September 30, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I noticed a group of people talking in front of the courthouse and headed in that direction. Ben was talking about not making a habit of living in jail or the doctor’s office and Rock asked if anyone had seen Kris today. 

When Rock saw me, he said, “Trin, I could use your help.” 

“What’s up Rock?” I asked, walking over to him. 

“I need a witness statement from Kris.” 

“Bout what, Rock?" 

“Well about last night’s shooting… he says Lisa shot him and killed Angel, our deputy. September 30 it was, Trin.” 

“Last night was Sept. 29, Rock,” I told him as Ben and Trent continued to talk. “Was anyone around to arrest Lisa? How’d Kris know about it?”

“Oooh okay, dang it. That night then,” Rock said. 

“Didn't see Lisa,” Zeth put in then. 

“Nah, we was all wounded and so was she but she got out of the clinic first and ran,” Rock said and I noticed Hayden looking up at me and smiling. 

“Who was all there?” 

“At the clinic, Trin?” Rock asked. 

“Guess I got in after and got shot by Sniper,” Zeth said. 

“All you’ve told me so far is that Kris got shot by Lisa and saw her kill Angel?” I asked. 

“Trin, maybe we should take this to my office you and Zeth ok?” Rock suggested. 

“Sure,” I nodded and we headed into the office. “Alright let me get this straight,” I looked between them when we were alone. “Kris was shot by Lisa. Angel was killed by... Lisa?” 

“Yes, right. According to Kris,” Rock nodded. 

“Lisa got away without getting arrested, so you need witness statments from Kris?” I asked. 

“No one else will say they saw anything.” 

“Figures.” 

“Right, exactly Trin. To add to my warrant.” 

“Gotcha. I’ll keep an eye out for him.” 

“Zeth may have a statement on that too.” 

I looked over at Zeth and asked, “Did you see either Kris or Angel getting shot?” 

“I can tell you what I heard but has a question to ask if you can search for by questioning,” Zeth said. 

“Deputy lets me know when have the witness of Kris and i will signed the warrant…” Angeles shouted then from somewhere down the street. 

“Thank you, Ange!” I shouted out to her. 

“When I was shot by Sniper and being blacked out and still able to hear, I was overhearing that Mack died last night. I don’t know by who but only guessed Sniper might have,” Zeth said. 

“This is related or unrelated to Kris and Angel getting shot?” I asked him. 

“I sent in a report and will give you one as well. Yes, because there were a lot of outlaws that night. Figured it might be part of the same problem.” 

“Who was around last night that wasn’t an outlaw? Who also might have seen something?” 

“Hmm… Trent was he in fact was wounded as only a bystander,” Rock said. 

“Only ones I saw was the US marshall Shawn, Rock here…” 

“Can you give me your witness statement about you getting shot please, Zeth?” I asked. “Trent?” I called out of the office. 

Zeth took out his report and passed to me and I called for Trent to come into the office as I attached the statement to my incident report. 

“Also...Trin...Nim said she saw Kris and Angel down wounded and Lisa near by, but Nim says she will not testify against her outlaw buddies,” Rock said. 

“Of course not," I rolled my eyes and Rock let Trent in. “Hey there, Trent. Heard you got caught up in some stuff last night.” 

“Howdy Miss Trin,” Trent said as he came in. “I got shot. It don’t hurt too bad though.” 

“Think you could write up a witness statement for me?” I asked and handed him a blank sheet of paper. 

“Golly Miss Trin, I really never did see nothing; it all happened so fast.” 

I looked at Zeth and asked, “

Who was killed last night? Was it Mick the ranger, Mikk the doctor, or Mac the outlaw? You told me Mack when w were talking here but your report says Mick.” 

“Mick. The ranger. That’s what I thought I heard,” Zeth said. 

“Okay,” I nodded. 

“See I was looking at....the sky a lot, and then miss Nim told me to take cover,” Trent said. 

“So you didn’t see who shot you?” 

“Then there was lots of shot people. Someone said they thought mister Rock shot me. In fact several folks have said that.” 

“So you think you were just caught in the crossfire, Trent?” I asked him, with a look at Rock. 

“Well could be, I guess… but yep about four people told me it was Rock.” 

“Alright, guess we don’t need your statement after all then,” I chuckled. 

“I don’t rightly know though. Like I said, I was looking at the sky mostly.” 

“Unless of course you saw who shot Kris, Angel or Mick… Or know of anyone else who was there that might’ve,” I said. 

“Ok then Miss Trin. Sorry I wasn’t more help.” 

“It’s alright, Trent. Just glad you weren’t more wounded,” I said. 

“I did not see any of that at all, Miss Trin,” Trent said. 

“Alright. Thanks for comin’ in for a bit then.” 

Trent headed out then and I heard Adrian yelling, “Why .. is a rock ..wearing a deputy badge??” 

I chuckled a bit and said, “Guess Adrian found Angel’s rock.” 

“Well.. no one can deny that creativity doesn’t flow through this town. Imagine! Naming a rock! What will they think of next?” Adrian went on and I waved to him as we stood in front of the of the office. 

“Alright so... I’ve gotta find someone who was there last night and could tell us what happened, and get Kris’ statement,” I looked between Zeth and Rock. 

“We’ll have a second one closer to today,” Zeth said. 

“Rock, have you written a report up?” I asked. “Don’t s’pose you were around last night, Jy?” 

“I wasn’t. What happen?” Jy asked. 

“Huge gunfight apparently,” I told him. 

“Ok Trin, and thank you,” Rock said. 

“Rock? Do you have a report written up?” 

“Aye, want me to give it to you Trin my witness statement?” 

“Yes please. Might help,” I nodded. 

“Ok,” Rock said and looked around for the paper, handing it to me. I took the report and read over it. 

“Thanks. Guess all I can do is look around for Kris.” 

“He sometimes is hard to find,” Jy commented. 

“Ain’t that the truth,” I muttered. “If he ain’t leanin’ on this post I gotta wait for him to show up.” I rolled my eyes then and wandered away to look for Kris. 

When I got close to Kate’s, I heard a bottle knock over and walked in to see what was going on. “Everything alright in here?” 

“Oh yeah things just dandy,” Ben smiled over at me. 

“Really. Then how come there’s a bunch of glass on the floor?” 

“Clumsy bartender I reckon…” he shrugged. 

“Was that a gun shot?” Lacey got up off the floor looking around nervously. 

“Then how come when I walked in Lacey was standing and now she’s not?” I asked. 

Ben looked behind him to Lacey and then back at me. “Well I can’t rightly speak for miss Lacey but can only assume by her words she thought the clumsy bartender was shooting at her.” 

“Well that just scared the wits out of me I just ducked for cover,” Lacey said.  

“Alright then. Better clean this up or we’ll have injuries from that glass,” I sighed. 

“Never know where bullets be flyin from around here ya know,” Lacey said. 

“There ya go detective...mystery solved,” Ben grinned. 

I shrugged and walked back out, hearing Ben ask Lacey how much she got. I greeted Howling Wolf and talked with him for a while as he told Ben not to break any bottles. We wandered into the saloon and looked between Lacey and Ben before I shook my head and walked out of the saloon. 

I greeted Rock and Bree and said, “Hi Bree. I’m going to let Rock do his job here, since he knows who he needs a statement from. When you’ve got a mystery to solve, Rock, find me. Otherwise, I’ll be in my office.” I waved and walked back to the office. 

September 29, 1900

Tombstone. 

I walked down the street this morning and waved to the people standing in front of Kate’s. Jade and Nim waved back and I realized I hadn’t seen Jade in a long time. Nim and I were wearing the same shirt and we laughed about that as I woman a man named Aley Winkler. 

“Nice to meet you, Sir. New to the area?” I asked as Jade wandered off. 

“I am here from one week, and I have a little ranch in the Canyon,” he said with a noticeable Italian accent. 

“Sounds nice.” 

“Jay is my first horse.” 

“Seems all is safe out here,” I smiled and looked around. 

“You have doubts, Miss Paige?” 

“I’m a detective here. Just doing the rounds to make sure all is well,” I smiled. 

“Yep, lots mean, nasty, outlaw types around Mr. Winkler, have to watch out for those,” Nim warned. 

“A detective is absolutely necessary in a beautiful city like this,” he smiled. 

“It’s a hard job but someone’s gotta do it,” I nodded. 

“Yes Miss Nimbrel? I hope I can look after myself without falling into temptations,” Aley looked over at her. 

“Well if you do fall, come see me, I have a map,” Nim winked at him and I rolled my eyes. 

“Oh certainly, though little, I knew his benevolence, Miss Nimbrel. My Jay horse call me always, she want run. You have a good continuation Miss Sasson and Miss Paige.” 

We said goodbye and then I went out for my rounds and then later in the evening I went to the dance at Kate’s and met some new people there. After a while I headed home to update my files. 

September 26, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I waved to Joe and Angel in front of the courthouse. Joe said he was doing better today than yesterday and I asked him what happened. 

“Sitting outside my office in Ghenna when a ranger took a pot shot at me; it will be dealt with.” 

“That’s what you get for moving to Ghenna. Which ranger was it?” 

“I moved there as folks filled my coffins with bubbles and the undertakers and ruined my work,” Joe looked at me. “The folks here don’t respect my work, I move else where.” 

“And now rangers are shootin’ at ya. What is this place coming to?” I nodded to him. 

“Well sure I wont be the first or the last,” he shrugged. 

“Still don’t make it right.” 

“Nope, don’t matter does it if ya live in Ghenna now does it.” 

I looked over at Angel rubbing her eyes as we talked and asked, “Little sleep there, Ang?” 

“Vas juzt up early.. I lozt a bet to Ansar.. now i ave to peal hiz potatoez for a veek.. ven I voke up vas a good hundred bags of zem in mine living room.” 

“Do I wanna know what the bet was?” I chuckled. 

“That sounds a pretty strange relationship,” Joe commented. 

“Vas a drinking contezxt,” she told me. 

“Of course it was,” I nodded. 

“Vell Ansar haz hiz potaoez and he lovez zem so vho am I to get betveen him and that?” 

“This is true,” I chuckled. 

“Never will understand drinking contests,” Joe said. 

“Do you drink?” Frank asked, coming up behind us. 

“Morning Dr. Butcher,” Angel greeted him. 

“Dr. Butcher?” I chuckled and raised an eyebrow. 

“If you don’t drink. That’s why you will never understand them. I think it is a nickname Trin,” Frank said. 

“Whether I do or not is none of ya business. I said I don’t understand drinking contests, not drinking there is a difference,” Joe looked down. 

“Vas for the fun of it,” Angel shrugged. 

“Yep drink loads of alcohol and regurgitate it all back up when ya have had too much… sounds like fun,” Joe shook his head. 

“Vell takes a lot of that for me to get to zat point,” Angel said. 

“Well true. If your normally a weak drinker and get drunk off the smallest of drink. Then I would see why you don’t compete. Of course thats completely hypothetical and is only a guess. There could be a thousand reasons why,” Frank went on. 

“Okay Angel, I gotta ask... Why ‘Butcher’?” I looked at her. 

“I am inquisitive too, yes why The Butcher?” Frank looked at her. 

“What is the point in competing in drinking?” Joe looked at Frank. “It proves nothing, and by the sound of your name, last advice should take is from ya. Sounds like your more into slaughter than treatment.” 

“He took a bullet out of mine shoulder after giving me snake skin oil and vas juzt it, you ave no idea miz Trin ow much zat hurt.. spcally vhy I vanted to vomit...so hez dr butcher,” Angel glared at Frank. 

“Ah yes, the snake oil,” I laughed. 

“My real name if Dr. Frank M Devil,” Frank said. 

“So looks like the standard of doctoring has gone down since I retired then,” Joe smirked at Angel. 

“I would think Dr Devil would also be a formative title,” Frank grinned. 

“Vould much rather had seen Joe,” Angel said. 

“Yes,” Joe nodded. “Devil a person with certain characteristics and by the sounds of it, in your case, incompetence. But then that’s hypothetical of course.” 

“Getting a bullet in your rear hasn’t. But thats also hypothetical, not saying your going to get shoot. It just hasn’t changed,” Frank smiled. 

I chuckled, listening to the men argue. “There in a mood today, eh Ang? Joe, which ranger shot ya?” I asked him again. 

“Not all all heading over the border for two weeks, so the bodies can pile high for all I am concerned,” Joe said, looking almost cheerful. “Shift or Soft or something is his name.” 

“Spin?” I guessed, looking at Joe. 

He said he was gonna report himself,” Joe laughed. “Yeah, that’s the one.” 

I rolled my eyes and Angel shook her head. “Ugh, Spin…” 

“Snake oil it welcomed in the perfection on medicine. I research every piece, every bottle, every last ingredient to the last drop. Works better then anything I found,” Frank stated proudly. 

“Ang you might want to train that deputy of yours a bit more this weekend,” I chuckled. 

“Am not training him anymore, Trin,” she looked over at me. 

“I had to walk him through an arrest yesterday. He didn’t even search the guy for weapons, just took his gun off him,” I told her. 

Joe looked at Angel and said, “As I said, let Rikki deal with it if she wants to.” He looked at Frank and said, “Snake Oil is poppycock.” 

“I’ve trained him he refuzes to pay mind so I’m not traning lez he comez to me for help,” Angel muttered. 

“And then he claimed that he saw some lock pick but didn’t search him for it. I found it and gave it to him as evidence,” I went on. “I have no problem helping with arrests as long as they write their reports correctly.” 

“He don’t listen to me. I ave valked him through all of zat,” Angel said. 

“I have no doubt you did. I sent Adrian a wire about it.” 

“Hell ya be using leeches next. What’s happening is medicine regressing in this county,” Joe shook his head and looked at us.“Ya think they can actually write? Ya lucky of they can walk and talk.” 

“Snake oil is the future my friend. if it was poppycock as you say. They why prey tell to they sell it in the doctors office. Use it in every operation. Heck I am sure its been used on you and you never even knew. Just in another bottle with a deferent name,” Frank went on. 

“Frank you should talk to Thomas about that business he was doin’. Find out what happened to the man who ran that company,” I smirked a bit. 

“Remind me to doe and not be treated by you then. I was a doctor here for years,” Joe chuckled. 

“I not saying its a cure all. But it cures. I’m not stupid,” Frank said. 

“The company owner got hanged ’cause his clients got upset with him about the waste of time it was. Thomas stopped sellin’ it real quick,” I told him. 

“Ah no wonder you don’t do it any more. You couldn’t stand progress,” Frank said. 

“What the hell are they teaching them these days?” Joe shook his head. “Oh I liked progress. Unfortunately this town is too backward to appreciate some of my more radical procedures.” 

“Creating patients ain’t progress, Joe,” I teased him. 

“Indeed,” he smirked. “Well ya got to cut them up to work out how they work.” 

“Well Natalie and I are headed to Louisiana for the weekend,” I told them. “Reckon I should get home and start packin’.” 

“Although that new x-ray machine might help, but this place ain’t ready for that,” Joe said. 

“X-ray machine? That like a new fangled saw?” Frank asked. 

“Alvright miz Trin you both ave fun,” Angel smiled at me. 

“Oh I’m sure we will!” I nodded. 

“And me to see my Mexican friends and prepare for the day of the dead,” Joe nodded. 

“I need me a new one. Last man broke my saw on his leg bone,” Frank said. 

“See ya’ll Monday!” I waved and looked at Joe. “You take care of yourself, Joe. Have a good trip.” 

September 25, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I stood and talked with a group of rangers and Hayden. Zeth said he was taking young Sammy Grey out for a ride on patrol and Aeryne thought it was crazy to take a child into such a potentially dangerous environment. I had to agree, but there was nothing I could say since I had very little to do with the rangers as it was. 

I wandered over to the sheriff’s office to take a look at the warrants board and Rock came over to join me. He went on the rounds and I offered to help but he just wandered off on his own. I found a horse near the bank and went to pet it until I heard noises behind the bank. I walked back and saw Rock with a man I didn’t know by the back door. 

“Papers saying I’m the new banker. Take it up with the mayor if ya don’t like it,” the man was saying to him. 

“Everything alright, Rock?” I asked and greeted Meg who I hadn’t seen in ages. Rock took out his gun and ran after the man. I muttered and shook my head as I heard Rock shout for a doctor seconds later. “Guess I should go find out what’s goin’ on.” 

I said goodbye to Meg and went out to the street and saw the man laying down with blood on his arm. “What happened, Rock?” 

“Sir, maybe I can help get you to the clinic?” I offered. 

The man stood up weakly and said, “Miss help... Get law... Please, before he kills me.” 

“Yes, do help him Trin,” Rock looked at me. 

“Yes sir,” I smirked a bit and went to him. “Where were you hurt?”

“This man done shoot me in the arm trying to steal my papers from the mayor himself!” 

“Come on sir, let’s go to the clinic,” I said and started to walk with him to the clinic but he kept talking. 

“This law man said going to kill me if I try leaving his side.” 

“Rock, let me take him to the clinic,” I looked at him. 

“Not that he hasn’t already doomed me to death. I’ll probably die of infection from the wound,” the man muttered. 

“Rock,” I said firmly. “We need to get him to the clinic.” 

I was finally able to get the man to the clinic and helped him up on a bed where I reached for a bandage to put on the wound, stopping the bleeding from the arm. “Want to tell me what happened while we wait for a doc?” I asked him. 

“I was standing at the back of the bank when that MAN came up behind me.” 

“Standing at the back? What were ya doin’ back there?” I asked as I held the cloth against his wound. 

“He was telling me all sorts of stuff about picks. All I was doing was standing at the back door admiring the wood.” 

“Uh huh.” 

“I was just standing there when he shoved a gun in my back telling me to hand over all my papers. The thief!” 

“I see you got him here okay,” Rock said, walking into the clinic. 

“No thanks to you,” I looked at him. 

“Trin?” Rock looked at me. 

“You didn’t need to shoot him,” I shook my head, hoping the doctor would get there soon. 

“He first said he was the banker... We all know Bree is our banker,” Rock told me. 

“Yes, seh is,” I nodded. 

“There more than one banker, dunder-head,” the man on the bed muttered. 

“Whats all that racket ..” Adrian’s voice came from behind me and I turned to see he had come into the clinic. 

“Whats all that racket ..” I asked Rock. 

“I told ya, I’m new,” the injured man muttered. 

“Hey Adrian, Rock shot this man here in the arm,” I informed Adrian. “Adrian, I’ve been holding a cloth against his arm to stop the bleeding until someone got here. He’s all yours.” 

“So he lied about that... and never got a chance to read his ‘so called’ papers,” Rock said. 

“How did you know he lied?” I asked. 

“That ain’t my problem. You were in a rush,” the man said. 

“Lead poisoning huh?” Adrian asked and opened his bag. 

“He lied about being the banker,” Rock said. 

“Lying’s a crime punishable by the Good Book, not your weapon,” I said to him. “Did you see him trying to open the bank door? Did you see him going into the bank door? Did you see him holding a bag of money?” 

“Mayor gave them to me himself,” the man said. “Mayor... that’s right... Tall guy. Bet ya all know him. I left the papers back there.” 

“No Trin... I arrested him for attempted bank robbery and resisting arrest.” 

“Did you even see him with a lock pick in his hand?” 

“No bag at the time,” Rock shook his head. 

Adrian took out a flask of whiskey and a shot glass. He filled it and then drank it with a hard swallow looking at the man on the bed. “What Mayor would that be son?”

“Yes, I saw him trying to open the door... So did Spin,” Rock said. 

“Alright then.” 

“And why would a real bank go in the ‘back’ door?” Rock asked. 

“I agree but you still need evidence of a crime, not just an assumption,” I nodded. 

“You know there Mayor.. the fancy one.. umm Fishwald.. umm Kinderson...” 

“Ahhh Fishwald .. never did trust him...beady eyes,” Adrian played along and I chuckled a bit. 

“If you both saw him tryin’ to open the back door and lookin’ suspicious, then fine,” I nodded to Rock. 

“Even Spin questioned his reason for being there.. Spin saw his lock pick as well.” 

“Have a lay down now son..” Adrian instructed. 

“Ah see this here fella know the mayor of the town,” the man pointed at Adrian. 

“Yup... you’re a lucky pup today.. It’s a graze.. but a nasty one at that,” Adrian said. 

“I will cuff him mayor as soon as he is well enough to go to jail,” Rock said. 

“You might want to get a witness statement from Spin as well, Rock. Since he saw the lock pick too,” I suggested and thought to myself that this was going to be a fun trial. 

“You done this before, haven’t ya? I do want a scar. Ladies love a good scar,” the man looked at Adrian as he worked on the wounds. 

“I will after I get this one safely in jail or he gets himself out on bail,” Rock promised. 

“Mmhmm,” I nodded and watched as Adrian worked on the man. 

“If this guy keeps protesting in innocents then he can have his day in court ..get himself a lawyer and all that,” Rock commented as we waited. 

“Or a bigger gun,” the man muttered as Adrian continued to treat his wound. 

“You got that right, Rock.” 

“Boy you can not get a better lawyer than Trin here...and I hear she works free for men with scars,” Rock grinned. 

“I’m a prosecutor, Rock. Don’t be goin’ hirin’ me to the other side,” I looked at him. 

“Then Trin you can prosecute him. Throw the book at him,” Rock smiled. 

“Now.. you take it easy for the next half of an hour..” Adrian said to the man when he was finished treating the wound. “Don’t need that to start bleeding up again.” 

“Shouldn’t be too hard to do from inside a cell,” I smiled. 

“Send the Bill to Mayor Fishbinder,” Adrian suggested and I chuckled. 

“Is he good to got to jail doc?” Rock asked eagerly. 

“He good to go,” Adrian nodded as he collected the bloodied rags. “Don’t cuff him... Wouldn’t be a good idea.” 

“Okay dude... You’re under arrest, see?” Rock said to the man. 

“It’s Fishwald, Mayor Fishwald Kinderson,” he corrected to Adrian. 

“Mayor Fishbarrel wound’t like his guests in Jail to be dropping dead,” Adrian smiled. 

“Aye then he has to go quietly,” Rock nodded. “Trin will you follow behind him with your guns drawn?” 

“For havens sake man do ya job at least,” the man tried to hand Rock his gun and I sighed, drawing my gun and standing behind him. 

“Follow me then sir. The detective will be right behind you,” Rock said and took the gun. “Wow you had a gun. Surprised you did not try to use it.” 

“Shall we, gentlemen?” I asked. 

“Course I did. I’m not fully stupid. Unlike some...” he said and I smirked as I followed them to the sheriff’s office. “How much is my bail and time?” 

“Okay first things first. What are you called?” Rock asked after closing the door to the office. 

“What are you called?” the man looked at him. 

“I am called Deputy Rock of Tombstone.” 

“Then I am Deputy Rock of Tombstone,” the man said. 

“What’s your name, Sir?” I chuckled and kept my gun drawn as Rock holstered his. 

“Deputy Rock,” the man said again. 

“What’s your real name?” I asked. 

“Stop playing or your bail is goin up sir for obstruction of justice,” Rock warned. 

“John loin heart the third,” the man said. “If ya call this justice.” 

“I do. Okay John... The charges are attempted bank robbery and resisting arrest .how do you plead?” 

“Can ya tell me my time cause I am starting now, even though not in a cell. And can i have some cake? Or that just for law?” John asked. 

“I will see how much time you will get. One second.” 

“Wonder if ya can even count that high,” he said and turned to me. “So how’s life?” 

“Right now?” I chuckled. “Entertaining. This is better than readin’ a book.” 

“Who can read this days? That some fancy schoolin’.” 

“Ten minutes for resisting arrest... Makes twenty-five minutes all together,” Rock said. 

“I’m a detective, John... We need to read a lot.” 

“My name ain’t really John. You know that, right?” he looked at me. 

“I know,” I smirked. “Gonna tell me your real name?” 

“You willing to serve that time now, John?” Rock asked. 

“Good, I was worried there for a moment,” John said. “I thought I was,” he looked at Rock. “I told ya I started it a while ago. Or do ya need to lock up the bad old banker... who ya shot in the back, mind ya?” 

“Yes I need to lock you up... Or let you out on bail ‘till your court date,” Rock said. 

I went to get a cup from the shelf and poured some water, handing it to John. “Here, have a drink of water.” I was hoping to get his fingerprints from the cup and looked over at Rock. “Might want to tell him how much bail is, Rock.”

“My twelve kids are going to wonder why I didn’t make any earnings on my first day, and deputy Rock will be to blame for no food or shelter for another night,” he sniffed. 

“I will as soon as he tells me which it will be, bail or jail.” 

“Rock, you still got his gun?” I asked, since John hadn’t taken the drink of water. 

“Aye.” 

“Can I see it please?” 

“Okay, jail it is,” Rock said as John walked himself into the cell. 

“Not like I was goin’ anywhere standing over there...” John said and I holstered my gun, putting on my gloves and trying a different tactic to get his fingerprints. 

“Rock? That gun, please?” 

“I wouldn’t bother. He probably lost it on his way here,” John muttered. 

“Rock?” I said a bit louder. 

“Yes?” 

“Can I please have that gun of his?” 

“Okay,” he said and handed me the gun. 

“What ya going to do, dust it for prints?” John asked me and I winked at him, taking the gun. “All ya going to prove is its my gun..” 

“Need to get out now, Trin, or do you care to chat with the prisoner? I do have an arrest report to make out,” Rock said to me. 

“I’ll examine this now,”I said and sat down, dusting the gun for prints. I lifted the prints and put them aside for my fils. Rock sat down and wrote his report and I took the gun and saw no bullets missing from it. I took out a bullet and put it in a bag to set aside in my files. I had a thought and then walked over to the cells again. “Rock, did you actually see a lockpick? Or something used as such?” 

“I think he done passed out. Might want to get a doctor,” John teased. 

“Rock?” I asked again. 

“Yes?” 

“Did you search him for a lock pick or something of that nature?” 

“Nay, I got too busy with this report. Will you do that for me please?” 

“Sure, he searched me.. but he just forgot to take my gun is all. Why I was more then happy to hand it over,” John said. 

“Alright mister, I’m comin’ in to search ya. No funny business, alright?” I walked close to him. 

“My time up already? You open that door, I’m leavin’.” 

“Your time ain’t up. Even if you get out here, still have those doors to get through,” I smiled. 

“No it ain’t up. Be up at 9:35 am,” Rock said. 

“Guess you’ll have to let me all the way out,” John smiled. 

I tried my key on the cell but it didn’t work and sighed. “Alright we’ll do this the hard way. Come on over close to me here.” 

“That’s like three minutes? I’m sure you can let three minutes slide for a cooperative man,” John insisted and looked at me. “I ain’t kissing you. I ain’t like that, Miss.” 

“My boyfriend wouldn’t like that anyway. Just let me search ya.” 

“Boyfriend?” he looked at me and I nodded with a smile. He patted his hands down his sides and said, “See? Nothing.” 

“Come on, I won’t hurt ya,” I shook my head. 

“That’s what the last gal said before taking my jewels... with her foot.” 

“Do I look like that sort of girl?” I chuckled. 

“Yes. He look like that sorta Gal too,” he pointed at Rock. 

“I’m tryin’ to help ya here. If you’ve got nothin’ to hide, then I won’t find anythin’ on you, now will I?” 

“Don’t grab my ass ok?” 

“I’ll try and resist,” I said and reached through the bars, patting him down. I patted down the front of his vest and found a small piece of metal. “Now this is a funny thing to be carryin’ around.”

“That’s something I found on the ground,” he insisted.

“Put in your report that when searched, there was a piece of metal on him in his front vest pocket,” I said and put the metal piece in a plastic bag, handing it to Rock. 

“Yes, thank you, Trin.” 

“Made of gold, ya see? Thought might be worth something to feed my poor staving TWELVE kids... Hey! I need that to feed my kids!” 

“Now hon, your name ain’t really Jon... What is it?” I asked him. 

“John the third, King Richard, Henry the First. Pick one.” 

“Right. What is it? Come on, we just shared a moment there with me touchin’ ya all over. That count for nothin’?” I winked at him playfully. 

“Ya took my only means of feeding my twelve kids.. and my wife.” 

“Guess you’ll have to find yourself a good job then, Sir.” 

“Or ya can give me back my gold and gun and I’ll put off.” 

“You’ll get your gun back when you’re let go. Without any bullets in it,” I looked firmly at Rock.

“And when is that? I ain’t got all day, ya know.” 

“Yes Trin?” Rock looked at me. 

“Rock, take the bullets out of the gun and give it back to him when you’ let him go.” 

“And the gold?” John asked. 

“Okay, give me his gun back then, Trin,” Rock laughed. “What gold?” 

“It’s on the table right there, Rock.” 

“Okay.” 

John tried to reach through the bars and grab my gun. I jumped back and said, “Nice try.” 

“Dang boy you want more time added?” Rock asked. 

“I think I’m done here,” I looked at Rock. 

“Ye got blood on the handle I was going to clean it off,” John pointed to the gun. 

I looked down and said, “Don’t see any blood.”

“That was an attempted jail break,” Rock said. 

“Was it? I didn’t try anything but clean and help her...” 

“More lies you’ll have to take up with the Good Lord when you’re out,” I told him. 

“Want me to add some time for that attempt on you Trin?” Rock asked. 

“Nah,” I shook my head. 

“You’re lucky, boy,” Rock frowned and took out his keys to unlock him. “Time’s up.” 

“Yeah you’ll be saying that again soon,” John said and followed us out to the office. “My gun?” 

Rock took the gun from the desk and emptied all the bullets. He handed the empty gun to John and then John bent down to pick the bullets off the ground. “Not very smart...” he said and 

“We leave only empty shells on the floor man,” Rock said and drew his gun. I drew my gun just in case and said, “Sir, drop it.” 

“You want out, or dead, boy?” Rock asked. 

“The door. I told ya I ain’t got all day, ya know,” John said. 

“Empty that gun first even if they are empty shells,” Rock said. 

“Open the door please.” 

“Not till you empty that gun.” 

“They’re just empty casings, Rock,” I told him. 

“Why... I don’t want to buy more bullets. Your silly fault or just emptying the gun just any old where. Bullets fall to the ground. And I got a family to feed.” 

“Yes but it is the principle of the thing,” Rock said. 

“So why would I want to spend money I don’t have on bullets?” 

“I told ya.. Get a real job,” I looked at him. 

“I do.” 

“Great.” 

“I told ya, I am a banker.” 

“Sure ya are.” 

“Now the door.” 

“Yea a real job. Robbing banks ain’t no way to support a family. Not reliable,” Rock grinned. 

“Ya not very bright, are you?” John asked. 

“Empty the gun, then the door.” 

“THE... DOOR...”

“Insulting the law is less bright, I would say.” 

“What ya going to do cry? Get over ya baby. Ya already proved ya a chicken shooting me in the back. Now the door if ya please. Or ya need me to turn around again?” 

“Nay no crying is allowed in the law...you stay shut in with the two of use till you empty that gun,” Rock said. 

John turned around and Rock walked up to him, taking his gun and putting it on his desk. I sighed and went over to get the gun, emptying the casings and setting them into the drawer, and handed the gun back to John. “Are we done?” 

“The door,” John said. 

“Yes out you go now.” John walked out and I exhaled finally, holstering my gun as Rock sighed. “He was one hard-headed dude.” 

“I’m heading out for a bit,” I looked at Rock. 

“Aye be safe.” 

“You too.” 

“He may want revenge,” Rock said and I nodded, heading out of the office. 

September 22, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I walked over to the group in front of the undertaker’s office and greeted Nim, Angel and Joe. They were talking about how Angel had a long night and I looked between them, “I miss some action this weekend?” 

“Some interesting events this weekend, a few shootings I hear. Just rumors mind you, but they are out there,” Nim told me. 

Reb came over and we greeted her as I looked over at Angel. “Need my help with anything, Angel?” 

“Aye rumors but when I sleepI sleep like the dead and nothing wakes me, so missed it,” Joe smirked. 

“I heard some crazy woman took on the whole company of US Cavalry Saturday mornings, but haven’t heard anything official on that yet,” Nim said. 

“You’re in a fitting job then,” I chuckled at Joe and shook my head at Nim. 

“No, not so far Trin. Only got vone varran,” Angel told me. 

“Alright. I think those other cases I’m workin’ on are gonna get cold,” I said. 

“Oh?” she looked over. 

“What cases are those Trin?” Reb asked. 

“Indeed,” Joe nodded to me and then said in a cold voice, “Yes, the cavalry shooting was interesting. Was there, just didn’t see who did it.” 

“The bank robbery that happened here that no one witnessed... And the arson on the sheriff’s office when Angel, Rock and Rikki were inside,” I said. 

“Yea, I heard there was lots of blood and poor General Suzi was shook up about it all,” Nim commented. 

“Indeed, I sat there with a hearse for them watching them bleed, but the dam doc turned up,” Joe snorted. “Ya sure Rock didn’t set light to himself and the office?” 

“Joe, only an undertaker would be upset that a doc shows up,” I chuckled. 

“Yep, true there Trin,” Nim agreed and Angel and Reb laughed. 

“He vasn’t alvys that vay though. I rember ven Joe vas a doc too,” Angel pointed out. 

“Well I was shot and left for dead in Joe’s office,” Reb said. 

“Oh I don’t know, I am sure some of you folks would wish some folks disappeared,” Joe said. 

“I used to laugh at Serenity when she would get mad, stomp her feet and call it an evening when the doc showed up,” Nim told us and I chuckled, nodding at the memory. 

“I did the same in Pearce,” Joe muttered.

“Mine lizt iz vcompleate az of lazt night,” Angel laughed. 

“Just wish I could get some damn work… All I get are cases where no one saw a bloody thing and no evidence was left behind. Makes it hard to build a case,” I muttered. 

“Vell you might get some tonight if your about,” Angel told me. “I von’t be here.” 

“I will keep my eyes open and see if I can help you out Trin, heck, I am simply freelancing anything that amuses me at the moment,” Nim said. 

“Oh?” I looked at Angel. “What’s goin’ down tonight?” 

“Got a date vith Ansar so ve von’t be about,” Angel said. 

“So it’s Ansar,” I grinned and she laughed. “Bout time you told me the name.” Nodding to Nim I added, “I’ve seen you’ve been busy, Nim.” 

“Well you might have some extra help here with Rock tonight then Angel, or I think your new deputy is in for a rough one. Though that might do him some good,” Nim said. 

“What do you mean, Nim?” I looked at her. 

“Aye the man does need a lesson in manners and respect,” Joe noted. 

“Oh, silly stuff Trin, what was I arrested for, oh yea, they say I shot that Stooge fella, I look forward to court on that,” Nim shrugged. 

“Dun care vat happenz to Rock no more,” Angel muttered. “I’ve tried training him and he don’t pay a lick of attention.” 

“Uh huh. Will look forward to seeing you in court as a defendant, Nim. That’s one trial I don’t want to miss.” 

“Rock was named proper. He is as thick as one,” Nim pointed out. 

“At zis point he’z on hiz own. Am not trying no more and I’ve never given up training a deputy,” Angel said. “No’ even Al vas this thick.”

“Well I think there may be a queue in his case of people, so business may be picking up,” Joe nodded. 

“Yea, well it might become more common place with my new work ethic,” Nim smiled at me. 

“He is thicker than Al,” Joe snorted at Angel and I chuckled at him. 

“Makes AL look like a good lawman, Joe,” Angel said. 

“I did negotiate half my time served on that arrest though, so having been a lawyer will help me,” Nim grinned. 

“That’s why I’m looking forward to it, Nim. You’ve been on all sides of the law now,” I said to Nim. 

“Leazt Al can fill out a varrant. Ave explained it to Rock tvelv timez now.” 

“Rock can write good reports though, from what I’ve seen anyway. His witness statement for me on one case was decent,” I chuckled at Angel. 

“Then that is saying somethin,” Joe smirked even more. 

“Angel, I hate to say it in public, but if Rock ever comes to arrest me, I will shoot him. If you have a warrant on me, you bring it to me, I respect what you do and we can know that we don’t have to shoot at each other over business,” Nim said. 

“I thought you were the Prosecutor Ms Sasson?” Reb looked surprised. 

“Vill rember zat Nim,” Angel nodded. 

“Zeth was so polite the other day in trying to arrest me, I couldn’t say no after,” Nim chuckled. 

“I noticed Zeth was wearing a ranger badge,” I pointed out. 

“Yha hez a ranger now,” Angel nodded. 

“Yes, he takes it to heart as well,” Nim nodded and I simply smirked, keeping my comments to myself. 

“Well ya got to enjoy ya job haven’t ya?” Joe laughed a little. 

“Yes you do Joe. You’re a fine example of that,” Nim said. 

“Well day of the dead soon, then may actually have a smile on my face,” Joe nodded and I rolled my eyes a bit. 

“True, not all that far off is it? Big night for those wiccan ladies,” Nim commented. 

“Vould be a nice change Joe,” Angel said. 

“Indeed, I may even arrange a special wagon for the night,” he gave Angel a cold stare. “Take me or leave me, ain’t goner change.” 

“And how do I not alvredy do zat Joe?” Angel laughed. “I still come here everyt ime I see yha and talk to yha.” 

“Just don’t understand why we need to have one night to celebrate fear and scaring each other. The world’s scary enough as it is,” I said. 

“Iz more then zat Trin. I believed the day the dead can interact vith the living.” 

“I agree Trin and that’s why we have three,” Joe snickered. 

“I think it all goes back to old Celtic myths and legends from the old world, Trin, understanding it would be researching its roots,” Nim said. 

“I don’t need to be supporting interacting with dead spirits and whatnot,” I shrugged. 

“Day of the dead to respect those who have passed away friends and family,” Joe said quietly. 

“That part I can understand,” I nodded. 

“A lot of thingz ae believed about zeh day but zeh point iz is almozt every culture everyone believes that time of year revolvez about zeh dead and I think zat iz alvays interezting point,” Angel looked back at Joe. 

“And some bring out there relatives and elders to sit with them,” Joe said in a cool voice. 

“Yes, at some time, way back when, all races and cultures had something that made that day spring up and it has simply been carried on down through time, though lots of fluff has been added,” Nim nodded. 

“Oh I promise you there will not be fluff when I celebrate,” Joe shook his head. 

“Like Santa Claus and Christmas, heck I bet on day in the future, folks will be buying for Christmas all year round and that just feeds the fluff,” Nim said. 

“I can believe that you are a no fluff guy Joe,” Reb smiled. 

“Iz mine favorite time of year,” Angel said. “I am not fond of Christmas.” 

“Don’t get me started on Santa,” I shook my head. 

“Santa... baby... hurry down the chimney…” Reb started singing. 

“Am more of an all hallowz eve gal,” Angel said. 

“Oh I’m fine with Christmas,” I admitted. “I’m not fine with the idea of letting children sit on some stranger’s lap and talk to him like a genie and then they never get what they really want, and then are told lies about some man who knows all their thoughts and sees when they’re awake and sleeping, and then one night comes down a chimney while they’re sleeping and puts presents in their house…” 

“I celebrate the vinter solstice only,” Angel said. “Not much of a christmaz vwoman.” 

“Course halloween ain’t much better. We’re told to not talk to strangers for the whole year then we allow our kids to go up to strangers’ houses and get candy from them,” I added to my rant. 

“You might do, I sure the hell don’t,” Joe said. 

“Well, I celebrate the religious view of what Christmas is, not saying I believe what our preachers tell us all the time, but once more, way back when, some man made enough of an impact on all races that he has his own day and until I figure out what or who he was, I am not going to hedge my bets,” Nim said. 

“Well I like dressing up on Halloween,” Reb said. 

“So do I Reb. Heck, I like dressing up for anything,” Nim said. 

“Mmhmm, I’m with you about Christmas, Nim. I firmly believe Jesus is the Son of God and for his life to have impacted that many people... we should celebrate his birth once a year, at least,” I said. 

“Am not vone to discuzz religion vreally. All I can ay iz not much poitn in me going to church,” Angel said. 

“One set of clothes is fine,” Joe shrugged. 

“Are you no longer the Prosecutor here Ms Sassoon ? I recall you saying something then I drifted off into a day dream,” Reb said then. 

“Umm, no Reb, I well,” she smiled. “I was arrested the other day, so my license was revoked by Judge Rubble pending legal proceedings.” 

“The only thing I miss about winter in Canada is how the snow makes everything so festive at Christmas. You don’t get that a much down here,” I said. 

“Arrested Ms Sassoon? Whatever for?” Reb asked. 

“Oh posh, they say I shot some Ranger named Stooge. Next thing you know, they will say it was me who shot all those cavalry boys. Guess rumors are simply running rampant,” Nim shrugged. 

“Someone musta seen ya done it, Nim,” I said. 

“Ok you had me worried there for a second.. I am sure this will all be cleared up Miss Sassoon,” Reb nodded. 

“I am trying to get a copy of the report, but so far the US Cavalry is keeping it to themselves,” Nim said. 

“Can you blame them?” I asked. 

“Aye rumours are an interesting way to build up beliefs,” Joe paused and checked his pocket watch. 

“I am sure it will Reb,” Nim smiled. 

“It was a full court docket this weekend. Angel, was there no trial?” I asked. 

“I did not see any Trin. I was here all weekend,” Nim shook her head. 

“That’s so strange... There hasn’t been a trial for weeks,” I narrowed my eyebrows. 

“No court session when I was around,” Joe shook his head too. 

“Zeh tried to do vone lazt veek but ven zeh called I vas busy,” Angel said. 

Reb headed back to Annie’s as she waved to us and then Joe said he needed to go prepare for his trip. I asked him if he was leaving for good but he assured that he was just going two weeks over the border. I insisted that even though he broke up with me, we were still good friends. 

I told them I would be singing in an hour in Bisbee and Angel said she had to work tonight so she had some money to spend on her date. Joe headed off and then Zeth came over to greet us. 

“Iz a shame hez so somber now vasn’t alvays like that. I mean vas never a giddy man but yha,” Angel commented as Joe left. 

“I think that thing with Adrianna hit him hard. Not easy when someone just disappears on you. I know that from experience,” I nodded to her. 

“I remember ven Joe was a doc. He vas the first doc I ever saw ven I arrived here.” 

“I have known Joe for a long time Angel. He used to work across from the Sheriff’s office in Bisbee way way back when my sister Tambra was law there,” Nim said. 

“We almost got together but then, well, he met Adrianna... Then I met Thomas,” I smiled at the memories. 

Rock came over then and Nim mentioned that his ears must have been burning and I laughed at that. Angel said that she hoped Joe found someone special and Rock asked Dancing Cloud if she’d taken any scalps lately. 

“Hi Angel and outlaws,” Rock greeted us. 

“Outlaws? Plural? What’d I do?” I blinked at him. 

“Miz Trin iz a pinkerton rock and miz nimb iz not an outlaw,” Angel told him. 

“Ooo it’s you Trin,” Rock grinned. “She is too Angel...she shoot us yesterday remember? When I was taking bill to the jail right?” 

“I never shot anyone yesterday, I never shot my gun,” Nim said. 

“She didn’t shoot uz yesterday Rock. Garth did,” Angel said. 

“I ran from Bill once,” Nim said. 

“Oooh Garth… Do I need to do some paperwork on that?” Rock sighed. 

“Goodness Rock, your building me up so bad I might be the next dime store novel heroine,” Nim said and I chuckled at that. 

“Love those things,” Rock chuckled. 

“No, Garth died, rest his soul,” Nim said. “His sins were buried with him today.” 

“Woah, who killed him?” 

“Ansar,” Angel said. 

“Ansar? Who is that?” Rock asked. 

“The U.S. Marshal?” Angel shook her head. 

I rolled my eyes a bit and couldn’t help but comment. “Well, I never believe it ’till I see it with my own eyes. The dead have a way of rising again around here.” 

“Ohh… hmmm okay. Have I met her?” Rock asked. 

“It’s a him,” Nim said. 

“Oooh okay. A him. So Ansar just shot him dead… why?” 

Angel rubbed her forehead and said, “Didn’t shoot him dead. Garth subbcame to hiz voundz laznight.” 

“Well he shot Angel twice last night,” Nim said. 

“I see, yea I see him in the clinic,” Rock said. “Did Joe get to plant him?” 

“Yha Garth shot me tvice,” Angel said. 

“Yep, and I paid for it,” Nim said. 

“Why Nim?” Rock asked. 

“And I owe Ansar a date tonight for it,” Angel said. 

“No one deserves an unmarked grave,” Nim said. 

“A date… Angel?” Rock asked. 

“Is it wrong I’m happy that Joe got some work?” I smirked. 

“I know, iz an odd concept for me too,” Angel nodded. 

“Me too Trin,” Rock said. “Did not like the way Joe was measuring me up.” 

“Yes Rock, you need to tell Miss Prudy your going to be busy taking care of Tombstone this evening, Angel is going to be away,” Nim said and I chuckled. 

“Not zat I’m complaining,” Angel grinned. 

“Dang, all alone me?” Rock muttered. 

“Yes, you all alone, does that not just sound wonderful?” Nim grinned at Rock. 

“Then it is Ansar you been sweet on.. all along, Angel,” Rock smiled. “I would not call it wonderful.” 

“Unless you want my help of course but well... I’ve stood beside ya with an open warrant on someone across the street and ya didn’t ask for me to help you so…” I said then. 

“No wait, Trin. That was my bad, okay?” Rock looked at me. 

“Right after I said you could deputize me if you needed my help,” I shrugged. 

“I deputize you right here and now,” Rock grinned. 

“For what?” 

“I will make sure I am here tonight Rock, maybe we can find you some on the job training,” Nim said. 

“For your help tonight so I won’t be alone, Trin,” Rock said. “So hold up your right hand, Trin.” 

I looked from Rock to Angel as Ben walked out of the hotel towards us. Nim looked at me and said, “Trin, you might warn Rock you don’t shoot that gun.” 

“Ain’t it just as the situation’s needed?” I asked and looked over at Nim. “Ah, you’ve been mistaken. I’ve changed.” 

“You svare her in az you need help,” Angel looked over at him. 

“Oh really?” Nim looked at me. 

“If I need to shoot this gun, I’ll do it,” I said and Nim smiled. 

“Well yes....as the situation is needed...for tonight,” Rock said. 

Ben walked over then and Rock went in to the office to check in. We joked about training Rock like the horse that came over and I decided to head to Bisbee to get ready to perform. When the afternoon came, I sang to a good crowd at the Stock Exchange saloon.