Tombstone.
This morning I walked over to Kate’s and saw Chris sitting in front of the saloon. “Hey there, Chris. I had a thought... Now that Zan’s around more, I think we need to compare her prints to the ones we’ve found on the paintings and candleholder.”
“That makes sense. Her attorney had the same thought. I think her hands have healed up enough to print them.”
“Excellent. I trust you that she was the only one who touched the candleholder, but I want to make one hundred percent sure.”
“Right.”
“Is she around?” I asked and then heard someone come up behind me and smiled. “Well hello there, Thomas!”
“Well good day Miss Trin. A good day to you to sir.,” Thomas tipped his hat to both of us.
“I woke up and she wasn’t around. Again,” Chris told me.
“Christopher Lyric, this is Thomas E. Wallace. He just rode in on the stage yesterday,” I introduced and then frowned at his news.
“I know... She does that a lot lately. She will be in town later, I’m sure.”
“I hope so,” I nodded.
“Me too. This is all crazy. Hello Miss,” Chris nodded to the woman walking over towards us who greeted Dancing Cloud.
“Good day Miss. Ain’t it a splediferours day to be alive?” Thomas smiled at the lady.
I stepped over towards Thomas and held out my hand. “I had a lovely time last evening with you, Thomas.”
“Yes it is,” the woman smiled.
Thomas turned to take my hand and kissed it gently. “As did kinda lady. I have not enjoyed a conversation so much since my days back in Philadelphia.”
I blushed at the kiss and let him hold it longer if he wanted. “Isn’t he such a gentlemen? We need more of his type ‘round here.”
The lady walked away then and Thomas tipped his hat to the woman. “I wish you a splendid day Miss, and may your fortunes be abundant.” He turned to me and smiled. “Have you had a bit of lunch yet? I feel my stomach needs sustenance more than the fine beer and beef I ate last evening.”
“Lunch sounds like a fantastic idea. Join me in Kate’s? Then we won’t be too far if my case’s main actor decides to grace us with her presence,” I winked at Chris.
“Of course my fair madame. But you have me at a disadvantage as to where Miss Kate’s is. Do they serve food as wonderful as the hotel I visited in the evening?”
I grinned and walked into the saloon in front of us. “Fortunately we are right here. Come on with me, Thomas.”
“Oh my! Miss Trin, are we safe? There appears to be a what do you call them? Indians in front of me,” I heard Thomas’ voice outside.
I heard him and walked back outside. “Dancing Cloud is perfectly harmless,” I smiled at the woman, though it wasn’t entirely true. “Chris, care to join us for some food in Kate’s?”
Thomas looked at DC and said, “Hello, very nice to make your acquaintance,” before joining me in Kate’s. I walked to the bar and had a seat, looking between Chris and Thomas.
“Thank you, but I have to pass. I have an appointment with Zan’s counselor shortly. I’ll see you later, Detective,” Chris said.
“I hope to see you and Zan soon, Chris. I want to compare those prints with her actual fingers now that the affects of the burning have finished,” I told him.
“I’ll find her and contact you. She wants this done, too. Thank you Detective,” Chris nodded.
“Understandable, Chris. Good luck.”
“Thank you Trin,” Chris nodded to me and the man. “Sir.”
“Have a good day sir, and good luck with those issues you have acquired with the missus,” Thomas said to him as he walked out.
I went back behind the bar and looked around. “Well there ain’t much back here to make for a meal... But at least we can start with drinks. How was your evening at the hotel in Bisbee, Thomas?”
“Would it be to forward of me to ask if I might join ya Miss Trin? Oh it was quite nice, thank you. I met a very kind lady on my way back, a Miss Paisley I do believe, who showed me the way.”
I smiled and reached for the bottle of whiskey and two glasses, setting them on the counter. “Would you care for some whiskey, Thomas?”
“Oh I must tell you, I get quite lost with myself when drinking whiskey if not careful. But I don’t think one shot will hurt me.”
“You and me both. We’ll just have to watch out for each other then won’t we?” I winked at him.
He smiled and took the bottle from me, pouring whiskey in each glass. He raised his own glass and toasted, “To the wild west. May it never be forgotten.”
I clinked my glass to his and asked, “So what are your plans for the time being? Going to look for a job here or give yourself some time to settle in?”
“Well I hope to sell my Wonder Tonic if people will buy it. Then I shall look for appropriate work that I can handle.”
“What exactly does this wonder tonic stuff do?”
Thomas laughed and said, “To be honest Miss Trin, it’s nothing more than cheap medicinal whiskey made for little ole ladies as they say. I felt you should know the truth since you have been so very kind to me.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “I knew it was nothin’ special. I didn’t take any last night ‘cause I wasn’t sure I could trust it.”
“I must tell you, that once I met the Mr Boreman who made and started selling that stuff. They tarred and feathered him after a group of lil ole woman started dancing and jumping in the streets. I don’t mean young women either, I mean grandmothers and great grandmothers who shouldn’t be moving in such ways.”
“That certainly must have been a sight to see!” I chuckled.
“I missed that part of it, but I do remember seeing him run outta town. Actually I believe I give you the last bottle I had last night. It is good for helping you sleep, or to warm you on a cold night, but not much else. I do know it will do that much for you.”
“Well that’s helpful... I ain’t really been sleeping much lately. I lay down on the pillow and my mind just spins. I can’t keep anythin’ straight.”
“I would like to ask you Miss Trin, do you enjoy being a detective?”
I leaned against the counter, sipping my whiskey. “There are days when I don’t, but most days I do. It’s the hunt for truth, for the story behind why things happen the way they do. It’s getting justice for those who deserve it without actually shooting anyone or doing the arresting. I’ve decided lately though that if shooting is necessary, that will happen. Lately I have been walked on and ordered around by folks who don’t know the whole story and it’s driven me to change my perspective a bit.”
“Well Miss Trin, I must say you carry it quite well. I have not seen a female detective before, but I have seen them as lawyers and such back east where I came from. Do I remember correctly that you are from Canada?”
“Yes sir... My mother and brother are still there. My father was killed last year under unfortunate circumstances that almost cost me my life as well.”
Thomas sipped his whiskey and nodded. “I am very sorry for your loss. I cant imagine what Tombstone would have felt like had I not encountered such a friendly warm face such as yourself last evening. I can tell you have had a hard going at life coming out west yourself.”
“Yes it is... I have been on my own for quite some time. Then every moment I think I’ve found a man that will stand by my side and protect me or work with me as a detective partner... They disappear a week or two after and leave me stranded again,” I said, trying to fight back the emotion.
Thomas looked in my eyes and smiled with understanding. “Well any man who did not partake in the chance of having you by his side, should be horsewhipped I do believe Miss Trin. I too have not had the best of luck with women. All the ladies back east want doctors, or lawyers, or rich men who will give them everything they can desire. I personally do not have my families money, for I left that all behind. I wish to make my own way in this world, such as you have, and to maybe some day settle with the right person.”
“Well it seems like we have the same opinions on that at last... Now if I can only open your eyes to the unfortunate reality of the place we live in... Maybe I’ll convince you to wear a gun, hmm?” I winked at him.
Thomas looked at me and laughed. “My dear Miss Trin, please do tell me. Can you imagine me, wearing a gun on my side?”
I laughed at that and shook my head. “No, I suppose not. Say... were you interested in taking a tour around the area today? We could ride around on my horse if you like.”
Thomas smiled and took my hand in his, kissing it softly. “I really do need to head back to the hotel Miss Trin for a little bit. I believe I forgot my wallet and I received a telegraph early this morning I was told. May we pick back up later for that ride?”
I smiled and blushed at the kiss and felt my whole body tingle at the sensation. “I would enjoy that, yes. You know where to find me.” I let my mind wander, wondering how it would feel if the man kissed me anywhere else, and found myself squirming in my seat.
“I sure do kind, beautiful lady. Maybe we can visit that river and partake in a picnic this evening if you would like.”
“Sounds lovely. Have a good afternoon, Thomas.”
“You too Miss Trin,” he stood and gave me a slight kiss on the cheek before turning to walk outside. I blushed at the kiss and felt my heart pound against my chest. We had barely just met but already the man made me weak in the knees.
I regrouped and stood, walking out of Kate’s and went over to Chris and Nim. As I walked over I heard Nim say, “I am going to go file the papers I need to get that background check done on your Nanny. Have a good morning Mr Lyric.”
“You too. Be safe,” Chris nodded to her.
“Morning detective,” Nim smiled at me.
“Thank you,” Chris shook Nim’s hand.
“I will talk with you again a little later,” Nim promised.
“Everything alright, Chris?” I asked.
“I think so Detective” Chris said as Nim walked away. “We just want this to be over...”
“Mind if I join you, Chris?” I asked, trying to hide the redness and flushed expression from the conversation with Thomas. He made me feel alive like I hadn’t felt in a long time.
“Please. Have a seat.”
“Nim mentioned something about a nanny?” I looked over.
“Yes... Mrs. Mae Billings. Leo’s nanny.”
“I wonder if I should check her prints as well just to make sure we’re not missing anything,” I said.
“Wouldn’t hurt.”
“The more people we rule out... The more we will prove that they were indeed Zan’s prints.”
“And that would be bad for her...” Chris nodded.
“Has anything been returned?” I asked and Chris pointed across the street. “The painting from the Tombstone gallery was returned?”
“That one. Yes. And I hear that a couple from Bisbee have been returned,” Chris said.
“Well that’s a good thing then...”
“Is it? Who returned them? And why?”
“Good question but at least the town didn’t lose millions in the disappearance of those pieces forever.”
“True.”
“I think I might wander over there and just check for prints... Just for fun.”
Mikk and Paradise came over then and we talked for a while with them and Chris. Zan came over and I asked her into the hotel where I got her fingerprints. I was expecting more resistance but she gave them to me willingly.
I wandered across the road to the gallery and searched for prints on the backboard of the painting that was still stolen, finding that it was indeed a match to Zan’s prints. I went to look at the picture that was returned and discovered that there was a mysterious print that I’d not seen before. I gathered the prints with me and shook my head, officially confused.
“Chris!” I shouted.
“What?” he called back.
“Can you join me in the gallery please?” I called.
Chris walked in and asked again, “What?”
“We have a problem,” I took a deep breath.
“Am I supposed to be in here?” Zan asked from the doorway.
“It’s ok Zan. Come in,” Chris told her.
“Not yet, Zan. Let me talk to your husb... to Chris alone?” I asked, correcting myself and looked at Chris seriously.
“Or... not,” Chris said and Zan said she would be in Kate’s. When we were alone Chris looked at me. “What’s the problem?”
“This just got more complicated.”
“How so?”
“Take a look at this. See the print on this paper matches the one on that backboard there with the letter ‘Z’, right? Proving that Zan’s prints are indeed on the picture stolen... However... If you’ll look at this picture that has been returned, you’ll notice that there is a new fingerprint that we’ve not seen before. The old prints there done by Zan’s prints are there, which match Zan’s.. but this other one is different. We have another person involved, Chris.”
“Then that’s either who stole them or who returned it.”
“Would you like to talk to Zan about who this mysterious person is, or should I?”
“My mind is racing. I wish I had never been in the law field. I wouldn’t have to think so hard. Glad I’m out of it now though.”
“Or shall we take a different approach and I could just investigate the prints of this nanny of yours that Nim mentioned that I’ve never met?”
“Let me talk to Zan. Mrs. Billings is supposed to take Leo later today for a picnic.”
“Alright. I would still like to meet Mrs. Billing and gather her prints.”
“I’ll arrange a meeting for you.”
“I would appreciate that.”
“I’m sorry, Chris. I’m not sure what this means other than that Zan had an accomplice.”
Chris touched my shoulder and said, “Thank you. I’ll go talk to her.”
I nodded and watched him walk out, then finished my report so that it was updated. I knew this case was far from over and headed out to the news office where Mikk was reading his newspaper and laughing. I talked with him a bit before heading home.
***
This afternoon I walked back towards the hotel again. I gave Sabi a hug and she continued to talk to Dancing Cloud and the other natives nearby. I saw a woman sitting down at the table and walked over to her. “Mind if I join you, ma’am?”
“Please do.”
“I’m Detective Trin Paige. And you are ma’am?” I asked, taking a seat beside her.
“Mae Billings. I have heard of you. You’re trying to help poor Miss Zan.”
“Well, I’m helping poor Mr. Chris moreso... Mae Billings... how do you know Zan?”
“I am Little Leo’s nanny.”
“Ooooh you’re the nanny. I have been hoping to meet you.”
“He’s such a little angel, that Leo.”
“I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting the child,” I smiled then asked, “This must be all very unsettling for you then, eh?”
“Pity about his mother, isn’t it?”
“Moreso confusing about his mother...”
“Oh my, yes! I am a nervous wreck!”
“Perhaps you could tell me what you know, Miss Billings?”
“About what, exactly?” Mae asked, looking nervous.
“Any of this. Were you around when the artwork was stolen, perhaps?”
“Artwork. No, my heaven’s no... That Miss Zan isn’t right up here,” she pointed to her head.
“Perhaps you could give me a bit of insight into Zan then... Did you know her well before the fall off her horse?”
“Just from an employee standpoint, but she was mean!”
“She was mean, ma’am?”
“Shot her husband, that Mister Christopher back a while ago,” she nodded and fidgeted nervously. “Such a nice man.”
I sat up straighter, completely baffled. “She shot Chris!?! When??”
“Months back. Claimed she was shootin at a coyote.”
“How’d you know she was shooting at Chris?” I blinked.
Aly walked over then and Mae started to appear really nervous. “Ma’am, perhaps we should continue this in my office?” I asked her.
“No no... Here is fine...” she sipped her coffee.
“Alright... tell me more about this shooting. How’d you know she was shooting at Chris?” I asked and she wrung her hands nervously. “Ma’am, are you alright?”
“Me? Yes, I’m fine, Dear... Rhumatism, you know”
“Alright so a few months back Miss Zan shot Chris in the shoulder you say, and she was awfully mean... Was she mean to Leo? Or just to Chris, before the horse accident?”
“Just... in general. Not to the child, though. I must admit, she adores. I mean adored. I mean adores him...”
“Do you know what led to the shooting of Chris?” I asked as I heard Aly talking to Sabi and the children around us about bringing Sabi to the clinic. I tried hard to focus on the interview, knowing Aly could handle it. “And in what month did Zan shoot Chris?”
“I can’t recall exactly. Said she was shooting at a coyote. Bah!”
“Did Chris tell you that she shot him, not a coyote? Ma’am?”
“Common knowledge, Miss Detective.”
“So before the horse fall... she was mean? Towards Chris? They were fighting?”
“Even the Sheriff lady knows she shot him and claims the coyote story.”
“Where the hell was I?” I muttered to myself.
“She stomps his foot all the time when they go to dances and such, too.”
“Really...” I said, wondering why this woman’s description of Zan didn’t add up with anybody else’s. “Wonder why Chris never mentioned that Zan had shot him...”
“Like I said Dear. Everyone knows.”
“Ma’am I’ve been the only detective in this town for over a year now. Not once have I heard about this incident.”
“Well you can even ask the Sheriff Lady, Miss Alyssa.”
“I intend to. And Chris. Everyone I talk to says that Zan did not have a criminal bone in her body before the accident,” I said and she rolled her eyes. “What else has she done, Miss Billings?” I asked, continuing to write down our interview as we talked.
“She was... I mean is just sneaky. All those paintings she stole...”
“You knew it was her that stole the paintings? Funny, earlier you said you weren’t around.”
“Well, she is,” Mae said, and I could see her frustration rising.
“She is what?”
“I didn’t forget about my best friend. I know I haven’t been around much this weekend. Had some things to take care of,” Aly walked back over towards us then and smiled at Mae. “Howdy ma’am. I’m Aly.”
“She is guilty, I tell you,” Mae looked at me.
“How do you know, ma’am?” I asked Mae, completely focused.
“Hello Sheriff. I heard of you. Mae Billings. I’m Leo Lyric’s nanny,” Mae introduced herself to Aly.
“Ohhhhhh! I’ve heard about ya! You have a lucky job. Such a cutie pie,” Aly giggled.
“HEY BILLINGS! HOPE YOU SAID YOUR PRAYERS IN CHURCH!!” We heard Zan shoutting from down the street.
Mae jumped up and shouted, “NO! YOU'RE DEAD!!”
“Miss Mae, let’s go inside,” I stood, but Mae ran around the corner and Zan took off after her. “Damn it!” I blinked and looked at Aly.
“I need y’all to clear the streets people. Zannza. Keep them guns of yours holstered. Come here and we’ll talk,” Aly shouted.
“Come out you freakin hag!” Zan shouted.
“Zan come on, let’s talk about this!” I yelled, looking around for Mae.
“YOU’RE DEAD!!! I SAW YOU DIE!” Mae shouted and aimed her gun.
I found her behind the hotel and asked, “Mae, what the hell’s goin’ on?”
“You wish I was!” Zan laughed and shouted. “You picked the wrong branch!”
“Aly! Behind the hotel!” I shouted but then ducked around the corner, knowing I couldn’t do anything until I was deputized. I watched in horror as Mae fell to the ground, bullet wound right in the face. I ran over to Mae, looking around for Zan. “Damn it! Aly!!!” I cried, needing her there.
“Doctor NOW! CLINIC!” Aly called.
“Where the hell is she?” I looked around desperately.
“GET her to the clinic and save the ‘damns ‘ for later,” Aly told me firmly.
“Yes ma’am,” I nodded and tried to help lift Mae and take her to the clinic. People began to congregate around us and then Zan walked over.
“She dead?” Zan asked, humming softly. “One person... only one... She tried to kill me, is why.”
“Dead or alive, I want this body in the clinic now. We can figure out the rest of this later,” Aly said.
“Wait, you said she was going to kill you, now it was someone else, what is the truth?” Bill asked Zan in confusion but she just sat down quietly.
Lilly came over with the stretcher and we carried Mae to the clinic, lifting her body up onto the bed. Lilly checked her pulse and then shook her head. “Need the undertaker.”
“Miss Lilly, may I look her over please?” I requested. “For evidence and to gather her prints?”
“In the head, Trin,” Lilly sighed and walked away sadly.
I walked over and got a piece of paper, shaking my head as the last body I had seen had been Dutch’s, or whomever it had been, since Dutch never died it seemed. I got a bit of ink and put it on the dead woman’s lifeless fingers and put the fingers on the paper to collect the prints. I reached for the woman’s gun and found candle wax residue on the grip. “Damn it,” I muttered, realizing that meant that Mae probably took the candle-holder and was probably involved in this whole thing.
“I need to find Zannza,” Aly sighed.
“Yep. Arrest her for murder. I’ll write you a statement later,” I promised and she walked out. I walked over to Sabi’s bed where she was being treated for who knows what and covered her eyes gently, not wanting her to see the dead body. Sabi hid against me and I held her close, protecting her from the sight and smell. “It’s okay, Sabi... It’s okay...” I tried to comfort her, though I knew things had just become infinitely more complicated.
“Miss Angeles I may need your help. I’m going to arrest Zannza for having her weapons unholstered in town. That and, well, she just killed a woman,” I heard Aly say to Angeles just outside the door.
Lilly returned to Sabi and asked, “How are you feeling, Sabi? Still dizzy?”
“No, She’s in town now. I’m going to do this now. Not gonna take the time for a warrant since this JUST happened,” Aly said.
“Sure,” Angeles agreed.
I rubbed Sabi’s back, knowing the shock of seeing a dead body was hard on a child as it was for an adult. “Don’t look, sweetie,” I told her.
“Don’t worry hon... This is the rough country and folks aren’t nice to each other sometimes,” Lilly told Sabi.
“She was singin’ before,” Sabi said shakily.
“I know hun,” Lilly nodded.
I walked over to the body again then and gathered the candle wax residue into a bag, as well as the prints, and put them in my pocket for evidence.
“How is your head, little one?” Lilly asked.
“It’s a lil like a drum, Miss Lilly, but more quiet now,” Sabi answered.
“Okay.”
I hugged Sabi and then said that I needed to leave to get things written up. I went over to the body one more time and reached for the gun, taking out one bullet casing to put in a little bag so that I had it on file as well.
“Where did the bullet hit her that she died that fast?” Nim walked in and asked.
“Her face. Happened right in front of me. Watched her fall. I’ll be out there, figuring this out,” I said and put the bullet in my pocket along with the rest of the evidence, walking out of the clinic.
I walked over to the sheriff’s office and knocked on the door. “Aly can I come in, please? I need a quiet place to write and we need to talk.”
“Come in all the way, not in the doorway,” she said, opening the door. “I don’t want outlaws in here.”
“I hadn’t got a yes yet,” I nodded and walked into the office, closing the door behind me.
“She tried to kill me,” I heard Zan talking from the cell in the back. “She tried to hang me...”
“Then have a seat, it’s quiet in here. and hold your thoughts until after the arrest,” Aly said.
“Aly I need to figure out my thoughts first,” I got out my notebook and began to write.
“Perhaps she did hun, but you drew your guns first and chased her,” Aly said to Zan.
“She as going to kill Christopher and .. maybe even Leo.. she said so herself!” Zan paced with frustration.
There was a knock on the door and Nim said, “Sheriff, its her attorney, Miss Sassoon, might I come in?”
“How you know that, Zan?” Angeles asked her.
“There’s a cave.. up by Bisbee.. just past the edge of town.. go there.. you will the noose.. and broken branch.. and...” She said as Nim dropped Zan’s gun belt on the desk and Zan continued, “Two of your paintings still inside.”
“Nim, you applying for a job ar ya?” TJ’s voice came from outside and I cringed, hearing the man back in town.
“Zan, your lawyer is here but just for you know I will always here for listen ok?” Ang asked.
“Trin go talk to her. You know better of what’s going on than I do,” Aly looked at me.
“Yes ma’am,” I nodded and stood, walking back to the cells. “Nim, give us a moment please.”
“Take your time,” Nim nodded.
“We have enough assistance at the moment. Thanks,” Aly said.
I walked in and over to Zan in the cell. “You wanna tell me what the hell you’re thinkin?”
“Trin! This is NOT the place or time for interrogation! Just listen to what she’s been saying,” Aly instructed.
“Right now? I’m thinking I just saved the life of my husband and child and nothing else matters,” Zan told me.
“Yes ma’am,” I sighed. “I’m listening, Zan.”
“TJ, I am one not so happy lawyer right now, so if you keep pushing Aly’s buttons, I might shoot your ass myself,” Nim said out the door.
“She’s dead, right? Dead for sure?” Zan asked me and I nodded. She sat down and started to cry.
“Get a bottle and a couple glasses, I think I am going to need one or three,” Nim said.
“Have you seen Christopher? Is he.. is he.. safe?” Zan asked between tears.
“Not tonight, hon,” I shook my head.
“Oh gawd... maybe I was too late,” Zan rocked back and forth.
“So what I need to know now... am I keeping her for the charges or do you intend to pay bail?” Aly asked.
“Hon I’m sure he’s okay,” I assured her.
“I will pay her bail Sheriff, but don’t return her guns to her, I will keep those locked up myself,” Nim said.
“Hon, why did you think Mae was going to kill Chris and Leo?” I asked. “Did she threaten them?”
“Good idea. I’ve removed the bullets. you’ll find them on the counter....as for bail......” Aly said to Nim in the main office area.
“I gotta see him.. I gotta know. She said.. she was going to kill him.. and take Leo away,” Zan told me and I tried hard to focus on the questions and not the fact that I had just witnessed this woman shoot someone and kill them right in front of her.
“When did she say this?” I asked.
“She killed someone today. She’s suppose to be hung. I hate hangings, but will do them when necessary.... However... I’m in a good mood. So I’ll let the court handle that part. For now...bail....can be set,” Aly told Nim.
“She had the rope round my neck.. my feet barely touchin the ground.. she told me then.. right before she pulled my feet off the ground,” Zan explained.
“She tried to hang you?” I blinked.
“There’s a lot to this Aly, granted you and I both know Zan, should not have taken matters into her own hands, but, I would follow up on where her husband and the child are, that nanny, the dead lady in the medical office, was a suspect of mine for framing Mrs Lyric with the art thefts,” Nim said.
“No Trin, the punishment for murder is being hung,” Aly said to me.
“Aly... Zan is explaining what happened,” I told her.
“Look I done told you about the cave.. go look... the trees there.. the noose.. the broken branch...” Zan said as she rocked on the ground.
“She said that Mae Billings tried to hang her. And threatened Chris and Leo,” I said.
“For now, twenty dollars for bail,” Aly told Nim and then looked at me. “Write it down then.”
“She thought I was dead.. she yelled I was dead... didn’t you hear her yell??” Zan cried.
“Yeah I heard her yell,” I sighed. “Where is the cave hon?” I asked.
“She thought she hung me.. the branch broke.. Where’s Christopher?” Zan looked at me. “The cave?”
“Where she hanged you, or tried to.”
“Over by Bisbee.. by a waterfall.. past Bisbee.”
“Trin, I just paid her bail, let’s let her take us to this cave?” Nim suggested.
“Cuff me.. if you want.. just let me show it to you,” Zan said and I noticed Bill running around in the office.
“Zan your bail’s been paid,” I told her and then looked around. “Aly? Wanna tell me why Bill’s in here?”
“I was trying to clear the door and he got confused,” she told me.
“Why are you in here, miss? You ain’t law either,” Bill said to me.
“I’m more law than you are, Bill. I have a badge.”
“No you’re not,” he argued.
“Your things, with the exception of your guns, are on the table. Please take them on your way out,” Aly told Zan.
“You’re a detective. Private hire. Not law,” Bill continued to argue at me.
“By the law.”
“No.”
“And by Christopher Lyric.”
“No,” he said. I turned on him, angry now. “Pretend to be all you want, I didn’t see you help the woman being shot, only watched.”
“Listen you little... I’ve been a Pinkerton detective on this case from the beginning. I was hired by Aly AND Chris. I can’t do anything about a shootout unless I’m deputized.”
“Hired to do what? Watch people die? Well done, you.”
“Ay? Help me out here! I wasn’t deputized. I couldn’t have done anything.”
“I have a report to write now, thinkin’ I’m gonna head home to do it so I ain’t got distractions here,” Aly said.
“So you ain’t nothing to do with the law, my comment stands,” Bill said.
“Aly, I’ve got a case to solve,” I said.
“Sure you do,” Bill laughed.
“I’ll talk to you when I’ve figured more out,” I looked at Aly and then turned. “Shut up, Bill,” I said and walked out of the office. As we both walked out, TJ and Garth wandered in the office to join Bill. I rolled my eyes and followed Aly down the street. “Aly, I swear to God one of these days,” I said to her when we were by the library.
“Let’s get out of Tombstone. How about your place the tree? We can talk.”
“Good plan. I’m following you. The tree sounds delightful.’
We started to walk towards Pearce but Chris rode over and looked at me. “Did you speak with Mrs. Billings yet, Trin?”
“Chris. You may want to ride out to Bisbee.”
“Bisbee?”
“Yes. Right before your wife killed her. In front of me.”
“WHAT??” Chris blinked at me.
“Don’t make me say it again.”
“We need to talk out of this town before I get another interruption,” Aly said. “These are serious charges and I’m not gonna let the stupid outlaws distract me from it.”
“Somebody please explain,” Chris begged.
“Come with us, Chris. To Pearce. The three of us need to talk.”
“I’ll meet you all there, I need to stop at the house first,” Aly said and walked towards Benson.
“Yes ma’am. See you at the tree.”
“So who’s going to explain this to me? And where is Zan??” Chris asked, confused.
“Follow me, Chris,” I insisted. I trembled as we walked and I could hardly walk in a straight line as my body was starting to go into shock. I led the way to my house and opened the door shakily. I walked inside with Chris close behind and fell in the chair, trembling. I stared at the floor and all I could see was Mae’s lifeless body on the ground in front of me. I pulled up my knees under my chin, wondering if Bill was right and I could have done more.
“Are you ok Trin?” Chris asked and I shook my head and then jumped when the door opened and Aly walked in.
“Sorry I came over as soon as I could. Had to let Rogue out,” Aly said.
“So what the hell happened? And where is Zan?” Chris asked.
“Want me to start from the top, Aly?” I asked, taking a deep breath.
“Yes please. I think at this point you know more of what’s going on than I do,” Aly nodded.
“Alright. I need to put this all together too so just bear with me,” I said and Chris nodded. “We all know that there were paintings stolen from Christopher’s home in Benson, from the gallery in Tombstone, and from the gallery in Bisbee. Left in their place was a backboard with the letter ‘Z’ signed on it. I lifted prints from all backboards of all paintings stolen. They all matched to the same fingerprint. I asked Chris for something that only Zan would have touched. He showed me the candle-holder in their home. I lifted prints from the candle-holder. Sure enough, it was a match to the prints on the backboards. Thus confirming that Zan’s prints were on the candle-holder and the backboards. We are all on the same page so far?” I looked between them.
“Yes,” Chris nodded.
“Aly?”
“Yes?”
“With me so far?”
“Wait... Where... is... my... wife...?” Chris asked slowly.
“Not yet, Chris.”
“Yes, yet. Where the hell is she?”
“Let’s stick in a straight line or I will get confused.”
“She had already been arrested and the report has gone to court for the thefts. She’s safe for now,” Aly said.
“She is safe with her lawyer. Most likely in Bisbee,” I said. “And yes, Aly, she has. So continuing...”
“Thank you,” Chris looked at Aly and sighed.
“She has no guns. Nim has them, and they don’t have bullets. She can’t harm herself or anyone right now,” Aly said.
“I spoke with Pet but she didn’t know much about Zan’s life before the accident where she had fallen off her horse, before the robberies,” I went on. “I spoke with Doll and she agreed that Zan was harmless before the accident and that she’d fallen in love with Chris, and that she couldn’t imagine Zan doing anything criminal. She agreed that it must have been amnesia that made her personality alter, making her forget Chris and Leo and call Chris another name, Peter, I believe.”
“Paul, mostly,” Chris put in.
“Our thought was that if we arrested her on the warrants for the thefts, she would be reunited with her husband and son and regain some maternal/marital memories. : Chris then informed me that Zan had stolen the candle-holder after staying at his house for a night. She had also burned her fingers so the prints would be removed. Thus, we come to today,” I took a deep breath. “This is where it gets tricky.. Chris and I spoke about how we needed to get Zan’s prints now that they were back on her fingers and that Zan was around more. And on good terms with Chris again. Nim had mentioned something about a nanny so I determined I should speak with her as well and check her prints too, since I’ve been gathering everyone’s prints along the way. Chris also informed me that the paintings from the gallery in Tombstone and a couple in Bisbee were returned. I collected Zan’s prints. I compared them with the prints on the backboard of the picture that hadn’t been returned and it was a match. I then compared the prints to the picture that HAD been returned. There was a new print on that picture. One I had not seen before. And some of the old ones were smeared.”
Aly grumbled about confusing and complicating things and I nodded as I went on. “See? Suggesting someone else is involved. Now. The complicated part which I am now adding to my report. I interviewed Miss Billings and asked her if she was around when the artwork was stolen. She said that she was not. She told me that from an employee standpoint, Zan was mean-spirited.”
“Is this when I heard?” Aly asked and I nodded. “Well not heard ...was around at least. Zannza mean spirited? I don’t think I’ve seen that side of her.”
“She told me that Zan shot Christopher a while back. This is when she started to act very nervous. She was even more nervous when you walked over. That was what I told her, Aly. Not one other person has said that Zan could ever have been mean before the accident. She told me that Chris was hit in the shoulder and that Zan claimed she’d been shooting a coyote. She said that even you knew about this incident, though this was the first time I’d heard of it,” I said and looked to Chris. “Anyway, we’ll talk about that later. Continuing with today...”
“The coyote,” Chris tried to smile.
“It was then that Zan started shouting, ‘HEY BILLINGS! HOPE YOU SAID YOUR PRAYERS IN CHURCH!!’”
“She did, I’ve never seen her so aggressive before,” Aly reflected. “Was like another person. She looked...angry.”
“It was hanging around our house so I told her to get ready, I’d flush it out. I yelled to her to get ready. As I rounded the corner, she got jumpy and fired. Clipped me in the shoulder. That was it,” Chris said about the coyote and I nodded.
“Mae shouted, ‘NO! YOU’RE DEAD!!’ Miss Mae then shouted, ‘YOU’RE DEAD!!! I SAW YOU DIE!’ I ran after her, wanting to keep within earshot in case someone said something else. I knew I couldn’t get involved with guns until I was deputized so I hid behind the corner of a building.”
“That’s the best thing to do. I figured me and Angeles could handle it,” Aly said to me. “But... I wanted you close by in case I needed more help. you did good.”
“I then heard the gunshots and saw Miss Mae fall down dead in front of me. Bullet went right to her face,” I said and started to tremble but tried to finish. “In the clinic, Lilly pronounced Miss Mae dead. I gathered her fingerprints.”
“I’m going to find my wife. If you want to keep talking, you’ll have to come with me,” Chris said then and started to walk out.
“Chris wait. I found candle wax residue on her gun grip. I also took one of the bullets and put it in a bag for evidence.”
“Ok. Tell me after I find Zan,” Chris said and rushed out the door and I looked at Aly.
“I don’t blame him. If my wife was involved in this... Ok I don’t have a wife but you get me.”
I started to tremble and let the emotion start to pour out now that I was done giving them the update. “Aly...”
“You’re doing fine Trin. You can’t help what goes on around you sometimes.”
“I watched... her die... Right in front of me... I did nothing...”
“You’re not a doctor.”
“Or a deputy...”
“Exactly. You, however, have a huge part in all this. I probably won’t remember half of what you just told me.”
“Or a damn undertaker,” I took a pillow and threw it across the room.
“No, but you’re a detective, and a very good one.”
“I need to compare prints with Mae on the picture that was returned in Tombstone. It’ll prove if Mae was involved.”
“Are you ready to go back to Tombstone then? I’ll come with you.”
“If she helped return the pictures.. But Zan was the one who took them... Aly, none of this makes sense! Why the hell would Mae want Zan dead?”
“Dunno. I don’t know the woman.”
“Oh I forgot a part. Wait this is important. In the jail, I talked with Zan about what happened. She said that Mae had tried to hang her by a cave in Bisbee. Zan said Mae threatened to hurt Leo and Chris. That’s why she had to kill her. To protect her husband and son.”
“Then I need statements because right now, she’s being charged with Murder and I’ve got to submit this report since she was just arrested. They are going to have to get those details in court.”
“You’ll have my full incident report of all I just told you as soon as we investigate those prints in the tombstone gallery. You’ll have everything in one report.”
“I need that ASAP then, because once an arrest is made, especially for such a serious charge, it has to move fast. So get yourself together.”
I stood shakily and asked, “Why couldn’t I have been out riding with Thomas tonight?”
“Save another night for a ride. Get this to me, tonight if possible, tomorrow, by latest.”
“Let’s go do it now.”
“I need to write this report. I’ll do that while you do yours.”
“Okay. Wait,” Aly stopped as we walked out the door. “Since this is serious stuff, consider me right now your bodyguard.”
“I’m perfectly fine with that.”
“But realize too, if something happens in Tombstone I’m going to have to take care of that. But you’ve got me here with you while you do this,” she smiled.
“Aly...”
“Hmm?”
“I could really use....” I looked at my best friend.
“A hug?” she chuckled and I nodded. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “Between you and me, I’d help you with this any day over listening to Jess go on about how she’s done with men,” she tried to make me smile.
“I’d rather be riding around town with Thomas discussing how a town without guns is impossible in this day and age,” I smirked a bit and stepped back.
“Ugh. Don’t get me started with that.”
“Let’s go to Tombstone,” I said and we walked down the street.
Tombstone.
“Wait... what do we need to do now?” Aly asked as we entered the town.
“We go in, get prints, go out. Quick and painless. Tombstone gallery. Compare the prints from Mae’s dead fingers to the returned picture. Then go out.”
We walked over to the gallery and Aly looked up at the painting on top of the fireplace. “THAT...is what was stolen?”
I walked quickly in with her and got out my equipment as well as Mae’s prints. I went to work comparing the prints on the returned picture and nodded to Aly. “Yes ma’am. And that backboard there is a picture still missing.”
“THAT...that ugly thing? Sorry,” Aly shook her head.
“And guess what. Mae returned the damn picture.”
“Sheriff, when you write up the arrest report on Miss Lyric, can you send me a copy,” Nim said then, walking into the gallery. “Trin, she has regained her memory, she is Mrs Lyric again.”
I turned, “What?!”
“Just like Miss Libby said would happen after I had her examined last night.”
“Sure I’ll be happy to get you a copy of that report, but court does that too.”
“Yes, but not until the day before the trial. I would like the week to work on this one ma’am. Would like to save this woman’s life if I can.”
“Sure, I probably won’t have it available for a day or two though. We’re still working things out,” Aly said.
“I will be up north from Wednesday till Sunday,” I informed them. “I would prefer to have the court case after that when I can be an expert witness for the prosecution. Since I’ve put so much work in this.”
“Trin, the art no longer matters, I will pay any fines on the art charges, we have a hanging trial to deal with.”
“Nim, don’t tell me what to do. I am following my orders on this case. From Christopher Lyric,” I told her firmly.
“Where in there did I tell you what to do?”
“He told me to investigate the art thefts. So I am. Don’t tell me not to.”
“You need to get off your high horse Trin.”
“I am doing my job. Following evidence. It all goes together,” I glared at her. “Aly, I’m going home.”
“If you would have done the job right, you would have known the Nanny was involved, but you took the word of someone that the prints you were looking at were someone’s, so yea, bring your case to court Trin. I will enjoy it, very much,” Nim looked at me.
“Okay, I might be headed home as well,” Aly said.
“Good evening ladies,” Nim turned and walked out of the gallery.
“No one mentioned a nanny. Until yesterday,” I glared at her still as she walked away.
“Doc!” Bill shouted from down the street then.
Aly sighed and said, “Same shit different day. And people that will never learn.”
I shook my head, unamused, and walked home after an incredibly long day.
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