Tombstone.
“James Gang, I am coming for ya!” Steven Itano shouted as I walked into town and I rased an eyebrow, watching Paisley follow Joe through the crowd.
“Something going on?” I asked Bianca.
“You missed it last night. The James brothers are back in town.”
“Yeah, I saw them last night. What’d they do?”
“They robbed Annies’ and held the Mayor at gun point.”
“They what?!” I blinked. “Please tell me there was law in town…”
“No there was not,” Paisley said then.
“A few people got shot including Paisley. I didn’t see any. It went on for almost an hour,” Bianca said.
“Sounds like I’ve got a lot of witness statements to gather,” I sighed.
“Joe was out but came back and said we’d be safer up in Ghenna. Not sure what happened after we left town.”
I rolled my eyes at the irony of that and asked, “How much did you witness, Bianca? Enough to give me a statement?”
“I can write you a book and so can Miss Pet. Zann can too.”
“I’ll be sure to get ahold of Pet. And Zan and Paisley,” I handed her a blank statement.
“Reb and Kef and a new dove but I forgot her name,” Bianca said.
“June was here Trin,” Paisley told me and sighed. “Rebel said she got shot.”
Steven and Trent walked over then and I asked, “You boys weren’t there last night were you?”
“I am in need of your help,” Steven said then.
“No I was not. The James gang, huh?” Trent asked.
“I saw Lot but he wasn’t part of that mess,” Bianca said.
“The James gang, where do they hang out?” Steven asked me.
“Seems they’re back,” I looked at him, trying to remember.
“I hate ‘em," Trent muttered.
“You and everyone else, Trent,” I nodded. “I can’t believe there was no law there last night.”
“I plan to gut them all,” Steven promised. “Boy scouts my ass.”
“No Law or doctors,” Bianca stated.
“I’ll be gathering all these statements then. This is one mammoth of a case for me now,” I sighed.
“Steve, get over it,” Bianca warned him.
“I’ve seen the James gang all over, Steve. Haven’t been able to pinpoint their location,” I told him as Trent ran into the clinic where Paisley was.
“I am gonna rain hell down on them and then we will see who are boy scouts Bianca,” Steven promised.
“Will look forward to reading your statement, Bianca,” I said, not bothering to argue with Steve. “Glad Thomas and I went to bed when we did.”
“These guys are cunning… reminds me of the gangs you see in the cities like New York,” Bianca said.
“Believe me, I know they are. They ran with Clint Houston and his gang and are notorious. Seems like I should head to Dutch Annie’s and try and find some doves.”
“I’ll fill out the statement,” Bianca promised.
“Thank you hon. So just to confirm I need statements from Pet, Zan, Reb, Kef, June, and Paisley You said Joe was there too?”
“I was lucky....I was going to go into Annie’s to surprise Joe with some good whiskey but chanced my mind and went into Winslow instead. No… Joe was passed out in god knows where.”
“Okay,” I nodded. “I’m going to head over to Annie’s then, and let Paisley rest a bit before I bug her. Good thing this is my only case to focus on. Guess I need to find Adrian too.”
“He came back to town about an hour after it started and took me back to Ghenna,” Bianca told me.
I went to the Western Union and sent Adrian a wire for a statement and then saw Kris standing with Steven. “Kris, hi. I’m gathering statements about the incident last night as there was no law around. Just wanted you to know.”
“Give me a badge and I will sort this town out,” Steven said and I tried hard not to laugh. “Good day to both of you.”
“I’m going to head to Annie’s,” I said then and headed towards the brothel.
“Trin you can stop following me now,” Steve said and I chuckled at that.
I walked into Annie’s and blinked, seeing Reb without a shirt on, and looked over at Steven as he entered the room with me. “I’m going back to the scene of the crime to get witness statements,” I told him.
“Did you hear what those James Brothers did last night Trin?” Reb asked when she saw me.
“Yeah I hear... Would you be able to write me a statement?” I asked and handed her a blank statement while she was dancing.
“Yes Trin,” she nodded.
“Thank you. I’ve got a list a mile wide to gather,” I said as she hopped down from the stage, only to return when she had the paper in her hand. “Can you tell me who all was here, Reb?”
“I am gonna roast them,” Steve insisted.
“I’ve got a long list but I wanna make sure I don’t miss anyone important,” I said.
“Yes. Paisley there were three James Brothers, Paisley, Kef, June and myself and the Mayor joined us later, Zann was here too for a little while and then Dee was here too,” Reb said.
“Ah, Dee is a name I don’t have written down yet. Thank you hon,” I smiled at her. “Will look forward to gathering that statement. There was no law there last night so it’s all me,” I winked. “I’ll see you soon hon,” I turned then and started walking out.
“Thanks Trin! Have a great day!” she called after me.
I walked over to the clinic and walked inside seeing Trent standing near Paisley’s bed. “You doin okay Paisley?” I asked her.
“Do you want me to look for a doc?” Trent asked.
“Hurts like hell,” Paisley told me. “Was not expecting more sitting.”
“When you’re getting better, I’d love to get a statement from you about what happened last night,” I told her. “I’ve got a list of witnesses a mile long but I’d love to know who was all there or who may have seen anything from your perspective.”
Paisley took a swig of whiskey and grimaced. “They were just being idiots Trin.”
“They still need to be arrested.”
“Yes, they do.”
“Who was all there?”
“They had no call to pull guns on us inside Annie’s.”
“I agree,” I nodded.
“June came to town!”
“I’ve got her on my list,” I smiled. “Who else?”
“She had a break in her travels. Rebel was there.”
“Just talked to her…” I nodded.
“And so was I. Dee walked in, Kef arrived. Zan came in later.”
I handed her a blank witness statement, listening as the names matched up from other accounts. “Who all was shot?”
“I know Kef and rebel were also shot. I think William and Dominic from the gang were. Will from town…”
“Alright well you get some rest and write me up that statement when you’re feeling up to it, alright hon?”
“Angel…” Paisley went on.
“Angel was there?” I blinked. “The sheriff?”
“Prudence’s sister..”
“Oh… Angel Cisse.”
“Yes.”
“See there’s two names I didn’t have,” I smiled. “I’ve got a tonne of work to do here, it seems. Shame there was no law about. Will result in warrants.”
“It was a circus Trin.”
“Sounds like it. Thomas and I went to the office to check the bounty list to see if the James gang was on there, because it was a cold case of mine to find Dominic. They weren’t on the list though, so we headed home. It was getting late and we needed to get back to the kids.”
“Of course. They would not listen to my telling them to leave.”
“I’ll let you rest and write up a statement. See you soon, Paisley.”
“See you later on Trin,” she said and I headed outside, feeling dizzy with all the information as I looked around.
“Golly miss Trin, you think they’ll hang?” Trent asked from where he was standing on the street.
I tried to remember the charge for crimes against the mayor and said, “Hmm... That’s a good question, Trent.”
“Are they wanted for previous crimes do you know?”
“Unfortunately not. Thomas and I checked the bounty list last night and then went home to our kids.”
“Good of you to check,” Trent shook his head. “You married now, kids?”
“Not married... but Thomas and I are living together. We both adopted two kids separately.”
“That is nice of you. Who are your kids?”
“Natalie and Jimmy,” I said proudly, enjoying the distraction of family.
“Well them kids are blessed.”
“Thank you, Trent. Now I just have to wait for people to show up and/or write me statements... This case is going to be the death of me. I have 11 witness statements to gather.”
“Get them basta… bad guys I mean.”
“We also moved to Bisbee.. It’s so nice to be back there now,” I smirked at him. “I’ve always loved that area.”
“Oh golly. Where was you living previous?”
“We were in Pearce but it was such a along walk from there to the towns. Bisbee is right in the middle of everything and Thomas can be on duty there.”
“Oh yes.”
“The kids were exhausted just walking home,” I chuckled.
“I am living just over the river now in the gypsy. So easy to get to town now.”
“Sounds great, Trent. Working anywhere?”
“Just been doing my digging. Still stockpiling them stones… Oh well, I best be heading out for a spell too. Nice seeing you miss Trin. Say ‘hi’ to miss Natalie and mister Jimmy for me.”
“Alright, will do. Guess I’ve got work to do!” I waved as he headed out.
I walked over to the hotel where Bianca and Joe were talking about something or other. Reb handed me her statement and then headed back to work and I read it, sighing as I read the details. “Good gosh…” I muttered, leaning against the post.
“Come on over Trin and relax a bit,” Bianca invited me.
“Just found out two people were killed in the incident last night,” I sighed and sat down on the bench near them. “Now I gotta figure out who killed em. I’m hoping the other NINE statements I’ve gotta gather will clear up some questions.”
“Well there were three men last night Trin.”
“I know…”
“Two of them looked like twins.”
“I just need your statement hon... that’ll help a lot,” I nodded to her.
“Some witness. Hell if ya can’t solve that,” Joe laughed and grinned, then frowned down at his empty bottle.
“That part I’m grateful for,” I nodded to Joe as Bianca pulled out the statement and got to work on it.
“Aye well the advantage if being drunk is that ya remember and see nothing,” Joe grinned. “And hell who would believe a drunk?” he laughed loudly. “Joe Sawbones Vyper. Doc of last resort!” he giggled.
“At least you’re cute,” Bianca said, making Joe snort and grumble.
“Not gonna argue that point,” I winked at Bianca knowingly.
“I am not cute,” Joe growled and Bianca giggled.
“Oh sure ya are, Joe,” I grinned.
“The hell I ain’t. I won’t bath for three weeks now,” Joe muttered.
“Ok fine… at least you are handsome,” Bianca said.
“That growl doesn’t hurt the image either. Only helps,” I smirked and looked at her, laughing at the victory of getting Joe irritated.
“And if you want me in your bed Joe Vyper I would bathe,” Bianca warned him and I laughed at that.
“Fine, ya can sleep on the floor then,” Joe grunted. “Less lice on the floor.”
“Sorry Bianca,” I chuckled.
“I guess I’ll just have to bathed in front of him.....put on my ole dove charms,” Bianca looked at me and grinned.
“Well can always bath on the trough again,” Joe suggested.
“Gotta use that experience for something, right?” I laughed.
“Yep!” Bianca laughed.
“Ya woman are impossible,” Joe muttered and shook his head.
“Oh come on Joe, you love us,” I giggled.
“Like hell do. I think it’s like seeing the dentist,” he snickered.
“And on that note, I’m going to head home and get some paperwork done,” I chuckled and winked at Bianca. “You know where to find me, Bianca.”
“Take care Trin,” Bianca said to me and then looked over at Joe. “And Joe if you didn’t love you would never asked me to move in with you.”
I smiled as I headed off to Bisbee.
***
A few hours later I walked over to the hotel and greeted Pet. I asked her if we could talk and she offered me some coffee. “I heard about an incident last night with the James Gang... I heard you were one of the witnesses.”
“Well hell, there goes the town.” Shaun grinned from where he leaned against the post.
“Been running rampid all day trying to find everyone. Got about ten people I need statements from on this one.”
“Well…” Pet said as we drank our coffee. “All I can say is heard shootin up at Annie’s. Then screaming and hollerin. More shootin. And we down here saw the Mayor walk to Annie’s. It was taking him so long to come out, we kinda got suspicious, ya know? Well…”
“I’m listening,” I smiled.
“After we got curious, some of us went up that way, I stayed outside to pray for a bit. then went up the back steps and snuck inside and peeped down. Sure enough from the talk, it was a hostile situation. June musta got out somehow cause I could hear her screamin for law to come to Annie’s. Then… the mayor went to the door and passed out on the landin of the porch. When he come to, he skiddaddled outta there over to the bird cage. By then, I just ran home. They, the James Brothers, done left the inside and come out onto the streets, calling after the Mayor. It was dreadful. Just dreadful I tell you,” she shivered.
“The James brothers... Can you give me names?” I asked her and we greeted Bree as she came over. Pet walked into the kitchen and I smiled at Bree. “Just talking with Pet. She walked into the kitchen to take care of some things.”
“Ah, yums then.”
“You weren’t around for the drama last night were you?”
“Been quiet all day long.”
“You’re tellin’ me…”
“No, I sure wasn’t. Left about 7:30.”
“Good, I’m glad. I’ve got about ten statements I’m gathering here. Not that I’m complaining.. I’d rather have ten than none.”
“I heard Reb and Annie shot.”
“It was a mess. I’m still working out the details and hoping someone saw something to answer the questions I still have.”
“I relooked at Reb’s wound this morning.”
“Well I know those James guys hardly ever here, thank goodness.”
“Unless they’re going to start showing up more…” I nodded. “They tend to come for a few days or a week or two then disappear for months… Then come back again.”
“Oh heck that so true.”
“Mmhmm.”
“Would never get to court I bet.”
“Not usually, nope. Though we haven’t had court in ages. No one goes to court anymore. I miss being a lawyer.”
“I know, yes.”
“I don’t get it. The outlaws are around, I’m here to prosecute, we’ve got David, Jimmi, Lot.. I don’t see what the problem is.”
“I like court when lawyers are on the balls but the long silences drive me batty.”
“Mmhmm.”
I heard Irish and John coming over and we greeted them. I went over to give Irish a hug, needing it badly. He introduced me to Wind Runner, Cole’s new horse. Irish hugged me tightly and I leaned against him. “What’s wrong Cousin?” he asked with concern.
“It’s been a long day… Current case I’m working? Ten witnesses. No law there last night. So it’s all on me to figure out who killed two people and shot a bunch and held up the mayor and robbed Annie’s.”
“Sorry,” Irish shook his head.
“I know the three names but I need specifics,” I said and Pet came back outside, munching on something. “Pet, thank goodness you’re still here. You said the James brothers... Can I get names from you? Pretty sure I know who I just want to make sure.”
“Well I saw Dominic, William and Anthony.”
“Fantastic. Can I give you this statement to sign from what I wrote up while you talked?” I asked her.
“When?” Amara asked.
“I was out running Windsong down so I didn’t get to town at all..” Irish said.
“I’m gathering statements, Amara. Case isn’t finished yet. Working on getting the details down,” I told her.
“Sure Trin. Last night Amara,” Pet said and signed the statement for me.
“Well I shot him, after he shot Paisley,” Amara said.
“Heard there were no arrests done last night. You tellin’ me I’m doin’ all this work for nothin’?” I looked at her.
“I guess no one was around. Only the mayor. And he was hurt I heard.”
“So no arrests? I heard no law was there. I wired him for a statement.”
“And no docs. I don’t know how many were shot,” she sighed.
Pet took the statement and read it over. “I didn’t know Paisley was shot. I know there was some blood on the mayor’s lapel.”
“I’m figuring it out. And figuring out who did what. Will hand an incident report when I have all the information to hand in. Can you ad that to your statement, Pet? The part about the blood on his lapel?” I asked her.
“Best one to talk to is Paisley,” Amara suggested.
“I did talk to her. She’s working on a statement for me. I hope… And I’ve got about nine other people I’m gathering statements from. So once I know all the information I’ll hand the report in to the law.”
“Well good.”
“Then the warrants can be drawn out. Two people were murdered. I’m more concerned finding out who did that.”
“Wow who?” Bree asked.
“The James boys,” Amara said.
“Maybe Doll healed Mayor?” Bree sugested.
“I believe Wolvie and William were killed,” I said.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know more information. I got home and bolted the door,” Pet said.
“Just your statement is helpful too. It proves harassment and assault on the mayor,” I nodded to her and she corrected it, handing it back to me. “Are you willing tot testify in court, Pet?”
“Is that a hangin’ offense?” Pet asked.
“For someone it will be. Just ain’t sure who yet.”
“Get a statement fro the mayor too,” Amara suggested.
“Amara, I already sent him a wire to ask for one. Already on it.”
“Against the James Brothers?” Pet asked, looking nervously at me.
“Yes,” I nodded to her. “One or two of them killed William and Wolvie and I’d like to find out who.”
“Is he dead?” Amara asked. “He was hurt pretty bad.”
“I never said the mayor was killed. I said these two other men were.”
“I said is the mayor dead or??”
“If you were there Amara maybe you could write a statement for me too?”
“William I not sure I know,” Bree said.
“Maybe lost his memory?” Amara suggested. “Poor man.”
“Ya know… if law was here, them folks might not have died,” Pet said.
“Amara, you said you shot someone when Paisley was shot? Why didn’t you arrest someone?” I asked her.
“Pet, I think they are terrified of them, to tell you the truth,” Amara said. “More gang members around here than law. Now them.”
“So you was here after I left?” Pet asked.
“Yes. Everyone was shot.”
“And did nothing because you were outnumbered?” I asked her.
“Don’t law take an oath or something?” Pet asked.
“That be safer, I agree Amara,” Bree said. “No sense getting killed.”
“Yes we do Pet,” Amara said.
“Who did you shoot down, Amara? After Paisley was shot?” I asked her.
“Oh, so it’s okay for others to die, Bree?” Pet asked. “They didn’t take an oath,” she glared at Amara.
“You see local law has to ask us for help. My hands are tied unless they ask. Didn’t you know that?” Amara asked.
“No Pet, of course not. But if all were shot and she alone. I heard they need backup maybe I wrong,” Bree said.
“But you said you shot someone. I want to know who you shot down,” I looked at her.
“Anthony,” Amara replied.
“Oh for pity’s sake,” Pet threw the rest of her cinnamon bread into the street.
“That is awesome, Amara,” Bree exclaimed.
“Oh yes Pet, there is a huge thing about it,” Amara told her. “But if it happens outside of town we can do what we want. Otherwise we have to asked to help.”
“Laws are hard understand,” Bree said.
“Makes me think I should have a gun. Just t’ain’t safe for good honest God fearin citizens to be on the streets no more,” Pet stomped her foot.
“I know Pet,” Amara said. “And Annie’s too. Used to be safe there too.”
“I’ll be back. Thank you Pet, for your statement,” I said to her, needing to get away from Amara. I hugged Irish before heading back to the office.
No comments:
Post a Comment