighed, remembering.
“So they kick me off the job because I did my job better than any of their stupid lawdogs.”
“I see. I didn’t know about all that,” Ali said.
“Nor did I,” Richie agreed.
“The very next night.. it was when Cole tried to assassinate me on the roof and shot at children, under some egging from the Wild Bunch,” Punk continued. “They were trying to get rid of me, and so I went AWOL from Cavalry service and went back out to the mountains. Now.. they probably wish they kept me around.. what with the outlaws ruling town. That was their mistake, when they ejected me from service while doing my job. That was the beginning of the end.. for Tombstone.” I held my thoughts to myself as I just looked down at the floor, remembering and regretting. Then Punk added the nail in the diatribe against me, “And a better detective than Allan Pinkerton himself.”
“Hey Trin, when you singing again at the stock exchange?” Richie asked me.
“Tomorrow, darlin’,” I answered him.
“You all need to come hear this woman sang,” Richie insisted.
“Thanks, Rich,” I smiled at him.
“I taught her everything she knows,” Richie said.
“Sure you did honey. Sure you did,” I chuckled. “Think I should head home, darlin’. Been a long enough day,” I started to stand.
“Did you hear about who saved the boy the first time though?” Punk continued then. “Heard the fella was a handsome devil. Some fella named Poe, saved Little Chief. And chased off Shaane Tomsen, preventing him from selling the child to a Mexican named Pepe.”
“I knew it,” I muttered.
“Unfortunately, Tomsen got away, but Little Chief was returned to his father.”
“You don’t wanna walk me back home? How bout just to the office?” I asked Richie, needing to get away from Punk as my frustration was boiling. We walked towards my office and I closed the door behind us.
When we were inside the office I wrapped my arms around Richie and kissed him deeply. “Hi,” I whispered.
“Everything in its place here?” Richie asked, more focused on business.
“Mmhmm, just right,” I slid my hands around his waist.
“Nobody been in?”
“Nope,” I shook my head and pulled him closer.
“What’s gotten into you, Miss Trin?” Richie asked.
I looked into his eyes and smiled, “Just wanna make out with my man in my office. That allowed?”
“Don’t know the rules of Pinkertons.”
“I’m the only one who works in this office darlin’,” I kissed his neck. “I get to make the rules.”
When Richie seemed less than enthused about showing affection, even in private, I realized suddenly that maybe we were better off just as friends. Richie said he had to go deal with something and I went out to my balcony to sit in the chair and rest my feet on the whiskey barrel. I pulled out my notebook and looked through my journals again, trying to find the phrase “Let my people go”.
Down in the streets, I saw a soldier walking down the street waving his gun around. I looked down and called, “Something wrong down there, Sir?”
He looked up, as if not expecting the voice to come from above, “No ma’am, just checkin’ on the town.”
“Just you’ve got that gun wavin’ around so I wasn’t sure.”
“Just keepin’ my guard up. I am Private Wintson.
“Detective Trin Paige,” I nodded.
“nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“Same to you, Private.”
“Any good cases?”
“A few, I suppose,” I nodded. “My main mission at the moment is stayin’ alive.”
“I know the feeling. Any news on the Apaches?”
“Nothin’ since this weekend,” I shook my head.
“Still can’t get myself to shoot ‘em. Noble people.”
“How are things at the fort?” I asked, ignoring his statement about the Natives.
“Just repaired the gates.”
“Good, good.”
“They were heavily damaged.”
“Oh yeah? From what?”
“Not sure. Looked like dynamite blasts.”
“You don’t say...” I shook my head.
“A few bullet holes too.”
“Figure out the source?”
“My guess, outlaws.”
“Sounds like you’ve got some people who don’t like ya so much over there, Private.”
“You may be right,” he nodded.
“You need any help you know where to find me. Local law can’t help much out there bein’ it’s outside their jurisdiction.”
“Aye.”
“Not that I could do the arrestin’ but i could try to dig up some dirt for ya if ya like.”
“I come into town to help the law when I can.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“So where is everyone?”
“Great question. All about their businesses I guess,” I shrugged, then had an idea. “Hey, meet me up here in the office? I should ask you about somethin’.”
“Okay, ma’am,” he nodded and I walked into the office to meet him inside.
“I didn’t want to ask this out in the streets. You know anythin’ about this clock tower business?”
“No ma’am. Why, what has happened?”
I sighed, disappointed, but tried another angle. “You ever hear the phrase ‘Let My People Go’ yelled out around town? Or by the fort?”
“Hmm... I can’t say that I have.”
“Alright... Just thought I’d see if you’d heard anything.”
“There a big issue goin’ on, Detective?”
“Ya’ll are in a different location than we are...”
“I used to be a marshal years ago.”
“Why’d ya change?”
“Moved here from Colorado.”
“So did I,” I smirked. “Was a detective over there... also ran the newspaper.”
“I am sure I probably know a few folks ya know.”
“Oh probably,” I nodded. “Adder Taurus was a good friend of mine... Chet, Jake Despres, Chels Seetan...”
“I know ‘em.”
“Good people. Miss ‘em...” I sighed slightly.
“Went through Georgetown for a week. Met a hard ass Sheriff. Good man.”
“Yep that’s where I started as a Pinkerton. Sam Stillwater was my boss.”
“Good old Sam.”
“Who was the sheriff when you were there?”
“Duke Cross.”
“Ah yes, Duke... he’s around here too once in a while. His brother Mac too sometimes.”
“Mac,” he laughed. “He was a marshal back then. Over in Amiville.”
“Mmhmm. That’s where I started. Long while ago now... Gosh that was about fifteen or so years now..”
“That it was,” he nodded.
“I bet ya we probably talked a few times and didn’t even know it,” I said. “Though I never forget a face.”
“Duke and Mac were pretty close family back then surprised Mac turned Outlaw.”
“Yeah so was I... Duke tried to keep him straight but it didn’t work I guess.”
“Well with Mac`s wife and son bein’ killed by that dam sheriff he probably wouldn’t have.”
“Yeah true,” I nodded, remembering. “Feels like a lifetime ago, don’t it?”
“I was there the day Duke shot that man dead.”
“So how long ya been in Tombstone?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“About a month. Joined the Cavalry about two weeks ago.”
“Impressive.”
“Law seemed to be a bit lax, and heard the Fort needed more protection.”
“Just that you notice,” I sighed. “So you plan to help solve the problem huh?”
“Yes ma’am,” he nodded. “Heard the Cavalry is hated though so going to be tough.”
“Well I wish ya luck with that. We have somethin’ in common. Pinks ain’t too well liked.”
“I know that one well.”
“I should get back to work here but I’m sure I’ll see you around? I’ll look for ya at the fort if I have more questions.”
“Used to ride behind your people. Got shot a lot,” he said and I chuckled. “Yes ma’am, take care.”
“Guess you won’t wanna be my bodyguard then,” I winked.
“I’ll keep ya safe,” he winked back at me.
“Stay safe out there, Private,” I smiled and saluted when he did before leaving the office.
No comments:
Post a Comment