Black Diamond.
I walked over to Aly’s this morning and knocked on the door. I knew that she would be able to tell I hadn’t slept all night. Aly opened the door wearing a towel around her head. She invited me inside and I hugged her tightly, not saying a word.
“Easy,” she winced and I eased up to see the bandage on her right side.
“You’re hurt.... Sit. Talk,” I said with concern.
“Okay I’m not going to say it all. Here,” she said and handed me a witness report to read.
“See you’re already a good deputy, making statements right away,” I smiled.
“I’ve always made the statements right away,” she chuckled. “But thanks. And I just did it this morning. I was...” she coughed, “A bit occupied last night.”
I nodded and read the following report: “Me, Trin, and Gaide were in the detective agency and as I was leaving I saw Lot carrying explosives. I watched him for a while, and I thought he had left town I stopped my interest in him. Several moments later, I heard a big boom, after which I ran toward the sound. I could hear Lot, he blamed the dog, but I couldn't see him, or the dog, through the smoke and fumes. I ran over to the other side of town and saw Lot again. Gaide was with me at the time, and I watched in horror as Lot picked up a stick of dynamite and threw it in the center of town. Again, another boom. I approached Lot and informed him he was under arrest for destruction of property. At this point, Gaide and Pet were present. Lot refused arrest, so I insisted again, he refused, drew his gun(s), I drew my guns, and at this time Stormy approached. Moments later, Lot shot me. After the incident, Lot ran off.”
I looked up at her and said, “We need to get statements from Gaide and Pet. And Stormy.”
“Oh I forgot to add there... it was the undertaker’s office that got blown up. Maybe the bank too.”
I blinked and looked at her, “James... Was he...?”
“No,” she said and I sighed with relief.
I got her to sign ‘deputy’ beside her name and said that I would write a statement for her.
“And I gotta tell ya... your Colorado Marshall man earned some serious trust points with me last night.”
I chuckled a bit, in spite the reason he was there at all. “He’s a good man. I barely know him to be honest... talked with him all of twice. But he’s different from the other Solo’s. He gets it. Okay maybe three times now.” I looked at her and asked, “I don’t have to tell James about that kiss do I?”
“That’s not for me to say,” she laughed.
“I mean it’s not like I kissed him back...”
“If it makes you fell better though he kissed my nose. I shoulda smacked him, like I did with Lonnie. But didn’t have the heart to at the time.”
“Right... I mean it was right on the lips and it coulda been just to prove his point against Lot.”
“I think that’s what it was, actually,” she laughed.
“If I wasn’t so shocked by him being there last night I would have found it amusing. I would have gotten into it just to shut Lot up.”
“Dang it Trin all I wanted to do last night was dance. Lot had the advantage...he’s experienced, quicker than me, and he wasn’t in a dress.”
“Lot is a very dangerous man. He runs the Wild Bunch and is an outlaw lawyer,” I nodded.
“I don’t think Lot is aware though...with Stormy seeing him shoot me...he’s gonna have that whole tribe hunt him down.”
“You don’t want to mess with him on your own. I’m glad Gaide was there for you when I couldn’t be...”
“I know.”
“Damn straight he is,” I smiled. And when I go over there to get a statement from her...”
“Not to mention Gaide. He was pretty upset. Gotta watch him though Trin..he said he’s gonna be here a while...think he’s intending to go after Lot.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me about Gaide. Not even a little bit. Might be nice having him around... Maybe he’ll become a marshal here and help us out more.” I looked at her seriously and asked, “You don’t mind if Alex and I still do that trip alone, do you? I think it’s safer for you if you stay around here for jobs like that.”
“I don’t want to go there anyhow, it was bad enough I had to with Quiet the other day. Apparently Dakota wandered to him.”
“Okay,” I nodded. “Aly... seeing Gaide in the street last night... I could literally feel my heart falling.”
“Trin I need you right now. I know you’re upset.. and you have every right to be... but I need your focus on this. Can you do that for me?”
“I will get you these reports, I promise. But there’s not much I can do right now until people wake up. So right now I just need to talk to my best friend.”
“Okay... and I’ll listen.”
“Aly I’m scared. Gaide came HERE.”
“Is he scary? Cause I don’t get that vibe from him at all.”
“Gaide? No. But for Gaide to come all this way instead of sending a telegram... This situation is scary. And it’s real. And it’s not over like we thought.”
“Well think of him as extra protection. Seems like we need it, with your crap and mine combined. I’m here for you Trin. We’ll do this, okay? We got us three...”
“Four,” I winked, thinking of James.
“And Tye when he’s around... and enough medics to help a calvary. ok..not THAT many... but the town...it’s getting safer.”
“It is,” I nodded. “Did you get any evidence from the bank or undertaker’s place? Any fingerprints or footprints? Whiskey bottles? Debris maybe?”
“No Trin, I’ve been trying to heal all night from the shot. I haven’t been there to look.. When I was there...it was hot, dusty, and everything was fresh from the explosive. That needs to be done. And later I need to work on the warrant, when I can drag my ass into the sheriff’s office. Your friend was sleeping on my porch last night. he refused to go to the hotel.”
“Sounds like Gaide,” I chuckled.
“I think it made Stormy upset,” she laughed. “Having a strange man hover outside my home.”
“Yeah,” I chuckled. “Do you have keys to the bank? We could check that until James comes out of his apartment.”
“I’m not sure if any of them work for the bank or not. Maybe,” she looked at the keys on the table. “Guess I shoulda tried them all before getting shot.”
“We could try.... If you’re up to moving. We both need coffee.”
“I can try. Least my legs work this time.”
We walked outside and down the street and saw the destruction at the undertaker’s office. I shook my head and Aly sighed, “Actually feeling good I am not responsible for all the repairs here anymore... though...I still feel like I should be picking up a hammer.”
“James is gonna be pissed.”
“Hell I’m pissed. But probably because Lot’s gun went off before mine.”
“And then he blew up my boyfriend’s office,” I nodded.
“Other way around. The second stick he threw landed int he street. No damage from that one.”
“We need some coffee after this. I didn’t sleep at all last night.”
We walked to the cafe and noticed that there was a duck there too. She stood in pain and leaned against the counter while I poured us some coffee. Alex walked in and took one look at Aly’s bandage and his focus turned to her. She explained that Lot had come to town with explosives and then resisted arrest and I tried to explain that Gaide had come to town and James’ office had been the one burned, but Alex was too concerned about Aly’s health.
Ger walked in and asked what was new and Aly turned on him. “That all you gotta say to me..morning sis...you move out, leave, and let Trin tell me, not even able to do it yourself, even though I SAW you earlier!”
“Does it count that I moved in over the clinic?” Ger asked, but Aly looked really upset and Alex put his arm around her. I sighed, knowing that I’d lost Alex’s attention and that I’d been right all along. I had officially been pushed to the sidelines.
I turned to Ger and asked, “Yeah? You’re not leaving Diamond?”
“Not when she needs me the most...”
“Guess I really don’t matter then,” I stood and walked towards the door.
“Whoa there Trin...who said that?” Ger asked.
“You just did,” I looked at him. “You’re here for Aly.”
“I said Black Diamond needs me...you are part of Black Diamond...all of you are...so you all need me.”
“You said ‘she needs me’,” I said and looked over at Alex and Aly. “Alex, take her home to lay down. I shouldn’t have got her out of the house. I didn’t exactly sleep last night. Ger, let’s walk.”
“No Trin, I need to check the bank,” Aly insisted. “And I need to write a warrant, and --- repairs...”
“Aly, I won’t tell you again. Go get rest,” I said and she started to sob. “You can’t write a warrant without statements from me. Ger, come on.”
We walked down the street and I saw the damage again at James’ office and broke down with tears. Ger looked from the debris to me and asked, “
“Oh my word...what happened?”
“Lot came into town with dynamite and did that. I think James was out of town.”
“I hope he was out of town.”
“Gaide was here... I have about five statements to collect including one to write...” I shook my head and looked at him.
“Who is Gaide again?”
“Remember when I thought that I wasn’t a target of that serial killer and that I could leave Dutch Solo and his family in the past?” I asked and he nodded. “Gaide came to Diamond last night to warn me that this is still going on, and that they’re convinced I’m still a target. He told me to be on my guard and not ease up about this because it will happen.”
“So you think this has something to do with it?”
“No. It has nothing to do with it except that it happened at the same time.”
“Coincidence.”
“I don’t usually believe in them but yes. This time I believe it was.”
“Unless...”
“There’s no way Lot would be wrapped up in all of this and James JUST set up this office yesterday.”
“Unless they hired him...”
“Like how the Maverick’s and Harmini were all involved in that guy coming after me for Dad’s medal..”
“Anything is possible Trin...”
“Ger... That’s only supposition. I think this was a coincidence and I think that Lot was trying to mess with Aly as a new deputy. Let’s not make this more complicated than it has to be.” I sighed and changed the subject. “Ger.. You’re not leaving?”
“Depends on who is voted into office...Mysti is leaving.”
“You actually think people will vote for Sam?”
“Who knows what people will do....”
“That’s for sure,” I sighed again.
“I was approached by Judge Angeles last night...”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah...told me I better run, and win, or she will no longer be judge here in Black Diamond.”
“Then work for it. You’ll have to work on Aly... I would rather talk with you like this than stay mad at you for how you acted yesterday.”
“I have to pick what is more important to me....being Mayor, or Myst.”
“No one said you have to choose. If you’re mayor it gives her more reason to be around here.”
“One or the other...she will not live in Black Diamond anymore.”
“Ger... I’m scared. I need you here too. I need as many guns around me as I can.”
“You know I don’t use a gun...”
“As many people as I can trust as I can...”
“So now I have to choose between you and Myst too.”
“I’m not trying to make you feel guilted into anything. Just proving to you that your fears yesterday of not being needed or wanted are crap.”
“Wanted by the powers that be.”
“Are you hearing me? Or should I just keep walking and talk to myself?”
“I’m talking about Suzy who pretty much said that to me last night. And she is why Myst left.”
“What’d she do to Myst?”
“She was the last straw for David.”
“David is still here. And Katie. They were at the saloon last night.”
“What?! That’s it. Tired of being lied to.”
“Don’t hurt the messenger, just sayin’ what I saw. I don’t know if he’s still running. Or what’s going to happen with that. But Katie dances at the saloon. I don’t think she’d want to just up and leave.”
“Maybe he was here to support her, but David said he was leaving Black Diamond. Maybe he thought he was. Maybe he changed his mind. That’s a conversation you have to have with him. I won’t sit here and put words in his mouth.”
“I have had conversations with him... Don’t know if I am being played.”
“I need to get some work done. Or some sleep. Or... something.”
“Sorry about what happened to James’ shop...and I agree with your friend...watch your back.”
“I intend to. I won’t let this guy get the better of me.”
“Never met a man yet that has.”
“Has got the better of me?”
“Yep.”
I sighed and looked at him, “Keep me posted with this election nonsense, alright? I’m going to get some writing done. I have a statement to write for Aly.”
“Sorry if I have disappointed you.”
“It wasn’t that you disappointed me... It’s that I’ve been feeling kind of abandoned and left off the radar lately. I’ll get over it. It’s not like I was shot... yet.”
“I don’t know why...we have been talking, not as much as when we were partners, but we have.”
“I don’t just mean you, Ger.”
“Okay... You and Aly have been talking everyday.”
“Never mind... It’s not really a big deal. I’m just being stupid and selfish.”
“And Alex...and now James.”
“Alex barely noticed me this morning. You barely noticed me this morning until I walked out.”
“Are you trying to take his attention away from Aly?”
“No,” I shook my head and sighed. “Never mind. It’s stupid.”
“I asked everyone what was new. Then was attacked by Aly. Then you ordered me to follow you.”
“Because I needed to talk to you. And she needed to get looked at.”
“Yeah... about that... You could have asked me to follow you. Like you said yesterday...I don’t work for you anymore.”
“I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry I ordered you around. I’m sorry I wanted my best friends to care about the fact that I have a killer after me and that Gaide had to come all this way to warn me. I’m sorry that I haven’t been on the rooftops shouting for people to vote for you and Dave. I’m sorry I haven’t...”
“I care....always have. All ya had to do was say something... You never gave me a chance back there.”
“You want me to apologize again?” I sighed.
“No.”
“You want me to get down and beg for forgiveness? I messed up, alright? I always mess up. I should just sit in my office and write reports and not bother to come out.”
“Now you’re being sarcastic,” he said and I started to feel the tears threaten so I looked away. “I guess I can’t express my feelings...it is I that should just shut up...follow and do as told.”
“We’re both being stupid,” I sighed. “I’ve apologized. I’ve listened to you and told you you’re wanted and needed here.”
“Why be mayor if the one you answer to you can’t trust? I will not be a puppet mayor and will not put up with being blocked for we all want for the town...not her, but us.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“These are the things I am seeing first hand.”
“I’m gonna go home. I need to rest and get this thing done for Aly, then find the witnesses I need to.”
“As far as her and Myst...thats for Myst to say, not me....” he said then pulled me close before I could leave.
I hugged him tightly, not letting go, and whispered, “That’s all I needed, Ger... just a hug.”
“Next time ask,” he laughed and continued to hug me.
“I was too tired and upset to...” I cried against him.
“Nothing should over ride the need to ask for a hug...especially when you re upset.”
“Ger?” I reached for his hand.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you...”
He placed a hand on my cheek and said, “No problem, that is what friends are for.”
“I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Okay... be careful.”
“I’ll try,” I nodded.
“Everyone knows were you work.”
“Yeah.”
“Have to finish setting up the apartment.”
“I want to see it when it’s done,” I said and couldn’t help but smile when I saw him walk upstairs. I turned and headed for the office.
I decided to go for a ride and calm down, but found my way through the Canyon and went to Jack and Sommer’s place. I was still on the fence about asking them for protection but if this was really going to happen I would need more protection. Jack said that they were busy so I decided to keep riding.
I rode back in town and paused in front of Aly’s. Alex called me in and I hesitated before walking inside. Alex opened the door and invited me inside so I walked in, knowing emotion was all over my face.
“You look upset,” Alex said and gave me a hug. I hugged him tightly, letting the emotion wash over me.
“Trin what happened?” Aly asked with concern.
“You need to talk about it?” Alex squeezed me and I nodded, struggling for words. “I can make some coffee. Or whiskey?”
“It’s... I’ll be fine... You have to take care of Aly and I’m just...”
“Trin. We all take care of each other. Sit your cute butt down and talk, woman.”
“Aly’s going to be okay. I fixed her up. What’s going on?” Alex looked at me seriously. “Come sit down and talk to us.”
I sat down beside Aly and pulled my knees up under me. “Everything was fine,” I started. “I was happy. I felt relaxed. Life was good last night and then...”
“Last night was crappy all over. I’m sorry Trin,” Aly said.
I looked at Alex and said, “Gaide came to Diamond to tell me that the killer was still at work but that I was still a target. He was worried for my safety and didn’t want me to ease up.”
“Oh no...” Alex shook his head.
“Trin remember our conversation earlier...how I sad you have a lot of protection in the city....and with Gaide being here...even more.,” Aly insisted.
“For him to come all this way... and to tell Aly that he wants to stay around... This is serious and it’s happening. He wants to be here to protect me.”
“We’ll get this guy if he comes...ok?” Aly said.
“I’m not afraid of that. That’s not why I’m upset.”
“Yeah, that’s true. If he’s going to stick around, that helps,” Alex agreed.
“Yeah he said he’s gonna stay around for me. But probably you too.”
“Oh? What happened?” Alex asked her.
“I thought he would stay around to help you protect me,” I said, trying to fight back the bitterness.
“Yes. And apparently he wants to get Lot as well. So look he’s got a lot of reasons to stay. Point is... he’s staying. Use him! He was a huge help to me last night Trin. I don’t know much about law yet. but he did,” Aly said.
“I’m glad he was around,” Alex nodded.
“I managed to get through...and I was REALLY hoping my first incident wouldn’t be wtih.....Lot...though...i was kinda thinking it would,” Aly said. “And I’m sorry for talking about me again and taking the subject off your situation...”
“What’s upsetting you?” Alex looked at me.
“I was using that as an example of his usefulness in Black Diamond,” Aly said.
“Ger did it too. All he could talk about was this damn election as if it was my problem to solve. I’ve become invisible.”
“No, you haven’t,” Alex sighed.
“Eventually, he just hugged me and I realized he did care but... It took about an hour to get there.”
“Trin, I’m a doctor. First and foremost, I’m always going to tend a patient, no matter who it is, before I notice anything else.”
“I know,” I looked at him. “I’m being stupid.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t really pay attention to you this morning,” he said.
“So now...when it benefits him..that he might be mayor...he shows up....and casually acting like everything is fine!” Aly was getting angrier by the minute.
“Breathe, Aly. Don’t need to get upset now,” Alex looked at her. “I don’t want you busting another stitch.”
“After NOT telling me...and wanting to pack up and GO...we can’t have a mayor that does that every time he doesn’t get his way!” Aly fumed.
“Sometimes I just want to..” I shook my head.
“I’m sorry,” Aly said after looking at Alex.
“We’re always here for you,” Alex looked at me with a smile.
“You just want to what, Trin?” Aly asked and I bit back tears.
“You better not say ‘leave’,” Alex said and I looked away. “Trin... I know. We all go through that. I’ve threaten to leave how many times? But the thing is, you’ve got good friends here.”
“I’m sorry. I know I do it just... Lately... I can’t even enjoy being in a new relationship because all of this other stuff had come up,” I said and Alex reached over to pat my knee.
“And I promise when you feel his arms around you those things...they won’t seem as important,” Aly smiled. “Besides...the two of you can bond near the rubble. Sorry. That’s me trying to be funny. It’s not.”
“But that’s a good point - sometimes a bad situation can bring you closer,” Alex agreed.
“Ger suggested it was connected.”
“I told him that it had to be that Lot was just messing with you. I don’t believe in coincidences but this time... I really think that’s all this was.”
“It probably was...word gets around when there is new law,” Aly said and came over to sit beside me.
“If Lot wanted me dead he’s had a whole year to do it.”
“I think you might be right, Trin. He wanted to test you out.”
“Test me, hm?” Aly sighed. “Gaide seems to think I’m gonna do really good with law...”
“Yeah, they see a new law person in town, those outlaws want to see what they’re like.”
“Lot on the other hand, he just stood there looking amused and laughing at me. I guess that’s what they do. I wasn’t upset over it,” Aly said.
“Aly, I wrote my statement. I’ll attach it to the others when I find them,” I said.
“Thank you, Trin.”
“I didn’t see much but he admitted to carrying around dynamite in front of me. Might help substantiate the claim that he did it.”
“Well there were at least three people that saw him with it,” Aly said.
“Being a witness means I won’t be able to prosecute though.”
“The question is...was the actual property damage intentional or accidental?” Aly asked.
“That’s okay if your statement will help more than if you’re prosecuting,” Alex said.
“That’s for the jury to decide, I guess.”
“Well hopefully Dave is still around for that. I’d like to see him prosecute this... but what lot DID do was throw a stick, then resist arrest, and then shoot law. Plenty of witnesses to that.”
Alex offered me a whiskey then and I took some of it, knowing he knew what it meant when I drank whiskey. Aly hugged me gently and said, “Trin, Can you imagine how worse you’d feel if you left and had to deal with this alone? It’s crap when you don’t have anyone to talk to.”
“I wasn’t sure if...”
“Shh, don’t even. Of course it isn’t!” Aly grinned.
I looked over at Alex and he looked back, “I’d be lost if you weren’t around.”
“I need to ride over to the village with you at some point. I need that statement from Stormy.”
“Okay, I’d be happy to ride over there with you,” Alex nodded. “I like going out on a mission like that,” he chuckled.
“She was so nice last night,” Aly smiled. “Helped me up the stairs and to bed... and got upset when Gaide said he was going to sleep on my porch. I really don’t think Lot realizes what he’s in for...”
“Gaide tends to sleep anywhere... He’d sleep in a cell if he had to,” I smiled.
“He’s got the Apache wrath now...” she laughed.
“He certainly doesn’t. Gaide is pissed with what’s going on with his brother. He found Dutch kissing his wife.”
“Ugh I can’t imagine. I had a hard enough time sleeping on that couch the other day,” Aly shook her head and then blinked, “Say what?”
“Oh that’s not good,” Alex shook his head.
“Does Dutch kiss everyone?” Aly asked.
“Was my reaction too. I knew that Dutch was a ladies man but I didn’t think he’d stoop that low. Anyone with breasts,” I muttered.
“Yeah, that’s real bad. If I were the wife and he tried that on me, I’d slap him in the face first, then kick him somewhere unmentionable second,” Aly said.
“Gaide insisted I was different... that I was the love of his life. But if I was... Why didn’t he come out here? Why didn’t he give me any attention when I finally went there after not hearing from Gaide for a couple weeks?”
“Gaide did come out here,” Aly said.
“I meant Dutch. Where was Dutch? If he cared so much.”
“I don’t know him, so I can’t answer that,” Aly said.
“Maybe he just needed to let the past be,” Alex suggested.
“I was trying to,” I shook my head. “We had closure. It was in the past. I told him the things I’d held in for fifteen years. I told him he knew where to find me.”
“Trin you’re better off without him if he’s a lady’s man. that kinda guy doesn’t stick with one person, and if he does, not for long. You’d get your heart broke, at least once, and probably many times over after that,” Aly said.
“Aly, it’s not that I want him for that anymore. That part is done. I’d just like it if.... he showed a little concern.”
“Then how come it’s still bothering you and you’re wondering if you are different?” Aly asked. “It still bothers you if you feel that way.”
“Gaide barely even knows me. And yet he was the one who rode out here.”
“He probably thinks showing concern is showing weakness,” Alex suggested and I looked at him.
“Yeah some men are like that,” Aly nodded.
“I wasted two months of my life trying to figure him out. Look where it got me. And he can’t even spare one ride out here to make sure I’m safe? He’s gotta send his brother?”
“Maybe if you were the love of his life, it’s too hard for him,” Alex suggested. “It’s easier to pretend he doesn’t care.”
“Sorry, I guess three months if you count the month we dated after the book,” I said and then nodded to Alex. “I guess that makes sense.’
“I could think of a few people that are like that... right off the top of my head,” Aly agreed and then looked at me. “Do you feel better?”
“I’ll feel better when this is all said and done. Like I thought it was.”
Aly suggested we get some coffee then but Alex said that he had to get going. He hugged me tightly and I went to go finish my reports from yesterday.
***
This evening, I saw Suzy walking down the street and she asked what happened at the undertaker’s. I told her about the dynamite and how Aly and I were working on getting statements together. She reminded me that she could sign warrants and I smiled at that, glad to have someone around that could help finish things.
While sitting in the tree, I saw Stormy come over and I asked her to write me a statement about what she witnessed. She told me her statement and then signed the paper and I took the statement to the office.
Tonight, I walked outside and saw a little girl that was the spitting image of Pet. She told me that she was Pet’s daughter, called Reeba, and we talked for a while about how she lived over in Bisbee. Aly came over and started talking with the girl while I went up to sit in the tree and relax. We brought her back home to Bisbee and then Aly went to the dance at Shuck’s but I decided to go back to my office.
No comments:
Post a Comment