February 17, 1901

Tombstone. 

I walked towards Kate’s this afternoon and smiled seeing Chris sitting in front of the saloon. “Hey there,” I said as I waved to him. 

“Hey Detective.” 

“How are you doing today, Chris?” 

“I’m okay…” He said and then dozed off, more than likely feeling somewhat hungover from the night before. 

Tiffany walked over then and greeted us and I asked how she was doing and she said she was doing well.

“Question for you... have you seen any strange behavior around the Russ Hotel since Valentine’s day?” I asked her. 

“Russ Hotel?” She looked around, unsure. 

“The hotel just down the street here.” I nodded and pointed to the left. 

“No. Why, may I ask?” Tiffany asked with worry. 

“Just looking into a case... wondering if you’d seen any outlaws around there. Or anyone a little too curious about a woman’s wherabouts.” 

Tiffany shook her head and Chris woke up from his dazed state and greeted her. “I try to stay to myself,” Tiffany said. 

I nodded to her and looked at Chris. “"Was wondering if we could talk about Lauren Lyric.” 

“Sure.” Chris shrugged and Tiffany went on with her walk. 

“So... I understand you helped Lauren with her bags, Chris?” I asked him when we were alone. 

“Well, to the door of her room. I told her about the Russ.” 

“So did she tell you anything about where she came from... why she was in town... any of that?” 

“Not a lot. Just she was thinking about settling here.” 

“Any occupation in mind?” I asked. 

He thought about it but then Lauren herself came over, looking disturbed about something. “Miss Paige I’m so glad to see you. I think someone way trying to get into my room this morning.” 

“Oh really?” 

“I was scared to death.” 

“What happened, hun?” I asked her and got out another witness statement and wrote while she talked. 

“I was about to get out of bed when I heard the door nob wiggle. I called out asking who was there but all I heard was heavy breathing.” 

“Go on..” I nodded, writing. 

“I was to scared to open the door so I just waited till they left.” 

“They leave anything behind? Anyone else around in the hotel?” 

“Not this time.” 

“Interesting…” 

“I think they were to shocked that I was still in my room. I did sleep in a little later than normal today.” 

“That’s strange that they didn’t leave anything. Clearly the motive is to scare you.. not to hurt you... yet.” 

Tiffany came back and stood nearby while we talked as Lauren said, “I crept out of my room to look around but I didn’t see anyone.” 

“I can’t recall anything like this around here for as long as I’ve been here,” Chris said. 

“So you think the rose is still some kind of calling card Miss Trin?” 

Well... in my professional opinion… I think that someone is trying to get your attention. Who it is or why is the mystery. But by sneaking around your room, or leaving something without a message… Leaves me to believe they’re trying to scare you.” 

Lauren put her hands on her hips and said, “If they want my attention then they need to stop hiding in the shadows and say something to me in person.” 

“Yes, that would be easier.” I nodded. “But that’s why I think they’re trying to scare you.” 

“Hell it’s not like I’m going to bite,” she muttered, making Chris chuckle. 

I looked over at him and asked, “Something you’d like to share with the group?” 

“Well, that was funny! The way she said that... Little lady acting all tough,” he said with a grin. 

“Don’t underestimate the ability of a lady, Chris.” 

“I mean if they get in my way when I’m cookin or sewing I might hit them with a rolling bin or poke them with a needle,” Lauren said. 

I nodded and held out my hand as if that proved my point and looked at Chris. “See?” 

“Oh, I know. I’ve been shot about six times since I’ve lived here... all women,” he said with a cough. I smirked, since I knew most of those stories. “Buncha devil spawns in powder and paint…” He mumbled and I chuckled. 

Jade and Lizzy walked over then and I asked them if they’d been around the hotel down the street lately, but neither of them had. 

“Well I don’t know how to handle a weapon Mr Chris so you don’t have worry about me shooting you,” Lauren told Chris and he just grinned. 

I updated my statement that I had written and handed it to Lauren. “Make sure that’s right and we won’t have to resign and all that.” 

Dave Norwood walked over then and I looked at him, asking if he’d been to the Russ lately. He hadn’t though, and seemed rather interested in Lauren. When he heard the last name, Dave asked if she was Chris’ sister. I told them I would appreciate any information as Dave kissed Lauren’s hand. Chris asked how Dave’s wife was and he said that Meg was doing well. Bree came over and greeted us then and we in turn greeted her.

“Seems our children have taken a liking to one another.” I looked at Dave with a smile. 

“Yeah well I know Natalie has for Buster, but Buster is well he kinda not there yet Trin,” Dave told me. 

“Well he’s only a child. She’s becoming a woman so she’s trying to figure out those feelings, I guess.” 

“He turned ten actually the other day.” 

“S’pose I’ll have to have that talk with her soon.” I sighed.

“How old is Nat now, Trin?” Bree asked. 

“She’s twelve,” I told her. 

“Twelve? Already?” Chris blinked. “She’ll be marrying off soon.” 

“Oh yep, t’is that time,” Bree said. “Darn I hate they grow so fast. Nat is so smart already.” 

“Not excited about that talk. Maybe I should make Thomas give it,” I said and winked at Bree.

“Well Buster can barely manage his chores, so I don’t need the little runt getting all goo goo for a girl,” Dave said. 

Dave continued to talk to Lauren about how beautiful she was and I asked Bree if she’d seen anything weird around the Russ lately, but she hadn’t. Dave continued to use the line that he’d seen Lauren before somewhere and I gave him a look that said ‘be careful’. 

Thomas walked over then and I jumped up to greet him, kissing him deeply in front of everyone. He held me close and greeted me and I asked him, “How are you doing, sweetheart?” 

Dave kept saying he thought he knew Lauren from a saloon in Kansas and Lauren insisted she’d never worked in a saloon. 

“Guess I shouldn’t tell them about my saloon days, hmm?” I whispered to Thomas with a chuckle. 

“Maybe you’re right dear.” He laughed and said, “I’m doing great my love. I was just looking after Jimmy. He’s feeling poor again today.” 

“Is okay to be a saloon girl till decide which road to take,” Bree said as she smiled at me. 

“Wow, Guess I didn’t say that quiet as I thought.” I chuckled. 

Bree headed home and I told them that I wasn’t ashamed of my past because it made me who I was. Jade headed off and then I looked over to Thomas. “What are you up to today, dear?” 

“Hey Trin…” Chris started. 

“Hey Chris…?” 

“Any ideas on her case?” 

“Other than what I suggested earlier?” 

“Well... yeah.” 

“All I can do is ask around about witnesses... There’s no evidence. Nothing she’s given me from her past that will help me figure out who could be after her… The fact that she received the rose on Valentine’s Day suggests a secret lover. Or a man who’s using the day to make her curious about his presence while she’s not in the room… I ain’t seen anyone with the description of the one man that she mentioned to me that it could be…  And I haven’t seen Pet to talk about the keys with her.” 

“What dear? Someone break into a ladies room here in town?” Thomas asked. 

“Yes, but used a key. And left a single rose.” I nodded to him. “This morning she heard someone outside her door.” 

“Oh really?” 

“My hands are tied until I talk to Pet or some of the other residents at the hotel. I’m sure I can find a list of the residents at the main desk, of who’s in what room, so I know who to talk to.” 

“Sounds like a good idea dear. If there isn’t one, surely Miss Pet will have one. Have you seen her around town lately?” Thomas asked. 

“We’ll figure it out… Don’t worry, Miss Lauren,” Chris said. 

“And that’s the thing. I have not.” I nodded. 

“Then just forget it then Miss Trin. I guess there is no reason to be worried over a silly rose” 

“No, Lauren. I won’t forget it.” I shook my head. “Someone went into your room without permission. And did so, or tried to do so, again this morning.” 

“Neither have I...Miss Lauren, my name is Thomas Wallace by the way… I’m the local deputy here in town,” Thomas introduced himself. 

“What about what you said about this morning? Someone trying to get in while you were in there?” Chris asked. 

“Oh right sorry... Lauren, this is my uh... This is my man Thomas.” I stammered. 

“If you have any more issues, please let me know. If need be, I will see about posting a deputy or someone outside your door a night or two to see what is going on,” Thomas said. 

“Thank you hon. That’s a good idea too.” I nodded to him. 

“Maybe someone could be posted portraying a guest there…” Chris nodded. 

“Thank you both so much,” Lauren said. 

“That is a possibility Chris. I will check with Miss Angel and see what we can do,” Thomas said. 

“Yes, could go under cover. I’d also like to talk to the others who are staying in the hotel and see if they’ve seen or heard anything.” 

“Maybe I’ll send a telegragh to my parents asking about that old friend I told you about,” Lauren said. 

“That’s another good idea. We can’t rule that out as a possibility.” 

“Seeing if maybe she has seen him around back home.” 

“Mmhmm. Better ask about that. He’s our only suspect right now.” 

“I’ll get on that right away.” 

“Alright, that’s a good idea. Chris…” I looked at him. “When you helped Lauren with her bags to the hotel.. Did anything seem unusual at that point?” 

“Not really... Just thought it odd about her last name.” He chuckled and patted his guns. “If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.” 

“Thank you, Chris. Paramount is keeping Lauren safe,” I said. “I wonder if she stayed with you at your house instead of the hotel... she would be left alone. But I don’t want to put you out that way.” 

“So Miss Lauren, what are you going to do now?” Chris asked and Lauren stumbled back a bit in shock. 

“I was just thinking... if you relocate... the person might not know where to find you. You could even stay in the Bisbee hotel instead if that suits better.” 

“You know something Chris, we could plant a decoy in Miss Lauren’s room and see what happens,” Thomas suggested. 

“But… but… with the Pastor?” Lauren stammered and turned beat red. 

“Um… Um….” Chris blushed and Thomas tried to hide his laughter. 

“No, the Bisbee hotel sounds like a better option.” I chuckled ands hook my head. “Do you know where Bisbee is, Lauren?” 

“I think so,” she said. 

“I could show her,” Chris said. “I mean... Umm... if she needs me to.” 

“Would you be willing to make that change? To a different hotel? Just to see if it throws the person off track?” I asked. 

“I’d be willing to give it a try,” Lauren said. 

“I think that’s a wise decision. It’s two times now this person has broken into your room, or tried,” I said. 

“I’ll move to the other hotel. See what happens.” 

“Alright. Keep me posted if this keeps happening there. Then we know he is watching you closely.” 

“I think thats a good idea Miss Lauren. I suggest you keep signed in at the Russ...so whoever it is will think you are still in that room,” Thomas said. 

“That’s a good point, dear.” I nodded. “And I’ll keep asking people around the Russ.” 

“I’ll head over to the other hotel as soon as I gather my things,” Lauren said. 

“Thomas and I live in Bisbee. If you have any issues you can call on us to help,” I told her. 

“I’m sorry to bother you but do you think you could maybe help me?” Lauren turned to Chris. 

“And I’m usually around somewhere,” Chris said. 

“Yes… we are only an arms throw away from the Bisbee Hotel,” Thomas said. 

Chris took Lauren to the hotel to help her and then Thomas and I headed to the office as Lauren said she would pay us back for all of our help.