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.
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