Black Diamond.
This morning I walked into the cafe and saw Aly and Alex sitting at a table. We talked about how Mark was at Aly’s house again last night but that he didn’t say anything. I told her to talk to him but that I didn’t know what she should say because I wasn’t a good expert on what to tell guys who are about to get married.
“So Trin I wanted to ask you something,” Aly changed the subject eventually.
“Yeah?”
“Now that it’s just you...how does it feel? Your own office, I mean.”
“Feels good actually. I don’t have to report to anyone but Tye. And we work well together. I don’t have to discuss things three times and explain why I do something.”
“I’m glad it feels good,” Alex smiled.
“Well I imagine that was a serious waste of your time.”
“It was just frustrating. I’m relieved I guess. Just got to get people back in town so I can get more statements,” I sighed.
“Yeah but it’s sad really... having someone else is suppose to mean less work.”
“Usually,” I nodded.
“Though I suppose, with you being as good with what you do as you do...uh...that’s a strange sentence.”
“Thanks Aly,” I smiled.
“Yeah, that was a compliment,” she snickered.
I looked outside and saw Tye wandering around. “He’s around town early.”
Aly got up to get some coffee refills for the three of us and then called out, “Sheriff come here a sec!”
“Well I’m awake now,” I jumped at her shout.
“Ahem. Yup. My big mouth,” she grinned.
“Morning, Sheriff,” I greeted him as he walked into the cafe.
“Mornin’. What’s all that shoutin’ about,” Tye asked.
“Trin I think you might already know, Alex I ain’t sure if you do or not, Tye, I know I ain’t told you yet... I just fixed the bench by the bank after I nearly fell off from sitting on it. I haven’t checked the other ones around town so -please- be careful when you sit.”
“Ok, Aly,” Alex nodded.
“Oh yeah, and howdy sheriff, a good, pleasant mornin’ to ya. Coffee is fresh, Courtesy of, uh..Alex,” Aly chuckled.
“Ya called me back to warn me about benches? The hell’s wrong with ‘em?” Tye grunted.
“Tye I started to interview Krell yesterday but we got interrupted by a rude Native. Will get you his report when we finish the interview. Did you receive my statement from Aly?” I asked him.
“I dunno. They are wobbly and some about to give out. Don’t want ya breakin’ yer hip or something sir.”
“I ain’t gonna break a damn hip. Natives’ been back in town? You know which ones?” Tye looked at me.
“Was Stormy this time. I keep seein’ ‘em around though.”
“They still lookin’ for Jack?”
“Don’t know,” I shrugged.
“Seems folks like to wait outside town until I leave to start things up. I might leave then circle back around the other side every once in a while. Peta told me TJ just about started a fire last night until he saw her.”
“Stormy called me sister,” Aly grinned.
“Then he ran off scared thinkin’ I was comin’ shortly after,” Tye said and I nodded.
“Still not sure about that bank fire. I can’t get in there without keys from Krell, Bree or you.”
“I’ll get you in there later today.”
“Alright, Sheriff.”
Tye glanced outside and said, “I best get back to it. Glad I got warned about them dangerous benches, though. Wouldn’t want to spill my tea or nothin’.”
“Just doin’ what I can sir,” Aly said and then told us she had to get some work done.
“It was nice chatting with you this morning, Aly. I like having coffee with you two in the mornings,” Alex said.
“Good, and I like the habit it’s become. See ya!”
“See ya hon. Think I’ll take your spot,” I said and sat in her spot across from Alex. “Hey there,” I smiled at him.
“Hey. I’ve been moving furniture around.”
“Oh have you?”
“Yep, made my house a little more comfortable and my office a little more usable.”
“I’m glad hon,” I smiled. “Any sign of the Missus?”
“Nope. It’s been two weeks today since I last heard from her,” he shook his head. “I’ve got two really good friends here now and that’s always good.”
“Mmhmm.” I reached over and took his hand. “I’m sorry, hon. This kidnapping case is really interesting...”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah... not really sure what to make of it yet. I guess Leigh didn’t seem all that concerned about him being gone... and Krell didn’t really seem all that worked up about it. Wanted to talk more about donuts.”
“Who got kidnapped?”
“The mayor got kidnapped the other night.”
“Donuts?” he chuckled. “Yeah, that doesn’t sound like he’s too worried. Very odd. Though a nice hot donut would be good right now.”
“Indeed. And Peta and Jewel were standing down the street talking when it happened.. Peta’s going to be writing a statement but Jewel claims to not know anything. We figured out the four people probably involved, now we’re just trying to gather statements but of course most of ‘em were at that wedding yesterday and I haven’t seen them much since.”
“Oh yeah. Big crowd there. Too many, in fact, for me. But hopefully people will be around today.”
“I hope so.. Need to start making some progress. It does feel weird being on my own again.. If you still want to be my sounding board, I sure could use it,” I looked at him seriously. “Doesn’t have to be anything official but... it would really help.”
“Yeah, I’ll help out whenever you want. Can’t really be official, but I can talk about it,” I smiled and nodded.
“I know we work well together. You have a good eye with this stuff and can tell me if I’m crazy,” I winked.
“You’re crazy!” he laughed.
“Thanks,” I nudged him under the table and he grinned. “Phoenix is working out really well.”
“Oh is he? That’s great! I’m glad you found a good one. A horse is so important.”
“Mmhmm.”
“We’ll have to go out for a ride soon.”
“Mmmhmm we sure will. Just thinking back over the timeline of this case, trying to make sense of it.”
“Sounds like a good one to keep your brain sharp.”
“Or going crazy.... Alex what if this is connected with Leigh’s kidnappings earlier last month?”
“Hmmm... it could be. You never solved that one?”
“We did actually. Turned out to be extortion. Guess I can tell you this,” I looked around. “Tye got a confession from Leigh that involved Jewel in the kidnappings. I guess they’d staged the kidnappings to extort money from Mayor Krell. She’s got a charge of revenge shooting against her... We’re waiting for that trial to happen.”
“Do you think it’s something like that again?”
“Well the fact that someone said that Leigh wasn’t too concerned about it.... Kind of reminded me about that case.”
“Yeah, that is odd. I’d be pretty concerned if it were me.”
“She came into the office the other day for a brief couple of minutes and said that he was back and fine. Didn’t even want to talk to me about trying to find who did this. I still need to try and talk to her alone to get more out of her...”
“Definitely,” he raised his eyebrows.
“It just seems... odd. And I’m getting a sense of de ja vu.”
“It does sound fishy. That’s probably the best place to start, with Leigh.”
“If she’ll even talk to me... That was something Ger was good at....” I sighed.
“You’re good at talking to people.”
“Not women as much... Aly’s the first girl I’ve really connected with this much in a long time.”
“Only people I’m good at questioning are little kids.”
“Yes, you were definitely good with children.”
“It’s nice you’ve made a female friend,” he nodded.
“I just...” I looked at him, not wanting to voice my biggest fear. I squirmed in my seat, nervous at even the implications of my thought and I wondered why I cared so much.
“Trin...”
“If you two...” I looked down.
“If we what? Trin, I like Aly a lot. I’m glad too since you two are close and it would suck if I hated your best friend. But I’m married. Albeit to an absentee wife, but nothing’s going to happen.”
“I don’t even know why I’m jealous. You’re right, you are married. I just... I’m crazy, you can say it again,” I shook my head at myself.
“You’re crazy,” he gave me a playful nudge. “Look, I really enjoy her company and I’m glad I’ve made a friend. Especially since I’m not very comfortable around most people. That doesn’t mean I’m going to be there any less for you. You’re my best friend. I’d be lost here without you.”
I smiled and looked in his eyes, feeling the same way. “I agree... and even with things going really well with Sponkey so far... You and I never change. That’s what I love about us.”
“Exactly,” he nodded. “So, things are good with Sponk, huh?”
“We’ve danced a couple times and had drinks... It’s comfortable with him. I’m optimistic but it’s been a long time since a man’s given me that much attention. So we’ll see.”
“He seems like a nice guy,” Alex said and reached over to squeeze my hand.
“What do you say we go for that ride? I don’t feel like timelining from Krell’s statement yet.”
“Sure, that’d be nice to see that new horse of yours.” We walked outside and he patted Phoenix’s neck. “He’s a beautiful horse.”
“He sure is. Hey, where’s your house?”
“Oh, I’ll show you. Follow me,” he said and we rode through Bisbee.
Tombstone.
We rode toward a small house on the way to Tombstone behind Dutch Annie’s. “This is it! Welcome to my house.”
“Well this is cute! Not too far away either!” I smiled and dismounted.
“See? I got some chickens.”
“Yes, you do,” I chuckled. “I wasn’t sure if I should believe you.” I walked over to the chickens and asked, “You named them yet?”
“You think I’d lie about chickens?” Alex winked. “Florence, Irma, and Margery.”
I chuckled at the names and asked, “Can I see inside?”
“Sure!”
We walked inside and I smiled, looking around. “It’s cute and little. Just what you need.”
“Home sweet home. Yep, I like it. It’s the right size and a good location.”
“She doesn’t know you have this, does she?” I looked in his eyes.
“I sent her letter telling her I got it but I haven’t heard back from her. She doesn’t know where it is even. I hung a photo of us in case she ever comes back so I remember who the hell she is.”
I shook my head and reached for his hands, pulling him in for another hug. “I’m sorry, Alex... you don’t deserve that... “
“I knew she wouldn’t be here much, but I thought more than that.”
“No one should have to be this alone when they’re finally married,” I nodded.
“Oh well, at least she’s not here to yell at me for talking to you.”
“That’s true,” I chuckled.
“I do like my house though,” Alex sighed and then smiled.
“Mmhmm, it suits you,” I said and looked around at all the books.
“Just got one of those shelves yesterday. Now my books aren’t all over the floor.”
“That would drive you insane, I’m sure,” I laughed. I had a flashback of making out with him in the library and then blushed, avoiding eye contact with him.
“There are a lot of medical texts there.”
“Mmhmm stuff that would be way over my head.”
“You know, you’re my first visitor!”
“I am?” I smiled.
“Yep, not often I let people in my space.”
“I must be special then,” I winked.
“You are,” he grinned.
“That’s quite the fireplace too,” I turned.
“Isn’t it great! That was the selling point for me. I love fireplaces.”
“I bet it was!”
“I’ve been chopping wood out in the yard. I like the windows in here too.”
“Mmhmm. Very nice,” I said and walked over to study the wine rack.
“From France,” he smiled.
“Of course,” I chuckled.
“It’s hard to find good wine out here. Whiskey on the other hand...” he chuckled.
“Indeed. Would be lost without my whiskey,” I said and turned to him. “I guess I should get some work done, huh?”
“I’m really glad you came over,” he smiled.
“Me too... I’m glad that I could see where you live.”
“You’re welcome any time. Maybe we can crack open a bottle sometime and play cards.”
“Sounds like a great plan. I was thinking I haven’t beat you at poker in a while,” I winked.
“I think I’m going to curl up in my chair and read a book.”
“Alright you... I’ll send you a wire if I need your help with something but I really feel like the same thing is happening with this case.”
“Yeah, I’m happy to help anytime.”
“Love you, Alex. Stay safe, okay?” I hugged him gently.
“Love you too. You stay safe too,” he hugged me and I headed home.
***
Black Diamond.
I sat in my office working on my timeline for Krell’s case. I stood and started to pace, trying to think clearer, and then turned when the door opened. “Hey there!” I smiled at him.
“Howdy Detective! How is everything going?”
“Better now that you’re here. Been trying to piece together this case and patience is not my friend at the moment. Come on in!” He kicked the door open and I chuckled, “Really need to get that door changed.”
“Yeah that door needs to go.” he laughed.
“Mmhmm. Definitely need to invite the mayor over and have him injure his knee against the door a few thousand times. Maybe he’ll get rid of it then.”
“Yeah maybe that will get him to change it.”
I heard the telegram machine buzzing and went over to receive the message:
Telegram to miss Trin of Tombstone AZ
Body of Dutch Solo found
badly mutilated there is a bad killer
in Colorado atm
he had a picture of you on his person
thought i should let you know
Gaide Solo
I almost fell over in shock and Sponkey ran over to catch me. My face went pale in a mixture of shock, grief and fear.
“Are you alright over here detective do you need to go see a doc?”
“I...” I blinked, looking around, then looked back at the note in my hand, not believing it. He knelt down and helped me up, walking me over to sit me at my desk. I shook my head, trying to clear my mind but I was in too much shock. “He can’t be... And now they’re...”
“Are you going to be alright?” he read the telegram and looked at me in shock.
“He was my first... and now he’s... and now they’re...” I shook my head.
“Oh I see...”
I started to cry and he reached for some tissues, handing them to me. “Dutch was the first man I was ever with when I moved to the West after what happened in Texas,” I took a deep breath. “I came to this town in Colorado and heard that this guy had been killed but the law wasn’t doing anything about it... So I decided to look into it for a book I wanted to write about it... Everyone thought he was dead but there was a part of me that wondered if he was alive and well somewhere. Well... he turned up alive in this mine in Utah and I met him in person. Sponkey that night was incredible... I’ll never forget it. Anyway naturally he helped me work on the book and we kinda fell in love... had this whirlwind romance... then I never saw him. Figured he was off looking for his brothers or whatever... anyway... When I was still kind of moving around to different towns, I went to Cripple Creek where I found Dutch’s family. He was there too but it was different. Like too much time had passed. I never heard from him or saw him again after that. It’s been almost fifteen years since that.... And now... he’s been killed... and his brother sent me a telegram to warn me that the killer has a picture of me. Probably found out I wrote a book about Dutch... It was circulating around while I was living in Colorado still...”
“Wow and since the killer has a picture of you do you think he is out looking to kill you also...”
“I guess but I don’t know why... It’s been so long... What on earth could he want with me now?”
“Who knows...” he shrugged.
I reached for his hand, knowing I was shaking. “I need... I need whiskey or something.”
He grabbed my hand and helped me walk to the saloon. “No need to worry I am here. What can I get ya?”
“Whiskey.... Just a ... whiskey.”
He reached for the bottle of whiskey and poured a glass for me, sliding it in my direction. “There you go.”
“Sponk what if...” I started but couldn’t even finish the thought, sipping my whiskey. “Everything will be alright,” he handed me some napkins again as I continued to cry.
“I don’t know if it will be...” I shook my head.
“Just note I am here in town if you ever need anything,” he said and I leaned against him, rubbing my head against his chest. “Just relax everything will be ok.”
“I guess I should... go home... Walk me there?” I looked at him, trying to gain the strength to stand.
“Sure I walk you home to make sure you get there safely.”
We stood and headed home as I tried to process the information about Dutch Solo. Was it true? Was he really gone this time? And was the killer actually after me?
***
Tombstone.
I heard there was a dance going on in Tombstone so I went over to Shuck’s saloon, hoping to find Aly or Tye or someone that I could talk to about the note. I walked into the dance and received a note from Aly. It was a witness statement but I barely read through it as my mind was so much on the note from Dutch Solo.
“I’ve... I’ve got one to show you too.” I knew my voice was shaky and that my tears from the day were still evident in my eyes.
“What?” Aly blinked and I handed her a copy of the note, dreading her reaction.
“What’s wrong, Trin?” Sniper asked from the other side of the room. I looked over, knowing he knew Dutch too, and that I should tell him about the note as well.
Aly stopped dancing and read the note. “What is this?” I swallowed hard, looking back at her, my heart pounding against my chest. “This a joke?” she whispered.
“Everything okay, Aly?” TJ asked with concern.
“Some sick Outlaw thing?” Aly asked.
“Gaide wouldn’t joke about this,” I shook my head.
“Walk with me,” Aly said.
“TJ...” I looked over. “Lil...” I knew they both knew Dutch too and that this news would hit them as well.
“Not in here. Let them enjoy their dancing,” Aly said and led me outside. “When did you get this?”
“Aly I need... And they all... This afternoon.”
“Shh..This happened in Colorado. You think... Whoever it was would come here?”
“Aly... I wrote a huge book about Dutch Solo . About his life and about his death, or so we thought it was his death... The book must have circulated... It was fifteen years later but maybe it took that long to circulate...”
“And you’re thinking that’s what got him killed,” Aly sighed.
“I don’’t know.”
“Trin...”
“All I know is whoever it is has my picture.”
“You’ve really got to stop blaming yourself. I know...I read that part. You know you have people here to protect you. Granted, my tools are a hammer and saw....but...well you’ve got Tye... Even the others we normally have issues with...”
I took out the necklace I still had from Dutch and put it around my neck. “Do me a favor...”
“Don’t do that. that’ll just start a pity party. I’d know. Take it off,” Aly ordered.
“Get TJ... if he’s dancing alone...”
“He’s not.”
“It’s not about pity. It’s about grief,” I shook my head. “Get him for me? I’m gonna need all the protection I can get.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.” I reached for the note and took it from her. “I need to show him this.”
“You need me to do this right now? He’s dancing with someone.”
“Is Sniper dancing with someone?”
“No.”
“Get him, please?”
She walked inside and I couldn’t help but think of the irony, since Sniper had been friends with my nemesis. I knew I needed his help now more then ever and walked back inside, shaking my head at Aly. I walked over to Sniper and whispered, “Dutch Solo was killed. I need to talk to you later.”
Sniper nodded and whispered, “Speak after the dance.”
I nodded and walked out of the dance and got on Phoenix and rode back home. I sat in my office and played with the necklace I was wearing, remembering the first night I’d met Dutch. The whole story came back to me as if it just happened and I wondered what on earth Dutch’s killer would want with me now. I sighed, wishing that it could have just ended with Dutch’s death and wondered if I was doing the right thing by talking to Sniper. I knew I’d have to talk to TJ too... since they both knew Dutch and could protect me... even though it was frowned upon to work with outlaws...
I looked up and saw Sniper walk into the office. “Hey..” I stood hesitantly.
He drew his guns and laughed, “I’m here to kill you. Give me your clothes and your boots. Hey.”
“Sniper.. I’m scared.”
“Go on.”
“Dutch was killed... Gaide sent me a telegram about it...”
“Ok...”
“He said that the guy that killed Dutch mutilated him... And... Has my picture. He’s coming after me Sniper. I don’t know why. You remember that book I wrote about Dutch?”
“A picture is one thing, how you know he’s coming for you?”
“I guess the book got circulated and that’s how he heard about me but... Why now? It’s been fifteen years.”
“Unfinished business?”
“Gaide told me that the killer has my picture. Said he was in Colorado. Why would he mention that if the killer didn’t want to find me?”
“How does he know this killer? How does he know he has your picture? Might have been Dutch’s picture.”
I looked at him, wondering that suddenly too. “That’s a good question... How does Gaide now? Gaide and I barely talked.... I think I might have met him once. Then again in Cripple Creek in ‘70.”
“So, who really is the killer in all this?”
“You think Gaide killed his brother?”
“Hell I don’t know. I’m just going on the information you giving me. You’re the detective right?”
“I needed to talk to someone who knew them... someone who might be able to help me figure this out... I know we never talk but.... Sniper... this could get dangerous. Hell, I know we haven’t had the best of histories either... Not even back in Colorado. But... You’re one of a few that knew him around here and I...”
“So what are your concerns? The man who told you he knows the killer has your picture, or how he happens to know he coming for you, or that maybe, he the killer.”
“Good gosh, Sniper, Gaide wouldn’t...”
“You know him better than me. I find it random he knows all this in depth information.”
“I barely know Gaide, that’s my point. The last time I saw Gaide or any of Dutch’s family, they couldn’t have cared less about me. So why warn me now?”
“Hell if I know. You know how to use your guns don’t ya?” he asked and I nodded. “Then whats the issue, be extra vigilant, eyes open.”
“But... if you hear of anything in Tombstone about this... You know I’m over here more than over there... I need eyes everywhere on this.”
“Well, if YOU get a name, if its him, or someone else, let me know, and maybe I can intercept him before he does see you, if he does want that.”
“For the record... I just need ears out there... I wouldn’t ask for that kind of help but... I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
“Tombstone is a busy place at times. New folk roll in and out. Would be hard for me to catch onto anyone of that nature.”
“I know. But if they start askin’ around about me I mean...” I said. I thanked him for coming by and then headed upstairs for the night.
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