Bisbee.
After a weekend of staying in bed and resting from the hangover and the stress of the past week, I decided to do the rounds and walk through the towns. I walked through Bisbee and saw Gerric walking towards me.
“Gerric!” I ran to hug him.
“Hey there partner.”
“Been so long since I’ve seen you!” I smiled, hugging him as I noticed the group of Wild Bunch starting to swarm.
“Guess the game is over with...”
“Game?”
“Don’t ask,” he laughed. “You too.”
“Uh... think I’m gonna wander to Kate’s... Wanna come?” I asked him, not feeling like getting caught up in anything tonight.
“See ya later...” he told me.
“Hola Trin,” TJ looked right at me and Garth approached with a nasty grin as I started to walk through the crowd.
“Can I have some money?” Garth called out and I walked into Tombstone and then broke into a run.
Tombstone.
I ran into Kate’s and exhaled deeply, relieved to see so many friends at the dance already.
“There’s Miss Trin!” Cas waved to me from where he was playing the turntable.
I smiled at Cas and looked between him and Aly. “Okay that was a little too close for comfort... I was just heading through Bisbee doing the rounds and the Wild Bunch surrounded as Ger walked over. TJ, Sniper, Garth, Mac, Lisa... Garth started to walk over to me with a nasty grin and shouted if I could give him some money so I told Ger I was headed to Kate’s and ran.”
“Ughh....dang it now I gotta worry about my brother,” Aly grumbled.
“He has two legs... he can run too,” I pointed out.
“Yeah well uhm, that’s his two legs versus.....how many others?”
“My boss once told me... you’re only as valuable as a detective as the information you gain, not the battles you fight.”
“Ain’t no one causin’ any trouble in here.. don’t worry ‘bout that,” Cas promised.
“I’m no use to this town if I’m tied up and in a cave somewhere.”
“Yeah easy for you ta say Cas, your town ain’t the one gettin’ overrun by outlaws at the moment,” Aly grinned and winked a bit. “Oh Trin whatcha gonna have?”
I started to order a whiskey but then looked at Aly, remembering the weekend I’d had and what had started it all. “I better stick with a root beer tonight...”
“Root beer sounds WONDERFUL right about now! Sure thing!” she said and found one, putting some ice in it and handing it to me.
I took the Root Beer and sipped it, missing the taste of whiskey. The group continued to talk around me and I apologized to Aly for making her worry and she promised me she could deal with it later.
I went into the back and changed into a dress that was there and came back out to sit at the bar. I found out that Matthew had become a deputy in Tombstone and met another man named Trent.
“Jess, what kind of trouble?” Aly asked at the bar at one point and I walked over.
“Trouble?” I looked at her.
“The Wild Bunch is after him. Five or six to one,” Jess said.
“I should have stayed,” I blinked.
“OK Jess, I’m just one me, and I ain’t seen Stormy or Mark lately,” Aly told her. “I aint’ facin’ all that.”
“I’ll help you,” Jess offered.
“And I’m kinda workin’ here at the moment,” she added.
“I should go look and see if he’s okay,” I decided then.
“Trin, please be careful,” Aly looked at me with concern.
I heard TJ shouting and realized they had made it to Tombstone so I waited a bit longer since there wasn’t much I could do. Matt decided to go check on things and I decided to go to the clinic to see if Ger was okay. He wasn’t in the Tombstone clinic so I continued on back towards home, thinking he would be there.
Black Diamond.
I walked into the clinic in Diamond and saw Ger there with a girl who I didn’t recognize. Ger had no shirt on and his pants were ripped. “Ger! What’d they do to you?” I asked him with concern.
Ger looked over at me and smiled and then looked back to the girl. “They thought they needed a new wardrobe.”
“They roughed him up and tried to rob him of every thing he had including the clothes on his back,” the girl said.
“Oh Ger... I shouldn’t have left I just... when I see that many outlaws... I thought you were coming with me.”
“They thought I had the keys to the bank.”
“If I hadn’t of stepped in and picked a fight with Garth no telling what they would have done to him,” the girl said.
I went to him and put a had on his shoulder. “Did they shoot you anywhere?”
“Luckily they didn’t shoot either of us,” she insisted.
“Thank God,” I sighed.
Naw...no guns were drawn...no harm...,” he coughed hard, “No foul. There...you will be good as new,” he finished looking after the girl and then coughed hard again. I saw that there were specks of blood were on his hand.
“Well except for a few blows being exchanged,” she added.
“True...Garth did cold cock ya...” Ger nodded. “Shows how scared he is of ya. I think you painted a target on your back now.” He coughed again and looked at me, “Trin..got your flask on ya?”
“Pffft won’t be the first time,” the girl shrugged it off.
“Not tonight, no...” I shook my head, not ready to tell him the reason yet.
“Me neither,” he sighed. “And I was told to always have it on me.”
“Sorry miss, don’t think we’ve met,” I looked at her.
“Oh yes, sorry. I am Miss Katelin Rexen.”
“Nice to meet you, Katelin... Thanks for being there with him.... I’m Detective Trin Paige.”
“I have been gone for a time to visit my baby brother. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Sorry it’s under these circumstances.”
“Yes Nayallor Rexen.”
“Don’t think I’ve met him either.”
“Nallayor.... He used to be a Ranger and then a Deputy here in Black Diamond a long time ago and even helped out in Tombstone a bit.”
“Ah I see.... well we could use another deputy in Diamond. Seems Aly’s been on her own lately.”
“It is always a hard job.”
“That it is. Why do you think I’m just a detective?” I nodded.
“I was a Nurse here before I left when Mayor Krell ran this town and before that a Nurse in Tombstone.”
“Oh I see...”
“Thought because you couldn’t shoot,” Ger teased.
“I can shoot. I killed someone,” I nudged him.
“I know...sorry to bring that back up.”
“I may look like a simple country gal but I am not one to back down easily,” Katelin said then.
“Glad to hear that ma’am. I’m not usually either. But when I see that many outlaws I don’t stick around.”
“Well...” Ger looked down. “I think I should get something on.”
“I can handle myself around them. Not afraid of them.”
“Can I walk you home? Or were you having a night with Katelin?” I looked at Ger. “I don’t want to interrupt anything... just wanted to check on you. Looked in the clinic in Tombstone first.”
“If I could handle the Reject’s in the past,” Katelin said.
“Ugh, that’s the second time I’ve heard about the Rejects in the last couple weeks. They better not be coming back....”
“Well after they gave up on him we came here to clean up our injuries... I don’t think they will for awhile.”
“Good. Glad you were able to escape back here,” I sighed.
“Sure they will try to find some kind of trouble in Tombstone next.”
“Yep,” Ger nodded. “Good thing both of us know medicine.”
“I know most of them from when I was a nurse. Heck treated them when they was shot as well. This Garth fella though I never met before.”
“Yeah he’s new around here... Think he’s trying to be in the Wild Bunch gang though. Wouldn’t be surprised.”
“Me neither,” Ger said, “And why he was the one that hit you Katelin.”
“Probably didn’t know how tough you were.”
“Well my brother’s where scrappers and they taught me how to stand up for myself. I wont lie to you both.”
“We all get our strength from somewhere,” I smiled at her.
“I was married to a outlaw in the past and I know how to handle myself around them.”
“Ger.... should we help you get home? Or should I leave you two alone so Katelin can take you home?” I asked him.
“Do you need some rest?” Katelin asked and he nodded. “I am sure what happened must have taken a lot out of you? I agree with Trin . You do need to go home get some fresh clean clothes on.”
“Well, still alive so...” Ger coughed but smiled.
“Yes but your also still on the mend,” Katelin said.
“Gee..and here I thought you ladies wanted me without some,” Ger teased.
“Ger...” I shook my head. “Do you want me to come with you to the apartment or do you want Katelin to go with you?”
“Either...both...who ever wants.”
“Up to you,” I looked at Katelin.
“Let’s just get him home so he can sit and rest,” she suggested. “Get a change of clothes.”
“At least we don’t have to walk far,” I said as we walked with Ger outside and towards his apartment above the clinic. We helped him up the stairs and lay him down on the couch where Katelin gave him a pillow to lay back on. I got him some water to drink and opened a window as Katelin got him a blanket. Before long, he was sleeping peacefully.
Katelin and I walked downstairs quietly and when we were in the street I smiled at her. “Thanks hon... Glad he’s resting now.”
“Yes so am I.”
“We used to work together as detectives when he first came to town... We’re very close and I was worried about him so I had to come and make sure he was okay.”
“I just couldn’t stand by and let them do that time him it was just..” she stomped her foot in anger.
I reached out to touch her shoulder and said, “I know... I know.”
“I am glad you did.”
“I feel guilty as it is but... as a detective... I’m more valuable alive. Sorry that sounded wrong...”
“He is lucky to have friends looking out for him.”
“I just mean that if I’d stayed and let them take us both... I’d be in worse shape and wouldn’t be helpful to anyone. Take from us I mean. I can’t even think straight tonight,” I shook my head. “It’s been... a long weekend. Sorry, you hardly know me.”
“It is alright. I have dealt with outlaws most my life and I can handle myself.”
“Well I have too... But I just... after the past week and weekend I couldn’t just... I could see where it was headed with them all swarming.”
“I know.”
“And my first boss told me that I’m more valuable for the information I gain than the battles I fight.”
“I should have not let my temper get to me again.”
“I thought he was going to follow me.”
“I could have gotten hurt even worse.”
“I guess I should head home,” I nodded.
“I was hoping they would back off.”
“That many of them? All together? Hardly.”
“Me too,” she sighed. “Oh I know I am gonna feel this in the morning.”
“Take care of yourself, Katelin... get some rest tonight if you can. Oh... I know the crime happened in Bisbee but... Do you think you could write up a witness statement for me? I could hand it to the Tombstone authorities.” I asked and handed her a blank copy.
“I guess I surprised them that I was not gonna let a mere smack to the head stop me.”
“I’m going to get Ger to write one tomorrow.”
“I can do my best. I will do it right when I get home. Best with everything fresh in my head still.”
“Thanks so much. My office is right around the corner. I can show you before heading up to bed?”
“Ok that would be very helpful to know if I ever got to know you... That and if I ever need your help.”
“Come on with me,” I smiled and led the way to my office. “This is my office... Please don’t hesitate to leave me a note if you need help and there’s no law around, okay?”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Alright. Make sure you include as much detail as you remember in that statement. It’ll help in court.”
“I will.”
“Goodnight, Katelin,” I smiled at her.
“It was a pleasure to meet you Trin. I am glad you did come back.”
“Had to check on my friend.”
“If things had gotten worse...” Katelin started.
“Don’t go down that road. It’s not a pleasant one. I think I might go back to the dance and let Aly know her brother is okay.”
“I try not to think about that. Aly oh My yes she should know. I almost forgot he had a sister.”
“I’ll let her know, don’t worry,” I waved and headed back to Kate’s.
Tombstone.
When I returned to Kate’s I headed straight for Aly and she looked at me with a raised eyebrow. “I just wanted to let you know that Ger is resting on his couch now. He’ll be just fine.”
“Oh thank God, thank ya so much for checking on him for.”
“Of course... There was a girl with him who got robbed too but she looked better than he did... we both helped him get home and on his couch.”
“Good...did you get statements? I want statements. I’ll do the report in the morning.”
“I asked Katelin to write me one... I’ll ask Ger tomorrow. It happened in Bisbee so it’ll have to go through Tombstone law,” I told her.
“Ok then I definitely don’t want it. So nothing happened in Diamond?”
“Pretty sure it was Bisbee unless they followed him into Diamond and did it there.”
“And uhm...no broken benches, lock-picked doors...?”
“I’ll know from the statements I hope. Wasn’t really worried about that. I wanted to come back and tell you he was okay because you were worried. We’ll check all that tomorrow.”
“I was, thank you, that was more important than anything. Okay.”
“By the way... I love that dress on ya.”
“Thanks hon. Realized I had to come back here ‘cause my other outfit is in the back room here still too.”
“Yeah might wanna remove that before someone steals it. You got nice stuff.”
“Guess I should change again.”
“Do me a favor first and it will be quick.”
“Think I have something just like this at home I just didn’t think to change,” I winked. “Hmm?”
“Ya mind checkin the clinic here? See is everyone is alright?”
“Sure. I’ll be back.”
“Thanks Trin, I owe ya!” Aly called out to me as I walked outside.
I walked over to the clinic and looked at Matthew who was standing on the sidewalk. “Everything alright, Matt? I mean other than what happened... but everyone okay now?”
He pointed down to his leg and said, “Small price to pay for dropping four of them.”
“FOUR of them?” I blinked then thought back to Bisbee and counted in my head. “Yeah I guess there were four there.”
“I asked Katelin to get a statement to me so I can give it to you tomorrow... I’ll ask Ger tomorrow when he’s awake as well. We got him resting on his couch.”
“Well I’m gonna hobble off to Kate’s with Jessica and take a sit at the bar,” Matt said.
“Did ya’ll get them arrested?”
“I’ll deal with them when my leg heals.”
“Alright. Hopefully I’ll have names for you from the statements. Happened in Bisbee, yeah? They didn’t follow him to Diamond?”
“Trin I was about to get my ivories out of retirement,” Jess said as she walked out of the clinic and headed for Kate’s.
“Matt? It happened in Bisbee, right? They didn’t follow him into Diamond?”
“No this just happened in the sheriff’s office. The shootout I had with the Wild Bunch.”
“But the robbery part...”
“I don’t know about anything in Bisbee happening.”
“Alright. Well before whatever shootout happened here, both Ger and Katelin got robbed in Bisbee. That’s what I’m getting statements for and I’ll give it to you since Tombstone law has jurisdiction there.”
“Ah I see.”
“That led to a shootout here huh?”
“Well I’ll look into it tomorrow,” he laughed.
“They just don’t know when to quit. I’ll bring the statements to you tomorrow. You don’t have to worry about the robbery till you get those,” I smiled. “Consider that handled. T’is what I’m here for.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll follow you back to Kate’s,” I said and walked over to Kate’s. I walked over to the bar and told Aly, “All clear at the clinic.”
“Great!” she looked up.
“Matt told me about the shootout here in Tombstone... nothing to do with the robbery I guess. Told him I’ll get him the statements. I’m going to head back and change.”
“Ok, thanks for doin’ all that...”
I walked back to the other room and changed into my clothes as I heard Aly call out, “You’re my super woman Trin!”
“She is super,” I heard Bree say and I chuckled hearing them as I strapped the gun back around my waist.
I walked out and sat by the bar and ordered a whiskey finally as we talked about Aly’s sister writing on her desk. Aly said that she didn’t want to charge her but that she wanted to get the writing off the desk. Rikki talked about how someone snuck into her office and painted her walls pink then put a big ribbon and bow outside. I couldn’t help but chuckle at that and Matt said that at least they didn’t have blood all over their offices like his did.
“And on that note...” I chuckled, enjoying the banter but feeling tired, “Think it’s time for bed.”
I said goodnight to everyone and headed home.
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