August 19, 1900

Tombstone. 

This afternoon I walked into town and saw a group of kids standing around in front of the sheriff’s office. Payton was talking about how she would find out if she was going to be arrested or not. I walked over to the office, knowing I had to talk with Aly before I talked with Payton. I knocked on the door and Aly let me inside. 

Aly was talking with a woman I hadn’t met yet and as the woman left the office, Aly’s expression was one of bewilderment and confusion. 

“You alright?” I looked at her as I sat down.

“Ok, I’m shift gears here...from...adoption paper request to...Pinkerton thing? “ Aly giggled. “Yeah. Just, kinda woke up, feels like.” 

“Adoption paper requests??”

“Yes that person that was in here said she wants to adopt Payton and wanted me to sign something. I’ve never done that, sounds like an orphanage and court thing, and I don’t really know either of them. So I’m not exactly comfortable putting my signature on things.” 

“You might want to read this report before you sign anything about Payton...” I handed her my incident report and said, “That’s just so happens to be who I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Payton. I keep hearing this name. Who is he...she? Sorry.” 

“She is a fourteen year old girl in a lot of trouble. Just read.”

“Ok it sounds like this needs to be brought to the attention of the orphan matron. She is an orphan there, yes?” 

“For now, I believe so yes. I wanted to bring it to you and ask what we should do because I really have no idea. She’s a kid... I don’t even know who the orphan matron is right now. Never met the new one yet.”

“All I know is the kids aren’t very fond of her. Maybe that’s the reason some of em have been acting up. Ireland, or something, is her name.” 

“I’ve heard that as well. Sounds like she’s worse than Angi ever was. Glad I got Natalie out of there when I did. What if we come up with some other kind of punishment? Don’t you have something that needs cleaning around here? Instead of locking her up and court? That way she still learns a lesson in not doing bad things, but she also doesn’t have to face the full punishment of an adult...”

“There are always things that need cleaning. Perhaps some kind of public service. Like a job, just without pay?” 

“I think that would be a better way to handle this... for people under the age of eighteen. They shouldn’t have to face court but they shouldn’t go unpunished either.” 

“I agree with that completely.” 

“And that’s why we’re best friends. We’re on the same page about these things,” I smiled. 

“Thing is....now who in town could use assistance?” 

“That’s a good question... You don’t need any here? I barely have enough work to keep myself busy let alone a kid...” 

“I can use help here, only thing is, I’m not sure I want the kid around half the people that end up in this place.” 

“Then maybe get her to do it when you have no prisoners? Like now?” I winked. 

“It’s hard enough for me to delegate to the adults what to do sometimes when things get crazy, would be even harder with a kid. How about someone like Bree. Maybe she could...clean the bakery messes or something. That would work. She could do that now....” 

“That’s a good idea... Help out in the hotel even with Miss Pet in the kitchen... Or do stuff here when there’s no prisoners.”

“Let’s try it...see how it goes...and we’ll figure somethin’...” 

“I like it. I think it’s a good way to handle it. I’ll consider the case closed on my end.” 

“Yeah consider it done for you. I just need to figure out what to do with her now.” 

“There was a bank robbery a while back... I’ve been trying to get Xav or Ben’s fingerprints to prove who it is but one of them did it for sure. Other than that I have nothing else going on.” 

“Good. Slow times are good times. Safe times.” 

“Thanks, Aly,” I nodded. 

We walked outside and I smiled seeing Thomas standing in the street and I walked over to him. “Hello there, dear.” 

“Where’d she go?” Aly looked around and we noticed Payton had disappeared. 

“Howdy Miss Trin,” he greeted me. 

“Oh it’s the fancy man,” said the one boy. 

“Fancy white man?” Aly blinked. 

“I’m sorry Sheriff, I forgot to introduce myself before I got to ask,” the woman who had been in the office with Aly earlier said. 

The other boy breathed out deeply and relit his pipe. “Howdy Mister.” I looked at him, wondering how a boy that age had a pipe. 

“Don’t believe we’ve met yet either,” I said to the woman. 

“My name’s Andra Hammerthall. I’m a coach driver and co-ranch owner.” 

“Ah, related to Seth?” I asked. 

“Oh good, nice to meet you! Always wondered who did that job,” Aly giggled. 

“Yes to both of them,” she nodded. “I own a ranch in Benson.” 

“Are you alright, hon? You’re quieter than usual,” I looked at Thomas. 

“Hello Miss Hammerthall,” Thomas greeted her. 

“Please, call me Andra.” 

“Ahhh Benson. A pretty town. I lived there briefly myself. short time. but a good place to live. Lots of flowers. I miss that in Pearce. So I planted my own tulips,” Aly said. 

“You alright, kiddo?” I looked down to see the one boy put his hand on the other’s shoulder. 

He puffed a cloud of smoke and sighed. “Yeah just shook real good, Miss.”

“My last name changes soo much pending on who I’m married to,” she said and I bit back a laugh. 

“Oh that sounds like it can get complicated,” Aly said.

“Ok, Andra, my name is Thomas E. Wallace, and I believe I spoke to your daughter or soon to be daughter last evening,” Thomas said. 

“I’ve lived there for at least four years, going on five,” Andra said. 

“He’s shook up because of Payton fainted,” the one boy looked at me. 

“Payton fainted??” I looked at him. 

“I am worried about her and she found that out the hard way,” Andra said. 

“Is she ok? This sun will get ya. This one time, I --- never mind,” Aly blushed. 

“More like Jimmy found out,” Andra said. “She hasn’t been sleeping well. I tried last night to least help her but I think this bank problem is causing it.” 

“Where is Payton now may I ask?” Thomas asked. 

“She was just standing there, then she threw up then just fell down, but that lady caught her,” the boy without the pipe nodded. 

“When she’s around, I’ll need to have a word with her. Or two,” Aly smiled. 

“Since she passed out I hurried her to the clinic,” Andra said. 

“Well I have decided to take her case with this business about the bank,” Thomas announced. 

“Kris talked to her and Payton gave back the money,” Andra said. 

“Don’t worry darling, there won’t be a court case,” I looked at Thomas. 

“There is a case already? I really don’t want a child going to court. At all,” Aly said. 

“And just did work in the court house to clean up,” Andra said. 

“She will have a punishment but it will not be court. Or jail,” I told them. “She’s only fourteen. She needs a lesson, not a nightmare.” 

“That’s a relief. Please tell me,” Andra said. 

“See? Knew she weren’t gonna go ta jail.. We don’t gotta hide her in a cave after all!” the boy with the pipe sighed. 

“Oh, well I can settle on that, provided she is not mistreated, or done wrong. I don’t wont her doing any time either,” Thomas said. 

“I could have told you that,” the Native looking boy said to the boy with the pipe. 

“Now...nobody said she wouldn’t be goin’ to jail,” Aly smiled. “Just said....no court.” 

“Yeah yeah, yer real smart,” the boy took out his pipe and stuck out his tongue, laughing. 

“If I need to I can take her place for her punishment,” Andra said. 

“How is she going to learn that way?” Aly asked. 

“Speaking of children learning things... Since when did little boys start smoking pipes?” I  looked at the boy. 

“Least she’ll know how much I love her,” Andra said. 

“She’ll know how much you love her when she’s disciplined properly and doesn’t make the same mistake in the future because of it,” Aly said. 

“By federal law, you cannot place a child under the age of 18 in jail, but then again people here in Tombstone seem to make their own law it seems,” Thomas said. 

“I own a ranch and could think of a hard assignment for punishment,” Andra said. 

“Never said she’d be IN jail....you misunderstand,” Aly glanced at Thomas. 

I put a hand on his shoulder and said, “Dear, she’s not going to be in jail. She’ll help out in a bakery, or the hotel, or somewhere.” I rubbed my hand down Thomas’ back to relax him. 

“I just want what is best for my client. She is 14, scared, and been living under a railroad bridge from what I was told.” 

“I know, darling. Trust me... That’s why we’re not sending her to court. Or to jail. Just a little light work to teach her the lesson of not doing bad things,” I told him. 

“Ok that’s odd she’s been sleeping well I though at home,” Andra said. “Even sung to her.” 

“As I said, there is plenty service jobs she could do around town to make up for this little mishap. My cells need cleaning, I’m sure Bree can use assistance at her bakery, hell even horse poop in the street needs shovelin’,” Aly said. “I won’t arrest a child, nor send a report to court. I don’t have that kind of authority and don’t agree with it anyhow.” 

“Cleaning the cells might be interesting to her,” Andra nodded. 

“Besides, it sounds like the Marshal is already handlin’ things,” Aly said. “Since he’s involved, he’s capable enough to follow through.” 

Thomas looked at me and smiled. “So I take it the matter of 10 dollars has been taken care of?”

“She has already returned the money, according to what she told Natalie this morning,” I said and watched the two boys rough-housing by the railing in front of the building next to the sheriff’s office. 

“I really have no idea. I just walked into town and heard about it now,” Aly said. 

“That’s what I witness myself, Sheriff,” Andra said. 

“As far as I am concerned, the matter is dropped when Aly or the marshal will get her to do some light work around town,” I said. 

“And I talked to her this morning, and the marshal asked her to do some cleaning in the court house, she did such a job. I listen to my daughter,” Andra said. 

“Long as we’re all on the same page with it. It sounds like Marshal Kris is already taking care of the incident,” Aly said. 

I nodded, not having heard what Andra said and then noticed the two boys fighting with the pipe. “Now you two boys... Unless you intend to start a fire and get community work like Payton, cut it out.”

“I have no problem with that. I think Payton doing a little community work will do her good,” Thomas nodded. 

“From what she has done, I can still let her talk to you or mention what she will need to do,” Andra said. 

“Exactly. A good way to learn to appreciate what it is people do every day. Maybe she could even help out at the bank with one of the tellers. Keeping it clean, supplies stocked...Ansar would be a good person to see about that. It would fit the situation,” Aly said. 

“As a future mother of hers, I love her.” 

“Community work?” the Native-looking boy looked up at me. 

“Sure I’ll talk to her,” Aly promised. 

“Yes sir. So please don’t set this walkway on fire,” I looked at the boy. 

“Thank th’ good Lord it ain’t broke,” the other boy snatched his pipe back and hugged it to his chest. 

“Pipes aren’t toys,” I told them. 

“Miss there ain’t a single spark a flame left in this thing,” the boy holding the pipe said. 

“Still need a witness signature on my petition to adopt her,” Andra said. 

“And I not work anyway,” the Native boy said. 

“Ask me again after she’s helped out a little,” Aly said. 

“Well you should still not play with stuff like that in case there is spark in it another time,” I told the boys. 

“Weren’t my choice!” the boy with the pipe laughed. 

“I will sheriff,” Andra nodded. “Never caught your name.” 

“Don’t think I know your boys’ names,” I said to the boys then. 

“Hey! You know Mr. Lot, kids? He’s burned places up before with smoking and not paying attention and then ended in jail. And made other people VERY sad when they couldn’t get into the bank!” Aly said then. 

“I reckon ya don’t neither,” the boy with the pipe said. 

“I do apologize for being so abrupt today. But when Miss Payton come to me last evening, she was scared, and Jimmy had told me all about this issue. Miss Andra, I only wished to help Payton, and see that no harm came to her. She is a wonderful child, and she loves you dearly,” Thomas looked at Andra. 

“Guess not,” the Native boy blinked and nodded. 

“Alyssa Stone. And these things take time. Consider this time some well spent with Payton...help her get through it. She’ll need ya,” Aly told her. 

“Either of you two have names?” I looked between the two boys. 

“Reckon we might...” the one with the pipe shrugged. 

“I also used to be a Pinkerton,” Andra said then. 

“Yes, I know Seth used to run the office,” I smiled. 

“Something like a name,” the one boy said. 

“Yeah somethin’ like one,” the other agreed. 

“Gotta love my brother least he gave me a job when doing Benson law failed,” Andra said. 

“Got letters and such...” the boy with the pipe went on. 

“Fine, be difficult,” I sighed, not having patience. Besides, I would just get Natalie to tell me their names and walked back to stand beside Thomas. 

“Trin...” Aly looked at me. “You know what I like to do when people don’t wanna tell me their names?” 

“Like some of these new outlaw faces I see? I make one up. Get REAL creative -like,” Aly grinned. 

“Give them other names?” I chuckled. 

“Does it have anything to do with damn, shit or hell?” the Native boy giggled. 

“Yup,” Aly nodded. 

“Now to lighten up this splediferous afternoon, who is up for a nice big cold rootbeer, and something a little stronger for the adults?” Thomas asked. 

“I could use a drink...” 

“I’m on duty, so I’ll have to pass on the booze, but maybe a root beer would be nice. I prefer those anyhow,” Aly said. 

“Ain’t got nothin’ ta do with shit, damn er hell... Now put yer hand up like mine,” the boy with the pipe said. 

“Potty mouth only gonna make people not wanna be around ya, little man,” Aly looked at the boys. 

“Makes me wonder how many saw my twin brother,” Andra mused. 

“My mother used to wash my mouth out with lye soap if I talked that way,” Thomas said. 

“He learned it all from me and I still got folks ‘round me,” the boy with the pipe said as he high-fived the Native boy’s hand, though he looked confused. 

“About that drink?” I looked at Thomas. 

“I guess they don’t want root beer,” Aly shrugged. 

“I better head into the Wells Fargo and find that package for Aly,” Andra said. 

“Miss Andra, would you be joining us for a cool drink on the hot dusty afternoon? It is my treat of course,” Thomas said. 

“That sounds delightful,” Andra nodded. 

We walked into Kate’s and Aly got behind the bar to serve us drinks. It felt so nice to go to a saloon with a man again, which seemed like it had been so long since I had. We talked with folks who came in and out of the saloon and Zan talked about how she wanted to have a sale in which she sold her art. She said she wanted to do it soon as she wasn’t sure when the trial was and I thought about what it might be like if Thomas were to defend the woman who’d hired me as a detective. 

When just Zan, Kinney and I remained in the saloon, Zan said, “So Natalie was quite excited about the trip I think.. She talked a lot when she got back.” 

“Yes she enjoyed it a lot. It was quite different than anywhere else she had been before,” I smiled. “I just need to convince her now that school is a good place to be. She’s quite stubborn.” 

“Hmm she was telling us a story about... Oooh someone named Sunset I think? Well can’t say I blame her,” she grinned about the school issue. “But I wish you luck in that.” 

“Right... She wanted to know what happened to my father and why she wouldn’t be meeting him,” I nodded. 

“Ain’t met too many kids who look forward to schoolin’,” Kinney said. 

“They won’t let her and Jimmy sit beside each other... Though some teachers allow it. Even one teacher allowed it once but not the next time.” 

“Nor have I mister Randt.. ahhh yes.. they make boys sit on one side girls on the other normally,” Zan nodded. 

“This past weekend she was sittin beside him and Traci walked up behind her. She got scared that she’d get told to move to the girl’s side and ran out. As she was leavin, the teacher pulled her hair,” I told them. 

“Oh my...” Zan shook her head. 

“Thing is... Natalie’s had a hard time with other girls her age... Where she came from they were awful... And then Payton was actin weird with her cause she lives with me...” 

“Well that certainly is not away to get one comfortable being there,” Zan said. 

“She don’t want to sit with the girls for a reason. It ain’t to just be stubborn. Traci didn’t even say anything to her about movin’ though. Just pulled her hair.” 

“Well maybe she hadn’t got to know all the girls yet,” Zan said. 

“She’s scared to get to know ‘em cause of how they were back home.” 

“Well good grief.. why would they hire a teacher that pulls hair .. ahhh I see.. Mister Randt.. you ever have trouble in school when you were small?” Zan looked at Kin. 

“I met her the other day, Trin. From Missisippi, right?” Kinney asked me. 

“Yes, from Mississippi,” I nodded. 

“And yeah Zan, I was a handful. And from the last letter I got, my son back in Boston is gettin that way too,” Kin said. 

“I honestly don’t know what to do here.. I’ve never looked after a child. Never thought I would, honestly. But she’s mortified to go back,” I sighed. “Insists that she’s just going to learn languages on her own and teach those.” 

“She thinks the world of you, Trin, so don’t worry,” Kin said. 

“I had lotsa trouble in school.. but .. I was not exactly the perfect student..” Zan nodded. 

“Why don’t that surprise me?” I chuckled and winked at her. “I was the perfect student.” 

“I changed a lot.. took some doing but.. well hmm.. maybe we could introduce her to a girl or two.. outside of class..?” Zan chuckled. “Mmhmm... Sure you were.” 

“Well she met Sabi and Ruby and Poppy and they weren’t too nice to her... Spent most of my time lookin over at the boy’s side,” I chuckled. 

“Kids can be cruel at times. Sometimes worse then the outlaws on the street,” Kinney put in. 

“That’s for sure,” I nodded and Zan agreed. “So what do I do?”

“That’s a tough one.. Maybe if she had someone she trusts in the school with her.. a few times.. Who does she trust ? Except you of course,” Zan said. 

“You guide her and let her learn by your example, so she don’t become one of the bullies later on,” Kin advised. 

“She’s gone with Paisley but that didn’t seem to help.” 

“Can I ask a question?” Andra asked. 

“Sure Andra,” I nodded. 

“Who’s the teacher your talking about?” 

“Miss Traci I believe.” 

“Miss Traci.. she seems nice enough but pulling hair.. that isn;t really what I call appropriate,” Zan said then as she introduced herself to Andra. 

“I would never go and pull a girls hair without mentioning a reason,” Andra said. 

“So you’ll tell her why before kickin her ass?” Kinney laughed. 

“I guess that would be the thing to do,” Zan chuckled. 

“Seems reasonable to me too,” Kinney shrugged and offered Andra a drink and poured it. 

“Sis, there you are,” a woman walked in then and greeted Andra. 

“Think I’m going to wander outside. See you folks later,” I said and went to head out of the saloon. 

“Miss Trin? I’m wondering, will Payton be okay?” Andra asked. 

“Oh yes, she’ll be just fine.” 

“She said you were after her for questions,” Andra said. 

“Didn’t you hear when we were talking in the street?” 

“Just wanted to hear from you.” 

“We promised no jail time and no court. She’s only fourteen.” I looked at her sister and said, “Don’t believe we’ve met.”

“I’ll agree to what she will need to do, but how long?” Andra asked. 

“That will be up to Aly or the marshal, Andra,” I said. “It’s out of my hands. I have given them all the information they need to proceed.” 

“Sis what happened to Payton?” the woman asked and I realized she was the woman Natalie had mentioned who Jimmy was staying with and who had sold Miss Ashton the horses that Rikki and Ashton were now talking about branding. “Miss... Joan was it?” 

“Yes ma’am.” 

“I believe Natalie’s mentioned your name a time or two. Heard you gave some horses to Miss Ashton as well.” 

“She’s going to be doing community service as a punishment instead of normal means,” Andra said to Joan. 

“Yes. Is that a problem?” Joan asked me. 

“How many horses, ma’am, if I can ask?” 

“A few.” 

“How many is a few?” 

“To start her heard. What is wrong? They are my horses.” 

“Just gathering facts at this time.” 

“What is going on?” 

“All legal and everything’s fine, just curious.” 

“Why am I being questioned? Yes, they are my horses.” 

“I’m just asking how many horses ya sold to Miss Ashton, ma’am,” I sighed. “Not taking you in for questioning or charging you with anything. As I said it was all done legally, I’m just collaborating information.” 

Joan got up and walked closer to me and said, “Yes.” 

“So how many?” 

“I think five or ten, ma’am.” 

“Five or ten? Alright,” I nodded. 

“Miss Trin is it?” 

“Yes ma’am. Thanks for your help.” 

“May I ask you why all the questions? You think I rustled the horses?” 

“Like I said, Joan... Merely asking. No ma’am.” 

“No, no, a Pinkerton Detective does not just ask” she looked at my badge. “You must have a reason. Please tell me. Why? Plus, Miss Ashton is a second cousin on my mother’s side.” 

“Ma’am, I’m simply asking information. Not accusing anyone of anything. All I wanted to know was a number. So everything is good now.” 

“It sounded like that.” 

I backed up and said, “I’ll see you folks later,” as I walked out of the saloon. 

Joan followed me outside and said, “Ma’am please do not run away from me. Please tell me why all the question on my dealings with Mrs Ashton.” 

“Ma’am, as a detective I’m at liberty to ask whatever questions I want to. I do not have to explain myself to you. There is no case... yet. And it’s not against you or your relative. So please give me some credit and let me do my job.” 

“But you need to tell the accused why. And if she is getting charged, I have that right.” 

“As I told you... She will not be the one getting charged,” I sighed, getting frustrated. 

“See Miss Trin... I do not care you asking me the question. I want to know why.” 

“I’m trying to help her, alright?” I finally said. “I heard some information and I am trying to gain information I can so that I can take care of the person who might be doing harm to her.” 

“That is all I wanted to know. Okay.” 

“And that’s all the information you’re getting from me.” 

“Was that me?” 

“Excuse me?” I looked at her. 

“See, I am a private with the US Army.” 

“And I am a Pinkerton Detective. We are on the same side. Please trust me.” 

“I would never harm Ashton.” 

“I never said you did, ma’am.” 

“Okay, I do. I have to go home,” the woman said and I sighed, walking back to my office.