Bisbee.
This morning I walked over to the office and noticed that Spank put a new door up. I wrote down on the sheet that I was starting my shift and then walked over to the cafe to get a coffee. I walked behind the counter and poured myself a cup before heading outside and sitting down with the cup in my hand.
I sat there for about an hour before Alex came walking over and gave me a big hug. “Hey there, darlin’!” I greeted him. “Been a quiet shift this morning,” I winked at him as he got himself a coffee and came to sit down at the table.
“Oh yeah?” he grinned.
“Yup. Might go off duty in about ten minutes or so then maybe we can head over to Diamond for a walk.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” he nodded.
“How are you doing?”
“Cold, but otherwise good. How are you?”
“Bored,” I chuckled.
“Bored, huh? Maybe I could fix that,” he winked.
“I want to investigate this whole Regulators thing a bit more but I didn’t want to do it alone. I just don’t know where to go next with it.”
“I’ll be right there with you,” he promised.
I set my cup down and smiled at him. “Just wish I had some direction with it. I need to talk to Lot and I don’t like this bounty idea one bit.”
“I’m not sure I like it either. Doesn’t seem like it’ll accomplish anything.”
“Other than make him more frustrated and more resistant to talk to me.”
“But making him mad,” he said at the same time and we laughed. I reached over and squeezed his hand tightly as he looked thoughtfully into his cup. “Seems like there should be a more roundabout way of getting information.”
“Such as?” I looked at him curiously.
“Not really sure,” he shrugged. “But seems like we shouldn’t be antagonizing him. We should be trying to get around his sealed lips.”
“Mmhmm. We need to get close to someone who’s close to him, you mean.”
“Exactly,” he nodded.
“I love that we think the same way honey... That makes a lot of sense.”
He grinned and I had a thought, pulling out my notebook with the Pinkerton files in it. I looked for Lot’s page and read the section about known associates. “Hmm... Who do we know in the Wild Bunch gang... I wish Cole were still around. That might be the way in... Going through the gang... Getting one of them to get Lot to talk.”
“I think that might work better. We’ll get more bees with honey, as they say.”
“Mmhmm. So should I head off duty and we can take a wander?”
He finished his coffee and put his cup on the table. “I think that’s a good idea.”
We stood and I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him close. “It’s good to see you, Sweetheart.”
“It’s good to see you too. I hate when I’m out in the desert so long.”
“Mmhmm me too. What exactly do you do out there, honey?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Just need to be out in the open sometimes.”
I smiled and hugged him again before hugging him again. “Then let’s head out into the open. I just have to write that I’m going off duty.”
I wrote in the notebook that I was going off duty and then took his hand. “I was thinking we could head over to Allen Street... See who’s over there.”
“Good place to start,” he nodded and took my hand and we headed for Allen Street.
Tombstone.
We walked over to the crowd of people in front of the Epitath and listened as Jimmy was talking with DeathRider about becoming a bounty hunter. I said that I was looking to see who was there but Rider seemed less than friendly. I asked what was new and Bella said that Jimmi opened his moving picture theatre out past the clock tower, on the way to Pearce.
“Will have to check it out, eh dear?” I looked at Alex.
“Sounds interesting,” Alex nodded.
We started to walk down the street and I muttered, “Wish Sniper were around so we could get that information out of Lot...”
As we were walking away, I heard someone coming up behind us and saw Ripley. “Excuse me, did I hear you wanted something with Lot?”
“Think we should chat in the Oriental,” I looked from him to Alex and then led the way to the saloon as Jimmy and Bella walked over towards us. I led the way into the back room and looked between the two men before asking Ripley, “How well do you know Lot?”
“Depends, how well do you need to know him?”
“Pretty well... I need to know some information about a gang he had some run ins a while back with... Does the name The Regulators ring any bells with you?”
“I know the name sure.”
“You do?” I smiled and looked over and raised an eyebrow at Alex, then looked back at Ripley.
“What do you know about them?”
“About as much as most citizens. Band of no good outlaws,” he chuckled.
“Who claim they’re helping the law to get rid of warrants, right?”
“Something along them lines.”
“Know any names of past members maybe...?”
“Nope, I didn’t find them to be that interesting.”
“You might want to start thinking they are... See, we’re looking into the disappearance of Kaly, the previous mayor of Diamond.”
“When that happen?”
“No idea. I met her back in July... Somehow since then she’s disappeared and there’s a monument up for her in the garden in Diamond. I think it might have to do with the Regulators.”
“And this has to do with Lot because...?”
“He hanged their leader a while back. And I wanna know who it was.”
“So you after names?”
I nodded and said, “If this is about revenge for that... See... Kaly was... Lot’s sister.”
“Ah. We trying to get lot in trouble here?”
“Actually just the opposite. If they got wind of the fact that he hanged their leader... They might be going after his family, namely Kaly, or himself.”
“Well I could speak to Lot, sure.”
“This could spark gang wars and martial law and send everything into a crazed mess. In fact... There’s already a bit of that happening.”
“Sounds fun,” Rip smirked.
“To you, maybe. Not to us.”
“So what ya want me to ask who he hanged?”
“I want to know what happened to Kaly,” I said. “Going to Lot is impossible, since he and I aren’t exactly on speaking terms.”
“I see.”
“If you can get me names of the members from back then... And the leaders...”
“I reckon I could give it a go.”
I looked at Alex before looking back at Ripley. “How does one hundred gold coins sound for your efforts?”
“Suits me,” Ripley smiled. “I’m sure Lot be in town later. I see him later.”
“Great. I have an office over in Bisbee. That might be the safest place to talk if you find out anything.”
“Sure. I see you there if I find anything out.”
“That would be fantastic. My Pinkerton office is over there across from the fountain.”
“Okay.”
“If I’m not there, you can leave a note for me on the table. I really appreciate your help, Rip.”
“Sure, no worries.”
Alex nodded to him and said, “Thanks for giving us a few moments of your time.”
“I will see you later when I find out anything,” he tipped his hat and walked out of the saloon.
I looked over at Alex when we were alone and smiled. “That went well.” He nodded and I walked over to kiss him deeply. “You know there’s rooms upstairs...”
He kissed me back and winked as he asked, “Should we investigate those?”
“I think that would be wise. You never know what could be lurking up there,” I winked and took his hand. We headed upstairs and Alex shut the door behind him as I made my way to the couch.
***
Black Diamond.
Tonight I walked into Diamond and waved to the crowd in front of the sheriff’s office. We talked about the dance and Matt told me that there were already some people at the saloon. I wandered over there and Judge Angeles was spinning the records on the turntable tonight. I met a woman named Josie, who said we could call her Jo. Bree greeted a woman named Pan and I looked over, remembering the name that Bruce had mentioned last week.
Matt invited me to sit with Jo and talk with her so I sat at the table beside her. “You new to the area?”
“Yes I have arrived here from England to help my uncle.”
“Oh? Who’s your uncle?” I asked and she pointed to Bill dancing in the front row by the stage. “Oh, nice,” I smiled at her.
“Do you have a man friend Miss?”
“Me? Yes I sure do. He’s probably off in the middle of a desert doing God knows what tonight. I sent him a telegram about the dance but who knows if he’ll get it,” I chuckled, but deep down I was really missing Alex yet again.
“Well I have just the thing for you ma’am.. you can come by the General Store later if you like. These are not too expensive either.. at least for my first customers. They are hot .. and won’t last long!”
“Sounds great,” I said and waved to Ryker as he walked into the saloon.
“I am a lady of many talents Miss Trin.. so if you have any other kinds of ways I could make money quickly, please let me know.”
“I will sure do that, Jo. Thanks for that. Been pretty busy lately.”
“You know I help the mortician.. run the general store... I am educated.”
“You keep quite busy too then,” I smiled at her.
“I am funding my next book.”
“I’m a writer as well.”
“Oh,” she looked down. “What have you written?”
“I’ve written mostly just books about my time in the West... Collections of journals, really.”
“Hmm.. have they been very popular?”
“I haven’t really sold much. Focusing more on detective work as of late.”
“I am sure you will be famous like me one day,” she smiled and patted my and.
“Well thanks for that,” I smiled at her.
“Yes , NO weapons in the saloon,” I heard Ryker saying from the other side of the room. “We don’t need another night like the other night.”
“The other night?” I looked over at him.
“Yeah, someone tried robbing all of us,” Ryker said.
“Wow...” I shook my head.
“I hope everyone is ok after that robbery attempt?” A woman I didn’t know asked.
“Oh it is, the woman was shot and arrested,” Ryker promised.
“And have the trial too all in same night,” Angeles complained.
“Wish you had been around today when court was going on Ryker,” James said.
“Why is that, James?” he asked.
“Judge got so mad he pulled out his shot gun.”
“Not like Jimmi,” I shook my head.
“Was not Jimmi,” James said.
“Was Kris,” Bree said.
“Oh, not surprised then,” I shook my head.
“Cause some idiot came into the court threatening to shoot people.”
“Geez James,” I shook my head in awe at the events.
We talked for a bit more as people kept coming into the saloon for the dance. After about half an hour or so I looked over at the door and saw Ripley walking in. Excusing myself from Jo, I stood, hoping he had information for me.
“Jakob Despres is the name you after,” he whispered quietly.
I blinked and grabbed the table. “No... No, it can’t be. Not... Are you sure, Rip?” I asked, my legs starting to shake under me.
“That’s the name you want,” he nodded. “But I didn’t tell you this.”
“No way... He was a... He was... hanged?” I shook my head again. Marshal Despres and I went back so long I couldn’t remember the day we had met years ago. All that time working together in Colorado and... There was no way. “Good Lord...” I felt the world spin around me. I grabbed out to hold Ripley but then fell down as the world went black.
“Oh dear Trin! You okay?” Doll’s voice brought me back and I reached for Ripley’s hand again.
He pulled me up and said to them, “Help here?”
Doll knelt beside me and handed some smelling salts to put under my nose, which helped me wake up more clearly. “Rip, no... Not... Damn it,” I shook my head, looking over at Bill with worry.
“If you didn’t want to know, then don’t ask,” Ripley shook me a bit.
“I didn’t expect... that name...” I looked at him directly, as if he was the only one in the room.
“Well it’s true.”
“Must have been a shock of some sort, but your pulse is getting back to normal,” Doll said, still making sure that I was okay.
“But... why...?” I asked.
“The name... tell me the name,” Bill insisted.
“Here Trin, drink this and sit down for a minute,” April handed me a glass of whiskey.
“Bill... Jake Des...” I swallowed, not even able to say the name. “Jakob Despres...”
“Him back?” Angeles asked.
April and Bill looked at each other and I said, “He’s the one Lot hanged.” I looked at Bill, knowing he understood the implications. “I... I worked with him... Back when I was in Colorado...” I shook my head. “He was a ... marshal....”
“Now we know, dear,” Bill grabbed April’s arm to steady her.
“He was Bill’s friend,” April told me shakily.
“He was...?” I looked at Bill, amazed at how small the world had suddenly just become.
“Yes... Jake and I had many adventures.”
“He... Chels...” I looked at Rip, thinking of Jake’s girlfriend from back then. “Tell me Chels wasn’t... caught up in all this.”
“Just him, and another. Johnny.”
“Damn,” I shook my head as Bill shot a look towards Matt. “Despres was a good marshal. A little jaded at times but... He was solid I thought... Why would Lot... Wait...” I hesitated. “If they killed Despres... What does Despres have to do with Kaly?”
“I don’t have all the answers,” Ripley said. “I got you the name ya wanted. I need to go, I have a mad town after me as it is.”
I nodded and said, “I’m sorry Rip... Thank you...” I reached into my pockets and handed him the coins I promised him. “Take this. I...” I shook my head. “Be safe, Rip.”
“Trin, you heard nothing from me,” he took the coins.
“Thanks for the information... name’s Bill,” Bill said.
“Thanks Ripley, and no we didn’t,” April agreed.
Ripley introduced himself to them and then said he really needed to go. As he left, I turned to Bill, setting the cup of whiskey on the table. “This just got dangerous,” I told them.
“It sure sounds like it,” Bill nodded. “He tied it to Johnny Ringo.”
“Bill if they went after Despres... who’s next?” I asked. “Johnny Ringo? That’s who he meant? I don’t know that name.”
“Talk to the sheriff about Johnny Ringo,” Bill suggested.
“Matt?” I looked over at him. He just tipped his hat to the mayor and I looked between them, knowing they weren’t telling me something. “But...”
“Bill... Can we.... Take a walk?” I swallowed hard and he motioned towards the door.
“They will fill you in later Trin. Please please be careful,” April warned. “This is far more then just a disappearance. It goes deeper.”
Bill and I walked outside and he showed me the wanted poster on the door to the saloon. “Look familiar to you?”
“Guess you can take this down now, huh?” I asked, seeing Ringo’s name.
“Take the glasses off, and the mustache,” Bill said.
“This is for Lot...?” I whispered back. “But... Rip said that Johnny was hanged too... and..”
“Your informant said Jake and Ringo. Johnny Ringo disappeared about the time Adrian Wise blew into Tombstone.”
“I thought that’s who it might be but...” I shook my head, seeing that it did look a lot like the mayor. “Bill... Adrian is the next target...?”
“This much bigger than you ever imagined,” Bill whispered.
“The gang wars...” I shook my head and said softly. “The mayor’s behind... Wait wait wait... Kaly...”
“It all starts when the mine collapsed and Mayor Cym was killed by the dynamite explosion. Evidence... hard evidence... because a lot of money is involved and money is power.”
“But we don’t have evidence...” I whispered.
“As you know... I’ve been pouring over the books and ledgers ever since I took office.”
“And...?” I nodded.
“I find a lot of things pointing to Lot. He’s been able to bilk out quite a sum from the banks... like it’s a child’s game.”
“I’m trying to connect it with Kaly...” I sighed. “I just can’t...” I shook my head, still surprised about Despres being gone now.
“Every thing’s tied together somehow and it all starts with that poster found in the old Black Diamond by Matt and his wife.”
“Matt never said anything about finding this poster to me,” I whispered. “I should get back in there and talk to the sheriff.”
I walked into the saloon and tried to get Matt’s attention, but he was too busy dancing with his wife and the daughter he and Abby would be adopting. When I tried to get Ryker’s help, Matt gave him a signal to not tell me anything, and I got frustrated that they were holding things from me when I was clearly in danger. Ryker insisted that he didn’t know more than I did.
I turned around and sighed with relief when I saw Wedge walking into the saloon. I asked him if we could talk and he told me to lead the way. We walked to the cafe and I closed the door behind us and went to sit at a table, the emotion starting to fall on my face.
“Err...what’s wrong?” he looked closely at me as he sat down.
“Everything, Wedge. Everything’s wrong. I...” I looked at him, not even sure where to start. “I’ve been looking into the disappearance of Kaly, the mayor before Bill here in Diamond... My search led me to find out that Lot was her brother. And he wasn’t too concerned that she was gone. So that same night, Matt brings up the Regulators, and Lot is familiar with them ‘cause he says he hanged their leader...” I said hesitantly, knowing now how those pieces fit into place a bit. “So then I was trying to figure out who the leader was that he hanged... because maybe this was about revenge for that, right? Go after the people closest to him and kill Kaly. Or, maybe Kaly found out about what Lot did and one of the Regulators heard about it and took her out.”
Wedge nodded to indicate he was following where I was going so I continued. “So... I talk with someone in the Wild Bunch gang, ‘cause I figure Lot ain’t gonna talk to me. We’re never really on speaking terms. So in town I drop Lot’s name, thinking someone will be curious why we’re asking about him. Ripley comes over and I talk to him about getting the name from Lot. Cause I guess Ripley is close with Lot. So tonight...” I took a deep breath. “Oh, and the Regulators... if you know about them.. They’re guys that are trying to ‘help’ law by taking out warrants and such without the restrictions of the law.”
“Okay,” he nodded.
“Anyway tonight at the dance... Rip comes in... Says that Lot hanged Jakob Despres and Johnny Ringo. Wedge... Despres was a marshal that I worked with back in Colorado. He was a good guy. A little jaded at times but... Overall a good man.”
“Is there enough evidence to arrest him for killing law?”
“Wedge... Despres... He was one of the leaders of the Regulators. Back when they were more prominent. The gang’s rising up again now though,” I leaned forward. “I just can’t believe that Despres... Thing is... If they find out that I knew Despres... Wedge... And was friends with him...”
“But you weren’t a... that... were you?” he asked in a low voice.
“No. The closest to any of that was when I was with the Scorpions which were kinda the same thing...”
“Yeah... but how are they going to know?”
“I don’t know but if they start digging into Despress past and find out that he worked as a Marshal in Amiville and Colorado and found out who else was working with him and that I was a consultant for the law there...”
“As a consultant though... It’s not like you were law.”
“I was a lawyer in Colorado Springs when Despres was a marshal. I became a Pinkerton Detective after that but.. I was still a consultant and... And the best part... The sheriff here couldn’t care less. And the Deputy doesn’t really know enough to be able to protect me properly.”
“And we’re talking about this town... correct?” he asked and I nodded. “So what kind of protection are you seeking?”
“I don’t even know, Wedge. I guess I can tell the deputy what I told you...”
“Can you trust him?”
“Ryker? Absolutely.”
“Okay, good.”
“Oh and then... I didn’t even tell you this part. Bill tells me to go look at the wanted poster outside of the saloon. It’s for Johnny Ringo, the other guy Lot hanged. Bill tells me to look hard at the poster. The guy looks almost exactly like Adrian, Wedge.” When he raised an eyebrow at that I nodded, “That was my reaction too.”
“The mayor?” he whispered.
“Wedge... Somehow... This is all connected. This whole thing with Kaly... Who became mayor after Cym died..”
“Yeah...” I sighed.
“What in the hell are our politicians up to?” he shook his head.
“I don’t know but the amount of people I can trust in this area is becoming slim.”
“Tell me about it,” he nodded.
“Wedge... What am I gonna do?”
“Trin... it’s your past, no need to hide from it.”
“Apparently I need to run from it. My past is gonna get me killed.”
“So will mine... Someday...”
I took a deep breath and nodded to him. “It’s been a long time since you and your non-sister came to see me.”
“A bit,” he smiled.
“Things okay with you?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“I’m still seeing Alex,” I smiled a bit. “It’s been over a month.”
“Yeah... I know. You’re hardly ever here.”
“I’m here... Just usually stick to Bisbee and Diamond now. Only go over to Allen Street when I absolutely need to.”
“Oh... Then it’s me who’s not here.”
“I’m on duty a lot in Bisbee. Nothing happens there though.”
“Okay... I guess I don’t see it, since I don’t wear the badge anymore.”
I asked him if he could walk me home and he led the way to Bisbee, making sure that I got home safely before saying goodnight.
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