Tombstone.
I walked into Kate’s this morning just before lunch time and found Alex and Seth there. They were talking about boxing and I remembered it because Alex had come to the cafe in Diamond with a black eye. I told them about my trip up north and how great Natalie had been with my family.
When Seth left the saloon I looked over at Alex and said, “Heard Angi left the orphanage.”
“Did she?”
“Thomas told me he heard about it from Jimmy. New lady’s some strict woman.”
“Ireulund or somethin’ like that.”
“Ireulnd? Hmm. Is she a doctor too?”
“Not sure,” I looked over at him. “You want to tell me why you’re drinkin’ so much whiskey in the middle of the day?”
“Why do think I’m drinking? There’s only ever one reason why I drink.”
I looked over at his empty left hand then looked back at him and sighed. “I’m sorry, Alex.” He shrugged and I reached over to squeeze his hand. “I’m not singing in Bisbee today. Heard about some birthday party for Jimmi and I need more time to get back into the swing of things,” I said and he nodded. “So did I tell you about the letters we found at the caves in Bisbee? Where Mae Billings held Zan?”
“No, I don’t think so,” he shook his head.
“One was to some woman named ZZ that said, ‘Do your job, End this now and get back home.’ Signed MM. Then we found another one from MM saying ‘Consider it done.’ It was signed by Zee and then underneath it said Lizzie Halliday. Sent out to New York Detectives for information on Lizzie since I’d never heard the name before...”
“Heard anything back yet?”
“Yeah... She’s dangerous and wanted for murder.”
“Wow.”
“I replied to them this afternoon when I saw the telegram and told them that there was a chance Lizzie was here in Tombstone. Got this telegraph from them also with a long piece of information about the woman. It’s quite the read. I guess she’s also known as Elizabeth McNally. She’s Irish... Her husband died suddenly and the only son of the couple found his way to a Pennsylvania institution. The woman married someone else who died shortly thereafter. Her next husband... she tried to poison him when she fled to Vermont where she married some other guy for two weeks.”
“Wow.”
“Oh it gets better. She burned a small store in Philly for the insurance and served two years for it. Then she married some other guy named Paul Halliday. A septuagenarian with an imbecile son. What the hell’s a septuagenarian?” I looked up from the sheets I was reading.
“Someone in their seventies.”
“Why don’t they just say that then?” I shook my head.
“Yeah, that would be easier,” Alex laughed.
“Anyway... So her first move was to set fire to the Halliday home, burning to death her newly acquired step son. Nice lady, huh? In ‘93, Mr. Halliday disappeared in Sullivan County in New York. A search of the cellar revealed the bodies of Margaret McQuinlan and her daughter, Sarah.”
“That’s horrible. This lady is nuts.”
“A day or two later, Paul’s body was found buried under the house. She’s also suspected of having murdered some peddler named Hutch a bit earlier. The governor commuted Lizzie’s sentence of death after a commission of doctors had pronounced her insane. Go figure, huh?”
“Wow.”
“However, Lizzie is known in New York as one of the worst women on earth because she killed those who loved her.”
“They’ve got a good point there.”
“She was born with the desire to kill and she exacted a heavy toll of lives before she was sent to Matteawan State Hospital. She there attempted to murder one of her attendants. Tried to kill the attendant by strangulation at which point she somehow escaped from the hospital. I guess she worked with some group called the Maurm Mandelbaum as a fence, using the name of Zee to fence stolen goods, but none could or would divulge her whereabouts. Guess we know now. She’s in Tombstone,” I looked over at him.
“Maybe I should find her and ask her out,” Alex sighed.
“Do that and I’ll shoot you down,” I glared at him but then smirked and he drank more whiskey. “So... there’s this article attached from the newspaper... Sheriff Harrisoneecher... That’s quite the name... He was hugely involved in the trial of Lizzie... and he’s suffering from severe pain from a swollen hand, the result of a bite from that notorious prisoner. Oh great, she poisons too. This just gets better. The case of a particular one, in which as nearly two months elapsed since it occurred. In ‘93, as the sheriff was taking Zee from the courtroom after the sentence had been pronounced, she turned on him with tigress ferocity and planted her teeth in his hand.”
“Wow.”
“Anticipating an attack of some kind, the sheriff had provided himself with gloves that he wore all the time. The teeth entered the glove and produced abrasion of the skin, but nothing was thought of it at the time. Three or four weeks later, the scratch started to itch and burn. A few nights ago the sheriff woke up be a pain in the injured member, since then he’d been suffering acutely and now the swelling is extending towards the elbow. Should it continue to swell, it is thought that it will result in the loss of his arm. At the end of the report, Johnson says if we know of the whereabouts of lizzie she’s considered dangerous and is extremely clever. Good Lord,” I shook my head and folded the paper, looking at Alex.
“That’s quite a report.”
“Almost as long as the report I wrote on Zan,” I shook my head. “So wait... A letter from this woman shows up at the site where Zan was almost hanged by Mae Billings... Someone wanted someone to do something and the person said ‘consider it done’. What if...” I looked at Alex.
“Trin... I’m sorry, I don’t know if I’m paying enough attention. I’m...” he shrugged.
“Alex, a serial killer is in Tombstone. And tried to kill Zan. Before that, Zan was knocked off her horse. What if she was knocked off her horse on purpose? So that Zan would start doing crimes like stealing art. For this person Lizzie. Without knowing it. Then Zan’s memory comes back. Zan almost gets hanged by her nanny. Who then... Zan kills because Mae threatened to kill or hurt Zan’s husband and son...” I shook my head, feeling it spin. “I need more whiskey.”
Alex poured me some more whiskey and I sipped it back. “I think this is my fifth glass.”
“Maybe you should slow down...” I put my hand on his leg.
“It hasn’t even begun to numb it yet,” he took another long drink.
“Alex...” I stood then. “Come on. Let’s go for a ride.” We stood to go then and I realized, “Alex...”
“Yeah?”
“Mae shot at Zan first. Zan threatened her but Mae shot her first and then Zan shot back in self defense.” I sighed and looked at him. “I can’t think straight. I need a ride.”
“That makes two of us,” he nodded and we went out to mount our horses.
“Let’s wander around new territory, hmm?” I suggested and we rode out past Apache territory to the borders of Arizona. We found a bunch of buildings made of stone and surrounding camp fires in the middle. I suddenly realized we’d reached Apache territory and I sighed longingly, feeling a sense of being at home.
Suddenly I snapped up and looked over. “Alex! Oh my word, Alex, it makes sense!”
“What?”
“Mae Billings... She... she had to be... Lizzie Halliday!”
“Well think about it. Those notes... Zan said she was the only one around... They were signed by Lizize... Needed to get a job done then go home. The woman said consider it done. What if the job was to kill Zan? But then it failed when Zan got free and then Zan came after Mae and then Mae shot at Zan first and then Zan shot in Mae in self defense! But... Why on earth would someone want to kill Zan?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well at least we can rest assured that Lizzie Halliday is indeed dead. I saw her get killed right in front of me. If I’m right, of course...”
“That’s good at least,” he nodded.
“But if I’m not right.... Then at the very least, Mae Billings was a minion of whoever this Lizzie person was. Right?” I asked and he nodded. “So then we haven’t really solved anything. Not for sure, anyway.”
We continued to ride and then we saw Angel Cisse standing in the street on her own. We talked for a while and then decided to go to the party in Benson for Jimmi’s birthday. We stepped inside and saw Aly over by the bar. We wished Jimmi a happy birthday but I could tell that Alex was uncomfortable. We walked outside and down the hill, looking for Chris and Zan who we’d seen on the way in.
Alex looked upset and I put a hand on his shoulder then pulled him close for a hug. I didn’t let him go until he stepped back and walked away, too emotional to handle being around the saloon where Aly was.
I walked back to Tombstone and went to the orphanage and talked to Jimmy for a bit before heading home.
***
This evening I walked into Tombstone and greeted Paisley. We heard Rikki shout something to Nora about wanting her money and I wondered what that was all about. I walked over to the hotel and saw a few people hanging around in front of Kate’s.
“Everything alright ‘round here?” I asked.
“Yes miss,” the woman nodded.
“So far...” the man agreed.
“Heard Rikki shoutin’,” I said.
“She wandered off,” the man said.
“Where’s Nora?” I asked and walked over to the man. “Don’t think we’ve met sir.”
“I saw here near the bridge towards Black Diamond,” he said. “No, I don’t believe we have.”
“Trin Paige,” I held out my hand.
He wiped his hand on his pant and held out his hand to shake mine. “My name is Carson.”
“Carson,” I shook his hand. “That come with a last name too?”
“Carson McLeary.”
“There’s more?” I blinked.
“Well, I was the one my Pa din’t know about.”
“Ya’ll multiply like the plague. Which one’s your pa? Mac or Garth?”
“Garth, Ma sent me to a Catholic Boarding House when I was a boy.”
“Pa never learned of me till just recently,” Carson said.
“I see. Well welcome to town then.”
“But I knew all about his Legendary Tales from Reno.”
“I’ve known Mac for a long time.”
“Thank you, it’s a nice town I see why Pa decided to settle here.”
“Lookin’ for work or...?” I smiled.
“No, pa’s got me working at the forge and ranch.”
“Course he does,” I nodded.
I looked over at the man and woman in the green dress. “Don’t think we’ve met either. Goodness, you go away for a week and new folks come to town like the dozens.
“How do you think I feel; all these new folk for me to meet,” Carson said.
“I am Laurie,” the woman said.
“Laurie, nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you also.”
I looked over at the man playing guitar in front of the news office and said, “That man sure nows how to play, don’t he?”
“He plays really good,” Laurie said.
I walked over to them and said, “Howdy folks, don’t think I’ve met ya’ll either.”
“Howdy ma’am,” the man greeted me between songs.
“You play a real nice guitar there, sir.”
“Thank ya..”
“Name’s Trin Paige.”
“Well, howdy there ma’am, I-” she stopped and stuck a tongue out at the man then turned to me. “I’m Lillian by the way, ma’am. Lillian Joy, but ya can call me Lil er Lilly. It sure is a pleasure to meet ya.”
“Lillian, a very nice pleasure to meet you as well, ma’am,” I smiled.
“I’m Conway Bailey, Lilly’s pain in the butt brother,” the guitar player said.
“Oh I see, every woman needs a pain in the butt brother. I just went up north to see mine get married,” I smiled. “Kinda feel bad for his new wife,” I chuckled.
I walked back over to the saloon and then called for Phoenix. I hopped on the horse and rode towards Bisbee when I saw Lot in front of the Oriental and I waved to him. He waved back with his gun in the air and a bullet went off. I jumped and turned around, looking to see where the shot came from.
“Target practicing there, Lot? Or tryin’ to give me a heart attack?”
“Um... I was only gonna clean em, I swear.”
“Uh huh. Sure ya were,” I said and he nodded, clearly embarrassed. “And damn near kill me in the process?”
“That would have jest been a bonus.”
“Thanks,” I glared at him.
“Yer welcome.”
“Thought you mighta just been welcoming me home.”
“Didn’t know you lived in allen street.”
“Well I don’t.”
“Then why would i welcome you home if you ain’t livin here. Makes no sense.”
“Cause I been away for five days.”
“Why would we party on yer return.”
“Guess I’ll just keep ridin’ then,” I shrugged and rode off to continue the rounds.
Pearce.
I rode past my house and saw Thomas knocking on my door. Smiling, I dismounted and walked over to him and he smiled back. “Well hello there pretty lady! I was hoping to find you here.”
“Hey there! I was just doin’ the rounds but all’s quiet on the western front, ‘cept for almost gettin’ shot at by that idiot Lot. How are you, dear?”
He gave me a big hug and said, “I am much better now I see you. Are you ok. no bullet holes anywhere?” He looked me over and said, “I would hate to have to go give this Mr Lot the beating of his life eastern style.”
I giggled and hugged him tightly. “Nah, he just waved at me with his gun as I waved at him while riding past and he kinda shot a bullet in the air without realizing it. Was kind of amusing and if I was a deputy I’d arrest him for unholstered weapons but well, you know.” I slid my hands down his sides and smiled. “How was your day? You left pretty early this morning. I went up to bed when you’d gone so that Nat wouldn’t be suspicious.”
“It was good for once. I woke up and peeked up on you and Natalie. You were both sound asleep, I didn’t want to bother you. I had to get a wire out back to Texas letting them know I was stopping my sales on the Mr Boreman’s Tonic. Thank goodness, I found out he was found hung by some unhappy customers.”
I noticed the man walking past and tried to recognize him and didn’t. I turned back to Thomas and said, “Good thing you stopped selling that stuff then, dear. Sounds like you might have met an unfortunate end too.”
“Howdy neighbor, winks,” he said and walked on.
Thomas watched the man carefully and told me, “Yeah, I don’t wish to wind up getting my neck stretched for something like that. I thought maybe you might be able to help me find suitable work somewhere in Tombstone, or here in Pearce or Bisbee if there is work to be had. Oh, I also went to a store today and got something I thought would give you a laugh.”
I looked at him and tilted my head to the side. “Oh did you? What was that? What kind of work were you thinking of, dear?”
Thomas pulled from under his coat a gunbelt and a pistol, wrapping the belt around his waist and smiling to me. “How does it look? I am not sure. I had thought about what you said about being a teacher, but I much rather do something like I don’t know. Do you know of any work that might be had around here?”
I grinned wide when I saw the gun around his waist and leaned forward to kiss him proudly. “That’s the best news I could have heard all day! I feel much safer now!” I leaned back and thought out loud, “Well... let’s see. There’s a lawman, a fire marshal, a teacher, a bartender, a doctor, a lawyer, a store owner, a veterinarian....”
He returned the kiss and held me a little closer. “Well I figured if I am going to live in the west, I better fit in here better. Wow, they need a little bit of everything here don’t they. Bartender don’t sound too complicated. I wonder if the might have need of a printer for the Tombstone Times? I notice they put out a paper.”
“Oh yes they do put out a paper. It’s a good read. They wrote an article about the court system last month and there was a piece about me. That might be a good job for you as well, being a reporter for the newspaper. You’d talk to Jenna Odisark about that. The news office is right beside Kate’s in Tombstone.”
“Oh ok, well I will definitely check that out. Its been a while, but I am sure I can remember how to print a newspaper. I had thought about helping you with you detective work, but I am not sure how well I would do at being a detective.”
“And I wouldn’t want work to get in the way of well...” I kissed behind his ear and slid a hand up his side. “Might make it hard to concentrate if we worked together.... I know that Jenna does actually print the paper but I’m sure she could always use new writers.”
He kissed me again, letting his lips linger on mine. “Yeah, I don’t want to interfere with your work. Maybe though if you ever need help I might could give you a hand. I might see if Miss Pet could use an extra hand at the Russ. I notice its often empty during the day.”
“So what would you like to do tonight, dear?” I moaned against his lips, inhaling him.
“I don’t know Miss Trin. I believe there is a dance a Kate’s Saloon tonight, but I don’t feel like the long walk back to Tombstone right now. Would you care to sit with me by the water and enjoy the evening?”
“That sounds lovely. Let’s go to the river,” I smiled and took his hand, leading him to sit down by the river. “It is such a nice evening out, this is a good thing to do. The tree or the rocks?”
“I think the rocks would be much nicer for a night such as this don’t you think. It makes it so much easier for me to put my arms around you.”
I leaned back into his arms and relaxed. “Feels so nice to be here in your arms, dear. I couldn’t stop smiling for most of today. Hardly much work to do right now other than this case with Zannza. Quite the information from New York that makes no sense but I’m still processing it all.”
“Well I was much happier today than I have been in some time. Our time together last night really made me feel better. I had come by earlier this afternoon, but found you gone out on business I take it. How is your little young lady doing? I hope to meet her someday. Natalie was her name right?”
“Yes, Natalie. She is doing well. She spends a lot of her time reading or studying the book of Apache words I gave her. She’s really curious about the culture and wants to learn more. It’s amazing watching her learn things and figure things out. She’s really taken with Jimmy as well. It’s so great seeing them playing together so much.”
“Yes, I am very intrigues by Jimmy. He seems so enthusiastic about learning stuff. He was showing me earlier today some readers Nora give him to learn how to read. I have decided I will try to help him to learn to write. He wants to write Natalie a letter to surprise her. He is awesome with horses too. Hard to believe such a young man can handle such big jobs like handling horses.”
“That sounds like such a nice surprise. I know that Natalie is teaching him how to read and write too. I never thought I would be taking care of a child, Thomas.. It was completely out of nowhere but I didn’t like her being in that orphanage. It broke my heart.” I kissed his neck softly and smiled. “It’s so nice to spend time alone with you.”
Thomas snuggled me close. “Do you mind if I call you Trin? I really find it easy to picture you a mother. You seem to have a big heart, and how you have taken little Natalie in your home, and then took her with you last week shows how much you care for her. I wish I would adopt all the kids in the orphanage and give them homes. All orphanages are the same, lonely kids wanting to go home to somewhere that will never happen the way they want.”
“You can call me whatever you wish, dear...” I smiled, interlacing my fingers with his. “It’s such a gorgeous night, isn’t it? I could really just sleep out here with you in the open air... by the river, under the stars...”
He took my hand and kissed it softly before kissing my lips firmly. “Well I could think of no better way to enjoy it than with you. The moon and stars sparkle in your eyes like a million little speckles screaming out.. ‘see me see me’... I could get lost in your eyes forever I do believe. This night could be no better I think.”
“It has been such a long time since I have spent this much time with a man and had so much enjoyable time with someone. You give me hope, Thomas... That maybe there is more to this place than work and court and solving crimes. Maybe I get to enjoy life as well...”
“Trin, you deserve happiness and love and life as much as anyone else. I had someone once, I thought I was getting close to her, but she ran off with some soldier in the US Army. Sadly, he ummm ended up bailing on her leaving her high and dry back east. Now she is an old maid running a bed and breakfast.”
“The last man that I was seriously romantic with was Alex... Last October we realized we were better as close friends and now all I can do is be there for him when he’s hurting. We took a long ride on the horses today... I think we both needed it. Since then there were a couple men I was interested in but no one who really made an effort in spending time with me or even holding my hand in public.”
“Well, those men were about as dumb as a box of rocks if you ask my opinion. A beautiful, pretty lady such as yourself, should have a man to look after her, and see she never is alone. I have been alone for so long myself, I had just about given up on true love or finding someone who meant something to me. You too give me hope that there is a woman out there even for someone like me. I just hope that woman doesn’t find someone else before I get there.”
“I have been so focused on my career and being a better detective that I haven’t really even thought of being with men for more than the occasional drink. I cannot wait until you and I can ride around and explore together.”
“Yes, I think that will really be an enjoyment we both will like. I know its something I look forward too and know there is no one else I would rather ride around and explore with besides you. Trin are you doing ok? You look very tired, I don’t wish to keep you up as late as last evening. I very much appreciate you letting me sleep on your couch though. Sometimes the beds in the hotel in Bisbee get a bit stiff on the back.”
“I am starting to get tired, yes, but I don’t want to lose your company this evening either. Perhaps you could come in and join me again this evening?” I kissed his lips softly, trying to convince him.
He nodded and kept a close eye on the two men wandering around. “I think I will join ou tonight for sure. I am not sure I like what those two men might be up to. I would feel much better knowing you and Natalie had me around in case those two are up to no good.”
“Let’s wander inside then, shall we?” I smiled at him and stood, pulling him up with me.
He stood and followed me to the house with a smile. “My pleasure dear Trin.”
We walked upstairs and lay down on the bed and I pulled him close as he said, “Trin. I would like to thank you for being such a wonderful friend. You have helped make me feel so welcome in Tombstone.”
“I am so grateful to have you in my life, Thomas. You give me something to look forward to every day... spending time alone with you wherever that may be...” I leaned my head on his shoulder and started to close my eyes.
“I will stay here with you Trin until you are sound asleep then I will slip off downstairs to the couch. I don’t want Natalie to get suspicious of us or catch me in your bed with you. Thats a lot of questions for a dear little girl to have to deal with.”
I smiled and fell asleep in his arms.
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