November 23, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I walked over to the hotel where Bianca was standing and talked to her about the Wild Bunch seemed to be taking up residence across the street. Steven shouted at me and asked if I wanted to turn him in and Bianca told me she’d been spending a lot of time at the library lately. I told her about how Natalie wanted to be a journalist and was helping Jeff with the paper. 

Amara came over and I told her that Steven was shouting out for law across the street. Grant walked over and I asked him if he’d seen anything at the fire yesterday but he hadn’t. I asked Amara if she knew of any warrants or bounties on Steven and she said I should ask Lisa, and I told her that she was a lawman and could easily look at warrants too. 

“Steve, there a reason you’re poking around the sheriff’s office?” I finally asked him as he poked around. 

“I wanna report a crime,” Steven said. 

“Well Steven I will make you a deal,” Amara said.

“That is?” 

“You come with me peaceful and I will not hurt you.” 

“So ya wont hang me?” Steven asked. 

“Don’t believe you have a hanging crime on you, Steve,” I shook my head. 

“No, just let you sit in the cell for awhile and think about what ya did,” Amara said. 

“Sounds like a deal then,” 

“Okay, then take his belt off for me will you Trin?” Amara looked at me. 

I looked back and was surprised that she still couldn’t do her job on her own and stayed quiet so that she could put the handcuffs on him. 

“Amara, you know that you’re arresting Steven on a bounty that’s been out for him, right?” I asked her, making sure she knew what she was doing. 

“Well howdy Steve, welcome to our little humble abode. You want me to take him Amara?” Thomas asked as we walked into the sheriff’s office and saw him sitting at the desk. 

“Yes,” Amara nodded. 

“But I ain’t hanging, right?” Steven asked. 

“No,” she shook her head. 

“I’m not sure I can hold him. I have no warrant out for him,” Thomas said. “All we got is he is wanted.” 

“Really? Well best let me go,” Steven said. 

“Who has jurisdiction over bounties?” I asked. 

“By every woman on the planet,” Steven smirked. 

“Well if he is wanted, that’s it. Let’s book him,” Amara said. 

“Yeah, let’s get him bunked down in a cell for the time being,” Thomas nodded. 

“Hold on,” I said and read the bounty: 

“‘WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

Steven Itano

Date of Crimes: April 17, 1899

Crimes: Murder

 Weapon Un-Holstered in Town

 Weapon Used in a Crime

SENTENCE = $40 / 25 min and HANGED’”

“Say what?” Steven blinked. 

“Well then I guess you got some time behind bars buddy,” Thomas shrugged.

“Are you going to open the jail door Thomas?” Amara asked. 

“Am I gonna hang?” Steven asked. 

“My only question is who has the authority to arrest him for this bounty,” I said. 

“Law does, and you are getting in the way,” Amara snapped at me. 

“I got it dear. If anything comes up, it will be on me,” Thomas said. 

“Lisa they gonna hang me!” Steven shouted out of the office then. 

“I searched him. May want to check his boots,” Amara told Thomas. 

I shook my head and went to the office, where apparently I belonged. I heard Lisa and Steven shouting back and forth but tried to ignore it. 

Hors later, I walked behind the hotel where tables and decorations had been set up for a town turkey dinner. Pet was talking about the fire and I told her I was looking into it, but no one had seen anything. Chris, Zan, Jeffery, Bass and Pet were all there enjoying the dinner. I watched as Bill walked out of the dining room and blinked, not having seen him since he’d been the mayor of Black Diamond. 

We continued to eat cake and talk about Thanksgiving and it was wonderful to spend time with friends and relax for a while. The food was delicious and as Bass headed out I noticed Bear walking over to lean against the wall. I tried to stay quiet and just watched as people greeted him. Zan snuck a glance at me and I stepped back a bit as Bear came in closer and I drank some more whiskey to help myself stay calm. 

After a while, I couldn’t take it anymore and went over to the church around the corner, sitting down in the front pew. I leaned forward and prayed for peace and safety. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down and told myself I was better than this. I couldn’t let him scare me. 

The door opened and I jumped at the sound, turning only to see Bianca there. “Bianca, thank God it’s just you…” 

“Trin, are you okay?” she asked with concern. “Kind of worried about you.” 

I shook my head and said, “That man out there? He’s after my cousin.” 

“Who is?” 

I whispered Bear’s name to her and said, “Thing is he hasn’t done anything yet. So there’s nothing I can do. But I know he wants to finish some unfinished business with my cousin Irish.” 

“I’ve never seen him till now.”

“He’s been around... came to my gig in Bisbee looking for Irish. I wouldn’t tell him where he is but I also wouldn’t tell him I was related to Irish.” I checked to make sure the windows were sealed shut and said, “I haven’t seen... Irish in a few days. I just hope…” 

“I need to take a plate of food up to Joe’s shack....why don’t you come with me? The walk might calm your nerves a bit.” 

I looked at her, considering it, and said, “I... I don’t want to seem like I’m running. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from working on my memoirs it’s that I can’t show fear. And I just failed at that.” 

“You’re not....you’re just walking with me up the mountain,” Bianca said. 

“Yeah I guess we could.”

“Besides you have a gun and I don’t.” 

“I sure do…” I stood and said, “Let’s go, hon.” 

Ghenna. 

We walked towards Ghenna and when I realized where we were going, I hesitated. “Is something wrong Trin?” 

“You so sure Ghenna is safer than stayin’ here?” 

“Joe’s shack is up the hill. Kind of hard to get to.” 

“I don’t want to stay in Ghenna long. But I’ll see you there safely.” 

“We won’t. I just need to drop off the food and leave.” 

I nodded and we climbed the hill to Joe’s house. I looked around suspiciously and then back at Bianca. “So tell me… Somethin’ goin’ on between you and Joe?” 

“I like him a lot and if he would give me half the chance I would love him. But the man is stubborn as a mule.” 

“Well as someone who’s been there and tried... if it’s what you really want, he is sweet. Just... give him time to get used to the idea.” 

“Oh I know.” 

“I’ve known Joe for a while now. He was the last man I dated before I met Thomas. If you can call what we did dating,” I chuckled. “Anyway… Do you have a key?” 

“I do.....I’ve stayed up here a few times with him,” she said and dug the key out of her pocket. She put the plate of food on the table along with a note. I sighed and took a deep breath, not feeling comfortable going inside. “I love the man to death and I will wait for as long as it takes.” 

“Sorry Bianca, let’s head back?” I swallowed hard. 

“That’s fine.” 

“Thanks for distracting me from Bear. Keep an eye out if you see him do something suspicious please? I’m worried about my cousin.” 

“No problem. I will. But like I said before this is the first time I’ve seen him before.” 

“I know but from now on. I’m going to check the office in Diamond and see if there’s anything in the mail there. Have a good night, Bianca.” 

“Be safe Trin.” 

“You too.” 

Bisbee. 

I walked down the street through Bisbee and saw Bear sitting on his front porch. I told myself to face my fears and not show him that I was nervous. “Nice night for sitting out on the balcony, eh?” I asked him casually. 

“I suppose…” he grinned. “I didn’t mean to upset your night..ma’am.” 

“Sure you didn’t.” 

“Did I do something to get on your wrong side?” he looked up at me. 

“Not yet… Was just passin’ through to check my mail.” 

“I didn’t know you lived in this town..” 

“I don’t. I’ve got offices all over.” 

“Ah of course.. you would.. Can you tell if there is a vet around here close?” 

“A vet?” I asked. “There might be one around. You got an injured animal?” 

“Yes my horse is lame.. think he has a stone bruise.” 

“Ah well that’s a shame. I could find out if there’s someone over in Black Diamond.” 

“Thanks I hate having him hurting if I can get him help.” 

“Sure, I’ll see who I can find,” I turned and headed for Diamond. 

Black Diamond. 

I exhaled when I saw Cole and Bree and greeted them. “You look all aflustered,” Cole observed. 

“There’s a.... man back in Bisbee… Needs help with a horse. Thing is…” I said between breaths, “I know he’s lookin’ for Irish. He’s got some unfinished business with him. But he hasn’t attempted to do anything with him yet so there’s nothing I can do but feel all awkward and nervous around him.” 

“What has that kid gotten himself into now?” Cole asked. 

“Is the man nice or mean?” Bree frowned. 

“Be careful around him,” I looked at her. 

“Irish is so kind,” Bree shook his head. 

“Cole it’s.. someone Irish stole from as a child. Horses. Pretty sure he’s come back for revenge. And as my cousin I have a vested interest in keeping Irish safe.” 

“Well he is grown man now,” Bree said. 

“That is… God… Twelve years ago,” Cole observed. 

“Cole… The man’s over in Bisbee. He already told me to stay out of it if I knew what was good for me.” 

“I treasure Irish as friend also,” Bree said. 

“I don’t take kindly to gettin’ threatened,” I stated. 

“I know you don’t… and I will speak to Irish about watching his back..” Cole promised. 

“If you need me just holler please. I be at cantina,” Bree said and walked down the street. 

“Sure Bree. Thank you.” Turning back to Cole I asked, “What do we do about Bear Makaid? That’s the guy who’s after him.” 

“Wish I knew what is wrong with this silly horse,” Cole shook his head. 

“Cole, what do I do about Bear?” I asked, wanting him to stay on topic. 

“Just keep an eye on him if it is who I am thinking of it won’t be long before he trips up and get on the wrong side of the law.” 

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I nodded. “Now that my man is law... this all just got personal. And Irish being my cousin… I don’t want Bear to know that we’re related.” 

“That wouldn’t be wise,” Cole nodded. 

Cole talked about putting down the horse and then we walked back to Bisbee together to meet with Bear. 

Bisbee. 

Bear and Cole talked about Bear’s injured horse and I greeted Crazy as he walked past. Cole and I eventually said goodnight to Bear and went our separate ways back home.