July 31, 1900

Tombstone. 

I walked over towards the clinic this morning and waved to the woman standing there. “Howdy ladies,” I greeted them. 

“Howdy Trin,” Pet said first. 

“Pet was wondering if you could help me out with something.” 

“Sure, I’ll try. Watcha need?” 

“Aly said you were around when she and Lilly got into it the other night with the gunfight?” 

“Which night? You know you have to be specific,” Pet said. 

“Sorry... twenty-ninth of July. Was on Tuesday.” 

“Hmm, which Lilly? Lilly Cross or Lillybett?” 

“I believe Lilly Cross, the Wild Bunch gunslinger.” 

“Oh ok... hmm Tuesday evening.” 

“Aly came over... Lilly and Ripley were arguin’ about the Wild Bunch ownin’ the town or somethin’...” I nodded. 

“I remember Aly draggin Lilly to jail.” 

“That’s the one. Did you see the actual shooting?” 

“See that I wouldn’t call getting into it. Well, yeah, but I don’t remember much. I only caught snippets here and there. I had my hands full with other matters actually.” 

“Oh, okay. No problem then. You were just on the list of people around so I thought I’d see if you remembered much.” 

“I remember hearing the statement mentioned by the Wild Bunch. I remember Aly coming over. From there it’s kinda a blur, then there was blood.” 

“Okay, that’s alright. I just thought I’d try,” I smiled. 

“I’m sorry I don’t have more for you,” she smiled. 

“I don’t think we’ve met yet,” I looked at the woman in the green dress. 

“I don’t think we have.” 

“Detective Trin Paige,” I held out my hand. 

“I’m Opal. pleased to meet you,” she shook my hand. 

“Opal, a pleasure,” I smiled and shook her hand back. 

“A detective? How interesting.” 

“Trin’s the best in the county!” Pet beamed. 

“A detective? How interesting!”

“Thanks, Pet!” I smiled. 

“Excuse me please, I need to powder my nose,” Opal said then and wandered off. 

“Payton, who are things with you?” I looked at the girl. 

“Doin ok I guess.. been in the clinic readin’ books,” Payton said. 

“Well I suppose my break time is over. Back to work. I’ll see you later,” Pet said and wandered down the road. 

“See you soon, Pet. Stay safe.”

“You learnin’ to be a doctor?” I looked at her. 

“Well.. not really sure yet.. your with the law.. an was watchin what the law does.. besides gettin shot .. it’s interestin an all .. but looks really tough.. then watchin Nora an what she does,” Payton looked back at me and shrugged. 

“Mainly just checkin things out .. cause I am fourteen now .. Millard has a couple jobs.. Nora has more or less a job.. an they are only a bit older than me .. so I am goin round town seein what everyone does.. well everyone that works anyway.” 

“That sounds like fun. Maybe you can be an assistant at the clinic or somethin’. I know Nat’s really been interested in the library,” I smiled. 

“Yup.. was what I was thinkin too.. but then I thought that there are other places round Tombstone that may be needin help too. So ..could be like a . wanderin doc or somethin.” 

“Mmhmm that’s a great idea.”

“Go to all the other towns like Diamond an such .. like you guys do ...makin rounds ..but as a doc.” 

“Mmhmm.”

“I have a lot ta learn though.. specially if I am goin ta be helpin others.. don’t need ta be doin the wrong thing treatin them.. get it wrong and make things worse ya know... and.. I feel that while the bandits an outlaws ain’t doin right. They still need medical help too sometimes and I would be able ta help them also.” 

“Mmhmm, you’re right. That’s a good perspective to have. Sounds like you’ll be a great doctor!”

“Thanks Miss Trin .. gonna be a lot of work though ta learn what I need to,” she smiled. 

“Mmhmm. Well I think I’m going to relax somewhere and get some writing done. I’ll see you soon, hon.”

“See ya soon.. I have ta get some things from the pharmacy .. will be around,” she nodded and wandered off. 

*** 

I walked over to the hotel tonight and saw Ansar sitting on the bench. There was a woman standing near him with a bandana over her face and I walked closer to him as he said, “You did say Zan Henlsely right? Same name right there.” 

“If I got a reason to not want myself known to be around,” the covered-face woman said. “Yes.. why do you ask?” 

“Everything alright, Ansar?” I looked at Ansar as he stood and dusted himself off. 

The woman narrowed her eyes and frowned, stepping backwards. 

“Well.. it’s a nice day ain’t it ..” Payton nodded and stepped in the middle of the group. 

“Did say that was you, this lady just said her name was Zan Henlsely,” Ansar gave me the paper. “This here is her aint it?” 

Zan stepped further back in the building and then Bree came over to greet us. Zan blinked and said, “I know you...” 

I blinked and walked over to Ansar, taking the paper to look at it. Zan turned and headed towards the restaurant. 

Ansar started to step over and said, “Dang. I wish I was you..!.. there an unclaimed bank account in your name. Shoot say worth a lot of money too. Why I ain’t never seen so many 0’s.” 

“I believe that is the same woman that came into the salooon about a year ago lookin’ for a man named Jack Smith. I showed her to the Pinkerton Office when I first met her in case she was ever in trouble,” I remembered. “Looks like Zan to me.”

“So ..she ain’t in any trouble then,” Payton backed up a bit with a sigh. 

“Hey if you come with me. we can get ya sorted out. Shoot, clear this right up and claim that money. Whatta say?” Ansar asked. 

Zan nodded to Bree and asked, “Um.. seems you might be someone I know?”

“But Miss Hensley!” Ansar followed her and I walked after him. “Must went outta the back.” 

“Ansar. Are those things written up yet?” I asked him about the warrants. 

“Written up?” he looked at me. 

“The warrants on her for robbery,” I whispered. “Should be three of ‘em by now. Not sure if they’re done and signed and sealed though, Ansar.”

We saw Zan ride over then and Ansar looked at her, “Miss Hensley what about you money? You can’t leave now?” 

“Miss Hensley, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” I greeted her. 

She stopped and looked at us and said, “You want to talk to me.. all you gotta do is ask.. I ain’t got money.. never have.. that much I know.. Nice to meet you as well.. Dont think I caught your name Miss?” 

“But you just said you lost your memory,” Ansar said. 

“You can call me Trinity,” I winked at Payton. 

“Sort term,” Zan clarified. 

“I’m just a banker. All I know I got an account here that has you name all over it,” Ansar told her. 

“I recall most about my life..” Zan waved her hand. “But for this.. place. Trinity.. it suits you somehow,” Zan smiled. “Trinity.. it suits you somehow,” she smiled at me. 

“Why don’t we step into an office get the sorted out?” Ansar suggested. 

Zan nudged the horse sideways and smiled at him. “Into the bank? Hmmm.. you wouldn’t be pulling my leg now would ya?” 

“He really is a banker,” I insisted, not lying. 

Zan whispered something to Payton and she nodded before saying, “That much is true Zan.. he’s a banker.” 

“Why would I do a thing like that?” he raised the paper and waved it around. “You can read it yourself if ya like!” 

“A banker,” she nodded. “Alright.” She looked to the bank and said, “Guess that wont hurt anything.” 

“Yup just take two seconds of ya time and sign a few papers,” Ansar walked toward the bank. “You’ll have to leave the horse outside though.” 

“I’ll watch after your horse out here, ma’am,” I promised as she slipped off her horse. “What’s its name?” 

“After you,” Zan smiled crookedly at Ansar. 

“Ma’am? Your horse’s name?” I looked at her. 

“Red... her name is Red. And she is a mean thing,” Zan said. 

“No masks in the bank though. Bank policy. Not like I haven’t already seen your face,” Ansar chuckled from inside the bank. I watched closely as I held back the horse and saw Zan’s face, recognizing her as Chris’ wife. I nodded to Ansar that I’d seen what I needed and Ansar went to close the door, locking them. 

“Now listen here, Red...” I muttered to the horse. “You’re a nice enough horse, I’m sure. Better keep me in tact till your owner comes out.” 

“Trin, hey,” Chris greeted me then and I looked over. 

“Chris... You may want to um... Not be around here.”

“What’s going on?” he asked. 

“Did you find any pictures or journals?” I avoided his question and held back the horse as it reered at the sight of Chris. 

“No. She’s in the bank, isn’t she?” 

“I’m trying to make sure nothing happens with your wife, who is inside. She’s going over something with Ansar.”

“What is she doing?” Chris looked at me with confusion. 

“I believe they’re going over some paperwork, Chris.”

“I’m going in.”

“No, Chris,” I put a hand on his arm and he glared at me. “Let them be. It’s just business, I’m sure. She’ll be out to get her horse, most likely.” He ignored me and went to try the door and I sighed. “Chris...” 

“Anyone home?” Chris knocked on the door. 

I waited impatiently, hoping to God they had the papers signed and what she thought was happening really was. If Ansar was using his position as a banker to arrest Zan for the warrant we had against her in Tombstone. I continued to keep watch and looked over at Chris as he stared at the door. “Chris, you knew this had to happen. We agreed it was the next steps.”

“I know...” he stared at the door. 

“I know it’s hard.” 

“But if she gets hurt, I will tear this town apart to get whoever lays a finger on her.” 

I turned hearing Jimmy and put a hand on his shoulder. “Hey kiddo. Let’s stay back, okay?”

“Hey Jimmy,” Payton nodded to him. 

“Well then we’ll have to make sure no one interferes with this, won’t we?” I looked at Chris. “Ansar is reasonable enough.”

Jimmy looked at me and asked, “Wha goin on in der?”

“Zan! Don’t fight him! Your guns are empty!” Chris shouted then and I jumped as he looked over at me. “Get theses kids away.”

“Payton, could you please take Jimmy over to the hotel?” I requested. 

Payton frowned and planted her feet firmly but then nodded. “Come on, Jimmy.” 

“Thanks hon,” I nodded back to her. 

“You heard me! I took your bullets at the clinic last night!” Chris shouted. 

I saw Garth walk over and told him, “All’s fine over here.”

“What in blazes is going on?” Garth asked. “You got this fella yelling about guns or something, and all’s fine?” 

“Yep. Everything’s perfectly fine,” I nodded to him. 

“Yes. All’s fine...” Chris agreed. 

“See?” I smiled and Garth looked at both of us skeptically. The doors opened then and Ansar led Zan out, cuffed. “Welcome back, Ansar,” I smiled. Zan looked down at the ground as she followed Ansar to the jail. 

I went to check on Jimmy and Payton and then wandered back to the sheriff’s office. I leaned against the wall and heard the chatter inside the office. I heard the chatter inside and wondered how Garth had gotten into the sheriff’s office. He was going on about the wanted poster and I sighed, knowing that he probably shouldn’t be in the office. 

“Garth, I think there might be some pie in the hotel,” I tried to coax him outside. Aly walked over to the office then and I smiled at her timing. “Hey Aly. Ansar just arrested Zan for the warrant in Tombstone. Garth is in there for some reason... interrupting... Chris is in there as well since he says she’s his wife.”

“Well dang, I JUST put that one up. He’s awesome. Got him in there now?”

“Mmhmm.” 

“Thanks I’ll have a lookie.” 

“Brought her into the bank to look over papers,” I said, nodding to Stormy. 

“Hello Trin,” she greeted me as Aly walked into the office. 

“Garth, you don’t want pie?” I called out again, trying. 

“What is Garth doing now?” Stormy asked. 

“Oh someone say Pie?” Kate asked as she walked over. 

“Not right now, not really hungry,” Garth shouted back. 

“Hey Garth grab us a slice,” Kate said. 

“Aw come on.... It’s Cherry...” I shouted to him. 

“Better yet grab the whole dam pie!” Kate said. 

“I’ve got no warrants on this board here,” Garth was saying inside. 

“Can I help you with something, Stormy?” I asked the woman, wondering why a Diamond Sheriff was over in Tombstone caring about outlaws here. 

“I was looking to see what Garth is up to,” Stormy said. 

“That’s good, I’m proud of ya,” Aly said to Garth. 

“I’m not doing much, aside from puttering around the office,” Garth replied to Stormy’s comment. 

“Well he’s not doing much of anything right now,” I told her. 

“Just making sure he isn’t here causing any trouble,” Stormy said. 

“Ain’t you the sheriff in Diamond?” I looked at her. 

“The James boys.... How much they got on their heads?” Garth asked inside. 

“Garth I think I’d prefer ya out of the office while an arrest is takin’ place. Do me a favor though? Trin is watchin’ outside. see if she wants a glass of water or somethin? That would be helpful. Gets hot right out front there,” Aly told him. 

“Yes,” Stormy nodded. 

“So what does it matter what Garth is doin’ here?” I asked her. 

“Hmm...” Garth said. “Any chance I can get at it?” 

“Because he is my kin and he lives on my land,” Stormy said. 

“Nope, that’s law business, but thanks for you’re offer. We’ll take care of it when they come around,” Aly said to Garth inside the office. 

“Well I can’t help you more than I have. Garth isn’t the one in trouble this time,” I told Stormy. 

Amara and Mick walked over then and I sighed at the crowd that was gathering unnecessarily. “All under control here,” I smiled at them. 

“You can help me now by checkin’ on Trin though. Think Stormy might be out lookin’ for ya too,” Aly told Garth. 

“Garth is being a good boy,” Kate said. 

“Thank you Garth, you’re a great help,” Aly said. “Stormy and Garth out please,” Aly said. 

Stormy and Amara walked into the sheriff’s office, ignoring me completely, and I sighed at the fact that no one listened to me in spite the fact that I’d been the only Pinkerton in this town for over a year now. 

“Garth don’t forget the pie!” Kate shouted. 

“If you ain’t Marshal ANsar, Amara, or Mr. Lyric, I need ya outta my office. now!” Aly shouted then and I leaned against the post, smiling. 

“So that means Zanza can leave?” Kate asked and I shook my head. 

“No,” Aly said. 

“When did you get the title of my boss?” Garth asked inside. 

“Come on Garth get your pie and let’s go,” Stormy pleaded. 

“Should I use my invisibility to fight evil or good?” I muttered, thinking no one must have seen or 

heard anything I’d been saying. 

“When I became Sheriff here. This is my office,” Aly said firmly. “No crowds during arrests.” 

“Hmmmm Good or Evil...” Kate said. 

“I didn’t get no notice of you being my boss though,” Garth complained. 

“Good... Evil....” Kate fished in her pocket for a coin and I winked at her. “Heads evil, tails good,” she said and flipped the coin. 

“Toss twenty dollars into this box right here,” Ansar said to Zan inside. 

“Yay! Evil it is!” Kate said as the coin landed heads up. 

“Maybe an evily good?” I smirked. 

“Fine, let’s go Stormy,” Garth said finally. 

“Thank you,” Aly said to her. 

“No more soft, nice Trin?” I said to Kate. “I’m done being walked on and ignored.” 

“Sorry Aly,” Stormy said and walked out. 

“Wait. Trin did offer me pie,” Garth said as he walked out. “Darn...” 

“In the hotel, Garth,” I told him. I knew there was probably no pie there but maybe we would get lucky and Pet would have made one recently. 

“Did you get the pie Garth?” Kate asked. 

“Found a closer one,” Garth handed the pie in his hand over to Kate. “I found a lemon pie.” 

“Marshal, can you leave her cuffed until I get her to the house?” Chris asked then inside the office. 

“I said it’s in the hotel. And it’s cherry,” I looked at Garth. 

“Not a fan of cherry.” 

“Aww... thanks Garth,” Kate smiled. 

“Amara, mind waitin’ here for a few?” Aly asked inside. 

“Found a lemon one in the office,” Garth told me. 

“Well I’ll know that for next time,” I nodded. 

“Who’s tryin to butter up who?” Jess asked, wandering over. 

“Will she have to go to court?” Chris asked. 

“Yes. Crimes were committed. So they need to be followed through as they all are when things like this happen,” Aly said. 

“I won’t let her out of my sight until the date is set. I promise,” Chris replied. 

“And how did Garth get in here?” Aly asked. 

“Followed us in...” Chris answered. 

“I was wondering that myself,” Amara said. 

“The last time outlaws were in here they got together and locked me in my own cell, hung me outside by my belt, and did all kinds of other horrible things,” Aly said. 

“No worry... by then I won’t need them,” I heard Zan saying. 

“When ya show up in court,” Ansar was telling her. 

I walked over and knocked on the door. “Aly? Can I come in? I’ll close the door quick I promise.”

“Ansar, she can have her guns, just without the bullets in them,” Aly told him. 

“I just slipped in, door was still open,” Garth laughed. 

“I left them in the bank,” Ansar said. 

“A moment Trin,” Aly replied to me. 

“Sure Aly,” I nodded and rolled my eyes hearing Garth. 

“Aly, I have the bullets. I emptied her guns last night when she was at the clinic,” Chris told Aly. 

“Ok then, you’ll get them back later,” she told him and I leaned against the wall, continuing to listen to the conversation through the open window. 

“You would think they would make sure the door is locked,” Kate muttered. 

“Well it is, they just didn’t close it quickly enough before I danced my way in,” Garth said. 

“The door stays open unless someone was closing it. I was checking on the children or I would have stopped him from going in,” I told them. 

“The sheriff can see ya out. Please and thank ya sheriff,” Ansar said inside the office. 

“That’s our sure-footed Garth for you,” Kate chuckled. 

“Ya’ll can go,” Aly said to Chris and Zan. “Trin, come in,” she called out to me and I walked into the office. “Thanks for asking first and not just walking in.” 

“Of course, Aly,” I said as Amara left the office. 

“Trin...have a seat. You have reports?” Aly asked me. 

“Yes about another case but will wait till they have gone. Everything alright with this one?” I asked. 

“Yes. Except for finding Garth in here,” Aly chuckled. 

“Yeah I was checking on the kids and he snuck in,” I said. 

“Sheriff, when I get her to the house, is it ok if I handcuff her to a chair?” Chris asked. 

“I’m just that quick footed,” Garth chuckled. 

“I dare you to try,” Zan looked at Chris with a glare and Chris looked back with a stupid grin as I looked down, trying to hide the smirk. 

“Well...That’s Benson and whatever you two wanna do in the privacy of your own home...not my thing,” Aly told him. 

“His.. home,” Zan pointed out. 

“Wow Keep your kinky foreplay to your selves,” Kate said outside. 

“Stay safe you two,” Aly giggled and opened the door. 

“Wait keep talking! I’m getting excited!” Garth said. 

I set the report about the sheriff’s office fire on the desk while Kate and Garth kept bantering back and forth. I ignored them and focused on talking with Aly about the current case. 

“What are these?” Aly asked. 

“Witness statements, Sheriff,” I winked. “We were across the road when those idiots set your office on fire the other night. Saw Mac and Garth out here but it was hard to tell which one actually set the flame. “I was unable to find Kinney or Trent, who also helped put out the fire. I know you like to move fast on these things.”

“Well,” she grumbled something about both of them being so dirty it was hard to tell them apart and then cleared her throat. “Was there anyone who actually was able to distinguish WHO, or if both of them were actually involved?” 

“I was standing to leave when I heard the flames and looked over. Marjorie says Garth set it. I saw both Mac and Garth there so it could have been either.”

“Okay. Anyone else?” 

“No ma’am. Just those two. Well... Then that idiot yelled and complained about how we put out the fire but I never caught his name and he wasn’t there when the fire started. He claimed his name was Kris Jamesson and both Kinney and I assured him we know the marshal better than that.”

“Alright. I’ll take it from here with that then and figure it out. Yeah...Kris is uhm...has....a...real...distinguished...look.” 

“Indeed,” I chuckled and filed that case as closed.

“So since I’ll take it from here, don’t worry about that thing anymore.” 

“Consider it closed on my end,” I nodded. 

“Only other thing I have that’s remotely in your jurisdiction is the sheriff’s office fire in Bisbee. I need to consult with the deputy there however.”

“I need to consult with the deputy there too. I barely know the man. Shame on me.” 

“I could wander over and see if Ash is over there. Not sure if he’s around tonight or not.” I looked over at the marshal and said, “Ansar? Fantastic to have you back, sir.”

“Even if it means we’re gonna have to keep a huge stash of cooked potatoe...things...around more often. Taters,” Aly giggled. 

“We’ll make sure the office is fully stocked,” I winked at Aly. 

“We have pie and pastries on one side, and potatoes on the other. That’s uh...quite a selection,” Aly chuckled. 

“I should head for Bisbee. My work on the Zan case is pretty much done... Until she does something else.”

“Alright. Tell the man hi for me if he’s around.” 

“So Bisbee is my only focus now. Let me know if anything else comes up.”

“Thanks. Hurry,” she chuckled and I went over to hug her. 

“Proud of you,” I whispered and she smiled as I headed out. Garth and Kate were dancing in front of the office and I shook my head as I walked past and headed to Bisbee.