Black Diamond.
I went over to Aly’s house to say hi this morning but she wasn’t completely awake yet so I let her have some more time to get reacquainted with the morning. I walked over to the garden and sat down with my notebook, writing journals. Peta walked over and said hello and then continued on past me. I noticed the calvary ride in for the payroll and decided to head over to talk with Wedge.
“Well hi there, Trin,” he greeted me with a smile as Angeles went into the bank to get the payroll from Tye.
“Hey there, Colonel. Long time no see.”
“Yes, it has been.”
“How are things?”
“Much better for me. You?”
“Going well here too. Now that we’ve got a sheriff our job is actually worth something,” I winked at him. “Been making some huge progress with cases lately now that I have a partner too.”
“You have a partner? Wow, that’s great!”
“Mmhmm,” i reached down and pet Pawsie as she came over to us. “He’s been working on including fingerprints and footprints into our investigations. It’s helping us solve cases faster. Doesn’t always mean we get a guilty verdict in court though,” I muttered.
“Dang, that’s great,” he smiled. “At least you’re pretty busy again. Not sure if that’s really a good thing.”
“Mmhmm. Payroll been safe?”
“Yeah... so far.”
“Good to hear.”
“Agreed.”
I watched Angeles walk out and said, “Guess I should let you carry on. Sounds like they’re done in there. Don’t be a stranger, alright?”
“Yeah... You stay safe out there,” he said and rode off with the others.
Kaden walked over then and told me that he had a letter for me. I was surprised as I didn’t usually get mail, and took the note from him and read, “Dear Miss Trin, I have need of your excellent services to recover witness statements. Please meet me at your earliest opportunity in my chambers in Tombstone Court on Allen Street; I will give you further information. Yours sincerely, Judge Jimmi Rubble.”
I thanked Kaden for the letter and looked at Tye. “Do you need me for anything right now?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“What’s up?” I asked, deciding to give Jimmi more time while the calvary run was going.
“Come on inside, I need you to take a look at the bank for me,” he said and led the way inside. I nodded and followed him, curious. “Tuesday night, after the big shootout at the jail... I seen Mac and Jewel in here, at the safe. I was shot up pretty bad, so nothin’ I could do. But I need you to do your sleuthin’ and see if there’s anything you can find. I confirmed they got the safe open and stole from it. But fingerprints, anything out of place. Do your thing.”
“Should check out the safe for prints then.”
“I’ll be outside, so I don’t lock you in,” he said as I took out my magnifying glass and started to poke around the safe as he said, “Oh, here’s the report. Need me to open the safe to check the inside?”
I nodded and took the report from him. “Sure, that’s a good idea.”
Tye took out his keys and opened the safe and I began to look around inside the safe. I found two fingerprints that didn’t match each other. “Tye, come over here a sec.”
“Yeah?” he looked behind me.
“Look here..” I pointed to the fingerprints on the safe inside where the money sat. “There’s two prints there... I’d need something to compare them to in order to determine whose they are, but it looks like you’ve got two separate thieves. There’s also some money missing it looks like... The bag’s been tampered with.”
“Yep. That’s what I figured. Hold onto those prints. When I arrest Mac and Jewel, I’ll get their prints to compare.”
I took out my cloth from her vest and the bag of coal dust I now carried around, covering the area where the first print is on the safe. The dust fell off, leaving the markings on the cloth and I set that cloth on the counter, “There’s print number one...” I did the same thing with the other print and then set the second cloth on the counter beside the first one. “And there’s the second one. Now we have the fingerprints... We just need something to match them with to determine their owners.”
“Thanks, Trin. Let me lock this back up.”
“You said you saw Mac and Jewel by the safe? Do you have anything of there’s? Guns or something?”
“Some ammunition, but I wouldn’t be able to tell you which ones was theirs. I can arrest them, I’ll get somethin’ when I do.”
“Alright,” I nodded. “If you can get their guns we can compare them to these fingerprints. I’ll keep these in our office.” I took the two cloths and put the coal dust bag in my pocket.
“Or I can just have them use ink on a paper,” Tye suggested.
“True.”
“Alright. You need anything else here? If you think of anything else, you can get me or Bree to let you in.”
“Nope, nothing else I can see out of order. Not sure how much was taken but they definitely took something from the looks of that bag in there.”
“I can determine that from the bank paperwork.”
“Excellent. I should go find out what Jimmi wants.”
“Let’s get this place locked up, then,” he nodded told me to say hello to the Rubbles for him. I waved and rode off for Allen Street.
Tombstone.
I walked into the courthouse and looked around for Jimmi and found him and Starling downstairs in the lawyer’s office. “Hey there folks,” I smiled, taking a seat. “Good to see you both.”
“Inspector, I have a task for you if you are willing to take on some more work.”
“I’m listening,” I smiled. “We’ve been closing cases left and right so we could use more to do.”
He retrieved a witness statement and handed it to me. “You can see there has been some dastarly deeds going on and this person has been terrified. I don’t think there is any need to distress Miss Breezes any further... but she mentions that witnesses were present during this incident. Namely... Marshal Kristoff and Ranger Suzy. Both highly respectable witnesses. First of all, I am in need of their account of what they witnessed.”
“So you need statements from both of them to fill out this case,” I nodded.
“Yes. So I can create a bench warrant easily if needed.”
“Makes sense,” I nodded.
“As you know, at the moment this is Just Miss Bree’s word against Mr TJ... and that is simply not
enough in a situation such as this, we need more witnesses. Or a court case will fall to pieces.”
“Right. Well I know that Suzy is busy with payroll today but she is in the area. I am sure I can find her in the next few hours. Kris on the other hand... harder to judge when he is around. But I’m sure I will see him at some point.”
“Speaking just inside these walls Agent Trin... I am secondly curious why two law officers who were in the area of this harassment did not react. “Do you think you can discover the answer with discretion?”
“Another great question. If they witnessed this harassment they should have done something.”
“Indeed. That is most worrying. And if there is reason to be alarmed I will take the matter further.”
“I will treat this case with discretion.”
“As usual Agent Trin, you can claim expenses for your investigation and send a bill of charges to the court for your work when completed.”
“It is much appreciated, your honor,” I smiled.
“Look forward to your report and thank you for accepting this work,” he shook my hand. I shook his hand knew this one wasn’t going to be easy. “I hope to see you very soon. If there is harassment going on, then I want this Mr. TJ to be hauled in to answer questions in court.”
“Yes Sir,” I nodded.
“Miss Breezes will feel safe with him punished.”
“As will we all. No one should have to fear that kind of harassment.”
“Indeed, and with the Pinkertons on the case, we will get a result! Yes?”
“One way or another. I’ll go find the captain. Oh, and Sheriff Durden sends his greetings.”
“Thank you kindly, keep safe Agent Trin.”
“Will do,” I nodded and headed outside after he paid me $150 for doing the investigation.
I rode over to the fort and knocked on the door, looking for Suzi. Wedge told me that he wasn’t in but might be back later in the evening, so I rode back home for the rest of the day.
Black Diamond.
I was sitting in the office working on reports and Aly walked in with a smile. “So last night after I left here, I was trying to decide between going home and brooding and out the the mardi gras dance.”
“At the Oriental,” I nodded.
“Decided on the latter, yup. Still can’t do much dancing though with the leg so I just stayed in the back and wiggled around a little. But a good distraction at least.”
“Good crowd of people there?”
“That big Bill guy was there and enjoying himself also. Yeah it was a decent turn out. oddly enough TJ showed up without Lisa. I asked him where his gal was but got no response, so I left it alone. Guess I’m not the only one goin’ through this.”
“Huh... Yeah guess not.”
“You okay?” she raised an eyebrow.
“Just bored, Aly. Nothing’s happening in my life but work. I want.... to meet someone and have romance and...”
“And not be as lonely as I’ve been feeling all week.”
“It’s been five months, Aly.”
“Lil claims there will be a bunch of single men at her wedding tonight. I’m going to be in the wedding party.”
“I’ve danced with maybe three men... kissed one.”
“I’d be stubborn and say I’m not ready for that, but I think I need to get over my pride a little.”
“Cuddled with two.”
“Well you still beat me there. I’ve only danced with two and kissed one,” Aly laughed.
“Yeah but yours were more recent. A woman has needs, dang it.”
“True,” she chuckled. “I think the wedding will be depressing. I’m really going to try, for Lil, though, to be happy for her.”
“I avoid weddings.”
“I avoid being the main attraction in weddings, apparently. At least twice now. We need to have a pity party for ourselves Trin ,” she grinned.
“I think we’re having it, girl,” I chuckled.
“Oh this is it?” Aly laughed. “Pitiful pity party.”
“Mmhmm. I got depressed thinking about Dutch last night... He’s the one who started it all... Been a long time since I’d let myself think about him.”
“Hm... You put him to the back of yer mind... Not always a bad thing to do.”
“He just disappeared one day and I never saw him again until I found him in Cripple Creek around New Year’s that year... Then after that I haven’t seen him in over ten years.”
“Some might disagree. Though rather than stew over it, ya gotta or yer gonna end some stewin’ drunk.”
“He was quite the man, Aly.”
“That’s rare.”
“Mmhmm...”
“Oh my....10 years? That’s a long time.”
“No one thought I could tame him to focus on one woman... but I did it.”
“What happened?”
“He just disappeared one day... Things had been going well between us, then poof, he moved to Cripple Creek to be closer to family I guess. “
“Ugh, Trin.”
“I went there and spent a few days with them but it wasn’t the same. It was like they’d all moved on and I wasn’t important anymore. So I decided that was the only closure I was gonna get and continued on being a nomad.”
“I am so sorry. It’s so depressing....things never seem to last. People always marry and say till death do us part.... but it doesn’t seem to work out that way. Ok not that you married the guy. Just saying.”
“Since then... Every time I start to get close to a man, they disappear. I’ve given up hoping for something permanent. Even when I tell someone I love him, he disappears. So there’s no point letting myself feel things.”
“I have absolutely nothing to say about that, I wish I could help. I was such a mess last night after Ger took me home. Not even able to think clearly, even.”
“Ger took you home?”
“Yeah he kinda looks out for me, like an older brother. I guess it was pretty clear at the dance I was completely exhausted, cause he pretty much came over and told me it was time to go...which he was right. Not that I’d admit if. But I couldn’t argue...I was exhausted. plus, Mark’s gramps and grams had just walked in, and I felt awkward.”
“I bet you did.”
“I don’t really know either of them, and I’m not comfortable with getting into conversations about my feelings as it is, much less with his family.”
“I know,” I nodded.
“So yeah, I kinda used Ger as a cane, since I forgot mine at home, and he helped me home.”
“Glad Ger was there to help you home.”
“As soon as we left I couldn’t help myself anymore and only a few steps to that bridge, I lost it. I started bawling.”
“Oh hon...”
“I felt angry....because Mark had decided to make this decision....when I wanted to start over and develop a friendship with him, and now I’m not going to get that chance.”
“I know... it’s hard when guys move on like that and leave us in the wind.”
“Ger knows from a guy’s point of view I think...he said sometimes with guys they hear a woman say that and think it’s all or nothing. Which makes sense I guess. But that’s not how I wanted things to be. I was trying to be clear.”
“I know. Guys hear what they want to hear.”
“Ger also said that he did that because he obviously still has feelings for me,” Aly sighed and rolled her eyes. “Which only makes things more confusing.”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “Since he’s practically disowning his past life. But he must still care for you if he leaves a note saying he’s going to watch out for you and gives you those things.”
“I feel...” she sighed. “Like he’s moved on and I need to do the same... but at the same time...”
“This is your chance to,” I nodded.
“I wish he’d sneak in my room one of these nights. I must be mad.”
“Human,” I shook my head.
“I suppose so. But really Trin, I suppose best thing to do is just take one day at a time... hm?”
“Yep, that’s usually the best approach with anything.”
“Hrm and lately I’ve been dealing with a lot of overwhelming new emotions and feelings that are all over the place. I’ve no idea what to do with them... and last night I was about to attack the sheriff.”
“Get on a horse and go for a ride? Sort through your thoughts? That’s what usually helps me,” I laughed. “What’d Tye do now?”
“Hrm, been a while before I did that. Oh..I was with Ger on my porch and I guess I got loud...and he started making comments.”
“The usual Tye.”
Krell, Bree and Mysti walked into the office with a cake that looked like the one left in Tye’s office. “I have something for you,” Krell said and placed the cake on the counter. “Trin, this was found behind Jewels house outside on the ground. I had a picture taken as well.”
“I’d like to see the picture,” I stood and went over to take it from him. The cake had been left in the snow behind Jewel’s house.
“Who took the picture, Krell?” Mysti asked.
“I would like to hire you to investigate this for us, Trin, will you accept this mission on behalf of our town?”
“Trin I need to go see LiL about some wedding preparations for this evening. I will catch up with you later.”
“Of course. I’ll consult with Deputy Rodriguez here and figure this out,” I nodded as Ray walked into the office.
“How’s the leg, Aly?” Krell asked.
“Better! Still can’t dance though. but greatly improved,” Aly replied. “Will be back soon,” she said and walked out of the office.
“Trin be careful,” Mysti warned. “Do not touch the cake with your hands, it could be arsenic.”
“Ray, might want to make yourself comfortable,” I suggested.
“Can I come back there? It’s a little cramped up here,” Ray said.
“Thank you Krell, hopefully we’l discover an answer soon. Come on in and have a seat.”
“So Trin, Chief of Detectives I see, that’s impressive,” Krell noticed.
“Mayor Wise gave me the authority to hire and fire Detectives, as I hired Ger to be my partner.”
“Ray, you remember the cake that nearly killed me and Peta?” Krell asked.
“I do.”
“We think this could be it.”
“That’s why I wanted to bring you in. There was a similar cake left in Tye’s office,” I looked at Ray.
“It was found on the ground behind Jewels house. But this IS that cake Trin,” Krell insisted.
Ray got low to the counter and eyed the cake. “So why is it still in front of us? Throw them away and take in Jewel for questioning.”
“The same cake?” I looked at Krell.
“I recognize it. I remember using my finger to lick some icing off.”
“Cakes can be duplicated, Krell. And besides, Peta ate that whole thing, or most of it.”
“And that mark is still in it.”
“Krell!” Mysti exclaimed.
“What mark?” I looked at him, still blank on the details of the whole case.
“This HAS to be the cake, no one could duplcate that, I am the only one who knew about that finger mark in it,” Krell said. “This is the cake I ate, I am sure of it.”
“Alright well, most of the cake is gone it looks like,” I studied the cake and found the finger mark.
“Krell please go and wash your hands before you get sick again even a little bit can make you sick,” Mysti informed.
“You willing to take on this case Trin? And get to the bottom of what happened?”
“Krell, I will do what I can. With the deputy and sheriff’s help.”
“Your usual rate I assume?”
“Trin be very careful with the cake don’t touch it. Always cover your hands,” Myti warned again.
“Yes Mysti, I know. Why do you think I’m wearing gloves?” I looked at her, wishing she’d give me more credit.
“Ok, will draw you up a retainer and deliver it to you at the earliest convenience,” Krell said.
“Thank you, Krell,” I nodded.
“Good Trin, just making sure,” Mysti nodded and then walked out of the office with Krell and Bree close behind.
“Trin, this case has high priority, I trust you will get to the bottom of it, anything you need, I will arrange,” Krell said as he walked out.
“Ray, you can stay behind and chat, while these folks carry on?” I looked at the deputy.
“Of course,” he nodded.
I took the cake with my gloves on over to the lab. “How much do you know about the cake left in Tye’s office?” I asked Ray when we were alone.
“Just looked like a normal cake, I didn’t touch it. Looked like the one they brought in.”
“Mostly eaten,” I nodded, looking at the cake. “You know about this finger marking here?”
“Well Krell said he tasted the icing, so I suppose it was his finger.”
“But he just said that he recognized the marking, right.. So fingerprints might not help us in this case.”
“You think all the poisoned ones have that specific marking, so the maker knows which one is which?”
“From what I know... Krell and Peta are the only ones that ate the cake, as far as I know. If this is the same cake, as Krell states... Then that finger marking belongs to him and Peta’s should be on here too. If it’s a different cake and Krell’s lying...”
“Neither of their finger prints would be on it. So we should take theirs to disqualify their prints from the cake.”
“His fingerprints are on this picture... I can compare them. Has Tye told you anything else about this cake?”
“Nothing really. He never actually mentioned it to me before.”
“Well, studying fingerprints isn’t gonna help us here... I guess we just do the old-fashioned asking around thing. Do you believe it’s the same cake that was left in your office though?”
Aly walked in with flowers for Lil’s wedding. She talked about how nervous she was for the wedding and I decided to go for a ride.
Tombstone.
I went to Allen Street wondering if I could find Suzi and get her statement about what happened to Bree in the bank. I found her in front of my office and talked with her about the incident but she didn’t remember anything and said that she hadn’t overheard any conversation between Bree, TJ and Lisa. I wrote up a statement from our conversation anyway and got her to sign it, for Jimmi’s records. I wondered if this was another circumstance where Bree had gotten her witness statement confused and caused more problems than were really existing. I rode back home and decided to call it a night.
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