Friday, August 28, 2015

August 12, 1900

Tombstone. 

I walked into Tombstone this morning and found Alex and Aeryne talking in the clinic. Payton came over and then a woman named Selona walked over. Payton and Aeryne talked about a fair where there would be Native art showing and then Payton said she needed to get her stitches looked at and Alex took her into the clinic. I talked with Aeryne for a bit and then went to do my rounds. 

I found a note in my mailbox in Black Diamond from Aly saying she needed help on a case involving Garth and Mac so I went back to Tombstone to see who I could find. I found Jimmy walk over and smiled, “Hey there Jimmy!” 

“Howdy doody Miss Trin!” 

“How you doin, Jim? Seen more horses lately?” 

“No, no body bring in new horses..I hear Miss Joan got some new ones, but I haven’t been to see them yet..too busy in town I guess.” 

“Well that’s a shame. Guess we’ll just have to wait till the next ones come in.” 

Paisley came over then and I smiled at her, glad to see her. “So Paisley I need your help with something.” 

“Sure Trin.” 

“Aly needs me to find out some more information about the case against the Wild Bunch... for killing Mick... You wrote her a statement for it.” 

“Kris listened to me, and wrote it down. What do you want to know?” 

“She was wondering if you could help more with Mac’s involvement... What did you witness Mac do amidst all of it?” 

“I arrived after a portion of the events had passed.” 

“Oh so you didn’t actually see Mac doing anything?” 

“Let me think for a moment. Oh he did. He was the one who was tying Mick up as I arrived.” 

“Oh was he?” 

“Yes.” 

“Wha happen? You need me shoot sombody Miss Trin..maybe roun ‘em up and throw ‘em in da hooskow!” Jimmy pulled out his slingshot and reached down for a rock. 

“They then talked about skinning him.” 

“It’s okay kiddo, we’re taking care of it,” I smiled to him and looked at Paisley. “Did you see Mac doing anything else?” 

“Mac disappeared for a moment and I heard him overhead,” she said. “I saw him putting a rope on the flagpole and it dangled down to us.” 

“Anything else?” I nodded, writing .

“Yes. Mac told Lot to slide the bench over and Lot did. Mac put the rope around Mick’s neck. Lot pulled the bench away.” 

“That’s perfect, that’s the kind of detail we needed,” I nodded. “Can you sign this for me please hon?” 

“But Mac was kicking at it,” she added. 

Jimmy looked between us and asked, “Miss Paisley, dey hung a man? Wha fer? Wha he do?”

“Mac aimed his gun at Mick as he swung and fired it,” Paisley said. 

“Jimmy, if you ever see Mac or Garth or Lot, stay far away from them okay?” I looked at the boy. 

“Ok, but I don no who you talk bout,” he said nervously. 

“Anything more?” I asked Paisley. 

“Garth poured oil on MIck and lit him.” 

“Good, but if you hear someone getting called that... Stay away from them,” I told Jimmy and then handed the updated statement to Paisley. “Can you sign this for me?” 

“Ummm, Oh my gosshhh! Yes ma’am!” Jimmy’s eyes went wide. 

“Oh there’s more?” I asked Paisley. 

“Yes. I thought it was Garth that poured the oil but as I think on it... It was Mac... It was Garth’s cigar that lit the oil, but Garth did aim a gun at me for trying to put it out. Then they just talked on eating him.. It was horrible Trin..” 

Jimmy looked scared to death then and said, “Ummm, I think I should get back to o..orphanage...bye Miss Trin, bye MIss Paisley!” He ran off towards the orphanage as fast as he could. I watched him go and sighed with worry. 

“I was so focused on that cigar and gun with the fire, I forgot it was Mac who actually poured the oil,” Paisley went on. 

“Perhaps I should have talked to you in the office,” I sighed. “There’s the updated statement for you to sign.” 

“You had no way of knowing it was that bad Trin.” 

Paisley signed the sheet and handed it to me. “Perfect, thank you Paisley. I’m sorry you had to witness that.” 

“Anytime. I talked to Kris so soon after... It was horrible Trin. I still think back to that gunshot in Annie’s once in a while too.. The close ones get me once in a while.” 

“I need to keep moving and see if I can find Pet. We want to get on this quick,” I rubbed her back sympathetically. 

“Okay.” 

“Be careful, alright?” 

“See you later,” Paisley waved and I headed on to Pearce. 

Pearce. 

I wandered around near the house and debated sitting in the tree to get some paperwork done and then heard a man coming out of the house beside mine. “Howdy neighbour,” I greeted him. 

“Howdy, I seen ya outside the house yesterday I think. Don’t think we’ve met before.” 

“Mighta been. Trin Paige, nice to meet you. Saw you and another man wanderin’ around.” 

“Yea man in black coat?” 

“Coulda been.” 

“That’s my brother... If that’s who you’re talkn about. My name is David. Nice too meet you.” 

“Nice to meet you too, David.” 

“Say who was that man you were with yesterday?” 

“That was a friend of mine,” I smiled. 

“A real asshole if you ask me..” 

“Why would you say that?” I tilted my head. 

“The bunch followed me to my house yesterday, the man just sat and laughed watching me get shot. Yea the lawdogs around here are twisted too.” 

“Watched you get shot? What happened, David?” 

“Just a couple of loose cannons, we were at the bank, on allen street. Me and viper, Half assing around with the teller.. When the bunch walked in and just shot me in the back.. For no apparent reason... Claiming I’d get my revenge doc helped me back up.. And I was walk back here when they followed me and did it again...” 

“Did you report this to the local law, sir?”

“No, I ain’t no snitch.” 

“Viper... who’s that?” 

“I’ll handle it myself.. Viper’s my brother. He was shot too.” 

“I’m not sure who you thought was laughin’ at you. Thomas wouldn’t have laughed about that sort of thing.” 

“He was with Sheriff of Ghenna.” 

“I’m sorry sir, I’m not following.” 

“They both just stood and watched. it go down. Maybe I need another drink then..” 

“You sure it was the same man I was with last night by the river?” 

“Wearing the same outfit.” 

“You have a last name?” I looked at him. 

“Yea.. Murphey. But I’m called Darkwolf,” he shook his head. “Silly name.” 

“Well I can’t help you unless I get more information.. but you don’t seem to want my help.” 

“How could you help me?” 

“Could tell me who shot you... you could write a report about the incident... give it to local law..” 

“Ehh... I don’t know about all that.” 

“Then I can’t help ya,” I shrugged. 

“What are you some sort of lawdog?” 

“Maybe,” I looked at him. 

“Maybe? What are you scared?” 

“Cautious,” I shrugged. 

“Pretty badge,” he looked at me. 

“Observant,” I chuckled a bit.

“You have to be, to survive..” 

“Ain’t that the truth,” I nodded. 

“Say.. I’ll show ya my house if you show me yours..” 

I shook my head. “Sorry, not sure that’d be a good idea. Think I’m going to wander and get some work done.”

“Alright, suit ya self...” 

“Nice to meet you, David.” 

“Yea you too.. Trin,” he said and I wandered off. 

*** 

Tombstone. 

I walked to the office on Allen Street and put Paisley’s statement in Aly’s mailbox. I talked with Ansar, Jess and Reb in the street and then headed to Bisbee. 

Bisbee. 

I heard Pet moving around in the store in Bisbee and walked in to find her. “Pet! Just the lady I was hoping to find!” 

Pet payed the clerk for the food and turned to me. “Ooooh howdy Trin. How are you this afternoon?” 

“Doin’ just fine, and yourself?” 

“Quite alright, thank you for asking.” 

“I’m on an errand from Alyssa actually.” 

“What can I do you for?” 

“Well, she needs some clarification from your witness statement... She needs to know specifically what part Mac played in the whole hanging of Mick fiasco.” 

“Oh yeah? Let’s move out to the street,” Pet waved to the clerk and led the way out into the street. 

I nodded and looked around the street. “I do love this town... Anywho, Aly says that she needs to have more specific information of Mac’s involvement.” 

Pet scratched her head a bit and said, “Hmm, well I can’t exactly recall who done what at this point. I know I should have said something while it was fresh in my mind. Let me think on it a moment...” I nodded and let her think and then eventually she said, “From what I recall, Mac put the rope around his neck... and...” 

“Hello Miss Pet,” Jeff walked over then with a letter in his hand. 

“He kicked out the bench from under him,” Pet said. 

“Hello Miss Trin,” Jeff said to me. “Miss Trin, I have a mail to give you ma’am.” 

“And with that, cause the hanging of a man already shot. Now let me think,” Pet went on. 

“They said asap and I not know what that means but I figure it means fast,” Jeff dug through his bag. 

“Sure, Jeff, means right away,” I smiled at him. 

“Okay ma’am here you go,” he said and handed me a letter. “It must be important cause it has that red tag on it.” 

I blinked at the letter revealing that Lizzie Halliday was indeed Mae Billings, according to the warrant picture attached, and shook my head. 

“Well I’ll see you both later Miss Pet and Miss Trin,” Jeff said and wandered off. 

I shook my head in amazement at the letter and then focused on Pet. “I’m listening, Pet,” I stuffed the letter in my pocket. 

“Then if that wasn’t enough he shot him. now the man already had a bullet in him and was most likely bleedin’ out. but to be hanged and shot again. Terrible! Just terrible.” 

“I’m sorry you had to witness that, Pet. Is there anything more or would you like to read this over and sign it again for me?” 

“Yeah there’s more. After Lot prayed something about fire Mac grabs the oil lamp. He pours the oil all over Mick,” she started to tear up and I reached out to put a hand on Pet’s shoulder. 

Zan and Chris walked over then and I nodded to them. “Be with you in just a moment.” They nodded and headed for the Stock Exchange to wait for me. 

“Then he shoots him again after that. Garth’s cigar set him ablaze” Pet cried. “They all threatened Paisley and I for trying to douse the flames. Then they just laughed lettin it burn.” 

“We now have two very detailed witness statements, Pet. We will get them. Can you sign this for me hon?” 

“I couldn’t take it anymore. I run to the church at this point.” 

“A good place to go at a time like that,” I said knowingly and handed her the statement. “The first part is as you wrote it already. Then pointed out that you added stuff today.” 

Pet signed the paper and then walked down the street, too emotional to talk anymore. I sighed and turned to go to the Stock Exchange, knowing this conversation wasn’t going to be any easier than the last. 

“So glad you both are still here. Sorry for the wait,” I came over to the bar and sat down. 

“Hey Detective,” Chris greeted me. 

“I uh... I have news,” I said, ordering myself some whiskey. 

“Listen... Actually you know what..” I handed them the warrant picture. Zan went pale and handed it to Chris. “That sums it up well enough. I received a long document about the type of person Lizzie was, but I’m guessing you don’t want to hear it. The good news, however, is that she is now dead.” 

“We kinda know that, Detective...” Chris started. 

“I am a little familiar with her background..” Zan looked at me. 

“Then what the hell’d you need me for?” I stared at them blankly. 

Zan sighed softly and looked at Chris then back at me. “Detective.. I lost my memory.. and there were paintings.. missing.. art.. and it was going to be blamed or pinned on me. We needed you.. not only for that but for far more.. You see, even though I had lost my memory, recent ones.” 

“Fine, you needed me to investigate the prints and prove that they were Mae Billing’s/Lizzie Halliday’s, not yours...” I sighed. 

“I recalled clearly my past.. and coming this way. to this area to change, to start over.” 

“And to give Billings a sense of false security...” Chris added and Zan nodded. 

“You see.. I um.. I knew who she was once I saw her again.. not long after I had the accident. She was part of my past..” 

“You should have told me, Zan,” I looked at her. 

“At least someone I recognized.. I honestly did not connect the two for some time.. The thefts.. her presence here, after all she was lovingly, it seemed caring for ... someone’s.. child. I did not personally know her.. I knew of her.. I had only seen her in passing a few times.” 

I shook my head, reaching for the whiskey bottle to pour some more back. “So let me get this straight... We’ll go to court.. You’ll be the defendant... For the art thefts and the murder of Mae Billings, i.e. Lizzie Halliday... I guess if my job is to find the truth though, we found it. I’m just not sure where to go from here. Personally, I don’t believe you should go to court. I guess this is just one of those times where my report could serve either side, really. It’s just that the amount of times I’ve helped the defense in court can be counted on one hand. But because you’re both friends, I had to discover the truth whether or not the outcome was good or bad, right?” 

“Well. I believe, seeing the poster.. and things.. that you solved a rather huge criminal case.. It just happens that I um.. shot the criminal,” Zan said. 

“You found crucial evidence. My wife is facing the gallows and your investigation could save her!” Chris smiled at me. 

“Even my own counselor was calling me a murderer,” Zan added. “What it boils down to is what the jury believes.. about the shooting... but the fact that I was being framed.. Let me explain.. where I knew her from.. I was raised in new York.. my folks thought I should get educated there.. instead of .. Montana.” 

I got out a piece of paper and began to write. “Writing a witness statement while you talk, Zan,” I told her. 

“Let’s just keep it short and say I fell in with the wrong crowd, rather.. I was being raised by the wrong crowd so to speak,” Zan started and Chris put a hand on her shoulder. “A lady named Little Annie Reilly, raised me... What my father didn’t know.. was that she was a key person in a...” she blushed deeply and cleared her throat before continuing, “In a circle of thieves.. a group of women called the Marm Maudelbaum. And .. they trained me.. and trained me well. I was.. the best but my father found out somehow and began keepings tabs on me. And when he realized I was about to possibly get in too deep he sent me money and a note.. and a means to get away to here.. and.. he also bought every piece of art I had taken from the original owners.. paying them somehow to clear my name. I have the receipts.. Mae Billings. I knew her as only Zee. She was a fance. A middle person for the stolen items so she used alias to protect herself and others We rarely had contact with middle men So I only caught a glimpse of her now and then.. I suppose time, distance and such.. is why I did not recognize her when we hired her.. but once I lost my recent memories.. I recognized her much more quickly. Marm Maudelbaum was the name of the woman who headed that group.. and in 1884., Pinkerton agents.. like yourself.. were on her tail. she fled to canada// but the group remained under her name.. I am not sure but the only thing that makes sense is that they were mad I left.. after training me for years.. and sent her to.. set me up.. or kill me.. had she succeeded.. it would have looked as if.. as if I had stolen paintings.. then killed my son and husband and hung myself.” 

I nodded, looking at her and asked, “Anything else, Zan?” 

“Not unless you have more questions.... wait.. where did you get this poster?” 

“It was mailed to me from the office in Tucson. I’ll be writing to them tonight to tell them the case is closed and Lizzie Halliday is dead.” I handed her the statement so she could sign it and she did so, sliding it back to me. I got her to clarify if she would testify in court and then attached it to the big folder I’d collected. 

“Detective?” Zan asked after Chris whispered something in her ear. 

“Yes, Zan?” I looked at her, thinking of the unwinding I’d need from Thomas when I left the saloon. 

“I realize that Pinkerton Agents.. well.. they go after big criminals.. If I had had any choice.. you would be on your way to take Lizzie Halliday back where she belongs. But I know.. that they are going to be very happy to see what you have found.. and without you.. a lot for this would be left a mystery. So no matter what.. happens with me. you have done folks a huge favor..” 

I nodded, relieved to be finished this case once for all.

“Umm... Detective? Do you ever get old cases from say... New Mexico? Like maybe... 15 to 20 year old cases?” Chris looked at me. 

“I am relieved that you turned out innocent, Zan, though the court could still find you guilty for the charges, so in a sense it could still be in favor of prosecution, but that’s up to the jury now.” 

“Yes ma’am,” Zan nodded to me. 

I looked at Chris and said, “Not often...” I stood and looked between them. “I need to get this folder to Aly.” 

“Not often... Good, good. I mean. Oh, ok. Thanks for all your hard work, Detective.” 

“Thank you for your time Detective..” Zan agreed. 

“Why do you ask?” I looked at Chris. 

“Oh... Curiosity?” 

“Uh huh. I’ll leave you two alone then... Thank you Zan, for letting me be apart of this and finding the truth for you and Christopher. Take care, you two,” I said and headed out. 

Tombstone. 

I walked down Allen Street and found Thomas in the newspaper office. Garth and Bill were shouting at each other down the street and I did not want to stay in town long. Thomas was talking with Muriel and I went in to wrap my arms around him, the emotion and stress of the previous conversations of the day causing exhaustion. 

“Good even dear Miss Trin. How are you this fine evening?” Thomas held me close. “Oh my, are you ok Miss Trin? Shall we go have a seat outside and let you catch your breath?”

“Yes, please... If you’re not busy.” I nodded against him and heard more shouting. “Perhaps another town might be best, dear?” He nodded and kissed my cheek then my hand and we walked out of the office. “Home?” I looked in his eyes. 

He nodded and said, “Yes ma’am I agree one hundred percent,” and followed me to my house. 

Pearce. 

I led the way inside and locked the door before falling into his arms, kissing his shoulder and feeling relief at being in his arms. He held me close and I trembled against him, the emotion pouring out. “It’s ok dear, you are home, and I am here. Its ok Trin, let it all out. Don’t hold it in, that’s not good for you.”

I cried until I couldn’t anymore and then pulled him to the couch. “I’m just... I’m so glad you’re here..” I looked in his eyes, exhausted from the events of the day. 

He lay down on the couch, taking me in his arms and holding me as close as he could. He kissed the top of my head and said, “It’s ok Miss Trin. I am here for you to lean or or cry on, or yell at or whatever you need anytime you need me. Are you ok?”

I shook my head. “I... I should feel relieved. I have no open cases. It’s all finished. I solved everything. I should feel a sense of accomplishment but I just don’t. I solved the case about Zan’s amnesia... it was the woman whom she killed that stole the artwork.. and she killed her out of self defense. So basically I just helped the defense side create a nice and neat case for court. But then, the jury could still call her guilty for stealing the art and for murdering the woman... It just depends. But in this town, she’ll probably go free. But I guess my only point was to find the truth... it wasn’t about helping the law or the outlaw this time, right?”

“As long as you did your best, did whats right, and got the job done, you should be more than happy. You work so hard to help these people, and sometimes it gets to be too much. Ummm, I need to ask you about something that happened today I think.” 

“What is it, dear?” I looked in his eyes. 

“I talked to Jimmy today. He is almost terrified to go back into Tombstone. He mentioned something about Lot, Mac, skinning, and burning a hanged man. He said you and Miss Paisley we talking about it.” 

“That’s the other case I finished today for Aly. Awful men... Can’t believe they did that to a ranger... They hanged him and then lit some oil and burned him alive and kicked the bench out from under him so he hanged. Just awful, Thomas. Getting Paisley and Pet’s statements... was intense. I have no idea how those women walk back into town after seeing that. I should have taken Paisley into my office so Jimmy wouldn’t have heard. I feel awful, Thomas.”

Thomas held me close and rubbed my back gently. “I talked to him, and I think he will be ok. I told him that there was no way someone could do something like that to another human. I told him you and Miss Paisley were actually talking about different things. He finally calmed down and went back to the orphanage. He showed me a hideout he and Natalie have upstairs in the library. Very good place for the kids to go if ever big trouble breaks out in Tombstone.” 

I rested my head against his chest. “That’s probably the best, though now you know that it was true.. I just... I could see it... I could picture it all happening.. While they were describing it with such emotion.” I buried my face against him and held onto him for dear life. 

“I understand Trin. I am not sure I could had sat and listened through all those descriptions.. It scares the crap out of me just hearing you talk about it.” He cuddled me closer and said, “Try to think about the good things you do, and try to put those ugly things out of your mind.” 

“I just.. I don’t know what I’d do without you... I’d probably come here alone and cry myself to sleep until Natalie came in and asked me what’s wrong. She tends to stay out playing till all hours, at least till it starts to get dark. It’s good for her though. She doesn’t need to see me like this...” 

He smiled and kissed my lips softly as he pulled me closer. “Natalie is so lucky to have you looking after her. Jimmy calls her Captain Cootie. He said a man named Mr Joe made them a boat and they have named it the SS Cootie.”

I smiled then and looked at him. “Thomas? Have I mentioned thank you yet...? For being here?”

“You don’t have to thank me Trin. I am just happy to be here for you and even Natalie if she ever needed me. Maybe someday soon I will get to meet little Miss Natalie. Have you told her about me yet?” 

“I have. She asked me who the man that was sleeping on our couch was today,” I chuckled finally. “I told him that you were a close friend of mine and that sometimes I need something to sleep with at night, like she sleeps with her teddy bear,” I winked and kissed his lips. 

“Well do me a little favor would you.” Reaches into his vest taking out a big peppermint stick and hands it to Trin. “Make sure Miss Natalie gets that, and tell her its from the strange man who sleeps on her couch.” 

“I will certainly do that,” I smiled and cuddled up against him, relaxing in his arms. “It’s so nice laying here by the fire with you after a long hard day... Better than alcohol,” I felt my eyes close and fell asleep in his arms. 

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