Black Diamond.
I walked over to the courthouse this morning and went upstairs with two cups of coffee in my hands. I knocked on Ger’s office door with my elbow and waited. He opened the door and I smiled, “Morning Ger,” I said, handing him one of the coffees.
“Morning Trin, and thanks,” he took the coffee from me.
“Sure,” I smiled and hugged him gently.
“This furniture doesn’t match me...” Ger sat on the desk and chuckled.
“Well you’ll have to go shopping in Winslow then.” I chuckled.
“Yeah, guess so...”
“The position setting in?”
“Not yet really... Probably not until everyone wants me at once.”
“Easter was alright. Nothing really major happened. Yours?”
“Quiet. Wasn’t quiet around here though this weekend, was it?”
“Not so much, no. I have a lot of work to do today.”
“Well I hate to add to it but...”
“Lay it on me,” I smiled. “But first... Can we clear something up between us?”
“Of course.”
“Okay,” I took a deep breath. “I want you to know first that I do respect your ability to see both sides of the case... and you help give me perspective in how to be a better lawyer...”
“Why do I hear a but coming???”
“I want to thank you for that but...” I looked at him hesitantly and he chuckled at the fact he was right. “When you called me holier than thou the other day, it really hurt. I’m not trying to act like I know everything.... but I have been doing this in Tombstone for almost a year; being a detective that is. I just... need to know that you trust my instincts too. I spoke with Adrian via wire the other day and he told me that I acted appropriately as a Pinkerton in that situation with Jack... But if you have another suggestion, on how I could have done it better, I’m open to hearing it. I am willing to learn, Ger, but having my friends say that I should have been arrested too and not giving a suggestion on what to do better.... that didn’t really feel good, you know?”
“I do Trin, it is, just....well, you can be stubborn at times and think your way is the only way...”
“I know I can... but if you have another way, that might be more helpful to hear than ‘you should have been arrested’. I am willing to learn, Ger.” But you need to trust my instincts too, is all I’m saying.”
“If it were me... faced with Jack, guns holstered like you said...telling me that, yeah, I would have drew my knife...but I wouldn’t have engaged and chased him leaving an injured person alone, you know?”
“Well... reading over Bree’s statement apparently his gun was drawn, but I was too focused on Bree to notice. And at that point all I cared about was getting him away from her and not getting tied up,” I added a bit of a smile. “But you’re right... I could have handled that better.”
“Damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.”
“Exactly,” I nodded. “Thank you, Ger... this helps.”
“But, you are right, I shouldn’t have said that to you, especially in public, so I handled that wrong.”
“You’re forgiven,” I smiled, knowing that was the closet to an apology I was going to get and it meant a lot coming from him.
“I just don’t want to see you lowered to their level.”
“I know, Ger... I guess... I just haven’t been in a lot of gunfights since like, August. I kinda forgot what to do, you know? Most of these things are over by the time I’ve gotten to them.”
“That’s a good thing,” Ger laughed.
“Sure is. But now that it’s picking up I’ll need to think better. And remember what my first boss once told me... Information gained is more valuable than the number of people you shoot. Observe and watch as opposed to getting in the thick of things, because only then is your mind clear.”
“Exactly.”
“I’m really glad we can talk like this, Ger,” I smiled at him.
“Me too...”
“So... court,” I smiled.
“Right.. court.”
“I’ve been a prosecutor in Tombstone for a few months but my job of court clerk there only extended to keeping records of trials. I want to help get this thing going here; especially with so many outlaws wanting to test our new lawmen.”
“And new Mayor.”
“They’ll test you too,” I nodded. “Just... do me a favor? Don’t get kidnapped as much as the last one?” I winked.
“Depends on if she is cute or not,” he winked back and I nudged him with a laugh.
“If memory serves, Court was usually held on Wednesday’s here, correct?”
“It’s been so long since we’ve had court I don’t even remember. See here’s the thing I’d change about the court in Tombstone if I could.. I’m not so sure court should just be on one day of the week. I think it should be whenever all parties concerned are available to be there. Throughout the week. We all have different schedules but I’m sure we can work together and get these things done.”
“I agree...but let’s take baby steps at first....”
“Of course” I nodded. “My first suggestion.. Send out the court docket on Monday instead of in the middle of the week. That way... I can get with the outlaw, find out when they’re free. Then contact the lawyers and judge.”
“I agree, but we have to wait on Jimmi to get ours.”
“We do? So he still will do the court docket?”
“Yes, he will still assign the cases to local courts. But, here is my idea.”
“Okay...”
“Once we get ours...we contact the defendants, make sure they have a lawyer, and get it scheduled quickly. We have only one problem.”
“Not for a particular day, right? What’s the problem?”
“We only have one Judge in Black Diamond. Angeles.”
“That is an issue. Definitely need another judge.”
“And two prosecutors now.”
“Wonder if I could handle being a judge...” I chuckled. “I’ve thought about it a lot. I’d be around during the day for trials...”
“If we could pick up another judge, our availability will be better.”
“I have a question.”
“Okay.”
“If I were judge... that would make my statements as a witness nulled, yes?”
“Yes, same as if you were the prosecutor.”
“So I’d have to judge cases I’m not involved in. That might get tricky, unless I just stay in the background more,” I winked.
“Worse. You, in the background?!?”
“What if I was just gathering statements for Aly but didn’t actually witness anything?” I asked and he chuckled, and I nudged him. “Would that be the same problem though? Because I am involved in most cases... either as a witness or just gathering statements for law.”
“Yes, cause you would have the same problem...you would know the intimate details before the trial began.”
“Right. So being a judge isn’t the best idea then,” I frowned.
“Not if you want to remain a Pinkerton.”
“Which I do. Alright who else can be judge?”
“Let’s ask Jimmi that? He would know better than us.”
“Good idea. But Ger can I make a suggestion? Let’s get enough people in the right positions before we open up court. Find a couple more judges and lawyers...”
“Yeah.”
“Make a list of who would be available for each position. Then once we know we have the people to do it, open those doors.”
“I think we need at least two more defense lawyers and one more pro.”
“Agreed,” I agreed.
“Put the pro’s offices here in the courthouse and keep the law offices open for the defense.”
“Let’s go down the list... Judges: Angeles. Prosecutors: Me, you, Dave. But he’s not been around. Defendants. You, Lisa Jones...?”
“I have to talk to Lisa...and I will only defend in Tombstone, not here in Black Diamond.”
“Oh perfect. I’m proud of you for that decision.”
“Like you said, conflict of interest.”
“Bailiffs: Stormy, Aly, Tye when he’s feeling better. Okay we need defendants and one more prosecutor and a couple other judges.”
“How is he doing by the way?”
“Peta said that he’s starting to feel better.”
“Good.”
“Do you want to talk to Jimmi about position suggestions or shall I?”
“You can bring the idea up to him, see if he has any suggestions.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“We will also need a camping stool for the lawyers.”
“So we can get paid,” I winked.
“We lost too many to Tombstone because of that.”
“Anything else?”
“Can’t think of anything right now...can you?”
“Nope. I think that covers everything.”
“Wish I could talk to Tye...”
“What about Jack as a defense attorney...? Though he’d be defending himself most of the time.”
“Outlaw Lawyer?”
“Wonder if he’s thought about it.”
“An idea...bring it up to Jimmi first to make sure it will fly.”
“Sure. I should go see if Jimmi’s in his office. Maybe I’ll find people along the way I need statements from.”
“Sounds like a plan. Oh, suggestions on a Deputy Mayor?”
“I’ll think about that one.”
“Thanks. The desk downstairs will be yours.”
“Then I’ll have three desks in town,” I winked.
“When doing court business..” he laughed.
“Yeah,” I chuckled and pulled him close for a hug. “I’ll let you know how it goes with Jimmi. “
“Thanks...”
“Have a good day, Mr. Mayor,” he winked winked and headed out of the door.
“Don’t get shot today Trin.”
“I’ll try not to,” I smiled and headed to Allen Street.
Tombstone.
I walked over to the courthouse and sat in the chair in the lobby, waiting for Jimmi. He came out, looking surprised to see me. “Ah good morning miss Trin, what a surprise.”
“Hello Jimmi. Do you have a moment? I was wondering if we could sit down and chat?”
He studied my expression and said, “This is a serious subject, I see. Best come to my chambers.”
“But a good one. I think you’ll be pleased,” I nodded.
“After you,” he said and held open the door for me. “Please have a seat.”
I walked in and took a seat across from him and leaned forward. “So with Ger being elected, you can guess that we are very optimistic about the direction Black Diamond is taking...”
“Yes indeed, he is a good man in a good place.”
“I’ve offered to assist him as court clerk and try to get court running again.”
“I see.”
“We need to fill a few gaps before we can do that though. So I was wondering if I could bend your ear for some suggestions.... Right now we only have one judge. Two prosectors, and some bailiffs.”
“Well if you can tell me the areas that need some thought perhaps we can cover them one by one. Low staff.”
“Indeed. That’s our only problem.”
“There are some solutions in progress right now that came to a halt when the Black Diamond Court closed up under Mayor Krell. Solution number one: to continue with a set of staff (Black Diamond court) and have that set as a local court group. This was the method covered in some detail at the last criminal court meeting and i was taking measures to get this method set up. Who is your leading judge?”
“Angeles,” I sighed. “Who’s hardly around.”
“Yes Judge Angeles. A fine Judge, good choice.”
“We need more than just her though, Jimmi.”
“She has been of ill health for quite some time and her condition is expected to take more time too.”
“Sorry to hear that,” I frowned.
“This is where solution number two comes up. This was suggested to me by Honorable Judge Suzy and I am very much liking this solution indeed.”
“I’m listening...”
“That Black Diamond Court staff, those who are remaining, are brought into Criminal Court Group if they are not already within it. This gives you a huge pool of staff to call upon.”
“But we are still able to hold trials in Diamond? For crimes committed there?”
“Oh yes. Of course. That goes without saying.”
“I can talk to Gerric and see what he thinks about that idea. Is there court in towns like Benson and Pearce where there’s different law?”
“For the purposes of communication and also for clarity of established methods of trial format, I am in favor of this option over that of separate local groups. They can have a way of wandering off on their own track if you understand.”
“It would keep us all on the same page better.”
“Very much so.”
“I will discuss it with Ger. Then I’d still be in charge of scheduling our own trials, but I would have more staff to choose from. We have several cases happening in Diamond right now... I have the feeling court will be busy enough. With the new deputies and new mayor, the outlaws are testing us.”
“And have you any thoughts on how your arrests will be processed for summons?”
“We’ve been following the same system in Tombstone. Things are going well there and it’s not really my department. I just help gather statements when needed.”
“Witness statements are vital Detective Trin.”
“I would assume it’d be the same as in Tombstone; law reports will go to me and then I’ll find the cast to fill the roles... Don’t I know it,” I smiled at him. “I have several to gather today.”
“On top of all your important work Detective Trin, are you suggesting that you take up the administration of a court house?”
“Not really anyone else doing it, is there, Jimmi? In Diamond I mean.”
“I do it for this court house and when Mayors Krell and Badfinger were opening court in Black Diamond I took on the summons and docket administration for them too. It was no skin off my nose to include the paperwork of Black Diamond within that of Tombstone, or indeed.. the whole county. However I say this carefully, and I ask you to take heed. The administration of Arizona county courts is far from an easy task and not to be taken lightly. I have had volunteers chomping at the bit to assist with paperwork. Alas, I have seen them buckle and wilt, and even one go insane under the pressure and demands.”
“I’ve had the same problem with people wanting to be Pinkertons. They don’t realize how much the job entails.”
“Indeed, and I would suggest that you don’t add more to your incredible work load.”
“Perhaps you’re right... I just... I want to see this place thrive, Jimmi. Nowhere else have I felt so at home.”
“And it will, Miss Trin. It will.”
“Nowhere else have I spent more than three months in one place..... and now I’ve been here almost a year. That means something, Jim...”
“Come back to me in three years and see if you think the same,” Jimmi chuckled.
“You don’t think I’ll last three years?” I laughed.
“I have been living and working in Tombstone almost five years now,” Jimmi said.
“You must have incredible patience.”
“You can check out of town anytime you like, but you will never leave. That will make good poetry. Or a good song,” he chuckled.
“Well... with the court clerk position... It should be done by someone interested in being a lawyer.. Me, I’m already a lawyer,” I winked. “It would be a good learning position.”
“You are already a clerk for criminal law.”
“For Tombstone, but I just keep records. Though your wife tends to be doing that more lately.”
“I am still waiting for that wonderful moment you sit in the defense seat.”
“As a defendant or a defense attorney?” I looked at him.
“As a defender of course.”
“Jimmi I need you to understand something...” I shook my head. “And I said this in the article interview with Pet for the Epitath. As a Pinkerton Detective, I help convict criminals and provide solid reports so that lawmen can make good arrests, yes?”
“Yes.”
“How then could I take the other side and defend the very criminals that I’ve helped put behind bars? How would people trust me as a detective?”
“Miss Trin, no system is entirely foolproof.”
“Jim, it’s a conflict of interest.”
“I have defended citizens who were accused of a crime they have ...never... committed. It happens.”
“But you’re not a detective, or a lawman.”
“So allow me to put this to you Miss Trin.”
“That’s fine if you’re not helping the law specifically put them away... Then I can understand taking both sides.”
“Theoretically, what if you were to discover through your investigations that the wrong person was accused and arrested and will be sent to trial and face the gallows? Mmm? The innocent do get blamed.”
“Like in the case of the Native chief going to trial for killing V when he was just protecting his family? I’ll tell you what I’d do. And what I did. I gathered a statement from his wife. And gave it to Lot. Then stepped back and was on the jury.”
“Who actually killed Miss Vena?”
“So yes, I’ll agree that there are some cases where the defendant is innocent. That’s when I step on the jury and provide an unbiased approach to the case for others to see. But if I were to say, defend the chief, I’d be completely biased. If the prosecutor had been able to convince me otherwise, I would have still said guilty. See what I mean?”
“Every time I take the defender’s seat I do my best to defend my client. It matters not to me if they were actually guilty. If the Law have failed to make a strong case for accusing someone then the arrest should never have been made until they have located the guilty party. That is what you do right now Miss Trin, fortify the case for the law. However, I have defended a few people who actually were innocent of the accusation. Ninety nine times out of a hundred Miss Trin, the accused actually did the deed. But that one.. just that one out of a hundred, it is sad to see justice being used as an unjust tool,” he said and I sighed. “Would you be satisfied to compile documented testimony on someone who was actually innocent? Just sitting on jury is sometimes not enough. it is your verdict within a jury of six or ten people.”
“Jim, it’s not my job to determine who’s guilty or innocent. It’s my job to present all the information that I can on a given case. If I feel that there is enough reason to believe that the person is indeed guilty, I will do what I can to help that go through in court. But even if I present the best case as a prosecutor, it’s still not up to me. If I’m on the jury, it’s up to the several others who will probably be opposed to me. And in this town, with the number of outlaw supporters on the jury...” I looked at him. “But on the other hand, it goes the other way too... Look at the last case I won. I had one witness statement from a general who wasn’t even there. Gerric had three present witnesses for the defense. With a corroborated story. And somehow I still won. Can I explain it? Not at all. My point is... everything rests on who sits on that jury. I thought I’d lost it with so many on the bench in support of Gerric and Sommer. I have no idea how I won that.”
“I remember that trial and I read it with great interest.”
“Can you explain how I won? In spite of the lack of a case on my part?”
“It wasn’t the jury, it was the judge.”
“Explain?” I looked at him.
“I would rather not go into any great detail as I have spoken to the Judge concerned and that matter will not arise again, I hope.”
“I’m confused,” I looked at him.
“Anyway Detective Trin, the defense seat will always be on offer to you should you feel you have need to sit there. People do change their minds,” he said and I sighed, seeing that he wasn’t answering my question. “Returning to the situation of Black Diamond opening its doors once more. I used to rely upon Sheriff Tye to get the arrest reports to me for summons. I have asked for an arrest box to be installed in every Law office all over the county. I understand that Sheriff Tye is away on a long business trip.”
“I heard he was under the weather as well but on the mend. Aly has been doing a wonderful job as deputy and gathering reports and warrants.”
“Hopefully the arrest reports will come my way and I will send the accused to Black Diamond court if they committed the crime there.”
“Just offering to be the person to bring them to you.”
“Aly, she is getting her arms into the matter up to her elbows. I am happy to see someone putting good effort into their part.”
“I think I’ll let you and Ger talk about this directly then. Are you available most of the day?”
“If there is no arrest box installed in Black Diamond, I will be very happy to receive the documents from you. My objective is not to take work away from willing hands, all I want to do is make their work easier.”
“I understand,” I nodded. “I think Ger would like to discuss this with you further though. I’ll let you two communicate about that though. I’ll wait to hear from him what you’ve decided.”
“I understand. I will be available until mid afternoon.”
“Thank you, Jim,” I stood.
“Oh Trin...?”
“Yes?”
“About my wife being a court clerk, she is my personal secretary and takes my trial notes when I am sitting as Judge or taking a meeting. That’s all.”
“I know. Wasn’t making a negative comment.”
“You can still take trial reports for any judge and present them to the press for publication if you wish to do so.”
I reached out to shake his hand and winced at the pain. He asked what was wrong and I told him about the incident with the bank and getting shot. I headed out and went back towards home.
Black Diamond.
I walked into the bank and saw Sugar and Bree standing together. I asked if they had been in Bisbee when Rikki had stolen Aly’s guns. Sugar said that she’d come in after it’d happened and Bree got to work writing up a statement and handed it to me as Sugar headed off to take care of some things.
When Bree was done I asked her if I could investigate the safe to see if there were prints left still from the robbery. She unlocked the safe and I got to work, discovering a set of fingerprints on the door and in the safe. I asked her if there had been money stolen and she said there was but she wasn’t sure how much because she had just put a deposit in not long before they arrived.
I thanked her for her time and headed out to the garden where Pet and Ger were talking. We talked about about the garden contest going on around town and then I headed over to Alex’s house.
Tombstone.
I saw Alex working in his garden and smiled at him. He asked how I was and I said, “I’m good except I’m a little concerned about my arm...”
“Uh oh. Want me to take a look at it?”
“Yeah... I mean it’s been three days and it still hurts like hell to shake people’s hands and write. Is that normal?”
“It should start to feel a bit better by now. Let me see it. Maybe a little infection in it. Come on in.”
I followed him inside and sat down on the chair as he went to get his supplies from his cabinet. “What kind of infection?”
“I don’t know, but if I wash it out really carefully and put some balm on it, hopefully we’ll knock it out before it gets any worse.”
“So when are you moving to Diamond?” I asked with a wink, distracting myself from the pain as he worked on my arm.
“Oh, probably sometime soon.”
“Would be good to have you around there again.”
“Though I do like my cabin,” he winked.
“Yeah but I don’t know if Aly will like your cabin,” I winked back.
“No, it’s a bit small and out of the way. I’ll probably move to her place.”
“I’m starting to get used to this, you know,” I said as he started to rub the wound with some hot water and alcohol, making me wince.
“Used to what? Me fixing you up? Or me being with Aly?” he asked and looked at me. “Do you need something for the pain?”
“You and Aly,” I chuckled. “I don’t know why it’s still so sore, Alex. I’m really starting to worry.”
“Oh that’s good. As much as I like my job, I hate to see you get hurt.” He examined the stitches and looked at me. “They do look a little red. Nothing too serious yet, but if we didn’t take care of it, it could get bad.”
“Maybe I just have a lower pain tolerance ‘cause I haven’t been shot in so long,” I bit my lower lip at the stinging while he flushed the wound out with alcohol.
“I make this stuff myself. It’s got some really good healing herbs the will fight any infection and it’s got a very small amount of opium to ease the pain, but not enough to mess with your head,” he took out a jar of cream.
“No opium,” I shook my head.
“I know you don’t like opium, I wouldn’t give you much. This is very small and topical. I swear you won’t feel funny or anything, it will just lightly numb your wound. But if you really don’t want it... I won’t.” I looked at him, as if trying to make sure it would be safe and he looked at me, “Trin! I wouldn’t poison you!”
“You promise it won’t have too much affect other than numbing?”
“It’s really a very small amount. I put less then a dose in the whole jar of cream.”
I sighed, knowing this was just another fear I would have to overcome and leave in my past. “Okay... Do it.”
“Good,” he nodded. “I have some stuff without it, but it doesn’t work as well against infection. I really want to get that out. I’d hate to see you lose an arm.”
“Do what you have to. I trust you,” I nodded.
“This stuff doesn’t smell bad either,” he chuckled. “Most stuff I make smells like bear shit.”
“Now if I could just get used to people whistling that damn Dixie tune, I’ll have overcome everything from my past.”
“Geez, I don’t think I’d want to get used to that song,” he took out a roll of bandages and laughed.
“Oh good, so that’s a normal fear to have?”
“Yeah, for us northerners,” he said and wrapped the wound with the linen bandage.
“Moreso cause I’m from Canada too, you know? Kinda goes against everything my family stands for... Aside from reminding me of that cave...” I sighed with relief.
“Try not to use your arm too much in the next few days,” he finished off the bandage and smiled at me. “You know... there’s something I want to ask you...”
“Yeah...?”
“Maybe I shouldn’t either. I hope I’m not being insensitive. And I know you don’t like weddings... I know my wedding might be particularly uncomfortable for you too so I completely understand if you say no...”
“Watching you get married....” I looked in his eyes.
“But you’re my best friend. And I can’t think of anyone I’d want standing beside me as my best man other than you. A bit untraditional to ask a woman to be best man, but I’m not that traditional. And Like I said, I understand if you say no. You don’t have to answer right now either. You can think about it. I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable in anyway,” he said and reached out to take my hand.
“I... I don’t want to say the wrong thing here...”
“You won’t.”
“Usually when I talk about this with either you or Aly it ends up in a big fight,” I said and he nodded.
“It’s true, I am coming around on accepting that you two are engaged... But it’s still a process.”
He nodded and I promised that I would think about it. He told me that he had a patient to take care of out of the country and I gave him a hug before heading back to Diamond.
Black Diamond.
I walked over to the clinic and saw Dave laying in the hospital bed. Bree and Paisley were explaining to Pet that Sasha had almost killed Dave and I blinked hearing the name. I walked over and put a hand on his arm, asking them to write statements for me and Dave looked up into my eyes weakly. He was still coughing but he was able to at least talk and I noticed the bandage around his chest. I squeezed his hand, concerned, and told Paisley I’d stay with him as they all headed out to take care of things now that he was a bit better.
I made him some tea but it looked like it hurt too much for him to sit up. I got some cloth for him and then knew that this was too big for me to do on my own. Running outside, I called for Ger or Mysti.
“Whats wrong Trin?”
“Ger... I need... clinic.. Dave... He’s...” I pulled Ger into the clinic. “He was shot in the abdomen.. Bree healed him so the bandage is there but...”
“David...” Ger looked at him.
“He keeps coughing up blood. His head hurts. I don’t know what to do.”
Ger requested a rag to keep his mouth clean and a bin of warm water. I went over to do so and watched as as he looked after Dave. As Mysti walked in while he started opening the stitches, I looked away and couldn’t watch anymore.
Taking a deep breath, I announced that I needed air and walked outside. I saw Aly standing on the balcony in her pajamas. “Aly...” I tried to wipe the tear away.
“Okay... Either someone broke your heart or someone died. Or the frog got in your hair.”
“He might be almost... about to...” I winced.
“He who?” Aly’s eyes widened.
“Dave... he was.. shot by Sasha.. at close range... Paisley and Bree were there.” I heard movement and turned, seeing Sasha, then looked back at her. “I remembered you didn’t have guns so I thought I’d bring some for you.” I took the gun from my back pocket and handed it to her.
“Yeah I’m suppose to be inside resting, and dang it I’m in my bloomers,” Aly frowned as we saw Sasha draw her gun. “Stop! Put that down!” she shouted.
I put a had on my gun and looked at Aly.
“I aint going to jail!” Sasha yelled.
“Trin my leg is bleedin’ and I cant be doin’ any of this, where tha hell is Stormy,” Trin asked.
“I don’t know... do you want... me to be deputized? I shouldn’t be shooting with my infected arm either. Let me be deputized, Aly. I’ll get her.”
“Alright fine. I deputize you. Or whatever. But the power of... The court.”
I took my gun and ran out after Sasha shooting at her. She got a few shots on my chest before I shot her down and saw her fall to the ground. I made my way into the clinic and lay down on the bed, wincing at the pain.
“Myst, get Sasha and bring her in here,” I groaned from the pain and cried out loudly.
“Ohh no,” Mysti looked over at me as Ger continued to work on Dave.
“Can you handle this alone, hon? I need to go get Trin,” Mysti asked Ger.
“I got him, the fluid is draining,” Ger nodded.
Mysti walked over to wash her hands and then came over to me as Aly walked into the clinic. She whispered something to Ger and I could see the expression on their faces and knew something was instantly wrong.
“What... What is it?” I felt myself relax, looking over with concern as I started to shake. “You relax, Trin,” Ger looked at me and told Aly to show him.
“Trin, relax. We can talk later, okay?” Aly looked at me and then nodded at Ger.
Mysti held my head and gave me some laudanum. “Drink it up, hon. It will help the pain.”
“She... She shot... She almost killed... She...”
“Myst, keep an eye on Dave. He’s fine right now.”
“She...” I started to panic.
“Where are you hurt, Trin? Don’t worry about that no good Sasha. Just worry about getting better now.”
“Chest... I... My arm hurts too .... it’s still infected from before.. Alex put some... opium on it...”
Mysti opened my shirt and saw the wound, placing a clean gauze over it and holding it there to stop the bleeding as I gasped and moaned.
“Dave is he... is he gonna..?” I asked.
“Trin, shh... just please hush. Stop talking and breathe slowly,” Mysti said, washing the wound and inspecting it. “I am afraid the bullet is lodged in your chest, Trin.” She washed the wound and gave me a piece of leather to chomp down on as I moaned and she said, “Hon this is gonna hurt but the bullet needs to come out.”
“Ger... hand...” I reached out for him.
“Let her work, Trin,” he said.
“I want... to... hold... your hand.”
“I have to take care of David,” he insisted.
Mysti put the leather to my lips and I winced. “Bite down, Sweetie.” I bit down hard and she worked
on looking for the bullet as I bit down harder and cried at the pain as she took out the bullet.
“I know hon, the worst part is over now,” Mysti promised and I tried to breathe normally. She started to stitch up the wound and I breathed deep as images of Sasha on the ground flashed through me. “Trin you will be sore but the bullet is out and you will not be going to the stock exchange!!! Do you hear me Trin, you need to rest. This was too close to your heart and I don’t want to see you back here with ripped stitches.”
“I’ll rest... I promise...” I nodded and saw Ger walking over to David with some tea.
“Hey there sleepy,” he greeted David who was just waking up.
“Ger... Sasha, she...?” I looked at Ger and he nodded but I didn’t know exactly what that meant so I looked at him with confusion.
“How are you feeling, Dave?” Ger asked him.
“Still like a horse kicked me, but my chest hurts something awful,” Dave replied and I sighed with relief hearing Dave’s voice.
Mysti looked at me and said softly, “Sasha is dead Trin. You have relieved us all of that one’s mess.”
“I .... I killed someone?” I panicked.
“Last I recall that bitch Sasha wanted to hire me. Then it gets kinda fuzzy.”
“Don’t worry about her right now Dave, let’s worry about you healing,” Ger told him.
“I....” I looked around. “She shot at me... Maybe at Aly too... I...”
Mysti put her arm around me and held one hand. “Easy there, Trin. What you did was keep a lot of people from dying.”
I felt the tears roll down my face as the shock rushed over and Dave looked over at me, “What happened?”
“David... relax,” Ger insisted.
“It’s ok Trin let it out but know you are a hero not a murderer.. you saved a lot of good people by putting that one out.. all you did was protect us all,” Mysti insisted.
I reached for Mysti’s hand and held onto it tightly. “I won’t... I won’t go to jail?”
“Not right now you won’t...” Ger started and I blinked.
“If it were up to me hon you would be honored not jailed you deserve a medal,” Mysti said.
“Not if I can help it,” Ger said.
“But I might... still...?” I cried against Mysti, shaking.
“Look, Ger is a good attorney and he won’t let you go to jail. In fact if you go to jail I will step in there with you in protest,” Mysti insisted.
“I don’t... This can’t go to court... It was self defence... She shot me first... She....” I looked at Ger desperately.
“Trin hon, it’s going to be alright. STOP scaring yourself,” Mysti held my hand.
“Trin...don’t worry about it, Aly was there, if she thought you murdered her, you would be under arrest,” Ger looked at me and I sighed with relief.
Mysti helped me upstairs to a bed where I could relax and I fell asleep, unsure what the near future would bring.
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