Tombstone.
I walked down the street and saw a man standing in front of the Pinkerton office. “Morning, Sir. Happy fourth of July!”
“Thanks. Excuse me do you know were I can find a doctor?”
“I would reckon at the clinic. Was a telegram sent out?”
“Yes there was no own at the clinic here. Are you a lawman of sorts?”
“I’m a detective... I help out the local law. What happened?”
“Well there was a kidnapping and then I found out and got help.”
“Who was kidnapped? The person in the clinic who needs the doctor, was that the one kidnapped?”
“Then when we came bake the gunman was outside attempting to shoot a dog so I got the drop on him but he shot miss Pet before I shot him.”
“Pet was shot?!” I blinked.
“Both need a doctor. Yes. Afraid so.”
“Come with me to the clinic?” I asked and we walked into the clinic. Pet and the other man on the bed. I nodded to Strider as he had to leave the clinic and asked, “Are they alright?”
“We still need to find a doctor though,” the man said. “He shot miss pet by mistake he was aiming for the man.”
I nodded and walked over to Pet. “Pet, can you hear me?”
“You know a doctor, ma’am?”
Pet pointed to the pooling blood and moaned. “I would say not hon. Can you send a wire? He shot me,” she said, pointing to the man on the other bed.
“I think a telegram was already sent out hon. I heard he shot you by accident,” I said and walked over to the telegram machine to send a wire.
“Who shot me by accident?”
“That man there on the bed. That’s what he just said I think,” I said.
“That man shot me!!” Pet exclaimed.
“Still trying to understand what happened. I guess this man was aiming for the kidnapper,” I told her.
“Okay I’ll fill you in on what has happened. But are you a lawman or what?” the man asked.
“I was, but a dog got underfoot and I shot my hostage,” the man on the bed said then.
“Please.. pants.. get me a doctor and him too,” Pet said as Alibeanie, the deputy from Benson, walked into the clinic.
“What’s your name, Sir?” I walked over to the other man.
“Don’t you recognize me?” he asked.
“I’m sorry sir, you’ll have to remind me.”
“I am Ben Cravens.”
Lilly walked into the clinic then and I nodded, “Can ya tell me what happened from the beginning Ben, while Lilly looks at Miss Pet?”
“Why? I been avoiding you Pinks long enough. Not giving up now,” Ben shook his head.
“Avoiding us? Why? we just try to gain as much information as we can so the law can arrest the men and women responsible for incidents like this.”
“Well let me tell you what I have seen,” the man said.
“Don’t think I caught your name, Sir,” I looked at him.
“Call me Preacher,” he said. “The dog looked like it wanted something. So I followed him and then found miss Pet was being held by Ben here.”
“Excuse me,” Lilly said, trying to get at Ben’s bed.
“Preacher, why don’t we step outside while these folks work?” I suggested and we walked outside in the alley where we could talk in private. “So the dog looked like it wanted something,” I prompted for him to continue.
“Yes. So I followed him, then I came across a room. I heard voices inside.”
“Where was this room?”
“It was one of the rooms above the Crystal Palace.”
I blinked at that, since it was the first time that saloon had ever been mentioned in a crime scene, and nodded. “Continue.”
“I listened for a bit and heard the man threatening the lady inside. I then told the dog to watch them while I looked for help.”
“Ben? Or a different man?”
“Ben. At that time I didn’t know who was who till I returned.”
I sighed, knowing we now needed a deputy from Tombstone and how much of an impossible task that was lately. “What happened when you returned?”
“Well I looked around and found Ranger Strider outside the fort. I came back with Ranger then we both sneaked up the stairs. We heard a gun shot and drew our own weapons. Then the door open and Pet turn to face the god with his back to the stairs.”
“Face the what?”
“Dog that was left to watch them.”
“With her back to the stairs?”
“No, it was Ben who faced the dog outside pet was still inside.”
“Ohh.”
“I sneaked up and got the drop on Ben. I put my gun into his back. At this point Pet was shouting and then opened the door. Ben turned to try and shoot me but the dog was under foot and he shot mis Pet instead. I then opened fire, hitting Ben. You could say that I had no time to tell Miss Pet to stay inside. Then we got them both to the clinic.”
“So let me make sure I have this straight. Ben Cravens kidnaps Pet and holds her in the rooms above the Crystal Palace. You and Strider find them there and a shootout breaks out... You shoot Ben to protect Pet, he turns to shoot you but shoots Pet instead?”
“Well he was shooting first.”
“Right, I’m not arguing your shooting of him, darlin’, just making sure I got the facts straight.”
“Okay but basically, yes.”
“Ben would be looking at a kidnapping charge and a shooting without killing charge if I could find a deputy around here.”
“Right.”
“Alright, we’re on the same page. If you need to could you testify in court?”
“I will.”
“I should get back in there. Thank you for your time, Raz. I appreciate the statement greatly,” I said, handing him the statement to sign and he handed it back. “Good thing you were there.”
“I am glad I was too. With no law around it not as easy though.”
“Welcome to my world,” I sighed.
“I am hoping to change that by becoming a lawman.”
“That would be fantastic. Sounds like you would do well at the job.”
“I hope so too.”
“Going to get Strider, Pet and Ben’s statements then we’ll have a case here. Stay safe, Sir.” I walked inside and looked around. “How we doing in here?”
“It’s just too bad I can’t help ya, Trin,” Ali said.
“Wish you could too, Ali,” I nodded. “I’ve got three statements to gather then I’ll hand it over to the deputies here.”
“Darn these silly rules!” Ali shouted.
“How’s Ben doing?” I asked.
“He needs some water when he’s lucid enough to drink it,” Lilly said. “He needs to stay a bit... Maybe over night.”
“I’d get him locked in a cell if I could,” I nodded.
“Who do I give this gun belt and gun to?” Preacher looked over at me then.
“Who’s gun belt is it?” I asked.
“It is Ben’s.”
“I guess hand it to me, and I’ll put it in my safe to give to a deputy if I ever find one.”
“Okay when you can come collect it, I’ll be here,” Preacher said and went back to sitting outside the clinic.
“I want that gun back. It cost me a lot of money,” Ben informed.
“What about his gun?” Ali whispered to me.
“As I just said Ali, I’ll get it from Raz and put it in my safe and give it to a deputy when I see one.”
“Fine... good thinkin’,” she nodded. “Didn’t hear ya from over there.”
“Ruined!” Pet muttered from her bed. “My festive ensemble is ruined! You’ll be paying for this, Mister Ben Cravens!”
“That’s not a problem. I have more money than the whole town put together,” Ben boasted.
I walked out then, frustrated, and saw my partner John standing in front of the clinic with Preacher. “Preacher, where’s that gun belt? I’ll put it in our safe.” He nodded to it and I reached for the gun belt and looked at John. “Join me in the office?”
“Sure, Trin.”
“Actually, why don’t you put this gun belt in the safe and lock it up for me? I need to see if Pet is able to talk yet.”
“Sure.”
I walked into the clinic and went over to Pet. “Pet, how are you feeling?”
“Better then before doc. But soooooo lightheaded and sleepy,” she replied.
“And Ben?” I looked over.
“Ok you lady will be sleepy for a while and you should go to bed,” Lilly looked at Pet. “Drink lots of liquids and no whiskey. Stay in bed.”
“I can’t sleep. I’m roastin’ a pig today,” Pet mumbled.
“Well I gave you enough to make that a bit hard should get help and just boss them,” Lilly told her.
“Ben... you’re not getting off this easy. Kidnapping and shooting someone, especially Pet...” I told him. “You’re going down.”
“He’s payin’ my fee, Doc,” Pet grumbled. “He ruined my clothes. Mister Moneybags Ben Craven.”
“I don’t care. She saw me rob the bank and I couldn’t have her blabbing to the town, now could I?” Ben said then.
I looked at Pet, patting her arm. “I’d like to hear your side of the story from you as well.”
Pet sat up slowly and nodded, “Mmhmm, sure Trin.”
“Alright then, we’ll add Bank Robbery,” I smiled then, hearing Ben admit to the robbery as his motive for kidnapping Pet. “Want to come with me now or wait a bit?” I asked Pet, knowing that I just became a witness from what I’d heard.
“I was preparing the pig and fire... let me try to move,” Pet said.
“Sorry, he will be out for a bit. Nicked a gut. That has to be watched,” Lilly insisted.
“Not worried about him. The law will deal with him now.”
“And forget that pig,” Lilly said to Pet. “Dang hard headed woman.”
I helped Pet walk out of the clinic and we stood outside with Preacher and John. “Pet, hon, are you up for talking about it now while it’s all still fresh?” I asked her.
“Yeah. Wasn’t a flesh wound. Dang bullet passed straight through.”
“Have a seat here hon, Let’s go over it while my partner’s here,” I said and winked at John.
“Anyway... I was gonna go see the balloons. He yells askin’ me where I’m goin’. Then shoves a gun in my face.”
Ben walked out of the clinic and headed home then and Preacher looked at me, “Hey is he not need to be take to jail?”
“He’s just gonna leave?” Pet asked.
“Hold it, Mister,” John said then.
“Oh don’t worry Pet, with yours and Preacher’s statements, and Strider’s eventually, I’ll be putting in an incident report with the law,” I assured her.
“Sorry Preacher Pet. I ain’t got the jurisdiction, for some stupid rule,” Ali muttered as she stood nearby.
“The Tombstone deputies will handle it from there. There’s nothing else we can do right now. Your statement will help us greatly.
“So he orders me to follow. Course I do, it’s a gun. Takes me to his flat above the Crystal palace. Gosh it’s filthy up there. Molding bread.”
“Ugh, you should take care,” Lilly said to Pet as she walked out of the clinic.
“Did you witness him robbing the bank like he said ya did?” I asked.
“Okay, you all aren’t listening... Just go do what you have to. I have a mess to clean up,” Lilly muttered and walked off.
“Oooh yeah, lots of money bags. He ain’t lying he could buy the town. I counted eight out in the open. Who knows what’s hidden,” Pet told me.
“But did you actually see the robbery?” I asked.
“So I started shoutin’ for help...”
“Well, I’ll be heading home, and you all know where that is, if you need me,” Ben said and walked away.
“No, I just saw the bags. I peeped out... saw Raz here....” Pet continued.
“Huh... He said he kidnapped you ‘cause you saw him rob the bank,” I remembered.
“Heard ‘em discussing, so I thought I could run for it,” Pet went on. “I open the door... BANG. I took two bullets in the gun. As I was falling I reckon Ranger Strider seen what was happening and his aim musta been off. I caught his bullet on the way down.”
“You were shot by a ranger?” John raised an eyebrow.
“So wait... Ben didn’t shoot you?” I looked at her.
“But ‘mma tellin ya. That Ben Cravens is a notorious outlaw outta Missouri. Shot his own partner he did. Read that in a news paper clippin’.”
“Both Ben and the Ranger did,” Raz said.
“Oh, he shot me alright. So did Strider,” Pet said.
“I was the only one to shoot Ben,” Raz told me.
“That’s what I needed to hear,” I smiled. John gave me an ‘I told you so’ look and I nodded to him, knowing we needed to look into Ben for the case about the mysterious money.
“I shot him in the back,” Raz said.
“Well I ain’t worried about arresting Strider or you, Raz,” I assured. “It’s Ben I needed to hear about.”
“Dang shame tho... that rat needs to stand trial for...... molding bread at least. and filth too,” Pet said.
“So Pet... you didn’t see the robbery itself. Why would he say he needed to kidnap you because of it?” I asked.
“Though if I had fired more than one I might have killed him, and that would not have been too good,” Raz said then.
“Ya come on here and sit, Miss Pet,” Ali said then.
“Cause... Hem whispered something about it to me,” Pet replied.
“He what?” I blinked and looked at her. “He told you before he kidnaped you or after?”
“I think the medicine takin’ affect, Trin,” Ali said.
“After,” Pet said.
“Well then why on earth did he kidnap you?” I asked.
“Hem told me last week. we filed a report with DepSheriff Angel. Ya gotta ask him,” Pet said.
“You mean miss Hem Lock,” John chuckled.
“Yes Sir,” Pet nodded.
“So the robbery was before all this... and there’s already a warrant for him on that,” I said.
“Something or other, I reckon.”
“And he knew you were a witness to it so he kidnapped you,” I summarized.
“I am a preacher. I don’t presume to know how law works. He knew I was informed, yes. I didn’t see it. She told me. Just in case she suddenly disappeared or came up hurt. She was a-fearin for her life.”
“Miss Pet?” John asked. “When you say we filed a report, did you both file separate reports?”
“No, no, no...”
“Okay, I’ll talk with marshal Kris after and obtain a copy, Trin.”
“Definitely a good idea, John,” I smiled at his insight.
“I only vouched for him. I read an article about ‘em and couldn’t believe he’s right here in Tombstone. When she mentioned his name, my heart almost stopped beatin’,” Pet said.
“If you could read that and sign it for me hon?” I nodded to her. “Then you can head home and rest.”
“You recall what that article was about miss Pet?” John asked.
“Sure. I don’t know if I helped any but the man’s got nine lives and seems to be some kinda escape artist too. Don’t let him slip thru your fingers.”
“Well, I best be on my way.. hope allis well.. hope someone can escort preacher Pet home,” Ali said.
“Thanks, Ali,” I nodded to her. “Appreciate your help in the clinic.”
“Can I give it back to ya later?” Pet took the statement from me.
“I’d like to move on this fast, Pet, but yes you can. We still need Strider’s statement anyway. It’s just a transcription of what ya just told me.”
“Do you recall other than shootin his partner as you stated earlier if the article mentioned what his crimes were?” John asked.
“Ohh yes, hang on. I have a clippin’ in my pocket,” she said and offered it to John.
“Miss Pet, rest assured, I’ll make sure he gets what he has coming,” John promised. “Trin, I have a few other reports for you too.”
“Fantastic. Let’s head to the office then,” I nodded, smiling.
“Yes, please.”
“Pet, if you could get that statement signed as soon as possible I’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll get it back from her later, let her rest now,” John insisted.
“Glad you’re safe Pet, and thank you, Raz,” I said and headed to the office with him. When we were seated I looked across at him, “Give me a moment to finish writing this report?”
“Sure, then I’ll give you what I have.”
I wrote a couple notes and a few minutes later I said, “Alright that’s done. Will attach Pet’s when she returns it. What do you have for me?” He slid over three pages and I smiled, “Let me go through these.. You’re incredible.”
“That’s a card on prudence Cisse for master list.. my interview, and her statement.”
“Alright so the incident report... those are signed by us.”
“Okay. I can edit and resubmit.”
“We can consider that her signature for the statement from your interview with her. If you could write out a statement for that interview... Maybe just a paragraph form transcription of what she said?
And attach that to the incident report?”
“Sure can, I’ll do it in a bit.”
“A lot of great names of witness here too... if you can find them to give you signed statements.”
“Sure will, that was my thought too, but I wanted to give you what I had so we stay on the same page.”
“So now that we know Ben Craven has money bags.. I can tell you you were right,” I winked at him. “He’s now our focus for this case with the orphanage money.”
“That was my thought, given the close proximity of his residence,” he nodded.
“Mmhmm. Like one mind.”
“Oh question for you.”
“I’m listening?”
“Is there a way to make updates to the master list? Or can only you do that?”
“I would prefer if only I did that... Easier for one person to do it.”
“Okay. I was lookin’ it over and there’s things I know about folks you are missing.”
“I can add stuff like from your cards to it but otherwise we might have two versions of the same list. You can give me cards any time for people that you know. I’ll add them in. It’s just easier if we only have one copy to work with.”
“Ok I can add what I know and slide you cards to update.”
“Fantastic.”
“Hope you’re prepared to write a lot,” he winked.
“Bring it on, darlin’. You’re the firrst partner I’ve had who actually wants to help me with this list.”
“Well I am a Pinkerton. It makes my job easier too.”
“You’re warming up to the job well. I like how you think things through.”
“Well thank you, Miss Trin.”
“Not to mention you have a way with ladies that I just don’t have,” I winked.
“Yeah I knew this pretty face would be useful,” he teased and we got back to work.
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