September 6, 1900

Tombstone. 

I walked into town and noticed the big crowd in front of Kate’s. I smiled and greeted everyone as Sabi came over to give me a hug. I heard Jess and Jimmy talking about taking Jimmy’s cast off and then looked over to see Ben Stolen giving me a nod. “Well... the dead really does rise,” I muttered. 

“I ain’t dead... just in Tombstone,” Ben replied. 

I heard a voice from behind me and asked him his name. 

“Folks just call me Crazy.” 

“Cause you’re crazy or ‘cause that’s your name?” I chuckled. 

“We call a lot of folks that name around here mister,” Ben said and I smirked at that. 

“Well prolly a little of both ma’am,” Crazy said. 

“Mmhmm. Crazy got a last name or just Crazy?” 

“Just Crazy.” 

“So I don’t get ya mixed up with another Crazy,” I winked. 

“I knew a fella called crazy eyes once,” Ben said. 

“Most folks don’t confuse me,” Crazy said. 

“Ah I see.” 

“Crazy eye? He the guy that had one eye looking at you, and one eye looking for you?” Bill asked. 

“Something like that Bill,” Ben laughed. 

“Payton, everything alright kiddo?” I asked, seeing her on a horse. She nodded and I said, “Glad to hear it.” 

“Yes Miss Trin.. all worked out,” Payton replied. 

“Fantastic,” I said as Sabi tapped my hand and looked up at me. “Yeah kiddo?”

Sabi whispered to me and said, “I sawed that lady this morning before school. I thinks she gots on a train.”

“Best news I’ve heard all day,” I smiled at that. “Excuse me a sec, folks. Need to talk with the marshal,” I said and walked over to Kris who was leaning against the post in front of the sheriff’s office, as usual. “Hey Kris.” 

“Yes?” 

“Was wondering... did you fill out an arrest report for Kory? For shooting down Thomas?” 

“I will Trin.” 

“I was just wondering why it wasn’t on the docket this week, since it happened a few days ago.” 

“I’ve been busy.” 

“I can’t give my reports to Jimmi without an arrest report.” 

“I’ll get it as soon as possible, okay?” 

“Okay. Had one other question.” 

“You know the case where David Darkwolf and Rikki robbed the bank? And Spin got shot?” 

“Diamond ain’t my problem.” 

“Believe it happened here,” I said and handed him the arrest report. 

“Ah ok yeah.” 

“The report mentions murder... Who was killed? It’s not very clear.” 

“Don’t remember.” 

“But did someone get killed?” 

“Yeah it was a ranger. Suzy, I believe. Rikki caused her to bleed out.” 

“Ah okay, that helps. Thank you,” I nodded, though I knew how things worked in this town. A person could be reported dead but then they’d show up hours later like nothing happened. “I think I’m good as long as we get that report for the arrest of Kory. Thanks, Kris.” 

“Hey Marshal we need to finish something,” Freebird walked over then and I blinked, hearing him. “You all might want to move,” he said as he checked his guns. 

“Uh oh,” Bill muttered. 

“Kids, off the street,” Ben said and ushered Sabi, Molly, Jimmy and Payton out of the way. 

“Hey Tin man, you here or you scared?” Free asked Kris. 

“Excuse me sir, kids are here,” a man with a cavalry badge walked over. I didn’t recognize him but was curious to watch the man work as I hadn’t had much trust in rangers lately. 

“Don’t think we’ve met yet,” I looked over at the cavalry man who had joined us. 

“Wait another time. Too many of them,” Bill put in. 

“Why?” Free asked. 

“What you got against Kris?” I looked at him. 

“He shot me.” 

“What ever you got, it’s not worth it. There are too many kids here,” the cavalry man said. 

“And you be shot again if you start now,” Bill promised. 

“Why don’t you move on, Mister?” Free suggested. 

I walked over to the man and said, “Why don’t you explain this to us.” When I noticed Payton refusing to move out of the way I ordered, “Payton, go inside with Sabi. Now.” 

“Fine,” Payton frowned and rode over to the hotel. 

“Sir, I’m sure you have a good reason, but you have to think for a second. You’re out gunned in this situation,” the cavalry officer said and pointed at me. “Ya see her badge? Just leave it be for now.” 

I nodded to the man my thanks and looked back at Free as he said, “Well guess you better then me that what you saying.” 

“I mean it. leave it alone,” I looked at him. Meanwhile Kris sighed and watched, his hands by his guns. 

“Leave what alone? Ain’t talking to you all,” Free said. 

“Not at all. I’m just letting you know that your odds are slim. Two lawmen here, and only you. Do you really want to take that chance and be shot again?” the cavalry officer asked. 

“Don’t ya just hate when other folks stick their noses in business that ain’t their own?” Ben walked over. 

“Two lawmen and a Pinkerton,” I winked at the cavalry man. 

“Well guess I do,” Free slid his hands down to his guns and unclipped them. 

“Yeah Ben, so stop interfering,” Bill said from the other side of the street. 

“Yeah, you better go get some more lawmen,” Ben suggested. 

“But of course if you say so I can join in,” I offered. 

“Trin, soldier... you two wanna help?” Kris asked us. 

“Yes sir. I’ll consider that a deputization,” I nodded to Kris and looked to Free. “There you go. .Three on one. Let it be.”

“Now he needs help,” Free shook his head, laughing. 

“What say me make it three against two?” Ben asked, looking to Free. 

“Now move on. Last time I’m telling you.” 

“I’m not here for violence. It doesn’t need to be that way. This is your battle, not mine, and I understand that. What I’m saying is that you’re out gunned sir,” the cavalry officer said and I smiled, liking him already. “It’s not worth it.” 

“Seems I got help, “Free said. 

“How about I buy you a bottle of whiskey?” the cavalry officer extended his hand. 

“Now I’m counting to three and then I’m shooting,” Free said and I noticed Ben putting his hands on his guns. 

“Explain this to me... Kris shot you and you have a problem with this?” I asked. 

“Please do not do it...” the cavalry pleaded. 

“One...” Free started to count. 

“Because he’s a lawman?” I asked. 

“Two...” Free continued. 

Kris, however, had gone behind the courthouse sign and was in the perfect position to draw and opened fire against both of the men. Ben and Free were both gunned down within seconds, before I could even draw my gun and move backwards. 

I exhaled and holstered my gun, walking back over. “Well that was easy.” 

“Why’d you open fire? It could’ve been resolved without violence,” the cavalry officer shook his head, moving quickly. 

“Well that was anti-climactic,” Bill muttered from across the street. 

“Dang... that didn’t work out so well...” Ben groaned, holding onto his leg. 

“Jessie.. they need you out here!” Paisley called for a doctor. 

I walked over to the cavalry man then and said, “Trin Paige, Pinkerton Detective.” 

“Renji Amida,” he shook my hand firmly. 

“Renji, a pleasure, Sir.” I looked to Kris and asked, “Can you arrest Free for threatening a marshal?”

“Harassment, yeah,” Kris said. “Disturbing the peace...” 

“Fantastic. And Ben too? Might want to check for their weapons then,” I suggested and Renji sighed as he looked at Kris. 

“What, they need help?” Free laughed. 

“Ben needed a lesson taught. That’s all,” Kris said and checked Free for guns. 

“Nice shooting, Kris,” I nodded. 

“Yeah lesson learned...shot first...talk later,” Ben muttered as Jess came over to check their wounds. “I’ll be coming for you marshal,” he said as he limped off with Free and Jess to the clinic. 

“How long you been a ranger, Renji?” I asked him when we were alone. 

“I’m not a ranger ma’am. I’m US Calvary,” he said and dusted off his coat. 

“Ah I see. Well I appreciate your help here either way.” 

“Not a problem miss. Just doing my part in this here town.” 

“Talked him down long enough for Kris to get into a good position.” 

“My true intention was for bullets to never been used.” 

“Reckon I need to write up a witness statement now against Freebird, eh? That’s always my intention. My gun is my last resort. Going to take a sseat and get this written up. You might want to as well. We both saw him threaten the marshal. Need a blank copy?” 

“Well miss, he was just angry at the time. I don’t think he did a crime.” 

“Kris was still going to arrest him for disturbing the peace and harassment, I thought?” 

“Well yes, but he didn’t really do any of that in my eyes.” 

“He talked, but didn’t draw his pistols. That was law brutality, and you detective, are part of that,” Bill called across the street. 

“I was apart of trying to calm the situation down, actually,” I told him. 

“You was deputized, you was well in.” 

“I didn’t go to my guns until Kris did,” I looked to Renji.

“She is right Bill,” Paisley said from in front of the hotel. 

“So don’t play innocent, you shot men that didn’t draw any weapons,” Bill said. 

“Hey Fat Bill. Mis Trin a good detective. If not fer bad people like you and that man, she not have to work so hard,” Jimmy put in then as he walked over to Bill. 

“I didn’t shoot one bullet,” I told him. 

“It’s intent, you are implicated.” 

“I drew my gun and backed up once I saw Kris had the situation handled.” 

“Stop twisting things Bill,” Paisley stated. 

“Stop telling me how to do my job, Bill,” I yelled back at him. 

“Paisley, this is an A B conversation C you way out of it,” he said to her. “Not twisting nothing, Mis. Trin.” 

“Bill, this is an A conversation. I’m done with it,” I said. 

“I feel that this battle may not be over just yet,” Renji sighed. 

“Because, you spreading lies,” Bill said. 

“I’ll be in the office, Renji, if you’re interested in joining me,” I looked at the officer. 

“Miss Trin is one of tha best folks in this town sir,” Sabi stood up for me then. 

“Right in what Paisley, explain,” Bill requested. 

“You are mad because they are right and you are mistaken,” Paisley said. 

“You are twisted Mr Bill...that all need sayin,” Jimmy put in. 

“Hi Trin,” Spin walked over then as I sat in the front of the office writing, trying to ignore Bill. 

“Evening Spin,” I nodded to him. I had just finished my statement about the shooting when an explosion went off in what sounded like the back of the sheriff’s office. I jumped up and looked around. 

“Sounded like it came from out back,” Renji said. 

“I’ll stay here,” I nodded, looking around for flames. I waited as he ran back and then called out, “Renji, see anything?” 

“I don’t see anything. Search the area!” Renji shouted. 

“I heard something on the roof!” Kris called. 

“Miss Trin!” Jimmy came over to me then. 

“Jimmy, stay over here kiddo,” I reached for him. 

“I just see somtin up there..” he pointed to the roof. I looked up where he pointed and he said, “Up there Miss Trin!” 

“I see him,” I nodded to Jimmy. 

“Anyone get hurt from that boom?” Sugar asked from across the street. 

I heard a few gunshots and moved Jimmy back further from the building as I heard Renji shouting, “Sir please holster your gun and come down!” 

“Hell no!!” Mac shouted and another few rounds of bullets went off. I sighed, recognizing the voice, and went over to stand with the crowd in front of the Russ hotel, since there was nothing I could do about it. The words from my old boss came through my mind again: A shot down detective is a useless detective. 

I walked over to the front of the Epitath office and sat down, writing what I was hearing as Renji and Mac kept shouting back and forth. I noticed Lisa Jones and James Newton talking romantically with each other and shook my head, realizing he now couldn’t be a Pinkerton with me since he seemed to be dating an outlaw. Lisa shot me a glare when she caught me looking at them and then I headed to my office to write witness statements for the two crimes I’d seen tonight, as well as an update on the report I was working for Jimmy about Suzy getting shot.