Bisbee.
I received a telegram from Alex this morning saying he needed my advice about something and that he wanted to meet in Bisbee. I went to Chez Paradise and set out a couple of coffees, wondering what was going on. He rode over and took a seat next to me.
“Hey there. I’ve got coffees out for us already,” I looked up at him.
“Morning, detective. Oh thanks, I need some coffee,” he smiled. “How are you today?”
I smiled and handed him his cup while I sipped my own coffee. “Doing really good actually. Slept like a rock for the first time in ages. You look very... focused,” I studied him.
“Try not awake yet. But, I do have a question for you,” he laughed. “I just want your opinion and maybe legal help if I do this.”
“Sure, lay it on me.”
“Remember how I told you I changed my last name when I left Boston to try and hide? I was thinking about changing it back to Stone. What do you think?”
I looked at him, remembering that. “You want to change your last name back to Stone?”
“I’ve been thinking about it for awhile now, maybe since Christmas. And I haven’t really decided yet.”
“Can I ask why?”
“Well, there are a few reasons. One, Torii doesn’t sound very um... Western? Two, since I’m getting married, I’m thinking of how it would sound for Aly. Aly Torii. Aly Stone. Three, I don’t need to hide anymore.”
“Well I’d feel a lot less weird hearing Aly Stone,” I chuckled.
“And four.... I feel like Alex Torii is someone else.”
“I think you’re right. You’ve changed a lot.”
“I asked Aly her opinion but she said she didn’t mind either way.”
“I think that it’s a great idea. A good way for a fresh start. Or a.... returning back to your true identity.”
“I thought since you’re a lawyer, you could help me with the legal part.”
“Thank you. I’m really glad to hear your opinion.”
“I’m glad you came to me,” I smiled.
“You’re usually the first person I go to when I need an opinion.”
“As for the legal process...” I chuckled. “I really don’t know. I would think it’d be like an adoption or marriage... You’d go to a judge and describe them your situation. All I know as being a prosecutor is how to put bad guys away,” I winked.
“Well, you’d know more than I would. It’s not like my name is a secret anymore anyway. I admitted it to Pet when she interviewed me so it’s been printed in the paper.”
“There you go then. It shouldn’t be too hard to do. Course, you’ll be giving me more paperwork to do,” I nudged him under the table.
“I thought you liked paperwork,” he laughed.
“Did you change it legally? Your name?”
“Um, no, just started using it.”
“Then hon just start using Stone. It isn’t really legally changed,” I chuckled.
“See? I knew you’d know what to do,” he smiled. “We’ve had a lot of good talks in this spot, haven’t we?”
“Mmhmm. I think this should be our ‘we need to talk’ spot. It’s nice and private and has special meaning for both of us.”
“I like that!”
“So... I get to do a speech right?”
“Yes ma’am!” he smiled and nodded.
“And I get to walk down with you?”
“I probably don’t have to warn you not to say certain words like Aly had to warn me. She didn’t think I should say poop or potty during the ceremony. Yes, we go together and stand at the front together waiting for everyone else.”
“Fantastic. Rings?”
“You hold those. That’s why you have to wear a tux - so you have pockets.”
“She had rumored about Rogue,” I smiled.
“Oh we did talk about rogue being the ring bearer. Not sure if that would even works,” he laughed.
“Would be a bit awkward, wouldn’t it?”
“Especially if he pooped in the aisle. You’re potty trained,” he nudged me playfully and I glared at him playfully.
“I’ll get you back for that. Just you wait.”
We joked a bit longer and then I looked at him seriously, “So I guess we’re waiting until Ger is feeling better and around town again?”
“Yeah I hope he gets better soon. Any word from him?”
“Nothing, no,” I shook my head.
“I’m worried about him.”
“Yeah we all are,” I sighed. “I’m worried about Aly with it too.”
“So am I.”
“This is really hitting her hard. I don’t like bringing it up around here because it always starts her crying but I don’t want to just not think about him either. I mean he was my partner... We fought like a married couple even though we weren’t romantic.”
“Yeah I know. She’s lost her whole family and now her brother so sick. You fought with love,” he looked at me.
“Mmhmm. Most of the time.”
We noticed a wolf drinking from the fountain looking afraid of us. I looked over at Alex and said, “It looks terrified.”
“It does look scared. I wonder if it’s lost.”
“This one’s all you. Animals and kids,” I winked at him.
Alex slowly stood up and walked over to crouch in the middle of the street. I watched him as he went into the cafe to find some meat. He went back out and crouched again, holding the meat in his hand. The wolf noticed him and backed away but then tripped from the step on the fountain and fell over.
“Careful, Alex...” I watched him as he stood, tossing the rest of the meat to the wolf as he returned to the table. “What are you gonna do?”
“I’m not sure what to do. I wish Ger were here.”
“Yeah... the wolf looks traumatized. Doesn’t even want your meat.”
“I don’t dare try to touch him.”
“Who knows where he’s been.”
“He looks really scared of people. I think he’s hurt. I feel like I should do something. I’m going to try and approach, but if he looks like he’ll bite, I’ll back off.”
“I’ll let you do it. Two people might be too much,” I nodded.
“Good idea,” he stood again, approaching the wolf slowly. He reached out to touch the wolf and then examined it, looking at me with concern, then looked back at the wolf.
Aly walked in and I looked over at her. “Careful hon. Stay back from the wolf there.”
“What happened here? Or...rather...what is happening here?” she looked from me to Alex. “And why am I in Bisbee again? Last two times here I was in the clinic and things were chaos. I dislike this town. No offense, love.”
“He just wandered into town. He’s hurt and malnourished” Alex said quietly.
“We had some uh... best man stuff to discuss. Figured you would be avoiding the area,” I winked at her. “Then found this wolf.”
“Well I can go back,” she grinned.
“We’re done now,” I chuckled. “How’s he look, Alex?”
Alex dipped a cloth in the fountain and carefully washed the injured leg. Aly looked very uncomfortable to be in Bisbee. “He’s in distress. I don’t think any one thing is too bad, it’s just that he’s been on his own for a while it looks. He needs someone to look after him.”
“Maybe you guys should get a wolf, I winked.
“Ahem. Not sure that would be good for me, with Dakota AND Rogue...” Aly shook her head.
“True Rogue wouldn’t like that so much,” I smirked a bit.
“I’d like to suggest Mark. He’s good with these kind of things. Animals. Wild ones, and no so wild ones,” Aly suggested.
“Mark’s a great idea,” I agreed.
“Has he tried to bite anyone?” Aly asked.
“No, he’s scared but didn’t growl or bite,” Alex shook his head.
“Wonder if he’d follow you, Alex,” I suggested.
Alex slowly stood and said, “Let’s see if he will.” He walked over to Aly and gave her a kiss and I chuckled.
“See, this is a great place.”
“Uh huh,” Aly glared at me.
We watched the wolf eat the meat and I looked around Bisbee, thinking about how much had changed and how I hadn’t gotten my hug from Alex yet and shook my head, trying to shake it off. Aly suggested finding a cart and came back with it. Alex lifted the wolf onto the cart and we took the wolf back to the clinic in Diamond.
Black Diamond.
I smiled as we entered the town and I saw the ribbon on the entrance. “Diamond won best decorated in the garden contest?”
“Yeah isn’t that nice?” Alex asked.
“That’s great. Who won over all? Don’t tell me Ivy,” I looked over at Aly.
“Freja.”
“Oh Freja, nice,” I smiled as we headed over to the vet office and Alex lay the wolf on the exam table. “It’s nice in here. For a clinic of sorts.”
“It is nice! I haven’t been in here since he got it all set up,” Alex looked around.
“Anything I can do to help?” I looked at him.
“I might need you to help hold him while I take care of his leg,” he said as he washed his hands and then went to the exam table. “He’s young and not vicious, and weak, but when I touch the wound, he’ll probably squirm a bit.”
“For some reason this is easier than with people,” I said and reached out to hold the wolf, calming him with my petting behind his ear.
Alex arranged the instruments on the table and then carefully examined the wolf’s leg as I held the wolf steady. “Hmm... I think it’s broken. I’ll have to set it.” I cringed and kept my eyes on the wolf’s face and felt for the animal. “This is where you’ll have to hold him. Put your hand on his hip here and the other one on his other leg. I don’t think he’ll move much, but this is going to hurt him so he might.”
“And she says this is easier than with people. At least, with people, you don’t get yelled and cursed at,” Aly chuckled and I did as I was instructed.
“Don’t think this wolf is gonna yell and curse at me,” I winked at Aly and held my hands in the places indicated, hoping that it would keep him steady. I stroke the wolf’s fur and said soothingly, “Easy boy, you’re okay.”
“I think a broken rib too,” Alex kept examining the wolf’s leg.
“Poor thing,” I shook my head.
“How did it get like this?” Aly asked.
“He looked really weak when he came into town then he fell off the water fountain after getting a drink,” Alex looked at her.
“Oh did you already tell me that? Sorry, I’ve been a bit scatter brained this morning. I feel like I’m forgetting something.”
“I can’t remember if I did or not,” Alex chuckled.
“Just wow, with us! And I KNOW I haven’t been drinking.”
Alex wrapped the wolf’s middle with a roll of linen to hold the ribs in place as I held him steadily.
“Something important...I was suppose to.....check....on... Oops!” Aly’s eyes widened.
“Everything okay?” Alex looked at her.
“Dakota! I left her in the sheriff’s office all night, and now this morning. Oh dang she’s gonna be upset. I really hope all the furniture is still in tact,” she said and ran outside.
“Oh oops. We forgot her, didn’t we,” Alex chuckled.
“I’m not gonna ask,” I looked at Alex as he shook his head and checked the wolf’s teeth. “How’s he looking now?”
Alex patted his soft fur and then picked up each paw. “He needs food and rest, but I think he’ll be okay. He’s really pretty nice considering how much that must have hurt.”
I scratched the wolf behind his ear, feeling a closeness to him. “He’s been through so much. I wish I could take him home and take care of him...”
Alex looked up at me and asked, “Why don’t you?”
“Ya’ll see anyone go in or come out of the sheriff’s office this morning?” Aly asked.
“Oh no, is she gone?” Alex asked.
“No she’s right here outside. But uhm, the door was WIDE open.”
“You think I could?” I asked, looking at Alex and wondering if I could handle raising the injured wolf.
“Someone needs to look after him.”
“And I’m concerned because Lisa and TJ are back. They were both in Tombstone last night,” Aly went on.
“I think I could do it... It would be good to have some company... Just not sure how he’d do on my stairs,” I nodded to Alex, focusing on the wolf.
“Maybe he could stay in your office until he can walk up and down the stairs,” Alex suggested and pat the wolf. “Trin here can take good care of you.”
“When you feel he’s ready for a bath I got a wash tub,” Aly said.
“Let’s wait on the bath for a bit... Till he gets used to these bandages,” I suggested.
“A bath might be a bit much right now, but eventually,” Alex chuckled.
“Right I didn’t mean this second,” Aly said. “I think the wolf needs rest?”
“Well I didn’t mean the stairs right this second either,” I chuckled. “Can we let him sleep here, Alex? Just for a bit?”
“Yeah lets let him sleep. I’ll put out some food and water for him for when he wakes up,” Alex nodded.
“Can I?”
“Of course,” he nodded.
I went to fill some water and asked Alex to find some meat for the wolf. He came back with the meat and I leaned back, watching the wolf sleep. It would be nice to have an animal around again. When the wolf started to whimper I went over to him as Alex and Aly continued to banter. Alex suggested putting a blanket over him so I lay the blanket over the wolf and watched it sleep.
“Have either of you seen that new native that’s been hanging around town lately?” Aly asked after a while.
“There’s a new native?” I looked over at her.
“Male or female?” Alex asked.
“Yeah the one that was with myst after she got drunk. THere was her, Zeth, and that native. Male. Kept saying most female deputies were ugly but I was pretty and blah blah. I ignored it.”
“Hmmm... I’m not sure. I saw a male native recently, but now I can’t remember much about him.”
“But uh, Myst seemed to know him so..” she shrugged. “Did he have on a uhm...colorful, sleeveless shirt and tight pants? Long hair?”
“That’s hogwash, saying female deputies are ugly. one’s I’ve known have been all pretty. I can’t remember what he was wearing.”
“Hmm...well maybe he was just passing through then.”
I listened to them talk but I was growing lost in my thoughts as I looked down at the wolf with concern. “Alex why is he so quiet? He’s just sleeping, right?”
“I think he’s in pain. I’m not sure what to give him. I use opium on people but I don’t think that would be good for a wolf.”
“Maybe he’s sleeping and dreaming. I think I get noisy when that happens though. Not sure about wolves,” Aly suggested. “We need Ger, he’d know.”
“Yeah, I wish Ger were here,” Alex nodded.
“So um.... Did he actually eat the food you gave him? Was he able to?” Aly asked.
“He did eat some meat. In Bisbee,” I said.
“What about here?”
“He did eat some of it,” Alex looked concerned.
“Enough?”
“He’s been sleeping here.”
“I’m worried he ate something or drank something that could be bad for him,” Alex said.
“How could we tell that, Alex?”
“Let me listen to his belly and see if it makes any strange noises. I hope I can figure this out - I’m not used to working on animals.”
“Are there any animal specialists in Tombstone? I could go for a walk, see who I can find,” Aly suggested.
“I don’t know if there are. Ger’s the only vet I know of,” Alex said.
“Yeah I don’t know of any others either.”
Alex decided that he should try to induce vomiting so Aly and I went outside to wait while he did so. We heard the noise and then Alex asked if I could come into the clinic. He showed me some seeds that the wolf had coughed up. I took a few of them to go and investigate in Bisbee later and see if I could identify them.
We talked about the last animal Alex worked on, which was my horse Watson that he worked on with Ger.
Bisbee.
Later this afternoon, I lugged a big book under my arm and went over to look around Bisbee for trees. I looked at the tree by the church and found seeds on the ground scattered, comparing them to the ones in my pocket. I went to sit at the fountain and looked through my book, comparing seeds and petals. I found the right plant and noted the name, Hyacinth. I leaned forward, remembering the name from time with the Natives in Kansas area. The plant was very poisonous and I wasn’t surprised the wolf got sick from eating the seeds.
I looked up and saw the man from yesterday and he told me that his name was Trinita. I remembered that when we were in Colorado, people had joked about how our names were similar.
Black Diamond.
This afternoon I was working in the office when Alex and Aly walked in with the wolf. I had set up a bed in front of the lab with a bowl of meat and a bowl of water for it, so they set the wolf down in the bed. They headed over to Bisbee where Alex was tending bar and I continued to work on reports while the wolf slept.
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