Black Diamond.
The sun shone into my room and I woke up from an emotional evening. I thought over everything that happened last night and knew that Matt was right. Though his harshness was hard to take, it just meant that he was passionate about his job. I realized that I’d been letting the pursuit of being a deputy and a lawman distract me from investigating, though I did enjoy the prospect of being paid regularly. But maybe all the stress and headache and lack of sleep wasn’t worth it and I should focus on being a detective. I sighed, knowing that the good thing was at least communication has opened between me and Matt again and we can work towards repairing the friendship we’d lost.
I rode into town and dismounted in front of the law office. I walked in, since James said that I could use the office as my own, and sat at the desk. The door opened and Meg walked in, greeting me. “Good Morn to you Dear Trin!”
“Morning, Meg,” I said tiredly. “Something I can help you with, Meg?”
“Did you not sleep well Ma’am?”
“Nope. I surely did not,” I shook my head.
“Well to be quite honest I wasn’t quite sure of the hours the bank operated as I do make a daily round to um check upon my uh deposit there.”
“Oh, that’s a good question... It’s usually whenever Bree decides to be there. Or Thad.”
“Ah, I see,” she nodded.
“They’d be better folks to talk to. I’m not exactly... law anymore. Focusing on my Detective work and helping out this firm. And helping out Bill as an investigator as well.”
“It appears to be secured in their absence as I had just passed by and saw it dark,” she said and I nodded. “Try to get some rest... shouldn’t spread ya self too thin!”
“That’s the problem. Being law spreads me too thin,” I nodded, having heard that enough in the past few days. “Now I can help wherever it’s needed... without worry of jurisdiction.”
“Yes well that is indeed a large bed to both make and lie upon... no doubt. I admire you.”
“Glad someone does. Nice to hear after hearing that you’re terrible at your job all night long by someone who was once a close friend.”
“Speak with you at the morning meeting?”
“We’ll see.”
“What?!” she turned then. Whom had the gall to say that - and of which job were they criticizing?”
“It needed to be said I guess. Just didn’t sit all that well with me but now that I’ve had time to process... We’ll work it out.”
“It has soured as cabbage does to kraut no?” she scowled.
“I’ll be fine,” I shrugged.
“Well lady gal I realize that I am relatively new to town and all but I am quite privileged to call you friend. And mean that to the heart.”
“Thank you for your concern though, Meg. I’ll be okay... Just need some... coffee,” I smiled.
“Should you need to vent or speak or anything confidentially to an impartial audience - please don’t hesitate to call upon me.”
“Thank you hon. I will take you up on that.”
“I mean that Lady Trin...” Meg stepped out of the office, shaking her head.
After a while I walked outside and saw Alex riding into town. “Hey there sweetie...” He dismounted and gave me a hug and I hugged him tightly. “I needed that... Want to go to the cafe, dear?”
“Sure,” he nodded.
We walked over to the cafe and got coffee for ourselves. “I’ve been thinking...” I said when we were seated.
“Thinking? About what?”
“I want us to be partners. Detective partners,” I said and he raised an eyebrow. “If we work together then we don’t have to worry about jurisdiction, we don’t have to worry about stepping on anyones’ toes as law.”
“Pfft,” Alex sat back and crossed his arms.
“Honey, I know. Last night sucked..”
“I ain’t real happy with the law around here.”
“Then let’s work on helping the lawyers. And citizens that are too afraid to go to the law.”
“I’m starting to see the vigilantes side of things.”
“Alex...” I sighed. “I don’t like where your mindset is going...”
“Well, I don’t like being accused of starting something violent with law when I was acting in a very civilized manner. If I had violent intensions last night, he wouldn’t have been able to walk out of that office.”
“I know...”
“There’s a reason I’ve been a hermit these past few years. People are not to be trusted in any manner. Law or not.”
I reached out for his hand and asked, “You trust me, right...?” When he nodded I said, “Then let’s work together...”
“I love you for how frustrated you are over this. I’m sure you didn’t sleep at all...”
“But you want me to shut up an let it go..”
“No,” I shook my head. “I want you to fight it with justice, not with turning to the other side and working against the law.”
“I guess that’s what I’m supposed to do around here, keep my mouth shut.”
“Help me close cases... Apparently I suck at doing it alone.”
“See? That’s just what I mean,” Alex shook his head. “You don’t suck at it. No one has the right to make you feel like you do.”
“There are several cases open. He’s right about that and I need to work on that.”
“I don’t give a shit about that shiny piece of tin stuck to his chest.”
“Then we’ll talk to Bill. You can tell Bill how his sheriff treated me even though Bill was the one who got me into this mess in the first place. In fact, I had already intended to talk to him before the meeting but I think it would be a stronger statement coming from you. Will you do that, honey? For me?” I asked.
“I will,” he nodded.
“I don’t want you to feel like you’re just supposed to keep quiet...”
“Well, that’s what it feels like.”
“If we did work together as detectives... You know there are people like Lot or so that I couldn’t talk to directly. I would need you to have those conversations with them instead of me.”
We walked over to Bill’s office and found him standing there. I had already handed Alex his badge and we were already officially partners, so Bill agreed that we could be detectives and still be on the payroll. He told us about an office above Doll’s store and we walked over to check it out. It was perfect and we worked on furnishing it to our needs. We put our two desks adjacent each other and then put a big table in the middle of the room for meeting with clients. The master list and case files were locked in the cabinets in the corner, along with the gun cabinets. We hung up maps around the room of Arizona and a bookshelf along the other wall.
When the place was furnished, Alex wanted to catch up on case files so I walked outside to get some fresh air. It felt really good to have an office in town and to be able to focus on the thing that I loved doing most and still get paid for it.
Jules stood in the street and I greeted him with a smile. “Jules, hello.”
“I heard the news Trin.”
“We officially have an office here in town!”
“Congratulations!”
“Thank you so much! We’re pretty excited.”
“Very glad for you and for the town.”
“It allows us to investigate more without worry of jurisdiction.”
“A blessing to all concerned I pray.”
“Thank you, Jules. We will need it. Sometimes those who know too much are the ones in the most danger.”
“Amen.”
“How are you doing?”
“Well I have some travel today. Only in town for a short while. Railroad business.”
“Right, of course.”
“I am considering an opening in the church as clergy.”
“You should. Did you want me to show you the memorial for Cym and Kaly?”
“Yes, please.”
“Walk with me,” I said and we headed over to the gardens. “Here we are.” I sighed, knowing these two stones were still connected somehow. “If you wipe the dust off the stone you can read about them.”
“I am familiar with Cymbal Vyper nee Constantine, but who in the world is or was Kaly?”
“Kaly was a past mayor... Right before Bill.”
He read the stones and said, “Jo told me about the accident.”
“Did she... What did she tell you? I’ve been looking into this.”
“We have spoken into the night. I hope I have been a comfort to her. There was an accident... the roof caved in. Her mother Cym was involved and got trapped,” he told me and I nodded. “She gets very... Weepy in spirit when she tells this.”
“Understandingly so.”
“Her mother should be alive and kicking if it were not for that accident,” he said and then turned to read over the stone for Kaly.
“We still don’t know what happened to her...”
“That is a shame.”
“We believe it is tied to something with the Regulators but those details are still coming together.”
“Some day many years from now will they remember even the tallest of pillars. Ecclesiastes puts it this way. Vanity, a blowing in the wind,” he looked heavenward and I smiled as he spoke about Scripture. “Meaningless! Meaningless! says the teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless! Those are the first words of Solomon.”
“Yes...”
“Son of David, in his book about earthly wisdom.”
“There is also nothing new under the sun,” I quoted.
“Yes Trin, it’s all the same.”
“Answers will come soon... I feel it. We just have to keep digging.”
“Sorry Trin, what in particular would you be referring to?”
“This case... We started it at the end of last month, looking into what happened with Cym and Kaly. Gosh, has it only been a month?”
“Have you talked to Jo, Trin? Sorry, I knew it was a silly question the second it came out of my mouth.”
I shook my head and said, “I’ve been letting her settle in... I didn’t want to upset her about her mother’s death as she just arrived in town...” The truth was though, that Matt had strictly told me not to talk to her and I still didn’t know why.
“I am glad there are markers here. I know she has been away at school in London, but not sure when she got home. Funny, we haven’t talked about that.”
“Maybe you could help me Jules... I know she’ll talk to you...”
“Being as how I just got here myself I just assumed it had been years since she was back. You know I would be glad to help.”
“I don’t want to trouble her myself but if you and her have already brought it up, maybe you could gather information for me? If she remembers anything...”
“About her mothers untimely demise?” he asked and I nodded. “I shall gently approach the subject but I would like to be totally honest with her and in my own way tell her you were asking. Would you be okay with that? She may ask why you want to know.”
“Of course. Whatever works for you and her... but any information about it you could gain would be helpful. You don’t have to tell her it’s for me, just...”
“What should I say? She’s as smart as a whip.”
“We’d like to get to the bottom of it. We’ve been working the case as Detectives... We want to close the case of a past mayor and beacon in this town. You could give her the answer of, ‘Perhaps some closure would be helpful.’”
“That may be a good approach,” he nodded.
“Let me know what you come up with.. You know where my office is now. We’re working on getting a mailbox so you can drop a note for us if we’re not in.”
“Okydokie Trin. Got it.”
“I very much appreciate this, Jules.”
“Well thank you for shoeing me the marker for Cymbals predecessor. This was news to me.”
“It’s important to know where these things are,” I nodded. “I should get back to the office and then I need to prepare for my performance in Venice at 12.”
“May I ask you a question about protection?”
“Sure.”
“When there are ill-intentioned folks coming to steal... Being a man of God I am unarmed. I am compelled to surrender. This leaves me at a loss on how to protect others. Any suggestions?”
“You can always hide in the church... Then find a way to report it to he authorities... You could be a witness instead of a victim.”
“Okay Trin, I’ll let you go. Thank you.”
“Take care, Jules,” I smiled and headed up to the office.
***
This afternoon I performed in Venice and played to a packed room. Everyone was enthusiastic and loved the music, thanking me for touching them with the songs that I chose to play. I saw Lot walk in and asked if he was still curious about the case investigating the calvary payroll and he said that we should talk later.
I headed back to town and saw Matt and Abby standing in the street talking. I decided to take the high road and be friendly in spite of how Matt had made me feel last night. I had heard news that they had had their babies but hadn’t talked to them directly yet.
“Hello, you two! How’s the happy new parents?”
“Good afternoon Trin! We are very well thank you!” Abby smiled, waving.
“Howdy Trin,” Matt smiled proudly, tipping his hat.
“So glad to hear it,” I smiled, looking at Matt, “Sheriff.. Don’t know if you heard but Alex and I have opened up a Detective office here in town. We’re at your service should you need our investigative assistance.”
“I think that is great news,” he smiled.
“It is fantastic news!” I nodded in agreement.
“That is wonderful news, Trin!” Abby smiled.
“It’s what I’ve wanted from the beginning.... and I’m sorry about words spoken last night but it was the wake up call I needed, I suppose. If you want to go over my case closure rate sometime, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
“Trin... no apologies are needed. If we cannot be frank with each other, then it is not a good friendship, don’t you think?” Matt smiled.
“I agree,” I nodded. “And I’d love to sit down with you when the babies are asleep and you’re not too busy. Did you have boys? Girls?”
“Two boys, Matthias and Victor,” Abby smiled.
“That’s wonderful! And they’re healthy?”
“They are very healthy,” Abby smiled.
“I’m so glad to hear it.” I exhaled, feeling a thousand weights lifted off my shoulders.
“Tiny, but healthy,” Abby smiled.
“Well Abby, they’re supposed to be tiny.”
“A and they were double blesses last night.. Apache friends of Abby were present during the birthing,” Matt added.
“Oh that’s perfect with your heritage especially, Matt,” I smiled.
“Well,” he smiled. “Not quite heritage, but past. Good and bad.”
“Of course... You and me both.”
“Working on making it more good than bad,” Abby smiled.
“I was just on my way to the office to finish off some files, but you should come up and see it sometime when you’re not busy.”
“Oh yes we will Trin, have you got everything you need for in there?” Abby asked.
“That will be good, Trin.. look forward to see it.. saw the sign... above the shop of Miss Doll.. very good location,” Matt nodded.
“It all came together very well. And Alex has a badge now.”
“Oh good, if you need furnishings let me know, there is a good wood worker in the area,” Abby smiled.
“Oh? Is he now a Pinkerton Detective?” Matt asked.
“Thank you, hon. That’s great. And yes, Matt, he is. Adrian gave me that authority a while ago to hire the help I would need. A man named Tony Costello also approached me about the position. So if you hear of him, he’s doing a sort of trial run for us to see how he does.”
“That is wonderful Trin! Amazing how things work out for the best sometimes,” Abby smiled.
“Excellent.. hope that he keeps his wits, Trin.. did you talk with him last night about his behavior?” Matt asked.
“Yes, Matt I did. With the authority he now holds we will be both be acting professionally from now on. You and I had a lot of air to clear on a personal level as well. I think it’s the personal stuff he reacted to more.”
Matt looked at Abby and said, “Sorry, love.. but I wanted to make sure that Trin understand what you and I have discussed.. that it is not good for you to get in the middle when I am working with someone... it may escalate the situation unnecessarily.. and that is never good.”
“I understand,” I nodded. “As long as you understand, Sheriff, that as my partner Alex will have just as much authority as I do to investigate cases in the same manner I do.”
“Ohh yes, I know when to stand back and just listen,” Abby nodded.
“And I’m sorry for not respecting that, Abby. I’ve learned my lesson.”
“Right Trin,” Matt nodded. “Always keep the law involved because our goal is to bring justice.”
“It’s okay Trin, “Abby smiled. “Things happen sometimes and if we learn from them then it was all worth it in the end, no harm done.”
“Of course. Justice is our main goal as well.”
“We need cases to have sufficient evidence to get the person out of the streets.”
“I will always discuss things with Ryker as well as with you. But if one of you isn’t here I’ll instruct the other to inform... the other.”
“Thank you, that will be good.”
“The two cases that I have open... The one about Kaly/Cym... We have a lot to discuss. But there was something else I wanted to ask you about. We can do that when we can sit down and chat?” I looked at him.
“Well.. we can do that now.. I do not know if you realize, but Abby is also one of my main assets.”
“I just didn’t want to step on any toes or speak business where I shouldn’t. I’d rather discuss it in the office though. I didn’t want to keep you from your children either.”
“Let’s come to my office then to be away from the street.. the babies are sleeping there,” Matt said.
“Unless you want to see upstairs in our place? Where the case files are?” I winked.
“They are sleeping and Maria is with them,” Abby smiled.
“Very good,” Matt took Abby’s hand. “Let’s see your place.”
I led the way upstairs and said, “Here we are.” I went to the cabinets and pulled out the case files and then went to the table. “Make yourself at home.”
“Trin.. this is very spacious.. very nice,” Matt helped Abby sit down, chuckling at the scroll on the table. It was about how to be a proper gentleman and I couldn’t resist setting it out, though I wasn’t sure if Alex had noticed it or not.
“I thought you’d enjoy seeing that scroll. Can’t remember where I dug it up from,” I chuckled, seeing Matt’s reaction. “I was going over my case list and realized that there aren’t actually that many still open, as we thought,” I started.
“Good,” Matt smiled at me.
“I can go over the list if you like but... I counted seventeen cases that have been closed because of arrests, or because Adrian took their warrants down.”
“Why would Mayor Wise take the warrants down?”
“I have no idea,” I shrugged. “At any rate... there was two cases left open. That of Cym/Kaly’s disappearance which we are all working on still... And another one that you approached me about back in August. I don’t know if you remember but you wanted to look into the undertakers’ activity, and whether the bodies they buried were stolen or murdered...?”
“Yes, I remember,” Matt nodded.
“I had a discussion with Angi and she handed me the list of clients that she’d buried... Which I gave to you if I recall correctly? We never did follow up on it and I was curious if you wanted to pursue that investigation still.”
“At this moment... no... there is no need to follow it... things have calmed down since the disappearance of Gabe and Ali... and...” Matt said as he lit a cigar. “I had a very direct talk with her.. this was after she was targeted by Blackfoot and his woman, Chrissie.”
“Okay...”
“This is very confidential, Trin...”
“Of the utmost,” I nodded.
“When Blackfoot killed Ace .. it was an all out war... and the US Marshal talked with me about the situation.. This is a very gray area that it was judicious in my opinion to follow. The US Marshal said that if they see them going at each other throats, that she would side with the birds... lesser of both evils... because at least in Diamond, Serenity has kept her side of the bargain.”
“So you’ve been making sure that Serenity keeps things on a calm level?”
“After thinking it over, I agreed with the Marshal and I went directly to talk with Serenity... we had a very frank and honest discussion,” he nodded. “In essence... I reestablished the agreement that the previous Sheriff had with her..... with very clear communications. And so far.. she has done a turn around... becoming more involved in the town... and helping clean the trash when it needs cleaning.”
“That’s fantastic to hear.”
“There is a bit more... and is one of the reasons why Serenity is now treasured if you will by the Mayor and his wife. I assumed that you know that Miss Josie, the niece of the Mayor, have set business in town.. Also, I do not know how to say it correctly, she is a bit touched in the head... that boarding school in England did not help much,” he continued. I resisted the urge to chuckle and just nodded with a smile, understanding. “But one thing is... Miss Josie has shown a penchant for blood and dead things. So.. I put two and two together.. and asked Miss Serenity to take Miss Josie as apprentice.... to channel her emotions.”
“That’s wise,” I nodded. “So it’s good, it gives Serenity and Jo both something to do... I understand why you didn’t want me to approach her directly.”
“Right, Trin.. it is a very delicate position... I am letting Josie get used to the town, being with Serenity will help and well... makes Miss April happy.. and I fill my responsibilities to protect her... as requested by Bill.. even that he did not have to say it.”
“I understand that. If I could insert a part here in my own investigation about Jo’s mother?” I asked. When Matt nodded I said, “Seeing as I know that I need to hear something from Jo, but can’t approach her... I discussed with Jules the possibility of him asking her what she remembers from letters or the like. Jules and her have become quite close, see, and he’s promised to just ask as a casual manner, in the sense that talking about it will bring her closure. Without mentioning the fact that it’s an investigation. Jo trusts Jules... or at least I would think so after they spent time at the ball together as he told me. She would open up to him, I’m sure. We need to get to the bottom of this, Sheriff. We know that EYE is one of the remaining Regulators left, and he was one of the ones who held up the saloon, as Bill recognized his voice. I hate to break it to you, Sheriff, but Serenity’s name was mentioned as one of the others with him. Thad revealed some old warrants and recognized the face. You may want to speak with him.”
“Then we will have him in custody, Trin.. and if he does not show up in court, we can set the bounty hunters for him,” he said and then shook his head. “No.. that is not possible... Thad was dozing.”
“I thought it was crazy too, but I wanted to bring it to you in the interest of full disclosure. He also mentioned the names Jack and Sera. At any rate we need to discover who those other members were. It’s possible Thad had too much to drink.. He’s known to do that sort of thing. The main point though... whoever they were, Sheriff... EYE is back. Bill confirmed that from his voice. The Regulators are indeed back and active and Bill is worried.”
“Agree with the possible connection with Eye.. and I will tell you why.”
“I’m listening.”
“He lost his mask a couple times and I saw his face and recognized him,” Abby smiled to me.
“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow.
“You knew EYE back when he was... around more?”
“When I caught him at the edge of town... Mac was with me .. and we gave him an appropriate welcome to town after he returned the necklace of Nora willingly. Seriously, Trin... Mac and I gave him a beating that it was a miracle that he made it to Tombstone clinic.”
“I bet you did... But Abby... You knew him back when he was around more? With the Regulators?”
“What I figured out after seen the ‘enthusiasms’ of Mac was the Wild Bunch fought against the Regulators... before they were Wild Bunch.”
“No I didn’t know him then but I have seen him around town with bill lately, and actually bill introduced us when Eye got back to town,” Abby shook her head.
“I recall that from mine and Alex’s research in the library of the Regulators,” I nodded and smiled at Abby. “The more people that know his voice the better , especially if he persists with disguises.”
“I have evidence that the leader of the Wild Bunch, Mr. Lot.. when he was a Ranger, he killed the leaders of the Regulators... and since then, him and all the ex-rangers that belong to the Wild Bunch have been keeping the Regulators under the gun.”
“Ohh someone else for you two to talk to is Jackson Menkes,” said Abby.
I nodded to Matt, already knowing that information. “That is what my source came to tell me at the saloon that night. That Jakob Despres, who was a leader of the gang, was hanged by Lot... Who was also a close friend of mine back in Colorado when we worked in law together. Another interesting point I wanted to tell you... When we explored Old Diamond... There was an ancient wanted poster hanging up of Johnny Ringo, but beside him was one for Sniper Carter. Sniper, being an active member in Lot’s Wild Bunch gang as well.”
“Well.. he was not hanged.. I will have to check my notes.... but at least two of the leaders.. the Rangers just cut their throats and let them rot hanging from a fence.. in front of their wives,” Matt said.
“That’s just about as brutal...” I shook my head for Despres’ sake, then moved on from the sentiment. “This Sniper connection was interesting though.”
“Oh Sniper! Yes, a good man he is...and a friend,” Abby nodded.
“If in fact Johnny Ringo and Sniper Carter were both ‘wanted’ around the same time...” I started.
“That was justice in those times,” Matt shrugged. “Sorry to not feel anything, but I was at war at that time... hunting Apache.”
“Sniper could know something. Despres was a good friend, but life goes on,” I looked at Matt.
Abby laughed and said, “Good luck with that Trin, Sniper doesn’t remember much usually and when he does, he doesn’t give the info cheap or easy.”
“And Johnny Ringo is probably alive if he has not been shot in a bar or died drunk in an alley... that’s according to his former wife,” Matt added.
“So where do we turn next then? Sniper was my last lead. Other than waiting for information from Jules,” I asked.
“You see, Trin...I saw the posters as well.. but what trigger my interest was that Jamie noticed that the picture of Ringo looked like Mayor Wise...”
I nodded and said, “That was a grave realization for us as well.”
“Trin, I know Sniper well enough to know not to just approach him wanting something, in order to talk to him you have to be very very careful cause he wont just threaten you, he will kill you then send out threats,” said Abby.
“I am well aware... I’ve known him since I knew Despres. That’s why I had my source, who is close with the gang, gather information for us,” I nodded to Abby.
“Now.. that part of the investigation is closed because Ringo’s former wife gave me evidence that Ringo is NOT Mr. Wise,” Matt said.
“What kind of evidence?” I looked to him.
“Love.. sorry.. but I have to show her,” Matt blushed and looked at Abby. I raised an eyebrow, curious, and Matt pulled the file from his vest and took the picture out.
“It’s okay, love. I think she can keep it quiet.”
Matt put the picture on the table and I blinked at the two mostly-naked people in the picture. “You see.. that is Ringo.. and the woman is his former wife.. Lady Gigi,” Matt informed me.
“Gigi?!?!” I almost fell off my chair, remembering the woman from Amiville. “Sean and Gigi Stuart... That Gigi?!?”
“Sean?” Abby looked at me, confused. “Lady Gigi, Trin.”
“I only know her as Gigi.. I had to get conduit from Miss Serenity to get an introduction.. she was a former.. well.. still is.. Madame,” Matt said.
“Oh I know that well...” I shook my head in awe. “The man... That’s...”
“Nim and Serenity cautioned me to thread careful,” Matt said then nodded. “Yep... that’s Ringo.”
“Not Adrian...” I said, looking closer to the man’s face.
“Not at all,” Matt chuckled. “And Lady Gigi said that she saw one time Adrian in his boxer shorts... and .. she ran away like a crazed woman.”
“That’s pretty damning evidence, Sheriff,” I chuckled.
“You see? That’s why that part of the investigation had to be closed,” Matt said and picked up the picture.
“Okay... No more Adrian involved then...” I said and he nodded, blushing. “That’s a relief. Johnny Ringo must still be at large though, unless he was killed, as you say. Any way to substantiate that?”
“Besides the words of Lady Gigi? Nothing more.”
“How long ago was this picture taken?”
“Seems to be a couple of years at least. We suffer for lack of written records, Trin.”
I shook my head and said, “So we focus on Eye. And Lot’s involvement somehow with the Regulators which led to his violent actions and now his seemingly uncaring attitude towards his sister’s disappearance. Which I can’t get directly because the man won’t tell me information like that. However... There may be another way...” I looked at Matt pensively.
“We now have to rely on the memories of old folks... and when to get the memories you need to rely on whiskey.. any clues are suspect.”
“There was a case brought up at the ladies’ society trial, if you recall.. About the calvary payroll.”
“The is one thing that you may need to know... again.. under confidential status,” Matt said. “Josie remembers that Cym had affairs with an outlaw.. and Lady Gigi confirmed it.. more like a lover’s quarrel.. and possible reason why Josie’s Dad died drunk.”
I raised an eyebrow and asked, “An outlaw from the Regulators gang...?”
“Seems like it.. that’s why when I mentioned that Sam and Carl were beheaded, Miss Josie had a very violent reaction.. that’s when I had to stop Abby from escalating the situation.”
“The plot thickens,” I nodded, understanding.
“Indeed, Trin.. and that’s why I was a hard ass on you.. I think that we get more information when we are discrete... let them bring the information to you.”
“I understand. Hopefully Jules will tell us something, otherwise I will just watch and listen carefully,” I nodded. “Perhaps I shouldn’t pursue this investigation for Lot...”
“Here, Trin.. treat this with discretion,” Matt held me a sheet of paper. “This is my write up of an interviewed.. well.. a visit to Miss Josie. As you can see.. I am putting hypothesis together.. just to see where they may lead.. nothing concrete. Also. this visit was before I met with Lady Gigi.. so all the questions about Ringo are basically answered.”
“Fair enough. I will read it over this evening. Thank you, Sheriff. You seem to know most of what we have discovered on our end.”
Matt extended a hand to me and said, “Trin.. welcome back.”
I smiled and shook his hand firmly. “Thank you, Sheriff. It’s good to be back. Are you aware if Bubba is still involved?”
“Regarding Bubba.. that’s something that you can fill me in when you have time... I know him from when we took Ken Phelps in Bisbee.. but had not had a talk face to face with him since.”
“Alright. We’ll have that discussion another time but the short version is that he was somewhat leading the group when Carl and Sam did things without his knowledge.”
“Now that’s interesting,” he nodded.
“I should let you both be on your way. I do so appreciate you coming in and talking... It’s fantastic to be able to do this again.”
“You’re very welcome,” Matt smiled.
“We will talk more another time, Sheriff?” I asked as we stood. “And I want to meet those babies soon too!”
“Oh you will, Trin,” Abby smiled as I took the files and brought them to the cabinet, locking it.
We said goodbye and I spent the rest of the evening working on journals. James came up to the office and asked for help on a case regarding V setting arson to the bank, and he needed advice as they didn’t have much evidence. I suggested he talk to Bill to get more understandable testimony from Thad, and also to use Matt as a witness as he was the arresting officer.
As I closed the file from yesterday, I took a deep breath. I was relieved at how everything had worked out and as I looked around the office and smiled widely. We were finally home and it felt great to be working with the man I loved.
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