January 17, 1901

Tombstone. 

This morning I walked over to the sheriff’s office and greeted Angel. “Was wondering if we could chat for a bit inside…” 

“Sure,” she said and followed me into the office. 

“I’ve got something serious to get your advice on and I don’t want the entire town to hear it,” I said as I sat down at her desk. “I’ve got a case I’m trying to figure out and I need your help.” 

“Vat can I help you vith Trin?” 

“You heard my office was set on fire…” I looked at her and she nodded. “Alright so… I only have one witness. But it’s a pretty good one, except for his age.” 

“Zer young?” 

“Millard saw the whole thing... wrote down a statement for me… Saw Downy and Lot doing it. Said Sam and Christopher were around but getting Christopher is difficult these days. Thing is… While he was writing his statement, Downy was threatening him. Got all mad that he’d snitched on her to me. He even added that in the statement. But I can’t use it in court cause he’s a kid, can I?” 

“Good. You can.” 

“I can?” 

“He’z of an adultish age. Hez able to vright and decide for himself. Iz not like hez three.” 

“But is one statement enough to close this?” I nodded. 

“Yes.” 

I handed her the incident report and said, “It includes everything including the breakin at our house in Bisbee which I can’t prove. But it all ties together, I believe.” 

“Any statement that names suspects and iz done by somevone of sound mind is good enough.” 

“The charges are written down there... not sure I can prove it but I think there’s conclusive circumstantial evidence that can. I’m gonna call that case finally closed. Only took me a month to solve it.” I rolled my eyes and Angel chuckled and nodded. “Got one other case going. The note posted in front of your office talking about lawdogs. Noticed it yesterday.” 

“Ah vell am not vorried on zat. Ansar took it down. More vorried on the vone vho’s really vandalizing the sherrif’s. Gli keeps claiming tis Rikki but han’t looked likerikkis vrighting. Also had a Ghennah marshals flag put up we had to take down.” 

“Right… So you don’t need me to look into that sign that was posted by the kid?” 

“Naw if it vas a kid am not vorried more vorried on the signs the Ghennah marshals keep posting iz odd how this all starts happening az Gli comes to town. Iz not like Rikki to put her flag on mine office since she’s mine sister. But I can’t prove iz Gli.” 

“Yeah I agree... Rikki would have done this long ago. I didn’t even know that Ghenna had marshals.” 

“Exactly. Vell iz Rikki’s gang.” 

“I can look into the marshal poster. That’ll be my new focus.” 

“But to many in her gangiI know zat.” 

“I’m taking the kids with me to Canada next week for two weeks... Need to get them out of town while you track down Lot and Downy over this case. It’s not safe for them to be here. Wonder where to start with this Ghenna poster stuff... Could lift for prints and see if there’s any I recognize.” 

“Ve alvredy too kit down along vith me scrubbing the paint off that named Rikki and Gli as sheriffs. But is odd cause before Gli got here Rikki vould do that but vith a nail and baord she painted on and never mentioned Gli.” 

“Very odd.” I nodded. “So I can’t lift it for prints then.” 

“Yha Ansar kinda ripped the flag down in pieces by accident. Told him the bench vas vwobbily but noooo.” 

I shook my head and said, “Hard to do my work and help you guys if you won’t ask sooner.” 

“You vernt about and I couldn’t leave it up.” 

“Can always send me a telegram anytime. Office in Diamond still receives em.” 

“I’ll try but can be hetick haz been the past few nights.” 

“I know. Just saying, you know I’m around plenty even if I’m not in town. Am easy to be reached if you need me. Except for when we’ll be away for two weeks but... that’s for the kids’ safety. Thomas will still be here.” 

“Vell I’ll be getting to making the varrants miz Trin don’t you fret.” 

“Fantastic. If I didn’t find you I was going to give it to Thomas before we left and say, ‘Here honey.’” I chuckled. “Takes the honey-do list to a whole new level, eh?” 

“That it doze.” She chuckled. 

“So…” I looked over at Angel’s left hand. “I see congratulations are in order!” 

“Hmm? Oh vell not yet… but soon.” 

“I figured it had to be.” I grinned. “I’m looking forward to heading home... Will be good to see my mother and Josh and Leslie.” 

“Alvright Miz Trin, iz alvays good talking to you.” 

“Yup I should get back to the salt mines, as they say. Thanks for helping me solve this one, Ang.” 

“Make sure to not lick the valls! Anytime, miz Trin.” 

“Is a load off my shoulders for sure.” I waved and headed down the street. 

I saw Joe sitting in front of the undertaker’s office. “Joe, glad I caught you.” 

“I ain’t done anything,” Joe slurred as he wrinkled his nose and lowered his flask. 

“Not yet but ya will.” I chuckled. “I’ve got a pile of lumber over in Black Diamond ready to be taken to the office when you’re ready.” 

“I am all ready. Been making place safe.” Joe nodded and mumbled.

“Fantastic, I appreciate it.” 

“Well need the work so not much choice.” 

“And I need the office repaired for when I get back.” 

“And that will be when?” 

“We’ll be back beginning of February.” 

“It will be done after all not much doctoring to do.” Joe chuckled. 

“ I need to head to Diamond and sort some paperwork now that that case is done.

 Thank you for your help, Joe. I appreciate it a lot.” 

“Work is work.” He shrugged and I nodded, giving him a gentle hug before heading to Diamond.