Black Diamond.
This morning I sat near the gardens in the middle of town, writing in my notebook. Paisley walked over and greeted me and I looked up. “Hi Trin.”
“Hi Paisley. I’m just writing out my availability for meeting.”
“How are you doing?”
“Doing alright. Not much going on right now for me, to be honest. Sitting here waiting for something to happen or someone to need me.”
“Mornings are usually quiet...”
“And afternoons,” Ger added as he walked over.
We greeted him and Pet as she walked over then as well. “I hope you folks are doing alright today?” Pet looked around.
I handed Paisley my availability for meetings for the town council and she thanked me for it as Ger and Pet talked.
“Am I interrupting?” Pet asked.
“Not at all,” I shook my head.
“By the way, wonderful job on the witness stand Miss Pet,” Ger said then and I went quiet at the mention of the trial. Ger looked at me and I looked away from him, not wanting to talk about the trial.
“Thank you Gerric,” Pet smiled. “It is kinda hard to accuse someone of destroying their own property, aint it?”
“Yes it is but....that’s in the past, we now have a wonderful week to look forward too,” Ger smiled and I looked at him with thanks for changing the subject.
They started talking about a rental property in Diamond that Pet could add to the listings and before she left she confirmed that I would be singing today in Bisbee. Ger and Pet headed off and Paisley and I talked about her position as secretary before I went to my office to get some work done.
Bisbee.
That afternoon when I had finished playing and singing in Bisbee, I noticed two men walk into the saloon while I was finished playing. My senses heightened and I walked over to the bar. Alex offered me a whiskey and he poured me a glass.
“Dominic you said your name was?” I asked one of the men.
He nodded slowly and turned to look at me. “Yes ma’am, Dominic.” He sat back in his chair before looking at the other man and then back to Alex. “Another,” he spoke gruffly.
Alex poured him another whiskey and I smirked a bit, remembering a Dominic I had a cold case on from over a year ago. I wondered if there was an expiry date on warrants and simply pretended like I didn’t know who he was. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dominic. Was there a last name with that? Glad you both could come hear me sing.”
“It was great singing ma’am,” the other man who I’d heard someone call William said and I noticed him exhale deeply, as if with relief.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, William. I’m glad you enjoyed it,” I smiled at him.
“The pleasures mine, I’d love to hear it again sometime,” Will nodded to me.
Dominic looked down at the glass of whiskey and smirked. He drank the whiskey and kept his eyes on me with a smile. “James. Dominic James. It’s always a pleasure to come out hear the locals sing.”
I looked over at Alex with a sharp inhale at the last name, my suspicions having been confirmed. I smiled at him and said, “It means a lot to have so many here to support me.”
“I’m sure it does, and there isn’t a finer way to spend ones time than to come here and be treated to such a show,” Dominic nodded.
I blushed a bit and finished my whiskey, “You boys flatter me...”
“We have that effect on some ma’am.,” he grinned and nudged Will beside him. “You seem to be done with your whiskey, would you like another?”
“The last time I had more than one whiskey I kinda... well it didn’t end well,” I chuckled a bit and looked at Alex, then back at Dominic. I walked over to the piano and discretely pulled a gun out of the piano, holstering it back to my waist, and walked over to the bar.
“Oh but sure enough after an outstanding performance a beautiful lady such as yourself deserves to unwind a little,” Dominic smiled. “Say barkeep how much for that bottle of whiskey there?”
“$5 for the whole bottle,” Alex put the bottle on the table.
“You boys are just tryin’ to get me drunk, ain’t ya? I see the plan here,” I teased.
“We could be,” Will laughed and said smoothly.
“Mmhmm...”
“Howdy do ya’ll!” Aly shouted and walked into the saloon.
“Hey! Glad you could make it!” Alex greeted her.
“Mhmm sorry for the lateness...”
“Well hey there stranger. Was about to send the cavalry out lookin’ for ya,” I smiled, not having seen Aly for a while.
“Pfsh, very funny! And don’t worry about your eyes. I really AM wearing green!” she exclaimed.
Dominic reached into his pocket and pulled out a couple of bills, setting them on the counter. “That should do it. Now three more glasses please.” He turned to me and chuckled, “Naw ma’am it is what you make of it.”
Alex and Aly started talking about her wardrobe and I focused on the two men in front of me, wanting to know more about them. I considered the bottle and took a sip, just to prove to them that I could.
“Just a sip? Surely you can do better than that,” Dominic chuckled. He filled up three glasses and slid me one, leaning back cooly. “Show me what you can do. Would you like some Alex?”
“Sure, I’ll have a drink with you,” Alex smiled.
“Don’t get drunk in Bisbee. If someone robs you here I can’t help ya,” Aly looked over at me.
I leaned against the counter comfortably, looking over at Will. “I’m sorry Will, didn’t catch your last name.”
Will took his glass and knocked it back and then looked at me, letting out a small breath. “McCoy, ma’am. William McCoy.”
I almost coughed on another sip and looked at the two men. I knew exactly who they were now and my heart was starting to pound. They had both been involved in the Clint Houston case that I’d been given when I first moved to Tombstone. I looked over at Alex and Aly, not wanting either of them to leave.
Dominic shook his head slowly and grinned. He let out a sigh and then looked over at Aly. “Rob her ma’am? I can assure you nothing of the sort will be happening here.” He smiled at me and asked, “You know it just gets worse with every sip right?”
I set the glass down slowly on the counter, unable to drink more. I tried to hide my shock but knew I wasn’t doing a very good job.
“My apologies sir, I’m just wary of people I don’t know. I only speak from personal experience, you see. And dang, those were my favorite boots. I never did see them again,” Aly sighed heavily.
Will leaned back against the counter and put his hand on his gun handles to rest. He took one hand off his handle and put it on the bar near me. “You need help finishin’ that?” he chuckled.
“You know, we got a brand spankin’ new saloon in Black Diamond that is prettier and more comfortable than this run down shock. Why don’t we head there?” Aly suggested. “No offense to the Bisbee residents,” Aly grinned.
“That um... might be a good idea,” I nodded, knowing if anything went down then at least Aly could do something about it. “You boys want to join us?”
“No offense taken. I am the deputy mayor of Diamond after all,” Alex laughed.
Dominic laughed and looked at me with a shrug. “I don’t wanna impose ma’am..” His eyes drifted back to Will.
“Wouldn’t be imposing, just relocating to a more comfortable saloon,” I insisted. I didn’t want to lose sight of the men after I’d been searching for them for over a year.
“Next round my treat!” Aly winked at him.
“Ones enough for me ma’am. Ilike to stay sharp. But it’s much appreciated,” Will smiled but turned down the offer.
“Join us for the company then...? We can get you um... non-alcoholic drinks...” I winked.
“Well if you folk do insist,” Dominic turned towards me. “Well then lead the way beautiful.” He looked at Aly and said, “You may have the first round, but It’ll be my pleasure to get the second.” He looked over at Will and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Surely we have the time Will.”
“We have all the time in the world. We will follow,” Will said and we headed out of the saloon.
We walked towards Black Diamond but then decided to go to Kate’s instead. Alex needed to head out of the county and Aly decided to stay in Diamond in case anything happened there.
Tombstone.
I walked into Kate’s with the two men and shook my head at the irony of this moment. I knew it probably wasn’t smart to be consulting with such known criminals but I wanted to see if they were still the same men that I had heard about so long ago.
“So um... we need more drinks or do you want to pull strings to see who’s dancing with me first?” I looked between them.
Will laughed and patted Dom on the back. “You dance. I’ll get the drinks.”
“Sounds like a fine plan to me,” Dom grinned and offered his hand to me. “Shall we?”
Will walked over to the bar and started to pour some drinks and announced, “Whenever you’re ready, the drinks are here.”
I took Dom’s hand and smiled, shaking my head at myself but I wasn’t going to play my hand just yet. “So Dominic... You new in town or back after a while away?” I asked, fully knowing the answer.
Dom smiled as he swayed with me slowly. “I’ve been here before a few times. Just returning actually. What about you, surely there are better place for a beautiful and talented woman such as yourself than some old mining town.”
“Well there’s more to me than meets the eye, Dom... can I call you Dom? I don’t know I guess this place just gave me the fresh start I needed. Before I knew it.... I had found a home.”
“Of course you can ma’am.” He looked over me and then grinned. “Tombstone’s a place a lot of people have learned to call home in its short timespan. Still don’t make it a good place. Maybe being back I can get to see more than what’s just at eye level.”
I looked in his eyes, catching his meaning and smiling as we danced slowly around the floor. I looked over at Will by the bar and then back at Dom. “What makes it not a good place? It’s no different than any other place. Got the good, the bad... the romance, the heartache...”
Dom grinned and chuckled, letting out a soft chuckle as he looked at me. “Don’t let the atmosphere he fool you, this place is far from civilized society that is a known comfort back east. And besides, this place ain’t forgiving, and it’s a good place to be if you’re looking for heartache.”
“Now isn’t this nice?” Will chuckled and walked over to us. “Ma’am it was a pleasure. I hope to see you again soon, real soon,” he winiked at me and patted Dom on the back. “Gonna go for a walk...see you in due time pal.”
“I’m sure you will. Nice to meet you, Will,” I said to him as he walked out of the saloon. I looked back at Dom and nodded empathetically, knowing all too well what he was talking about. “I guess I have fallen in love with other aspects of this town... the pursuit of justice, the dances, the day to day work... It’s what makes me wake up every morning knowing that I’m helping to make someone’s life better.”
“A woman who can sing, is beautiful, and takes pride in helping others. What else do you have hidden down there? What is it that you do ma’am?”
I looked at him, chuckling at his teasing. I debated telling him the whole truth but guessed I should only tell him half, since e’d probably see the badge eventually anyway. “Well I’m a lawyer actually. Frustrating trial this weekend... still don’t know how I lost... but for some reason I keep doing it.”
“Oh a lawyer you say?” he chuckled. “I don’t remember seeing your name on the prosecutor or defenders list at the courthouse. Would you wager yourself to be a good poker player ma’am?” he smiled widely.
I chuckled a bit, seeing I’d been figured out. “Poker? I don’t really play poker that much. And if I’m not on the list well I ain’t sure why. Been a prosecutor in this town for over a year.”
“Well you sure do got a hell of a poker face. Well I guess we’ll just have to go tell that Adrian Wise to fix that list then won’t we?”
“Well I’ll be honest with you, since you’d see the badge eventually anyway... I’m not just a lawyer,” I blushed again, looking in his eyes. I knew I couldn’t keep up appearances forever.
“Oh really now?” he said sarcastically and playfully. “What badge do you have the privilege of wearing, ma’am?”
“Well seems to me you already know, don’t you? You seem to be a fairly smart man. And all this talk about Poker... I assure you darlin’ I ain’t a good Poker player.”
“Well you could say I have an idea. Well since you seem to be able to do everything else you may as well start to practice your poker face. But don’t worry ma’am most folk with the law tend to not tell a good bluff either.”
I chuckled a bit, knowing he was right. “I’m a Pinkerton detective,” I finally admitted. It didn’t mean I was going to tell him I knew exactly who he was, but maybe if I was fully honest with him about what I did, he would treat me well. “Hope that ain’t a bad word around you...”
“Bad word? Naw ma’am words are only what people make them to be,” he grinned. “I guess that’d be why you took such an interest to me and William back in Bisbee.”
“I like to get to know everyone I meet... discover people’s names, hear their stories... Information is power, you know.”
“Oh and I agree. The more you know the better. But one could argue that the more one knows the more dangerous it is for the person to continue to maintain that knowledge,” he twirled me around before pulling me back close.
I swallowed hard as he pulled me close, feeling as if he could read my thoughts. “So can I ask a question? What made you stay away from Tombstone for so long?”
“Some family trouble. Had to get out of town for a bit and head back east. But I guess you can say all paths lead to.. Tombstone.”
I chuckled, understanding his family all too well but not wanting to show it. “Yes, I understand that... I had some family troubles back in the fall as well. It certainly makes one rethink things... I almost left and moved back up north to be with them but... I’m more useful here.”
“Oh yes Tombstone area has definitely acquired a wonderful asset when you signed on,” he looked down at my body.
I blushed a bit, feeling his eyes on me. I wondered if this was such a good idea knowing what I knew about him. I leaned my head on his shoulder, staying quiet as I thought about what to say next.
He smiled at me and twirled me again, but didn’t pull me close this time. “I’m afraid its about time for me to go ma’am, I’m sure.. I’ll be seeing you again soon.” He kissed my hand and stopped the dance.
“It was a pleasure dancing with you, Dom. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon,” I blushed and forced a smile.
“I’ll see you around sweetheart,” he nodded and then walked out of the saloon.
I walked outside and saw Jess standing in front of Kate’s. She asked how I was and I tried to hide the fact that I was still shaken up by that whole scene. I joked about how I was still alive, since I really hadn’t been sure if I would be, and headed home.
Black Diamond.
I walked home then and changed at last out of my dress and into pants and a shirt. I walked outside and saw a group of people talking by the gardens. I met a little girl named Poppy and talked with the group for a while.
Matt walked over and I smiled at him, glad to see him again. I asked him if we could talk in his office and he followed me to sit at the table inside.
“Good to see you in these parts,” I smiled at him.
“Well I decided to take a little trip for once.”
“Nice to take walks sometimes. I have a question for you... Well a two part question...”
“You’ve been around long right? On both sides of the law?”
“I have been yes.”
“Do the names Dominic James and William McCoy mean anything to you?”
He took off his hat and scratched his head for a second. “Hmm...”
“In relation to the Clint Houston debacle...?”
“Doesn’t ring any bells for me... but there has been a lot of alcohol over the years.”
“Warrants don’t expire, right?”
“I wouldn’t think so... but I’m not one hundred percent positive. Paperwork is not exactly my favorite part of the job.”
“Let me explain... back when I moved to Tombstone just over a year ago, Marshal Ansar, at the time, asked me for assistance in locating a few people that had warrants on them.”
“Now I remember Marshal Ansar.”
“I guess as a way of easing me in he gave me the impossible cases that he couldn’t solve.”
“Sounds fair.”
“Clint Houston, Nikki Mullery, Dominic James...”
“Clint Houston rings a little bell possibly. Can’t put a face or a story to the name but it rings a bell.”
“Nasty outlaw... not really all that important. The thing is though... We never did find Nikki or Dominic.”
“Ah.”
“But today.... Dominic and William were at my gig.”
Aly walked into the office then and I smiled as she came in to sit down. “Just in time. I was just getting to the part about meeting Dominic and William today at the gig.”
“Who? Oh them,” she said.
“The two men at the bar.”
“That one was really ....rawr. Sorry,” she chuckled.
“Aly... Those two men are outlaws. Or at least they were at one point and time... I have a cold case in my files on Dominic. And both of them were very involved with Clint Houston. That’s why I was so insistent on spending time with them after the gig. I danced with Dominic and we talked for a while about Tombstone and how he’d been away for a while because of some family trouble but he’s back now. I wanted to create a rapport with them.”
“Yall Pinkerton’s will go through a lot for information,” Matt laughed.
“What’s wrong with you! Dancing with outlaws!” Aly shook her head.
“The question I have for you Matt is if Dominic still has a warrant out on him?”
“I’ve found guns to be more persuasive. I’d have to check when I get back to town.”
“Yeah well it’s not like she could have arrested them if something happened, and I wouldn’t have been there to save her ass,” Aly gave me a frown.
“Aly... I wanted to make sure it was them. I wanted to know what I was dealing with. What we would be dealing with.”
“And you know it’s them by getting up close and personal?”
“Absolutely. I’m positive.”
“Ugh.”
“That’s why I needed more time with them. I just want you to be aware of it Aly. If they start spreading stuff around Diamond.. I wanted you to have the background you needed to know how to deal with them. They are both very smart men. You can’t fool them.”
“A smart outlaw is a deadly outlaw,” Matt laughed.
“Precisely. I’ve only known these men on paper. I wanted the chance to talk to them in person.”
“I appreciate that. I would have just gone on thinking they were just two nice looking men.”
“I wanted you both to know what we’re dealing with here,” I gave Matt a look.
“Hey I’m the brawn. You can be the brains,” he laughed.
“Works for me,” I chuckled, relaxing now. “Now let me tell you both something else. They know I’m a detective... they figured that part out quick. They don’t know how much I know about them however. I intend to keep that part a secret from them. But I wanted you both to be in the loop with what I know.”
“Well if you have the old reports than I’m sure we can dig up an old warrant.”
A group of people gathered around outside and we walked out to join them. Poppy told me about the bank in Tombstone being robbed. Kate, the new nurse who had been robbed with Ger the other day, told me that she’d witnessed it and told Kris about it.
That night, Matt sent me a telegram and asked if I would accompany him at the dance at Kate’s. We danced together there and felt so comfortable with each other and had a great time with everyone.
After the dance, Matt walked me home and I invited him upstairs. We walked into the apartment and cuddled on the couch, relaxing in each other’s arms.
“So tonight was fun,” I smiled.
“Yes it was, dear,” he held me close.
“Never knew you felt this way about me,” I smiled at him.
“Well I always have hunches that I act on.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve... felt this comfortable with someone,” I leaned my head on his shoulder.
“Being the law and all I have an almost sixth sense.”
“I think I have the same one. We felt it about each other. So... no wife gonna get mad at me if I start spending more time with you?” I traced a finger around his neck.
“Nope,” He laughed. “You know .. it’s been a while since anyone has gotten me into their house and told me where to sit and lived to tell about it.”
“Just so long as you know... I might flirt with men but.... it’s just to get information out of them. Very few get to come up here. If any lately. This here.. doesn’t happen often for me. I always liked something about you though... you seemed to know what you were talking about and you seem passionate about your job... Like I am...”
“I am very passionate about my job. Even though I was on the fence about taking it.”
“Yeah? Because of your past?”
“Guess since we are airing out some skeletons...”
“If you don’t want to tell me it’s okay....” I smiled.
“I was on the fence about joining Sniper and the outlaws again or being law.”
“Can I ask you what made the decision for you?”
“But the outlaws now adays seem soft and only travel in numbers usually. It’s not like the days when I was a round.”
“What was it like when you were around?”
“I’d go into town just looking for someone to say something to get my attention. I didn’t need a posse. I showed you that old warrant i found of myself and report didn’t I? Or did I?” He pulled out a report and handed it to me. “This is a report I keep in my jacket with me to remind me of what I’ve done to keep me focused on being law... I’ve done a lot of bad things and am trying to make it somewhat right the best I can.”
I read over the report and blinked at the name Hav Taraug at the top. I looked at him in shock and asked, “You knew... Hav Taraug?”
“We were good pals at one point. We rode together into town.”
“Of course you were... why does history keep haunting me?”
“History has a way of coming back to bite us in the ass.”
“No kidding...” I shook my head. “All I can say is... I’m glad you’ve turned your life around. Wild Bunch... they don’t need help. The law does.”
“Yeah..”
“We need more good deputies like you who take their job seriously.”
“I tend to put them in their place. Unfortunately I can’t finish them off completely.. only put them in jail or hang them if court finds it fit.”
“I’ll bet you do. Put me in my place,” I winked at him.
“Put you in a jail cell?” he held me tight.
“Been there done that,” I chuckled.
“I’m jealous.”
“Only a couple times. Third times a charm you know...”
“Oh really?” he asked and reached for his cuffs. “Shall we?”
“Uh...” I shook my head and smiled at him. “Never used cuffs...”
“Ah... You went willingly huh?”
“Mmmhmm. Me and him... cause I had the key,” I winked.
“Oh really?”
“I’m just giving you ideas now,” I laughed.
“You can’t have my keys.”
“I have my own for the office in Diamond,” I chuckled.
“Touche..”
“And actually... Now that I think about it... I think they work in Tombstone too.”
“Not uh...” he looked a little nervous.
“Mmhmm. I tried ‘em the other day.”
“I’m gonna be sitting at my desk writing something up and you’re just gonna come lock me in my own office.”
“Now you’re giving ME ideas,” I chuckled.
“Maybe it’s intentional?” he laughed.
“This could be fun. Just promise me something?”
“What’s that dear?” he asked as he kissed me.
“No cuffs,” I kissed him back.
“No cuffs then dear,” he grinned.
“Thank you,” I smiled and we lay there on the couch, falling asleep in each other’s arms.
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