Black Diamond.
I walked over towards Aly’s house this morning and saw Pet and Aly talking. They told me to be careful around the frog that was wandering around. Pet noticed my new look and asked why I had changed my hair so I explained to her what was going on. Aly and I decided I needed an outfit makeover too and then we went back to Aly’s.
Aly told me that she had slapped Lonnie at the saloon in front of other people the night before and I told her I was proud of her.
***
I walked over to the sheriff’s office where Pet was talking with Tye. He looked over at me, “Hello Miss. You new in town?”
“It’s me, Trin,” I looked at him.
“Trin? That ain’t Trin. She don’t wear dresses or have... What,” he squinted.
I showed him my badge and sighed with relief, “Good... It’s enough of a disguise.”
“If you hadn’t spoke, I wouldn’t have known it was you,” Pet said.
“Perfect.”
“Should just work on your shootin’ instead of hidin’ all the time,” Tye grunted.
“Shooting is just fine, thank you very much.”
“Tye, does the jailhouse need a new bible yet?”
“Oh, uh... well... you could look if you like. Its probably a bit dusty,” Tye told Pet.
“Hey Tye you remember that fire I told you about at the bank a while back?” I looked at him.
“Yeh, I do.”
Aly walked over carrying a basket and I looked at Tye, “Was wondering if you could perchance let me in so I could investigate? Maybe they tried a hand at the safe too.” I looked at her and asked, “What’s in the bag?”
“Yeh, I can do that,” Tye nodded.
“Great, thanks Tye. I mean if we find prints I’m not sure what we’d compare them to but... It’s a start.”
“Someone decided to leave it on the bar,” Aly said.
“Oh?” I walked over to her and when Pet had left. I looked into the bag as Aly unzipped it slowly and I blinked, reaching out to pet the cat, “Oh, it’s so cute!”
“I guess... for a cat. I ain’t a cat person, Trin,” Aly said. “Yeah, that lady...what’s her name...can’t remember.”
“Well I ain’t really a cat person either but look at it... it’s so little...”
“Don’t think it would go over so well with Rogue. Want it?”
“Don’t think Comet would like it so much either,” I shook my head.
“Tha hell am I suppose to do with this damn cat?” Aly wondered.
“I can get rid of it if you both can’t stomach it,” Tye said.
I glared at Tye and said, “Don’t you dare.”
“You know, this is why there’s a stray problem, folks like you can’t stomach doing what needs to be done,” Tye said.
“Ok nobody gonna eat it or shoot it or dispose of it, that’s not what the giver of this..” Aly cleared her throat.
I rolled my eyes at Tye and looked at Aly, “Better get this little guy a home... Maybe in the hotel.”
“I personally think I could operate on them dogs real easy, pull off their junk, then they wouldn’t have no babies,” Peta said. “Cats too, although I might sedate ‘em first.”
“Think Ger would want it?” Aly wondered.
“He just got a new puppy didn’t he?” I asked.
“Tye, why don’t we go to the bank while the girls figure out what to do with this kitten?” I suggested.
“Sure, I’ve got business to handle at home, so let’s do the bank thing.”
We walked over to the bank and I nudged him, “Business at home, huh?”
He unlocked the door and Peta followed us over to the bank. “Hell, there’s another one. In the bank, too,” he muttered. He pulled out a cloth and opened the safe for me as he argued with Peta about not coming back into the bank with us.
I looked around the safe and looked over at Tye, “There’s prints here by the money bags, see?”
“Sure. You’ll need to pull ‘em,” Tye nodded. “Peta, what is your profession?” he looked at his wife.
“I’m a doctor!”
“Anybody hurt back here?”
“You will be soon.”
“Not with you out there I won’t.”
“Besides I don’t wanna go back to treat you! I wanna go back there to look in drawers and stuff!” Peta said. “I’m bored out here!”
“And now we both know why I locked you out there,” Tye said as I started to work on the prints.
I took out my cloth from my vest and the bag of coal dust and covered the area where the print was on the safe. The dust fell off and left the markings on the cloth. I set he cloth on the counter and said, “Alright, got it. Not sure which prints we should compare it to though. They don’t look like ones I have on record.”
“You can tell by eye? How long have you been staring at prints?” Tye looked at me.
“I’ve had a lot of time on my hands and we don’t have that many on file yet. Look see? Same prints on the door.”
“They mostly all look the same to me,” Tye shrugged.
“Like I said. When I can’t sleep, I memorize fingerprints. And I haven’t slept well lately. You arrested anyone new lately?”
“Nope. All done in the safe?”
“Yes Sir,” I nodded.
He shut the safe and relocked it and said, “Alright, let’s step back outside then.”
“Hey... Do you have TJ’s prints?” I looked at him as we walked out.
“Not currently. Lost some things in the fire from Jewel.”
“Remember Aly said he was the one who yelled about the fire.”
“TJ was? Well, TJ and Katoria have been getting close. Might want to check them both out.”
“Oh have they?”
“Yep. Been dating TJ, even. Despite the entire town telling her how foolish that is.”
“Huh... Yeah, might want to check them both then. Think you could get a warrant to collect their weapons or somethin’? Since we’ve got a witness saying she heard TJ yell ‘fire’?”
“TJ pretty much runs when he sees Tye comin’,” Peta put in as we had exited the bank.
“She wants to be a lawyer, I don’t think it’d be hard to get her prints,” Tye nodded and looked at Peta, “That is definitely TJ’s M.O.”
“Alright. Let me know when you’ve got ‘em?”
“I’ll let you know.”
“I can try to get prints from TJ,” I said as Tye locked the bank doors again. “Any other progress on other stuff?”
“Not a wink. Folks have been scarce.”
“Yeah just that you notice,” I muttered and turned when Jack and Sommer walked over. Tye and Peta headed home and I asked Jack if they’d seen TJ lately but they hadn’t. I decided to head over to Tombstone to see who I could find.
Tombstone.
I walked into the Oriental and saw Lil and Sugar standing around talking. They greeted me and I said, “I need... to talk to you both...”
“Oh?” Sugar asked.
“Okay, let’s sit at the bar,” Lil suggested.
“A drink might be good,” I nodded and then saw TJ outside the window. “TJ, I need you in here too...” I said loud enough for him to hear.
“Sounds serious,” Sugar said.
“Come on in, TJ. Need to talk to you,” Lil said and TJ walked into the Oriental and sat down.
“It is...” I nodded. “I’m in huge trouble.”
“Oh no!” Sugar looked at me.
“Uh oh...” Lil started.
“Does it involve whiskey and pie?” TJ asked.
I looked between them and took out the telegram, “I received this telegram... from Gaide Solo. Let me read it...”
“Gaide?” Sugar asked as she passed TJ a bottle of whiskey and a glass.
I nodded and read the telegram to them and bit back the emotion as I read. When I was finished I put the telegram in my pocket and leaned against the counter.
“Ok, he is coming after you,” Lil summarized.
“For Gaide to send me this...” I started. “He’s warning me. I’ve only talked to Gaide maybe once or twice. He knew that I wrote the book about Dutch...”
“Okay well, we ain’t in Colorado,” Tj said.
“I think the book started to circulate and I think that’s how the killer got my picture.”
“So you think Gaide is coming after ya? Or sending someone?” Sugar asked.
“Gaide is warning me that Dutch’s killer has my picture,” I shook my head.
“Have you seen any strangers in town,” Lil asked.
“I sent Gaide a telegram and asked him to come to Diamond and give me some answers... None of this makes sense.”
“Ooh, now I get it,” Sugar nodded.
“No... nothing out of the ordinary really...” I shook my head. “I just... I wanted to tell you three because you knew Dutch and...” I looked to TJ and said, “I talked to Sniper as well.”
“Hell I shot Dutch quite a few times,” TJ said.
“What’d Sniper have to say?” Sugar asked.
“He was confused as I was. Promised he’d keep an eye out.”
“But did you kill him TJ?” Lil asked.
“I plead the fifth,” he answered.
“Guys I...” I started and looked to at TJ, “Did you ever meet Gaide?”
“I did, yes,” Lil nodded.
“Oh I knew Gaide,” TJ said.
“What can you tell me about him?”
“Magical just magical,” Sugar said.
“He was a bastard like Dutch,” TJ said.
“I barely knew him... He wasn’t there that night I met Dutch and all the rest of the family were there. I met him once in Cripple Creek.”
“I knew him there too, and in Amiville,” Lil said.
“Gaide wouldn’t send me this if it weren’t serious, would he?” I asked.
“Yes I saw Gaige in Cripple Creek too, on my way here,” Sugar said.
“The guy that killed my first love has my picture!!” I cried. “I haven’t slept since I received that telegram.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry Trin,” Sugar said. “This could be serious for sure.”
“It’s been fifteen years since I’ve seen Dutch. And now this.”
“Trin you have lots of friends here nothing is gonna happen to you,” Lil promised.
“The jerk couldn’t just let it end... The story never ends... There’s always a continuom,” I sighed and looked at TJ, “TJ....”
“Well Miss Trin, I’ll keep my ears open.. but you know, there was a fella askin about you a while back..” Sugar started.
“There was?” I looked at her.
“Yeah.. fella named Lawrence,” Sugar said.
“Oh... He’s harmless. Known him a while.”
“Glad to know he’s harmless. Whew,” Sugar exhaled.
“It’s hit me hard. Ya’ll know how much I loved Dutch.”
“Yes, I know you did,” Lil nodded.
“What do you think I should do? Should I go to Cripple Creek and try to find Gaide...?” I looked at TJ. “Or just wait to see if he shows up here? I feel like I should go to Cripple Creek but I’m not sure... If the killer’s out there.... But Gaide did say the killer was in Colorado...”
“Just telegram him back first,” Sugar suggested.
“I did... I asked him to come here.”
“I wouldn’t go looking for trouble Trin,” Lil suggested.
“I haven’t heard anything though and it’s been a few days. You’re right... I have more friends here... I just... Want to make sure he received the message.”
“If he did, I am sure he will show up, and if not don’t worry.”
“I’m just going crazy, Lil... Why now? Why warn me? Last time I was in Cripple Creek it was like too much time had passed. The family had it out for me it felt like. Maybe they just wanted to move on with their lives, I don’t know. But I felt like a stranger amongst them. Even Dutch.”
We sat around talking and Lawrence came in to sit beside me. After a while I decided to head home and walked out of the saloon. As I was walking towards Diamond, TJ came out of the saloon and was standing in front of the Crystal Palace. I hesitated, needing a hug, but wondering if it’d be inappropriate.
“I’ll be around if ya need me, Trin,” he promised.
“I...” I looked at him. “TJ... You know me better than anyone around here...” I said and he nodded. “You’ve seen me at my worst but... I don’t think it’s ever been this bad. I haven’t slept since I received that telegram. I’ve almost lost friendships. I’ve lost my control. I...”
“Ya be fine and I’ll be close by.”
“TJ...” I stepped close to him and started to get emotional again. I leaned against him, clinging to the familiarity and comfort as I tried to calm down. He hugged me and I hugged him tightly, trying to breathe again. “I’m going crazy... I’m scared...”
“Ya be fine..”
“TJ... He was mutilated.”
“No. Go get some sleep.”
“You remember when I first heard about his death? It didn’t feel like he was actually gone. But now...” I stepped back, trying to gain composure as I looked at him.
“Be safe Trin,” he said.
“Thanks TJ...” I sighed and walked home.
Black Diamond.
I walked back into Diamond and cried uncontrollably as I approached my apartment. I couldn’t seem to gain the strength to go upstairs and sat on the bottom step, crying. I looked up when Aly walked over and tried to wipe the tears away.
“Talk to me.”
“I just...” I cried, unable to form words. Aly put an arm around me and I said, “I was just talking with Lil, TJ and Sugar... They all knew Dutch... I had to tell them about the telegram. I want Gaide to be here, Aly. I want to see him, to talk to him, to...”
“You miss him,” she nodded.
“I... I miss Dutch. I want to be there for Gaide. I can’t imagine what he must be feeling. It was HIS twin brother... I barely knew Gaide though... I just...”
“You want to be a comfort. You know what it’s like to lose...”
“We need each other.”
“Do you know where he is?”
“He’s in Cripple Creek... I almost want to go there now but... It’s not safe...”
“I can come with you Trin. We can go. You wouldn’t have to be alone. I’ll even take my guns. I’ve been practicing.”
“No... It should be here. We should talk here. Then Tye can...”
“Tye can what?” she raised an eyebrow.
“Be there... if I need... If something...”
“I still think we should go. It would be unexpected and that could be to your advantage,” she said and I hesitated, almost considering it.
“I’m serious. We need to get out of this town anyhow.”
“I don’t know...”
“Leave a note for our friends, and let’s just go.”
“Let’s just... let’s wait till tomorrow. If he doesn’t come by then... I don’t want to go at night anyway,” I started but then saw her disappointment and knew she was right. “You know what... Let’s do it. Let’s just go.”
“You can do this...WE...can do this.”
Cripple Creek.
We got on the train and rode to Colorado where we walked into the town of Cripple Creek. I shuddered at the cold and rubbed my arms. “I did not miss this weather.”
“Trin can you believe I never left Arizona?”
I nodded and said, “Come on, let’s go find Gaide...”
We walked down the street and I looked around at the familiar buildings. The saloon where I had spent New Year’s Eve, the hospital where I’d seen Dutch laying on the bed shot up, the hotel where I’d stayed... We saw a crowd over by the saloon surrounding a barrel. There was blood everywhere and I hesitated as we drew closer.
“You okay?” Aly asked.
“No, but we have to do this. I’m glad you’re here,” I shook my head.
“I’m always here for you,” Aly smiled.
“This is very messed up,” Jared was saying to Gaide. I recognized him as the mayor of the town and couldn’t keep my eyes off the man we had come to talked to.
“Ain’t seen much this bad except last night. That was bad enough,” Gaide was saying to Jared. “Poor ole Dutchy boy.”
“Gaide..?” I said hesitantly and swallowed when I heard Dutch’s name.
“Miss Trin...” he looked over at me. “My God been an age, Ma’am. Step back you don’t wish to look upon this.” I nodded and guided Aly back with me as he said, “Good Christ Jared, catch this maniac.”
“Gaide... What the hell’s going on?” I looked at him.
“Miss Trin, you did get my tele didn’t ya?” Gaide asked.
“Yeah, but...” I nodded.
“We gots a bad killer in these parts. Real bad.”
“I know I just... I had to come and find you and...” I swallowed hard.
“Okay, I’m ready for the barrel to be taken to the hospital so i can get a better look at whoever this poor soul is,” a woman I didn’t recognize said.
I looked over at the barrel and squeezed Aly’s hand in support and asked, “Gaide... maybe we... could talk in the saloon?”
“Gaide, let’s drag this over,” Jared suggested and Gaide started to drag the barrel over to the clinic.
“Come on Aly, I guess we should follow them,” I said and we started to walk over to the clinic with them. I stopped short as I got to the entrance of the clinic.
“Trin?” she raised an eyebrow.
“The last time I was in this clinic... Dutch was laying on a bed shot. I thought he was gonna die and no one cared that I was upset about it. It’s why I left...”
“Then take a deep breath, compose yerself, and do it,” she smiled and I took a deep breath. “Now... Go.”
I walked into the clinic and stood on the other side of the curtain where I couldn’t see the bodies. “Gaide... Is Dutch... In there?” I asked.
“Yes Ma’am but its not a sight you wish to see,” Gaide advised.
“Yes he is, ma’am,” Jared said.
“Trin, let them do their thing. Do you want to go out and sit?”
I nodded and backed up, looking over, “Jared... Can we talk outside or do they need you?”
“Come on... Let them finish, I’m sure you’ll get a chance to talk soon, ok?” Aly suggested and we walked outside.
“At least I know it’s... real this time,” I took a deep breath. I’d caught a glimpse of Dutch’s body as we had walked out and didn’t want to believe what I’d seen. When Gaide came out of the clinic I looked over at him and said, “Gaide...”
“I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch,” Gaide said. “I know that you and Dutch were close...”
“Shh..” I reached for his hand and pulled him close, hugging him tightly. He stiffened at my touch and I held him gently before stepping back to look in his eyes.
He stroke my cheek and said, “Ain’t you, love. Forgive me. I just wish to kill something about now.”
I traced my finger around my necklace and looked at him. “See this? Your brother gave it to me... I’ve been wearing it since I received your telegram.”
“I seem to recall seein’ it on ya. It’s a nice necklace.”
“He meant so much to me... I’ll never forget that night I met him in person after studyin’ his murder for so long...” I said as Aly and Jared started to talk about the journey we’d taken.
“Gaide... You don’t think all this is connected, do you? With the book and the first murder attempt all those years ago?”
“I don’t know, darlin’... Who’s your pretty friend there, Miss Trin? It’s awful cold. The diner serves coffee, I do believe.”
“Sorry... You know me... straight to business...”
“This fella is very random. And if ya read the notes he puts on the bodies. Don’t make a lot of sense. And he leaves nothing behind.”
“So you think Dutch is just one of a string of victims? Has nothin’ to do with the book...? We had several suspects for who’d want him dead...”
Gaide handed me a few pages and I read through them as he said, “It still could at this point. It’s all a crap shoot. I hate to say we haven’t a good clue yet.”
“Like always...” I shook my head.
“And innocent bodies are piling a little high for my liking,” he looked down and kicked at the snow. I read the note and noticed the name ‘Solo’ and looked at Gaide as he said, “You want to say goodbye to him, I will arrange it... But honey, you must prepare yourself.”
“I saw enough behind the curtain from a glance to know it’s real this time. I could feel it as soon as I walked into the room. That first time? When I saw your brother Justin’s body in the undertaker’s office... I knew it wasn’t Dutch.”
“Trin... Is this something you’re going to regret later by not doing it?” Aly looked at me.
“Seriously...”
I looked over at her and nodded, “She’s right... Maybe I should...”
“Whoever did this is good at what they do,” Gaide shivered.
“If it gives you some measure of closure, you need to,” Aly said. “But like he said...brace yourself.”
“You mind if just me and Gaide go in, Aly?”
“Go ahead, I’ll be right here,” Aly nodded.
Gaide took my hand and said, “Come darlin’. I had to do the same.”
We walked into the clinic and I squeezed Gaide’s hand as he asked the doctor to let us have a moment. I fought back the emotion and when he nodded to me, I stepped to the other side of the curtain. I swallowed hard since I’d seen enough death in my business but nothing like this. I slowly walked over to the table and looked over at Gaide for reassurance. I felt the tears fall as I looked into Dutch’s lifeless yes and leaned against Gaide for support.
“Let’s go get a drink now, all of us. Shall we?” Gaide suggested. “I think that’s the healthy thing to do.”
“A bit longer, Gaide,” I shook my head and he held my hand tightly as I tried to let myself say goodbye.
“As you wish. He’s gone precious... He’s gone...”
“I had given up on love, Gaide.. He was the first man I let back in after my fiance died. The first man I loved when I started my new life in Colorado.”
“And I know he loved ya. I wouldn’t have telegramed this long after if he didn’t.”
“Everyone thought I was crazy. They said he’d just leave me.. And he did but... When I came here Gaide, in 1870... Things were different. I thought I’d never see him again. He’d been shot that night, remember?”
“He was always shot.”
“No one cared at how upset I was. I left... never looked back... Moved to Arizona.. Thought I’d never see him again.”
“Well man did like a good scrap... Come, let me get you a drink. This ain’t good for your eyes.”
“Yeah...” I nodded, looking at Dutch one more time before turning away and following him outside.
Gaide thanked the doctor and I walked over to Aly, crying on her shouldr. Aly held onto me and let me cry. “It’s a good thing to do Trin,” she said softly as I shook against her.
“Drinks are on the house in the saloon, ladies,” Gaide announced, coming over to us. “I damned sure need one or ten.”
“Come on, Aly,” I nodded.
“Of course,” she smiled and we walked over to the saloon.
Gaide kissed a woman on her chin and said, “God, I can’t see him like that one more time. It will destroy me.”
I sat down beside him at the bar and said, “Gaide... this is my best friend Aly.”
“Thank you sir for letting Trin know,” Aly said to him.
“How’s about a Dutch Special all around, Miss Alaine?” Gaide asked the girl behind the bar and I swallowed hard at the memory. “Seems fitting.”
“We were gonna wait till we heard back from you but... Aly said it might be better if we came here,” I told him.
“Because I knew it would be another sleepless night for you,” Aly said and I nodded. “And me babysitting properly,” she chuckled.
“I think it best ya came,” he nodded. “Speaking for myself, this has been awfully heard.”
“You know how much I’ve heard about you, Gaide? And we only talked that once when I was here... on the bridge I think...”
We talked about the weather as others walked into the saloon and I looked over at Gaide. “I’m glad you were here tonight...”
“Trin..” Aly started and then drank the beverage and coughed a bit. “Holy hell what’s in this?”
Gaide patted my hand and said, “This is insane. Not sure where it all went so wrong.’
“It’s a Dutch Special,” the girl behind the bar told Aly.
“Yeah..that...doesn’t mean anything to me....uh...no offense,” Aly said.
I nodded to Gaide and said, “That one note... it said something about the Solo’s...”
“You didn’t see the one we got tonight. Probably don’t want to.”
“Yeah I don’t think so...” I agreed.
“You’re mentioned, Trin... In the latest note.”
I linked at him and asked, “What?!”
“I didn’t stutter, darling. I have to wait for Jared to release it to the public but you’re mentioned.”
“Gaide...” I looked at him. “I ain’t public.”
“I know... I know.”
“What do I have to do with any of this? It has to do with the book then, doesn’t it?”
“But still don’t get me closer to this killer. Don’t ya know my brain is spinning? Doesn’t it have to?”
“You think that’s how he got my picture? ‘Cause my book about Dutch started to circulate?”
“But my god how many folks bought that thing over the past how many years?”
“Well I know... We had what, four suspects? Tristan, Peep, Chels, and Hav Taraug. The first three obviously never panned out. Hav was the only one who had any reason to kill Dutch....”
“Gaide...” Jared looked over. “Do not release it yet until I have a chance to look it over.”
“Jared... My name is...” I started.
“I ain’t released it, and won’t,” Gaide said. “Till you say it’s okay.”
“You know I’m a Pinkerton Detective, right?” I looked at Gaide.
“Trin... Trin! You’re a detective, but not here,” Aly pointed out.
“I am sorry ma’am, several are mentioned,” Jared said.
“I can help, Gaide,” I insisted and looked at Aly. “I’m the only Detective in all of Arizona... We can go anywhere, Aly... not tied to...”
“Trin, darlin’... I’ll be glad to have your help. Any resource is good. We’ve gotten nowhere,” Gaide looked at me.
“I can’t help if I don’t know all the details, Gaide...” I said softer.
“This fella ain’t just evil... he’s damn smart. Jared, tell ‘em your theory on this animal,” Gaide looked over.
I rested my hand on Gaide’s thigh, trying to control myself as I listened to Jared say, “He is well-learned and intelligent. He leaves almost no traces and very difficult to track a phantom.”
“Except for poems... Which probably don’t have prints on them...” I guessed.
“That make no sense to anyone,” Gaide said. “He leaves nothing of himself ever.”
“He may as well be a phantom,” Jared said.
“Not a sign. Not a trace. Nothing... Nothing,” Gaide shook his head. “The bastard.”
“Damn...” I shook my head.
“I believe he comes from back east city,” Jared said. “Maybe even Europe.”
“Back east?” I looked at him and squeezed Gaide’s thigh a bit to clear my mind.
“And the things he does would make the devil cringe,” Gaide said.
“Guessin’ they dun want help on poem,” a man said softly from a table in the saloon and we looked over.
“Trin that man behind us just said something about the poem comment,” Aly said. “You like writin’ poems, Mister?” Gaide looked over.
“We have a gentleman reaper in our midst sir,” Jared said.
“I been known to dabble in some,” the man grinned. “Well... these poems got names.”
“You don’t add bodies with ‘em, do ya sir?” Gaide asked and I moved my hand closer to Gaide’s to calm my nerves.
“Names, like people names? Animals, maybe? A pet, childhood fish?” Aly wondered.
“No, if’n I did I wouldn’t go out and tell ya,” the man grinned. “Now fella, all I’m askin’ is do these poems got names or do you know if’n he writing them or copyin’ them?”
“If they had a name then we would know who the author was,” Jared said. “And its not exactly good poetry.”
“Well, how they go, fella?” he grinned.
“Wish one of em came with a name,” Gaide said as I held his hand tighter.
“Gaide... The one about me...” I started.
“Gaide, shh...” Jared warned. “Before I’ma show you to the wood shed. I swear, Gaide.”
“Okay this one from March 12...” I shook my head and focused on the other notes.
“You always do, Jared. I’ma get a bar of soap for your foul mouth,” Gaide said.
“Well, you gonna read ‘em?” the man chuckled.
“Jared you oughta publish all those once we kill this rat, get rich and retire,” Gaid said.
I read through the notes, knowing I would need more time to read them over and think about them. “Gaide... Gaide can you come to Diamond? It would be easier to go over these there and maybe talk about them there...”
“When? That’s a good ride, darlin’.”
“Whenever you get a chance....”
“I can.”
“Howdy folks,” a female voice said and I turned to see Ascot Solo walking into the saloon.
“I just think we...” I stopped as I recognized the woman and pulled my hand from Gaide’s instantly, sitting up straighter.
Gaide grabbed my hand and patted it, “Azzie knows you and Dutch were close.”
“Hi Ascot...” I sighed a bit.
“Howdy,” she nodded to me.
They started to talk about the next body they found and I suggested that we should start to head home. Gaide insisted that we should stay at the hotel and Jared promised to arrange a free night for us. I hugged him gently before following Aly and Jared out to the hotel. When we were settled into our rooms, Aly and I talked about how beneficial the trip had been for emotional closure. We said goodnight and I lay down on the bed, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to close my eyes after seeing Dutch’s body the way it had been that day.
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