Bisbee.
As I sat in front of Chezz this morning, I waved to Pet and invited her to join me. She went inside to get a cup of coffee and came back outside.
“Today is a hard day...” I said as I looked in my cup with a slight sigh.
“Oh? How so?”
“It was on this day, about fifteen years ago or so, that my best friend and soulmate was killed in front of me. Sayler Sweetwater... We weren’t lovers, but we were more than that. Then he was gone.”
“I’m sorry to hear that Trin,” she took a sip of coffee, “But you know God will give us what we need. When you’re ready, he will send another.”
“I believe he already has. I just hope I’m not holding out false hope this time.”
“Oh? Who?” she got a curious look in her eyes.
“There has been a man coming around in the mornings joining me for coffee... He hasn’t arrived yet today though.”
“What’s his name?”
“Alex Torii,” I smiled a bit, remembering the dance and the kiss yesterday morning.
“Aaahhh Alex... He seems to be a good man,” she nodded.
“He is a very good man... Very sweet and sensitive.”
“Well if I’m here when he comes, I’ll skedadle so you two can be alone.”
“Well, no need to... I would want him to meet some other people as well.”
“I’ve met him already.”
“I have been seeing telegrams lately that have been disturbing, Pet... Something about an Apache war?”
“Yes! Seems the Apache have declared war on the town after the Chief’s wife was killed.”
“What is going on? Have a seat, I’ve been so out of touch with things being over here that I have no idea about any of it. Aleaya?”
“Yes, Aleaya,” she nodded and walked over to sit.
“Tell me what happened,” I leaned forward.
“I was in the next county over when it happened, so I don’t know the details. I only know... She died, and unless the killer is handed over... we can expect war.”
“Wow...” I shook my head.
“I’ve seen a couple of Natives riding through alone... Thought it seemed strange.. but now it all makes sense.”
“I imagine the town is a buzz.”
“Oh, I’m sure that it is. When I’m off duty I’ll have to wander over there and find out,” I took another sip of coffee.
“Ya have? Hmm...”
“I’m trying to remember who they were but it was too fast I didn’t recognize... Now it seems they must have been casing the joint, so to speak.”
“Casing the joint? Is that like scouting?”
“I think so... Scouting out the place and seeing where the weak points are... It’s the only reason why I can explain them in the area. Remember when we were dancing in the streets... Aleaya was in the distance and we couldn’t see her... I thought it was strange then. Now she’s dead and I reckon they’re continuing with her scouting.”
“We have to keep in mind, this is their land. We are the ones encroaching.”
“Well, you and I are both of them, Pet... Not many know it, they probably don’t even know it.”
“They also know it better than we do. There is no honor among Cherkoee and Apache. I don’t get carte blanche at White Mountain because I’m native. I plea to join their fire and they allow me sometimes, and sparingly at that. But I hear they have a new Shaman now.”
“I haven’t even tried to communicate with them... Not since I first came to the area and was naive. I’ve been hurt too much by efforts of that.”
“I’m sure they wouldn’t go to war without a ceremonial blessing.”
“I hope that I will not have to choose my allegiance this time as I had to last... I lost a few friends because of that,” I sighed, remembering when the two Native chiefs had been on trial and I chose not to prosecute against them.
“Was that here in Tombstone?”
“No, years ago as well... I had gotten to know some of the Native tribes and was helping them as a detective in their fights against the outlaws, by giving them information. And they kept me safe. But then when their two chiefs were on trial I was assigned to prosecute and chose not to be involved. My friendship with the local law was never the same.”
“I only ask ‘cause you seem to have settled in quite nicely. So not here then.”
“It does feel like home here. A fresh start that was very needed,” I smiled at her.
She reached over to pat my hand. “There, there. We all share that ‘new beginning’ by coming here.”
“It’s true. We all come here searching for something,” I nodded, smiling a bit as I realized that Pet had been instrumental in that new beginning for myself.
Pet finished her coffee and rose then. “Well you have a good day, Trin. I need to finish my prayer walk. Make sure to take extra precautions today.”
“You as well, Pet. Thank you for stopping by. Always good to chat with you.”
“I wanna make sure that new fella sees ya alone and is compelled to sit with you a while,” she winked and I smiled back. She walked away, humming “Amazing Grace” as she went.
It was barely fifteen minutes later when Alex rode over. I stood and went to him with a smile. “Gosh I love a predictable man.”
He hugged me tightly and said, “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, darling,” I held him close.
“How’s business today? Arrest anyone?”
I tilted my head to the side and snuck a kiss on his lips and he kissed me back. I leaned back a bit and kept a hand on his waist as I said, “No arrests yet today. Just was talking to Pet about something interesting though.”
“What’s going on?”
“You may want to sit,” I said and led the way to a table. When we were seated I told him, “The Native chief’s wife has been killed. They want the killer or there will be war.”
“Oh no. That does not sound good.”
“This could be violent... I hope to do some investigating later today when I’m off duty and find out more, if I can.”
“If you need any help with this, I’m good with a gun and know when to keep it holstered.”
“I may take you up on that... We could wander over to the town after you’ve had a bit of coffee... See what we can discover.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” he ordered himself a coffee and I reached over to hold his hand on top of the table.
“It’s so good to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you too. Puts a smile on my face every time,” he squeezed my hand.
“That feeling is entirely mutual. How was your evening?”
“It was pleasant. Nothing out of the ordinary. How was yours?”
“Didn’t do too much. Spent the evening writing in my living room. Getting caught up on case files finally...”
“Good to get caught up.”
“Mmhmm. Bout time too,” I said and he chuckled. I traced my thumb along the palm of his hand and he smiled. “You remember the friend who was killed in front of me...? Today is the anniversary of that.”
“I am very sorry. It must be a difficult day for you,” he reached over and placed a hand on my shoulder.
“I think he would be happy to know I’ve found someone like you that I can trust as much as I trusted him. The grief passes over time... It’s been over ten years... but I do still think about it on this day obviously.”
“Time helps.”
I nodded in agreement and scooted my chair over to his, leaning my head on his shoulder. “This helps too.”
He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and said, “It does seem to make the world a whole lot better.”
“It feels so comfortable with you.. So natural...”
“I also feel comfortable around you. Which is rarely the case. I do have to admit though... It scares me a little,” he lowered his voice.
“Honey, that is entirely mutual,” I smiled at him and he laughed. I patted his chest playfully and said, “It’s okay, Alex. We take this one day at a time.”
He finished his coffee and then asked, “Want to take a walk? See if we can find anything to help your investigation?”
“That sounds like a good plan. Let me just stop by the office on the way?”
“Sure.”
We stood and I led the way to the sheriff’s office, replacing my deputy badge with my detective one. I watched him look into the jail cell and he said, “Hope I don’t ever end up in there.”
I chuckled and said, “I don’t know, darling. Kissing in a jail cell is very...” I let the words drift off and winked at him and he raised his eyebrows. “I’ve only done it once,” I laughed. Walking over to him I asked, “Shall we?”
“Ready,” he held out his arm for me to walk with him and I led the way to Allen Street.
Tombstone.
I showed him where my other Pinkerton office was and then saw Serenity standing across from the Crystal Palace. “Good morning, Serenity,” I waved to her.
“Mornin’ Trin. Long time no see.”
“Hello ma’am,” Alex nodded to her.
“Indeed. Serenity, this is Alex... Alex, Serenity. Women with many hats around the area,” I chuckled.
“Nice to meet you, Serenity.”
“You could say that. Pleasure to meet you,” she laughed.
“We’re here to look into the whole Apache war threat. Heard anything?” I asked her.
She lifted a brow and glanced at us. “Well... I ain’t heard much, cept I guess either tonight or tomorrow the apache’s gonna come and war if they don’t find out who killed the Cheif’s wife.”
“Bad situation,” Alex shook his head.
“That’s what I heard too. Got any idea who was responsible?”
“Yea who was responsible?”
“Well I’d just be guessin’ and speculatin... but I do believe that Cav solider Vito would be a good first guess.”
“Oh? Why would you guess that?” I looked at her curiously.
“He’s the one who keeps instigating fights with the Apache. I’ve watched him now three times do it. And folks wonder why the Apache hate the fort so much.”
“Mmhmm... Don’t help when the soldiers try to start fights with ‘em,” I nodded, smiling at Alex. I knew this was a good place to find information.
“Livin’ in Ghenna, I see a lot,” Serenity said.
“Sounds like a good place to start, at least,” Alex smiled at me.
“I’ll bet, that’s why I asked you first,” I winked at her.
“I watched Vito and one of the wild bunch boys go runnin’ in and shootin’ off rounds towards the Apache gathered.....ON THEIR LAND!” Serenity exclaimed.”
“Which Wild Bunch boy was it?”
“Mac.”
“As in Ace?”
“A few of them going vigilante lately. No no, Ace is my man. Mac McCleary is with the wild bunch.”
“Ooh...” I nodded, thinking the name sounded somewhat familiar. “Reckon we should wander down the street then. Thanks for your help, Serenity. Much appreciated.”
“Nice to meet you, Serenity,” Alex tipped his hat.
“Stay safe you two,” she nodded and we walked down the street.
On the way I pointed out, “This here’s Kate’s... popular saloon in the area. Lots of events go on here.”
“Oh very nice. Always good to know the saloons,” he winked.
We walked over to the Russ Hotel where Skyla, Bree and Muriel were standing around. “Morning ladies,” I greeted them. Skyla, this here’s Alex. Alex, this is my old friend Skyla. She’s the one who convinced me that I could be a deputy,” I winked at Alex.
“She was the best Sheriff in Tombstone, Alex,” Bree told him.
Skyla snickered and I looked at her, “Well it’s true.”
“Hell, I told her from the moment she arrived she’d be one!” Skyla said.
“And now I’m one in Bisbee.”
“Seems like a good choice,” Alex nodded.
“Trin been shot a few times, yes,” Bree put in and I wondered why she felt the need to bring that up.
“Heard about this Apache business...” I looked between the women. “Any ideas who killed Aleaya?”
“Bree did,” Muriel joked and I laughed.
“Well, she started off as a pinky then went to tombstone law then back to being a pinky and is now a pinky an law,” Skyla explained to Alex.
“Just had to find my way,” I winked at her.
“Don’t we all, Trin,” she laughed. “As far as the Apache and Aleaya,” she sighed then.
“Hope they find the person responsible in time and it don’t go down like it did with that Shaane fella...” I said.
“I bet it goes with a battle. Seems to be that way lately,” Skyla said.
“I hope so, “Muriel nodded.
“Once they have blood on the mind, that’s the end of it!” Skyla stated.
“Folks have been trigger happy ‘round here I hear,” I looked at her.
“Yep, I heard that too.”
“‘Bout time,” Muriel said and I chuckled.
“Seems law needs to take control again,” Skyla said.
“What you planning on doing now that you’re back?” I asked her.
“She’s gonna be a dove,” Muriel said and I coughed.
“Well I’ve applied fer law in Goldfield, but we’ll see where that goes, I reckon,” she said and then looked at Muriel. “Dove my arse!”
I looked at Alex and said, “Annie’s, down the road... Place for doves and uh... You fill in the blank.”
“Oh Muriel I thought you was gonna do Dove,” Bree looked at her.
“Oh! Okay, I get it now,” Alex said.
“Just say brothel,” Skyla laughed. “It says it all, Trin.”
“Noo, not me,” Muriel shook her head. “I came here after dong just that for five years. I am done.”
I remembered that I would have to tell Alex a story later about working in the saloon and he looked at me with curiosity.
“Oh man Alex, be prepared,” Bree said and he laughed.
“As I recall... it’s a good place to get information...” I said somewhat evasively.
“Alex, you running with Trin, might be more than ya can chew,” Skyla snickered.
“Um... undercover?” Alex raised an eyebrow at me.
“Now come on, thought ya’ll were supposed to have my back,” I chuckled.
“Undercover, yeah that’s one way of putting it,” Bree nodded.
“Was a long time ago... in a saloon far, far away,” I looked at him and he laughed.
“Hey, we do what needs to be done.”
“Oh my, she’s been under covers!” Skyla gasped and looked at me.
“And that’s why I like him,” I winked at Alex.
“Under covers in the brothel, Trin! Shame on you!” Skyla laughed.
“Not in a brothel, Skyla. I danced at a saloon for a long while, talkin’ with folks and flirtin’ with the boys to get information...” I chuckled. “I almost worked at a brothel as an undercover detective... but rethought the idea when I realized the likes of men I’d have to be with.”
“I bet he’d tell you a lot more than he’d tell me,” Alex winked and I laughed.
“Now darlin’ you know I don’t kiss you for information,” I winked back.
“Now I’m starting to wonder,” Alex laughed.
“Oh don’t seem so scandalized, Sky,” I looked over at her as she continued to look at me with awe.
“Of course, I have no information to get,” Alex stated.
“Precisely my point, dear,” I winked at him.
“I was a dove myself... for a week,” Skyla admitted.
“Alex, we hire male dancers too at Dutch Annie’s,” Muriel offered.
“I’m not much of a dancer, Muriel. But thanks,” Alex laughed.
“I’ll bet you do,” I chuckled.
“Yup,” she nodded.
“Trying to get him in trouble with Trin already, Muriel,” Skyla laughed.
“See now, we try to come to town to learn about the incoming war and ya learn a bit more about me,” I looked at Alex.
“That’s always interesting,” he grinned. “What’s that noise?” he asked as he looked around.
“Sounded like something very large growling.”
“You hungry, hon?” I looked at him.
“Well yeah, always. But I didn’t think I growled that much,” he looked down at his belly.
“Once you are a Dove Alex you will have money to eat,” Muriel said.
“I’ll feed ya, darlin’. Want to go in to the restaurant in the hotel?” I offered.
“That sounds nice,” he nodded.
We said goodbye to the others and headed into the hotel where we ate lunch and enjoyed each other’s company.
***
Black Diamond.
Later this afternoon I walked over to Black Diamond to see what I could find out about the impending war. Nim and Matt were standing in front of the office and I greeted them as Libby came over to join us.
“Miss Libby, how is Tombstone on supplies for tonight, drugs I mean?” Nim asked the doctor.
“Well... I wrastled up some here and there... we should be alright so long as we don’t have too many amputations.... or a lot of serious gut surgeries. I hear tell that the fort has supplies too.”
“Deputy, maybe you could sneak in that opium den in Two Guns and pick up some additional supplies?” Nim looked to Matt.
“Has there been no sign of this Vito person?” I looked between them when Matt seemed distracted with something. “I heard rumor that he was the man responsible that the Natives want found...”
“Agree, we need extra supplies... but...” Matt looked at Libby. “Can you use raw opium?”
“No, he is the soldier that set this whole string of events off about a week ago,” Nim shook her head towards me. I just suggested to Suzy we turn him over as the one that did it, just to save some bloodshed.”
I nodded and asked, “And what did she say to that?”
“Well... it’s more dangerous to use raw opium... since we can’t really standardize the dosages... ... I would probably use it just topically ... powder it and place it on wounds...” Libby answered Matt’s question.
“Suzy is nice, but a bit slow,” Nim shrugged.
“He is the one they want found though, right?”
“Very well,” Matt nodded to Libby. “I will see what I can do... Will need to use my ‘charms’ to get supplies,” he grinned and touched his guns.
“It probably ain’t worth the trouble to get the raw opium... with the newer Medical Assistants, it might be more dangerous than helpful if they aren’t sure how to dose it,” Libby said.
“Very well. That is more sound, Miss Libby,” he nodded.
“Nice to know some things don’t change,” I chuckled and Matt smiled at me. “Is there any way we could possibly stop this, other than just turning over Vito to them?”
“Trin.. the wife of the chief was killed...” Matt reminded me.
“Point taken. They’re not going to stop even if we gave them what they wanted,” I nodded.
“If I was in his moccasins... I would do the same thing.. god help the one that would hurt Abby...” Matt shook his head.
“I don’t hear as much being on duty in Bisbee. Not a lot of folks wander through there. Though... a couple Natives have ridden through lately. None that I recognized but I thought it seemed strange,” I said.
“If Vito was the culprit, the Army may court martial him.. but knowing them, killing an injun without cause does not even get a demotion in rank,” Matt said.
“The soldiers assist the rangers lynching folks they deem guilty without a judges order, they don’t have an understanding of the law,” Nim added.
Libby shook her head and said, “Just seems like a powder keg waitin’ for a spark.”
“Different codes of law, Nim.. one is Martial, the other is Civilian....” Matt said.
“I better go on and start gettin’ supplies packed up into bags to be ready to move out .... Do you think they’ll primarily target Tombstone, or will we need to be prepared here in the smaller towns as well?” Libby asked.
“Deputy, unless Martial law is put into effect by a Mayor of a town, that authority does not apply to soldiers in a town,” Nim said quietly. “To those in their own ranks, yes. To apply martial law without order to a civilian, is a crime.”
“Remember Wounded Knee in 1890? The soldiers killed over 300 indians, including women and children,” Matt said.
“The fact that they rode through Bisbee seems to me they were scouting out the place,” I looked at Libby.
“I’ll make sure to leave enough supplies here, too then,” Libby nodded.
“My guess they’ll go wherever they have to until they feel justice has been served,” I said.
Libby headed off to get supplies ready and then Xue came over. I decided to go and do something before I got too restless so I said goodbye and headed for Tombstone.
Tombstone.
I walked over to the fort, looking everywhere as I walked, trying to decide what to do. I walked along the river, remembering how Sunset had died while protecting me because of my heritage and how the power of identity had saved my own life with Sunset himself. I looked from one side to the other, the fort on the left and the Native villages to the right. My mind flashed back to the point where I had needed to make this same decision so many years ago back in Colorado Springs, and then again in Georgetown. I had lost friends on both sides because of decisions I had made poorly... I wasn’t going to make the same mistakes again.
I walked through town along the back streets, knowing that I needed a drink. I opened the back door to the Oriental and walked inside, seeing Tony and Paisley. “Hello, you two,” I greeted them.
“Miss Trin. Lovely to see you again,” Tony smiled.
“Join me for a drink? I could use some advice. “
“Can you believe, this time next week Paisley, we will be married,” Tony squeezed Paisley’s hand. I barely even reacted to the news and Tony asked, “You look very troubled... What’s on your mind?”
We walked over to the main room and sat at the bar. Chantal and another women walked in and the other women walked behind the bar, asking us what we wanted to drink. I ordered a whiskey and wondered if he remembered that as the signal that something was wrong.
“Miss Trin, whats on your mind?” he finally asked me.
“I feel as though I’m being caught between two worlds, yet again,” I spoke in subtext because of the other people in the room.
“We all face difficult choices Trin,” he nodded. “What lies ahead for you?”
“I believe that the only way I will be able to mesh these two worlds together is by gaining all the information I can. What do you all know about this man named Vito that the Apache want so badly? Who is claimed to be the only answer to avoid bloodshed tonight?”
“Vito?” Paisley asked.
“Vito? I know a Vito,” Tony chuckled. “Him and I got up to some mischief a while back.”
“That’s the name I’ve been hearing. That he started this whole string of events...” I looked at Paisley and then Tony. “You did?”
“There was a mine hole dug outside the sheriffs office and Vito and I filled it with water... Lot and Voo were pissed as hell...”
“I can imagine,” I nodded.
“I see a Vito in the streets Trin,” Paisley told me
“He seemed like a straight up feller,” Tony added.
“Do you believe he would kill the chief’s wife?” I asked him.
“Not the one I have seen,” Paisley shook her head.
“I believe anyone would kill the Chief’s wife.. she is a bitch from hell, yes ma’am,” Tony said and I choked back my whiskey. “Pardon the language.”
“I do not know the chief’s wife,” Paisley admitted.
“Any white man would kill any native anytime,” Chantal muttered.
“Something must have happened to trigger this event against the chief’s wife this time though,” I pointed out.
“The Chief’s wife gave Miss June hell some time ago. I can understand if someone else got upset with Aleaya,” Tony said. “But Mister Vito, he is a capable man, I believe he has army experience, and a good piano player also.”
“Oh? What did they get into it about?”
“An honest man, I would say,” Tony added. “But if Vito was backed into a corner, he would defend himself...”
“Granted any of us would,” I said. The bartender seemed like she was thinking about something so I asked, “Something on your mind?”
I don’t know the folks in this town, but I saw a soldier last night seemed riled up with hatred over the Indians. seemed like a loose cannon,” she shrugged.
“Miss Trin, how is it this Vito fellow has you so torn up inside?” Tony asked me.
“The Natives have declared blood, Tony. They want the truth and they want justice for what happened to the chief’s wife.”
“I heard about that,” Tony nodded. “That they wanted blood, but I didn’t know what caused it.”
“Because of my precarious.. position,... I cannot choose a side. So I will do my best to stay in the middle and be beneficial to both, doing what I do both. Discovering the truth.”
“My experience with Indians is they tend to keep to themselves unless they have good reason,” the bartender said. “Seems to me would be wise to turn over whomever harmed the Chief’s wife.”
“Vito’s name has come up in my pursuit of that truth. I am merely covering my tracks, so to speak,” I said and nodded to the bartender. “Exactly my point. And that’s why I am trying to determine who that was.”
“But what if the Chief’s wife has become a victim of her own foul behaviour and her killer has only done so out of defense?” Tony asked.
“A life for a life is a better option than the end of a town if you ask me,” the bartender said.
“Do we get the Apache in here shedding blood because their own started this?” Tony asked.
I looked at Tony and asked, “You believe one of the Apache started this?”
“Of the natives I got to know none ever turned against the people of their own tribe,” Chantal said.
I nodded to her and replied, “That was the reason for my reaction to Tony’s guess, yes.”
“Other tribes, yes even in the same region but never the own,” Chantal added.
“I know the Chief’s wife is a troublemaker and is not afraid to start a fight, she started one with June.... if she backed Vito into a corner and he defended himself, I feel sorry for the feller,” Tony said. “That woman is a curse on us all.”
“Her interest is the interest of the tribe,” Chantal added. “And the good of their people.”
“She held a knife to June’s throat to steal a book from the Annie’s Madams,” Tony said. “And she taunted June for weeks with threats of murder.”
“Heard folks about town talking yesterday that a soldier attacked them Indians unprovoked, as well as a girl from town went on their land uninvited,” the bartender said quietly.
“That’s typical brawling,” Chantal nodded. “Outlaws do that all the time and no one complains as it seems.”
“What book?” I looked at Tony.
“I believe it was a book belonging to the Madams... they got it back eventually, apparently it had a list of names in it.”
“A list of names?”
“All I’m saying... is that the Chiefs wife is an evil woman, if Vito killed her, I know him well enough to know, he did not kill her out of random malice, it was likely to be self defense. Not that the Wijaya would care... blood is blood.”
“And I just caught word on street that the Marshal denied the natives wearing their arms when in town - he didn’t deny it to the townsfolk - thats why I check on the law here. Seems there might be reason to file a case against town,” Chantal pointed out.
“Oh?” I looked at Chantal.
“He ran quickly when I pointed it to him,” Chantal said.
“I’m not so sure Vito’s responsible for this now... I think he’s a red herring.”
“So Trin, what is the choice that has you so uneasy?” Tony asked.
“Well the Apache want him,” Chantal said, “Thinking he is responsible. If they want him they get him, with the aide of the town or against it.”
“Well in their eyes, most likely he is,” Tony said.
“I think I just made it, Tony. My choice is to discover the truth, wherever it leads,” I smiled at Tony.
“And I know you will solve it, Trin,” Paisley smiled.
“Thank you hon. I should get back out there. Perhaps there are some developments.”
“If I had to take sides, I would be protecting Vito,” Tony said. “He doesn’t deserve persecution.”
“You’ve all been immesley helpful. Thank you,” I said as I stood.
“You are welcome, Trin,” Tony smiled.
I walked out into the street and saw a man in a Cavalry uniform standing behind a wall of breaks, looking out towards the fort and Apache village. “Excuse me, sir...” I started. “I’m looking for a man named Vito...”
“Never heard of him. Something you need?”
“I’m Detective Trin Paige... I’m trying to determine the truth behind this whole mess and I think that the cavalry are the only ones who can answer that question.”
“Let’s take a walk, Miss Detective ma’am,” he said and led the way to Annie’s. As we walked inside I heard Rikki shout to Vito that she would be back soon. I chuckled and he closed the door behind me. “Alright. What is it you’re looking for?”
“The truth. I’ve heard this Vito character has been causing problems with the Natives but from what I hear of him... He ain’t the type that would kill the Apache Chief’s wife.”
“All I know is that there was an armed Apache in the streets. I confronted him with another soldier. After a while, he attacked the other soldier.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name...” I looked at him.
“Just call me Sergeant Major.”
“Uh huh,” I nodded though I had heard Rikki’s shout and could put two and two together.
“The Apache attacked the soldier,” he continued with the story. “I got involved in the fight to defend him. We both got hurt in the process. While I was at the doc’s office getting my knee checked out someone came busting in saying the fort was under attack. After I got off the table I headed over there... maybe fifteen minutes after the fact. By then the firefight was winding down and most of the operations shifted to casualty collection. I moved up the hill to the ranger station where they were, just to reclaim and secure the position. So I pulled a defensive position along the wall, shot one gang member of the Black Birds. But by the time I got there, like I said, everything shifted to manning the CCP, most of the firefight was over and it was after the fact that the chief’s wife was shot.”
I nodded, seeing that his story lined up with what Tony had explained.
“Anything else you need?”
“You are Vito, aren’t you?”
“Sometimes. Other times I’m Sergeant Major. Depends on who’s asking.”
I smiled at him and said, “I thought as much. You can trust me, and your reputation precedes you.”
“I’m a wanted man with a price on my head... I can’t be waving my name around to people I don’t know.”
“I understand. You were acting in self defense. You are in a difficult position. I might recommend laying low tonight, instead of guarding the first access to the town from the Native side?”
“All I’m focusing on now is securing the town. I don’t care about the Apaches attacking. That trench isn’t my post... it’s there for the civil defense to use.”
“Fair enough. Stay safe tonight. This isn’t going to be easy. I admire your candor, though, Sergeant.”
“Sure isn’t, but it’s my job as an infantryman. I’ve got a little surprise for them if they get overwhelming.”
“I’ll let you get back out there,” I saluted him.
He touched his hat and said, “You take care now.” He held the door open for me and I walked out to the street, saying goodbye to Rikki as I passed her. I headed for Bisbee, where I planned to retire for the evening and avoid the violence.
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