April 17, 1900

Black Diamond. 

I walked over to Aly’s house and saw her and Alex talking on the front porch. They were talking about someone being around town again and Aly being okay with it. “Morning you two! Coffee?”

“Hey Trin! Oh yes, coffee,” Alex exclaimed. So, how’s your day so far, Trin?” he asked asked. 

“Uneventful so far,” I smiled. “You?” 

“So far so good. But it will be better after coffee,” he nodded. 

“Mmhmm. Spent the evening reading Sherlock Holmes.”

“Trin, Mark was here last night, and he’s decided to leave the Apache. I’m 80% sure he’s moving into Black Diamond,” Aly grumbled. “A

“Oh Sherlock Holmes, good book,” Alex smiled. And you would read those.” 

“Oh man... Can’t even imagine how you feel about that.”

“I have to get inspiration from somewhere,” I winked at her. 

“Let’s get some coffee,” Alex laughed and led the way to the cafe. 

We sat down and Aly said, “I told Alex this and I’ll tell you too, but nobody else, especially my brother. Bree and I think he’s going to try and get Mayor.” 

“Ugh, we’re supposed to be done with that, aren’t we?” I sighed. 

“Suppose to yes, but you know, he’s Sam’s grandson, so it wouldn’t surprise me...” 

“That was what I said,” Alex chuckled. 

“He was walking around town last night, checking out the buildings and stuff. I’m not positive, so that’s why I didn’t want anyone else to know.” 

“Makes sense. Just hope it don’t happen. I just want the election stuff done,” I nodded. 

“This is nice, all sitting here having coffee,” Alex smiled. 

“Almost like a routine,” I winked at him. 

“On a more positive note, there was not much to do work wise, so I decided to start a garden. I can’t believe how dirty I got after I was done...which...I’m not done done yet....” Aly smiled. 

“It’s looking really good. Nice to have some color with the flowers,” Alex agreed. 

“Those ladies are having a competition for their orginazation or whatever it is, and I want to win! I’m ..competitive like that. I am glad the frog showed up. He adds a certain... ambiance... to the flowers,” Aly giggled. 

“Maybe you’re the one that should go to quilting things,” I winked at her. 

“I don’t quilt,” Aly laughed. 

“Well, you garden. I don’t do either. I kill plants.”

“Yeah I always enjoyed that. I grew vegetables on the family farm. And flowers. Something relaxing about having your hands and knees covered in dirt,” Aly smirked. 

“There is something about that... like you can feel more connected to the earth,” Alex agreed. 

“It’s relaxing I’ve heard.”

We continued to talk and I watched Aly and Alex tease each other and flirt. I realized I was starting to become more comfortable around them as a couple and hoped things would continue to improve between the three of us. 

I decided to take a ride and do the rounds, but there wasn’t much going on in Tombstone either. I came back to Black Diamond and found the telegram machine buzzing. I walked over and read the note that I’d received from Chance Solo: for her sins she has now payed, a Lb of flesh a truce would not have made, her evil could only be redeemed. with her life as payment soon you will see. I am righteous and right in all i DO. but Marshal Jared Lukas I cant say the same for you. TS.” 

I sat back down at the desk and read the note again, going over every word. I thought about how I hardly knew Jared and wondered who this woman could be that was mentioned in the note. I wrote a note back to Chance and sent it off to him: 

Chance, 

Received the latest note left by the Reaper. 

Still confused what ‘TS’ stands for... wouldn’t he put ‘TR’ if he was calling himself the Reaper? 

Clearly a sign of revenge and restitution but I’m not sure what. 

Sounds like Jared did something to personally offend the Reaper. 

Could you send me a list of the victims and their relation to the Solo’s or the Lukas’s? 

Trin Paige. 

Pinkerton Detective. 

It wasn’t long before I received another telegram and read it: 

Telegram to tombstone

Trin, i dont have list.... stop

will do wha I can to get said list for you....stop

i will speak to Gaide or Dutch and get you requested information ..... stop

Stay strong..... stop

Chance K. Solo

*** 

This afternoon I saw another message in the telegram and went to look at the picture Dutch had sent me. The head had been severed off, like the other bodies, and the scene was gruesome as the others. 

I decided to walk outside and get some fresh air and saw Ger and Stormy talking in the street. “Hi everyone,” I greeted them. We talked for a while about how Ger had moved into the apartment above the clinic and Stormy was settling in nicely in Diamond as well. We went to the saloon for a drink and Stormy talked about looking for work. I mentioned that the court docket had been empty for the past few weeks and how Ger and I relied on crime to actually have work to do. 

“Crime is down, people are safer, but we are not working,” Ger said. 

“Exactly. Hard to be excited about safety when your livelihood depends on violence. Even just a nice robbery.” 

“Speaking of which...what’s going on with your situation?” Ger asked me. 

“I can talk to Jack, get something going,” Stormy giggled. 

“Another body found last night with another note. I’ve been in contact with Dutch and Chance... the latest image is just gruesome,” I told him. 

“Jack, I think, has turned a new leaf,” Ger said and looked at me. “Where was this one found?” 

“I think Dutch still thinks the killer’s gonna come here but until that happens I’m not letting it stress me out. There’s nothing I can do but take in the information.”

“Oh? I was wondering why I still have his horse, Moonshine, in my corral,” Stormy said. 

“You have Jack’s horse moonshine?” I looked at her. 

“Yes, I have had him now near a week.” 

“Ooooh the horse is named Moonshine,” I chuckled.

“I found him wanderin’ so I grabbed him and put him in my corral.” 

We talked more about what jobs Stormy could do and then I headed out to my office again. 

A few minutes later I went over to Aly’s and knocked on her door. She came out and we decided to take a walk around town to see what was going on. At the entrance of town we saw Lot standing with Suzy and Peta. 

“Peta, how’s Tye doin’?” I asked her. 

“Feelin’ a lot better,” she smiled. 

“So glad to hear that.”

“Lot you got a warrant for your arrest,” Aly looked straight at Lot. 

“That’s nice,” Lot looked back at her. 

“Yeah, you do Lot,” Suzy agreed and I was a bit better that she was there to help. 

“Lot you’re under arrest for shooting Law,” Aly held up his warrant. 

“What law?” 

“So you gonna go with her peacefully?” Suzy asked. 

“Me,” Aly stated. 

“You were wearing a big poofy pink dress and no badge, how was I to know you was law?” 

“I wanted to relax that night, I’m still law, dress or not. And I’m losing my patience.” 

“What’s this, a stand off?” Ripley asked, walking over. 

“Tell someone who cares miss,” Lot said. 

“Nope, just Lot getting ready to go to jail,” Suzy said. 

“Jail for what?” Ripley asked. 

“Shooting law,” Suzy said and patted her shotgun. 

“She should have identified herself as law,” Lot argued. “No law lady I know wears big pink dresses.” 

“So if she hadn’t been law it’d be okay to shoot her, I guess.

“Well whether it’s shootin’ law or not, you still shot her,” I put in. 

“Ya still can’t shoot people. Now go in quiet, Lot,” Suzy looked at him. 

“One and final warning. Surrender, or I’m gonna shoot,” Aly said. 

“Oooo it is a stand off then,” Ripley clapped his hands excitedly and I shook my head. 

Aly reached for her guns and I put my hands on mine, though I wasn’t authorized to do anything until they deputized me. 

Lot drew her guns and shot at Aly and Suzy. By the time I could draw my guns to protect them or myself, Lot was already on the other side of the town line in Bisbee. I ran to Aly and helped her up and glared at Lot, “Now two more counts of shooting law. Congratulations.”

Peta asked me to look around for Bree to be an extra set of hands and we met Aly and Suzy in the clinic with Peta. I watched from the chair as Bree and Peta worked on healing them and explained what happened to Bree. It wasn’t long before Ger and Mysti came in and I explained everything to them again, though Ger was so concerned about Aly he didn’t hear me. Ger asked me to fill him in later and I sighed, explaining for a third time what had happened. I walked outside, not wanting to stay in the clinic longer than I had to, and headed to my office. 

Sitting at my desk, I wondered if I should have drawn sooner and shot at Lot quicker while he was shooting at the others. I wasn’t sure if that was right though, and wished I knew what I was and wasn’t authorized to do. 

Ger walked into the office and asked, “Mind if I have a seat?” 

“Sure,” I nodded. “This is why I’m better behind a desk. I think too much when guns come out.”

“Me too,” he nodded. 

“I didn’t know if I was allowed to shoot him without being deputized. And by the time I went for my gun he’d already got both of them down and then crossed over to Bisbee.”

“I have Aly settled in at her place on the couch...she just dozed off, but shuldn’t be asleep too long. I don’t know where Suzy went.” 

“You think Stormy’s gonna become law like she was talkin’ in the saloon?” I shook my head. 

“She already has been deputized by Suzy.” 

“Already? That was fast.” 

“Getting all things done before I get into office.” 

“She can help Aly out then.”

“You got what you need for tonight?” 

“Are you alright, Ger? Really?” I looked at him. 

“Yeah...find out I am mayor, then have a shoot out between Lot, Suzy and Aly...seeing her hurt like that...seeing you all strung out...I’m fine...” he chuckled. 

“I just hate clinics. I’m fine,” I shrugged. 

“Like hell you are Trin....I know you all too well...” 

“The past week has been hell but it’s behind me. The old Trin, the scared and emotional Trin? She’s gone.”

“This assassin thing, despite what you are saying, has you so upset you aren’t sleeping, eating right... Look at you hun..” 

“I’m done letting that case ruin friendships, Ger. Would it be nice if James or some other man would hold me and tell me everything’s going to be alright? Yeah, it would. But that’s not happening either. So I’ve got to tell myself that it’ll be alright. And somehow I’ve got to believe it.”

“Come on, lets join the rest and get a drink,” he sighed. 

“Not sure a drink would be a good idea.”

“Did I say Alcohol?” 

“All I want Ger...” I sighed and shook my head, knowing that everything wouldn’t fix itself either. 

“You want to be held tight and have all this disappear.” 

“You said the other day that if all I want is a hug, I just have to ask, right?” I asked and he nodded. “Would you hug me, Ger?”

“Of course,” he said and stood, pulling me into an embrace. 

“Don’t let go,” I sighed against him, feeling his strength. I stepped back eventually and said, “Thank you..” 

“I am good to my word... Now, I am going over to the saloon...you coming?” 

“Everything’s going to be okay, right?” I looked at him. 

“I can’t order you to...yet...” he winked. 

“Yet?” 

“As Mayor, won’t you be working for me?” 

“When cases arise that you need help on, yes. When cases arise that you need help on, yes,” I said and we chuckled. “Don’t let the power get to your head.” 

“How can I with you, Myst and Aly as friends, you three won’t let me.” 

“Oh. See what you can do about this damn door, would you?” I chuckled. 

We walked down the street and I recognized the man standing in front of the saloon as Nathan, the one who had supposedly been shot by Lucius. “You again,” I frowned and he swore under his breath. 

“Come on into the saloon stranger...meet some of the town folk,” Ger said. “I take it you know her.” 

“Heard you took it to the marshal,” I looked straight at him. 

“Sure, could use a shot.” 

“Could use a couple,” I chuckled, not meaning whiskey shots. 

“You shouldn’t believe rumors, Miss.” 

“As if I couldn’t hear your shouts clear across town.”

“Well, maybe he has more than one admirer.” 

I rolled my eyes and lead the way into the saloon, nodding to Sniper and Mysti who were sitting at the bar. 

Ger poured everyone some whiskey and Lot walked in then as Sniper asked, “So Trin, was you involved in that shootout involving Lot?” 

I stayed quiet, not wanting to get in the middle of a fight right there and went over to play the piano to relax myself. 

“Oh Lot, I heard Suzy extend the warrant for you now, and she gonna get with whoever at some point at some time,” Sniper said and I rolled my eyes as I played. 

“Trust her to go about it the easy way,” Lot said and sipped his milk. 

“No idea where manners have gone, if they ask polite ya know.” 

“Seems to me they did,” I shot at Sniper. 

“No they didn’t. Polite folks don’t rest their hands on their guns,” Lot argued. 

“Got s stupid suggestion Lot...why not just turn yourself in, get it over with, and they will leave ya be?” Ger asked. 

“Right,” Sniper said. Suggestion for you, Gerric. Mind ya business. And besides, if they don’t come in a threatening manner, maybe, maybe he would have.” 

“Yer lucky I never shot at you as well,” Lot said to me. “It’s like this. If a lady in a bright pink dress came up to you and told you to put yer hands up or she will shoot, what would you assume?” 

“Shoot her,” Sniper said. 

“Actually Sniper...it’s gonna be seeing how I will be the MAyor...trying to keep my deputies in one pice...as well as all the people that live here...” Ger said. 

“I second that!” Nathan sipped another shot of whiskey. 

“Are you the mayor now?” Sniper asked. 

“Exactly, cause that us just what yer so called deputy did the first time I shot her. She had no badge on and never said she was law. She simply said, stop or I shoot. So I shot her.” 

“Right Lot, could have been a hold up or anything,” Sniper agreed. 

“Will be sworn in on Saturday,” Ger said. 

“So I suggest Mr Mayor, tell yer law to actually look like law so folks take em seriously,” Lot looked at him. 

“Not quite Lot,” Sniper put in. “He ain’t mayor yet. But when he is, yes he should make sure the least they can do is show who they are before drawing.” 

“What might I ask, does law look like?” Mysti turned to Lot. 

“I can answer that. They wear a badge. They introduce themselves as such also,” Sniper replied. 

“They at least wear a badge ma’am, and dress like they ready to jump on a horse or chase someone,” Lot said. 

“‘Stop or I shoot’ is not the norm,” Sniper said. 

“Which one said that?” Ger asked. 

“Anything else? Just a badge?” Mysti laughed.

“A badge, and I repeat, thy should say who they are. Not just ‘stop or I shoot’. That could be anyone.” 

“I believe Sniper also said identify themselves,” Lot said. 

“So Nathan... What brought you to our nice little town... Can’t have been wanting to see me again,” I looked at the man at the end of the bar being remarkably quiet. “That is your name, ain’t it sir? Or were you lyin’ about that like you lied about Lucius shootin’ ya?”

Aly walked into the saloon then and grumbled, hobbling over to the bar in spite of Lot’s presence. 

“Uh, passing through!” Nathan said. 

“Aly...what are you doing up?!?” Ger looked at her. 

“Hey Aly,” I chuckled. 

“I hate being in bed,” Aly frowned at him. 

“Hey Aly, how you feeling?” Mysti asked. 

“Like hit,” Aly muttered. 

“It’s true she’s a terrible patient. And I’m telling Alex,” I looked at her. 

“Well have a drink!” Mysti told her. 

“Alex already knows this about me,” Aly grinned as Ger passed her some lemonade. “Haven’t had a drink in weeks, but might help the pain some. Hit me one.” 

“Dang it Ger, I ain’t gettin’ drunk, I just want one damn drink,” Aly growled at him. 

“You did, in the clinic.” 

“So... Nathan... What brings you to town?” Sniper asked the man at the end of the bar. 

“Who is Nathan?” Aly looked around and the man shrugged. 

“I knew it,” I shook my head. “Full of lies.” 

“What? I didn’t say anything.” 

“Uh huh. So your name ain’t Nathan.”

“What name did the Marshal put on the warrant?” 

“I haven’t seen a warrant yet. So you did shoot Kris then.”

“I should tell you Ms. Trin, after a few more drinks, you might be screaming it later in ecstasy!” 

“Oh really?” I rolled my eyes and the others laughed. 

“That weren’t forward,” Aly said. “We didn’t need that visual neither.” 

“Well, Sir, I did not ask for your input,” he said then. 

“I guess most women he dates must have hairy chests and bollocks,” Lot laughed. 

“Seem awfully confident you’re gonna be with some woman who you lied with, Sir. Don’t even know your real name,” I looked at the man. 

“Well I’d be in a dress, SIR, but my leg injury prevents it at the moment. Not that it’s any of your business,” Aly said to the man. 

“I think he was just humoring you,” Lot said. 

“Holy crap! You’re a woman?!!!” the man set the whiskey down. 

“Do I look like a woman, to you?” I walked over, thinking he was talking about me. 

“Yes sir, she has everything a man desires, broad shoulders and a mustache,” Lot smirked. 

“So Trin..how has YOUR evening been?” Aly smiled at me and I just chuckled. “You gotta be blind to think I’m not,” she said to the man. 

“Think he meant me,” I chuckled. 

“Trin, I think the best way to fix this issue, is to expose your breasticles,” Sniper smirked.

“Well, Sir.. er, Miss... My beer goggles were on inside out!” the man said and everyone laughed. 

“Well, sir? How bout it? You tell me your name, I’ll give you a dance,” I looked at him. “Prove to you my gender.”

“Ms. Trin... I know you were a woman while your were in the hospital with me,” he looked at me. “I was addressing the little boy next to me.” 

“Of course you were,” I smirked and sat at the bar, a little disappointed. 

Aly walked over to the other side of the room and Sniper said, “Aly you prude, go sit in the corner somewhere.” 

“I’ve had a bad night and I’m really not in the mood,” Aly narrowed her eyes. 

“Sis, go sit down,” Aly ordered. 

“Ooh Aly, behave. We only messing,” Sniper looked at her. 

“Well, lawdog, we can discuss this further outside,” the man looked at Aly. 

“Whiskey?” I looked at Ger. 

“Sure, I’ll have another,” he nodded. 

“For me.” 

“OH...” Ger chuckled and poured me a shot of whiskey. 

“Did you want to discuss it in here, then?” the man asked and stood. 

“Think I’ll just head home,” I said then. 

“Trin whatcha gotta discuss?” Aly asked. 

“Nothing. Not a damn thing,” I shrugged. “He’s interested in you.” 

“Trin, sit and finish your drink forst,” Ger ordered. 

“Who is interested in who?” Aly asked. 

I sat down and stayed quiet but then when they ordered her to sit, I stood so she could sit down. I looked at the man who I still didn’t know his real name, “As for you... Whatever your name is...” I started and he looked at me but then I shook my head. “Nothing, forget it.”

“Miss Trin, you should be able to figure out his name by the way he is dressed,” Lot looked over at the man. “Why he is the Scarlet Pimpernal. They seek him here, they seek him there, they seek the pimpernal everywhere.” 

“You can call me Pimp for short!” the man said. 

I shook my head and walked out of the saloon, breathing the fresh air as I headed for home.