Black Diamond.
This morning I was sitting in the lawyer’s office working on the court docket for the upcoming weekend when I saw Ben standing at the door of my office across the street. I went out to greet him and asked, “Hey can I help you with something?”
“Ohhh nothing really was just wondering if you lived,” he smiled and looked at my leg.
“And why’s that?” I chuckled.
“I’m glad to see ya did.”
“Mmhmm. Walking without the crutch at least.”
“Umm well...let’s just say.....someone else would of been extremely disappointed.”
“Should tell him I’m looking forward to seeing him again soon,” I shook my head.
“Ohh didn’t ya know?”
“Know what?” I looked at him.
He looked around and said, “He’s heeeeere.”
“Oh really?” I folded my arms across my chest. He laughed and I limped closer to him. “You gonna introduce us?”
“Actually..I want out...I’m done with the outlawing....I got my eye on a lady and want ta settle down....I’m old and tired.”
“I hear you’ve been taking lessons from him.”
“And... he ain’t alone. Me takin’ lessons from him... says who?”
“Says the court docket I just got this morning.”
“Ahh that old silly thing. Ain’t true... and I’m not going to no court.”
“Uh huh. You better. If you don’t show up that makes you look more guilty and then you’ll have bounty hunters on your tail. That what you want?”
“I told the boss I’d make weekend deliveries for him....I’m not back in town till late sunday eve.”
“Who is this boss?” I shook my head. “I want a name. And I thought you were done with all that.”
“Well them bounty hunters gonna find themselves bleeding in the dirt just like the deputy and the general did. No name from me...”
“What CAN you give me?” I smiled sweetly.
“Well..I’ll tell you this....he ain’t alone....he got some of the old gang...some new faces.....all loyal to him.”
“Which gang?”
“They true outlaws miss trin..work as a gang but don’t have a gang name.”
“I’m going in to get some work done. Let me know if you actually want to talk about anything,” I sighed and walked past him into the office.
***
Tombstone.
I walked into the courtroom that afternoon seeing that court was already in session. I sat down beside Joe in the back row and waved over to Alex and Aly.
Jimmi was already concluding his closing statement for the defense, Ben Stolen. “Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury, you will hear word against word and one is not true. and you will come back with not guilty for my client.”
“Prosecution, first witness,” Kris requested from the judge’s seat.
“Howdy,” Joe nodded to me and chuckled.
“Your honor, I would like to enter into evidence this statement by the victim who is too upset to be here today,” Ger began, handing a copy of the statement to the judge. “I will read it.”
“Too upset ‘cause I swatted away her advance to date me,” Ben nudged his lawyer as Ger read.
“‘The crime was committed on May 20, 1899. The crime was committed on Allen Street between the doctor’s clinic and the Western union office. I was on my way to get directions from this man and woman who was walking down the street. At first they seemed friendly, The gentleman introduced himself as Ben Stolen and the woman as Miranda.. Then he suddenly changed and demanded that I hand over my necklace. and she made jokes about how much they could get for it. I begged them not to take it for it was the only thing i had left from my deceased mother. They laughed and scoffed and demand it once again and the woman kept running her hands over her guns saying things could get real nasty for me if i didn’t cooperate, It didn’t look like i was going to talk them out of it so i handed it over., stating that they would regret this that i am good at remembering things. They just laughed and wandered off in the direction of the fountain across the street. Written by DakotaEloriaDannin.”
“Sure is nice not having to do anything in court for once,” I leaned over and whispered into Joe’s ear.
“Was rather hoping was goner be a hanging and a burial, but such is life and death,” Joe whispered back and I smirked at that.
“Defense rebuttal?” Kris asked.
“I can’t question a sheet of paper, your honor. I have nothing to say, thank you,” Jimmi said.
“Okay prosecution, any more witnesses?” Kris asked.
“Unfortunately the arresting office can’t be with us in court, her services are needed elsewhere so Prosecution rests.”
“Oh, you have her arrest report, prosecution?” Kris looked at him.
“No your honor, she didn’t file one,” Ger replied and I raised an eyebrow, wondering why there had been none filed. I shuffled through my court notes and saw that Angel was the arresting officer. I thought to myself how unusual it was that she hadn’t filed a report, as her reports were usually well-written and detailed.
“Defense, your witness,” Kris looked to Jimmi.
“Thank you, your honor. I call my client Ben Stolen. That’s his name.”
Ben came forward and was sworn in as he sat in the witness seat. When ready to begin Jimmi asked, “Ben... How come you are sitting here accused of this dastardly deed?”
“Well that story ya all just heard is a fib..I recon the lady made the whole thing up cause I done rejected her offer for me to be dating her. I done told the woman I was courting miss Ana over there,” he said, pointing towards Ana who was sitting beside Sabi.
“That is true, Sir. Me and Mr. Ben...” the woman started but than became quiet.
“This is all over rejection of a scorned spiteful woman... no further questions.”
“Me and miss miranda was there, that ain’t no lie but I left to get away from the woman right fast as I could,” Ben explained.
“Prosecution, your witness,” Kris invited Ger to cross-examine.
“Howdy Ben. Nice story,” Ger started and I smirked at that. “So tell me, what was truth and what was false in Miss Dakota’s statement?”
“Da whole thing bout taken in her ring and whatnot.”
“Okay, what did you do with her necklace after you left? Give it to Miranda?”
“I ain’t never seen no necklace...the woman never done give me anything but a hard time mister Ger.”
I sighed and looked over at Sabi, remembering warning her to tell me if she felt Ben being unsafe and sighed that she hadn’t.
“No further questions your honor,” Ger sighed.
“Defense, any more witnesses? Defendant is dismissed,” Kris instructed and Ben started to leave the room but Jimmi instructed him back to his chair.
“He is an eager one,” Joe chuckled and I laughed at that.
“No further witnesses, your honor,” Jimmi stated.
“Closing statements then,” Kris instructed.
Ger walked over to the jury and began his closing statement. “Ladies and gentlemen...the defense is right, there are two different versions here, theirs and the truth.... You notice Miss Miranda isn’t here to ‘vouche’ for Mr. Stolen... Even Miss Ana isn’t up here standin’ up for him....what does that tell ya?”
“I do stand up for him, Sir,” Ana protested then, “But nobody asked me.”
“Tells me they don’t believe he is innocent and don’t want to purger themselves,” Ger went on. I see no reason you can’t find this man guilty.”
Ger sat down and then Jimmi came up to give his closing statement. “Dear Jury... We heard the...statement... from the prosecution written by a spiteful jilted woman who wants my client to go though this court and have his good ...name... tarnished. Stolen is also a fine German bread with fruit and sweet inside it..thats my client all over. A sweet man who has his lady and she loves him. Not guilty must be your verdict. Thank you.”
“What, he’s a fruitcake,” Joe muttered and I chuckled, squeezing his hand in agreement.
Kris invited the jury to go to the back and deliberate. It took almost half an hour to determine what to announce as the verdict. When they finally came out, David said that they had found him guilty and that he should be sentenced to hang. There was shock around the courthouse but Kris rallied things back in order and announced the accurate charge and in a surprise twist, Ger took out some money and paid the fine for Ben to go free. I thought that was odd as he was the prosecutor, but my focus was too much on the pain shooting through my leg.
“I need Alex...” I leaned against Joe and winced at the pain. I could barely stand up with the intensity of it.
Alex walked over and asked, “Hey, Trin, you want to to take a look at that?”
I nodded to him and followed him to the clinic with Joe and Aly close behind. Aly waited outside while Alex helped me up on the bed and I lay down. He washed his hands and walked over to me, putting his glasses on. “How bad is the pain, Trin?”
“Like hell. I thought I could walk without the crutch but I... It’s been a while since my leg was shot. And with two bullets...”
“When I said to keep off it, that means you’re not supposed to walk around on it,” he shook his head and chuckled.
“Typical... patient always knows better than the doctor,” Joe shook his head.
“But... court... And with so many cases revolving around Ben...”
“Yeah, court. You could’ve walked in with the crutch,” Alex snipped off the bandage and threw it out.
“I had to make sure my suspicions were right,” I looked at Alex. “I was right.” I watched him take a cloth and clean the stitched area and asked, “You think it’s because of the stitches?”
He bent down to sniff the wound and Aly looked into the clinic and said, “Ya’ll I’ll be right back.”
“Be careful Aly!” Alex called out as I looked over at the door, wondering what was going on. “You, stay on that bed,” he pointed at me.
Joe walked out and I watched him leave and looked at Alex, “But...”
Alex put a hand on my forehead and asked, “Do you feel feverish at all? You feel a little warm, Trin,” he observed and I nodded.
“This doesn’t look too good. It’s awfully red around the stitches and there’s some puss I don’t like the look of. The good news is, it doesn’t smell off so it isn’t a bed infection,” Alex explained. I looked at him with worry and he gave me a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry Trin. I’ll make sure you don’t lose your leg. We’ll knock out this infection.”
“And I promise I’ll stay in Diamond this weekend.”
“You better! I want you to rest as much as possible and no walking with out the crutch.”
“Yes sir,” I nodded and he went to get some boiling water from the stove and added some whiskey.
“Ok, this is going to hurt, but it’s the best way to clean it out.”
“I trust you.”
Alex poured the solution over the wound and wiped the excess as it soaked onto the bed. I started to cry as it made contact with the wound and he looked in my eyes. “Okay, one more time.” He washed it again and I held his gaze, the tears falling as the pain increased. He took out an herbal salve and spread it over the wound as I tried not to move my leg too much. He wrapped my leg with linen and tucked the ends of the bandage after tying them off. He handed me some pills wrapped in paper and said, “Take these for pain and fever. They’re made from willow bark.” I wiped the tears away and he handed me the cane. “And use this, okay? No one thinks any less of someone using a cane when they’ve been shot.”
I tried to sit up and he helped me and asked, “Are you feeling better?” I fell into his arms and held onto him as he gave me a big hug.
We walked out of the clinic and met with Aly. I asked if they were coming back with me but they had some things to take care of so I walked over to where Sabi was talking with Ger.
“Do you know Mr. Ben good?” Sabi was asking Ger.
“Well, sometimes good people can do bad things, but if they apologize and pay for their crimes, they are still good people,” Ger explained.
“Jus everybody keeps sayin he is a bad guy,” she nodded and I sighed, continuing to walk home.
Bisbee.
“Need some help ma’am?” a man asked from behind me.
I looked over at him and said, “Sorry, yeah I just... I got shot the other day and it’s not healing well.”
“You’re welcome to use an arm, ma’am,” he offered.
“Thanks,” I took his arm and smiled. “I’m just heading past that sign up there.”
“Not a problem,” he said and helped me into Diamond.
Black Diamond.
“Here we are,” I said as we stopped in front of my office.
“You should get off that leg and rest,” he smiled at me.
“That’s the plan,” I nodded. “I’m Trin, thanks for your help...”
“I’m Eryk and you’re welcome,” he looked closely at me. “You’re about to fall over.”
“I’ll be alright,” I leaned against the cane. “Just need to force myself to rest and I don’t do that so well.”
“Yeah, there’s too much to be done,” he nodded.
“Sure is...”
“But you can’t do it if you’re flat on your back. A little rest now.”
“Nope. Don’t I know it,” I sighed.
He smiled again and saw my badge. “Pinkerton are you?”
“Yes Sir.”
“Do you like the job?”
“Some days more than others,” I nodded to him then nodded to Sugar and Ger as they walked into town.
“Hi Trin, howdy Mister, I see you aground,” Sugar greeted him. “I’m Sugar.”
“I need to head upstairs to rest. If I can make it up there.” I looked at Ger as Sugar and Eryk introduced themselves. “It’s infected.”
“Could have told you that,” Ger nodded.
“And Miss Trin, get some rest. The bad guy will be here when you’re feeling better,” Eryk looked at me.
I blinked at that and spun around, looking him straight in the eyes. “You... you’re one of...?”
“Excuse me?” Ger looked over at him.
“Not hardly ma’am,” Eryk laughed. “They wouldn’t have me. I don’t kick puppies and shoot kittens.”
“How about people?” I glared at him.
“But you threaten women,” Ger pointed out.
Eryk’s eyes brightened and he smiled. “Well I guess that would depend on the person.”
“You know him, don’t you?” I stared at him.
“Know who?”
“Don’t play stupid with me.”
“Who sent you to her, sir?” Ger asked.
“I was just out walkin’ and found her limping up up the street,” Eryk explained.
I swallowed hard, knowing exactly what bad guy he meant and swore slightly at Ben though he wasn’t even around. Aly walked over and looked over at me with concern. “What’s going on?”
“You tell Ben I’ve had enough of his games,” I looked at Eryk. “And tell Dash... I know it was him.”
“Then what do you mean by ‘get some rest the bad guy will be here when your feeling better’?” Ger asked.
“Oh, Ben the rat...” Eryk said. “My little friend Poppy would hit me with a rock if I was associated with him.”
“Deputy, this man threatened Miss Trin here,” Ger told Aly.
“Poppy? You a friend of Stormy’s?” Sugar asked.
“I did not,” Eryk laughed.
“I heard ya,” Ger looked at him.
“I don’t care what game you’re playing, Eryk. This isn’t going down the way Dash thinks it will. I know it was him,” I warned him.
“I’ve never met miss Stormy, but I’ve met the little one,” Eryk said. “And she may want Ben the rat more than you seem to.”
“See.. Ben’s a rat, so I’m not crazy here. Tell Dash I’m not as stupid as he seems to think I am.”
“That is still under debate, Trin,” Ger teased.
I shot him a glare and said, “Now is NOT the time.”
“Poppy’s a real cute little gal,” Sugar commented.
“I did not threaten Miss Trin. I told her to get some rest because the bad guy will be here when she feels better,” Eryk explained again.
“Well that’s not very nice. What was this threat?” Aly looked at Eryk.
“That, in this town, is a threat,” Ger explained.
“And it would seem Ben the rat shot Miss Stormy,” Eryk said.
“And I happen to know of a bad guy returning in June. So don’t tell me I’m stupid,” I glared at him.
“Maybe a little paranoid,” Eryk looked at me.
“Not paranoid. Careful,” I glared.
“STOP!” Aly exclaimed then. “Before you all continue. I want you all in my office. Trin, I want you off your feet.”
“I was trying to be,” I sighed, “Before this guy threatened me.”
“My office, Trin,” Aly ordered and I stormed into the office after her, pissed. “I can only imagine the amount of pain you’re in.”
“I did not threaten you,” Eryk followed after us. “See if I help you home again.”
“Help me home so you can threaten me.”
“Sir, this woman is in a great deal of pain. Show some compassion,” Aly ordered.
“I did not threaten you,” Eryk shook his head and I pulled my flask out, drinking some whiskey.
“Need me deputy?” Ger asked as he stepped into the office.
“Yes please, brother,” Aly nodded.
“Who’s the bad guy then? If it’s not who I think it is?” I looked at Eryk. Aly closed the door but I looked over at her. “I want Alex in here.”
“Both of you hush a moment,” Aly looked between us. “Brother can you get Alex please?”
“You want me to name you a few there all over the place. Throw a rock,” Eryk looked at me.
“Alex, Trin needs you!” Ger shouted outside and it wasn’t long before Alex followed into the office.
“I just want Alex here... In case...” I started.
“STOP. Stop talking,” Aly went to close the door and Alex looked at me with concern. I felt more relaxed with Alex in the room but Aly’s shouting wasn’t helping me keep calm.
“Trin. You left Tombstone, got into town, then what happened?” Aly asked me.
“Are you feeling sick?” Alex looked at me with concern.
“He followed me, asked to help me home. When we got here he said that I should rest because the bad guy would be here when I was better,” I held my gaze on Alex, not any of the others.
“Yes and that’s a threat HOW?” Eryk asked.
“Hold your thoughts, sir. I’ll get to you,” Aly looked at him then back at me.
“Because for the past few days Ben has been telling me that a man from a past case of mine was going to be returning in June.”
“What bad guy? Oh right, we talked about that,” Aly nodded then.
“A man that Ben works for. A man that apparently has several friends supporting him. You’ll forgive me for not being a little bit cautious about this timing.”
Aly went over to get a blank statement and handed it to me. “Write it up.” She looked over at Eryk and asked, “Who is this bad guy you’re speaking about? I want a name. You seem to know.”
I sighed, wondering how much to include in this but then started from the beginning, even though Aly and I had already gone over everything before so I didn’t understand why this was such a surprise to them now. Even Ger, who I had talked to just the day before.
“I asked you a question,” Aly looked at Eryk.
“I have no idea what any of you are taking about. I know about Ben the rat because I stop little Poppy from ambushing him with a rock.”
“Alright. Let’s start over then. Did you tell Trin that ‘the bad guy would be here’? Poppy... So you’re warning Trin about Ben?”
“If I walk out that door and throw a rock I’m going to more than likely hit a bad guy. Of course there going to be there when ever.”
“Why warn her and not me?” Ger asked then.
“Gerric hold up,” Aly requested and he nodded as I continued to write. “When there are threats to the citizens of this town, I’m the one carrying the guns, I’d like to know. I need to know.”
Eryk began to talk slow then and said, “The woman is tired. I was trying to make her not feel so guilty for needing to rest.”
“What’s your name?” Aly asked.
“Eryk.”
“Eryk. What brings you to Black Diamond? The food, business...women?” Aly asked.
“The friendliness of the law enforcement,” Eryk laughed.
“Good. We aim to please,” Aly cleared her throat. “So Eryk. Do you know Trin?”
“And if anyone needs warnings about Ben it’s that nice lady thats been seeing him but thats none of my business,” Eryk answered. “I’ve seen her around town.”
“No, and I would agree with you, that’s best left alone by us,” Aly said. “What made you approach her today? The fresh, clean, nice smelling bandages? Or the way she looked like she was in pain and needed a shoulder?”
“Well she did look like someone that needed a hand getting home,” Eryk said.
I finished my novel of a statement and looked at Aly. “I want you to know this is not a statement for court. This is for your own benefit only. Until I know more for sure, we aren’t pressing charges here.”
“That’s kind of you. So you were being nice and offered her assistance?” Aly asked.
“And let me tell you it won’t happen again.”
“Eryk. Have you ever been shot?” Aly asked him.
“I’m Romani what do you think?”
“A simple yes or now will do.”
“Yes, I’ve been shot.”
“I’m a country gal, ethnics aren’t my strong suit.”
I leaned my head against the desk, feeling exhausted, and then looked at Alex. “I need to lay down,” I said and he nodded.
“Well alright, then you know how much it hurts. She’s in a lot of pain,” Aly told him, “As you can see. So naturally she’s going to be more resistant to a stranger’s advances... Someone she doesn’t know.”
“I’ll help you home,” Alex offered and I stood, leaning against him.
“Thanks Alex,” I said and we walked out of the office.
He helped me up to my apartment and I lay down on the bed. “Want some opium?” he winked at me.
“Am I crazy? Should I be making this connection? Is it just random? I mean look at this,” I said and handed him a copy of the statement I had written.
“I don’t know. All I know is thinking about it too much will make you crazy. You ned to rest.”
“Just read that and tell me I’m not crazy.”
Alex nodded and took the note to read. When he was finished he said, “Hmmm.... it does seem like odd timing. I don’t blame you for being cautious around people and that was a strange thing for Eryk to say.”
I nodded and said, “Sounded like a threat to me. Don’t care how he wants to spin it. You don’t look at a badge and say the bad guy will be here soon.”
“A veiled one. He’s smart enough to know how to talk.”
“But for the record Aly hasn’t been around. She doesn’t know the background ‘cause she hasn’t been here, Alex. We’d talked a bit about it but nothing in the past week and a lot’s happened. I’m on my own law-wise around here. I need her,” I started to cry.
“I know,” he nodded and put his arm around me as I trembled against him. “I’m sorry, Trin.”
“Then she comes back in and yells and... I want my best friend back, damn it.”
“I know, Trin. I wish she were around more too. And in part that’s my fault - when she is here, I take her away.”
“I don’t want to blame you or make this about me feeling left out,” I shook my head against him. “I need law. Period. That’s what this is about. I can’t do my job without it... Especially when I get threats left and right.”
“I know...”
“If you guys spent time together here...” I started but then shook my head. “Never mind. I’m not gonna go there cause it’s not about that. I just...”
“I wish there was something I could do to make it better.”
“You’re here...” I sighed.
Alex looked out the window and then back at me. “He’s gone. Out of Diamond, at least.”
“I should... I should rest,” I sighed again.
“Yes, you should.”
“I’m not mad at you, Alex... I’m just... I miss... need... I..”
“You know I’m always here for you Trin,” he looked at me.
“I know you are. And she’s helping now with this... But it’s been so hard being here alone.”
“I know.”
“And Joe isn’t around much and I don’t know if he really... I didn’t even tell you about the case with Cym...” I looked at him.
“Trin... don’t think about that.”
“I’d rather think about that than this. The case is closed,” I looked at him.
“It is? Wow, that’s really good.”
“Well... Joe was married to Cym before she died... He said that she was really respected amongst all the outlaws. Her family were regulators. Wouldn’t be surprised if she herself was. There was a war between the wild bunch and the regulators, but even the wild bunch respected her.”
“Interesting.”
“Yeah. So that gang war we were looking into? Don’t think it was there.”
“Wow...”
“And if law killed her... there’d be record of it. And I’ve gone over all those court records with a fine tooth comb. So I really do think it was just a mining accident and Bill was sending us on a wild goose chase to keep us busy.”
“Yeah, sounds it,” he shook his head.
“Eight months...” I chuckled a bit, now that it’s over.
“That’s a long time.”
“Long time to waste,” I winked at him, getting my humor back now that I wasn’t thinking about Ben. Alex grinned at that and I said, “Okay gonna get some sleep... Thanks for... thank you.”
“Sleep well. I’ll talk to you later,” he patted my shoulder and I closed my eyes as he quietly left the apartment.
No comments:
Post a Comment