Black Diamond.
This morning I walked out of the courthouse and greeted Bill and Cora. “Good morning you two, don’t want to interrupt.”
“Oh, hello Trin,” Cora smiled. “Just having a natter. I wondered where James had got to. Seems he’s upset.”
“I had a nice chat with your hopefully-soon-to-be son the other day, Cora.”
“Aww did you,” she smiled. “I saw him for first time in ages the other day... he brought Millard over to chat.”
“He is a lovely boy... He came to the library while I was there lookin’ for ya and then on the way back home I saw him and met Mill. We talked about why I named my horse Watson.”
“He’s a very hard worker and has been working one of the farms... but I said he needn’t do that once he’s adopted... but he loves to work. Can’t wait for the adoption.”
“I bet you can’t! So.... Did ya’ll know that even as it’s All Hallow’s Eve... it’s also Reformation Day?”
“No, I didn’t, Trin,” Cora shook her head.
“It’s the day that Martin Luther posted the 95 theses on the door in Wittenberg, arguing against the Catholic’s theology of indulgences. Started the whole protestant Reformation movement. Happened back in 1517.”
“Your history is better than mine, Trin. I’m going to have to look that up now,” Cora grinned.
“When it comes to history of my faith, yes. History of America, not so much, as I grew up in Canada for most of my life. Didn’t move down to Texas until I was in my teens.”
“Well, coming from England I’m even more behind your American history. And I’m afraid I’m one of those non-believers. A bleeding-heart liberal also is what I’ve been called,” she grinned.
“We each have our background and beliefs, Cora. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, we can learn from one another better that way I find!”
“Oh yes, I agree.”
“Mornin’ folks,” Thad said, walking over with a Bible under his arm.
“Thad, good morning,” I said, a bit suspicious now around him and tried not to look uneasy.
“Oh Thad, good morning. Want a hug?” Cora smiled to him.
“Sure,” he nodded and she hugged him. “Still sore.”
“Aww, that’s taking a long time to heal.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sure Miss Libby is doing you the power of good.”
“Oh yes, she is.”
Cora excused herself then and I looked from Thad to Bill, back to Thad. I needed to talk to him but wasn’t sure how to approach the subject. “You’ve had quite the past few days, Thad,” I looked at him.
“Um, yes it’s true. So what should I do?”
“Well, I don’t know, Thad... I’m still trying to figure out what really happened.”
“Ask and I’ll answer to the best I can.”
“Okay... Well, what’s your relationship with Rikki? I didn’t even know you two knew each other.”
We continued to talk about the events that happened in the past few days and eventually, Thad gave me a clearer picture of what really happened. He explained that James and Angel come to town of Diamond, and he was showing them around town they wanted to know where the bank was. That’s when the trouble started. They wanted to take his hat boots wallet and pistol. When Thad said “no”, they shot him down right. A couple weeks later at the ladies' tea society when he was at the saloon he met Eye, Jack, and Rikki. They surrounded him and took to him to Ghenna. They went underneath into the tunnels and told him to keep quiet about the incident. They tied him up and gagged him and they put the jewels and Bill’s glasses into his pocket and slipped the card in his pocket and told him to be quiet and do what they say and he wouldn’t get hurt. They gave him a knife to cut himself free and he still has Rikki's knife. This all happened while Jack and Angel’s trial was happening, right after the tea party.
While we were talking, Sam and Carl came over and claimed that they wanted to be law in Diamond, but Bill insisted that things were covered and that we didn’t need help. Thad and I headed to the saloon to talk more and Waterfall came in for a drink. We could hear a crowd gathering outside and then Dash came in, saying he wanted to talk with Thad about something.
“Dash, good morning,” I greeted him.
“Thad, you got a moment? We be needin’ to talk... private like,” Dash said into the saloon.
“Shut up, Dash!” Carl shouted.
“You alright, Dash?” I asked him as I walked outside to him.
“Yeah, I just be needin’ to speak with Thad a bit.”
“Think he’s gathering his thoughts at the moment.”
“Yeah, I bet he is,” Dash nodded.
“Have you seen my sister?” Al was asking Sam.
“Yeah, she is getting sleep,” Sam said, keeping an eye on Dash.
“Maybe I ask you a few questions too,” Dash said then, looking at me.
“Me?” I looked at him. “About what?”
“Stuff...” he said, looking around.
“Uh huh... What type of stuff?”
“I happen to know a few things about things ya all might find interesting.. but I’m in a bind myself and need help too.”
“Oh are ya...” I looked at him curiously as Meg stumbled into the saloon muttering for coffee. I walked over to Al and Liz and whispered to Al, “Something’s going on around here. Keep a sharp eye for me?”
“I am keeping a sharp eye out for trouble,” Al nodded. “I always do.”
“Liz, I haven’t been able to say congratulations to you yet,” I smiled to her, trying to ignore the men.
“How you been, Trin?” Liz smiled.
“Bout to be doin’ not great, I reckon. I don’t have any authority to do anything about it though. I’m just a detective. Can’t even deputize Al if I wanted to.”
“What’s going on?” Liz whispered as she looked around.
Sam looked over at me and Al with his mouth half open and said, “You bloody law and i have a gun out, see this town needs us badly.”
I shook my head seeing Carl move his hands to his colt and moving out of the way. “Just a detective, Sam. Not much I can do about it but help protect.”
Sam swung a gun on his finger and pointed it at me. “This point of time then what?”
I swallowed hard and looked to Liz, “Liz, perhaps we should take you inside to the clinic...”
“Maybe that is best,” Liz nodded.
“Yes, maybe we should take her inside,” Al agreed.
We walked into the clinic and closed the door behind us. “I’m just a detective... Them boys want to start shooting, ain’t nothing I can do about it,” I said and listened outside the thin window to the conversation going on.
“Okay, what do you want to talk about?” Thad asked Dash. “Where do you want to go?”
“You want to talk privately? You pick,” Thad was saying.
“How about yer bank?”
“Fine, but it’s not opened at this time.”
“I’m sure ya got a key.”
I sighed, hearing them, and looked to the others. “They want Thad. He’s knee deep in this and it ain’t good.”
“So what you plannin’ on doin’ with him?” Sam asked, watching Dash.
“Well, the word ‘talk’, means that I wish to verbally commute words back and forth to one another,” Dash looked at Sam.
“I am not five Dash, it’s just fishy to be private, say maybe over in Bills office hmm?”
“Maybe he is looking for a quiet place to kill him,” Carl suggested.
“I gave the choice of places to thad himself... ain’t yer concern... and if Thad ain’t interested in speaking with me, then I can be along my way.”
“I ain’t gonna shot at ya Dash you hear me?” Sam asked.
Carl looked from Sam and then turned to the clinic. I backed up a bit and Sam undid his belt and threw it at the clinic, holding his hands up. “You see Dash, I ain’t gonna be a worry.”
“What the...” Carl started and turned to Sam. “Why the hell they scared of me? I ain’t ugly am I?
“Alright then Dashy boy, now go in there and tell those people that your not here to hurt the man,” Sam walked up and grabbed his belt and did it back up.
Carl walked into the clinic and looked at me. “Miss why yall scared?”
I looked at him and said, “We ain’t scared, just would prefer to avoid getting caught up in whatever ya’ll are doin’ out there.”
“We doing nothing. Just asking whats going on.”
“Uh huh. Cause surrounding a man in a circle in the streets with your hands on your guns is nothing.”
“I seen a gun out,” Liz said.
“It was fake,” Carl smirked. “Holding my guns for that old fellas life ain’t bad. I know Dash; he is a murderer.”
“Fake gun or not pulling it out is just trying to case trouble,” Liz said.
“And we know you and Sam. You think that makes us trust you more?” I asked him.
“Know us doesn’t look like it,” Carl narrowed his eyebrows. “Skyla wouldn’t be with me if I was an outlaw, so pull ya heads threw i am tired of you scared people.”
He walked out and slammed the door shut and I shook my head, looking to the others. “Skyla’s dated outlaws before... Lest we all remember Si?”
Al and Liz walked out of the clinic then while they still could but I stayed inside, knowing it was safer than going outside at the moment. Carl turned on his heels then and looked at me through the window. “I am man of law women ifn ya won’t shut up I will make you eat lead.” I said nothing and he shook his head. “Dang people, ain’t know a thing never will.”
Thad walked off with Dash and I sighed, watching him go. Carl looked over at Sam and asked, “Why in the hell they think were outlaws?”
I opened the door and walked out, knowing that I needed to get this over with and clear the air between us.
“Because they will never learn,” Sam answered Carl.
“Because I’ve seen ya’ll’s names before. But then, people can change,” I said to them.
Carl turned and asked, “What ya want to tell me, I am a bad person? Huh?”
“Nope. Just sayin’ that I’ve heard things. Don’t make ‘em true I reckon.”
“We have changed woman, one thing i wont change my mind on in the last minute is you better keep moving because what you said about Skyla is wrong,” Sam said then.
“You don’t know a dang thing about me or my cousin!” Carl exclaimed.
“I’ve known Skyla a long time and she’s a good friend. I trust her instincts,” I said.
Carl sighed. “Makes me feel like all I done my life is failed when people tell me that.”
“If she has reformed you to be a better man, than I applaud her for it.”
“Well don’t say shit about her loving outlaws, she loves more then you,” Sam said.
“I didn’t say she loved outlaws, I said that she tries to help them get better. Which she usually succeeds in.”
“I’ve wanted law too but turned the offer up because they shoot there own.”
“Then get away, huh? I ain’t no outlaw. I only had issues,” Carl looked away from me.
“I understand your frustration,” I nodded to Sammy.
“Now like I said, the minute is still here. Clock’s ticking,” Sam said.
I looked to Carl and said, “I believe you, and I’m sorry... Maybe I misjudged.”
“Whatever, woman,” he shook his head.
“I don’t want an apology from you. It’s like the moment we met you knew who I was,” Sam said then.
“Just watching out for some old bastard I don’t even know and some girl scares the crap out of a pregnant women,” Carl said.
“You’ve got to give me credit here... When someone points a gun, then you’ve gotta understand why I’d be a bit jumpy,” I told him. “Especially when they point it right at me.”
“I didn’t, he did!” Carl pointed at Sam.
“Testing you, and you know who I am. You’re a detective, for Christ sake,” Sam said. “The law has files on me. Whiskers said so.”
“Yeah I know who you are. So when you point a gun at me, what reaction were you expecting?”
“Well ya don’t women,” Carl said.
“If I don’t, then tell me. I’m all ears,” I looked at Carl.
Sam pointed out the fake gun and shot it with a ‘bang’ sign coming out of it. “I was expecting you to laugh.”
“All ya know is bull. All then warrants are nearly lies,” Carl said.
“Then tell me the truth. God knows we could use it around here.”
“I do not know why the hell they are there in the first place,” Carl said.
Pet walked over then and we greeted her but I focused on Carl. “I’m listening, Carl.”
“I was asking law. They just wanted to arrest me,” Carl said.
“What’s happening?” Pet asked.
“Well, I’m a different kind of law... I investigate. So tell me the truth,” I told them.
“It’s alright Pet, Trin just ran her mouth about his wife, Skyla,” Sam told her.
“Getting told I am an outlaw and this lady scaring a pregnant lady,” Carl said.
“Oh...” Pet gave me a look.
I shook my head and said, “I didn’t, actually. When someone has as many warrants out on them in the past as these two have, you can understand my comment. I know Skyla changes people. She’s damn good at it.”
“I don’t even want ta see her face,” Carl said about me.
“Also about us being against law, but I’ve tried being law... in fact a ranger,” Sam said.
“Good morning everyone,” Abby said as she came over.
“Whatcha say?” Pet mouthed to me. I shook my head and sighed and she mouthed, “That bad, huh?”
I turned to Carl and said, “Carl, you’ve got to understand this from my perspective. Put yourself in my shoes, how’s it looking?”
“You should have told me you knew who I was, otherwise I would have forgiven you by now,” Sam told me.
“All I wanted to be is a better man and getting told I am not. Makes me want to go back,” Carl said and rubbed his eye.
“If I just told you that I knew who ya’ll were, and you hadn’t actually reformed, how naive would I have been then?” I asked Sam.
“When we first met nows to late,” Sam answered.
“Now that I know ya’ll have reformed... What kind of Detective would I be if I gave away information like that?”
“A normal person, you picked the wrong family, woman,” Sam glared.
“The one ya are running mouths over our lives we changed,” Carl said.
“I haven’t had proof that ya’ll have changed until now,” I shook my head.
“Now I said the clock was ticking for you go on home,” Sam said.
“We done bad things in our life heck we all have,” Carl said.
Abby and Pet headed down the street towards Abby’s store and I sighed, looking between the two men. “Yes, Carl, and that’s why I was cautious. Please... look at it from my perspective?”
“No thanks,” Carl shook his head.
“No. You look at it from mine,” Sam said. “It’s like being famous, asked to do this and do that. I don’t wanna be the light of things.”
“Back then I would of put a bullet in the middle of ya eye. Did I yet?” Carl asked me.
“No, and that’s why I came out to talk and clear the air here,” I shook my head.
“You lucky I changed or your face would have been,” Carl said.
“Well the air stinks because your lie just rotted my brain,” Sam said.
“What lie?” I sighed. “I’ve spoke the truth.”
“I need whiskey or something. Dang got a headache!” Carl exclaimed.
“When we first met,” Sam said. “That’s when you be honest.”
“How did I know it was the same Sam?” I asked.
“Not until I saw you with Carl did I put it together. There could be thousands of Sammy’s.”
“Leave me alone, you hear?” Sam spit in the dirt.
“Just leave me be women think what you want just don’t ever ever tell me lies,” Carl said.
I shook my head and sighed. “Fine... You think I judged ya’ll based on seeing all those warrants against you, when you’re judging me now doing the same thing. I’ve accepted ya’ll have changed and you’re with a good woman now, Carl. Life goes on.”
I turned on my heels and walked over to Abby’s store before they could say any more.
“What’s going on this morning?” Abby asked.
“Dash came and wanted to talk to Thad. Sam and Carl came over then too and Sam pointed a fake pistol at me to test me. I took Liz into the clinic with Al to protect her ‘cause she’s pregnant...” I explained to her and Pet. “Carl wonders why we’re so afraid of him and I mention, softly, to Al and Liz that we all know Skyla has dated an outlaw in the past, namely Si. Now, what Carl didn’t hear was that I know that she reformed Si to be a better person. Well, Carl and Sam got all upset that I didn’t trust them, even though I’ve seen all the warrants against them. So I told ‘em that it’s the reason why I didn’t trust them and they were all insistent that they’d changed and I’d now pissed off the wrong family by saying what I did. And Carl said he wanted to shoot me but didn’t because he’d changed.”
“Ohh dear, Trin,” Abby laughed a bit. “I don’t think Carl and Sam are the biggest issues, if Dash is in town that is the one we need to be watching.”
“And Sam was upset that when I first met him I didn’t come out and say that I knew who he was... Even though he introduced himself as Sammy and I didn’t put it together till I saw him and Carl in town together. And honestly, what good detective would say, when they first meet someone, ‘Hey, you’re the guy with all those warrants’?”
“No, they wouldn’t Trin,” Abby agreed. “But between you and me, I knew Si. He tried to change but in the end he reverted back.”
“Exactly my point, Abby. So what the hell do they expect from me?”
“Good morning, Sam. Come on in,” Abby waved to Sam who was standing outside of the store.
“No thanks,” Sam shook his head and turned away.
“These two have more good in them than Si did,” Abby smiled at me.
“That’s great, then they should respect my position that they put me in.”
“I am right here, you know?” Sam pushed the door open and walked in.
“I am sure they will with time,” Abby nodded. “They were just upset for a bit.”
“Oh good, you’re right here...” I looked over to Sam.
“So the warrants are true are they? Mind tellin’ me how many they are?”
“What’d you want me to do? Say ‘Hey, you’re the guy with all the warrants on you’ and go have a drink with you? Don’t matter now, they’re in the past and were dealt with. Don’t change the fact that they existed.”
“I would, yes. You do know I am taking position in Ranger soon, right?”
“And you do know that I am a detective. And being a detective, we ask more questions than we reveal answers.”
“You can tell a Ranger his past warrants.”
“When you’re a Ranger, I’ll be happy to.”
“Come on in, Carl,” Abby waved at Carl and he walked into the store.
Sam looked at me with a frown and said, “I would ask you to join me outside right now but you have one smart ass mouth.”
“I’d appreciate it if ya’ll respect the position you put me in.”
“Why in the hell am I always confused at times like this?” Carl asked.
“And respect the position I’ve been in in the past. I apologized for what I said about Skyla, and I bet you she would agree with me with what I said,” I said.
“What’s going on?” Carl asked.
Abby put her hands on her hips and said, “Good morning boys, seems we got off on the wrong foot this morning?”
“Sam was upset that when he introduced himself as Sammy, I didn’t come out and say, ‘Hey, you’re the guy with all the warrants on him.’ No self-respecting detective would release that kind of information.”
“Ok just everyone shut up for a second! Is this about the bloody warrants again?” Carl asked.
“Well, you seen that I was a nice man. I didn’t rob you or anything. You should have said these papers were wrong,” Sam said.
“If there was warrants we would be hunted down by law, right?” Carl asked.
“And you were, but that don’t change your character,” I looked at Carl.
“So there isn’t, ok. So both of you shut up about it.”
“Not until I actually saw that you were harmless now.”
Sam walked outside, sliding his hands down to his guns.
“Sammy...” I sighed. “Carl, please,” I looked to him. “Understand where I’m coming from?”
“Not really but yes. But it is not true if it was me and Sam will be dead or hanged,” Carl said. “Sam has a temper that never changes.”
“Fair enough. I respect that ya’ll have changed, but please respect that I couldn’t have just come out and say that I knew who Sam was when we met.”
“Sam, stop kicking that thing or I will shoot ya in the leg!” Carl shouted.
“Carl, I am not sure what has all happened this morning but seems there were some misunderstandings,” Abby said, looking confused.
“And I’m happy for you and Skyla and I know that she wouldn’t be with you if she didn’t trust you completely. So I apologize if what I said came out wrong,” I looked at Carl.
“Dang right,” he nodded. “Good, accepted. Now to make Sammy happy.”
“Great, thank you,” I sighed with a bit of relief as we heard gunshots in the air.
“Well ladies, ya gonna help me with this?” Carl opened the door and looked at me.
“You think I can be help with him right now?” I looked at him skeptically.
“Can try,” he said and walked out. “Sam.”
I walked out close to Carl, showing that I trusted him now.
“Back the hell off!” Sam aimed at me.
“Shoot her ya shoot me shit head lower the gun!” Carl told him and stood in front of me.
“Ohh, now you fall in love with an idiot over Skyla?”
“No not in love with this women only protecting her. This is said about my life and my wife so lower the fucking gun or there will be problems.”
“She said that so she doesn’t have a bullet in her she is a detective she so herself she lies about this for information!”
“Then shoot me then cousin. I ain’t letting a friend of Skyla’s get shot. Do it big man, I dare you.”
“Withholding isn’t lying. I didn’t put it together until I saw you and Carl together,” I put in.
“Fuck you woman you don’t move Carl I will go around you and put her down!” Sam shouted.
“Go for it,” Carl held his hands up.
“Now your hands are up, move,” Sam ordered.
“Nah, mate.”
“Whiskers, you good?” Sam asked to Thad as he came over.
“Maybe,” Thad nodded.
Sam turned to Thad, seeing the hand on his gun. I decided to take a run for the store and watched from the window as Sam aimed at Thad and shot him down. Carl yelled at Sam to drop his guns and ran after him towards the clinic, saying that he shot that man.
When they’d stopped in front of the store, Carl looked at Sam. “Now listen. Sam, we talked about it.”
“I get it she wants a true calling, but her and I. We won’t be friends ever Trin and I, are none for a friendship,” Sam said.
“Now Sam me and Trin talked. It was only mistaking. Now, that man was only worried about me blowing your brains out. I hope you understand.”
“How can I not? I hope she knows if she wants better terms she can offer me an Ironess.”
I chuckled hearing Sam through the window and walked outside to them. “Anyone up for some drinks? I’m buyin’.”
“Drinks hmm? Not after nearly shooting my cousins brain out... But sure.”
“Sam?” I looked at him.
“What you want?” Sam turned to me.
“Offering to buy you a drink.”
“Take it cousin. Make a change.”
“I’ll even toast to new beginnings.”
Sam ran a hand through his hair and swore. Carl nodded to me and then looked at Sam. “Cousin
maybe you an Cookie should, um get married.”
“We will some day, but now imma go lay in bed with her she is most likely lonely at home.”
“I hear Cooky’s a great gal. Haven’t had a chance to talk with her much but have heard great things from Skyla,” I smiled. “Gonna hold you to that, Sam. You and me, drinks on me. No strings, fresh start.”
Sam sighed and looked to me. “See, I need to get home to her. Whenever I am back in town, ask me and I will drink with you.”
“Good deal,” I nodded.
“Well dang,” Carl said then.
“Carl... Thank you...” I looked to him.
“Welcome.”
“Can I buy you a drink? For saving my life?”
“Sure. Why not, won’t hurt.”
I smiled and led the way to the saloon. I reached for the whiskey bottle and looked at him. “What ya drinkin’?” He pointed to the whiskey and I smiled, “Good man.” I poured a couple of shots of whiskey and then slid the cup to him, going around to sit beside him at the bar. I sat down, relaxing for the first time all morning.
Carl sighed and said, “Ya know, when I see a person in danger from my cousin I need to help, ya know.”
“And I greatly appreciate it. More than words could say. Hell, take the rest of the bottle,” I smiled.
“Knock myself out,” he smiled.
“If he hadn’t pointed that fake gun at me I would have trusted him more.”
Carl nodded and took off his hat, sighing.
“Hell of a morning, eh?”
“Yeah.”
“Skyla was the one who taught me how to shoot... Her and Tye Durden. Back when I moved here in May... She was the one who convinced me to be law and help as an investigator. I owe my life to her as well. I miss her something fierce every day... We used to chat every morning in front of the hotel on Allen Street and talk about what was goin’ on in town.”
“I love Skyla with all my life,” he nodded. “Put my life on the line every day like I did for you today. It is just me.”
“I see that now. And I admire it hugely. If Alex were here he’d have done the same thing for me but he’s taking care of some business out of town.”
“Well I better get back to the ranch,” Carl nodded. We stood and he took the whiskey bottle. “I will be needing this for sleeping,” he laughed.
I reached out my hand to him and said, “Thank you, Carl.”
He nodded and took my hand, shaking it. “Welcome.”
“Stay safe out there.”
“You too,” he nodded.
“If it’s in my power, I surely will.”
He smiled and walked out of the saloon. I walked out after putting some coins on the counter for the whiskey and sighed with relief. Heading to my office, I got to work on writing case files and journals for all that had happened today.
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