Tombstone.
I walked into Tombstone this morning and waved to Joe who was in his usual spot. “Everyone at Annie’s again today?” I asked him.
“I guess so. Difficult to get business then.”
“No kidding. Guess I have to go where the people are though.”
“Aye, well not stepped a foot in there for maybe three years… So good luck with that.” Joe smirked.
“Thanks, Joe. I don’t like goin’ there either... but… I won’t even let my kid be taught by them. Just seems wrong.”
“The doves are teachers?” Joe snorted.
“Paisley was teachin’ on Saturday.”
“Well lucky somebody is teaching them.”
“I guess…”
“Well, some might say enterprising of them.”
“Don’t mean we gotta support it.” I shrugged.
“Each to their own, Trin. Ya should be relaxed like me.” Joe grinned. “I get relaxed everyday.”
“Relaxed... I just want work to do.” I sighed.
“Well we all want that… Just most folks seem to be a sleeping at moment.”
“Gonna ride around. I’ll see you later, Joe.”
“See ya Trin, and good luck with the work,” he said as I called for Phoenix and hopped on my horse, riding away.
***
Tonight I talked with a group of people by Kate’s and greeted Chris, Deborah, and Dennis. We had some whiskey and then I heard Lot coming up towards me. “Lot, good… I need to talk to you.”
“No ya don’t,” Lot shook his head.
“Yeah, I do. Are you missing a top hat?”
“Are you missing a brain?”
“Hi Mr Chris!” Nat came over and waved.
“This was left on my kitchen table. Is it yours?” I showed him a picture of the top hat.
Lot didn’t even look at the picture and said, “Get lost you two bit wanna be.”
“So you ain’t missing a hat then?”
“Again I ask, are you missing a brain?”
“This top hat was left on my kitchen table. WB was traced in blood under a death threat to me.” I looked at him. “Do you know anything about that?”
“And just what is WB?” Lot spit on the dirt at my feet and then looked at me.
“I don’t know exactly. I just want to know if you know anything about this.” I looked at him. “Lot, these people were in MY house. Where MY kids live. I take that very seriously.”
“Miss Trin, you would be lucky if i ever gave you the time of day, let alone anything else. so piss off.”
“Well alright then, I’m glad you weren’t involved,” I said and slowly turned, seeing my daughter. “Hey there kiddo.”
“Any luck, Trin?” Chris asked.
“He says he would barely give me the time of day. Pretty sure he doesn’t care enough about me to threaten me.”
“Good ol Lot. You count on not counting on him.” Chris chuckled.
“So polite.” Dennis chuckled. “So who’s next? Any clues?”
“Kiddo, what you been up to?” I asked, going quiet about the case in front of my daughter. When it looked like she was lost in thought, I went in for a drink. After a while I could hear them talking outside, but I was too frustrated and just stayed in the saloon.
After a while I walked back out and Nat said, “Hi ma! Get yer drink?”
“All them folks running back ’n forth...Busy day?” Dennis asked.
“Sure did. And yeah, Dennis you could say that.” I smiled and tipped my flask to my daughter.
“Excuse me Kris, I am wondering if I can shoot you,” Lot said loudly then.
I blinked at that and looked over at Dennis, then at Natalie. “Kiddo, maybe you should head inside..”
“But maaaa….” Natalie frowned and looked up at me.
“Lot’s busy again…” Dennis chuckled and pushed himself to his feet.
As Lot wandered off, muttering, I looked back over at Natalie and said, “Never mind.”
Dennis walked over to Kris then and yelled, “Bit rude not to speak you know.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at Dennis and looked back over at Natalie as she said, “Hey Ma did I tell you Mr Kris got me a doll for Christmas?”
“He did huh? What’s that, kiddo?”
“It’s a reindeer moosey thingy! Not sure what to name it.”
“Alright kiddo, I’m gonna keep looking around. See you at home, sweetie,” I said as I leaned down to hug her, and then went to do the rounds before bed.
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