Black Diamond.
This morning I walked down the street and greeted Angel who was coming through town after setting up a training jumping ring at her ranch. Jackson Menkes came over and he and Angel began talking about previous outlaws they had taken care of when Jackson was law in Diamond a long time ago. I listened to them talk, recognizing the gangs and a few of their names. I told Jackson he might have to come back and help get the James Gang again and he said that it as a time in the past. Angel wandered off to Tombstone to get to her work and Jackson turned towards me.
“So tell me miss Trin, how have things been around here in town? I’m not even sure I know who runs this damned place no longer.”
“Pretty quiet... Gerric is town mayor, no one’s heard from or seen our sheriff, Tye Durden, for months. Alyssa Stone is our Chief Deputy... she jsut married my best friend Alex, who’s a doctor. Um... We’ve got the cantina.... the cafe is running well; Sugar often serves breakfast there.”
“I’ve met Sugar; she’s a darlin.”
“She and Ger are engaged. Everybody’s bloody engaged or married,” she says bitterly.
“Well, I spose I’ll give up all hope then,” he chuckled. “Not everybody miss.”
“Everyone but me.”
“Well, I’ll join you in your bitterness.”
“Feel like a drink, Jackson?” I chuckled.
“That sounds lovely miss. You are speakin my language.”
We walked over to the saloon and sat at the bar. “You know we could wander to Tombstone... Unless you’re alright here. I’m sure there’s lots of memories.”
“Ain’t a concern of memories, more of energy lost in the walk.”
A man walked into the saloon that I didn’t recognize and introduced himself as Thomas. He said that he was a preacher and that he was looking for work in Diamond. I told him to talk to Gerric Firehawk.
“Never thought myself a rancher, more a lawman and mine owner... but I’ve taken to it just fine,” Jackson said after a while.
“See?” I winked at him. “You admit it. You’re more a lawman.”
“A hell of a lawman. A born lawman.”
“Then come back. Would give us a chance to work together.”
“That’d be utterly unpleasant,” he smiled.
“How is that for persistent?” I winked at Thomas.
“I spose I’d consider it if’n the town asked... but I ain’t even met this mayor at this point.”
“Well then I’ll tell Aly to ask ya,” I smiled.
“Well you tell her to ask, and I promise to listen very closely.”
“I have connections you know,” I chuckled.
“Mine all got shot a long time ago,” he laughed.
They started to talk about Thomas being a preacher and my thoughts became confused as they talked. Thomas asked where I was from and I told them about my family back in Canada and how I would escape winters and stay down here. Thomas told us about his five year old daughter named Ella and then he wandered out of the saloon.
I said goodbye to Jackson and walked past the cantina where I heard Hayden talking about a fire at the cantina and a man running away from it. I walked over to them and looked at them, “Fire?”
Sugar had to go take care of something so I wandered inside where Hayden, Bree, Thomas and Halo were talking. “Bree? There was a fire?” I looked at her.
“No.. I was up the other side of the bank... but by the look ..I would say a man with odd hair .. plus other than the fire it was dark out,” Hayden was shaking her head when I walked in.
“Thomas this is Miss Trin head Pinkerton,” Bree introduced me.
“Were you there when the cantina was on fire?” I looked at Hayden.
“I just met Detective Trin,” Thomas said.
“Si, is fire last night, when I leave...” Halo said, looking around.
“Who all was here when the cantina was on fire?” I looked between the crowd as Halo served Thomas his dinner. “Hayden, can you join me outside and tell me what you saw while I write it down?” I asked.
“Nope .. I was dancin and talking to Miss Sugar .. went out for some air and got as far as the other side of the bank when I saw the fire and a man running out,” Hayden explained.
“A man? Can you describe him?”
“Well I found a bit of a white feather out side very tiny but it blew away,” Bree put in then.
“From what I saw.. had odd lookin hair .. bushy .. and he was tall.. like Mr Thomas sept it wasn’t him he was dancin with us too..” Hayden nodded.
“Tall man too? Red hair?” Bree added.
“So he looked suspicious to you then?” I nodded to Hayden.
“Bree, were you there when the fire happened? Did you see things?”
“Seemed tall,” Hayden nodded. “Yup .. ran out just when I saw the fire.”
“Just got here this morning and saw the disaster,” Bree said.
“What was it you saw? Bit of a white feather?” I nodded to her as I wrote down Hayden’s statement and gave it to her to sign. Can you sign that for me hon? And is there anything else you remember?”
“Yes just a tiny bit and wind blew afore I could get it,” Bree nodded.
“Don’t seem right .. Miss Bree is nice ta all of us kids.. tries to get along with everyone.. and the Cantina is the best place to eat out,” Hayden said.
“What makes you think it has something to do with the fire?” I looked at Bree and then to Hayden. “We’ll figure this out, promise.”
“Is sad to think someone hates me,” Bree sighed.
“If anyone can you can Mrs Trin,” Hayden smiled at me.
“Bree, why do you think the feather has to do with the fire? Feathers are around all the time,” I looked at her then smiled at Hayden, “Thank you, kiddo.”
“I know Trin. I didn’t say is from a arson I said I saw this is all,” Bree said.
“Hayden who else was around that might have seen something helpful?”
“Well.. the new owner of that General store was with us.. and Miss Angeles .. but not sure how close she got to the place,” Hayden reflected.
“Who is the new owner of the store? Thanks, kiddo,” I said as she handed me her statement.
“No problem Miss Trin glad ta help ..cause it ain’t right and I like Miss Bree. Hmm.. name starts with an L.... Mr Thomas .. you remember the owner of the store’s name?” she looked over.
“This store?” he asked.
“The general store.. the new one. She was with us last night dancin.”
“I think is Mees LeighAnne..” Halo said quietly.
“Thank you, Halo,” I smiled.
“That’s it!” Hayden nodded.
“I will try to find her. Her or Angeles might have seen something. Who else was at the dance? LeighAnne, Sugar, you, Angeles...” I started to list.
“Me.. Mr Thomas.. Miss Sugar.. Miss LeighAnne.. Angeles.. and someone else.. she was wounded.. by a bandit .. shot in the arm if I remember right.”
“Miss Angeles would know.. she went to help,” Hayden said. “I also know some indian was around .. but that was earlier.”
“That’s good, thank you hon. You’ve been very helpful. An indian was around earlier?”
“Cherokee I believe.. owl... but I don’t think he would have done this .. I am Apache and wouldn’t do such things.”
“I’d still like to know. Cherokee named... White Owl? I think Bree mentioned him to me before as talking with Halo and her,” I looked at her.
“That’s it, White Owl,” Hayden nodded.
“I’m just gathering a list of people who might have seen someone, or something,” I smiled at her reassuringly.
“I no have seen White Owl today,” Halo muttered.
“Where does he live?” I looked at her.
“I know Mrs Trin,” Hayden nodded. “He is in Tombstone.. with a female girl Indian.”
“He is?” Halo blushed then and shrugged, raising an eyebrow.
“Well I have a list of people to talk to then,” I smiled. “This is a great start. Always helps to have witnesses.”
“Yes ma’am.. called her sister.. though we indians use that name for females and brother for males,” Hayden explained.
“Most fires that happens in town... there’s no one around,” I said.
“Was a good thing I needed air,” Hayden nodded.
“Very good. Just glad you didn’t get too close,” I smiled at her.
“In the town, yes? doing what, Mees Hayden?” Halo clenched her jaw a bit.
“I should ride over to Tombstone and see who I can find. Thank you both for your help.”
“You’re welcome, Mrs Trin,” Hayden nodded.
“Miss,” I winked at her.
“Be careful,” Halo waved at me.
“Yes miss Trin,” Hayden giggled.
“I will try, thank you, Halo,” I waved at them both and walked down the street.
No comments:
Post a Comment