March 18, 1900

Black Diamond. 

I walked into the cafe this morning and smiled, “There’s my two favorite people.”

“Hey Trin!” Alex looked over at me. “I’m still not used to that blonde hair.”

I reached for some coffee as I sat down and looked at Alex, “I need it all the more now.”

“Oh yeah?” 

“Don’t want to interrupt your current topic,” I nodded. 

“I keep thinking it’s Jewel and wonder if I should get my gun or something,” Aly said. “I was discussing my run-ins with doves.” 

“Oh yeah? Like Lonnie?” I asked, welcoming the distraction. 

“Have you seen him since?” Alex asked. 

“Yeah Lonnie. Only the time after that I slapped him in Tombstone,” Aly laughed. 

“Wish I had seen that,” Alex said. 

“Yeah....Pet, Paisley, and Mike were there. But he said he deserved it and then went on to tell me how nice and soft my lips were. he’s lucky I didn’t do it again.” 

“Wish I’d been there too, honestly,” I nodded. 

“And then Jewel showed up and started bullying me. He asked if she was the one that shot my leg, she threatened to do it again, and he said he’d have to go through him first... So she shot him in the arm, and then she shot Suzi.” 

“Kinda trigger happy, isn’t she?” Alex asked. 

“Yeah, I felt bad he had to take the bullet cause of me.” 

“Hell of a man to take a bullet for you though,” I winked at Aly. 

“Suppose so,” Aly blushed. “I mean it felt nice to have someone stand up for me like that. But Trin I kinda wish I saw him more than once or twice a week.” 

“You seen him since he got shot, Aly?” I asked. 

“Nope he ain’t been around. Believe be, I’ve been spending... more time in Tombstone lately.” 

“One or twice a week actually sounds good to me,” Alex muttered. 

“Alex, did Aly tell you about our trip yet?” I asked. 

“Nope,” he shook his head. 

“We went to Cripple Creek together to see Gaide...”

“I was telling Alex here that I was just there last night checking on that display case someone left in the middle of the road. A female dove approached me and she was really nice, even wanted to show me the basement of Annie’s and teach me what them french gal’s in her books do,” Aly laughed. 

“Oh yeah?” Alex looked at her. 

“Sorry Aly, you weren’t finished yet,” I nodded. 

“It’s okay, I am now,” Aly smiled. “By the way, would look just slightly pale and be shivering. She sips her coffee.” 

“We couldn’t wait around any longer for Gaide to come here. Wanted to make sure he was alright and Aly came with me,” I said. 

“Yeah that was a long trip, my thighs are still sore.” 

“Alex... we saw Dutch’s body. It was awful but I’m glad we did it. But Alex... The killer leaves notes.... With the bodies...” 

“Oh yeah?” 

“Bodies, Alex. Plural.” 

“Like some sick, twisted game,” he said and I nodded. 

“Here’s the problem... The one note that Gaide showed me mentioned the Solos. One of the recent notes... Alex it mentioned my name. I don’t know why or how; the mayor wouldn’t let them release the information. You remember how with the telegram said that the killer had my picture but we weren’t sure if he was coming after me?”

“This confirms he is.”

“So he knows where you are now?” Aly frowned. 

“Gaide was pretty upset but it helped so much to be able to talk about things. I don’t think the killer knows where I am... No one followed us from Cripple Creek... There’s no way to know where I live now... I hope.”

“How do you know they didn’t follow you?”

“We left really early,” Aly said. 

“I don’t know what to do now, Alex... These notes... they’re messed up.”

“I’m sure they are. Anyone who kills people for fun is messed up.” 

“I really want to get ahold of Gaide and see that note with my name on it,” I said and showed Alex a copy of one of the notes. “See... Mentions the Solos...”

“Just like the strange man from the saloon Trin,” Aly said. 

“I don’t know what to tell you, Trin,” Alex sighed. 

“Have you alerted Tye about all this yet Trin?” Aly asked. 

“Not really no..” I shook my head. “Not since our trip.”

“You should in case this guy shows up here.” 

“And the notes...” I nodded. 

“Yeah cause... he works really hard to keep Black Diamond safe... and if there is a threat like that-he’ll know how to better prepare for it, should the need arise.” 

“I know he does... And with a serial killer on the loose.... We could all be in trouble,” I nodded to her. 

“Yeah.....no.....we don’t need that happening.” 

“I need to update the others too... Let them know that this is more serious than we thought,” I said. 

“Have you heard from gaide since we were there?”

“Not yet,” I shook my head. 

“I’m tempted to go back there for some answers.”

Alex finished his coffee and stood, “Well, ladies, I think I’m going to head back home. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

“We need to be real careful though, because Alex is right, the guy could be following us around. And he’s clever. He might not have followed us the first time, Trin....but it’s dangerous now to keep going back and forth,” Aly said. 

I hugged Alex tightly as he left and took a seat across Aly. We talked about the dance last night and then Ger walked in. “How are you, Ger?” I asked. 

“Doing good, you two?” 

“Had a kind of a rough weekend.. Still feels like Monday. Aly and I went to Cripple Creek to talk to Gaide... Saw Dutch’s body...  Found out there’s been a bunch of other people killed by the same person and he leave notes behind with the bodies... And... One of those notes had my name on it.”

“You went in that hair color? That disguise is ruined now,” Ger said and I looked at Aly, realizing my mistake. 

“Oh wow... Didn’t even think of that. But... I don’t think the killer saw. Then again, how would I know?” Aly asked. 

“I wonder what you would look like as a red head,” Ger looked at me. 

“I bet she’d look pretty hot,” Aly laughed. 

“There was a couple people in the saloon, remember Aly? That one who seemed pretty frustrated with the fact I was a Pinkerton? The guy who claimed to be a writer?”

“Yeah that’s the one I was talking about Trin...creepy poetry guy. But...” 

“Be right back,” Ger said and walked outside for a moment. 

“Okay,” I nodded. 

“I don’t think YOUR killer would just show up like that, not with Gaide and that other man sitting right there,” Aly looked at me. 

“Yeah, you’re right. Jared’s a marshal too, “I nodded. 

“Yeah. So I would just hang tight until you hear from Gaide...” 

Mysti walked into the saloon then and we continued to talk about the trip as we explained to Mysti what was going on. I felt guilty for not being smarter and they told me to let it go and learn from my mistake. 

I walked outside and saw Leigh and Sponkey talking in front of the courthouse. Leigh promised that Krell would be back on Friday. Tye came up behind me and I turned, relieved to see him. 

“Tye, thank God.”

He rubbed his jaw and glanced at the three of us. “Weren’t God that brought me. You wanted somethin’?”

I nodded, “It wasn’t just Dutch that was killed. There’s been a string of murders in Colorado and the killer leaves a note behind with each body.”

“I must’ve missed somethin’. This ain’t Colorado last I checked,” Tye looked from Leigh to me. 

“The latest note has my name on it.”

“You sure? Maybe there’s a Trin in Colorado.” 

I folded my arms across my chest and looked at him, “Gaide said that the killer has my picture and now the killer has left my name on a note he left with a body he killed.”

“Alright.” 

“Would you rather I didn’t tell you about this, Tye?” I looked at him seriously. 

Ger walked over then and I nodded to him, “Just filled in Tye.”

“Trin, of course I want to hear about it. But give me facts, give me what I can use. Has there been any evidence to show he knows where you are? Does the killer seem to have any indication that he’s looking for you?” 

“I don’t know.” 

“A string of bodies left a few states away, that’s not anything I can use or do something with, yet.” 

“What I know I’ve told you. It’s just warnings at this point but it’s enough that I wanted to keep you informed.”

“Why not? Sometimes you do things out of faith,” Ger said. 

“Trin?” Aly walked over then. 

“Can you coordinate with the law enforcement in the area? See what they know?” Tye asked. “They might have more for me. And faith - that’s not something I really buy into.” 

“Yeah... I’m trying to get ahold of Gaide again to work with him on these notes. He’s a US Marshal.”

“Sometimes you have too Tye...if not faith, than how about trust...your trust in Trin....she trusted you,” Ger looked at Tye. 

“And I trust Gaide,” I looked at Ger. 

“Not sure what you’re gettin’ at, Gerric. Trin’s passing me some information. To help, I need information,” Tye said and then looked at me. “You’re a detective, Trin. Leave the emotion out of it, get me information.” 

“And the information that I’ve had, I’m giving you. I’ve got some notes but they don’t really help us,” I said. 

“Instead of waitin for facts, help her now cause you trust what she is saying is true, and cause you are her friend,” Ger said. 

“I don’t have the note I need,” I said and walked over to Tye, handing him the notes I had. “I made copies. The originals are in my office.”

Tye turned on Ger and said, “I have full confidence in my friend and detective. I’m already working with her, and have no reason to explain my methods to you, Prosecutor.” He looked at me and said, “Then let’s go, where I can work without having people that won’t help tell me how much I should help.” 

“Calm down Tye...I’m trying to help too....come on Myst, let me walk you home before something happens,” Ger said as we walked over to the sheriff’s office. 

Tye closed the door and I looked at him seriously, “I am trying to separate emotion from all of this. Dutch was a big part of my life so it’s hard, but I went there to see his body and give closure to myself with it all. Now we can focus on helping Gaide figure this out since the killer will probably come here. These notes, Tye... They’re creepy and messed up.”

“Do they have any details at all about the killer?” 

“Not really... Just about rumors and how we won’t figure out who it is and that sort of thing. One of the notes does mention the Solo name. The one w really need is the one with my name on it. Then we can figure out what this has to do with me.” I looked over at the warrants board and said, “Lots of notes pinned on there, Sheriff.”

“We need to prioritize this, Trin.” 

“I know.” 

“And yes, the lot of them don’t come back down this way once they know I’m after them.” 

“Trust me, Tye... I dealt with the emotions of this case this weekend. You can rest assured I am being objective from here on out. I still grieve his loss but I can’t focus on it. Even let myself sleep finally.”

“First, see what information you can procure from the local law in Colorado. Second, see if there’s anything you can find on whether the killer actually intends on coming this way. I’ll see what I can do to bolster awareness in the area and get a few more folks trained with weapons.” 

“I’ve talked to a few people for that.....” I looked at him with hesitation. 

“Like Gerric?” he grunted. 

“Sniper, TJ, Lil, Sugar.... They all knew Dutch and Gaide. We had a long talk about it the other night. I also informed Wedge about the situation to have a cavalry on our side.”

“TJ is useless.” 

“Still... I’ve known him a long time.” 

“Doesn’t make him any less useless. Sniper could be of help. While on the wrong side of the law, he’d protect his territory.” 

“Tye can I ask you a question for some advice?”

“You can ask, never know what I’ll give.” 

“Do you think it’s wise that I go back to Cripple Creek to talk with Gaide, or should I wait until he can come here? I went there for closure, to see Dutch’s body, but it might not be wise to go back and forth, right?”

“I wouldn’t.” 

“Alright.” 

“Do nothing regarding Cripple Creek.” 

“Like I said... Only reason I went was for closure,” I nodded. “Last time that we thought Dutch was dead, he wasn’t. I needed to make sure this time.”

“I hear you. But leave the communications to me. Don’t leave any trace of yourself to Cochise County. The other thing? Talk with Rikki, Sommer, or Jack. Use them.” 

“I’ve been wanting to talk to Jack. He’s promised to protect me in the past.”

“Don’t make it just about you. Remember, the Ghenna Marshals will want to see something out of it. Make sure they understand how bad for business a serial killer would be. How are you with your close quarters defense? I know you’ve been practicing shooting, but you need to be quick with your hands too.” 

“I need to work on it,” I nodded. “Tye...” I started but told myself to keep the emotions out of it and shook my head. 

“Trin, focus on the tasks at hand. You’re quick. Be wary. Don’t let your guard down. Anyone you don’t recognize, assume they are here for nefarious reasons.” 

“Talk to Jack. Read the notes again for more clues. Tye... There was someone...” I looked at him. “You remember the James brothers?”

“I remember you talkin’ about them. Kris and I arrested one at the bank last week.” 

“Do you remember Anthony?”

“He was the one we arrested.” 

“Oh.” 

“Are you worried he’s the guy?” 

“I remembered his name from our investigation about Clint Houston... He showed up the day after I received that telegram. Just think the timing is a little odd.”

“Keep an eye out, but I put money on it being unrelated.” 

“Well... That’s what we thought about Sunset Moon too and then he turned out to be working with Harm and Clint.”

“That gang of misfits don’t have the mental fortitude to pull off what you’ve described to me.” 

“It was a thought I needed to bring up though.”

“Yup.” 

“I don’t believe in coincidences.”

“I do. I also believe in scared people trying to find faith or some divine reasoning. Keep your head. That’s what will keep you safe - you.”

“I know, Tye. You’re right,” I shook my head.  

“By the way... When I talked with TJ about this... he was wearing gloves so there was no way I could get prints from him to compare the ones at that safe.”

“I figured that about TJ. He wouldn’t leave prints either, then.” 

“Guess that leaves Kat.”

“Yup. Alright. Let me get to work here, then. Be vigilant, Trin. You’re trained for this.” 

“I’m good with other peoples’ problems in these cases, Tye. When it comes to my life though..”

“It’s no different. You’re trying to stop crimes.” 

“You didn’t see his body.”

“No, but I’ve seen worse, I assure you. Don’t let it affect you. Now, let’s get to work. Enough dilly dallying. Busy yourself.” 

“Yes Sir. I’ll keep you updated, Tye,” I said and headed out of the office.