April 24, 1900

Black Diamond. 

I walked over to Aly’s this morning and noticed Alex standing on the porch, waiting for her. “You guys headed to the cafe?”

“Hey! Yeah, probably. Need some coffee?”

“Sure do,” I nodded. “She sleeping in?”

“She said she’d be right out,” he came over and gave me a hug and I smiled. 

Aly walked out then and we walked over to the cafe. I told Aly that we had some work to do today and she promised that after last night, we’d have plenty to do. 

“Last night? Something happen again last night?” Alex asked. 

“As if I’m not already busy... Still can’t find half the people I need for statements,” I frowned. 

“And I’m not liking this one because apparently some medical supplies have been stolen..from what I’ve gathered...specifically..Opium and Landanum. Let’s hope we don’t get shot today!” Aly said. “I was up until real late talking with a Ranger about what happened,” she said, pacing as she talked. 

“I’m actually surprised the clinics don’t get broken into more often,” Alex noted. 

“I came home from the dance....saw Myst drunk standing between two men, one a native I’d never seen before and one a Ranger I’d never met,” Aly explained. 

“Myst was drunk?”

“Ohhh she was drunk. And going on about how the ranger fell on top of her. So after talking to the three of them for a bit the Ranger said he needed to write a report, so I went with him to the sheriff’s office.” 

“Was it Zeth?” I nodded. 

“Yeah. Trin the man can’t write! He was very adamant about having a detective look at his horse.” 

“At his horse?”

“Because the mare had ruffled fur and white patches.” 

“Why? That’s odd,” Alex said. 

“Looks like we have another case to do together, Alex,” I looked at him. 

“I ended up going over what he wrote, which was God awful, and going bit by bit, asking him questions, and rewriting the whole dang thing.” She grinned and pulled a few papers from her pocket. “I made copies. Do you love me?” Aly giggled. 

“I do,” Alex smiled. 

“Practicing?” I winked at him. 

“And lucky you, you get his original AND my rewrite there.” 

“Oh goodie,” I smirked and read it over. 

“Yeah...and uhm...Myst tied up the Ranger. I don’t think Ger is gonna be too happy to hear that..” 

Alex downed his coffee and said, “I’m sorry, I wish I could stick around but I have to get going. I might be able to pop around later this afternoon for a bit, but not sure. Otherwise I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“We’ll touch base more later,” I smiled at him. “I’ll need your help with this.”

“That was like a tease,” Aly laughed as he kissed her and smiled at us both. 

“I’ll be around all day tomorrow if it can wait until then. I hope you both have a good day.” 

“We’ll try. So Aly, this is one case? Or two?” I asked when we were alone. 

“One case.” 

“Okay.” 

“You can see what he wrote, and then what I got out of him.” 

“This is quite the report.”

“Yeah tell me about it,” she laughed. 

“And what do you mean he can’t write?” I winked. 

“He said he’d bring his horse by this morning.” 

“Oh, I examined the safe in the bank and found some prints. I need to get something of Sommer’s or Jack’s to compare them....”

“Well... I don’t think anyone has taken out the trash in the Sheriff’s office yet. I’m sure that wrapper from that easer bunny chocolate of hers I ate is still in there.” 

“That’d be good enough. We should do that this morning so that I can write up the report and we can be done with that one.”

“Ok and if not that I’m sure you could get them off the cell door. Though...I bet her prints are all over the chocolate bunny wrapper,” she laughed. 

“Oh probably,” I chuckled and stood. “Shall we walk?”

“Do I gotta?” 

“If you wanna help me,” I said and she folded her arms stubbornly. “Fine.” 

“You’re the one who didn’t want to sit.”

“True.” 

We walked outside and saw Zeth sitting on the top of his horse. I looked up and down and blinked at the size of the horse. “That is one massive horse.” 

“Mornin’, Ranger,” Aly smiled. 

“Good morning Trin and Aly,” he greeted us. “For the sake of the horse I had to give her a little scrubbing. Me and Stormy took off or tried to take some of the evidence off her.” He handed me a couple of bags and said, “I don’t know why but I think the one that did the crime took my horse. I think if it was still on her I’d have a harder time getting to ride her. It’s better than running from town to town.” 

“That’s for sure,” I agreed. 

“If you want could check her coat maybe missed a couple spots.” 

“She’s going to need a good, complete bath after all this,” Aly said. 

I went over to the horse to examine it and asked, “Was there anyone else around last night that saw Mysti and Rikki tie you up?”

“None that I can remember.” 

“How did you get free?”

“The one that played the flute maybe.” 

“He was still unconscious then. I think he woke up free?” Aly suggested. 

“As I put in the report the ropes was put on me rather badly after I got back up,” Zeth said. “Remind me not to be the only one sober when two girls are drunk.” 

“There’s not much we can do until we get Ger or Alex to look at this horse,” I looked at Aly.

“I think it’s better you were sober than drunk, Ranger, or things could have gone worse,” Aly chuckled at Zeth. 

“That’s true. I just can’t believe Mysti would do something like that, even drunk. Ger’s gonna be quite upset,” I nodded. 

“I’ve seen how my uncle Amos is when drunk, when I was young. Not up for it.” 

“Trin when I got into town she told me she did... She was still....inebriated.” 

“Look at you with the big words,” I turned to Aly. 

“Are you very proud?” Aly laughed. 

“Mmhmm. So you got a confession from Mysti...”

“She was worried she’d be arrested. I mentioned to her that it’s almost as bad as kidnapping. And that I really didn’t want to arrest her.” 

“Well there’s no reason why if Rikki’s arrested she shouldn’t be too. She was involved in tying up a ranger, even if she was drunk.”

“I didn’t witness the crime, so it’s gonna be up to the court,” Aly said. “I can do the report, though.” 

“Wonder if she’d write a statement....” I thought out loud. 

“Good luck with that.” 

“Doubt I’d get one from Rikki either.”

“Don’t be surprised if Ger tries to... you know... get her out of it.” 

“Yeah. He would,” I sighed. 

“I wouldn’t even bother with Rikki. not like she’d be honest anyway. In which case, that report or warrant will need to go right to Suzy.” 

“Not much for me to do then until we get Ger or Alex to look at this horse,” I said. 

“Would guess she’ll try to pin it on me seeing it’s my horse she rode,” Zeth said. 

“Rikki? No doubt,” Aly said. “Just like she said I ‘gave’ her my guns. When she took them off me when I was shot.” 

Trent and Blaq rode over there then and I smiled. “Hey there.” 

“Well hey there, Ms. Trin,” Trent tipped his hat.” 

“How are you, Trent?”

“Doing good. How you been?” 

“Glad to hear it. I’m alright.”

“How’s the arm?” 

“Feelin’ better now.”

“Good good. Came to check on ya.” 

“That’s sweet,” I smiled. “It’s been an eventful week.”

“I feel so...” Aly started. 

“Short?” I chuckled as Ben rode over and we were surrounded by tall men on horses. 

“What is going on here, someone died?” Ben asked as he looked around. 

“Naw, we just riding,” Blaq smiled and Trent chuckled.

“Trent wanted to check on this young lady here,” Blaq explained. 

“How’s the ranch?” I asked Trent. 

“It’s okay.” 

“I’ve been shot again since that arm incident...” I looked at him. 

“Say what?” 

“But it’s starting to heal.”

“Who shot you this time?” 

“Sasha shot at me and Aly.... I shot back in self defence once Aly deputized me. By the time I’d gotten to the clinic... Sasha was um... deceased,” I looked down. 

“I do need to do my rounds this morning,” Zeth announced. 

“Alright Ranger, stop by later and we’ll see bout gettin ‘that horse looked at,” Aly said. 

“I did find something out,” Ben looked around. 

“You did?” I looked at Ben. 

“Well would like to have her checked out before but ok,” Zeth said. “I’ll be back soon.” 

“Yeah but the people that can check her ain’t around,” Aly told him. 

“Miss Trin so you have a moment?” Ben asked. 

“Sure Ben, we can talk in the saloon. Trent, Blaq.... thank you for checkin’ up on me. Very sweet of you.”

“Have a good one Trin,” Trent smiled and he and Blaq rode off. 

“Trin. I’m gonna go work on this report,” Aly told me. “I’ll be in the sheriff’s office.” 

“Alright. We’ll be in the saloon,” I said and led Ben towards the saloon. “So what’s up?” I asked when we were alone. 

“I got some good information for you.” 

“I’m listening.” 

“You remember the shot that did hit the marshal?” 

“Uh... from that Nathan guy, or whatever his name was?”

“I think I know who did it.” 

“You know his real name?” I blinked.

“Yes,” he smiled. 

“Tell me.” 

“His name is Darius Sharkfin,” he whispered. 

“Darius...” I repeated softly. “I knew he was lying.”

“I did ask around a little and he was the only one that was in the building on the other side of the road.” 

“Hmm...” 

“I only do not know where he hide,” Ben slammed on the bar. 

I reached over to put a hand on his knee, trying to calm him down. “It’s okay Ben... If Kris had wanted to press charges it’d be in the docket by now. Knowing his real name helps a lot though. I’m sure this won’t be his last offense.”

“As you go take him down or arrest him I wanna be around,” he looked at me. 

“Hon I can’t do anything until Kris gives me the case to work or deputize me. I’m just an informant...”

“I will talk to Kris. I am the one that did save his life,” he smiled. 

“There you go,” I nodded. 

“Well I keep you informed,” Ben smiled. 

“Thank you, Ben. I appreciate that.” 

He tipped his hat and walked outside. I watched him walk away and shook my head, thinking information came in the most interesting forms.