November 19, 1899

Coronado. 

It was early in the morning when I woke up, unable to fall back asleep. Alex was still fast asleep so I went downstairs to make a coffee and got myself a biscuit to eat. 

When he came downstairs, he leaned down and kissed me. “Good morning, hon.”

“Join me on the couch?” I smiled and patted the spot beside me. 

He sat down and wrapped his arms around me, “How are you this morning?” 

“I’m doing alright... kind of anxious for something to do though.”

I’d barely said the words when the buzzing from the telegram machine woke us both up instantly. “Hey, looks like we got a telegram,” Alex said and went to read it, pinching his brow together. 

“Hmm...” 

“What does it say?” I asked, sitting up a bit. 

“It’s from Max. He wants to talk to us but doesn’t want to come out here to where we live. Wants to meet at the saloon in old Diamond.”

“Old Diamond? What on earth could he want to talk to us there about? And which Max?”

“My friend from Boston,” he chuckled and then gave me a worried look. “I have no idea why he wants to go out there. This feels a little odd.”

“I’m getting a weird feeling too. We should get out there,” I stood then. 

“Yeah, let’s take a ride and see what he wants.”

Old Diamond. 

We rode into the ghost town and then sat on the ground, waiting for Max to arrive. We said nothing as we waited, both lost in our own thoughts of what this clandestine meeting could be about. He walked over and nodded to us, “Morning Alex, Trin. Sorry to ask you to come out here.”

“Mornin’,” Alex nodded back. “What’s up?” 

“Well,” he sighed. “It’s Moretti.” 

“Seriously?” Alex looked at him, his eyes wide. 

I looked from Alex to Max and asked, “Who’s Moretti?” 

Max looked at me then back to Alex. “You haven’t told her, have you?”

“Didn’t think I had to,” Alex shrugged. 

“Alex?” I looked at him, growing concerned. 

Max glared at him and said, “You know better than anyone there’s no hiding from those guys...”

“I haven’t exactly told you everything about me,” he looked up at me. 

I looked at him with surprise, then looked back at Max. 

“Moretti knows where you are now,” Max told him. 

“Crap,” he sighed and looked over at me. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think this would catch up to me.”

I looked between the men, getting annoyed. “Does someone want to tell me who the hell is Moretti?” 

“He’s a mob boss in Boston,” Alex finally told me. 

“Alex pissed him off royally,” Max said as I pulled my knees up under my chin, listening closely as I tried to calm down from the shock of him not telling me about such a crucial part of his past. Max looked over at me and asked with a playful grin, “You ever played cards with Alex?” When I just shook my head, without looking either of them in the eye, “He’s good. Well, not just good, REALLY good. The kind of good at cards that makes a mob boss suspicious.”

“I don’t play anymore,” Alex sighed again. 

“Why didn’t you tell me...?” I looked at him finally. 

Max took Alex’s right hand and spread it out on the ground, pointing to the inch-long scar on the back of it, then flipped it over and showed the one on the palm. “Ever notice his scars?” Alex pulled his hand back and glared at him but Max went on, “Look, you gotta tell her everything now.”

I nodded, looking into Alex’s eyes. “I told you everything about me... About that cave with Bill... about Sunset... about...”

“I told you why I left Boston. That was only part of the reason. When my wife died, I sort of went a little crazy. I started drinking heavily and I started gambling. With the wrong people. I was good at it too, like Max said. But when you win too many times, you get accused of cheating. And there are some people you don’t want to cross. Moretti was one of them.”

I looked at the ground, staying quiet as I listened. He reached over to lightly touch my hand and I flinched a bit but didn’t pull my hand away. He looked down and said, “I’ve never told this story out loud. Max knows ‘cause he was there.”

I looked over at Max and asked, “You were there?” 

“Yeah, we had gone out that night to have a little fun. Didn’t turn out so fun,” he nodded. 

“What happened?” I finally asked, still upset with Alex and looking directly at Max, but I didn’t move my hand away from his touch. 

“I won a lot of money that night. Bought the bar a round of drinks. Things seemed good... Until we left,” Alex started. 

“Moretti and his henchmen cornered us on the street,” Max put in. 

“They attacked us. Took the money, punched Max in the face and broke his nose. Then Moretti took out a knife... He put my hand against the building and pinned it there with a knife. Said that was a friendly warning and if he ever saw me again, it wouldn’t be just my hand.”

“Yeah, well,” Max shook his head. “Alex usually doesn’t just run away.”

“I know...” I shook my head, tracing his hand a bit. I found compassion inside of me but was still upset that he had kept this from me for so long. 

“I decided I wasn’t going to take that. I wanted to get him back,” Alex said. 

“But you never did...” I looked over at him. 

“The problem with trying to get a mob boss is that he’s got a huge gang behind him. Not to mention the corruption,” Max explained. 

“Even the cops were on his payroll,” Alex nodded. 

“Wow...” I shook my head. 

“Moretti found out I was still around and looking for him,” Alex shook his head. 

“And now he knows where you are...? And you found out about this, how?” I looked at Max. 

“Don’t look at me! I’d never tell on him! As we said, Moretti has his hand in everything in Boston. It might have been the telegram. It might even have been Graves. I don’t know.”

“Graves?” I looked from Max to Alex. 

“Dani’s father. He owed money to the mafia. Moretti’s the biggest mafia boss in Boston.”

“Right I just...” I shook my head. “Trying to process this all and...”

“If he got word back to someone in Boston even mentioning my name it could get back to Moretti,” Alex reached out and touched my cheek. “I’m sorry, babe. I should have told you this, it’s just that I thought it was behind me. I didn’t want to unbury the past.” I looked down but then finally looked into his eyes directly. 

Max looked between us and said, “I’m really sorry I had to bring this news to you. I didn’t want to say anything in hear distance so I brought you out here.” 

“Thank you for that,” Alex nodded. 

“I’ll let you two talk this over. I’ll be around for a few more days if you need me.”

“Thanks.” 

“Good luck,” Max tipped his hat and walked into the desert. I looked down, not even saying anything to Max as he walked away. 

When we were alone, Alex looked at me and said, “I’m sorry. I should have told you.”

“Yeah, you should have,” I said with a bit of a bite and he looked to the ground. I traced my finger around his scars idly. “I told you about my scars...”

“Yeah, you did,” he nodded. “I thought mine were healed. I guess they never will be.”

“I’m sorry, I’m being selfish. It’s your life that’s in danger now...” I shook my head. 

“I’m worried about you now too,” he took my hand in his. 

“About me?” I looked in his eyes, squeezing his hand. 

“Moretti knows how to get to his enemies. If he kills me, it will be over. If he hurts you, it will do a lot more to get to me than anything.”

I swallowed hard, pulling him close and holding onto him. “I don’t want anything to happen to you...”

“I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you,” he shook his head and growled. “I won’t let him touch you.”

I started to tremble against him and tried to calm down as the fear started to take over. He wrapped his arms around me, trying to comfort me. “The only good thing is, Moretti will stick out like a sore thumb in Tombstone. Big flashy Italian guy. He’ll flaunt his money and he’ll make enemies fast.” I nodded, trying not to panic and he held me close, stroking my hair. “It’s okay, babe. We’ll get Moretti. Max is still around to help. He’s good in a fight.”

“I’m sorry I focused more on you not telling me... That wasn’t fair of me...” I nodded, starting to relax.

“It’s okay. I know it was a bit of shock and I should’ve told you. It’s just something I don’t like to talk about unless I have to and I really thought it was in the past. I’m sorry.” 

“I know...” I nodded. “It’s okay hon... We’ll get through this together. Just... promise me you’ll keep me in the loop? You know how it’s been when law doesn’t tell me things but when the person I love...”

“I’ll tell you everything,” he nodded and looked at the ground. 

I reached out and touched his chin, caressing it with my thumb and turning his head back towards mine. “We’ll figure this out.” 

He gave me a worried smile and said, “We will. Everything will be fine.”

***

Tombstone. 

This evening I walked out onto Allen Street and talked with Max and a woman named Kara. She was just new to the town and was in from Texas, looking for a fresh start. Nim came over and told us that about half an hour ago, Jewel tried to rob the saloon and shot Bill in the process over in Black Diamond. I asked why I wasn’t surprised as I’d heard the name in warrants before. I listened Sniper and Kacee banter back and forth and then decided to head to Pearce. 

Pearce.

I walked into the saloon and got myself a bottle of whiskey, taking a sip with a sigh. The doors swung open and I looked over to see Max and smiled sadly at him. 

“Howdy Miss Trin. You seen Mr Latzo?”

“No, not tonight.”

He slumped, rubbing his belly, and then looked at me more closely. “Whatsa Matter, Missus? You dint get no supper neither?”

“It’s not that... I just... I’m worried about Alex,” I shook my head. 

“How come. Somebody shooted him?” he frowned, moving closer. 

“No but...” 

The doors swung open again and I saw a man walk in. He had dark hair and a mustache and wore a long jacket. His eyes were dark and there was something about his scowl that made me suspicious. 

“You can tell me, Missus. I ain’t no kid...” Max kept looking at me. 

“I know Max. I just...” I sighed a bit. 

“Nobody better not hurt him. I’ll rock da hell out of dem,” Max scowled. 

The man walked over to the bar and got a drink, looking at us. Max turned and studied him. “Howdy, Mister.” 

The man grunted a hello and I nodded to him, still thinking about the conversation this morning. “Any whiskey in this place?”

Max lifted a brow and turned back to me, whispering, “Did he tell ya who?”

I nodded to him and then turned to the man, recognizing his Italian accent. 

Max chuckled at the man and moved around behind the bar. “Mr Latzo is in dat johnny house, but I know how.” He clambered up on the bar and poured the shot with expertise. 

The man looked at him and smirked, “Smart little guy.” He pulled out too many coins and slid them across the bar. 

“Two bits,” Max slid the drink towards him. 

“Keep the change kid,” the man said and Max took the coins with her eyes wide. As I watched the exchange, I leaned against the bar, starting to panic as I listened to the voice. There was no way... The man looked at me and I recognized his look as he let his eyes slide over me in a leering manner. “I’m new in town. Would you care to drink with me?”

“Nossir, I don’t drink,” Max shook his head. 

I looked over at the man and tried to clear my thoughts and not show my fear. “Uh... Yeah, I guess. What’s your name?”

He extended his hand and said, “Alberto Moretti. And yours?”

I almost fell over but grabbed the pole tightly to steady myself. Max fixed his gaze on me and Moretti smiled. “You seem... nervous.”

Max moved around the bar and said, “Maybe she gots a baby in her belly, dat makes ladies dizzy.” 

“I...” I tried to shake it off but couldn’t. “I... I’m sorry Sir... We have to... We have to go somewhere.”

“Fact I best get her on home. She maybe is havin’ a spell,” Max told Moretti. 

“I could follow you home. You know... just to make sure you got there,” Moretti offered. 

“Let’s go, Max...” I said, not looking at the man. I shook my head before turning to leave the saloon. “Max, come with me.”

As I walked out I heard Max say, “We’re good Mister. Don’t foller us, I don’t want to hurt you.” 

I ran over to the marshal’s office and unlocked the door. “Inside, Max.” 

Max looked behind us and said, “You first.” 

“No, you go. I’ll lock the door.”

“Nope,” he set his feet. 

I sighed, not having the energy to argue, and walked in first. Max followed me inside and closed the door and then I locked it tightly. “Only one who can get in here is Matty and Alex.”

Max took my hand and held it. “Missus, who was he?”

I sat at the desk and sent Alex a telegram, praying that it would get to him quickly. It read: Come to the office in Pearce ASAP. Moretti in town. As Max watched the door I looked over at him. “Whatever you do Max... Do not mention Alex’s name to that man.”

“He wants to hurt Mr Alex?” Max scowled. 

I nodded and tried to control my shaking. When we saw Alex walk over to the office and open the door, I sighed with relief. “Alex, thank God...”

Alex looked between us and asked, “Are you okay?” 

“I wisht I spitted in his drink,” Max muttered as I stood and went to him, hugging him tightly. “She’s okay, I taked good care of her, Mister.” 

“He was here... in the saloon... and he...” I started. 

Alex wrapped his arms around me and smiled at Max, “Thank you, Max. Wait, wait... He?”

“She had a spell....” Max nodded. 

“He introduced himself. He said his name. I couldn’t believe he would just...” I swallowed hard. “I sent a telegram... I... Alex... Moretti was in town.”

“A spell?” Alex looked at me as we heard Abby walk up to the office and knock on the door. “What?! Moretti?! You saw him?”

“Missus Abby!” Max went to open the door for her. “Come in!” 

Abby walked in and greeted Max and I held onto Alex, my tears starting to flow. I told Alex to lock the door and he did so. 

“Ima rock him good....he maked her cry,” Max stood up on the desk and looked out. 

I was still shaking hard against Alex as he said, “Hi Abby.” He held me tight and said, “It’s okay, babe.” 

“I thought he was gonna... The way he was looking at me... It was almost as if...” I shook it off. 

“What is going on here?” Abby asked. 

“A bad man,” Max pointed down the street and said softly. 

“What bad man?” Abby asked. 

“This isn’t good. I’ll have to explain it.”

“The more people that can protect us...” I nodded to Alex. 

“I really need a pistol,” Max muttered. 

I looked over at him and said sternly, “No.” 

“I’m originally from Boston. I had some troubles there and they seem to have followed me out here. Specifically, a man named Alberto Moretti,” Alex explained. He looked back at me and asked, “Are you okay? What happened in the saloon?” He looked back at Abby and said, “Apparently, Moretti just found Trin and Max.”

“We all have pasts Alex, and sometimes they come looking for us before we can take them out,” Abby nodded. 

“And I poured dat rascal a whiskey,” Max snorted. 

I took a deep breath and explained, “He came into the saloon and asked for some whiskey. Max got him some and then he asked if I wanted to join him for a drink... I could hear the Italian accent... I asked him what his name was. He just said it outright. Said his name right there.”

Abby nodded and said, “Do not worry Alex, you have plenty of help.” 

“I told him we had to go and he wanted to follow us home to make sure I got home okay cause I kind of panicked and... We just left and came here. I didn’t want to risk him following.”

“That sounds like him. He wouldn’t bother hiding it. And thank you, Abby,” Alex shook his head. 

“And I telled him stay back or I’d hurt him,” Max said fiercely. 

Alex looked at him with concern and said, “You need to be careful around him, okay?”

I took a deep breath and said, “I know I’m a detective and I’m supposed to be brave and strong but... When it comes to threats against me or someone I love... I told him never to mention your name to him.” 

“You did good Max.... Max when your in Pearce do you know the safe places to go?” Abby asked him. 

“Yessir. I will...” Max nodded to Alex and then shook his head at Abby, “No Ma’am but I got my rocks and I ain’t ascared.” 

“Max? Ma?!” Jamie’s voice came from outside. 

“Max, you run into the clinic next to the saloon or in here,” Abby told him and then called out, “Jamie?” 

Jamie came into the office and Abby talked about the safe places to be with the kids. We told them not to tell Moretti anything and that they should ask more questions than they should answer. I asked Alex if he was okay and he said he was processing. Alex told the kids not to go up to Moretti directly and we told Abby to let Matty know what was going on. We thanked them for there help and then Alex and I headed home to process all that had happened today. 

“Alex when I heard that voice...” I started as we lay in bed. 

“I know. I’m so sorry I brought this to you. And to Max. And everyone here.”

“You couldn’t have known honey... Like I didn’t know when Sunset showed up. We’ll deal with it together and get through it together.”

“Thank you,” he kissed the top of my head. 

“I love you too damn much to let anything happen to you.”

“I love you,” he looked in my eyes and smiled as he held me close.