Black Diamond.
I walked down the street this afternoon and checked the mailbox at the office and found it empty. Walking into the saloon, I poured myself a coffee and then headed to the courthouse, hoping there would be a transcript from the trial yesterday in the records’ room. I searched through the cabinets and found the report. Smiling, I sat down and read the summary of information. I smiled even more when I saw the verdict of “guilty” at the top of the page.
Continuing to read the first witnesses’ testimony for the prosecution in the form of a report, I noticed that Eye knew Nora’s name well. I wondered at that, and made a note of it. I also made a note at the fact that Eye’s last name was “Abbye”, as Matt mentioned in his testimony. I remembered how when we investigated the robbery, everyone had told me, including Bill, that the three suspects had bandannas over their faces. I wondered how, at the trial, everyone seemed to know exactly who Eye was at the ball, though Bill probably would have spread the word since then. As I read April’s testimony, I wondered why she seemed to think that the jewels were still out in the desert somewhere, when I’d heard that Kris had returned the bags of jewelry he’d received from the theft. I also noted that Eye had been April’s friend, and wondered about that connection. As I read Eye’s defense from the stand, I shook my head at the fact that he basically admitted to the robbery, and the whole case was based on the fact that he’d repented and returned the jewelry, and that Matt and Mac had beaten him to get the necklace back. I remembered Matt telling me about the incident and nodded that his account sounded about accurate, but it didn’t change the fact he was guilty of robbery.
I finished reading the file and put it back into the cabinet, standing to walk outside. I went to the saloon and found Lil and a man I didn’t know sitting in the corner. “Hey there, Lil, Sir,” I greeted them. “Glad to see you’re alright, Lil. Was hearing some nasty things had happened.”
“Oh it did,” Lil nodded.
“I’d love to be an ear if you don’t mind telling me again. Though I’m sure you’ve told the story countless times already...”
“That Eye took me off to some place far away,” she said.
“Don’t mean to interrupt if you and this gentlemen are busy though,” I looked at him.
“Nah it’s ok Ma’am, no worries,” he shook his head.
“He was asking me about it also,” Lil said.
“Ain’t sure she wants ta tell it round me. I will leave ya two ta chat.”
“I don’t mind if you want to tell us both,” I looked at her. “You know about my ongoing investigation of Eye and his compatriots.”
“Yes,” she nodded. “He can listen. I don’t mind.”
“Any information I can gather will help the law in hopefully preventing repeat performances,” I smiled to them.
“I can’t tell you where he took m. He had me blindfolded and tied. I was put in some kind of cell or cage.”
“Lil, how did he manage to kidnap you? Was he working alone?” I asked.
“He told me I was never gonna tell who he was again.”
“But you recognized his voice I’m sure?”
“Oh, I saw him in here.”
“Did you hear other voices or was it just him that kidnapped you?”
“I saw him come in and I dropped down behind the bar. There was two other voices.”
“Like at the robbery...” I nodded.
“I didn’t know them. He left me and brought someone in.”
“See I was reading over the trial transcripts. I thought that at the robbery the three had been covered or something... not recognizable,” I said. “And yet at the court everyone seemed to know it had been him.”
“He didn’t have his face covered. The other did.”
“Oh, I see. This time when they kidnapped you though...?”
“He looked familiar, I just couldn’t remember where I knew him from.”
“Keep going,” I smiled and prompted.
“I heard other voices when he put me in the cage, or cell.”
“Similar to those at the robbery?”
“Then he left, but sent someone to watch me. Was a man. The ropes were cutting into my hands. I asked him to loosen them a bit. When he did, I kneed him hard between his legs and ran.”
“That sounds like the same as what I went through,” Thad said.
“I didn’t think to check for landmarks, I just ran,” she said.
I smiled, “Good for you... The main point was to get out of there.”
“Well ya was bound ta be scared,” the man put in. “I’m real glad ya got away.”
“More mad than scared,” Lil said and I nodded, knowing her well enough after all these years.
“‘Cause I had taken off my guns to heal someone and forgot to put them back on. Was a stupid mistake on my part.”
“You reported it to local law here I assume...”
“Matty was here when I was taken. And Jack got piston-whipped.”
“Good... He wasn’t able to help avoid it?”
“And I was here too,” Thad said.
“Jack?” I looked at her curiously. “Which Jack would that be?”
“Me ma’am,” the man smiled. “Hit me with his revolver.”
“Jack Kelly,” Lil nodded to him.
“Oh, sorry, we haven’t been introduced. I’m Detective Trin Paige,” I said to him.
“Nice ta meet ya Ma’am.”
“What about Matty?” I asked.
“There was to many women in here to try shooting, Trin,” Lil said.
“This happened right before the dance Friday, right?” I clarified.
“Matty dropped his guns,” Lil said.
“Dropped his guns?” I shook my head with a sigh.
“Eye had the drop on them,” Jack put in.
“He was ordered to. That to me was smart,” Lil said.
“Eye was already drawn and ordered ‘em lower their guns,” Jack said.
“No one there was able to back him up I guess...”
“No ma’am,” Lil shook her head.
“I bet he’s furious,” I thought, realizing how upset Matt would be.
“I haven’t talked to him yet,” Lil said.
“I read the transcripts from the trial and I could tell from the notes Cora’d made that he had a hard time holding in his anger... I thought it was just over Nora having been robbed from... But now I realize it was a combined anger most likely.”
“That Eye is a very dangerous man,” Lil said.
“I think he’s the devil’s spawn,” Jack agreed.
“So it would seem...” I nodded. “I wish I knew who his compatriots are...”
“I was kidnapped just a few days ago,” Lil said. “Because I finally realized who he was and told Matty.”
“He attacked me bout twenty minutes ago,” Jack put in. “Again.”
“He was in town twenty minutes ago?!” I looked at Jack.
“No....this was in Bisbee.”
“In Bisbee...” I sighed.
“He kidnapped Thad yesterday too,” Jack said then.
I turned to look at Thad and asked, “He did?”
“Yes, I treated him when he got back to town,” Lil said.
“Jo she needs to know bout them cards too,” Jack said.”
“Who does?” Jo asked.
“Trin does.”
“Cards?” I looked at them, confused.
Jack nodded and looked over, “Come over here Thad an Jo. Let’s tell her what we know. Lil, go on. I’m sorry.”
“Would be helpful... The more information I can gather the better,” I smiled.
“Yeah I got a card left in front of the general store.. Ace of Spades,” Jo threw the card on the table. “Here, you can keep it.”
“This is news...” I looked at the card on the table.
“While he was talking to me he said I knew too much about him,” Lil said.
“I don’t want it,” Jo said about the card. “You can have it. Eye won’t hurt me.”
“I don’t want it either,” I said, knowing if I had one of those cards, I would quickly become a target.
Lil looked at me and said, “I know who he is but I have no idea what it is I am to know, other than he was a Regulator.”
“Exactly,” Jo said. “Which is my family, which is why he will not hurt me. He told me as much.”
“You talked ta him?” Jack asked.
“Yeah I had a chance meeting with him before I knew who he was. In Black Diamond.”
“Really...?” I looked to Jo.
“But he knew who I was.”
Lil held out her wrists to show the rope burns and I looked at them, nodding. “I’m sorry that had to happen, Lil.”
“These cards...” I started. The Ace of spades was the only one left? No note on them or anything?”
“I have the Ace card,” Thad said.
“Anyone who gets kidnapped has a card?” I looked between Lil and Thad.
“I didn’t get one. I ran away,” Lil said and then excused herself, going to take care of some other business in town.
“Any messages written on it?” I looked over at Thad and he put it on the table. “Can you turn it over for me? I want to see the back.” I blinked, seeing the Regulators’ word on the card, and shook my head with a sigh. I took in all the details so that I could draw a card similar to show Alex and the Matt later.
“Not good,” Jack said.
“Not good at all, Jack. I need to find a lawman... Soon,” I stood then.
“So what do I do?” Thad asked.
“Keep the card, Thad. Report the kidnapping to the law office. Fill out a witness report and tell them what happened.”
“I did. Matty’s going to look into it, I hope.”
“Good Thad, then there’s nothing else you can do.”
“Oh Ma’am, one more thing. It’s suspected that he has some connection with an old man Name a Frankie.”
“Frankie?” I looked at Jack.
“Yep, little guy, old, glasses, wears a sombrero, rides a mule,” he said and I cringed a bit, hoping it wasn’t going to be Punk in another one of his disguises.
“I need to go and find the Sheriff... Thank you, boys,” I said goodbye to them then and headed to the office, working on report notes and made a couple of extra copies for the sheriff’s documents as well. I wrote out a timeline of all we knew and went to drop it in the sheriff’s mailbox so we would all be on the same page. Then I headed back to the office.
***
After working for a couple of hours, I heard the door open downstairs and looked over to see Alex walking up into the office. I smiled widely and stood to go give him a hug. He kissed me and I kissed him, “Hey darling... How are you?”
“Very well now that I’m here. And you, love?” he smiled.
“It’s been a very interesting day... I have something to show you but you might want to be seated for it...”
He gave me a concerned look and went to sit at his desk and went to my drawer, retrieving the card that I’d made as a replica of the ones Lil and Thad had received. I set it on his desk and he asked, “Where did you get this?”
“I made it actually after seeing the one that Thad showed me... I came back and drew the logo and everything from what I remembered on the card, front and back... Hon... Eye kidnapped Thad this weekend and gave him that card.”
“Good thinking,” he looked at the front and the back of the card. “Thad got away okay?”
“He also kidnapped Lil... right before the dance on Friday night. Matty had no choice but to drop his guns and no one else was there to back him up. Or so Jack Kelly told me the story went.”
“Wow,” he nodded. “Do we know his motivation?”
“I was talking with Thad, Jack and Lil in the saloon earlier... Lil escaped somehow... Thad got back okay without having to escape, somehow... I bet you this card was a big motivation.. To tell people they’re here. Here’s the thing, Alex... And this is even more serious...”
“Yeah?”
“Jo was there too. Talking with us. She said that Eye would never hurt her because she had a chance meeting with him before she knew who he was in Diamond apparently... and he knew who she was. I didn’t even ask her any questions, she just gave that information up willingly.”
“Interesting. What do you think we should do?”
“He knew who she was, Alex... How? I mean she wasn’t alive back when the original gang was... Her mother and Kaly might have been but... Alex...” I looked at him pensively and he raised his eyebrows. “I’ve been putting together a timeline of our investigation...” I handed him a copy. “Alex, Lot killed a couple of the Regulator leaders. Kaly was Lot’s brother. Eye, a Regulator, knew who Jo was. Probably because he knew her mother, who Bill said back at the beginning might have taken Kaly, remember?”
“Yes,” Alex nodded solemnly.
“I forgot a part from today as well... I got another name. Some old guy named Frankie. Whom Eye’s connected with, though it’s the first time I’m hearing that name.”
“We should talk with him, see if we can get a little more info there.”
“Alex...” I blinked, realizing something. “Why wouldn’t they go after Jo? Why is she suddenly untouchable?”
“Um...” he raised his eyebrows.
“Yeah, exactly. Let’s go out and see if we can find this Frankie guy.”
We headed downstairs and decided to head to the saloon. We saw an old man wearing a sombrero sitting at the counter and went in to greet him. I stood back, letting Alex take the lead, and he introduced us to the man. The man said his name was Frankie and I smiled, thinking that search was easier than I’d thought it would be.
“New in town, Frankie? Haven’t seen you before,” I commented.
“Oh not too new...jes used ta didn’t come ta town much. Ya know minin, trappin, an what not.”
“You sound like a busy man,” I nodded.
“Eh not sa much these days, my ol bones is a givin plum out,” he laughed and picked up his beer again.
I reached for my flask and offered it to Alex, as he offered me a beer. “Trin, you want one?”
“Whiskey, darlin’. I filled it up earlier.”
“I’ll stick with beer, thanks,” he chuckled.
“To each their own. You men and your beer...” I chuckled and Alex clinked his mug against my flask.
“Dalin eh? ya all sweethearts an sech?” Frankie asked.
“You could say that, yep,” I nodded.
“Yes sir,” Alex agreed.
“Young love...reckon I knowed sumthin bout that summers round sixty year er so ago,” Frankie said and I blushed a bit at that.
“So Frankie, you been in town the past few days?” Alex asked.
“Yup I been round lately,” he nodded.
“Lots of craziness goin’ on,” I said.
“Oh is they? Well I saw a feller skippin in circles afore. Reckon he’s a might touched in the head.”
“Yeah, possibly,” Alex nodded.
“Skippin in circle?” I asked.
“Yep, growed man skippin bout in a circle,” Frankie said and I chuckled, drinking my whiskey. “Ifn he ain’t touched in the head he must be one tough hombre acting all sissy pants like it.”
“Catch any of the trial yesterday?” I asked casually.
“Nah, I don’t go ta them thangs. Folks a lyin bout other folks and them folks lyin back at em. too much money business fer me. And them lawyers an they fancy words. Cain’t understand half what them lawyers says and the rest ya cain’t believe.”
“Seems there’s been some... well not so nice folks ‘round.”
“Ya mean like oh say most of em round here?”
I chuckled and patted Alex on the knee. “Some of ‘em are nice...” He grinned at me and I just smiled back.
“A real cowboy wouldn’t put up with all these bone heads tryin a act tough. They oughta ta have met real men like John Coffee Hays and Bigfoot. Tough men, men worth they spit.”
“Well anything with the word ‘coffee’ in the title can’t be that bad...” I said and they both laughed.
“John Coffee were one a the best Rangers Texas ever seed. Not like these boys bout here.”
“Were you a ranger, Sir?” I asked.
“Reckon I was long back. That one feller Cletis....a ranger?”
“I know him,” I nodded.
“Scuse my words Ma’am but I cain’t see him a whippin the shit of his shirtail, much less a fightin a real outlaw,” Frankie said and we both laughed.
“So you were around a while back then... you’d know a few gangs in the area right? Back then?” I asked, knowing we needed to get all we could out of this man while we had him in good spirits.
“Hmmm reckon so. Fer what good my memory is these days. Hardly can remember where I shit last these days.”
“How about a gang called the Regulators?” I asked cautiously.
“Regulators...which uns...the real uns er them feller claims they is er was?”
“The real ones,” I smiled.
“Ya talkin bout Bill Cody an sech?”
“Bill Cody?” I asked.
“Yea.”
“How about a Jake Despres?”
“Jake Despres?” he turned and spit. I looked at Alex and he looked between me and Frankie. “That boy weren’t no regulator, he was a murderin fool.”
I told myself to put aside my personal feelings and said, “Tell me about what he did...”
“Now William Bonney, he was a Regulator.”
“Tell me more about Despres...” I shook my head.
“Why ya interested in him fer? Reckon he’s long dead. Think the Wild Bunch fellers did him in.”
I shot Alex a look, knowing we’d just struck gold. I looked back at Frankie and said, “He is long dead... I’m just... curious what got him to be as such.”
“Well fact that he was a hot head most likely,” he said and I nodded, remembering that. “Oughtta be dead.”
“Why? What was so bad that he did?”
“Ya see, there is sumthin many a these fellers don’t gits. A hot head with a gun is soon a dead man. takes a cool head to handle yaself. So that feller, what I recollect would pick a fight with anyone, law, citizen, didn’t matter he jes liked killin.”
“Sure does...” I nodded. “You think that’s what got Despres killed? His hot-headedness?”
“Sure it was his hot headedness, I cain’t think a anyone didn’t wanna kill im.”
I shook my head a bit and asked, “Why the Wild Bunch?”
“Well the Wild Bunch at least has outlaw code. Back then they got emselves real sick a that murderin Jake...went ta war with im and his buddies. Them weren’t no Regulators though. William Bonney and roll in his grave ya sayin they were.”
I shook my head and said, “Not what I heard. I heard he was a Regulator.”
“Well yeah, they called emselves it,” Frankie nodded. “Went round all like bigshots a sayin we’s them Regulators. Tossing cards down where ever they done things. Killed a feller, toss a card, rob a bank, toss a card.”
I blinked and looked at Alex knowingly. “A card?” Alex asked, catching my look.
“Yea, like a Jack Spades said Regerlators on it.”
“I need a whusky, mouths a dryin up,” Frankie said and Alex poured him some more whiskey.
“Keep going, you’ve got us intrigued now, right dear?” I asked Alex and he nodded.
“My tongue gonna stick ta my teeth and knock my taste buds out. Thank ya, right neighborly of ya.”
“So... You think Despres got caught up in something with the Wild Bunch? Like he killed one of there’s or somethin’?” I asked, getting back on topic.
“Ya jes like hearin history is it? Mebbe that was it, he pissed everone off outlaw, law, citizen.”
“But it must have been something special if that particular gang was goin’ after him.”
“Ya know he were crazed and a man ain’t last long when he thinks he invincible. Oh I’m sure him and his boys took on many a the Bunch. They’d shoot anybody.”
I remembered how Despres had been back in Colorado and nodded grimly. “But somethin’ must’ve triggered... that kind of reaction.”
“Do ya know Lot?” Frankie asked and I caught another glance from Alex, nodding to him. We were definitely on the right track with this interview.
I nodded and said, “Yeah, he runs the Crystal Palace over in Tombstone.”
“Yea, that’s right,” Frankie nodded then grew quiet.
“Well don’t stop there... What about him?” I prodded.
“Oh just wondered did ya know him’s all,” he said, looking worried suddenly.
“I’ve never met him,” Alex shrugged.
“He’s a solid lawyer. I would pay to be on any jury where he’s up defending someone,” I looked from Frankie to Alex.
“Lot?” Frankie asked.
“Mmhmm. He was the defendant for that ladies’ tea society trial... Called them out on the charge ‘cause they were sayin’ the girls were holding ten dollar bills. Those weren’t even in curculation yet. Was brilliant.”
“Like I said don’t know nuthin on them trials an lawyers,” Frankie said.
Lil walked in then and we heard Serenity running through Diamond shouting for a doctor to come to Allen Street where a few were wounded. I shook my head, knowing we’d lost Frankie’s attention. It wasn’t long before he finished his drink and said that we should just forget about Lot. I tried to bring the discussion back to Despres but he said goodnight then and headed out of the saloon.
Alex looked at me when we were alone and said, “I guess he wasn’t kidding when he said talking about Lot was off limits.”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “I should see if the sheriff is in...”
Alex shrugged and then yawned. “Well, babe, I’m going to head back to the house. I’ll meet you up there later.”
“Sure dear. See you in a bit.”
“Good luck,” Alex kissed me and I kissed him back, smiling as he headed out of the saloon.
I’d hardly noticed that Jo had walked into the saloon and turned over to see her knitting at the table. “Sorry Jo... Somewhat distracted tonight.”
“Hello, Miss Trin.”
“How are you tonight? What are you working on?”
“A pair of bears for Matty’s new boys.”
“Aww...” I walked over.
“Have you seen Whiskers? Erm.. Thad?”
I chuckled at the nickname and said, “Not since you and him were here earlier when we were talking to Lil.”
“He looked awfully sick earlier.”
“Well, he’d been through an ordeal I guess with the kidnapping.”
“He is worried about dying.”
“Is he...?”
“Yeah.”
“Well , I hope he lives a long happy life still... He’s quite the nice man.”
“Yes.. and he is teaching me how to use a gun.”
“Oh, nice! A good skill to have if used properly.”
“How is your hunting going? I hear you are out looking for clues,” she smirked.
I hesitated, knowing that Matt didn’t want me to divulge too much information to her and get on her bad side. I wondered if I could be friendly with her, maybe she would tell me something without even being asked for the information. “Well... We’ll see,” I chuckled finally. “Every time I think we get close we don’t get anywhere.”
“I see. So what are you trying to find out miss Trin?”
“Well... right now trying to find out more about this whole saloon robbery and kidnapping craziness going on,” I said somewhat evasively. “Would like that madness to stop.”
“Oh.. you mean Eye?”
“Yeah, reckon so from what I’m hearing. I missed the trial yesterday though. My mother and brother were in town.”
“One man should not be causing so much misery Miss Trin.”
“I agree.”
“He came into town the other evening after the trial. Walked about. Back and forth back and forth. I was sitting right there.. but he ignored me. I just watched him. Up the street down the street...”
“Sounds like he was scoping the place out almost.”
“I honestly didn’t have the nerve to confront him.”
“I don’t blame you for that.”
She looked at my gun and asked, “Why don’t you just shoot him and be done with it?”
“Where would the closure be in that?”
“Seems like it would be pretty closed to me.”
“That would just create more violence. No... I’m on a search for truth.”
“Sometimes that causes more misery than violence Miss Trin.”
“Sometimes,” I nodded knowingly.
“There are no regulators Miss Trin.. they are dead. They are in the ground.”
“Well something’s going on and I aim to figure it out.”
“Do you know how many of them were massacred that night?”
“That night?” I looked at her.
She looked around the saloon and said, “They were murdered.. I was there..with my grandpa. Murdered by the law .. in the compound.. shots flying all over I can remember the fires and the screams.”
“I’m so sorry, Jo...” I shook my head at that, letting her talk.
“Ma came and got me.. got out of there. I was sent to England right after but the next day they were all gone.. all of them.. nothing but ruins. Everything burned to the ground. My grandpa was shot. I remember him screaming and I was with him then and I didn’t want him to die.. and my mother took me away from him. Some people say some of the family got away but no-one knows. And I don’t know all that happened after that..”
“I’m sorry Jo... It’s hard when these things are never revealed... Makes it hard to move on, doesn’t it?”
“You don’t understand Miss Trin. When people talk over me like I am not here and talk about them.. a little spark of hope wells up in me. I can’t help that.”
“Hope?” I looked at her.
“Maybe someone is still alive. Why shouldn’t I feel that way?”
“Well... I’ll tell you something about myself...” I said as Jack Kelly came back into the saloon but I continued, wanting to establish a level of trust with Jo. “I watched my best friend get shot in front of me. He was shot cold blood and he was dragged off to a cave somewhere where a violent gang hung out, that proceeded to torment me. Fifteen years or so passed... I move to Tombstone... Who shows up stumbling into Bisbee with a beard and more hair than would make him recognizable? I couldn’t believe my eyes. He was alive all this time... My point is... You never know what’s gonna happen in life. Don’t give up hope. And I do understand. I never thought I’d see him again.”
“Yes,” she nodded. “You do know what I mean then. I know they are bad people. I know that to the core of my soul. But at the same time .. just like you.. I would like to know the truth too.”
“Of course... we all do.”
“Jack are you okay?” Jo asked Jack then.
“Yes’m, mostly my pride is hurt.”
“Your pride, sir?” I looked at Jack.
“Well yea, my pride.”
“What happened?”
“I ain’t a man accustomed ta a thump on the back a the head, and Eye’s done it twice.”
“Not you too...”
“We talked about it earlier, when ya was talkin’ ta Lil,” he reminded me.
“Oh right, sorry... Lot of information today, a lot to take in.”
“We all went looking for him Miss Trin,” Jo told me.
“Oh did you? And?”
“Nuthin’,” Jack sighed. “Just found the old timer but he was worthless ta talk to.”
“Frankie?” I guessed.
“Yea, old goat.”
“Just met him... Nice enough guy.”
“Says he don’t know Eye. I know he does.”
“I didn’t even get to that part of the conversation with him.”
“Oh?”
“Was mostly just tryin’ to get to know him,” I smiled.
“Maybe that will work, I asked him directly.”
“Reckon I should head to the office... I have a lot to go over.”
“Miss Trin? One more thing.”
“Yes, Jack?”
“Just so you know. Matty says the old timer visited Eye when he was in jail after his trial. Says the old man called Eye boss.”
“Oh really?”
“Yep, we had a long talk today and Matty said it,” he nodded.
“Well, I’ll have to chat with the Sheriff soon then. I left him a note earlier that we need to converse. Stay safe, you two. Will see you around tomorrow I’m sure.”
“It’s like a big puzzle.”
“No kidding,” I muttered.
Saying goodnight to them, I headed back to my office and worked on my journal and case files from today, overwhelmed by all the information that I had taken in today. The important fact that I would have to talk to the sheriff about tomorrow was, however, that Jo had admitted that her family was the Regulators and that she wanted to know the truth about what happened to them all. If some of them were still alive, and if that were the reason why Eye promised her that he wouldn’t hurt her... The possibilities were endless.
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