September 5, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I walked into the clinic and found Alex sitting at his desk. “Morning Trin!” he greeted me. 

“Morning, Alex. Feel like taking off a cast?”

“Sure. How’s it feeling?”

“Getting better. Just itches a lot.” 

“Well, let’s take a look. Hop up on a bed.” 

I went to sit on a bed and looked around the clinic. “It really does look a lot better in here.” 

“I like it!” 

“Was so different that when I came to I didn’t even know where I was.” 

“I think it’s neat and orderly,” Alex chuckled. 

“Mmhmm. I thought we were in another town at first.” 

Alex took out his scissors and snipped the bandage off. “I would’ve thought that too if I hadn’t walked in here on my own two feet.” 

“How’s Nat doing? I haven’t seen her since Wednesday when she was upset.” 

“She uh... Well she was real quiet last night.” 

Alex threw out the old bandage and checked my arm. “This looks good. Healing nicely.”

“She’s probably going to need some time to take it all in.”

“There was more yesterday.” 

“Oh yeah?” 

“I finally got her to tell me what was wrong... She watched as Dancing Cloud and Rock got into it in front of the hotel.. Cloud said he’d offended her but Rock had said all he’d done was say ‘hau’ which wasn’t how Apache’s said hello. But... Apparently Bianca said that Rock called her a bad name. Cloud was insistent on cutting off the man’s tongue so he couldn’t talk anymore. Nat was mortified.” 

Alex dabbed some salve on the wound to help with the itching and said, “Ah... that sounds a little drastic. I bet she was.” 

“She wanted to know why Apaches had to be so violent.” 

“White people ain’t too peaceful,” he looked at me. 

“I told her that in their culture, they are very protective of their honor... And when someone upsets them, they take offense. Even if it makes no sense to us. I told her about how I helped the defense save the Apache Chief from getting hanged for killing Vena, who said bad words about his son and went for her weapon first.” 

“It’s sometimes hard to understand other cultures,” Alex nodded. 

“Even when you’re part of it... I’m part Apache but I still don’t understand a lot of things about them. Like how they treated me, for instance.” 

“I don’t understand people in general most of the time,” Alex nodded. 

“Did Max find you?” I looked at him. 

“Max?” he looked at me, puzzled. 

“Yeah, our detective friend from Boston.”

Alex’s face spread into a wide grin. “Max is here?!”

“That telegram that we received from them about Mara? He was the one who sent it. He came into town yesterday and said he’d be staying at the Russ. I told him I’d show him where you live but... I have no idea.” 

“Aw, that’s great! I’ll have to catch up with him. You don’t know where I live?” 

“Nope. Neither of you have shown me since the split and the remove.” 

“Oh. I’m sorry. I had no idea I hadn’t shown you our house. It’s not far from yours.”

“Oh yeah? I think Aly mentioned it was in Pearce... Shall we go wake the man up? He’s going to stick around for a while and help me out with Mara.” 

“Yes! I think we should jump on his bed and freak him out,” he chuckled. “I’m kidding, that’s a good way to get killed or punched. That’s great he can help you.” 

“Yeah, you might not wear a gun when you sleep but I’m sure he does.” I moved my arm around, feeling the tight muscle. 

“I think the man wears a gun even into the outhouse,” Alex laughed and looked at my arm. “How’s it feel?” 

“Little stiff.”

“That’s normal.” 

“Shall we?” 

“I’ll follow you.” 

We walked into the Russ Hotel and Max wandered down the stairs to the lobby where he met up with us. Alex grinned and said, “Max! It’s good to see you, buddy!” 

“Aww, I was looking forward to waking you up,” I frowned. 

“You don’t want to wake me up, Trin,” Max grinned. “Alex, you son of a bitch! It’s good to see you too!” 

“Nice to see you two reunited,” I said as Alex reached out to put his hand on Max’s shoulder. 

“Ya’ll want to have some breakfast here?” I suggested. 

“Anyone need coffee? I do,” Alex nodded. 

“Yes! To both!” Max smiled. 

We went to the kitchen and I got the coffee and brought it out to the dining room. “So when was the last time you two saw each other? When Max was in Tombstone last?” I asked as we got comfortable at the table. 

“Yeah, last November,” Alex nodded. 

“My wife had another baby. We seem to pop ‘em out like rabbits. And I hear you’ve got a wife now too?” Max looked at him. 

“Congrats! Yes, I do. I’m married to the sheriff of tombstone.”

“And I got to wear a tuxedo and be the best man,” I winked. 

“Best man, huh? And a tux! Wow,” Max looked at me. 

“She was a good best man,” Alex smiled. 

Natalie walked into the dining room then and said, “Hi ma! Hi Mr. Alex! Hi man I don’t know!”

“Hey there kiddo!” I smiled, giving her a hug as she came over. 

“Good morning, Nat! There’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Alex smiled at her. “Nat, this is my friend, Max. He’s from Boston. Max, meet Nat. She’s Trin’s kid and my orderly at the clinic.” 

“Have a seat, Nat. Want some orange juice?” I asked her. 

“It’s really nice to meet you Nat,” Max smiled at her. 

“Sure Ma!” Nat nodded and I went into the kitchen to get her some juice, then came back out to hand it to her. 

“How old are you Nat? You look about the same age as one of my kids. Eleven, twelve?” Max asked her. 

“Well at first I thought I was nine ‘cause that’s what the kids at the orphnage said. But then I found out I’m twelve,” Nat explained.

“I heard you work with Alex at the clinic. That’s a good job for a kid your age,” Max smiled. 

“She’s doing a good job too,” Alex nodded with a smile. 

“I could never do it... I hate just being in that clinic,” I said. 

“You spend enough time there,” Alex laughed and I glared at him. 

“Ma your cast is gone!” Nat exclaimed. 

“Mmhmm. Alex took it off this morning.”

“Her arm is healing nicely. You probably took good care of her at home,” Alex said. 

“She a good patient at home!” Nat said. 

“Oh really?” Alex raised an eyebrow and looked between me and Nat. 

“Yeah Mr. Alex I think it’s just cause she don’t like the clinic,” Nat said.

“Mornin’ folks! Excuse me,” Pet stretched as she walked down the stairs into the dining room and we greeted her. “Can I get you folks something?” 

“Nice to see you. How are you?” Alex asked. 

“I’m alright, so far. Thank you. How have you all been?” 

“I’m great!” Alex smiled. 

“Oh I’m glad to hear that, Alex.” 

“Pet, this is my friend Max. He came here all the way from Boston like I did.” 

“Nice to meet you ma’am,” Max smiled. 

“I am hoping my travels to Tucson are about over,” Pet nodded to Max. “A pleasure to meet you, Max. Boston, you say?” she chuckled. “It’s good to have another Easterner in town.” 

“Every once in a while I come out here to visit Alex and Trin,” Max explained. “It’s nice to get out of the city.” 

“It’s so good to stay in contact with friends,” Pet nodded and looked over the tables. “I see Bianca has been keeping the place in shape in my absence. I’ll have to promote that woman soon.” 

“This is the best place in town to eat,” Alex smiled. 

“If you all will excuse me, I need to check the books. darn tootin it is Alex,” she smiled and we said goodbye to her as she walked out. 

“Mr. Max how many kids you have?” Nat asked. 

“I have eight kids. They range in age from sixteen to two months.” 

“Wow! Do you ever sleep? That’s lot of kids!” 

“Not much,” Max laughed at her. “That’s why it’s so nice to come out here and get some rest.” 

“Gotta have a vacation once in a while,” I chuckled. 

“Yes, even a working one,” he smiled. 

“What do you do for work Mr Max?” 

“I’m a detective like your ma.” 

“Wow, really?” 

“Yep. Sometimes I come out here and help her out with a case.”

“And I’m grateful for it, Max. Gets lonely working alone,” I said. 

“I’m glad I could help,” Max smiled. 

“Where you from Mr. Max?” 

“I’m from Boston, just like Alex. We grew up together.” 

“Were you best friends like me and Jimmy?” 

“Yep, we were. Always together, making trouble,” Max said and Alex shot him a look. 

“Okay I gotta know... What’s the worst time you ever got in trouble?” I chuckled and noticed Alex turning red, shaking his head. 

“I’m not telling that!” Max laughed. 

“Unless it’s not... kid friendly,” I winked at Nat. 

“Ah... no, it’s not,” Alex replied. 

“I’ve  never seen your father so angry though. His face turned purple,” Max said. 

“We had a way of doing that to him.” 

“Aw ma, I’m twelve, ‘member? I know what doves do and everything!” Nat pouted. 

“That doesn’t mean I’m going to tell you all the bad things I’ve done,” Alex blushed harder and laughed. 

“Okay, perhaps a bad question. How about this.. favorite memory as a child? With the two of you?”

“Hmmm...” Alex thought about it. 

“Maybe that camping trip up in New Hampshire when we went to Alex’s grandparents’ house. That was a good summer,” Max remembered. 

“That was fun. I will tell you something we got in trouble for... Well, something Max got in trouble for,” Alex chuckled. “We were in school this one time... Trin, you’ll love this ,” he looked at me with a sarcastic grin. 

“I can’t wait,” I chuckled. 

“Max put a frog in the teacher’s desk. She opened the drawer and screamed. I almost peed myself laughing.” 

I shook my head and sipped my coffee, glaring at him. 

“She dragged me out of the classroom by my ear and gave me a licking with the ruler,” Max remembered. 

“What’s wrong ma?” Nat looked at me with worry. 

“Alex knows..... I’m not a fan of frogs.” 

“Your ma doesn’t like frog too much,” Alex said. 

“How come?” Nat asked. 

“Probably because of some naughty boy like Max,” Alex said and Max chuckled. 

“Darned Timmy Davenport.... Always used to follow me around.” 

“He probably liked you,” Alex chuckled. 

“That’s what boys do when they like a girl. They follow them around and are mean to them. Like pulling their hair and putting worms in their lunch box.” 

“And putting frogs in their backpacks and making them go fish and do their own hooks and whatnot...” I frowned. 

“Exactly!” Alex laughed. 

“It’s no wonder I hate fishing,” I muttered. 

“I hope no one puts frogs in my backpacks!” Nat exclaimed. 

“Natalie, what is your homework for this week?” I asked. 

“One of my kids did something like that. He used a rat though,” Max shook his head. “He was in a bit of trouble for that one. Sometimes I find it hard not to laugh though when they do something like that..” 

“I have to come up with five words that all mean the same thing,” Nat said. 

“Oh that sounds like a fun exercise. I’ll probably go to school with you tomorrow, Nat,” Alex said. 

“Hmm... let’s think of a word and see if we can help Nat with her homework,” I said. “Maybe something clinical, Alex?” 

“Oh... let me think. Oh Nat, we need to give you a physical too. All the kids in town need them.” 

“If you did it about blood... Mr. Finesmith don’t like blood,” Nat said. 

“No, you’ll make him faint,” Alex laughed. 

“I’m so glad you’re good with blood though... Couldn’t do your job if you weren’t,” I chuckled. 

“She’s very good with it. I was impressed,” Alex smiled. “Okay, I’ve got one. What about bandage, dressing, wrapping, linen, gauze? Or let’s see... scalpel, knife, blade... that’s only three. Cutting edge, lancet. There’s two more.” 

“And that’s why I’ll never be a doctor,” I blinked. 

“Or...” Alex laughed. “Blood, plasma, hemoglobin, sanguine fluid, claret.” 

“That’s a good idea Mr. Alex,” Nat said. 

“Finesmith will love that one,” I chuckled. 

“I thought so,” Alex laughed. 

“Scalpel, knife, blade, cutter, um...” Nat thought out loud. 

“Lancet.” 

“What’ve you done to my kid?” I chuckled and shook my head. 

“I’ve given her a good future as a doctor,” Alex grinned. 

“Yes you have,” I laughed. 

“I’m gonna have the best words ever,” Nat exclaimed. 

“You are!” Alex grinned. 

“I could give you five different words: feces, excrement, dung, manure, poop,” Max suggested and I gave him a look. 

“Don’t use his words,” Alex looked at her. 

“I think I’m gonna go write down those words and go to the clinic to wait for you, Mr. Alex,” Nat stood then. 

“Well, folks. I better get over to the clinic and get to work. Max, it’s really good to see you. I’m glad you’re here. I’ll follow you out, Nat,” Alex said. 

“Good to see you too, Alex. I gotta meet that wife of yours,” Max said. 

“Bye, you two! Max, you’ll hang out here with me for a bit?” I looked at him. 

“Nice to meet you Nat. Yeah I’ll stick around, Trin.” 

“Have fun you two. I know Nat and I will cleaning the clinic,” Alex said. 

“Nice to meet you too Mr. Max! Bye!” Nat waved and the two of them headed out of the hotel. 

“So, how is this investigation going?” Max turned to me, leaning back in his chair. 

“I haven’t seen Mara much and haven’t gotten a chance to talk to Rye and Cole, Payton’s prospective parents,” I smiled at him. “Things have been quiet in general actually.” 

“That’s not a bad thing.” 

“I suppose it’s not,” I said and noticed him frown. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. I just have a funny feeling.” 

“That’s never a good thing coming from a detective,” I tilted my head to the side. 

“No it isn’t. And when ever I get these funny feelings, someone ends up getting shot.” 

“I’ve already been shot once this week. Would like to keep it that way. I just hope we have some good trials this weekend.” 

“I’d rather not get killed out here. You prosecuting anyone?” 

“The docket just came out yesterday... I need to take a look at it still. I’m hoping to though. Just received a telegram this morning that there’s court in Diamond tomorrow night at 6.” 

“Oh they’ve got trials over there too now? That’s good.” 

“Yes I was really glad to see that. Their courthouse has been quiet lately.” 

“I’m so full now I feel sleepy, even with all that coffee,” Max smiled. 

“We just woke you up,” I chuckled. 

“I haven’t slept in years, Trin. I’m making up for it,” he laughed. 

“All those children will do that to you.” 

“I love them all but really, we’ve got too many.” 

“I never thought I would have any... Then Nat came along.”

“That’s pretty good to get a twelve year old. No diapers. Not like I ever change them. But still, I smell ‘em sometimes.”

“Mmhmm, I avoided the whole baby phase. Smart, now that I think about it.” 

“Very. I gotta get up and move. Good to see you Trin.” 

“Same to you. I’ll keep you posted on Mara.” 

“You know where to find me if you need anything.” 

“I need to get to work on this court docket.” 

“Good luck with that!” he waved and walked out. 

Bisbee. 

This afternoon I walked into Bisbee and walked up to Cole and Rye’s place. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Mara standing on the front porch. 

“As far as why I need to see her...” Mara was saying but stopped and frowned when she saw me. 

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked firmly, glaring at her. 

“Good day Trin,” Rye greeted me. 

“Well well.. I had heard that my half sister was stayin in this town.. seems a few silver dollars to a child and they spill their guts,” Mara explained. 

“I told you to stay away from her.” 

“Well.. she... for good or bad .. is family ..” Mara smiled sweetly. 

“I mean it,” I glared at her.

“Well so do I Miss Trin.. and I do believe that I have not committed a crime.. yet.. so you have no reason to take me in .. yet.” 

“Well give an orphan money and you can hear just about anything you want..” Cole grinned softly. 

“Who said I was taking you in? I’m telling you to stay away from her.” 

“As far as the rat.. I was young too when it happened .. to me I thought it was funny..” Mara nodded and smiled. “Yes .. I didn’t expect to get the truth ..but .. I felt like giving him the silver dollars anyway.” 

I walked past her and looked at Cole and Rye seriously and Cole nodded to me. 

“And I have a message.. and I will get it to her,” Mara looked at me. 

“Don’t you dare,” I looked back at her. 

“Besides.. if I am correct.. your only Pinkerton.. not the law.” 

“You go near that girl, or hurt that girl in any way, I have friends who are the law. They will take care of you. Fast.” 

“Hurt her.. I think I did her a favor if you ask me,” Mara giggled. 

“How do you figure that?” I looked at her. 

“I am sure .. if your as good as I hear you are Miss Trin.. you already know what they told you about me .. horse thief .. running with a bad crowd .. ..murder..”

“What, did you save her from Butch killing your sister? Is that it?”

“And .. if you didn’t hear about the trial against her father...” 

“I did actually hear about that. That’s what I’m referring to.” 

“Well.. she won’t ever see him again..” Mara nodded. 

“You’re wanted for questioning in a case against him.” 

“Yes.. because I know too much.” 

“He hired several outlaws known to Butch Cassidy to track down Margarret and Payton,” I looked back at Cole and Rye, hoping they would understand the gravity of that statement. 

“Yes.. and they were messy I can tell. That’s why I am here.” 

“How on earth are you smiling?” I looked at her and she stepped a bit closer but I stood my ground, looking over at Cole. 

“Well.. I can smiles because my half sister is alive,” Mara tilted her head. 

“Yes she is, and I intend to keep her that way.” 

“That is about far enough young lady. This is private property,” Cole said firmly and I exhaled a bit at his words. 

I looked over at the couple and handed them the telegram I had received. “Read this... I was going to talk about it with you at length but her being here.... Just read.”

I stared back at the woman as the couple read the telegram and Mara smiled. “You can never really believe anything you read..” 

“I can when I trust my sources.” 

“Well.. unless your sources got the wrong information or not the complete story.” 

“Just know, I’m watching you, lady. And stay away from Payton. I don’t care if she is your half sister.” 

“Do you want the entire story.. ..not that you will believe me anyway..” 

I looked back at the others and then back at Mara. “Let me be the one to decide what I believe.”

“Oh . watch all you like.. most paleface do.” 

“If you want to tell us a story, go ahead,” I glared at her, not appreciating that comment since the three of us were partly Native as well. 

“Well.. you know about what started this all .. about how daddy wasn’t as loyal to his wife? Well... they don’t have it wrong. .. just not the complete one.. See.. daddy went to the tribes in the area often.. taking care of the horses.. helping with what he could for the tribe .. he met a young maiden .. and each time he came to visit he fell for her more and more... till one day he found himself in her bed.. After which .. I was born.. at that time Payton hadn’t been born yet ..Well.. after time Payton was born .. he still kept the secret.” 

“And this is relevant why..?” Cole asked. 

“Well.. after some time as her and I got older .. I found my way to his house.. to find him.. momma had taken ill and needed help .. I had no one to turn to. Needless to say his wife didn’t take to me calling him daddy.. The secret out .. he came to help my mother.. and she survived.. he stayed with us till he knew she would be better.. then took me back with him.. and told his wife the story .. and who i was.. that was not a fun night.. after a couple of months .. that was when I put the rat in Payton’s bed because we got into an argument about who’s daddy Lucas was.. an I told her that he loved me more,” she  shrugged. “It was mean.. but.. I was young. I knew the paleface woman couldn’t accept me.. but I was what I was.. I didn’t choose to be born...” she stepped a bit forward and over to the wall. 

“Not that young,” Cole said. “I had older brothers so that doesn’t pass with me.. And that’s about close enough..young lady..” 

“Well.. things got worse.. I wanted to tell Payton I was sorry.. made her dolls.. dream catchers.. I found all of it in the garbage .. daddy had left and was living with us.. I kept an eye on Payton.. seeing the men going in and out of the house.. not long after that started her older brother left home..” 

“Mathew,” I remembered. 

“Mathew...” she nodded. “I managed to sneak in one night.. I was seventeen.. a rather rude ugly man had come over.. he wasn’t like the others that came and went .. something didn’t fit.. when I got in I found that he was trying to kill Payton’s mother.. I thought for sure that Payton would be next .. so I attacked the man..” She pulled her dress off her left shoulder and showed a large, jagged scar. “He got one hit in before I killed him..” 

“Then how was it that her mother ended up dead and she seriously wounded..if you were protecting her?” Cole asked. 

“So .. after I left.. her mother and her survived.. after I healed I learned that men had been sent to try again.. Butch Cassidy’s name was mentioned. so . I got up with several tribes along the way .. not so nice tribes.. and finally Butch himself .. Payton and her mother headed west.” 

“And don’t try and use the ‘I was young’ excuse..I lived with the tribes out here and know better,” Cole said and I couldn’t help but smile. 

“Keep talking, Mara,” I said firmly. 

“Oh.. I don’t deny what I did .. but I had nothing to do with the bandits going after Payton and her mother ..I fully came here to find Payton and her mother still alive.. instead I heard her mother was killed in an attack.” 

“My wife could hit a deer on the move from fifty paces when she was fourteen....” Cole grinned. 

I saw Sabi walking up the steps past Mara and she walked right over to Rye, snuggling up to her. “Anything else you’d like to add?” I asked Mara as Rye bent down to whisper something in Sabi’s ear. 

“Well let’s start with the first charge.. stealing horses.. I did that.. had to get here some how... The getting with a bad crowd.. also guilty.” As she talked, I knew she was simply wanted for the questioning in the case against Payton’s father for hiring outlaws to kill Margarret and Payton. “To find out where Payton and her mother were going .. an also .. who was hired.” 

“Lady you’ve got some holes missing in that story,” I looked at Mara. 

“Oh.. well.. what is missing then and I will fill it in.” 

“Arson...? Attempted murder...? Weapon theft?”

“Oh yes.. the arson .. also guilty .. weapon theft also guilty .. I stole the guns of the rangers that were trying to catch me .. on my way here.. and set fire to the building they were staying in... then stole the horses. I had to get to Payton and her mother.” 

“Two wrongs don’t make a right, Mara. Or in this case, several wrongs,” I looked at her. 

“Well there she has admitted to crimes. The law is the law and should be arrested,” Rye looked at me. 

“Now.. there is also the case of murder.. see.. Lucas won’t be going to trial.. and I won’t let my mother hang for what she did .. so I made sure that I was the one seen .. not her.. when my mother found out what Lucas did... hiring the men to kill his wife and daughter.. she killed him. So I came the rest of the way hoping to find Payton and her mother.. before I got caught to tell Payton the time was up. That she and her mother would be safe,” Mara shrugged. 

“Day late and a few dollars short on that count,” Cole smiled sardonicly. 

“So it seems...” Mara said as she stepped forward again. 

“Far enough,” Cole said firmly. 

“You have said that before.” 

“Trin back up your in my line of fire...” Cole ordered as Rye and Sabi headed inside. 

I looked at Cole and said, “Cole... There’s nothing we can do here. Don’t make this worse...” I looked back at Mara and says, “And you... Stay the hell away from this house.”

“Well.. I will eventually see my half sister.. if I am correct .. she has the top bunk in the orphanage..” Mara smiled. “Girls room.” 

“Get off this deck. Now.”

“Or what Pinkerton.. you’ll shoot?” she smirked. “I am unarmed.” 

“Great. then go away.” 

“Besides.. either way .. you would be the hero.. making the bad little girl die.” 

“I don’t want to shoot you.” 

“Off my porch or I will escort you none to gently down to the street,” Cole threatened. 

“And I don’t want Cole to shoot you,” I said. 

“Yes you do...” Mara smirked again. 

“So get the hell off this porch.” 

“I give in... This time...” 

“I’m watching you, lady. You mess up in this town and we’ll be all over you.” 

“You will be seeing me .. again .. I don’t make promises I don’t keep ..” Mara promised. 

“And don’t come back here..your not welcome,” Cole said firmly. 

“With Payton at the orphanage.. I won’t have to,” Mara said and I stared daggers into her back as she walked down the stairs and out onto the street. 

I breathed a bit easier and walked over to Cole and put a hand on his shoulder. “I didn’t want you to have to shoot her.”

Rye opened the door and stepped back outside and Cole said, “Trin you know better..I would have chucked her off the porch to the bottom of the hill though..” 

“I know Cole.” 

Sabi came out and looked over the edge of the balcony. “She is gone, for now,” Cole smiled. 

“Who was dat?” Sabi nodded and exhaled. 

“You need to tell the other orphans that they need to stay away from this woman no matter what she offers them..she is Payton’s half sister...” Cole looked at her. 

“I thoughts I was Payton’s sister?” Sabi looked over the edge again and I couldn’t help but smile. 

“You are sweetie,” Cole smiled. 

“So why nots let her find her sister?” 

“Ok Sabi..you know that your sissy had a mommy and daddy who didn’t get along right..” 

“Nuh uh, they didn’t?” 

“No her daddy did some things he shouldn’t have before Payton was born..” 

“Ohh. Like Mr. Ben.”

“That how she got a sister who is older than her..” 

“Ohhhh no not like Mr Ben.” 

“Don’t know mister Ben...” Cole smiled. “Well her daddy got mad when her mommy sent him away..he got mad and sent some bad men after her mommy and her..” 

“Just tell Auntie Aeryne, she will ‘rest anyone dat hurts us kids.” 

“Make sure the lolly’s know too ok?” Cole said and Sabi nodded. Cole smiled softly at me and said, “If she trys anything in town she will be sorry with the ‘wild bunch’.” 

I nodded to him, not smiling yet, and I looked at him. “Can we talk alone for a moment?”

Cole whispered something to Sabi and she wandered down the street. I walked over to him and said, “Cole.... The man who sent the telegram to me, Max, he’s a detective like I am. He came to town to help me out with this in case anything goes wrong. I spoke with the rangers to inform them of the seriousness of this, and to watch out for Mara if she does anything. Until she does a crime in Tombstone, we can’t arrest her. As much as I want to.” 

“And I can’t shoot her so all we can do is wait til she trips up I guess,” Cole nodded. 

“Let’s just keep this between us and the rangers for now? I don’t think we need to alarm anyone else until something criminal actually happens.” 

“Did warn the children so she can’t get information out of them..they all like Payton and don’t want her hurt.” 

“Good. I know how much you care about these kids, Cole. It warms my heart to see them so loved finally.” 

“And that bunch of liars could convince you that the sky was falling for one of their own,” Cole smiled. 

“Speaking of liars, how much do you believe Mara’s story?” I chuckled. 

“To a point some ..but still think there is much more she didn’t say than she did.” 

“Agreed,” I nodded. “And she confessed a little too easy for my liking.”

“You don’t just take off when you have to go to court to just answer questions..” 

“Agreed. Unless she feels guilty.” 

“She knows the law can’t touch her..” 

“Either way... though her motive may have been right in finding Payton, the crimes remain crimes.” 

“I need to talk to Nora and get permission for Payton to stay away from the orphanage more than three nights a week..” 

“Yes I think that would be wise. Well I’ll let you get back to your children, Cole... I’m glad you were here.” 

“I think so too...” 

“Stay safe, and let me know if she comes around again, alright?” 

“Yes...  will. And will tell you where we are..so you will know ..” 

I headed down the stairs and then saw Payton down in the street. I couldn’t resist and gave her a hug and suggested she go up and talk with her parents. I turned down the street and walked back home.