Tombstone.
This morning I ran over to Alex’s house and knocked on the door, knowing the lack of sleep would be obvious in my eyes. “Come in! It’s open!” Alex called and I went inside to see him eating at the table.
“I’m sorry, you’re eating..”
“Hey! Want some breakfast? I just made some eggs,” he said and I sat down across from him. “I’ve got these chickens laying like crazy. Eggs up the wazoo!”
I said nothing and just handed him the note and he read it over and blinked, “What?! Wow, now that’s something.”
“Getting a real sense of de ja vu, Alex.”
“That’s crazy.”
“I knew something was up when Gaide didn’t come to see me for that long... I knew something like this would happen. With Dutch... it’s never over,” she sighs.
“So, Dutch is coming here?” he asked and I nodded.
“Got some coffee with those eggs?” I looked at him.
“Sure do!” he smiled and poured me a cup.
“Thanks. As you can imagine I didn’t exactly sleep.”
“Yeah, I’d be pretty worked up too. Your emotions must be all over the place.”
“There was also a fire last night....”
“Where?”
“Ger and Mysti’s... I put it out on my own cause the rest of them were too preoccupied. Mysti kept trying to move her stuff, Aly was in shock over the flashbacks to her family fire, and this other idiot kept running into the burning building.”
“Oh no! That’s awful! Was anyone hurt?”
“We should go over and make sure Aly was okay but.. I wanted to show you this first.”
“Yeah, we should. Thanks for showing me.”
“Ger was at a medical class and Mysti seemed shaken up but fine. Jewel has been talking crap at them lately so Ger thinks it was her. Said they were enemies.”
“That’s awful,” he shook his head.
I sipped my coffee and ignored the eggs in front of me. “How are you doing?”
He let out a breath and smiled, “Really good, actually.”
“I’m so glad,” I reached out to hold his hand. “I need you to look at my ankle today too...”
“Yeah, I’ll take a look. How’s it feeling?”
“I kind of um... kicked the counter in the office when I received the telegram and it’s been throbbing at me since.”
“Geez, Trin,” he chuckled. “I told you to stay off it, not go kicking things!”
“I was mad,” I said and he nodded. “Now I’m just confused.”
“Welcome to my world. I’m always confused.”
“And sore.”
He piled up his dirty dishes and asked, “You gonna eat that?”
I looked at the eggs and started to eat them, “Guess I should, huh.”
“Keep up your strength,” he said and I finished the eggs, setting the plate aside. “Want to head over to the clinic so I can take a look?”
“How’d I get to be so lucky to have a personal doc?” I winked. “You can’t look at it here?”
“You do seem to need one,” he grinned.
“Listen you,” I nudged him with my good foot.
“Yeah, I guess I could. It’s clean in here and I don’t need any special equipment.”
I sat on the crate by the table and he went to kneel in front of me. I thought about the last time he did that with a ring in my office and stayed quiet while he unwrapped the bandage and examined the ankle.
“Those bruises don’t look good...” I looked at him worriedly.
“Hmm...” he rotated the foot a bit. “Does that hurt when I move it?” he asked and I winced a bit, nodding. He went to get a box from the shelf. He brought a jar of paste over and started to rub it over the ankle. “This might help a bit. I made up a batch of it recently. It’s got herbs that should help with the pain.” He wiped his hands on a rag then slipped my boot back on over my foot. “It’s a really bad sprain. You should be okay in a few days if you stop kicking things.”
“I’ll try to resist... I just... need some answers,” I said and he gave me a reassuring smile. “We should head to Diamond and find Aly.”
We went out and got on our horses, then rode off to Diamond.
Black Diamond.
We rode over to Aly’s place and she told us how she sat in the church trying to calm down last night. I told them that the fire wouldn’t be a long investigation because we already had a suspect, we just needed proof. We climbed up into the tree and talked about the dance last night. Aly said that she talked to Dr. Walker but he said that Steph hadn’t been staying with him. She said that he didn’t really know anything else and I sighed, knowing that Walker was our best lead.
We talked for a while and then decided to go to the saloon for a drink. Ger and Mysti joined us and we talked about how they were working on repairing the house after the fire, and how Mysti had lost all the pictures of her late husband and his guns as well.
A man walked into the saloon with his gun drawn and I felt like I recognized him as Max by the way he walked and his height and hair but then when he spoke it was muffled because of the mask he wore. “Get up! Move! Everyone over by the piano. Now! Drop your weapons on the table and stand still where I can see you.”
“DAMMIT! What else is gonna happen .. I’ve had enough!!” Mysti cried.
The man pointed his gun at Alex and said, “Not you. Stay right where you are. Drop your weapons on the counter.”
“Just shoot me,” Mysti said.
“Listen, Sir... You don’t have to do this...” I started, standing behind the counter.
“Move it now, lady. I ain’t kidding.”
Ger reached for Myst but she walked right up and pushed him. “Go on, shoot me.”
“Come on hun, over here, I don’t want to loose you,” Ger pleaded as the man glared at her and cocked his gun. “Myst... don’t,” Ger insisted.
“Shoot me, you coward,” Mysti glared at the man.
“Look mister, she just lost everything in a fire, she is distraught,” Ger explained.
“Sir, you don’t want to do this,” I drew my gun, pointing it at the man as Ger pulled his knife and got behind the gunman.
“Drop it, mister,” Ger insisted. I knew there were too many people in the way for me to do anything and kept my gun on him. Ger moved the knife to the man’s throat as I watched.
“Mysti, come over here,” I insisted as the man squirmed out of Ger’s hold and ran out of the saloon.
“Looks like we chased him away,” Ger put his knife away and I holstered my gun with a sigh.
I looked over at Aly, who seemed to be standing frozen in one place, and asked, “You alright?”
“I need a double whiskey please Alex,” Mysti said.
“I’m going to look around outside,” I said and walked out of the saloon, looking around. Seeing no one, I sighed with relief and walked back into the saloon.
Ger was looking at Mysti with an angry expression. “WHAT are you talking about??? What the hell did you think you were doing??? You could have gotten yourself killed....and leave me like Lily did all those years ago...”
“Myst maybe have a seat?” Aly suggested.
Mysti reached over for the bottle Alex was drinking from and asked, “You gonna share any of that with me Alex?”
“That was just nuts, Myst,” Alex handed the bottle to Aly.
I shook my head hearing Ger, but felt just as annoyed like I did at the fire the night before. “Myst, you can’t keep trying to solve these things on your own. Let those of us that have guns do our job.”
“No money is worth someones life. I’d hand over the whole register,” Alex said.
“WELL DAMMIT HE WAS A STUPID COWARD AND NOT BEING SCARED OF HIM HE BACKED OFF!” Mysti shouted.
“Screw that Trin...she can’t be doing things emotionally like that,” Ger said.
“That was my point, Ger,” I looked at him.
“And what if he were like a real killer??? I don’t want to lose you like I did Lil...”
“I’m sorry hon, it was just too much,” Mysti placed a hand on him. “I don’t want to hurt you but damn it...” she started and Ger started to walk off.
“He had that look in his eye. I thought he was going to do it,” Alex said.
“If Trin didn’t get the drop on him making him freeze, I wouldn’t have been aboe to get behind him with my knife,” Ger said.
“Just doing my job, Ger. But I couldn’t do anything with Myst in the way.”
“Well ya didn’t have to, Trin, ‘cause the coward just left,” Mysti looked at me.
“Myst...I know the last twenty four hours have been hell for you, but you don’t need to do stupid things like that and make it worse,” Ger said.
“Hell, I was the one that single-handedly put out that fire last night. Wasn’t like anyone else was helping me.”
“There was some guy there throwing buckets of water on it over and over Trin; what do you mean?” she looked at me.
“Yeah and then he ran into the damn burning building. Lot of help that does.”
“Trin,” Aly started. “The man did help a lot. He calmed me down. He was doing his best, you should give him some credit.”
“Alex please... I need some of that liquid gold,” Mysti said.
“More help than I ever did...” Ger said.
“I’m glad he did, Aly,” I shook my head.
“He heard me be concern about Ger and went in to see if he could find him,” Aly said.
I walked out of the saloon then, not able to take anymore. I sat down and tried to control my breathing and let my hair out, running a hand through it as it felt like the world was closing in on me. I realized they weren’t coming out after me and took a deep breath before going back into the saloon.
“Guys, I’m sorry... I’m sorry Mysti...” I put a hand on her shoulder and let the tears flow.
“Excuse me. I need to shoot something,” Aly said and walked out of the saloon.
“You can shoot me if you want,” Alex suggested and I looked at him.
“Yeah sis, I know how you feel,” Mysti looked at her. “Some men are just worthless... and some are like gold too.”
“I’m sorrry..” I said again as Mysti went over to Ger who was playing piano. I pulled up my knees under my chin and Alex held up a bottle of liquor.
“Chartruese. Hmmm.... let’s see what this tastes like. Want a try?” Alex looked at me.
“Might as well. Can’t seem to do anything else right,” I sighed and nodded.
He took a sip and said, “Hmm... Interesting flavor.”
I sipped it and blinked. “That’s strong as heck. What’s in this?”
“Herbs, I guess,” Alex read the label.
“Uh huh,” I said and we continued to talk about the drinks and then I looked over at him, “Ger... I got some news last night.”
“Here, have the bottle Trin,” Alex handed me the bottle.
“What’s up?” Ger asked.
“Dutch is still alive. He’s coming to Arizona to talk to me sometime soon.”
“I think I need some air... do you want to join me for a walk?” Mysti asked her.
“What?!??” Ger exclaimed.
“But there still is a serial killer out there with my name and picture.”
“I should get going. I’ll see you guy later,” Alex said and headed out of the saloon.
“Serial killer?” Mysti looked at me.
I leaned forward and took a deep breath as Aly walked in. “Welcome back.”
“Thanks,” she nodded a bit.
“Mysti.... I’m sorry... I’ve had a lot on my mind, haven’t been sleeping, and this morning sent me over the edge,” I said but Mysti kept walking out of the saloon.
“Uh Trin it kinda did all of us,” Aly said.
“But I didn’t have to be so pigheaded.”
“I think we all should take some time and cool off for a bit...” Ger said.
“Ger...” I looked over at him and hugged him tightly.
He patted my back and said, “Don’t worry about it...she will get over it.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, barely able to talk.
“What just happened?” Aly looked around.
Ger stepped back and looked into my eyes. “Go home, rest, take time to calm down and think things through... Let me know when he gets here...and see if you can find out what happened to our Sheriff, if you can.”
“Yeah,” I nodded and wiped the tears away he kissed my forehead and then walked out of the saloon.
Aly walked over to me and hugged me, saying, “You need to talk.”
“Talking only gets me in trouble.”
“And I don’t think it’s good right now for either of us to be alone. No, not with me.”
“Let’s go to the tree,” I said.
“A good idea. I think we both have things to say.”
“Aly,” I stopped and she turned to me. “I wasn’t blaming you about last night, you know that, right? I was just upset that that guy didn’t really seem to care that the flames were still going and that no one else was putting water on the fire. There wasn’t enough people to fight it quickly...”
“I know you aren’t blaming me. Seeing that fire was a shock. I couldn’t move for a long while. But you know I would have helped if I could.”
“I know,” I nodded. Come on,” I said and led the way to the tree.
“People tend to get nervous in those types of situations and not think, their emotions. Get control.”
We climbed up onto the branches and I sighed. “I’m not moving from this branch.”
“Almost wish we had two trees like this.”
“I’m scared, Aly. I feel like I don’t know who I am anymore.”
“Trin with Tye not being around so much, and seeing more outlaws in the area, especially after what happened this morning, I’m going to be doing more practice and have my gun more. My shots are getting much better, and I think I’m able to hold my own. I need to protect this town, it’s our home... I know that feeling.”
“That’s a good idea. Maybe I should practice with you, keep it up. Tye suggested I work on hand-to-hand combat too.”
“I’m really good with hand-to-hand. My brother taught me well. I can help you with that, if you like.”
“I would like that.”
“It comes in handy....if you ever get in an uncomfortable situation....say...bad date,” she laughed. “Trin I have something I wanna show you. A spot that I just recently found. Wanna see now, we can go for a walk? Or do you just want to stay here?”
“Maybe just stay here a while. I’m scared to move from this branch.”
“What is frightening you?”
“Everything. I get off this branch and it’s like I become a different person.”
“So being up there makes you feel...relaxed...calm...safe?”
I nodded and said, “Aly... that guy this morning...”
“You’ve dealt with ALOT worse than that guy this morning.”
“I thought it was Max for a second but then when I listened closer to him talk behind the mask I couldn’t really place it. What if... What if I was right about him?”
“Ok Trin. Real quick here... Name to me the people you trust. If you have to wonder if you trust them, then don’t count them. Count on your fingers.”
“You, Tye, Alex, Ger, Dave, Sponkey...” I started to slow down as I listed. “Is that it? Seriously?”
“Uh huh. Now, write those names down on a piece of paper,” she said and I did so. “Anyone else, you have to treat as an acquaintance. meaning..DO NOT put your trust in them unless they prove trustworthy. And that’s especially true for good looking men.” I shook my head at the lack of names and she said, “It’s not a bad thing having just a few names. It means you have close friends. I’d rather have only a few names than a whole lot of people. that gets confusing.”
“I guess.”
“And that’s funny....with the exception of Sponkey, my list is the same. Except maybe David. I don’t trust he’d keep my hands off my ass.”
“Well... I barely know him but he helped me a lot when I fell off my horse. He can put his hands...” I started and stopped myself.
“Oh boy... When he comes around do you get all giddy and frisky too?”
“Mmhmm. He was the last man I kissed, Aly.”
“I know Trin,” she laughed. “Was it good?”
“I would repeat it in a heartbeat.”
Bree came over then and I blushed but then the subject changed to talking about what was going on with the town.
***
Cripple Creek.
After talking with Bree and Aly, I couldn’t stand it anymore. I needed some answers and I needed to see Dutch. I made the long trek to Cripple Creek and headed straight for the saloon, figuring that’s where I would find them. I saw a man and a woman there and said, “I’m looking for Dutch or Gaide Solo...”
“Neither are here at the moment maybe their brother there knows where they are,” the girl said.
“Ma’am, I am a Solo,” the man raised his hand.
I looked at him with confusion and said, “Thought I knew them all...”
“I’m a half brother to the twins and Mister Joshua,” he said and I blinked. “Come have a seat.”
“Well I’ll be damned, there’s more of you,” I said, sitting down.
“I recall your name. Dutch mentioned you two having a thing up in the mountain country.”
“I haven’t said it yet,” I winked at him. “I’m Trin Paige. A thing... That what he called it?” I shook my head.
“Well I must be psychic after all, always wondered,” Chance chuckled and ordered another drink.
“So what’s your name, then?”
“Chance Solo.”
“How have I never heard of you? I studied your family like it was my own. Surely you’ve seen the book...”
“Ain’t been around much. The life of Dutch Solo... Yes, I recall it.”
“I wouldn’t mind a whiskey too if I could?” I looked at the girl as she came over with Chance’s drink and he called her Christy.
“Gaide had said you’d rode in the other day to see about the wrong findings,” Chance said. “I never thought it was Dutchy. Never once. He’s too ornery to die.”
“I wanted to see Dutch’s body... Only to find out that yet again, it wasn’t Dutch. I was so sure this time.”
“Most were, I believe. Josh fought it tooth and nail though and they rode out and found him.”
“It’s de ja vu, Chance. The first time... I was positive it wasn’t him. But this time... I just felt it.”
“Miss Christy, what state was he in when he come in?” Chance looked at the girl.
“Scruffy looking and in need of a bath,” Christy handed me my whiskey.
“Sounds familiar too,” I muttered and took a drink of the whiskey.
“Sounds like Dutch. Ain’t he always scruffy?”
“He wasn’t when I was done with him,” Christy muttered to herself.
“Chance... There were other bodies with notes left behind... There was a note with my name on it but they wouldn’t let me see it. The killer has my picture too.”
“As I understand it the Luka’s have been targeted ad well the Solo’s and any female thats not a church going woman,” Chance said.
“I’m a church- going woman,” I looked at him. “I played hymns in church when I knew Dutch. Did they find the book? Is that it? Chance... I haven’t slept since I got that first telegram that the killer has my picture. I’m going crazy. I had to come all the way out here just to get some answers before it tore me up more.”
“Look, I don’t know a whole lot. You’d do much better talking to Jared or Gaide,” he nodded. “Miss Christy likely knows more then me.”
“I want to see that note. I want to know what I have to do with all of this. I live in Arizona, for crying out loud. It’s been at least fifteen years since I’ve seen Dutch... Last time I saw him was when I came here and... well the family didn’t really like me so much.”
“Well I reckon it must be going back to that book ya wrote best I can imagine.”
“It’s the only thing I can think of, Chance. But what? Is it Hav Taraug getting revenge for me saying he was a suspect? The other ones we haven’t heard from in ages and their motives didn’t pan out anyway.”
The saloon doors swung open then and Josh Solo walked in to sit at the counter, greeting everyone.
“Josh Solo... Been a long time.”
“It has,” he nodded to me but his attention was obviously on Christy.
“Chance, have there been more bodies found? Since Dutch?”
“Where’s Dutch tonight?” Chance asked and I felt my heart pound at the mention of his name.
“Wasn’t Dutch, darlin’. I saw him last night,” Josh said.
“Christy got him stowed away somewhere?” Chance asked.
“So I hear...” I nodded to Josh.
“Probably tied him down,” Josh guessed.
“I’m sure he didn’t complain,” Chance laughed.
“Probably not.”
I frowned at that, wondering why I’d bothered coming all this way if Dutch had moved on that well. “Josh... have you seen any of the notes? Left with the bodies?”
“I have,” Josh nodded.
“Man is a scoundrel, I tell ya,” Chance said.
“Did you see the one with my name on it?”
Josh looked at me and said, “I did.”
“I haven’t read it yet. I have no idea what I have to do with any of this.”
“Has to go back to the book, don’t it?” Chance asked.
“I figure it’s all smoke and mirrors to throw everyone off,” Josh said. “Just like them magicians at the carnies places.”
“But how did he know my name?”
“Don’t ya think it’s the book?” Chance asked.
“Only thing that makes sense but... Why now?”
“Don’t reckon I know. How does he know anything? And we’re only figuring it’s a he,” Josh said.
“Who knows... This fella ain’t right in his head. Did you see the last body? Lord...” Chance shook his head.
“Believe me, I saw,” Josh drank more of his whiskey.
“I heard man, digging around in his mouth your a brave man.... I would have lost my cookies,” Chance said.
“Not my proudest moment but it had to be done,” Josh admitted.
“I need to talk to Dutch..” I looked around.
“Well I’ll see if I can find him. I’m heading to the ranch anyway, got a new child to look after,” Chance said and left the saloon.
“A what!?” I blinked. “Dutch is a... Or Chance has a new father... That makes more sense,” I told myself to relax.
“Probably both,” Josh said. “Us Solos tend to make things happen.”
“Josh...” I looked over at him.
“Yes Miss Trin?”
“This whole thing has... shaken me up quite a bit...”
“I don’t reckon you should let it worry you darling. Like I said, he’s trying to throw us all off.”
“For Gaide to telegram me like that I knew it was a serious threat but... This killer has my picture and my name. How am I supposed to not worry? I haven’t slept since I got that first telegram. It’s throwing off my focus, making me lose it with people I care about, making me fall off horses and sprain my ankle...”
“Hell... He’s got my whole background. You don’t see me fretting,” he reached down to check his guns.
“You haven’t been waiting for two weeks for any sort of news.”
“No...”
“Worrying that a killer will come up behind you at any second. Or that the one you loved was said to be...” I trailed off.
“I did have to go searching for my bro though and brought the scoundrel back kicking and screaming.”
“I’m sorry. See? I know... you’ve been through hell too.”
“No, just my brother. It was for the best. He was about to get in a load of trouble that I’d rather not go into.”
Dutch slipped into the saloon quietly and sat down beside me at the table. I sat up straighter, “Dutch...”
“Believe me when I say that Dutchy is a pain in the ass. Oh...” he grinned. “Hi Dutch.”
“Oh yeah, and you’re the virgin Mary. My ass you are,” Dutch said and I felt my heart racing at the sound of his voice.
“Not after last night, I’m not,” Josh winked.
“I...” I blinked, speechless like the first time I saw him alive.
“You still can’t walk half the time,” Josh said.
“Well when miss Christy gets done with I do tend to have trouble in that regard,” Dutch said and I reached out to touch him, as if to be sure.
“Miss Trin... You changed your hair color,” he said to me.
“I have a killer after me... I thought it might be best.”
“Where have you been keeping yourself?”
Josh asked Christy to dance and I shook my head, still getting over the fact that Dutch was sitting in front of me after all this time. “Dutch can we... Can we take a walk?”
“After a couple drinks, darlin’. I reckon I look a bit ruffian to ya... My apologies. Been in a Wyoming cave for two months...”
I nodded and reached down to put his hand on his. “You’re really alive...”
“Miss Christy Might I beg your attention please for a couple shot glasses of tequila?” Dutch requested and patted my hand. “It’s okay. I ain’t about to let some psycho nut job kill me.”
I felt shockwaves through my system at his touch and looked at him pleadingly. “I’ve got a whiskey flask in my jacket... We can drink it somewhere.”
Christy went to get his drink and Dutch thanked her for it, then looked at me. “I already brought his drink. I think you can wait a few minutes for him to drink it before you drag him off again.”
I sighed and nodded, staying quiet and not trusting my words anymore as Christy and Josh started to dance and Dutch drank his whiskey.
“Trin what have you been doing? Still writing I hope?” Dutch looked at me.
“Actually been doing more investigating than writing... I’m a Pinkerton Detective.”
“You’re a what?! Lord, we’re natural enemies then... I am an outlaw,” he shook his head. “Strange turns that life throws at you.”
“When did you become an outlaw?” I blinked at him.
“Year or so back. Just got tired of all the politics.”
“Well things have been uneventful lately... Have a lot of cases but people tend to um... disappear before I can solve them,” I gave him a knowing look.
“How about that walk, Trin Paige? We need to talk, I do believe.”
“Sure,” I nodded and stood.
“Josh, Christy, going to the diner for a coffee.”
“Good to see you again, Josh,” I said and followed Dutch out.
“You’re a big boy and I am sure SHE can take care of your needs tonight,” I heard Christy say as we left the saloon and I shook my head.
We walked into the diner and Dutch turned his head to the table. “Um... We have a slight problem.”
I turned and saw the headless body in the chair with the head sitting on a silver platter. “What the...”
“Joshua! Get your ass down here!” Dutch shouted. “Jesus and Mary... Don’t look,” Dutch cradled my face in the cup of his arm and I hid against him, finding the familiar comfort and security there.
“There’s paper on the table. Turn away, Trin.”
“I figured there would be,” I said against him and then focused on the food counter. Dutch passed the bloodied paper to me and I read the note:
I watch and i wait
I know and see all
deep in the dark shadows
the Reaper will come to call
Know this one not by name
let me give you a clue
though it may not be a Solo
this one's Head is off to you
TS
I blinked at the bottom and said, “TS... He’s never signed it like that before has he?”
“Woah!” Joshua walked into the diner and then backed away as the smell hit him.
“Someone needs to find Jared or Gaide,” Dutch said. I reached for his hand and he squeezed it back.
“What a wonderful smell you have discovered,” Josh shook his head and I handed him the paper.
“He’s evolved or something.... Another clue?”
“Changing his method. To confuse. Right, Dutch?” I looked at him.
“I... I dunno what to say,” he said and I squeezed his hand again. “Seen bad things but this is...”
“Let’s go back outside,” I walked outside, trying not to look at the body again. They walked out and continued to talk about the body and I stayed quiet, leaning against Dutch.
“Where’s our brother? I know that fool’s still law,” Dutch said.
“Hell if I know...” Josh shook his head. “Probably making more babies.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been in the same area with all three of you before,” I shook my head. “Found out about Chance tonight. Thought I’d researched your family better than my own. No one mentioned Chance when I was writing the book,”I looked at Dutch.
“We didn’t know of him then, darlin’,” Dutch looked at me.
We walked to the saloon to get another drink and I stayed quiet as they talked with the girls there about the body we found. “I should stay in Arizona,” I muttered.
“You feel safe there, do you?” Dutch asked.
“Safer than here,” I nodded.
“Debatable. I been down that way.”
“I haven’t been shot since August. Drawn my guns once... twice since then,” I corrected myself, thinking about yesterday.
“Well I haven’t drawn mine in much longer and I like it that way,” Dutch said and watched Christy dance on stage. I reached over to pat Dutch’s hand and said, “They will find this monster, once Jared gets off his tail. Speakin’ of I’m gonna go shoot him a telegram. I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t be too long...?” I nodded to him.
As he left, I sat quietly, knowing people’s perceptions of me here. A girl came over and confirmed that I was with the Pinkertons and asked if I was helping with the Reaper case. I told her that I was helping as much as I could, since I was kind of involved as a victim but didn’t know how.
Dutch came back and we waited impatiently for Jared to arrive. Dutch talked with Josh about how he wasn’t really with Corri anymore. Jared walked in and Dutch left with Josh to look at the body in the diner. I shook my head, watching them go, but waited for a while before running out after them.
“Who in the hell is TS?” Jared was asking when I walked over.
“Hell if we know.The reaper,” Josh said.
“I ain’t stepping a foot back in there,” Dutch insisted.
“Don’t blame you,” I nodded.
“Smells like blood. Lots of it.”
“Smells like death.”
“Mmhmm, and that too.”
“Dutch help me move this to the hospital for its examination,” Jared ordered.
“I ain’t wearin’ no damned badge, dude,” Dutch said. “You gonna arrest me if I don’t?”
“And that’s what I’m telling you to do before I’mma arrest you!”
“Damn you, Lukas,” Dutch swore.
“Maybe you should just...” I started.
“That is disgusting at best,” Dutch grumbled.
“Get your ass in here,” Jared ordered.
Dutch finally walked into the diner. Josh said that I could mop up the blood and I said that I would only do that if they gave me a copy of the note with my name on it. They promised to do so and I mopped up the blood while they took the body over to the clinic. When I’d joined them at the clinic after a while, I asked Jared for the note and he went to the office to get it and bring it back. I read it over and saw my name amongst other women’s names and became more confused.
“‘Trin wanted marriage, how did that go?’” She looks at Jared and says, “That makes no sense...”
“I have no idea ma’am,” Jared admitted. “I just collect them.”
“I’m sorry, I know you don’t know more than I do. It doesn’t sound like I’m a target here though... I don’t know.”
“No, you aren’t ma’am. I have a guard on the various buildings.”
“I don’t mean geographically here... I mean with this situation... My name was mentioned but so were a bunch of others..” I looked back at Dutch and said, “Dutch... I just need...” I shook my head and walked out of the clinic.
“Don’t worry ma’am,” Jared looked at me.
“How can I not, Jared...?” I asked as Dutch came outside and I wiped away the tears.
“Because I expect to have this nightmare captured very soon.”
“I hope so...”
“Jesus, Jared... You gotta start marshalling and find this asshole. He has it in for the Solo’s, and Lukas’s. I mean... it’s close to home. And miss Trin here. Probably ‘cause she wrote that book but who knows. Maybe she’s a clue within herself,” Dutch said.
“I have every lawman on it for six territories,” Jared said. “Let me check at the hotel. Take her for a drink, alright?”
“Yes sir,” Dutch nodded and looked at me. “Miss Trin, you wished a word, ma’am?”
“No drink... Let’s walk somewhere.”
“I know a perfect spot,” he said and led the way to the gazebo past the saloon where there was some pillows around a campfire. “What’s on your mind, dear?” he asked as we got comfortable beside each other. “Seemed pretty important.”
“Fifteen years...” I looked at him.
“Been a long time, yes.”
“Last time I saw you was here... You were shot again... Your family couldn’t care less that I was there..”
“I stay shot one time or another. Not as much these days..”
“And now... I thought I’d lost you again. Though I don’t know how much I really had you...”
“With age and wounds comes wisdom.”
“Dutch... I haven’t slept since I thought you were dead again. I can’t focus. I can’t think.”
“Honey, I haven’t been able to since I got word of this madness.”
“Dutch...” I moved closer to him.
“What honey?”
“Do you ever... think about me?”
“All the time. We had great things between us. Why would you feel a need to even ask?”
“The note... it talked about me wanting marriage... I wanted you, Dutch... I didn’t care about marriage... I just wanted you.”
“I know it Angel, I know it,” he nodded. “But I’d never deserve you. We both know that. I’m a scoundrel... a wanderer. You deserve a settler.”
“Do I?” I shook my head. “I was almost settled... I was living with a man. Wore his ring. Granted it wasn’t an engagement ring... That life wasn’t for me, Dutch. I fell hard for him and he got scared. Thankfully we’re best friends now but... Maybe that’s all I ever get. Good friendships. And broken pasts...”
“We ain’t got no broken past,” he shook his head. “Neither of us did the other wrong.”
“I lost you somehow.. I came back here to try to find you but you had your life here. So I left and thought I’d never see you again... Never touch you again... But now...”
“I ain’t gone nowhere too far for you to reach,” Dutch said.
I ran a finger down his arm to force myself to believe he was there for real. “I thought you were done with me... Wanted to focus on your family...”
“Family? What family?”
“Get away from the girl who made your life into a book and your attempted murder into a confused mess....”
“You mean Gaide and Josh?”
“And Ascot and Corrie...”
“They’re married to my brothers. They’re sisters.”
“They’re family. I wasn’t. I never would be. I’d never be thought of as someone who needed to know things. I was always the immature writer looking for a story...”
“Never saw you that way.”
“They did. But then Gaide sent me that telegram... I knew it had to be real for him to contact me like that. Then even I was tricked. Me, who was the only one who thought you weren’t dead the first time.”
“I reckon everyone wrote me off.”
“I never thought I’d see you again,” I looked at him.
“Honey stop this. We can’t lose the one thing between us that matters most... the undying, never-ending friendship. That matters most. All the good stuff is just toppings on that, isn’t it?”
“It never changes with us does it?”
“Never. Not ever. Not as long as the world spins. Maybe even past that who knows for sure,” he said and I nuzzled close to him. “Allow me to go check the marshal. May we possibly meet back here tomorrow, beautiful? And by the way... I like the hair color change. It suits you.”
“Dutch, I... I...”
“You ain’t ever been slight with words. Not with me you ain’t,” he said and I felt my heart pounding against my chest, wanting to say the words I’d thought for years but not able to. “Speak, Trin.”
“I’ve always loved you, Dutch... Even when life moved on... You’re in my heart whether I like it or not...”
“Likewise, honey. Likewise...” he said and I felt the tears streaming down my cheeks. “I ain’t wordy like you... but you know I feel it.”
We sat there together in silence, and I knew that I finally had closure that I’d been seeking for years, knowing that with Dutch... nothing ever changed.
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