Sunday, July 26, 2015

March 10, 1900

Black Diamond. 

This morning I went over to knock on Aly’s door and she greeted me. “Oh, good morning.” 

“Hey there. Got the coffee on?”

“I do, believe me, I need it,” she rubbed her eyes and it was obvious that she hadn’t slept well the night before. 

I walked into the table and sat down. “Rough night?” 

She stepped over Rogue as she made her way to the stove and nodded, “Yeah..I was held at gunpoint...last night, Trin. Again.” 

“What’d you do to make Jewel mad this time?”

“It wasn’t Jewel, that much I’m sure. She was in town, I saw her, but not involved.” 

“Who was it then? They didn’t shoot you or you’d be limping more...” I took the coffee Aly offered and took a sip, grateful for the caffeine myself. 

“I dunno it happened so fast. I THINK there were three of them. No I wasn’t shot, almost though....they had on masks. outlaws, I think. Two men and one woman, at least that. The woman kept touching me...I think she thought I was wearing jewelry. I was having cake and coffee with Bree and Krell. They took the mayor, Trin.” 

“Krell was kidnapped?! When was this?”

“Knocked him out, handcuffed him, tied him. Bree was making me nervous. They told us to stay still and she kept jumping up and trying to defend the mayor. I was afraid we’d all be shot. Last night..” 

“You’re sure Jewel wasn’t involved?”

“I know for sure it wasn’t jewel Trin. She and Peta were talking across the street.” 

“I’m listening. Keep talking,” I nodded and took out my pen to start writing notes. 

“I heard gun shots. Warning shots, I think, I didn’t see anyone bleeding....so the three masked people took Krell and ran off. I heard something about Benson. After this, Sommer and Jack showed up. I think they were going to go after him.” 

“Did anyone rescue him?”

“I dunno. But later.... I went into Tombstone to see if there was any news.....” 

“Yeah?” 

“Lilly came running into tombstone.... She was injured.” 

“Lilly was injured? That doesn’t make sense...”

“Said Mac was shot and killed. By Tye. I dunno. I found Myst to treat Lilly.” 

“Think it’s connected?”

“Well does he live in benson??” 

I looked through my files for that answer and blinked, “He does! Aly... Can I get you to write this all out in a witness statement for me? I can pass it along to Tye... Here I’ll give you a blank one to fill out.”

“So maybe he saw something. Yeah,” she said and took the paper from me. “Yeah I definitely heard Benson. Lilly mentioned Krell I think. So no doubt it’s related.” 

“Wonder what that’s all about.. The woman kept touching you, you said?”

“Yeah like she was trying to steal something off me, but I was just in work clothes. Was having a break you know.” 

“You got away okay though?” I nodded. “Think she was trying to hold you back so you couldn’t help the mayor?”

“No, I wasn’t trying at all. I know when to be still. I learned my lesson after Jewel when to keep my mouth shut. And this time, with THREE of them. The female... she had blonde hair.” 

“And Jewel was talking with Peta down the street when all this happened...”

“Yes. I KNOW it wasn’t Jewel. But I couldn’t see the face because of the mask. The voice was different from Jewel.” 

“Very weird... I wonder if Tye and Krell are alright...”

“I really hope so Trin. I mean, there was nothing I could do at the time. We were so outnumbered. I really need to start being more prepared for these situations.” 

“I agree... Hopefully with deputies like Ray and Johnny around more they can help back up Tye.”

“Well it does no good if he’s in Benson though. Ugh. I’ve been debating joining the law. I just don’t like feeling helpless. Maybe some day I’ll be ready to do that.” 

“Unless that’s where he had to go to arrest whoever did this,” I said, thinking it sounded like something Mac would do. 

“Maybe, but I hadn’t seen Tye all day and I’ve been in town. Then again... he tends to lock himself in that office sometimes, so who knows.” 

“We’ve all got to do that once in a while. I’m personally not sure you would enjoy law... It’s a lot of stress. You are good at what you do. Don’t change that just because the town needs something. I didn’t just become deputy because I saw the need for it, did I? I stayed with the Pinkertons because it’s what I’m passionate about.”

“Yeah that’s true. I just hate feeling insufficient sometimes. And I wish I could have protected the Mayor. Somehow.” 

“Besides... Do you really want to work for Tye?” I winked and drank my coffee. 

“Uh. No. I’d rather do other things with him though,” she coughed. “Oh wait...I say that aloud? Ahem anyhow, Trin... Stormy came here yesterday morning. She was injured. A bullet in her leg.” 

“Right, Bree mentioned that...”

“Yeah I helped her to the clinic. She had a ‘friend’ with him..some Thor guy.” 

“Met him briefly before Bree pulled me aside to show me the fire.”

“He plays with explosives, Trin. Destroys things.” 

“Great...” I muttered. 

“I said to him.... ‘So you’re into destruction and I’m into construction. That sounds like a lot of work on my part. Then Stormy had to go and embarrass me by saying we’d make a good couple. I know right? He kept telling stories... About how the men from the city he lived in would go out and tie ropes around the women of other cities to capture them.” 

“Lovely...” 

“I know. And I had this guy in my house. I trust Stormy though. And he’s a friend. Trin... She called me ‘sister’... I know this is a serious thing for an Apache. I felt honored.” 

“You should. That’s a high compliment from an Apache.”

“I like her,” she nodded a bit. “And I don’t feel as threatened by the Apache now. I can handle them 
in town.” 

“I’m glad hon,” I smiled. 

“It’s a HUGE burden off my chest.” 

“And mine... I was worried about you.”

“Thanks, now if I only felt the same about masked me and outlaws....bah...don’t think that’ll ever happen.” 

***

Later in the morning I sat at my desk, trying to focus on reports. I looked up when I saw Sponkey walk in and smiled, “Well hey there cowboy!”

“Well hello there detective. How are you?”

“Feeling like I need a caffeine boost. What are you up to today?”

“Oh nothing really just was on my way to the saloon to get a drink. Want to join me if you aren’t busy and maybe dance or something?”

“I would love that,” I smiled and stood to follow him outside. We walked to the saloon and I turned to him, “So what first? Drink or dancing?”

“We can dance first if you would like.”

“Sounds nice. Been a while since I’ve gotten to dance...” I smiled and took his hand. 

“Oh has it,” he smiled, taking the lead. 

“So you don’t have some wife or girl back home that’s gonna be jealous of me, do ya?” I let myself relax in his arms. 

“No worries there no wife or girl that will come hunt you down,” he laughed. 

“Alright then...” I smiled with relief and danced closer to him. 

“So are you staying busy?”

I nodded as we moved to the music, “Yes... have a couple new cases recently too. Just need to get in touch with the sheriff before we can move ahead.”

“So there’s not much I can do on my own at the moment.”

“Ah sounds like fun.”

“Just hope the mayor was returned last night... Really don’t think my brain can handle another extended long extortion/kidnapping case like last time.”

He stopped dancing, his expression surprised. “Wait the mayor was kidnapped?”

I slid my hand down around his back and pulled him close, “Yeah... but I have the feeling he was returned, I’m just not sure on the whole story.”

“Well it was his wife that was kidnapped last time... Went on forever because no one could tell us the same story. Finally got a confession and a warrant signed though so we’re just waiting the trial for that one.”

“Oh fun,” he shook his head. 

“Oh yeah it was... Every turn that case took just gave me more of a headache,” I chuckled and moved my hips with his. “You’re a pretty good dancer.” 

“Yeah I bet it did give you a headache,” he laughed. “Why thank you so are you.”

“Well I’ll tell you a secret... I was once a saloon dancer in another life. About fifteen years ago when I first moved to the west.”

“So you were a dancer before a detective that is interesting.”

“Mmhmm... Dancer, newspaper publisher, consultant with the law, lawyer, then Pinkerton Detective and lawyer, then Deputy and lawyer, and now just Pinkerton and lawyer.”

“Sounds like you have had a nice career path around here.”

“Definitely been an interesting journey but I love focusing on being a good detective and lawyer now. I find fulfillment knowing that I’m giving all the information I can to build a solid case for the prosecution.”

“Gal you found something that gives you fulfillment.”

“Mmhmm I sure did.”

“What about you? What brings you that kind of fulfillment?” I looked in his eyes. 

“For me just being able to travel seeing different towns has bee a great joy. You know just me the horse and the open roads. Diamond has changed that though this places seems to be such a nice town.”

“It does draw you in, don’t it...?”

“Yes indeed it does along with the nice people in it...” he smiled and nodded. 

I leaned my head on his shoulder and danced closer with him. “I guess I have to change and head over to Bisbee soon. Do you want to come and hear me sing?”

“Yes I would love to go hear you sing.”

“Shall we head to my place and I can get changed into some fancy dress? We can get a drink after I sing,” I chuckled. 

“Yes we shall. Was nice dancing with you,” he smiled. 

“Shall we?” I took ahold of his hand and smiled. We walked out of the saloon and headed for my apartment. Sponkey followed me upstairs and I looked at him, “So um... I’ll go in and change? Or did you want to help me?”

“I will stay out here,” he winked and I leaned over to kiss his cheek before disappearing inside. 

Bisbee.

I played piano for an hour and then thanked everyone for coming. I introduced Sponkey to everyone and then suggested to Ger that we head to the office and get some work done. We said goodbye to everyone and headed back to Diamond. 

Diamond. 

I went upstairs and changed into my pants and shirt and walked back downstairs. “That’s much better,” I said and sat down at his desk. 

“Now you look comfortable.” 

“Yes, much more comfortable now. I hate dresses.”

“Though you do look cute in them...” he chuckled. 

“We have a couple new cases...” I winked at him. 

“Hold that thought Trin... I’ve been thinking...you know I’ve been on a couple of cases in the courtroom, both sides... I wonder...isn’t it a conflict of interest if I defend someone? Especially if I worked the case?” 

“It absolutely is,” I nodded. “Why do you think I never do defense?”

“I only seen you work one case hun.... a weak one at that.” 

“I’m listening,” I said and he became quiet then. 

“I liked doing both....you know?” 

“But you can’t, Ger... it’s too much conflicting. You have to pick which case you do with either position.”

“Not only putting the bad guys away, but keepin’ the innocent out...” 

I looked at him and asked, “Even when you know they’re not innocent because of the facts?”

“My last case, there was no evidence Jewel shot Tye...” 

“But Ger, do you think that’s going to make Tye trust you as an investigator? Cause I can tell you right now he won’t.”

“I know...” 

“We’re already working from square one with him trusting you. This didn’t help. He’s not going to want to include you on cases.”

“He hardly trusts me now.” 

“For that matter... I have a hard time trusting if you’re going to just use it for the defense. Just being honest. I would feel like you’re going to sway the evidence so that Jewel is happy, or whichever outlaw pays you to defend them.”

“Hold on...don’t you think I would do that, would you?” 

“And frankly... I don’t want to have to choose which case I tell you about because of who the suspects are. We’ve been there and were able to keep an open mind because we were on the same side.”

“Hold on a second... please.” 

“And also... I don’t want to be standing between you and Tye all the time. That’s not a fair position to put me in either...”

“David does both...he’s the prosecutor for my next case and defending Leigh.” 

“David’s not a Pinkerton Detective who has to solve cases and help the law close cases. David’s not the one who’s feeding the sheriff information for gathering warrants. Do you see how this would be a problem with me, Ger? And with Tye?”

“Yeah. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about this.” 

“You’re going to have to make a decision, Ger. I hate to put it so harshly but... If you want Tye to trust you as an investigator, you’re going to have to stop taking the side of the defense.”

“So it is the side, not the client per say.” 

“Yes, Ger, it’s the side. It’s the principle of the fact that you’re defending people that we’ve gathered information to sign warrants for. You have to choose. Plain and simple. It’s going to be one or the other. Be a defense lawyer and commit to it and do a good job at it if that’s what you want to do. But that will taint your effectiveness as a detective and the trust from Sheriffs like Tye.”

“I can still prosecute.” 

“Prosecution has the same goal as a detective. It’s why I do both,” I nodded. “It’s the final nail in the coffin, as it were. The second you take defense... You’re taking everything we used against people like me and Tye. Think about it this way... Remember back when we had that case with Tye and thought he was responsible for the bakery fire? You know how heartbroken I was by the possibility that Tye was supporting the other side?”

“Wait, are you saying I can’t prosecute anyone?” 

“No, I said prosecuting is fine because it supports the same side.”

“But I can’t prosecute and defend...” 

“The point is... Defense takes the other side. Defense takes everything we’ve done and every file we’ve written and every evidence we’ve tested and tears it apart for their side, to let the person who we know is guilty go free.”

“And what if we are wrong?” 

“Then we’re wrong and we don’t give those reports to Tye. Or we admit that the evidence led us to someone else who’s responsible.”

“So, I can do this and prosecute case...I can’t do this and defend....but I can prosecute and defend.” 

“When did I say that you could prosecute and defend?”

“See, I’m confused.” 

“Ger I never said that you could defend and prosecute. I said that you probably will have a hard time having credit as an investigator if you’re going to defend and prosecute because you’re going to be taking all of the information we investigated and using it for the defense.”

“I can’t just be like David,” he sighed. 

“It’d be like you going against me. For the sake of an outlaw’s freedom. You can, Ger. The point is that David is NOT a Pinkerton detective who has to work with the law. In that last case... You took the outlaw’s side over the sheriff’s side.”

“I took Jewel’s side...the side where the evidence went.” 

“We didn’t investigate it as Pinkertons. You were assigned to that case.”

“That’s why I took it...” 

“You had to show the evidence going there. Did you take it before or after you read the files?”

“Right. I went to where the evidence went... After. She was innocent. You’re right...” he said and placed his badge on the table. “We won’t agree on everything...heck, we don’t now.. and I don’t want our friendship to suffer. That’s the one thing I value over everything.” 

I nodded, taking the badge with a sigh since he’d made his decision. “I agree... and it feels like lately things keep coming in between us to make us argue a lot and I don’t want that to ruin our friendship either. All I can say is... I hope I don’t have to face you in court. I’ve heard you’re a beast in there,” I winked a bit to lighten the mood. 

“Unless we are on the same side,” he chuckled. 

I stood and reached for his hand. “You’ve taught me a lot in our partnership, Ger. I won’t let this ruin our friendship though. It means too much to me.”

“I will be taking the side of the law you know.” 

“Your better,” I nodded. 

David and Katie walked in then and Ger said goodbye as he headed out of the office. I sighed as I watched Ger go out, then looked back at the couple. “Come on in, folks. Have a seat at the table there.”

“Alright I have been laid up for days now,whats going on in town?” Dave asked. 

“How’s the leg, Dave?” I asked, ignoring the question. 

“Better every day.” 

“Glad to hear it,” I nodded as we sat down at the table across from each other. 

“So what’s new?” Dave asked. 

I took a deep breath and said, “Well... I’m working on my own now.”

“Gosh what happened?” 

“Nothing happened, he just wants to focus on being a good lawyer and I respect him for that. This way he won’t have to put me in the middle. How are you both doing?”

“I am doing great,” Katie smiled and looked at Dave. 

“Doing well, big day is tomorrow,” Dave smiled. “Be better once I’m out of this cast.” 

“I’ll bet. That’s quite the cast you’ve got,” I nodded and looked down at his leg. 

Aly walked in and bumped into the door again as she came to sit at the table beside me. I tried to hide the emotion from the past conversation but knew it probably wasn’t good enough. 

“Yeah, I fell from that hung cage all the way to the canyon floor its a wonder I’m alive,” Dave said. 

“Sure is. Not sure why you wandered over there alone in the first place,” I nodded. 

“I think he wanted to bury his dust. or was it sand?” Aly asked. 

“I was going to dump out that sand I got,” Dave said. 

“David! Show some respect, you need to bury that stuff. It’s...holy. or something,” Aly said. 

“Uh huh... Did you have to do it in an area where people would tomahawk you?”

“Maybe he was trying to be authentic,” Aly shrugged. 

“Well I didn’t realize it till I was actually seeing them,” Dave said. 

“Or suicidal,” I winked at Dave. 

“See I would have probably done the same thing, I just got lucky. I tend to wander with my head in the clouds too,” Aly said. 

“Besides, I couldn’t do something so dumb and leave Katie a widow be fore we even married,” Dave frowned. 

“Speaking of wandering, if you wander around town and then decide to sit on a bench be careful. I had to fix the one over at the bank and haven’t checked the others yet. Don’t want bruised butts or broken limbs,” Aly said. 

“Thanks for the warning,” I nodded. 

“So now you taken to working on the whole towns wood problems Aly?” Dave looked at her. 

“Yup. Tell sheriff. I worry about his ass all the time,” Aly smirked. 

“No comment,” I chuckled, feeling relieved for the laughter and being surrounded by friends. 

“Yeah this town is in need of a lot of repairs. ANd since it’s just me, I do what I can,” Aly said. 

“I think I have a better ass then he does don’t I hun?” Dave looked at Katie and she smiled. 

“Hey Aly how much would you have to bribe the mayor to get that door to be a swinging one?” I nodded to the door. 

“Uh...that would be inappropriate for me to comment on, especially with your fiance in the same room.” 

“Speaking of asses... I danced with someone today,” I chuckled. 

“Well...you could have the mayor over more often and hope he bumps into it himself...it’s easy to do,” Aly’s eyes widened as she looked over at me. “What. Who? Anyone I know?”

“Yeah that would convince him,” I laughed at Aly. “And yeah... Sponkey asked me for a drink and a dance. We never got to the drink,” I blushed. 

“My brother taught me a lot of carpentry,” Aly gave Dave a look and then turned to me. “That Sponkey guy whose name sounds like spokes...I’ve only seen him linger outside your home, Trin. Kinda creepy.” 

“He ain’t creepy he’s been there for me a lot since I fell off my horse,” I chuckled.

“Guess I haven’t really talked with him enough,” she said. 

Dave knocked his leg against the table and cried, “Ouch!” 

“Careful love,” Katie warned. 

“How long have you had that leg?” I winked at Dave. 

“Hardy har,” he muttered. 

“Sir you need to take it easy. I’m good at handling wood but not legs.” 

“Aly before you hear it from someone else...” I looked at her. “Ger just handed me his badge. There’s no hard feelings but he wants to focus on being a good lawyer.”

“I think he will make a fine lawyer though I cant speak for his choice of clients,” Dave put in. 

“All I told him was I hope I don’t ever have to face him in court,” I shrugged. “He did promise he’d take the law side more often though. But... It was going to be a conflict of interest.”

“What clients?” Aly raised an eyebrow. 

“Jewel’s trial from the weekend? You testified Aly,” Dave reminded her. 

“Tye was going to have a hard time trusting him after that anyway so it’s good he accepted the decision he had to make. I wasn’t going to continue to be put in the middle of them.” 

“Yeah but as a permanent client? Great! My brother defends the naughty outlaw girl who hates me!” Aly’s eyes widened. 

“Your brother?” I blinked and Dave asked the same question. “You mean that symbolically, right?”

“Well..adopted, but yeah. It just kinda turned out that way,” Aly said. 

“How did that happen?” 

“Uh...kinda the day he bathed, fed, and dressed me when my leg got infected. That was like a month ago. Or something?” 

“I knew he acted like your brother just wasn’t sure if there was some sort of biological discovery since then.”

“Not that I know of. Nothing would surprise me though.” 

“I think that is great Aly, it is nice to have family around,” Katie put in. 

“But ugh Trin, he’s going to defend her. You do know that she killed Mark...riiiiiight??” 

I noticed Dave looking around nervously and asked, “You alright?” 

“Killed?” I blinked. 

“Yeah.  Killed. She and Sniper decided to go blow off some steam by running toward the Apache village. Stormy came to visit me the next morning, with a bullet still in her leg. Or..quiet wolf, as he’s now called. blah. I’m never gonna get use to that. Speaking of Stormy...David...?” she looked over at him. 

“Are you okay, love?” Katie asked with worry. 

“He looks... pale,” Aly said. 

“Huh, yeah, well no not really...” he seemed dazed. 

“David, Stormy says hello,” Aly told him. 

“Talk to me, Dave...” I looked at him with concern. 

“What’s wrong?” Katie asked. 

“I told her you are my friend...I think she respects that,” Aly said. 

“You guys came in here... was there something you needed my help with? Not that I don’t mind social visits...” I looked between them. 

“Hello? I think she was the one that caged me.” 

“Oh my,” Katie took his hand in hers. 

“I guess she thought you were threatening. Did you have a gun? Uhm, Trin, want me to leave?” Aly looked at me. 

“Yeah and I either shot her or the other Native that was with her, hell they all look the same.” 

“Yeah...and you wouldn’t be able to tell the males from the females unless they had shirts off,” she snickered. 

“I just stopped in to see whats been going on, I been stuck in the house for a few days,” he said and I shook my head with a sigh, leaning forward. “I tried to explain I was just lost, but she came up on me so I shot one of them then the other got me, then I was put in that tiny cage they got.” 

“Ugh, cages,” Aly said. 

“Oh my poor love...” 

“So I ain’t real fond of small spaces,” Dave admitted. “What’s the word clouddrophobik?”

“I don’t blame ya,” Aly nodded. “Claustrophobic.” 

“Yeah that word.” 

I noticed Leigh outside and asked, “Have you guys heard if Krell got back okay last night?”

“Sorry,” Leigh said as she walked in. 

“Leigh, wait,” I tried to stop her.

“Never heard he was gone.”

“David.. Me and Bree and Krell were having cake last night and three masked people held us at gunpoint. They knocked the mayor out and tied him up.” 

“Oh my,” Katie shook her head. 

“And I’d like to know if the mayor’s okay but his wife just walked out of the office without another word.”

“And your just now telling me about this?” Dave asked. 

“Uh...this is the first time I’ve seen you since it happened. Figured you were resting your leg. It was just last night. You know it was really odd with her Trin... She almost seemed to not care when it happened. She showed up right after.” 

“And no one has seen him since?” Dave looked between us. 

“No sir, I heard he was taken to Benson.” 

“Oh boy I cane hear it now Mayor Norwood,” Dave said softly.

“What?!” Aly blinked at him. 

“Oh nothing at all, just um well it would be a shame if something were to happen to Mayor Krell, he is such a swell guy.” 

“You uh...didn’t have anything to do with this, did you David?” Aly asked. 

“Leigh!” I called outside. “Could you come in here a sec please?”

“No unfortunately I didn’t.” 

“Unfortunately, huh?” Aly raised an eyebrow and I chuckled at that. 

“Leigh, is Krell alright? Has he returned?” I asked Leigh as she walked into the office. 

“Well then I would know where the poor sap was,” Dave said. “Miss Leigh I just heard the terrible, awful news something has happened to Mayor Krell?”

“You ready for the big Day tomorrow David and Katie?” Leigh asked. 

“Is Krell alright?” I asked her, trying to get her to focus. 

“He had a rough night last night but he is okay today.” 

“Ok can we focus people, the Mayor what happen?” Dave begged. 

“Thank God. Was Tye around?” I asked. 

“Is fine. He bounces right back,” Leigh promised. 

“Damn, I mean oh good he is home safe,” Dave frowned and I wanted to kick him under the table but told myself to resist. 

“How is your leg, David?” Leigh asked him. 

“Getting better. Another few days and I think I will be able to take the cast off.” 

As they talked about the wedding I looked out the window, seeming unfocused. Leigh left the office and Aly looked at me with concern. “This ain’t like you, Trin. TRIN!” she shouted, trying to get my attention. I shook my head and continued to look out the window. 

Aly accidentally kicked Dave’s leg under the table and when Katie asked if he was okay he said, “No I’ll be fine, but I think I need to go lay down for a while.” 

“Maybe it is time for us to go home for a while love,” Katie suggested. 

“Think I’m gonna go for a short ride,” I looked at Dave as if wanting to talk to him alone. 

“You sure, Trin? You want company? I’ll come,” Aly offered. 

“Yeah can you bring me some whiskey from the saloon?” Dave reached in his pockets for some coins. “A couple of bottles should do. Its helped to take the edge off the pain.” 

“Dave can I...” I started. “Can we talk alone for a bit? Maybe across the road?”

“Wait, let him stay there. I’ll go...my legs are fine, his ain’t. I’ll be...uh..wandering.” 

“Will you get the whiskey?” Dave asked Aly, handing her the coins. 

“Thanks. Two bottles.” 

“Gonna wander into Tombstone. Sure,” Aly said and left the office. 

“Dave?” I looked at him as he stood to go. 

“Yes Trin?” 

“Can we talk alone for a second?”

“Love I need to go and start dinner,” Katie said then. 

“Yes of course. Katie, you don’t mind, do you?” Dave looked at her. 

“I’m sorry Katie, it will be quick, I promise.”

“No, Trin will you help him home?” 

“Of course.” 

When we were alone in the office, I looked at Dave nervously, leaning forward. “David I just...”

“Whats on your mind?”

I took a deep breath and said, “You know I just want you to be happy, right?”

“Well I appreciate that.” 

“It’s just that I... And you were... And it...” I shook my head as he walked over to me. “I don’t want to lose you too. It feels like every man I kiss or dance with suddenly... marries the next woman he meets.”

“Trin I’m sorry.” 

“You do know.... you were the first man I kissed since I had been with Alex, right?”

“I didn’t realize but I do now.” 

“And I haven’t kissed anyone since... not like that anyway... Am I bad with men? Do I just not get them? Not get how to make them happy and stay, even as a partner?”

“Trin I don’t know what to answer first,” he said and I felt the tears threaten so I looked down. “Hun just somethings happen out in unexpected ways.” 

“I just... when he handed me that badge.. I felt like I failed him.”

“Gerric is gonna be a helluva lawyer. You didn’t fail anyone... just some things don’t fit.” 

“Let’s get you home to your wife,” I nodded and stood. 

Dave walked close to me and offered me a hug the best way he could with the crutches supporting him. I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed, wrapping my arms around his waist lightly. He kissed my forehead and said, “You’ll be fine Trin and we will always be friends.” 

We walked outside and headed outside. Aly came over to us along the way with two bottles of whiskey in her hands. “You got lucky. These were the only two I could find.” 

“I can take those,” I took them, reaching for them and trying to wipe the tears from my eyes. 

“You sure, Trin? I don’t mind.” 

“Maybe you could...” I started, not thinking I could handle taking Dave to my old house to be with his wife. 

“Sure. Why don’t you go wait inside and I’ll come find you, ok?” Aly suggested. 

“Aly, I’ll be in the saloon,” I changed my mind and headed there. I shoved the doors open loudly so they swing and make a lot of noise. I reached for my flask and starts to drink the whiskey, not caring how fast I drank it.” 

Aly walked into the saloon and took a seat at the counter, staying quiet at first as I continued to drink my whiskey. “Spokey, huh? Is that his birth name?”

I relaxed at the subject she decided to focus on. “Sponkey.. yeah... We danced and talked about life and work... was just so nice to be in his arms, Aly.”

“Because that sounds like something silly I would have called my brother when we were eight,” she winked. 

“I tend to call him Sponk more,” I said and drank more whiskey. 

“I imagine it was. I’ve longed for a man’s arms since I found out what it was like with mark. You’re a lucky girl,” she smiled. “Sponk. Wow,” she laughed. 

“I hope so... Would be nice if this one stays around.”

“Yeah well instead of thinking about that morbid thought... why don’t you focus on the fact that he 
actually seems to like you.” 

“He does, doesn’t he?”

“Uh...you were in his arms, weren’t you?” 

“He was so good when I fell too... He sat on the couch while I rested and we waited for Alex to come with the news...” I smiled. “I sure was.” 

“Well people don’t dance with people they don’t like, silly Trin... Wait he was with you all then? I didn’t know.” 

“Yeah he was... He saw us in the clinic when Alex was first patching me up.”

“Well it sounds like you got a good man then.” 

“I think I do, yeah,” I smiled. 

“The ones that are concerned about you....are always the best.” 

“Let’s go for a walk,” I suggested after a while and we went outside. We decided to go for a ride and went around Tombstone and then came back to Diamond. I saw Tye in front of the sheriff’s office and went straight over to him while Aly talked with Stormy and some others that were there. 

“Can we talk inside, sheriff?” I asked him. 

“Ain’t seen you in days and you want me alone already?”

I nodded and he led the way inside. I took a deep breath and knew the emotion from the day was showing on my face but tried to be strong. “I have some news.”

“Don’t need to say ya got news, just tell me the news.”

“Ger is no longer a Pinkerton Detective. I’m on my own now.”

“Good for you, Trin. Good for you. You work better that way anyhow.”

“I agree. He wanted to focus on being a lawyer... for both sides. Our code prohibits such alliances with outlaws. I heard about two new incidents in the last couple of days that I need to talk to you about as well.”

“His choice. I didn’t bother stayin’ at that trial.” 

“There was a bank robbery the other day and the mayor being kidnapped last night.”

“I could smell the rats on the jury and to see him defending her? After she’d shot me?” 

“I know, Tye,” I nodded. 

“He can bite me.” 

“I heard the mayor was returned. Do you need my help finding out who did it?”

“I didn’t know about the bank robbery, and Mayor’s fine. Well, just a bit. I know three of the four.” 

“I’m listening.”

“Shot and killed Mac and TJ. Katoria Rose was booked. There was another lass, bad shot that one, dark hair. Reminded me of Lilly Cross. But masked, so can’t be sure. I’d ask Aly and Bree, and possibly Jewel.” 

“Aly was the one who told me about it... I asked her to write me a statement.”

“But, the unknown was shot, so if you can find who treated people last night, you find your fourth kidnapper.” 

“Aly said that it wasn’t Jewel because she was talking with Peta down the street when it happened...”

“TYE! I’m hungry! Did I leave my bacon in there?!” Peta shouted from outside. 

“Yeah, Peta told me about that,” he nodded and called back, “Bacon? I know you ain’t left no bacon in here, or at least you had better not’ve.”

“Tye...” I started. 

“Huh?” 

“Aly told me that Lilly came running into Tombstone wounded.”

“Then.... never mind. Can I come in?” Peta asked. 

“Yeh, Peta,” he went to let her in. “So she was there,” Tye nodded to me. 

“Aly found Myst to treat Lilly. Lilly mentioned Krell too.”

“Then I’ll need Aly’s statement to cover those events. And Myst’s statement.” 

“She is working on it this evening. I’ll talk to Myst,” I nodded. 

“And my statement,” Peta muttered. 

“Good,” Tye nodded. 

“Yes, we’ll need a statement from you too,” I looked at Peta. 

“Shouldn’ta married a damned lawman,” she muttered. 

“Yes, Peta. You always seem to get mixed up in these things,” Tye sighed. 

“Just happy we got enough witnesses on this one,” I chuckled. 

“You like me better workin’! I ain’t as grumpy at you all the time!” 

“Alright so I’ll get the statements from Aly and Myst...” I summarized. “Anything else on that one?”

“Sommer and Jack were at the house... Hmm...” 

“Well now I’m bored. I’m goin’ outside,” Peta said and walked outside. 

“Leigh... Leigh had followed us out there,” Tye said. “See if you can get anything from her. I mean, I can tell you already, that whole plan was probably cooked up by TJ or Mac.” 

“So Aly, Myst, Krell, Bree, Leigh.”

“The two broads seemed out of their element, easy to take down. Hadn’t seen them break the law before.” 

“Aly said that one kept feeling her up.”

“They... what? Which one?” 

“She said it was two men and one woman, the woman kept touching her to look for jewelry or somethin’... She was blonde.”

“That’d be Katoria. There was a fourth with them.” 

“Lilly... Mac... TJ and Kat.”

“That’s what I’m thinkin’.” 

“Okay... changing gears before I lose you? The bank fire...”

“Let’s hear it.” 

“Alright, yesterday Bree brought me over to the bank and the doors had been tampered with. She said when she got there, Rikki and TJ said it was burnt. They said TNT but that they didn’t do it. Rikki was in her Sheriff outfit apparently.”

“Did you find anything regarding what may have started it?” 

“I was talking with Aly and brought it up and she said she heard a lot of noise and heard that TJ was yelling that there was a fire. Said it happened earlier yesterday. Didn’t want to go in and look around without you.”

“Sounds like TJ has made the decision to come back to Diamond. About time. I’m ready to take him in.” 

“Goodie...” I muttered. 

“You can go on in, Trin. I trust you. Ask me or Bree of Krell anytime to look around.” 

“Alright,” I nodded. 

“You take lead on the bank, sounds like you’re way ahead of me on that one.” 

“I’ll keep you posted.” 

“I’ll work with your report when its done. Just come to me if you reach a roadblock.” 

“Or if I need to compare fingerprints,” I winked. 

“That.” 

“Alright, anything moving on the cake case?”

“Not yet, still reviewing your statements. I’m not sure I am ready to move on it.” 

“And the bank robbery?”

“I just need whatever you can get me for that one. When I arrest Mac, I’ll get you his prints.” 

“That’s all we can do with that.”

“So I think that covers it for cases.”

“Good. We’re set then. Keep it up.” 

“I’ll go find these statements for you. I have to say... It’s nice just working with you again.”

“Gerric just slowed you down.” 

“You two never got along either,” I nodded. 

“With good reason,” he said as we headed out of the office. 

I asked Peta and Aly to write statements for us and they promised they would work on them. I went to my office and sent a request by wire for Mysti to write me her statement. When she sent it to me by telegram I brought the report out to Tye and he thanked me for it. I met a man named Thorbin and then headed home for the evening. 

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