Black Diamond.
The sun shone brightly and I groaned, not wanting to get up. Yesterday had been a long day searching through the archives for robbery cases in Tombstone and Diamond. In the morning, I met a man named Sam, and remembered him from the case on the Regulators but didn’t say so. It was good to put a face to the name finally though. While I was at the library I talked with Timmie, who told me that he was hoping the adoption papers would go through so that Cora could be his mother. On my way from the library back to Diamond I ran into Timmie again and we talked about my horse and how I’d named it after the character from Sherlock Holmes. He had a friend with him and told me that his name was Millard, though everyone called him Mill. We talked for a bit and then I said goodbye to them and rode back home where I continued to dive into paperwork.
Getting up reluctantly, I got dressed and headed for town. I walked over to the saloon where I found Bill and Jules talking with each other. I waited until they were finished and asked Bill if his wife was around. He said she was still waking up so I waited for her to arrive as we continued to talk about the progress of the bank investigations case.
April walked over and I waved to her, “April, hello there! I was wondering if we can chat... It’s about Eye, so I’m not sure if we should be talking in private or not.”
“I think we’re okay here. There is no one around.”
“Alright... I was going over the trial report for Eye’s case on the weekend. I noticed that you said you and Eye had once been friends?”
“No, he had been friends with my sister Fuji.”
“Oh I see... When was that? A long time ago?”
“She always looked for the good in people, even the meanest baddest ones around. She found something good in them.”
Bill told us that he was heading to the house to prepare for the meeting and I turned back to April. “And she never had success finding the good in Eye? I was just curious about the friendship... Any information we can get on his personality is helpful.”
“More than two years ago. Jo’s mom was still alive and mayor.”
“Okay... What about you? Were you worried that your sister was friends with this guy?”
“I met him once or twice when I came to town. My sister Meg might know more. She was living with Bill and Fuji for a while when she ran away from our dad, but she went back.”
“Oh? Meg knew him too?”
“No, in all honesty Fuji had a way of bringing out the good side of people when they were around her. Just as someone who came to town. You can’t be around him and not know of him.”
“Did she ever talk to you about her interactions with Eye?”
“No, he never really came up in our conversation. Meg left to go back to Eastland.”
“Right...Maybe Meg and Fuji talked about him though. Where is Fuji now?”
“You can ask her when she gets back to town.”
“I plan to,” I smiled.
“She and a friend took the friend’s little boy to another town to visit a pumpkin patch or something like that. Guess the farmer grew pumpkins for Halloween and Thanksgiving.”
“That’s nice,” I smiled, then tried to get her back on topic. “Is Fuji still alive and in the area?”
“No, my sister died she was bitten by a poisonous snake back home when she went to visit our mom.”
“Oh I am sorry to hear that.”
“She’s the reason I am here. I promised her I would marry Bill and take care of him on her death bed. But I am lucky he is a good man and love grew.”
“This is very helpful though... I will see what I can dig up from talking with Meg. I should let you get to the meeting. I have a lot of paperwork to do or I would attend. I just can’t find the time for it right now. The sheriff has asked me to help with two other cases as well as the Regulators’ case.”
“Wonderful. Tomorrow the meeting will be at noon.”
“Mmhmm. I will see you later in the day, April. Thank you for coming to talk.”
We said goodbye and I called for Watson and rode to Tombstone, wondering what I could find out about the case involving Rikki.
Tombstone.
As I rode into Tombstone, I saw Glicea and Serenity sitting in front of Kate’s. I walked over to them and smiled, “Serenity, just the woman I’m looking for.”
“What’d I do now?” she tilted her head.
“Have a question to ask... Have you heard about what happened to Rikki in town the other day?”
“I heard somethin’ that she got beat up or the like,” Serenity said.
“Heard that old man bank teller fella in Diamond did it, but I could be wrong. All hear say.”
“Where did it happen?”
“Didn’t hear that much. Just that it did happen.”
“So she didn’t talk to you ‘bout it?”
“Naw,” she smirked. “I ain’t seen her in a bit. I’ve been busy with other things.”
“Fair enough,” I nodded. “Just thought you might be a fount of information on this one.”
“Sorry to disappoint ya, Trin,” she laughed. “I ain’t got all the answers today.”
“Worth a shot, eh?” I chuckled.
“Usually, I hear all, see most. It’s a good guess ta find out information.”
I nodded and looked at the woman sitting down, “Glicea, was it?”
“Yes.”
“You ain’t heard anything about this, have ya?”
“Nope, I ain’t seen Rikki in close to a week or so,” Glicea said.
“Hmm... If ya’ll hear about anything... I’ve got a mailbox on my office right over there.. You don’t even have to put down your name, can just tell me what ya heard and be anonymous. We’re trying to get down to the bottom of why this happened.”
“Reckon Rikki is a big girl and can take care of herself,” Glicea pointed out.
“Reckon if she could take care of herself, she wouldn’t have been beaten up so badly,” I countered.
“Hmmm.. did she come to you and file a complaint?” she asked.
“In a matter of speaking. Anyway, ya’ll know how to reach me if ya hear something. Stay safe, ladies,” I waved and walked away, but then had another thought and went back. I went to ask who she had heard about the incident from but she said that she wouldn’t give up names.
Black Diamond.
Back in Diamond, I sat in front of the bank and pulled out my notes, beginning to work on reports about bank robbery trials. I smiled when I saw Alex come over and kissed him with greeting.
“Let’s get these files up to the office, I’ll tell you about some new cases we’ve been assigned?” I asked, holding onto the files.
“Sure,” he nodded and took my hand.
We walked upstairs and sat down at the table. “Okay... trying to remember last we talked... Here, let me do it this way...” I reached for the case timeline on the Regulator’s case and handed him a copy. “I guess the only thing that’s new is that I talked with April this morning about knowing Eye.”
“Just reading that part now,” Alex nodded.
“I want to find Meg next time she’s in town and ask her about her friendship with Eye, or if she knows that much about him at all. Kinda wish Fuji were still around.”
“That’s a good place to start.”
“Also, Jules has decided to merely hold Jo’s confidence... So he’s not going to be much help as we thought. But, we got a lot out of Jo at the saloon the other night so I’m not worried about her opening up.”
“Well, at least we’ve got that.”
“I still think there’s something Frankie’s not telling us but I’m leaving that one up to you,” I winked.
Alex chuckled and said, “Next time I see him, I’ll buy him a glass of the good stuff.”
“Good man,” I smiled. “Now... the Sheriff has asked our assistance on two other cases as well.” I handed him the timeline about Rikki’s case.
“Two more? That’s great!”
“Mmhmm. I need you for this one... I don’t want to do too much asking around without you as I have no idea where this case is going to go,” I said as he read the file. “Interesting, right?”
“Very,” he nodded. “Something definitely fishy there.”
“I have no idea why she would bring up Thad’s name, when clearly he was at breakfast at the Sheriff’s house. I’d also love to know why she went to the sheriff in Diamond when the incident happened in Tombstone. She’s a Sheriff herself... She should know that Diamond law has no jurisdiction outside of Diamond.”
“Very odd,” Alex shook his head.
“I’d also love to know why she claimed it happened in the morning when Lil treated her around six and there was fresh blood.” I reached for the picture that I’d received from Matt. “She’s obviously lying about most of the incident.”
“Mmhmm. But why? Who’s she protecting? Or who’s she scared of? She’s the sheriff of an outlaw town... None of this makes sense.”
“Did you question Thad at all on this? Not so much for if he did it, which most likely he didn’t, but to see why she would finger him?”
“All I’ve done is on that there timeline. That’s a good suggestion though.”
“He might be where we start - at least figure out that much. Then we can maybe figure out who actually did.”
“He was there when the Sheriff gave me the case... Said he was at the breakfast and all that... But he never said much about his interactions with Rikki. I wonder what their relationship is like...”
“There’s something there. I don’t think she’d accuse someone without reason.”
“A very good point, Detective,” I winked at him. “I’ve talked with Rikki in the past over in Ghenna... She allowed me to talk to her even though I was there with two lawmen looking for someone we had a warrant on.”
“She’s trying to stir up something.”
“She allowed me to talk to her and was peaceful enough with me. Maybe I can reach her again somehow.”
Alex nodded and said, “We should give it a try. See what she says.”
“The Sheriff wonders if it has something to do with Thad being kidnapped and the Regulators, but that’s all just a hypothetical at this point.”
“Hmm....”
“I really want to know more about their relationship though. Thad’s and Rikki’s.”
“It could be. I don’t see the connection yet, but somethings up.”
I nodded in agreement and handed him a copy of the timeline for the bank case. “The last case is hardly as exciting and something I can do while you’re busy with other stuff...”
“I’m sure you’ve done your research on this,” he looked up from the sheet and grinned.
“I went to the library yesterday, missed you there, by the way... Pulled out from the archives all of the bank robberies reported since 1883. I’ve already started going through and writing down notes about the trial - the arguments, the witness reports... Names of those involved... It’s going to be a lot of work but something easy enough to do when it’s quiet around here and you’re not available to wander around with.”
“Mmm, yeah the library is nice,” he nodded and gave me a mischievous look.
“I sure did miss you...” I chuckled and he did too. “So that’s it... The sheriff is very excited about how well we’re settling in and is very focused on keeping us in the loop.”
“That’s good,” he smiled.
“Shall we wander over to Ghenna?” I asked, standing from the table.
“Let’s go see what we can find,” he nodded.
We walked down the street and met with Nim in the saloon. She said that she had some ideas for the bank case so we headed over to the saloon to get some coffee. She said that she could give us updates when she does her daily rounds of the banks and let us know when the banks were broken into or the vaults had been opened. We thanked her for her help and then she told us that something had happened in Diamond the night before.
“Well Trin, front doors and inner employee door were busted in, the vault was half damaged.”
“I don’t remember seeing a telegram about it,” I said.
“I am sure it happened overnight when no one was around.”
“Okay,” I nodded. “Any way to tell if any money had been taken?”
“Some of our outlaws like to work when no one watches, not sure why, but thats how they work. The vault hadn’t been gotten into, so whoever was doing it, got bored before they actually got in.”
“Fair enough. That’s good to know too - if the vault’s been busted.”
“Not all the way. I have a way of testing if they have been picked or busted.”
“Do you....? That would be great to know,” I smiled.
“Do you have a mailbox out here?”
“We sure do. Right by the door. Do you know where our office is?”
“My old apartment, above Doll’s shop?”
“Yes ma’am,” I nodded.
“I will leave you a note each day after I check here letting you know what I found as well as Tombstone, since I do it first.”
“That’d be fantastic, Nim. Really appreciate it. Above and beyond helpful.”
“Please know, there is the occasional day I don’t have time. Some days I wake up and so much goes on I don’t have time to think, much less my normal duties.”
“That’s fine, I’m grateful for any assistance we can get.”
“Anything else I can help you detectives with?”
“Have you heard anything about Rikki getting beaten up?” I asked.
“Nope, but as much trouble as the Young Guns been up to over the last few weeks, wouldn’t surprise me.”
“We could continue this at our office?”
“That might be best, hon,” I nodded to Alex. “You mind, Nim?”
“Whatever you would like.”
We walked to the office and I showed her the mailbox. When we’d gone upstairs and she complimented us on how we’d set up the office. “So... Rikki?” I asked, getting back to the topic at hand.
“Haven’t heard anything, but I would like to say, remember, though a nice lady, Miss Rikki is an Outlaw Boss who will take advantage anytime she can.”
“Well sure... I can’t say much on it yet as most is speculation but having another ear around would be helpful.”
“If I happen to see her, I can ask about it.”
“You pick up a lot more than we do while you’re out and about. I’m sure you’ll hear outlaw talk about it.”
“I am still close to Miss Serenity, I will see her sometime today, I will ask her about what she has heard.”
“I talked with her earlier and she won’t tell me much. If you could get more that would be helpful.”
“I usually get the straight scoop from her.”
“That would be a huge help, Nim. We need to get down to the truth of what happened and the more folks helping talk with people the better.”
“I will see what I can find out today.”
“Thanks, Nim. I think that should about cover it. The key word is discrete... We don’t want to scare her from telling us anything. If she knows law doesn’t trust her story she might not help us. And this could get worse.”
“I will start tomorrow leaving info on the two banks. Part of my job is knowing out to carouse,” she winked at me.
“This could be minor or it could be significant. We won’t know either way until we get more facts - accurate facts.”
“I will see what I can dig up for you from Miss Serenity, no pun intended on the dig.”
“You two have a good day, like the operation you have set up.”
“Thanks, Nim. Don’t want to keep you too much. Appreciate the help!”
She walked downstairs and out of the building and I looked over at Alex, suggesting that we head to the office in Tombstone. On our way, Nim stopped us and we listened carefully to whatever update she would have.
“One quick bit, but its a good one. Have an eye witness that saw Thad beating her upside the head. He was running past at the time and did not see much else.”
“A reliable witness?” Alex asked.
“For me, yea. I am going to find Miss Serenity, see if I can get that verified.”
“Good idea,” Alex nodded.
“Unless Rikki files a report with me, I can’t question Thad on it.”
“We can do that part,” Alex assured.
“Was my point without actually saying. Let me see if I can find Serenity, and avoid the gunfight that is about to happen down by Annie’s.”
We said goodbye and Alex and I headed to our office. We talked about how someone was obviously lying to Nim and then got to work investigating the bank robberies case.
***
Black Diamond.
I walked into town later this afternoon and greeted Bill, wondering if he’d seen his sister Meg anywhere. She wasn’t in town though, so we stood and talked with Valk for a while until Meg showed up.
“Well, if it isn’t the lady I’m lookin’ for! Miss Meg, care to join me in my office? I have a few questions I need to ask.”
Meg looked at Valk with a leery look and looked back to me. “Questions?”
“Nothing bad. You ain’t in trouble. Just need your help with something. Of course we could always discuss it out here... I was told that you knew Eye... back when Jo’s mother was still alive?”
She shivered at the name and nodded in response.
“Did you know him well? Seems to me by your reaction to his name you’re uh... familiar with his work?”
“Whelll to be honest lady Trin ... I cant say taht ANYONE truly KNEW him much less well an ifn they did they shorely are spoiled rotted cadavers by now.”
“But you remember him enough to give you that kind of reaction... Did something... happen, Meg?”
Jules walked over then and I could tell that Meg’s focus was wavering. When Valk introduced himself as Balt’s and Skyla’s brother, Meg told us about how once she took Valk’s gun from him in the clinic so that he wouldn’t try to shoot anyone or himself. Loreh walked over and then asked me if we could talk privately. We excused ourselves and headed up to my office where we sat at the table.
“Trin, you privvy to the goings on with Eye and Thad?” Loreh asked when we were seated.
“With Eye and Thad? Other than that Thad was kidnapped?”
“Well yes.. about him going missing for Jack and Angel’s trial.”
“I’m all ears,” I nodded.
“You see, I happened to be right at the door when Jack came out, followed directly by Thad and then Eye.”
“Were they leaving... together? Pleasantly? When was this?”
“And just before I arrived here, I had a conversation with Jack out in Tombstone... Oh this was at the ladies Tea here at the saloon.”
“After or before Thad was kidnapped?”
“This was right before...”
“Well that’s interesting...” I shook my head.
“Now...”
“They left cordially? Is that the right word?”
“I distinctly saw them all walk together, but Jack just told me he went to Bisbee and had a coffee.”
“Interesting...” I shook my head. “Then the next day Thad was kidnapped by him? Doesn’t make sense.”
“Let’s put it this way Trin.. Jack and Eye looked like they had an agenda, and Thad looked.. well, like Thad, never really knowing what he’s doing.”
“Wait wait wait... Jack Kelly or Jack Smith?”
“Well no... Thad never made court after the tea party.”
“Jack Smith,” she said and I sighed with a bit of relief.
“Okay so Thad was kidnapped at the tea party?”
“And it was Jack Smith’s trial for shooting Thad. Yes, that’s what I’m saying.”
“I’m with you now.”
“Now... Listen to this... So I’m talking with Jack in Tombstone and he asks me if Thad is alright, but right after tell me he went to see Thad last night to offer the olive branch so to speak... Thought it weird he’d ask me how Thad was when he already know.. but, then he mentions he went to go there to clear up the jewelry issue.”
“Jack went to talk with Thad and give him peace for shooting him... I’m with you... Jewelry issue?”
“Seems something slipped out, doesn’t it?” Loreh nodded.
“Mmhmm... Only jewelry issue I know about is the hold up at the saloon.”
“Obviously, Jack admits to having something to do with the Eye robbery of the saloon.”
“So, I came here looking for Thad, just to find out if they really met last night. And if they did, what took place.”
“And it’s a good assumption that... working with Angel so often... She was the woman who was working with them?”
“Well I don’t have evidence of that just yet... You also looking for info about Rikki?”
“I am, yes.”
“I have a bit of an informant under hire,” she smiled wickedly.
“Oh do you?”
“I knew there was a reason I liked you, Loreh,” I winked.
“I may just have some information for you by the end of the evening.”
“That would be phenomenal. I would love to know how Thad is tied up in all that.”
“Thad’s got a tight alibi concerning Rikki though...”
“He sure does, but a source of mine heard from a source that witnessed him beating up Rikki. Someone is lying. More than a few are lying, actually. And I’d love to know why. Loreh you don’t think...” I hesitated.
She looked at me and asked, “What is it?”
“You don’t think that Thad...” I didn’t even want to say it. If Thad was involved with the Regulators somehow...
“Trin, Thad’s an old drunken man.. he can’t even get his boots on himself without falling over.. how’s he gonna beat up the woman?”
“No... I don’t think he would be capable of something like that. But if someone were to frame him of doing something like that and if...” I shook my head.
“Between us.. I think Eye is the one leading this.”
“Oh, absolutely he is. I’m just trying to determine who else is with him. And why Thad is involved. And why Rikki would claim that Thad beat her up when obviously he has a tight alibi with the Sheriff, of all folks, in a town where everyone knows him.”
“Well we know Jack is somehow involved just by his slip up earlier.”
“And why Rikki would report the incident to Sheriff Matty here in Diamond when the incident happened in Tombstone and she’s a darned sheriff of her own town.”
“Trin, I don’t put it beneath Eye to have done it directly and threatened her to keep her mouth shut.”
“I wouldn’t put that beneath him either,” I nodded.
“But why Thad? And why involve Diamond? It makes no logical sense, Loreh. And why have a witness claim to have seen Thad beat her up, when we all know he didn’t?”
“Well, we all had a talk last night Trin.. me and the sherrif and Thad.”
“And?”
“Well, there’s lots of mining to be done here. And who’s Thad’s brother?”
“The mayor... Good Lord!” I exclaimed.
“I’m thinking we need a bit of a talk with the mayor, see if he’s been bribed or manipulated or threatened too.”
“Well someone’s lyin’ about something and I’d like to find out why.”
We said goodbye and headed outside to find more information. When she’d walked off towards the saloon I looked around town, growing curious about what’s going on around this town. Something wasn’t right and I was bound and determined to figure it out.
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