November 20, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I walked into the bank to check on Chase and smiled when I saw him. “Hey there.” 

“Morning ma’am, welcome back to the Tombstone Bank and Trust.” 

“Heard you had some activity yesterday.” 

“Yeah, that got damned dynamic duo never seem to have anything better around the evenings…”  Chase patted the gun at his hip. “I’m keeping a watchful eye.” 

“Proud of you, Chase. Do you think you could write up a statement for me? Thomas ain’t around during weekdays so I thought I’d help him out with gathering a statement since you’re here,” I smiled. “We’ll be writing up warrants on TJ and Lisa today,” I said and gave him a blank statement to fill out. 

“Well I help you catch the bastards,” he muttered and took out a pen. “Giving me all this damned paperwork.” He gave me a smile and said, “I’ll be sure to drop this off at your office when I’m finished.” 

“You’re the best, Chase. Hope today is less eventful for you!” I smiled as he wrote up the statement and then slid it over to me. 

“Here you are ma’am, anything else you need from me?” 

I looked over the statement and said, “Would really help if you wrote up a description of what you witnessed in there, hon. Who was there, what happened and all that. They should really make that clearer. Going to add that line in myself,” I chuckled. 

“Thought it was missing something,” Chase nodded and filled out the statement as I worked on amending the form so it made more sense. “Here you are darlin’ everything you need to crucify them.” 

“Brilliantly written,” I grinned, reading it over. “Shows that it was an attempted robbery from Lisa and TJ, and that Lisa drew her gun on Thomas and shot him down, thus proving shooting law. Thank you, Chase. Much appreciated. Do you think Grant saw much?” 

“My pleasure,” he leaned over and said, “Detective… I couldn’t say, I was a little preoccupied gettin’ shot at,” he smirked. 

“Well thank you again. I told my man that the next time he decides to take on outlaws when he’s outnumbered, he can deputize me for help,” I winked at him. “There wasn’t a danged thing I could do. Anyway, I’ll let ya get back to work. Stay safe, Chase.” 

“I do appreciate you coming down here ma’am, you have a safe day, and if you need anyone to deputize to help catch em, just come on down,” he winked. I grinned and waved as I headed down the street. 

An hour later I stood behind the bar in the Oriental Saloon and served drinks as people came in. I smiled as a man walked in and waved to him. “Hi sir. Welcome to the Oriental. What can I get you?” 

“Could I have  a whiskey please?” he asked. 

“Sure can!” I reached for the bottle of whiskey and poured him a glass, sliding it down the counter. “New in town, sir?” 

“Yes I am. I traveled through here but kind of liked it. I think I will settle here.” 

“That’s great! Well there’s plenty of hotels around. Might be some rooms upstairs here too. My name’s Trin. And you are?” 

“Well actually I am going to find a place myself. My name is Ed. Pleased to meet you.” 

“Nice to meet you, Ed!” 

“It’s a very quiet town. Didn’t meet many people yet.” 

“Thinkin’ about what you want to do in town at all?” 

“Well I will try to find a job a place to stay and I want my own horse. I have been walking a lot the last few days and I don’t like it,” Ed smiled. 

“Always good to get a horse,” I chuckled. “Well there’s lots of opportunities for work.” 

“How long are you living in this town?” 

“In the spring it’ll be two years. Can I refill that whiskey for ya sir?” 

“And you a bar keeping detective?” he asked, noticing my badge. 

“Well.... detective mainly. I bartend when I’m bored,” I chuckled. “Good way to get information, ya know.” 

“Yes, that’s surely true. Thanks for the whiskey. Tastes good.” 

“No problem, Ed. Glad you enjoy it,” I said, seeing a woman outside. “Weather sure is gettin’ colder.” 

“Well then I better get me a coat. I don’t like cold very much.” 

“You and me both. There’s a reason I moved south from Canada. Well, not the only reason but was a definite perk.” 

“My native town can be very cold. I like it here better.” 

“Where ya from, Ed?” I asked him. 

“The Netherlands. It was a long journey to this place, but it great to be here.” 

“Well I’m glad you made it here safely! Must have been quite the boat trip!” 

“Yes, it took months but I love to travel, so I didn’t mind.” 

“Nice and peaceful out there today.” 

“Well I am going to look around in town to find my way. Do you know Prudence Cisse? She and I became friends when I arrived here, and she helped me a lot. Like to thank her.” 

“Alright sure. I do know her, yes. You stay safe out there, sir.” 

“Thanks for the drinks have a nice day!” 

“Anytime!” I waved. 

I worked at the saloon for a couple of hours but it was generally quiet. Eventually I stepped outside and waved to a woman in front of the clinic, but then Bear greeted me and said, “Howdy.” I jumped and looked over at him and he smirked, “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” 

“What do you want, Bear?” I asked. 

“Just wanted to know if you have found that breed I asked you about or not…” 

“Doesn’t matter if I did or not. He’s not interested in talking to you,” I looked at him and shrugged. 

“Which means you did find him…” Bear grinned. 

“Leave it alone, Bear,” I shrugged, looking across the street. 

“Why would I?” he whispered to me. 

“Cause it ain’t worth it.” 

“I have a promise to keep,” he said and fingered his whip on his belt. 

“Oh do you?” I asked, watching him carefully. “To whom?” 

“To Irish.. made him a promise and I plan to keep it.” 

“And what promise is that?” 

“That is for me to know and you to stay out of if you know what’s good for you…” 

“If I hear of you doin’ anything criminal, you’re goin’ down. I am a detective, after all,” I looked at him seriously. 

“We will see,” Bear shrugged and spun on his heel, walking away. I watched him walk away and just shook my head, kicking at some dirt.