Tombstone.
This morning I greeted Angel in front of the office and asked how she was doing. “Alvright somevone tped mine office,” she answered.
“Toilet Paper? On your office?”
“Yez.”
“Any idea who did it?”
“No idea but you can look into it ifin you vant. Seemz they got ahold of zeh russ hotel too.”
“I definitely will! I need something to do. That’s destruction of property, ain’t it?”
“Vell not vreally but iz distrubing mine peace if that countz,” she chuckled.
“I’d count,” I winked. “Surely we could arrest someone for that…” I said with a bit of desperation in my voice. “So just the sheriff’s office and the Russ? Or any other buildings?”
“Not sure there the only vones I’ve seen so far.”
When she offered me all the toilet paper she had taken off I said, “Wish prints would show up on those.”
“Vell I’m sure you can match zis up to the vone or something. Skid mark similaritys, I dunno. You ave fun vith zis vone.”
“Right, sure. Can match the brand probabaly. Let’s wander across the road.”
I went to study the toilet paper in front of the hotel and saw Pet and waved to her. Steve greeted me then, making me jump. “Howdy beautiful.”
“Hello, Steve,” I said simply as Bree greeted me too.
“Looking good today.”
“I see someone decided to decorate the hotel for halloween,” I observed. “Heard they did the same to the sheriff’s office too.”
“Hi Bree, and thanks for the assisted robbery yesterday,” Steve said and I blinked, hearing that.
I walked over to Pet and asked, “Pet? When did you notice the tp on the hotel?”
“Someone had fun, didn’t they?” Bree asked, looking around.
“Well strange things been happing today maybe she just got whisked away,” Joe commented.
“Was it just the hotel and sheriff’s office that was tp’d?” I asked, looking around the group for information.
“I see the Russ has been appropriately papered for the holiday,” Paisley commented.
“I think so, Trin,” Bree nodded.
“That’s good at least. No idea who did it?”
“Well Lot maybe,” Bree grinned.
“Well ya wanted a case Trin, there ya go,” Joe smirked a little.
“Mmhmm,” I said and looked down the street, seeing someone that looked familiar. “There’s something familiar about that man.” I studied the toilet paper and then nodded. “I matched the tp from both places. It’s the same.”
“Is that what they call deduction Miss Trin?” Joe asked, smirking. “Maybe ya should investigate all the out houses.”
“I’m sure it’ll match,” I looked at Joe.
“Well ya just have to catch the culprits now Trin,” Joe grinned.
I looked over, trying to figure out who the man was, and Paisley said, “Hopefully you get a taker.”
“Well Joe... guess I have some toilet paper to investigate,” I said.
“I get the feeling today is going to be a very strange day,” Joe said and looked at me. “Yep, ya better check all the stocks and storage places.”
“Yeah... bet you there’s a full moon tonight,” I nodded and studied the man walking over. Finally I asked him, “Sir, have we met?”
“Ah dinner,” Joe said as a cat came over and I leaned down to pet the cat.
“Don’t you dare,” I glared at Joe.
“No Ma’am I don’t think so..” the man shook his head.
“New hat?” Joe said hopefully.
“You will do no such thing,” I shook my head.
“A very good day to you Miss Trin,” Jimmi greeted me.
“I am Irish ma’am,” the man said to me then.
“Trin is that your cat?” Bianca asked.
“Well, he seems to kind of adopted me,” I said but then stopped, looking over at the man. “Irish…”
“Yes ma’am.”
“You were... a child when I... Minnesota… In ’71... Right?”
“Yes ma’am,” Irish looked down and nodded.
I pet the cat behind his ear and tried to concentrate. “Not proud of that time, Irish?”
“It was a test ma’am and you did return them.”
“What was?” I looked at him. “The.... horses...? Yeah, they were returned but we never figured out who took them.”
“The few small ponies I relocated..” he smiled.
“Relocated? You?” I looked at him.
“Yes ma’am.”
“You were the one who.... stole them in the first place weren’t you?” I asked, understanding the truth now. “So now what? You came all this way to apologize for it?” When Irish didn’t reply, I looked over at Pet and asked her, “Pet... when did you notice the tp there?”
“This morning. Isn’t it cute?” Pet grinned.
“Did you put it there Pet?”
“The kids were being mischievous I suppose,” Pet laughed.
“Well not really.. Mr. Cole said if I was ever down his way I should call on him and his misses but found them burned out and gone… his neighbours said he came south so I came here looking for them,” Irish admitted.
I nodded, remembering what had happened, and then Pet asked me, “Me? No. Why would I
do this to my establishment?”
“Well Pet if you’re not concerned about it I won’t consider it a case,” I told her. “You just seem to be very passive about it like it’s just decorations.”
“I didn’t expect to see anyone else I may have known though…” Irish said and looked down.
“Aye maybe she did it herself,” Joe rubbed his chin.
“Isn’t that what it is, Trin?” Bree asked.
“A case?!” Pet gave me a look. “You mean arrests can be made?”
“What a marvellous idea, tissue for dusty eyes and runny noses. Very generous,” Jimmi said then, making Pet giggle.
“Just doing as advised. She didn’t seem thrilled about it being on her office,” I shrugged.
“Aye or mayve the food is so bad, ya need the toilet paper as ya leave,” Joe said.
“I trust you still have some next to the hotel commode Miss Pet?” Jimmi asked.
“Not everything I do involves arrest, Pet,” I pointed out.
“No way Joe, this is delicious food,” Bree argued.
“There could be some problems if there is not,” Jimmi said.
“I have one roll left. So use it sparingly or takes some of this with you,” Pet advised.
“Is a rather costly way to decorate,” Irish grinned.
“It might be when ya eat it but does it stay in ya. I am only saying it does look suspicious,” Joe said.
“I have a little for just in case moments Miss Pet,” Jimmi patted his pocket.
“Pet, seems it was the same type as what was put on the sheriff’s office,” I looked at her.
“But seriously, they might arrest the person who did it?” Pet asked. “Perhaps.”
“Pet as I said.. Not everything I do results in arrests. But either way someone shouldn’t be putting things like this on other peoples’ buildings.”
“Not put? Not put? But it is tradition is it not?” Jimmi sputtered.
“It looks like a child’s Halloween prank,” Starling suggested.
“Yes, a henious crime like the cooking maybe,” Joe said.
“Alright then. I won’t care about it. Will just let it be,” I shrugged.
“I wasn’t here when it happened. I have no idea who might have done it. I only assume it was children. They kind like the night before halloween for pranks,” Pet said. “Would adults do this?”
“Some adults would,” Joe muttered and I muttered something about halloween.
“Any drunken person could have done it Miss Pet,” Bianca nodded.
“I wonder what you may do with the large Saint Nick depositing treats in stockings later this year?” Jimmi asked.
“Fine, don’t care about vandalism. It’s decorations. I’ll just be on my way then,” I said angrily.
“Perhaps the children could draw on these tissues in bright colours and you will be ready for December festivities weeks in advance,” Jimmi suggested.
“And you Sir, one more word about my cooking and I’ll give you a knuckle sandwich,” Pet gave Joe a look.
“Joe, I can tell you that the Soiled Doves have better things to do with their free time,” Paisley insisted and I just continued to pet the cat. “I have no need to paper the sheriff office nor the Russ. I have better uses for the paper.”
“Or perhaps Miss Paisley could find good use for the tissue to dry the eyes of broken hearts she creates?” Jimmi suggested.
“You are a smooth one Jimmi,” Joe chuckled.
“Well, as much as standing around being laughed at is fun, I’m going to go to my office,” I sighed and walked away to my office, since no one seemed to care.
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