July 30, 1900

Tombstone. 

I was sitting in front of the sheriff’s office working on paperwork when Chris walked over. “Hey Detective.” 

“Hey there, Chris.” 

“I had word sent to you about Zan. Did you get it?” 

“Um..... about what specifically?” 

“Well... I had talked her into staying at our house Sunday night... You know... hoping to jar some memories. Well she umm... She must have drugged me because I didn’t wake up for almost 36 hours! And she took the candle holder!” 

“She what?! Chris!” I gasped. 

“I know,” he sighed. “Is that going to matter in the investigation?” 

“Well, that means that she’s now stolen something else.... That’ll be an added robbery charge in Benson for her. One more thing to bring her in for. What was it like having her at the house that evening? How did you get her to stay over?”

“It was...” he blushed. “It was nice.” 

“Did she remember you at all? Or was it like a first date again?”

“She burned her hands at the Russ. She needed me to umm... help her. I think I saw a twinkle in her eyes. I can’t be sure.” 

“Burned her hands?”

“Yes. She was cooking dinner. For us. I’m pretty sure she did it on purpose. She’s pretty sharp.”

“She did it so that you would help her? Because she was attracted to you again as a new man or ... do you think there was some sort of recognition there?”

“I think she did it to distort her fingerprints...” 

“So now when we do get her in we won’t be able to compare her current prints with the ones we have on paper,” I looked down with a sigh. 

“I have no idea. But I assume that was what she was thinking.” 

“Why don’t you write a witness statement about the candleholder being stolen and you can give that to TJ.”

“I can, but I never see him. Sheriff Aly passed the last one to him, I think.” 

“Yeah I passed one to him as well about the artwork stolen.”

“Okay. I’ll fill it out as soon as I get home.” 

“That would be helpful. Not much I can do otherwise really.”

“Yes’m. Lemme see if there is something to write with in the sheriff’s office.” 

I headed over to the telegram machine and sent off the statement to TJ in Benson. “Alright there we go, let’s head out. Did you find any journals or photos, Chris?” I asked as we walked out. 

“Nothing yet.” 

“Alright well I want to get some paperwork gathered up for this.”

“If I find anything else, I’ll contact you,” he nodded. 

“Much appreciated.”

Chris walked away and I headed over to the hotel where there was a group of ladies standing and talking. “Hello ladies,” I greeted them. 

“The first time was walkin through town .. they came runnin through .. hit me in the hip.. the second time I was mindin my own business sittin on the bridge back yonder an they came runnin by .. I ran the second time not so lucky the first time,” Payton was saying. She curtsied to me and said, “Hello.” 

“Muriel, just the lady I was lookin’ for,” I smiled. 

“Oh boy!” she said. 

“Last night there was a shooting involving Lilly, from the Wild Bunch gang. Ripley and some others were there as well. You remember?” 

“I saw it.” 

“Would you be willing to write me a witness statement about what you saw please?” 

“Yes, I treated Lilly,” Jess put in. 

“Thanks, Muriel. Would help us a lot.” 

“This doesn’t ask me what I saw.” 

“You have to write it in after your name spot there.” 

“I was really busy and all alone. I don’t remember a whole lot,” Jess said. 

“You did great working on all those patients,” I nodded to her. “Good thing Adrian came to help you though. I didn’t see the shooting, just the aftermath... And the fire....” I sighed.

“Yeah,” Jess looked down. “I didn’t see who shot Lilly. I did see the fire but not who started it.” 

“Thanks so much, Muriel,” I said as the woman handed me her statement. 

“Okay. Actually I think Jess shot her,” Muriel said. 

“Alright I’m off to find more people,” I rolled my eyes at that. 

“Have fun... Miss Pet was there,” Muriel told me. 

“Never a dull moment,” I winked at them and nodded. “She’s on my list.”

“Excuse me, Muriel, but lately I haven’t had time to shoot anyone and I don’t carry a gun like you,” Jess said. “Maybe you shot her.” 

“You have one hidden. I know you.” 

I waved and walked away as the woman continued to banter back and forth.