Black Diamond.
This morning I sat in the saloon drinking coffee and saw Alex walk in. “Mornin’ Trin,” he smiled.
“Hey there. Pull up a chair. How’s it going?” I asked as he sat down beside me.
“Okay, I guess. How about you?”
“Need your help on something actually.”
“Oh yeah?” he raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah... What do you know about arsenic?”
“Arsenic? Actually, I’ve been reading up on it lately. What?”
“Oh you have? Well that works out well... We found some arsenic in a cake that was left at Tye’s office. Trying to figure out how to determine who put it there.”
“Fingerprints aren’t going to help us because so many people touched that cake...”
“Ew, fingerprints on a cake,” he made a face.
“Yeah there was a finger marking in the cake that Krell recognized but he also ate a bit of it too. So like I said... and because it was thrown into the snow, there’s nothing on the plate either. Where would one get arsenic?”
“The silver mine probably has arsenic. They use it to clean off the ore.”
“Hmm. The mines, huh?”
“Yeah, that’s why I had been reading up on it. They use some horrible chemicals there and I’ve been worried about them.”
“Well your worry’s been founded now..” I said, thinking I needed to ask who had been in the mine now. “That might give me some direction though.”
“Did anyone get sick?”
“Two people,” I nodded. “Then Ger tested the cake and found the arsenic. Just wish we could get some solid evidence...”
“Hmmm... that’s interesting. Any suspects?”
“For sure there are... but until we have anything solid there’s no way I can tie it to them.”
“You might want to try looking around the mine and see if you find any clues there.”
“Great,” I frowned.
“Yeah, I know,” he chuckled. “I’ll go with you if you want. I’ve got nothing to do.”
“Ger’s out at Aly’s ranch with her dealing with some family stuff all day... Maybe you and I could go? I don’t want to go by myself.”
“Sure,” he nodded. “If you find anything too, we can look at it in my lab. I got a brand new microscope I ordered from Paris and the lab is next to the mine.”
“Yeah we have a whole new lab set up in the office here. Been great for evidence.”
“I’ve mostly been looking at fecal samples,” Alex winked.
“You don’t change, do you?” I nudged him a bit.
“Hey, you can tell a lot from poop,” he grinned.
“Uh huh,” I stood up with a sigh. “Guess we should get this over with.”
“Hopefully won’t be any bad guys lurking around in it this time.”
I walked out and said, “Lead the way,” as we hopped on our horses and rode off.
Pearce.
“I’m not really sure where to look...” Alex dismounted as we stopped in front of the mine.
“Let’s.... start slow,” I looked at him, nerves heightening.
“I’d say we go through this part that says ‘Keep Out’,” he said and I almost reached for his hand before stopping myself.
We walked around the mine but discovered all the doors were locked. “Well how’s anyone supposed to mine?” I asked. “You know how to pick locks?”
“Doesn’t look like we’re getting in. Unless you want to break down the door.” He shook his head at my question and said, “Nope, that’s a skill I’ve never learned.”
“So what do we do now?”
“At least now you know there is a ready supply of arsenic in the area.”
“Alex can I ask you a question?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Would arsenic be lethal if put in enough dose?”
“Yes, very lethal. In small doses it gives you headaches and diarrhea. In larger doses, it leads to heart failure. Do you think this is an assassination attempt?”
“I do now.”
“Was it aimed at the person the cake was for?”
“In my somewhat professional opinion?” I looked at him. “I’d put money on that, yeah.”
“This person has known enemies?”
“Just about everyone in town,” I muttered and he raised an eyebrow. “Yeah... This case just blew wide open.”
“Maybe you should talk to the mine foreman and see if you can get in, ask if anything’s gone missing. Maybe you’ll find something.”
“Good idea. I mean we might get lucky but the reality is that anyone could have taken arsenic from a mine.”
“Yeah, as long as they know how to pick a lock,” he said and I chuckled. “I’m not sure where to take it from there.”
“We should head back to Diamond. Thanks for this, Alex,” I looked at him.
“You’re welcome. Anytime you need medical advice, let me know.”
“I sure will,” I smiled. “How about horse naming advice?” I winked at him and climbed up on Watson.
“I don’t know about that. I helped you the last time,” he chuckled.
“Yeah... But now I have a partner who’s kinda like Watson with the medical knowledge and lab work. So it feels wrong.”
“I guess I’ll head to my office and do a little reading.”
“You’re not gonna show me the way home?”
“If you want me to...”
“Up to you. I mean we’re at your home so I can just head back and let you get to work.”
“Like I have work,” Alex muttered.
“Lead on,” I chuckled and followed him back to Diamond.
Black Diamond.
As we rode into Diamond I felt Watson get out of control. “Woah, boy, slow down!” I called to my horse as he started to rear. I fell off the horse and hit my side on the ground hard as Watson ran off. Alex jumped off his horse and kneeled down next to me. “Trin, are you okay?”
I blinked, feeling shaken and sore, and looked around in confusion. “What just... Where’d...”
“He’ll come back. don’t worry about him. Are you hurt?”
“Hurts... I can’t... breathe...” I looked into his eyes with worry.
“Ok, let’s get you to the clinic so I can look at you. Take small shallow breaths.”
I tried to do as I was told but it hurt too much and I grabbed onto him tightly. I blinked as the tears started to fall.
Alex carefully put his arm around me and bent down to lift me. “I’m going to carry you, okay?”
I nodded and felt myself weak against him as he carried me to the clinic carefully. I trembled against him and he asked, “You doing okay?” I shook my head and hid against him as he placed me on the bed.
“That’s better, now I can see,” Alex said as he put his glasses on and looked down at me. I tried to move but it hurt too much and I finally gave in to the fact that I had to be the patient this time. “Okay, I’m going to have to unbutton your shirt so I can look.”
“Nothing you haven’t seen before...” I winced at the pain.
He opened my shirt and I could see the deep bruise on my side. “Mmhmm...” he lightly touched the area and I flinched as he touched it.
“Is... it... bad...?” I looked at him with worry.
“Looks like broken ribs. Not a compound fracture though so they aren’t sticking out or anything.”
Sponk walked in then and asked, “How is she?”
“Hello sir. She just had a bad fall,” Alex looked over and told him. He looked into my eyes and asked, “Did you hit your head at all?”
I reached to rub my head but the side hurt too much and my arm fell down. “Where’s Watson...?” I looked around.
“He took off. Horses always come home though, don’t worry about him. Let’s get you fixed up first. I want to make sure nothing else is broken so I’m going to feel along your arms and legs. Let me know if anything else hurts.” He started to gently probe along and I winced as he got to my thigh. He stopped and asked, “How bad is the pain there?” I tried to breathe but my ribs hurt to much so he said, “Ok, I think that’s just badly bruised. I’ll get you something for the pain then I’ll set your ribs when it kicks in. If I remember correctly, you don’t like opiates. Is that right or would you like some now anyway?”
I shook my head at the word ‘opiates’ and reached for him or something nearby.
“You’re going to be okay. I know how much it hurts. I broke my ribs once too. Every breath. Here, take this. It’s not opium but it will help with the pain. I make it myself with willow bark, ginger, and honey. It will help with any swelling too.”
I nodded and took a spoon full of the liquid.
“Small shallow breaths, okay. Keep breathing even if it hurts,” he looked into my eyes and I tried to do as he suggested. He slipped his hand into my shirt and found the spot where the ribs were broken. “Now I’m going to push and it’s going to hurt. I need to make sure they’re in place then I can wrap them up.”
He pushed slowly and gently as the bones started to pop back together and I groaned at the pain, trying to hold back tears.
“Everything will be alright,” Sponk looked over and said softly.
“That was the hard part. Can you sit up now so I can get all the way around you to wrap them?” Alex asked and I shook my head, reaching for his hand. “You’re doing really well.”
“Not.... yet... it.... hurts... to...”
“Okay, lean back and rest for a minute. Then maybe the medicine will kick in. They’ll feel better once they’re wrapped up. It’ll keep ‘em in place.”
I leaned back and took a deep breath, but felt the shooting pain and swallowed hard.
“It’s going to hurt for a few days. You’ll have to rest.”
I sighed at that. “But I have work to do... the fire... the cake... Not that we’re... getting far on... either case...”
“Work will have to wait. You ready to try again?”
I nodded, feeling the meds start to work and knew that most of the work I had to do was writing anyway.
Alex looked over at Sponk and said, “I’m guessing you’re one of Trin’s friends. Maybe you could come over to the other side and help support her as she sits.”
“Yes I am and alright.” he walked over to the table.
Alex took out the linen strips and arranged them on the table next to the bed. “You ready, Trin?” he looked at me. I nodded hesitantly and he said, “Okay, up!”
I tried to sit up and held onto both of the men’s hands as I pulled myself up slowly, the movement taking all the effort I could gain. Alex placed a hand on my back to support me as I sat. “Doing okay? Still breathing?”
“Watson’s .... never...” I looked over at Alex.
“I’m going to wrap this around your middle. It will hold them in place so it will help as you breath,” Alex patted my shoulder and reached for the bandages. “I know. Watson’s usually pretty steady. What do you think got into him?”
I shook my head and held onto Sponk’s hand tightly as Alex wrapped the linen around my middle, making sure it was tight enough to hold but not so tight to cut off circulation. He tied the end and tucked into the fold, then buttoned my shirt over it.
“That’s it. Does it feel a bit easier to breath now?” he asked and I fell into his chest while still holding onto Sponk’s hand.
“I remember when I broke my ribs. Each breath felt like my side wa going to burst open,” Alex said.
“Last time I did...” I said, finding it easier to talk, “Was over fifteen years ago when... a bison ran me over...”
“A bison?!” Alex chuckled. “Sorry, I don’t mean to laugh. I don’t think you ever told me that story.”
“Back in Colorado... Then some lawgirl found me... dragged me to the clinic with robes ‘cause she.. couldn’t carry me. Waited almost an hour before... doctor came to look at me.”
“Oh man, that must have been torture waiting like that.”
“I remember it like it was yesterday.”
“I’m going to give you a bottle of this medicine. It works for a lot of stuff, aches and pains, so don’t hesitate to take it. It’s fairly mild. And you need to stay off your feet for a few days.”
“As long as it’s not opium...” I nodded. “But... Does sitting at a desk count as off my feet?” I looked at him stubbornly.
“I’ll ride out and see if I can find Watson for you,” he said and then gave me the ‘doctor’ look. “Sitting isn’t going to be very comfortable. If you really have to work, have Ger bring up some files for you and rest on your couch.”
“Okay,” I sighed and nodded.
“Sorry, my manners aren’t always that great when I’m dealing with a patient,” he extended his hand to Sponk. “I’m Alex.” He looked to me and asked, “You think you’re up for moving? I can help you back home. If not, you can rest here.”
“No moving yet...” I shook my head.
“That’s good,” Alex chuckled. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be a good patient or not, but not moving is good.”
“No moving for now. Come back tonight and I might give you a different answer.”
“Nice to meet you I am Sponkey,” he reached out to shake Alex’s hand. “Just came into town yesterday.”
“Nice to meet you Sponkey.”
“I call him Sponk for short,” I said, starting to feel a bit more like myself though it hurt to breathe still.
“It’s going to hurt for a while. Might be hard to sleep too. Let me know if you need something stronger or something to help sleep,” Alex said.
“I’m glad you were there..” I nodded.
“I’m glad I was too, even though it wasn’t so nice seeing you fall like that. I was really worried you hurt yourself a lot more than a couple of busted ribs and some bruises.”
“Guess I got lucky...”
“Yeah, I’ll say. Good thing you didn’t hit your head.”
“I guess I should go home and rest...” I looked from Alex to Sponk. “You’ll find Watson?” I asked Alex, knowing he knew how much the horse meant to me.
“I will. As soon as I get you home, I’ll ride out and find him.”
I tried to stand up from the table and felt my legs shaking. Alex reached out to steady me and said, “Slowly. You feeling okay, Trin?”
“I...” I shook my head, trying to regain focus. “Let’s go home... Sponk... come with?”
“Alright,” Sponk nodded.
Bree walked into the clinic and asked what was wrong, so Alex gave her the short version before we headed out to my apartment. Alex helped me get up the stairs though my ribs were screaming at me with every step, and then I lay on the bed with Sponk.
“I’m going to go out and find Watson. You going to be okay while I’m gone?” Alex asked.
“If Sponk can stay?” I nodded and looked over.
“You okay here Sponk?” Alex asked.
“I can stay with her while you are gone finding her horse,” Sponk looked from me to Alex.
“I bet I know where that damn horse went,” Alex muttered.
“Make sure you find him..”
“I’ll be back soon. And I won’t come back until I find him.” Alex patted the dog on the way out and waved to us.
When we were alone I looked at Sponk and said, “Well this is a great second impression...”
“Oh is it...” he looked at me.
“Well... That’s the first time in months I’ve... been in the clinic... as the patient...”
“Ah was it you aren’t supposed to keep ending up in the clinic,” he said and I shook my head, feeling the pain. “Don’t make yourself in more pain over there. Just try and get some rest.”
“I’m worried about Watson...”
“He will find him.”
“I know I just... He’s never done that before.. He spooked as we headed into Diamond.. Took off and I couldn’t get control... and then...” I started to drift off as the meds started to kick in. After a few minutes the door opened and Alex walked in. “Did you find him?”
“I found him!”
“Where did he go?” I asked, sighing with relief.
“Um, he... um. I found him out by the pond. Damn horse bit me when I grabbed him bridle.”
“What is up with him lately? He was so good and now...”
“I don’t know. He’s always been easy like Leo.”
“It was like he spooked and I lost control...”
“Yeah I saw him do it, Out of nowhere. Anyway, he’s back and I should let you rest.”
“What if he...”
“He’s just in a nasty mood. We all get like that.”
“Are you sure...?”
“Maybe one of those dogs peed there and he didn’t like the smell. He certainly is in a nasty mood,” he rubbed his arm.
“Alex...” I reached out to him. “I’ll be okay right?”
“You’ll be out and kicking bad guy’s butts in no time.”
“Well... I need to catch up on reports anyway and there’s nothing we can do ‘till Tye gets us things to compare prints to...”
“You need to rest,” I nodded.
“Yeah... Hey Alex?” I sighed.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks...”
“You’re welcome,” he smiled and patted my shoulder. “Get some sleep. I’d hug you but that’s going to hurt.”
I nodded and tried to go back to sleep.
***
I sat up, feeling the pain in my ribs but needing to move. I put both feet on the floor and stood, feeling shaky at first. I walked over to the door and took a deep breath, then felt the pain sharply and takes a moment to steady myself. I pushed the door open and stepped outside, leaning against the railing as I felt the shooting pain in my thigh. I pushed the door open and stepped outside, leaning against the railing as I felt the shooting pain in my thigh. I tried to step down the stairs and felt the sharp pain. I sat down on the top step and cried.
“No need to cry I am here. Can I help you up?” Sponk came over.
“I just... I need to...” I reached for his hand and nodded.
“You need to do what?” he reached out and grabbed my hand, helping me up carefully. I stood and fell in his arms, still crying. “Everything will be alright no need to cry.”
“Help me.... back inside?” I looked at him.
He went to open the door and helped me inside. “Everything will be alright lets get you back onto the bed.”
I looked at the bed and then back at him. “No. No bed. Couch.”
“Alright,” Sponkey helped me walk over to the couch and we sat down. “Mind if I take a seat?”
I nodded, rubbing my sore thigh where the bruise was. “Please, join me. I could use the company.”
“Are you sure you are going to be alright?”
“I’ve never fallen off my horse before... Watson’s usually so steady... I’ve had him since... since September or something like that. I don’t know what got into him.”
“Maybe he got scared of something that he saw or heard. Was there anything around the at the time that could have startled him?”
“No, things were empty while we rode through Bisbee.. And there was no one in the Black Diamond entrance that I could see...”
“Alright... Hmm wonder what could have got to him then..”
“I have no idea. It’s weird for such a calm horse to suddenly start to go wildly out of control.”
“Yeah it is. Strange he took of like that out of the blue.”
“What if something’s wrong with him? Like he was hurting from something and it got him to be nervous and run off?”
“Everything will be alright. We will find him and help him if he is hurting from something that caused him pain.”
“I’m not good at sitting here doing nothing, Sponk. I keep myself busy with my work and now... I’m stuck at home for a couple days.”
“Do you have your journal? Maybe you can write about other things for the time being. Or have someone bring some of your work stuff to you.”
“Yeah I can journal and do need to keep up with that it’s just... This stage of the investigation I need to talk with people. There’s three at least that I need to meet with.”
“Alright. Maybe somebody can help you get around so you can still talk to these people if you are not in that much pain.”
“I’m sorry... You probably think I’m crazy. All I want to do is work and I should be letting myself heal...”
“It is alright.. I understand you want to get back to work since your so close to a finish on some of your investigations.”
“Well yeah in theory... I don’t know... the closer we get the farther away I feel we are.” I heard movement downstairs and tried to sit up to find out who it was. “Can you go tell them to come up here?” I looked at Sponk.
“Trin!” Dave shouted from downstairs. I tried to move but it hurt too much.
“Yes I can,” Sponk nodded.
“Thanks,” I replied, staying put. I could hear muffled chatter outside as the windows were wide open for fresh air and leaned back, hating being restricted.
David walked into the apartment and looked at me, “What did you do?”
I sighed, patting the spot beside me on the couch. “Alex and I were riding into town after looking into something and... Watson started to rear and took off. I fell off him and bruised my ribs and thigh pretty badly.”
“Oh gosh, you okay though?”
“It was awful Dave...” I shook my head.
He placed a hand on my lower leg and looked at me with concern. “I bet, anything you need?”
“And it hurt so much to breathe at first... But then I... The meds Alex gave me helped that a lot. I just... stairs and me aren’t getting along.”
“Now just relax anything you got can wait till your better. Besides whens Gerric getting back?”
“I have no idea... He never tells me anything. I miss him and Aly... They didn’t even ask me to go along with them.”
“Not that you could go,” he looked at me.
“They left last night. If I’d gone with them then maybe...”
“Now hush stuff like this happens for a reason. Maybe you just needin’ a break?”
“But... why would Watson just take off like that? He’s usually a steady horse. It doesn’t make sense...” I looked over and saw Sponk walk back in, looking over at Dave. “Unless there’s something wrong with him.... Then not only do I lose every...”
“Well a horse is horse of course and no one can know exactly what a horse is thinking of course,” Dave said and I glared at him, “Ouch, tough room.”
I took a deep breath, not liking where my thoughts were going and looked back at them.
“Well you got someone you take your horse too? Maybe getem’ checked on?” Dave asked.
“I don’t know... I’ve never had a problem with a horse around here. I don’t know who to talk to.”
“Well let me look into it for you and I’ll let you know what I find.....ok?”
“Okay. If anything happens to him.... I just don’t think I could lose one more.....”
“If you’ll excuse me I’ll go check with a few folks I know”
“Let me know, will you?” I looked at him. “It’s the only thing I can think of. There was nothing there to spook him.”
“Of course hun,” Dave stood and kissed my forehead. “You just rest. Oh, what was your horse’s name again?” He looked at Sponk and said, “Take care sir hope to see ya’ around again.”
“You to man,” Sponk nodded.
Dave left and I looked up at Sponk when we were alone, “Thank you... I guess I should get some rest huh?”
“You’re welcome yes you should.”
I took a deep breath and moved towards the bed slowly. I lay down and looked over, noticing Sponk sitting on the couch. “You staying a while again?”
“Yes I will make sure you alright.”
“Thank you... that means a lot..” I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.
***
This evening I walked out of my apartment, determined to do something productive tonight and take my mind off of what could be wrong with my horse. I saw Tye and Peta standing by the gardens, and walked over to them in spite of the pain in my ribs.
“Evenin’, Trin,” Peta greeted me first.
“Hi you two.”
“Got a present for you locked up in your office.”
“Oh do you?” I looked at Tye.
“Yep. Go on, I’ll need it tested soon.”
“I’m on it,” I said and went to the office, glad to have something to distract me.
I looked around the office and winced at the pain of bending down, then found the glass in a bag. I put on my gloves and set the glass on the counter. I took out the whiskey bottle and compared it to the print on the glass, finding a definite match. “Tye!” I called out, not having the energy to go out to him again. I leaned against the counter and waited and then sighed with relief when he walked in.
“What?”
“It’s a match.”
“Tell me somethin’ I didn’t know,” he grunted. “Well, write it up. I’ll need it for the warrant.”
“I’ll add it to the report with the whiskey bottle. That good enough?”
“Thanks. Yeh, it’ll do.”
“Trin??!!” Aly called out from across town then.
“Office!” I called back to her and Aly rushed in. I leaned against the counter working on the report, trying to hide my pain.
“I just got home! I...” Aly blinked. “What happened?”
“So your sister isn’t dead,” I looked at her.
“Wait...I know this. How do you know this?”
“I met her last night in Tombstone.”
Her mouth dropped a bit and she said, “How did she --- no. You know, i don’t wanna know. That’s a lot of knows.”
I chuckled a bit and continued to write the report, wincing at the movement.
Aly looked me over and asked, “Did you get shot somewhere?”
“I uh...” I shook my head.
“Uh... did you... you know... do something rough?”
“Alex and I were riding back from the mines in Pearce when Watson freaked out over something and reared... knocked me right off the horse.” I looked over at Tye who was busy with his reports and then looked back at Aly.
Aly turned to see Tye “Oh. Hi sheriff.” I walked over to Tye slowly and handed him my finished report as Aly said, “You’re lucky you didn’t break no bones.”
“Sure as hell feels like I did. Broken ribs for sure though. Dang lucky Alex was there,” I said and leaned against the table since Tye was sitting at my desk.
“Uh...then why are you moving around? Get yer ass in a bed girl,” Aly looked at me sternly.
“I just solved an arson, damn it. I’ve been in bed all day.”
“Fine. But if it gets too bad....well let’s just say, I owe you.”
“Mmhmm, I know... It hurts to move but... I need to keep my mind busy or I’ll go crazy.”
“I know what that feels like. Trin, we got a lot of the debris cleaned up. There is still a lot of work to do, however.”
“I’m glad,” I nodded. “Was anyone else still alive? Cause you weren’t sure...”
“Yeah...turns out Ada has been there for a whole month by herself. I’ll need to rebuild the house completely. There is nothing left. It’s going to take a while.”
I dropped a copy of the test result report on Ger’s desk so he had it for his files and then leaned on the counter, looking over at Tye. “He has impeccable focus.”
“I’m still here and listening,” Tye looked up.
“Well someone sure should. Mine tends to be all over the place. usually. Unless I’m working,” Aly said. “Hi Sheriff. Missed you.”
I nodded, then noticed Aly’s dress. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a skirt.”
“I wear them from time to time, usually when I go out. I have to today....got a nasty flea bite on my leg, yeah, same injured one, from the hay in the barn. Makeshift bed, you know,” Aly explained. “Do me a favor Trin... be careful if you run into Ada again... I think her living alone in that barn for a month...kinda messed her up a bit.”
Tye kept writing and asked, “Who the hell’s Ada?”
“My sister.”
“Oh hell, two of you?” Tye grunted.
“Sure as hell are sheriff, ain’t ya glad?” Aly winked and looked at me. “So anyway, just a warning... She likes her knives.”
“Oh sure, about as glad as I was to find out Peta’s got like 20 siblings,” Tye said and Peta started to go on about her relatives.
“Great, knives,” I muttered.
“Don’t underestimate. She’s been using them since she was old enough to hold a spoon. Or close. Just...using them...differently..” Aly coughed, “Lately.”
“So sheriff...” I looked over at Tye.
“Wait, how old is your sister?” Tye asked.
“Eighteen,” she said and he grunted. “Yeah, well you’re an old man, so that’s probably nothing for you, I’m sure.”
“We’ve got three cases open right now. The home invasions which we can’t solve until Sasha shows her butt in town again... the mysterious cake which I need to talk to people about still... and the bank robbery,” I tried to focus on work.
“You’ve done your work. I need fingerprints from her, sure, but I’ve got my warrant,” Tye said.
“On the robberies you mean.”
“Yup.”
“The cake is still open for us, and the bank robbery?”
“What is with cake? Something so pretty...and innocent. and yummy.”
“Good time to have a rib injury... Only two cases to work on.”
She looked at me and said, “I’m not amused, Trin. That’s a serious thing. No joking.”
I shrugged and leaned back against the table, still worried about Watson. “Damn it if anything happens to that horse...”
“Horse, tha’ hell Trin! I’m more worried about you. Can’t replace a best friend,” Aly said. “Yeah, the hell you doing here? Go home, Pinky,” Tye looked at me.
“You could get a dog though. Or a snake.”
“I had an arson to solve,” I looked at Tye.
“And I ain’t sayin’ that like Aly is, all sappy like. Just go home. I don’t wanna work anymore tonight either,” Tye said.
“I ain’t bein’ sappy. I’m concerned,” Aly said.
“Okay fine, help me up the stairs would you?” I looked at her. “Tye, keep me posted on those other two cases, yeah? Since that’s all I’ve got to work on now... Just two cases open for us right now, yes? Cake case and the bank robbery?”
“Yeah, somethin’ like that. Since you got me the arson stuff.”
“I told you to do that already. Shoo!” Tye looked at me.
“Nothing to do on those till tomorrow anyway. Yes Sir.”
Aly helped me upstairs and into bed and I said, “Yeah.. I just... Aly...”
“Yeah? Talk to me.”
“Alex helped me pick Watson out...”
“You’re really worried about that horse, huh?”
“Aly he just reared... It was so strange. Nothing was around so he couldn’t have been spooked by anything. The only thing I can think of is something’s wrong with him.”
“Maybe a snake or something?”
“I have enough trouble with keeping men around, Aly. To lose a horse too...”
“You ain’t the only one having trouble keeping men around, Trin,” she chuckled. “Trin... if you let it worry you....”
“Aly... He just threw me off. I fell so hard... Thank God Alex was there... Oh, the arsenic,” I tried to sit up.
“He’s been good to you. Try not to worry.”
“I really missed you...”
“Do me a favor? Tell Tye... Tell Tye that Alex said arsenic could be found in mines... like in the area in Pearce... We couldn’t get in the mine to check it out though.”
“I’ll tell him for you,” Aly nodded. “Trin... Do you want me to stay here with you tonight?”
“I missed you so much, Aly.... You and Ger... even though he drives me crazy...”
“I think both of you are very stubborn,” Aly laughed.
“Was he good to you?”
“He was very good to me. He really helped me get through a lot today.”
“Good...”
“He helped me clear the debris....”
“Your sister was alive... what about... the others,” I nodded.
“No Ma and Pa are gone,” Aly answered.
“You had other siblings..”
“A brother, yes, but I saw him after the fire, He came to Black Diamond once, but I never saw him again. I feel a little abandoned. But what’s the saying.... When one door closes another opens.... It seems Ger has taken on the big brother role for me. I need that. I need him. I need you,” she smiled.
“When you’re healed at some point, I’d like for you to come too...to my home. If you want.”
I sighed with a bit of relief at the offer and she laughed, “Don’t go thinking that I’ve left you out now.”
“Well...” I looked down.
“I just thought....well with the sheriff’s office being burned down, and the number of Apache lately in the city...you had your hands full.”
“Well we solved the arson case just now, thankfully.... Only have two cases we’re working now.”
“Yeah I heard...what’s this about cake?”
“And I nailed that marshal in Tombstone for neglecting his duties. The cake is ridiculously confusing.”
“Cake is always confusing...never really mastered it myself.”
“I need to talk that one out with Ger and see if h has any fresh ideas on it ‘cause right now all I know is that it was drugged with arsenic which could be lethal with the right dosage, and set in the sheriff’s office. And both the sheriff’s wife and the mayor ate parts of it. That’s all we know. And there are too many fingerprints on the cake and the plate so that’s going to be useless.”
“Well you should start with the basics...it’s a small town...”
“We know arsenic is available in the mines now...”
“Who is REALLY good at making cake?”
“Just gotta figure that out. It wasn’t Bree.”
“Was is a cake purchased from Bree?”
“No idea. I need to talk to her.”
“Yeah...find out if it’s the kind of cakes she makes... and if so...who buys from her...and on that day. that might help you.”
“I know it was a fudge cake... We’ve just been so caught up in the lack of details...”
“She make those?” Aly asked and I shrugged. “Who was the cake meant for?”
“Good question. Seeing it was left in Tye’s office...”
“I just got back Trin.. I’m so tired...”
“We should rest...” I nodded.
“Wait, what? Tye’s office? Was the cake meant for him?”
“Sure feels like it.”
“Oh lordie...I’ve been knocking burnt buildings down all day... my brain is not set...on cake...” she chuckled. “Tell you what.... since you’ve been in an accident today....”
“Don’t you dare bring me cake.”
“You should rest. I’ll rest. Do you want me to stay?”
“If you can stay..” I nodded. “I need company tonight.”
“I’m NOT bringing you cake! Lordie Trin,” she chuckled. “I can. Not sure I want to go home to an empty house. Again. Yeah. But I ain’t cuddling you.”
“Would hurt too much anyway.”
“Oh my gosh, Trin,” Aly laughed and I drifted off to sleep.
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