May 5, 1900

Bisbee.

I walked through town doing the rounds this morning and saw a teenager standing in front of Mark Grey’s home in Bisbee. I waved to her and she waved back. “How are you? Nice day out today.”

She smiled, and I could see she was covered in dirt. “Yes it is... doing well, thank you ma’am.” 

“Don’t think we’ve met yet... I’m Trin.”

She curtsied and said, “I am Hayden. I was adopted by Mr Mark and Mrs, Khaylyn.” 

“Nice to meet you, Hayden. They are fine people your parents. Haven’t seen your dad around much lately. He doin’ alright?”

“Still gettin’ used to it but they are pretty nice,” she shrugged. “Yes ma’am, he has just been working hard.” 

“That’s great to hear. Well if you need any help with anything my office is just over there,” I pointed to the building just inside Diamond on the left. 

She looked over and nodded. “Oh okay, been by there often. Go to the cantina for snacks sometimes.” 

“That’s a great place to eat. I like the tacos myself,” I said and she giggled and nodded. “Well I should keep goin’ on my rounds. It was great to meet you, Hayden.”

“Nice to meet you too, Trin.” 

I waved and headed on to Allen Street. 

Tombstone. 

I walked over to the sheriff’s office and knocked on the door. Ben opened it and invited me inside. “I was wondering if we could chat about a case that I was made aware of,” I said and took a seat at the desk across from him. 

“What you wanna know?” he smiled at me. 

“As you know... my role as detective is to help local lawmen gather information about cases that seem otherwise... ambiguous...” 

“And about what case we talk now?” 

“A witness statement was given to Deputy Aly in Diamond and she handed it to me to give to a lawman here, since it wasn’t in her jurisdiction. I’m not sure if you’ve heard about it but I’d like to investigate it and help you discover who did this.”

“Okay well can always look what I can do,” he nodded. 

“It’s the case where Broncho Billy was robbed. He gives a description of the outlaw but I want to help you identify the man that robbed him.”

“Yes, he told me,” Ben smiled. “I did make a report of that.” 

“You did, alright. Were you able to figure out who robbed him?”

He opened the drawer of the desk and took some papers out, “Need to have it here somewhere. Well the only thing I know is a normal man, black long hair and smokes,” he handed me the paper which simply said what he’d just told me. 

“Smoking isn’t in the statement from Billy but okay.”

“I been thinking by Lot, but not sure he smokes,” Ben said as he went to lock the door shut. 

“Aly told me that Billy looked at a picture in the office and didn’t recognize Lot or Sniper so I don’t think it’s either of them.”

“Maybe Jack Smith...” Ben frowned. 

“Jack... He’s been very active lately indeed. Can I look into this, deputy? Let you know what I discover?”

“Yes I am working on a chase from him he robbed the bank here.” 

“Jack robbed the bank in Tombstone again? You’d think he’d get bored of doing that.”

Ben opened his drawer again and handed me the report about Jack robbing the bank. “Here,” he gave me the report. 

“I am still waiting ‘till the judge give me the thing that I can put him in cell.” 

“Well you don’t need my help for this one. I’d like to focus on helping you with this robbery case if I can. I’m not sure that Jack fits the description with having long hair.”

“I had Lot in the cell this week sad he payed his bail,” Ben smiled. 

“Lot in the cell for what?”

“Shooting and all kind of crimes. There was a warrant but I did arrest him.” 

“Well if that’s all, I’m going to poke around and see what I can find about this robbery,” I nodded. 

“I did hear I am the first one here in town that did that,” Ben smiled. “Well I give you this chase as you need help let me know.” 

“If there’s anything else you need my assistance on, you come find me, alright?” I nodded. 

“No, not on this moment but know where to find you,” he said and held out his hand. 

I shook his hand and smiled, “Thank you, Deputy.”

Ben walked to the door and opened it for me and I headed out of the office. 

I walked down the street and noticed the man walking down the street so I decided to greet him. “Good morning, Sir.”

“Good morning ma’am.” 

“Nice day for a walk.”

“Yes it is and a right nice town it seems.” 

“New to the area?”

“Yes I am. My name is Sam Gunn.” 

“Sam, nice to meet you. I’m Trin Paige.”

“Good to meet you Ms. Paige.” 

“Just doin’ the rounds this morning. Not much work to do yet.”

“Ah I see.  You the sheriff in these parts?” 

“No sir, just a detective,” I shook my head. “I do help the sheriff and his deputies though.”

“Howdy,” Ben smiled as he walked over to us. 

“Speaking of which here’s one of our deputies now.”

“Howdy sir,” Sam greeted him. 

Ben looked at the man and said, “Sir, may I ask you something strange?” 

“Sure, why not,” Sam nodded. 

“Do you smoke cigars?” 

I looked at Be and knew what he was thinking. I shook my head at his over-zealousness as Sam answered, “Sometimes yes.  Why you ask?” 

“Now Ben.... not everyone with long dark hair is considered a suspect. This man just got to town,” I said. 

“I keep all ways open,” Ben smiled. “No, just something I wanna know,” he said to Sam. 

“I want no trouble Deputy I assure you,” Sam insisted. 

“Well I like to hear that,” Ben smiled. “My name is Ben and I am the Deputy here.” He leaned over to me and whispered, “But sometimes it looks I am the only one here.” 

“I know how you feel,” I nodded to him. 

“Right nice to meet ya Ben.  My name is Sam.” 

“Good to meet you and welcome in Tombstone,” Ben smiled at him. 

“Thank you. Is there a place to get a meal around town?” 

“The hotel serves up a mighty fine meal,” I nodded. 

“I am not sure if they already open,” Ben looked between us. 

“Ah, good cause I am right hungry about now.” 

“Could show you the way then I should head back to Diamond,” I offered. 

“That be right nice of ya.” 

“I’ll see you later, Deputy,” I nodded to Ben. 

“Have a nice day,” Ben tipped his hat and walked off. 

“This way Sam,” I said and led the way down the street, noticing the nervousness in his expression as we walked. I stopped in front of the Russ Hotel and said, “Here we are. Can usually find a room to stay in there as well.”

“I think this will be a mighty nice place. Thank you Trin.” 

“Hope you settle in well. Sorry about the deputy... you just match the description of a man in a case we’ve been given. He’s a tad anxious to find the suspect,” I smiled. 

Sam nodded and smiled. “No problem I guess a lot of folks favor a bit.” 

“Well have a good day sir and I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

“Sure thing....you have a good day,” he headed towards the hotel while glancing over his shoulder nervously. I noticed his nerves but decided not to press it for now as I headed off toward home. 

*** 

Black Diamond. 

This afternoon I walked out into the street and saw Bree standing at the sheriff’s office. I waved over to her and asked if everything was okay. She walked in to talk with Aly and I asked if they wanted me in there too and Bree said that she did so I walked in with them. 

“Something happened, Bree?” I asked with concern. 

“Yep I got robbed and kidnapped by Jack and Sommer. I escaped twice,” she told me and handed me her witness statement. “There was a lot of action, I just wrote summary.” 

I shook my head and took the statement from her, reading it. “Bree were there any witnesses to you getting kidnapped?”

“None.” 

“No one there other than Jack and Sommer?”

“I was handcuffed gun in gut ridden to Allen Street where they wrote a message and pinned to sheriff off. And made to go way high in Ghenna.” 

“You were kidnapped here?”

“Made to dance on stage and table with guns pointed at me and when they not look I ran. Man are they mad.” 

“Bree I got your statement. Stormy left it on my desk,” Aly said. 

“They just won’t leave you alone, will they?” I sighed. 

“I’m so sorry for this happening to you. Was there anyone else around at the time?” Aly asked. 

“Jack said when I was I Annie’s he couldn’t touch me there. I didn’t know this. I just wanted away. He said he would get me for that. They mad cos I testify against him. I always will.” 

“Of course. You have to tell the truth.”

“Yes.” 

“Were you kidnapped here in Diamond?”

“He did have lots of money in the safe too. Yes I was. He deposited money then drew pistols and made me open safe and empty it all out. He said I was fast,” she laughed. 

“Bree I think you’re very brave for keeping that job, they do this kinda crap all the time to you,” Aly sighed. 

“All time, yes.” 

“Yes you are very brave. A banker’s job is one of the hardest,” I agreed. “We are proud of you for opening up those doors every day.”

“Well I didn’t want shot so I did was told to do. when he handcuffed me and pulled me I told him he was hurting me.” 

“You did right,” Aly said. “I’m glad you’re safe and alright. And I’m sorry, Bree, did you say if there was anyone else around at the time of this?” 

“See, I still got handcuffs on. I can’t get them off. No Aly, none in Tombstone either.” 

I looked at her then and asked, “You still have the handcuffs on?”

“Yes.” 

Aly glanced at her and was just as surprised. “You’re handcuffed still? You been wearin’ them all day?”

“See, right arm,” she said. 

“Trin hand me something so I don’t get my prints all over those...”

I nodded and reached in my pockets, throwing Aly a pair of gloves. She put them on and proceeded to remove the cuffs. “A detective is never without a couple sets of gloves.”

“Oh thank you,” Bree said when the cuffs came fof. 

“This could actually help us,” Aly said. 

I put on a set of gloves myself and said, “Can I see those cuffs? Their prints might be on them.”

“I hit myself with cuffs climbing down mountains,” Bree said. “There was a rotten swinging bridge I had to cross.” 

I took the cuffs and set them on the table as Aly asked, “Bree do you need medical treatment?” 

“No, just a bruise,” she answered as she looked at her wrist. 

“I imagine you got a few cuts and bruises,” Aly said. 

“Oh I see, nah, I be fine. I washed face and used healing salve.” 

“I’ll write up this report right away. Bree... Did they take anything that belonged to you?” Aly asked. 

“No, not take a thing from me,” Bree said. 

I took out my equipment as they continued to talk about Bree’s statement and used my magnifying glass to start to examine the cuffs, finding one set of prints. I took out my cloth from my pocket and the bag of coal dust. I covered the area where the prints were on the cuffs and the dust fell off, leaving markings on the cloth. 

I looked at Aly and asked, “You don’t have anything with Jack’s prints on it, do you?”

“Well, my guns,” she said and took the gun from her holster, carefully setting it in front of me. 

“That’ll work...” I smiled. 

“One of these days I’ll clean them.” 

I looked around for a piece of paper and some ink and looked at Aly. “Hey Aly you wanna be a dear and put some ink on your finger and put it on this paper so I have your print to compare to?”

“Sure Trin...” Aly said and did as she was instructed, grumbling about how it would take weeks for the ink to come off. 

Suzy walked into the office and Aly and Bree explained to her what happened as I set Aly’s prints on the desk. I examined the prints on the gun, finding two sets, one matching Aly’s and one matching the prints on the handcuffs. 

“Definitely Jack’s prints on these cuffs,” I announced with a smile. “I’ll write a report for you Aly, proving that Jack was the one who cuffed Bree.”

“Thanks Trin,” Aly said and I went to work writing the incident report while the three women talked. Sugar came into the office then too and I continued to work on the report. 

“You got evidence it happened?” Suzy asked at length. 

“We do, Trin is working on the prints now. Bree still had handcuffs on. Outlaws...tsk...careless,” Aly told her. 

“Okay so you got enough to issue a warrant, if Trin can identify the prints as Jack or Sommer’s,” Suzy said what we already knew. 

“I’ve identified the prints on the cuffs as Jack’s. I’m just writing up a report about it now,” I told her. 

“Okay write a report and I’ll issue a warrant on Jack.” 

“I’m almost done,” I said and continued to finish the report. When Sugar, Suzy and Bree had left the office I was able to finish the report and handed it to Aly who was now sitting at my desk. “How’s that?”

Aly sighed a bit but smiled and took the report from me. “Remind me why I took this job again.” She pulled out a blank law report and began to fill it out. 

“I need some fresh air,” I said after a while, gathering my equipment and standing. 

“Okay,” she smiled. “I’ll just... sit here.” 

“You can come with me,” I chuckled. 

“I will in a moment.” 

“Okay,” I said and headed to the office to file things away before walking around. 

Bisbee. 

I noticed someone standing on the hill and waved, “Hey again, Sam.” 

“Hey there Trin.” 

“Settling in alright?”

“I think I am. I am still looking around a bit though trying to get feel of the place.” 

“It takes a bit to get your bearings around here.”

He walked down the hill towards me and said, “Yeah I guess so.” 

“You seemed a bit nervous when I left you at the hotel... anything you want to talk to me about?” I looked at him with concern. 

“Uh, uh. no I am alright. Thank you for your concern.” 

I felt someone coming up behind me and smiled seeing Aly. “Good day,” she greeted Sam with a smile. 

“Hey Aly, this is Sam. Met him earlier today.”

“Oh there are two sam’s now?” Aly chuckled. “Well mighty nice to meetcha then Sam!” 

“Yep,” I laughed. 

“Well mighty nice to meetcha then Sam!” Aly said. 

“So there are two of us in town,” Sam laughed with relief but I didn’t comment on his change in expression. “Good to meet you too Alyssa.” 

“Welcome to Black Diamond, ya new in town?” Aly asked. 

“Yes I am new to these parts.” 

“Well mind them tumbleweeds, especially along this here path, a few times I got caught by one and nearly got carried off by it! Was afraid I’d be blown all tha way clear to Ghenna!” 

“And Ghenna’s a place you really don’t want to be.”

“Oh? It is a rough area?” 

“Can be, especially for a man missin’ his watch! Poor fella wouldn’t even know the time of day!” Aly told him. 

“Ghenna is outlaw town,” I said. 

“Sure is, much safer ‘round here,” Aly agreed. 

Sam smiled but still seemed nervous about something. “I will stay clear of that place for sure.” 

“Well Aly shall we continue on?” I asked. 

“Might there be a need of a blacksmith around these parts?” Sam asked. 

“I don’t know of any that exist right now, so perhaps.”

“Mhm might be a good idea! I stand too still I’m gonna get bored! Yeah uhm, would be Mark Grey, but he ain’t around at the moment,” Aly told him. 

“Right, Mark is I guess.”

“I can point ya in the direction if you want.” 

“Yes please.” 

“Mmmk hold up Trin. Stay girl,” she giggled. 

“Yes ma’am,” I chuckled. 

Tombstone. 

When Aly was finished with Sam, we walked over to to Allen Street and talked with Jess. She told us about going to the Ashland ranch and how they’d made fun of her for being short. Aly said that people had been picking on her all weekend and that we just needed to not listen to them. 

Rikki, Jy, Sommer and Jack came over and we talked about Cinco de Mayo. I went to change for the dance and came back to the group in a new black dress I’d bought. Aly teased me that I must really like Marc and I said I was hopeful he would be at the dance but didn’t know for sure. 

“Yer lucky I ain’t got that warrant ready yet sir for what ya did to poor Bree earlier,” Aly glanced over at Jack then. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Warrant? What warrant?” Jack asked. 

“Uh huh,” Aly nodded. 

“What ya do to poor Bree? Make her eat her own cookin?” Rikki asked. 

“Now be nice, she’s a hard workin’ woman,” Bree said. 

“I hear ya gave her a tour of Ghenna. You’re so sweet,” Rikki said. 

“Like I said, I ain’t seen Bree all day,” Jack giggled and winked at Rikki. 

“S’not what I heard and what we got some proof of,” Aly said. 

“Aly, I’m unarmed so I’m going to wander into Kate’s,” I said then. 

“Proof,” Jack rolled her eyes. 

“You look real nice Trin. What’s your friends name again?” Jess asked me then. 

“Well I got proof that she got wild in Auggies saloon. Why, I found one of her gloves in there,” Rikki said. 

“Thanks Jess. His name’s Marc. Hopin’ he’ll be around tonight but not sure,” I smiled at Jess. 

“Hey Jack, let her arrest you and then go to court to see proof,” Suzy said as she had come to join the group. 

“I can’t arrest her yet Suzy I ain’t got the warrant done,” Aly said. 

“Oh, okay,” Suzy said. 

“And I’m suppose to be bartending soon. So it’s gonna have to wait.” 

“So you are waiting a new fella, same as me,” Jess smiled at me, oblivious to the conversation around us. 

“Who’s your fella, Jess?” I asked her. 

“Well he’s not my fella but sure is cute, Garth Macleary.” 

“You put bartending over law work?” Rikki looked at Aly with surprise. 

“I only do it once a week, Rikki, so yes,” Aly said. “For that one time a week, I do. There’s plenty of other deputies to cover for me when I’m off duty.” 

“Takes five minutes to do a warrant, and the dance don’t start for thirty,” Rikki said. 

I leaned over to Aly and whispered, “They’re just trying to get a rise out of you.” I looked over at Jess and said, “Well I hope it works out for ya Jess.” 

“Well thanks for that helpful advice, Rikki, the warrant don’t, but the arrest would,” Aly told her. 

“I probably will faint if he comes again tonight and asks for another dance,” Jess said. 

“I’m use to it Trin, people do this all the time,” Aly smiled at me. 

“Aly, Trin, can ya let Bree know that we decided to hire her to dance in Augies, ok?” Rikki asked and I rolled my eyes at that. 

“That woman don’t need another job,” Aly frowned at Rikki. 

“I’m goin’ inside. Don’t feel like listening to this,” I told Aly and headed into Kate’s to enjoy the dance. When the room filled up but Marc didn’t show, I decided to head home for the evening.