Pearce.
The telegram machine clicked in a message in my office and I read that a doctor was needed in Pearce. I decided to head over there and find out what was going on. I found Jess standing on the bridge between Goldfield and Pearce and stopped to talk to her.
“Jess, everything alright around here?”
“Yea, it is fine.”
“Came to find out what happened. I saw the telegram about someone being shot here.”
“I just answered the telegram but was not needed.”
“Alright. I’m going to head over to the clinic then.”
“Bree and Miss Chip were handling it.”
“Great. I’ll talk to you later hon,” I smiled and headed to the clinic.
“Hi Trin,” Chip greeted me as I walked in and saw Jack sitting on the bed.
“Jack? What happened?”
“Well if she’s in uniform it’s open season,” Jack was muttering to Chip.
“Suzy shot him over the payroll,” Chip told me.
“Suzy shot HIM?” I blinked in surprise.
“Don’t think he got a chance to rob it this time,” Chip added.
“Hi Trin, I got a statement for ya. I can’t find anybody,” Bree said.
“Hi Bree, sure you can hand it to me,” I said. “I’ll get it to the right people.” I looked at Jack and asked, Suzy say anything before she shot you?”
“Yes. ‘Get off that bridge now or else’,” he laughed.
“That’s it? You were just standing on the bridge and she told you to get off it?”
“I guess she meant it,” he laughed again. “Well I spilt my flask of lamp oil all over it but it was an accident, I swear.”
“If she had not shot you were you going to try and rob the payroll?” Chip asked him.
“Well, I’m an outlaw,” he laughed.
“You were trying to burn the bridge?” she asked.
“I moved my hands to my guns she did the right thing. I would have shot her.”
“After she yelled at you?”
“Yes of course. Well I better mosey to the house. Feeling much better now.”
“Otherwise she beat you to the draw,” Chip said.
“She was already drawn. I was staring down her barrels,” Jack said.
“Okay let me get this straight,” I looked at him, confused. “You’re standing on a bridge... Spilt oil on it but it was an accident. Suzy sees you while they come over for payroll...”
“Could have happened to anyone.”
“She tells you to get off the bridge. You put your hands to your guns. Suzy puts her hands to hers and shoots you?”
“Well she had her guns pointed at my head already.”
“Okay wait... at which point did she draw her guns?”
“When she saw me spill the oil I guess. I was to busy trying to clean it up with some other paper and stuff. Pieces of wood. Whatever I had.”
“Paper and wood would only help a fire burn,” Chip pointed out.
“Oh that’s right. Good thinking. Well you ladies have a great afternoon.”
“Get better soon Jack,” I said as he left the clinic. I looked at Chip and said, “Sounds like he was making up a story...”
“The subject had just came up as you walked in. Well he is good at stretching the truth to the outlaw side, to me. They picked up the payroll as Suzy sees him trying to light the bridge on fire to rob them warns him off he goes for his gun and gets shot.”
“Figured that’s what really happened,” I nodded.
“Me too. Well I will clean up and be heading home, thanks for coming.”
“Okay Chip. Thanks for bein’ here,” I said and headed out of the clinic.
***
Tombstone.
This afternoon I walked into the courthouse and saw Ger standing with Freja in the lobby, ready for the trial to begin. I had taken the position as prosecutor and prepared the case in spite of not really wanting to be involved.
“Hello counselor,” Ger greeted me.
“Good luck to you today.”
“Same to you.”
“Let’s make it a good one.”
“Plea bargain?”
“Don’t tempt me,” I chuckled.
“HA! Never! I’m innocent as a lamb!” Freja said then.
“I saw the case, it is pretty weak....”
“Weak?”
“Plus, look at the participants... Couple known criminals going against a respected citizen.”
“Perception is a funny thing, Mr. Firehawk. It often confuses what is seen with the truth.”
“Just trying to save you a headache.”
“Win or lose I have a job to do. I intend to do it.”
“We both do...and I am doing mine right now.”
“I’m going to step outside and get some fresh air,” I said and walked outside to breathe deeply, feeling the pressure build. I walked back in to find Ger and Freja absent and guessed they were in the courtroom. Jimmi and Starling arrived then and we made our way into the gallery with others following to watch the trial.
The jury bench started to fill and when Jimmi asked if we were satisfied with the jury, we objected to Ivy being on the jury since it was her gardens that she be removed from the jury. Jimmi agreed and she went to sit down beside her husband. For probably the only time ever, I was relieved to see Lot in attendance and began writing some questions to ask him as a witness. I still couldn’t get over the irony of the fact that the prosecution would be using an outlaw boss as its main witness.
When things were ready to begin, Jimmi welcomed the jury and rasped the gavel on the desktop.
“This court is now in session.”
“Every damn time,” I muttered as the gavel made me jump.
“The accused will rise,” Jimmi instructed and Freja stood. “Doctor Frija Oakleaf... You have been charged with the following offense that on May 4th of this year you did cause destruction of property. How do you plead?”
“Most assuredly NOT GUILTY, your honor,” Freja insisted.
“Very well. You may be seated. We will now hear the opening statements. Prosecutor, you may approach the Jury.”
I stood and walked over to the jury, attempting to look at them confidently. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are here today in a rare appearance by the defendant in court. In a strange twist of events, Marshal Kris approached the house to find an outlaw and a doctor arguing. One would think that the outlaw would be the one sitting in the defense seat today, but unfortunately the defense is a woman who we know as a healer. We have a confession from the defense herself that should make this easy for you. I ask that you find her guilty of destruction of property. Thank you,” I smiled and headed back to my seat.
“Thank you Prosecution. Defense, we will hear your opening statement. Please approach the Jury,” Jimmi requested.
Ger approached the jury and began his opening statement. “Members of the jury, first let me thank you for taking the time out of your day to help us here. Did the good Doctor argue with theM? Yes, we will not deny that. What was it about, well, that depends on who you as for it is one word over the other. I will show you that this was just a misunderstanding....that should never have seen the courtroom like this, In the end, you will see that my client, the good doctor, is innocent. Thank you.”
“Prosecutor, please call your first witness,” Jimmi requested as Ger sat down.
Your honor, as confusing as it might seem given his past.... the Prosecution calls Lot Balbozar to the stand.”
Lot walked over to the witness stand and I could hear whispers throughout the courtroom as he was sworn in. When he was ready I began my line of questioning.
“Hello Lot, thank you for being here to support your wife in this trying time and for being willing to take the stand,” I started and he gave a solemn nod. “Can you tell us what happened the day you discovered the defendant had sabotaged your wife’s plants?”
“Yes ma’am. I was wandering home and as I rounded the library I see... HER,” he said and pointed towards Freja.
“Let the records show that the witness pointed to the defendant. What did you see next?”
“There she was, all smug and prissy, bragging to Jeffery that she was destroying our garden, she was saying this to him as she was setting fire to a pile of tires she had left there.”
“Can you tell us about the argument you were having with her when the marshal approached?”
“Tell them about the rats, the rats!” Ivy blurted out then. I remembered the rats but chose not to comment about them unless they were brought up.
“Yes ma’am, She was raising a right royal hissy fit, had her bloomers in a twist big time, saying stuff how my wife aint gonna win this garden competition, and that it was her time to be queen snotty pants of Tombstone,” Lot answered me.
“Last question, sir. Did you witness the defendant confessing to sabotaging your wife’s plants?”
“Most definitely ma’am, firstly to the Marshal on the night in question, and later on that week, in front of the ladies society, Miss Pet was there to see that one.”
“No further questions,” I said and sat down as Ger came over to cross examine.
“Howdy Lot... how’s it going?” Ger began.
“Um... is that yer defence? ‘How’s it goin’? Interesting.”
“Mr. Lot... even though it was a strange question, you will answer questions, not ask them,” Jimmi instructed.
“I only have a couple of questions for you,” Ger said. “That’s ok Judge, don’t want him to think too hard.”
“Objection your honor? Bashing my witness?” I stated.
“Mr Gerric, leave the jokes to those of us that are funny,” Lot ordered.
“Defense, do you have any questions?” Jimmi asked.
“You mentioned Miss Freja destroyed your wife’s garden....what exactly was destroyed and how?” Ger asked.
Lot pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and opened it up. “Funny you should ask that, I took inventory.”
“I didn’t know you could write,” Jimmi looked at Lot.
Lot began to read from his paper. “‘Old english roses, field lilies, scorch marks on my front stoop...’ which I must add, lighting a fire near a building is considered arson. She is lucky I never shot her ass.” Lot continued to read, “‘Banksia rose standards, a rose tree,’ and most of all, she has damaged the fragile emotions of my beloved wife..Miss Ivy.”
“The second part of the question sir...how.”
“Well, since you are the genius and i am not, I did mention fire............how the heck do you think that causes damage Mr Big Brain Knuckle Head??”
“Did you see her do all of this damage?”
“Order! No need for insults in a court of Justice!” Jimmi called out.
“Damn right i did sir, hence why the call me the eye witness. There is another revelation for you!” Lot told Ger.
“You saw her set up the fire, light the match and place it on the plants?”
“Sir, how many forms of Yes do you wish to hear?”
“Final question then. Why didn’t you stop her if you were there?”
“I did, I called the town Marshal to have her arrested. I know better than taking the law into my own hands Mr Gerric.”
“You wouldn’t have....just taking the match or knocking over the pile would have been enough...it was on your own land.... Or were you afraid of Miss Freja?”
“Mr Gerric, was that your final question or was it the one before?” Jimmi asked.
“Sir, allow me to read you the law on arson. ‘Should you witness a person(s) gathering combustable items near a BUILDING or STRUCTURE, you may shout a warning for them to stop. If they DO NOT immediately stop - they can be gunned down. Man-Woman-Child.’ Would you prefer I shot her?”
“Sorry your honor, I just got up in the conversation, forgive me. I’m through with this witness.”
Lot was dismissed to the seats and Jimmi asked if I had another witness. I called Kris to the stand and Jimmi swore him in.
“Hello Marshal. Thank you for being here today.”
“Thank you.”
“I have two simple questions for you,” I began. “Did the defendant admit to sabotaging Miss Ivy’s plants?”
“Yes she did.”
I nodded, letting that sink in. “Secondly.... Did the defendant come willingly wen you arrested her or did she resist?”
“Yes but she was unarmed so she had no choice.”
“Nothing further,” I said and sat down.
“Granted she coulda stabbed me with a scalpel but that’s literally bringing a knife to a gunfight,” Kris added.
“Your honor... That was never asked of him. I would like that comment stricken form the record,” Ger objected.
“I think the Marshal was just emphasizing how he managed to bring Doctor Freja in to Jail without protest. Please continue,” Jimmi said.
“Marshall....what did the plaintiff's garden look like when you were there?” Ger asked as he began his cross-examination.
“Like someone had poured chemicals on it or burned it to the ground. Everything was all black and charred.”
“And you said she confessed to you? What were her exact words?”
“‘Yes I did it....but they started it when they burned down my garden and paid kids to dig up my flowers.’”
“May I see to confession to make sure please?”
“I did not take one but informed the defendant to please report the arson to the rangers.”
“Marshal, did you put this confession in your report?” Jimmi held up his hand.
“I did.”
“Thank you.”
“So, there is no confession....your word against hers....someone who no doubt healed you when you get shot....” Ger summarized.
“Objection your honor. A marshal’s statement is just as binding as..” I started.
“Where is it?” Ger asked, handing the report to Kris.
“The law is the law,” Kris stated. “I warned the Lady’s Society that I would arrest anyone caught sabotaging their competitors in my town.”
“One moment prosecution,” Jimmi told me and I nodded.
Ger handed the report to the judge and stated, “There isn’t a confession by the defendant, only a mention of it.”
“Defense, I am reading this report, The law officer has stated a confession and his report is legally binding,” Jimmi stated.
“Your Honor, the law does state it needs to be a signed confession,” Ger said. “Learned that being a Pinkerton.”
I sighed at that and suggested, “Your honor, perhaps we could read the line from the statement in relation to this right now?”
“The arrest report says the arresting officer heard a confession and his statement is sworn., that is the last I will hear of it Defender,” Jimmi ordered and Ger looked over towards me. “I suggest you look at ways to prove your client innocent than prove the law officer is telling tales.” I nodded in agreement to Jimmi, not liking my witness being attacked.
“I was able to prove that before.”
“Do you have further questions for this witness?”
“One moment please,” Ger said then, hesitating.
“As I stated, I warned the Ladies Society president that if she did not take action to curb the sabotage in the contest, I would, and arrest anyone and all persons I catch in the act or having committed the act in Tombstone.”
“Did you catch her doing it...did you witness her damaging anything?”
“I heard Mr. Balbozar yelling, ‘FREJA GET AWAY FRO MY HOUSE’. When I went over, that’s when I heard the story and the confession from Miss Freja.”
“That does not mean she did anything. Did you catch her doing any damage?”
“Objection, your honor,” I stated.
“Grounds?”
“She confessed. He’s attacking the witness now.”
“He said he would arrest anyone he CAUGHT doing anything,” Ger said.
“I have to agree with you Prosecution. Defense you so appear to be badgering this witness.”
“Mr. Firehawk, may I remind you that insulting my integrity is also insulting Mr. Wise’s?” Kris asked then.
“I am only trying to get the truth from why her client said your honor,” Ger said.
“No matter how many times you ask the same question in different ways the witness has replied the same answer,” Jimmi stated. “He is a law officer, you expect him to lie under oath? Please defense.”
“Yes, he has done it before.”
“Your honor..” I started.
“Defense! I will not have an accusation as such on our fine law officers,” Jimmi stated. “The witness will step down. Prosecution, any more witness?”
“No sir, prosecution rests.”
“I have the proof your honor,” Ger stated.
“Thank you Prosecution Well defense, now is your time, your first witness please.”
“Defense calls Miss Pet to the stand.”
Pet walked over to the stand and she was sworn in. When ready, Ger began with his line of questioning for his first witness.
“Evening Miss Pet... What can you tell me about what happened?”
“Well, seeings how it was kinda my idea to spearhead the garden show, just about anything you wanna know. This is our second annual contest by the way,” she smiled. “This year I never expected the competitors to be so... um... how shall I say... fierce!”
“It can happen though....go on.”
“There was threats and sabotaging all thru out the competition. However..”
“Your honor I object. Kris never mentioned in his signed marshal statement that Pet was a witness to the actual crime,” I stated. “Anything she says now is hearsay to the actual event we are here to discuss.”
“Objection overruled. I would like to hear what this witness will give to us.”
“Does that mean I can continue?” Pet asked.
“You may indeed, Miss Pet.”
“Thank you, your honor,” Ger smiled.
“Thank you,” Pet nodded. “You see, the date in question for which Freja is being accused,” she sighed, “Was AFTEr the competition and judging had concluded. Furthermore... I’m not so certain it was sabotage. As we all know Doc Freja to be a helpful person. I would surmise she was helping Lot and Ivy burn their refuse, since there was a fire. I did happen on the scene and was asked to help her clean it up under threats,” she mumbled, “By that man,” she pointed to Lot, “Which I did do. And then he pleaded and begged for both Freja and myself to teach his beloved Ivy to cook.”
“When was the voting?”
“Objection your honor. She’s assuming. These aren’t facts,” I stated.
“The voting concluded at six o’clock on the fourth of May,” Pet said.
“Prosecution, please let the defense present his case,” Jimmi ordered and I stayed quiet.
“Why would I burn a thing of beauty? That would be like throwing away a dress made in Paris!” Ivy yelled from the gallery.
“Well all those wagon wheels were burning, correct?” Pet asked her and then focused on Ger.
“So, if all of this happened after the voting, then Miss Freja was falsely arrested,” Ger pointed out.
“Go on! Ask Freja about the rats!” Ivy called.
“Miss Pet, please answer his questions not those from the public thank you,” Jimmi pointed at Ger.
“Sanitation!!! Horse heads, corpses!!! Oh sorry Gerric, what did you ask me?” Pet asked.
“Ask Ivy about the horse head!” Freja called.
“Miss Ivy is NOT a hrose head!!” Lot shouted.
“Miss Freja...please...” Ger looked at his client.
“Now she’s calling me names in public!” Ivy cried.
“Your question please?” Pet looked at Ger.
“I asked since the voting was over when she was arrested, wouldn’t that mean Miss Freja was falsely arrested?” Ger asked.
“Objection your honor. Whether or not it’s relation to the contest, the plants were still sabotaged,” I stated.
“Well, in my most humble opinion, since it was not sabotaging the contest, most certainly so, Sir,” Pet answered.
“Your honor, sabotage would mean during the contest, not after,” Ger stated.
“Miss Trin, you will have your chance to cross examine this witness,” Jimmi told me.
“The charge is destruction of property, yes?” I asked and then nodded to Jimmi, frustrated.
“Is that it Defense?” Jimmi asked.
“Burning rubbish is destruction of property?” Pet scratched her head.
“Last question....Did Miss Ivy win anything for her garden...and did Miss Freja as well?” Ger asked.
“Oh yes. Yes they both won. um let’s see...” she pulled out the ballot tally and read. “Miss Ivy and Lot won Best in Most Creative, Best in Gardening Skills, Doc Freja won Best Overall.”
“Thank you. No more questions.”
I was invited to cross-examine and stood to go to Pet. “Miss Pet, were you an actual witness to the destruction of property, which this case is concerned with?”
“I saw no property being destroyed, only dying flowers and several wagon wheels burning.”
“One more question. Miss Pet, since you are able to give your opinion so well, is not destruction of plants still destruction of property, whether or not it is after the contest is closed?”
“I’m uncertain as to how to answer that.since the contest was over. several flora around the County were dying day by day the climate you know.”
“The climate of heat from a raging fire which she set!” Lot yelled out.
“Thank you miss Pet. You have every right to be uncertain, since you are a preacher and not a lawman. Final question, you admit to only witnessing the aftermath of the crime, not the crime itself?”
“I witnessed burning. Freja and I extinguished the flames and buried the debris.”
“Nothing further,” I said and sat down.
Ger came forward then and asked that the trial be dismissed. “By the testimony of the Marshall, he would arrest anyone sabotaging during the contest...and we have just heard she was arrest for something AFTER the contest so she has been unjustly arrested.”
I blinked at that and looked at Jimmi. “Your honor, the charge is destruction of property. Whether or not it has anything to do with the contest is irrelevant.”
“The Marshal was called to attend a disturbance and reacted as he saw fit, there is a charge on your
client,” Jimmi looked at Ger. “Please defend your client. I will not have this Jury sit through this trial to have it dropped.”
“I now call Miss Ivy to the stand.”
I leaned forward then, confused why Ger would use my lead witness’ wife as a witness for his side. Lot helped Ivy to the stand and she was sworn in.
“Evening Miss Ivy...do you need a moment to compose yourself?”
“Yes, thank you,” she took the hankie from him and wiped her nose.
“You know, the Judge was right, that dress does look pretty on you, matches your shining personality.”
“Yes, I know,” she perked. “Is that a question, I should answer?”
“And congratulations on winning not one, but two ribbons in the contest, you must feel proud.”
“I did at first, but due to Miss Freja and the horridness she has brought about... Not one person has come to pay homage to my trophy display. Not one!” she sobbed.
“Now Now Miss Ivy...lets stay calm here for a few minutes, then you can go back. I heard you making some comments from the gallery and I think you can add something to this... I heard you say she was burning rubbish...what kind of rubbish?”
“I beg your pardon? I do not know what rubbish, I am a lady and do not know a wit about rubbish.”
“But you did say that was what she was burning...rubbish.”
“I do know that my garden was burning as well as all these.. these.. things she threw in my yard.”
“I didn’t ask that.”
“Miss Ivy, please answer the questions, not ask them,” Jimmi instructed.
“Please answer the question.”
“What did you ask? I’m sorry this is all terribly taxing on me.”
“I asked if you said you saw her burning rubbish?”
“Yes, your Honor, I was ever so proud of my garden. And I am ever so proud to bring civility and culture to our town, Tombstone. God bless America and God bless Tombstone.”
“Miss Ivy!” Jimmi sighed.
“Your honor...my question please.”
“Yes? The question?” Ivy asked.
“Did you see the accused burning things in your garden yes or no?” Jimmi asked for Ger.
“How could I bear to look upon a travesty as that?” Ivy asked.
“Defense, let’s not invite a debate whether Miss Ivy’s garden was rubbish. Please,” Jimmi requested. “The smoke.. the smell. It was horrid.”
“Permission to treat the witness as hostile your honor?” Ger asked.
“She is your witness Defense.”
I sighed and muttered, “He’s treated the rest of them as hostile.”
Ger looked at me and I smiled sweetly.
“If you don’t like her answers, don’t ask her questions,” Jimmi instructed.
“Hostile? I beg your pardon I am NOT a heathen injun!” Ivy exclaimed.
“Miss Ivy, did you say you saw Miss Freja burning rubbish?” Ger asked. “Yes or no.”
“No, I didn’t, you didn’t ask that question. I only had to endure it all.”
“I asked you...did you see Miss Freja burn rubbish,” Ger said.
“Why are you doing this? Why?” Ivy started to cry.
“Simple yes or no.”
“YES! I’ve seen her many times burning old bloody bandages behind the doctors after surgery!” Ivy hissed.
“Defense, are you going to ask her the same question again?” Jimmi asked.
“And what was this rubbish burning in?”
“A fire, as does most rubbish I believe. Is that not correct?” Ivy looked at Jimmi.
“What was this rubbish burning in?” Ger asked.
“Defense please, that will be all,” Jimmi pleaded.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Gerric, but your questions are all to confusing for me,” Ivy said.
“This poor lady has had her fill,” Jimmi said.
“Just asking what kind of container the rubbish was burning in...” Ger said.
“Yes and she has tried as best as she can to answer.. something different,” Jimmi said as Ivy continued to cry about her garden. “I don’t think she is able to compose herself. Let her go.”
“I agree,,,she has been through a lot...takes a lot of energy to put on a show like that....” Ger said. “No more questions.”
Jimmi asked if I wanted to cross-examine but I shook my head. Ivy was assisted down off the stand and Ger called Freja to the stand. She came forward and was sworn in and then Ger began his line of questioning.
“Miss Freja, we’ve heard their side of the story...tell us your side please.”
“Yes...as much of the town knows, the Gardening Contest got a bit heated. After the contest ended, the following day I dragged some trash onto Lot and Ivy’s yard.”
“Confession!” Lot called and punched the air.
“The trash was in a metal can, and there were some tires,” Freja went on. “I set the trash on fire.”
“ORDER IN COURT!” Jimmi shouted.
“At NO TIME did I destroy their property, I was burning trash.”
“Why?” Ger asked.
“Now she’s calling my garden trash!!!” Ivy cried.
“I did it because I was sick of the abuse I am others have been dealt with. They stole flowers. They threatened children. They heaped trash on my yard.”
“Are any of those children here?” Ger asked.
“Yes, I burned some trash in their yard. I was smelly and I did it. Yes, behind you, Millard. I cleaned it up the following day....Miss Pet helped me. There was no permanent destruction of their property. Again, I did this AFTER the contest. I did not do it to influence the outcome”
“I don’t care when you did it! You did it!” Ivy yelled out.
“Yes, I did it,” Freja admitted.
“So, let me get this straight....you were cleaning up rubbish and burning it...and no property was destroyed?” Ger asked.
“And I bet if any of you had a horse head put on your porch, you might do the same! But I did no destroy any of their property...it was rubbish, as Ivy herself admitted. But I did no destroy any of their property...it was rubbish, as Ivy herself admitted.”
“Objection your honor, and this is my only one,” I stated. “She just admitted to going against her claim to the marshal in a signed statement by him.”
“Grounds? Prosecution?” Jimmi asked.
“I just said, your honor. In Kris’s statement she admitted to destroying property.”
“No I did not,” Freja shook her head.
“Your honor, I have one more question...can’t prosecution wait?” Ger asked.
“Indeed Prosecution, let the Jury decide her guilt or reason,” Jimmi instructed.
“I was burning garbage I put there myself,” Freja said.
“Fine, proceed. But I’ll want to say something after.”
“So, you were doing this to help them?” Ger asked.
“It could be seen as helping them, but I have to say I was angry as well.”
“Thank you. No more questions.”
I stood and promised to be brief as I walked over to Freja. “You admit to burning rubbish near Lot and Ivy’s house.”
“Yes.”
“That’s all, your honor.”
I went to sit down and Jimmi requested for me to give my closing statement. I walked over to the jury and looked them each in the eye. “Thank you all for your patience in this case that is so very clear. The charge you are faced with debating is destruction of property. Burning rubbish, trash, is considered arson... and by extension, destroying property. The defendant just admitted her guilt to this activity. We have an eye witness and arresting officer with a confession proving her guilt. The defense used two ladies as witnesses who weren’t even at the event itself. Whether or not the destruction of property was done in relation to the flower contest or not is irrelevant. The fact is, destruction of property did happen, and the defendant is guilty. Thank you.”
I went to sit down and Ger walked over to give his closing statement. “Folks, I apologize for the time...but I wanted you to hear and see what lengths the plaintiff's will go to accusing an innocent woman. Did Miss Ferja burn rubbish on their land??? Yes, she said she did. No, she didn’t. As you heard in her testimony, she brought the rubbish with her....never once said she placed anything of theirs in the can...which contained the fire so nothing would be destroyed. Miss Ivy said she didn’t pay attention to the rubbish, she knows nothing about it. And Lot said he left to get the Marshall... so he didn’t see any damage done by her ...HER burning rubbish. It isn’t against the law to destroy your own property...and the prosecution didn’t prove she destroyed theirs...only her own. Thank you.”
The jury was invited to deliberate in the back room and I looked straight ahead, not making eye contact with Ger. We waited until the jury came out and then Freja stood to hear the verdict.
“Members of the Jury, would your foreman please stand and give your verdict,” Jimmi requested.
“We from the jury voted for not guilty,” Ben announced.
I shook my head, wondering how we’d lost with the confession on the stand. Freja called out that there was justice in Tombstone and I stormed out of the courthouse, feeling disrespected and unable to do my job well since Jimmi had continued to tell me to be quiet and let the defense present his case instead of allowing me to object. Aly met up with me in the street and told me that I should be proud of myself that I did a good job. I shook my head and told her I needed a drink and headed to the saloon in Diamond.
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