December 6, 1900

Tombstone. 

I walked into the town the next day after a sleepless night and nodded tiredly to the Rubble’s who stood in the street. “How are you two doing?” I asked them. 

“Oh we are good, the cavalry is shot up and all is… normal,” Jimmi said. 

“Shot up? Payroll was interesting today, was it?” I asked. 

“Well the got the shooter.” 

“Good to hear.” 

“Last I saw he was being hauled bare foot to the fort. No doubt to be tortured with treacle pie.” 

“Justice is done, eh?” I smirked. 

“Yes. Justice is done.” 

“As happy as I was with the victory last night... I hate sending people to get hanged. Even if they deserve it. I have the feeling I won’t be safe in these streets very long as soon as the Wild Bunch hears I was the prosecutor.” 

“What gives you that impression?” Jimmi asked. 

“The way Downy was lookin’ at me…” 

“Maybe she wants to invite you to a treacle party?” 

“Doubtful. I need to find a long list of witnesses but I’m guessing they’re all at the dance.” 

“That will be Pearce.” 

“True,” I nodded. “Thanks, Jimmi. This case from Dutch Annie’s the other night… Got about ten witnesses I’ve been tryin’ to get statements from. Still have important questions to answer. Like who killed two people.” 

“Well it’s a long walk to Pearce. Better get a canteen.” 

“That’s why we moved to Bisbee,” I chuckled. “Our poor children were exhausted just coming home.” 

“Talking about kids, that school is teaching them to write really well.” 

“Yes, though Natalie has been frustrated that the morning classes don’t seem to happen. And I’d rather them not be out on the streets late at night. But Natalie interviewed Miss Traci this morning when no other kids were there so it was still productive. Guess I need to head to Pearce. Work waits for no one ’round here.” 

“Before you go on your quest, have a look at this gift wrapping service. Is that a good spot for it?” Jimmi asked me, showing me the presents under the tree. 

“Looks great, right by the tree.” 

“Still walk by it?” 

“Yep.” 

“Okay, it can stay.” 

“Maybe I’ll see ya’ll over in Pearce.” 

“Maybe, thats if we don’t get shot or something stupid,” Jimmi said goodbye and I chuckled, waving as I headed off. 

Pearce. 

I headed over to the saloon and greeted everyone as they said hello to me. I was introduced to Mrs. McClellan by Wolvie and I mentioned that I heard there was some activity on the payroll today. It was good to see everyone and we danced happily, enjoying the music. Angeles and I talked about our Thomas’s were busy catching up on paperwork and such. I told her I should dance with her so we weren’t missing our men and she laughed at me. 

“So my daughter told me she had an interesting conversation with Suzy this morning,” I said then as we danced. “Seems Suzy still don’t like me or my team of Detectives.” 

“I told Natalie, different points of view and work,” Angeles said. 

“She said she don’t like how Suzy talked ’bout me. And lumping me with the carnegies. I’ve always strived to be a better Pinkerton than my predecessors.” 

“It’s Suzy. Don’t forget that trial, Trin, where she was some aggressive.” 

“I remember. She let me have it in court once,” I nodded. “Felt I was on trial instead of the defendant.” We continued to dance and I said, “It was so great to do court again yesterday though. As hard as the result of the verdict was to accept. I hate sending people to be hanged, even if it means I win.” 

“I was busy to attend this, Trin,” Angeles said. 

“David and Steven did quite the sob story about his pet that he was upset about losing.” 

“Though sometimes you got to do whats ya got to do even if we don’t like it huh Trin?” Wolvie asked. 

“The jury didn’t buy it though, right Trent?” I winked at him and nodded to Wolvie. “Sure. Law is the law. He killed, so he hanged. I said that David was a great writer... should work for the Epitath or the Birdcage. Included that in my closing.” 

“The jury felt you proved your case,” Trent nodded. 

“Who was hanged?” Jan asked. 

“Steven Itano. Or at least he was s’posed to. We all know anything can happen from court to the gallows. I haven’t heard the verdict of that part yet. But we’ve got court back, folks. That’s the good news.” 

“Well he was in a coffin,” Bree said. 

“I saw him hanged,” Trent nodded. “And his service too.” 

“Well, him have pending that hanging in the bounty list,” Angeles said in her broken English. 

“Yep so that’s why he was hanged,” I nodded. 

“Was good friend to me even if a critter. So so polite when robbed me,” Bree said. 

“Court was just a formality,” I shrugged. 

“Steven was guilty or no. Him can’t escape for that destiny for the prior bounty,” Angeles nodded. 

“Exactly,” I said to Ang. “I really didn’t think I’d win it.” 

“Goodness. I can tell I’ve missed some interesting things before I came to town,” Wolvie laughed. 

“Just gonna have to be around more, Wolvie. Then you won’t miss things,” I winked at him. 

“Hey, I am lawman,” Angeles said, “But that doesn’t mean I haven’t outlaw friends. Just they know if need arrest that I will do soon or later.” 

“Don’t worry Trin… I’m not going anywhere,” Wolvie laughed. 

“You’re right, Ang. Glad to hear it, Wolv. I knew you’d fall in comfortably here. Tried to tell ya since Scotland. Never listened to me till now. “ 

“All’s fair in love and war, they say,” Jan said. 

“True Jan,” Angeles nodded. 

“Yeah I know,” Wolvie laughed. “But hey I had to get out of there. Plus Mrs. McClellan wanted to come to America, so figured why not?” 

“And yours think take the correct decision?” Angeles asked. 

“Doesn’t really matter what I think now that it’s done, I guess, Ang. Just feeling guilty myself,” I shrugged. “Almost like I murdered someone.” 

“For my mother was hard leave Mexico when married with my father,” Angeles said. 

Trent was drinking whiskey and I asked him for some, drinking it down fully as Spin said, “I had escort him to the gallows. How you think I feel Trin? Never mind I don’t fill nothing.” 

“See?” I nodded to Spin. “I hope I never become that de-sensitized to it.” 

“I feel so too. I might have just been here a while, but I feel like I belong here,” Wolvie’s wife smiled at him. 

“Never is easy one hanging trial,” Angeles said. “And I am hanging judge.” 

“To the country, no matter what side of the law your on… this is home!” Wolvie raised his glass. 

“Good. Let me know when you have a case Angeles. I’ll be there,” Spin smiled. 

We continued to dance and talked about more peaceful things and Angeles mentioned that there would be another adoption today but she didn’t know who it was going to be. Wolvie talked about adopting themselves and I told them that it was a wonderful thing to adopt. Angeles asked if we found a house and I told her we had moved to Bisbee and that it was great to be living there again. Bree said that Nat was awesome and I smiled, agreeing with her. 

More people came in and continued to dance and I saw a woman that looked familiar, but I didn’t quite know who she was. “Hi ma’am. Don’t think we’ve met but I feel like I should know who you are. You look familiar,” I said to her. 

“I am looking for a Woman called Trin,” she said. 

“That would be me,” I said and stopped dancing. 

“There your victim,” Angeles pointed at me. 

“Who’s side are you on?” I blinked at Ang and winked at her. “Can I help you, ma’am?” 

“I do believe you wrote a letter to Me. I am Winter.” 

“Ooooh! You’re Natalie’s aunt! It’s so good to meet you finally!” 

Winter smiled as she met my eyes and smoothed down her dress. “Yes, it is good to finally meet you as well. I know Nat said you were busy but I wanted to at least find you and let you know I arrived safely.” 

“Well I’m glad to hear that. I hope you’ve been able to settle in well?” 

“Nat led me over towards the Motel.” 

“Has she shown you our house over in Bisbee? We just moved there this past week.” 

“I saw one house. I have not seen another as of yet.” 

“Well I’ll have to have you over then and show you the new place. Just be warned, we’ve got a new puppy that Natalie found named Shira. She tends to be a bit protective at first. Thomas said that she almost ran him over when he came home last night,” I chuckled. 

“I may stay a bit and get to know the girl. She looks like her Mother,” Winter said. 

“She sure does,” I nodded, “From what I’ve seen in the pictures we found. She has stolen my heart. I really had no choice when she told me she was going to stay with me.” 

“Well I am pleased that you love her. She certainly talks non stop about you and a man… and some other little boy. I suppose I should look about to see what this place has to offer,” Winter smirked. 

“Mmhmm, Jimmy. I could show you around a little bit more if you like? Maybe walk with you back to Tombstone?” 

“She glanced about, "You seem a bit busy. I am sure I can find the bank myself and um other things to look at.” 

“Nah,” I shook my head. “I can walk with you. I’ve been here long enough. Angeles, great music today.”

“All my pleasure,” Angeles said to me. “Send my greets a Natalia, she is one amazing girl.” 

“I sure will,” I smiled. 

“Well alright then I am sure it’s a lovely day for a walk,” Winter said. 

“See you all soon!” I waved and led Winter out of the salon. 

Tombstone. 

We walked onto Allen Street and I looked over at Winter. “Well here we are back in Tombstone. Have you wandered around here much yet?” 

“No,” she shook her head. “I will though. I was tired from the trip. I had forgotten how a stage could tire a person.” 

“Indeed,” I smiled. “Well I will just show you the important buildings. Okay so on the right above this shop is my office. If you ever need anything and I’m not there, do feel free to drop me a note in my mailbox.” 

“I will do just that.” 

“Over here on the left is our orphanage. This in front of us is the clinic. Probably a good place to know,” I winked at her. 

“Always good to know where to go if I get shot.” 

“Mmhmm.” 

“I mean… um sick,” she corrected herself and I smirked. 

“Kate’s saloon on the left. There are these crazy rumors that there’s two other saloons in town but... this one has the best whiskey. On the right, the sheriff’s ofice, then the courthouse, then Dutch Annie’s.... The uh, brothel,” I winked at her as we walked. “On the left is the Russ Hotel... then the bank on the corner, the OK Coral, and the theatre. Church is off to the left. Undertaker’s office is on the corner beside the hotel here. See those bridges in the distance?” 

“It is a close knit space of a town. Lovely that the bank is so close to the Law here,” Winter smiled a bit. 

“Indeed,” I nodded. “They thought this out well. Out by those bridges... to the left is the cavalry’s fort. To the right is Ghenna where the outlaws live. Then straight ahead is the Apache village on the hills. I’d advise not going out that way alone. Especially if you plan to stay unarmed. here are several neighboring towns around Tombstone. Bisbee, as you know, then Black Diamond, Pearce where we just were, Goldfield which we walked through on the way here, Benson, and uh… Oh, Winslow has the shopping.” 

“Oh, if I travel too far I am sure I will be armed. I have a few things tucked away,” Winter looked around. 

“Well, what do you say we head to the saloon and get a drink? I could use one after all that dancing and walking.” 

She nodded and we headed to the saloon where we talked about her history with my new daughter.