Pearce.
A knock on the door woke me from a nightmare and I looked around the room, thinking it was a gunshot. I stood shakily and walked downstairs to see my best friend grinning. “Hey!” Alex greeted me. “You look tired. Are you okay?”
“Alex... Hey...” I said, not able to convey the relief at seeing him.
Alex looked around and said, “I don’t know where Nat went... just ran off when we got into town.”
I said nothing but fell into his arms, wrapping my arms around his waist and clinging to him for dear life. He gave me a big hug and I asked, “Have you had coffee?”
“Yeah, but I could use another cup.”
I nodded and went to where the kettle was and boiled the water over the fire. “Never got to thank you for this table in person,” I remembered.
“Aly picked it out,” Alex nodded.
“Had a guess it came from you and Aly.”
We sat down at the table after I got the kettle and poured water into the cups with the coffee, setting the two cups on the table. I looked over at him and tiredly exhaled. “Hey...”
“You look like you didn’t sleep much last night,” Alex observed.
“Hard to sleep after you see a woman get shot in her face in front of you, right after you interviewed her as a new key component to the case that never ends,” I said and he raised an eyebrow. “Yeah...”
“I overheard the kids talking about it some thing morning.”
“Nat kept pestering me about it last night ‘cause she was worried ‘bout me... But I didn’t tell her everything. Alex, I’m a mess. I can’t even think in a straight line anymore.”
“Seeing something like that is very traumatic.”
I shook my head and reached into my pocket, handing him my report. “It’s a lot... you don’t have to read it all but... I can’t make sense of any of it anymore. The nanny was the latest wrinkle. And then she just... Died.” I waited until he read the report and I looked over, “Done already?”
“I skimmed some of it.”
“See what I mean? It’s a mess.”
“I skimmed some of it. But I read enough to get the gist. Yeah, that’s crazy.”
“What the hell do I do now? The nanny’s prints were on the returned pictures. She threatened to kill Leo and Chris. She tried to kill Zan. Zan killed her out of self defense. Now what??”
“Is Zan’s memory still messed up?”
“No, Nim said last night that her memory is back. I need to talk to her. Forgot to add that at the end. That was of course when Nim also told me to stop worrying about the art and focus on the murder. But I was hired by Aly and Chris to look into everything. I’m NOT going to take orders from a damn defense lawyer.” I rubbed my temples and tried to drink the coffee. “Alex... I can’t do this on my own. I’m running myself into the ground. Everyone keeps telling me how to do my job. The rangers came at me with a bunch of bones and basically just said, ‘Here, figure it out.’ I had an extensive telegram conversation with Cas who advised me to let them deal with it and find an undertaker. Then last night... Bill blamed me for not doin’ anything to protect the nanny ‘cause I just stood there and watched her die. I wasn’t deputized, Alex, I couldn’t do anything,” I said and he let out a long sigh. “Then Nim comes at me last night and tells me to get off my high horse and look at the big picture.”
“I don’t know how to deal with anything around here anymore.”
“What the hell have I been doing, Alex?” I pointed to the report and sighed. “Sorry... I just...”
“Honestly my thoughts on all of this...”
“I’ve been the only Pinkerton Detective in these parts for over a year now. A female one at that. No one seems to give a damn but you and Aly. And Ansar now that he’s back as marshall.”
“Nat showed me a nice cave this morning and it seems like a good place to curl up and hide.”
“Hiding sounds good... The caves look okay for them to be in? I told her it was fine as long as it wasn’t the mines. She fell off the mine lift and hurt her arm, Alex. Had it in a cast.”
“They look okay. She could’ve just as easily broken her arm playing in the street. It happens all the time.”
“This trip up north couldn’t have come soon enough. Josh has been naggin’ me to come visit him. He’s getting married.”
“Want to take me with you?” he looked at me.
“Don’t tempt me,” I chuckled.
“I thought getting out of town for a few days might help my out look on things, but it hasn’t.”
I reached over to tentatively put a hand on his. “I’ve missed you. Around here, I mean. It’s not the same without you. You give me that balance of thinking sanely amidst the chaos.”
“I’m not sure how sane my thinking is lately.”
“I feel calmer around you. Like somehow the rest of it will work out. Even if it makes no bloody sense.” I set my hand on my lap then and looked over, “Oh... I met someone...”
“Oh yeah?” he looked at me with raised eyebrows.
“Name’s Thomas Wallace.”
“Is he nice?”
“He paid for a beer for me at the hotel when we were talkin’ with Adrianna late the other night.”
“That’s a good start,” Alex grinned.
“Then he walked me home and we talked about our journeys to Tombstone... Then the next day we had drinks in Kate’s,” I blushed a bit and he chuckled. “Been a while since a man’s made me blush, Alex. A long while. Last one was John Davis who I thought was gonna be my partner then he disappeared like all the rest. We hardly did anythin’ but kiss once or twice in the office. Before that was Joe and well..”
“People do that a lot around here.”
“You know how that turned out. And now he’s engaged already. Thomas sells this whiskey wonder tonic crap stuff.”
“Oh yeah? I’m always curious about those things.”
“Hand, Dandy Smandy Mr. Boreman’s Wonder Tonic,” I chuckled and then blinked. “Wow, I didn’t think I would remember that.”
“What’s he put in it?” Alex chuckled.
“He told me the truth yesterday,” I laughed. “It ain’t more than just cheap medicinal whiskey made for little old ladies.”
“That ain’t so bad,” he laughed.
“You’re gonna love him.”
“Some of those tonics have some really nasty ingredients. I’m looking forward to meeting him.”
“He gave me his last bottle. Could give it to you to try,” I winked at him.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” Alex laughed.
“I haven’t touched the stuff,” I laughed and sat back, finally relaxing. “See... Only you can make me relax that easily in spite of last night. How do you do that?”
“I don’t know, but you’re not the first person to tell me I have that effect on them,” he shrugged.
“Not even Aly?” I chuckled.
“Yeah, Aly has said that too.”
“See this place can’t be all that bad... You found the two of us. If I take you up north though I’d have to take Aly. Doubt she’d want us to go alone. Would confuse my ma and brother too.”
“That’s true. And I doubt she’d want to leave either.”
“Can’t believe Josh is getting married... Name’s Leslie somethin’. Guess I’ll have to meet her.”
“I never made it up there with you,” he nodded.
“Nope we never did go there together, did we? Though last year they was huntin’ for Pa’s medal and all that nonsense. Then Sunset came and found me. Hard to believe it’s been almost a year since that happened. Alex... What can I take for sleeping? Do you have anything with you?”
“I have cannabis. That will relax you and help you sleep.”
“I kept waking up with nightmares. When you knocked I thought it was a gunshot.”
“You won’t remember your dream with that.”
“Good,” I said and held out my hand.
Alex took out his doctors bag and rummaged around it. He pulled out a paper envelope with some green herbs in it and handed it to me. “You can make a tea out of this. You’ll fall asleep in no time.”
I took the envelope and smiled, “You’re an angel. What would I do without you?”
“I guess I’ll head back home and do some chores.”
“Alright. Thanks for coming over... I really needed to see you.”
He patted my arm and said, “It was nice to see you.” He gave me a hug and said, “Rest well.”
“Just hope I figure this all out before it gets worse. If it hasn’t already.”
“A good night’s sleep will help,” Alex nodded.
“If I’m lucky I’ll mis the trial,” I winked.
“Have a good day!” Alex smiled and headed out the door.
***
I relaxed in the tree by the river this afternoon, trying to erase the memories of yesterday as I wrote in my notebook. I saw a man walking over and waved at him. “Thomas! Over here by the water!”
Thomas climbed up the tree and sat down on one of the lower branches. “Woah this is kind of high up here aint it.”
“This is my favorite place in the whole state of Arizona. In my tree by the water. It helps me forget about the rest of the problems of this damned town,” I grinned and looked over at him, relieved he was there. “It’s good to see you, Thomas.”
He leaned back against the tree and inhaled deeply, looking around. “I admit it, this is very nice up here. I do believe that you, Miss Trin, have the market on best places to relax.”
“Well I need it after a night like last night... I hardly slept a wink. Kept seein visions of that dead nanny layin’ in front of me and the whole town pointin’ fingers at me sayin it was my fault for not doin’ nothin’.”
“Oh my, that does not sound fair my dear Miss Trin. I heard of that untimely death, and I do not feel you are to blame. How could you have known?”
“I was just interviewing her for the case about Zan.. She was the missing link, or so I thought. Then Zan comes from out of nowhere and just shoots her down. I saw the woman fall right in front of me but I wasn’t deputized so I couldn’t do nothin’ about it. Then in the jail, Bill told me I weren’t law and was useless and shoulda done somethin’. I’m more law than he is,” she snaps off a branch and throws it in the water.”
Thomas nodded and reached up to take my hand gently and kissed it. “But if you had stepped in and done something, you might have gotten hurt, or may have been arrested yourself. You have no blame in what happened Miss Trin. I feel you did the right thing.”
I interlaced my fingers with his and found comfort in his grasp. “I just... I’m tired of people tellin’ me how to do my job. Then that darn defense lawyer comes and tells me not to worry about the artwork when the nanny’s prints were all over the returned pieces. I have no idea what it all means, Thomas.”
He smiled up at me and kissed my hand and fingers. “It means you are doing your job, and they don’t like it. You can only do what the law itself allows you to. Anything more would jeopardize the case and your career and life.”
“I suppose you’re right...” I nodded with a smile. “Thank you, Thomas... I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to just let that stuff go, you know? I did my job, I know I did. But yet their voices still echoed. I should have tried that wonder stuff to sleep last night. Alex did give me some cannabis to try at least.”
“I would not mix the two Miss Trin...I do not know how one would react to the other...I been told the tonic has laudanum in it, which is an opiate.”
“That’s good advice... I’ll just stick with the cannabis then... I do love how you do that... I have not been touched in that way in quite some time.”
He caressed my hand as he looked up at me. “I haven’t enjoyed the company of such a wonderful, delicate flower such as yourself Miss Trin in such a long time. You are truly an Angel in the badlands of Arizona.”
I blushed a deep red at that. “Well it is very nice to be spending this time with you as well, Thomas. I would very much like to get to know you better. I do not connect with men this well often.”
“I didn’t tell you, but I met the most interesting little boy this early morning. He helped me out in finding a couple of places I need to visit.”
“Did you... what was his name? I’m glad he was able to show you around though I was kind of hoping to be the one to give you the tour around places,” she winks at him and interlaces her fingers with his again.”
“I believe the boys name was Jimmy something. He was very polite, and I met him near the OK Coral. He showed me the coral and the bank and train station. He was very intelligent for such a young boy. He said a Miss Pet let him care for the horses at the corals.”
“He and I took care of this clydesdale that had wandered over to us in Bisbee. Jimmy seemed to really know what he was doing with the horse. It was in pretty bad shape.”
“Ah, that must have been the horse he showed me. He mentioned someone helping him care for it. He said he was hoping to get a veterinarian, or as he called it, ‘horse doc’ to take a look at the horse. The poor boy was carrying feed sacks around big or bigger than he was. He spoke of his good friend Natalie. He said she was going somewhere this week and he would be all alone.”
I cringed, not wanting to tell him we were going away but I knew I should. “Yeah... she and I are actually headed up north to visit my family. My brother is getting married and I thought she might like to take the trip with me. We will be leaving sometime tomorrow night and should be back by Sunday evening.”
He frowned then and said, “Well I do hope you and Miss Natalie will be careful. How far up north are you having to travel?”
“It’s not terribly far.. I’m a little worried about the journey on little Natalie though. The last time she was on a train it was to be sent to God knows where because her previous orphanage didn’t want her. Then she came here and the matron was somewhat mean to her. She was barely there a week when the matron said maybe this wasn’t the right fit. So we discussed it and I became her caretaker, as it were. She told me today she’s adopted me as her aunt. I honestly never thought I would be taking care of a child, Thomas. It’s quite unexpected.”
Thomas stood up in the tree then, looking me in the eyes. “Dear fair lady Miss Trin, I have enjoyed this visit very much, but I must be heading back to town.”
I sat up on the branch and climbed back down, reaching for his hand to help him to the ground. “I hope that you will come by again and we can go for that ride?”
Thomas took my hand and smiled, pulling me in and pressing his lips to mine for a soft, gentle kiss. It felt like I was floating on air and I wrapped my arms around his waist, holding him close as we kissed. “I would be my pleasure and honor to come back on go on that ride with you,” Thomas said.
“I look forward to it then. Hopefully we can get on those horses before my trip,” I said softly.
“I sure do hope so. I know that I will miss your company dearly while you are gone. If you would like, I would glad keep watchful eye on your home so no one breaks in and robs you.”
“I would greatly appreciate that,” I slid my hand up his back and looked into his eyes. “Thank you, Thomas. You have turned my mood completely around after such a hard evening last night.”
Thomas wrapped his arms around me and looked in my eyes. “I am happy I could be of service to you pretty lady. You have helped to make me feel welcome in Tombstone as where others I am sure would have done other things. I would like to add one little note though. I do believe you will make Natalie the best aunt or mother she could ever want. You are so thoughtful, and have a big heart, I understand why she adopted you.”
I beamed and leaned my head on his chest. “Thank you, Thomas... It feels like we’ve known each other longer than just a few days. I hope you have a good evening. There may be a dance at Kate’s if you’re interested in going to that...”
Thomas smiled and caressed my cheek softly. “I will think on that and might call on you later to see if you would like to attend with me. I would not wish to go alone that is for sure.”
“Well hopefully you will not have to go to those dances alone then. I tend to avoid them myself but having the company of such a sweet man may motivate me to go.”
Thomas pulled me close and blowed me a kiss before saying, “See ya later Miss Trin,” and walked down the tracks. I smiled and watched him walk away, hoping he would come back later this evening.
***
Bisbee.
I went to the Stock Exchange in Bisbee hoping that the fire marshal would meet me so we could go over the sheriff’s office and discuss if it was indeed arson or not. I heard two people walk into the saloon and looked over to see Jy and a woman walking in.
“Hello Miss Trin,” Jy greeted me.
“Jy, so good to see you.”
“Evening Miss,” the woman said.
“Hello Miss.”
“Please call me Barbie,” she told me.
“Trin Paige,” I smiled.
“Howdy Miss Paige.”
“Jy, are you able to assist me with this fire at the sheriff’s office? It’s been a while since it happened but...” I said.
“She barely joined the fire station. Yes, I can,” he nodded to me.
“Oh Barbie is in the fire department, that’s great. Come on across the road then,” I said and led the way over to the office. “Careful of your step. We haven’t exactly touched anything in here.”
“What a mess,” Jy looked around.
“Indeed. Let me tell you what I know... The office was set to blaze on July 28th. A pig was found on a porch, killed, across the street.”
“Oh dear l, do you know what caused it yet?” Barbie asked.
“Deputy Williams found powder marks emanating from the center of the desk. We guessed that was the point of origin” I said.
“Sorry,” Barbie smiled as Jy looked over the burned timbers.
“Interesting,” he mused.
“I have spoken with a couple of people... They claimed that Rikki was in town trying to put on a barbecue for the town, or so she says. Ansar said that Rikki admitted to it and the fire got out of control. She said the fire was started inside a building. Though why someone would have a barbecue inside a sheriff’s office is beyond me. Rikki appeared in town burned on her face and with hair that looked like a wig, so Ansar said. Bree treated her and she looked pretty bad.”
“Was that the night of the comedy show?” Barbie asked.
“The vault was also open and the deputy’s mug was stolen,” I said.
Jy looked at the desk and said, “Looks like books were the fuel.” I pulled out a statement and began to write while he talked. “Also there is a book missing from the shelf. Person who started must have pulled it off. It might be burned on the desk.”
“Interesting... So you agree it was arson then.”
“Papers burning on a desk is no accident.”
“Yes sir. That’s good enough for me, unless you have more you want to add?”
“Not that I can think of.”
“Otherwise if you could sign this that would be fantastic,” I handed him the statement.
“I remember the night of the comedy someone in the balcony they smelled fire but i think they meant smoke,” Barbie said.
“You mean Friday night, Barbie?”
“Yes.”
“Was a different incident.”
“Oh.”
“So not a barbecue then,” I winked at Jy as he handed me the statement, signed and dated. “You are fantastic, Sir. Thank you.”
“No barbecue here,” he shook his head. “Welcome.”
“Gathered as much. Have a great evening you two. Thank you for being here.”
“Unlike at the saloon looked like there was one. Welcome. I have to get home. See you!”
“Take care, Jy. Nice to meet you, Barbie,” I smiled at them.
“You also, Miss Paige,” she said.
“And Barbie you can head to where ever you need to go that is end of our meeting,” Jy said to her.
“Okay, take care marshall,” Barbie nodded.
“Will see you soon,” Jy said and we walked out of the office.
Tombstone.
This evening I went to the dance at Kate’s. I told Aly about the case in Bisbee being mostly closed and whispered to her about Thomas kissing me. We talked and enjoyed the music and the drinks while Cas worked the record player. Thomas came in eventually and we had another drink which he paid for and then we danced close together, enjoying the evening. As we danced, I told Thomas I wished I could bring him up north with me because I would miss him when I was gone. He blushed and said that he had promised to look after my house while I was gone and I reflected on how it might be too soon for me to bring him to meet my family. He asked about the trip up north more but I suggested we focus on the present.
When the hour was getting late, we said goodnight and I went out to the front of the saloon where Chris and Zan were standing around talking with Kinney. Zan said she wanted to go to the caves near Bisbee to see it again. Chris, Zan, Kinney and I went to Bisbee and we found handcuffs near the tree where she had been hanged. I checked the prints and found both Zan and Mae Billing’s prints on them. Gathering my courage, I walked over to the cave where I discovered the paintings that had been stolen. Seth had wandered over to find out what was going on and he kept guard outside the caves while I looked inside. I found paintings in the cave that were stolen. On the one side was a print that matched Mae's. On the other side was a fake print put on by candle wax matching Zan's.
Seeing that things were getting complicated and the hour was getting late, I told Chris that I was going to head home and rest before I got more confused.
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