May 8, 1901

Tombstone. 

I walked into town tonight at the sound of a scream from the distance. I blinked and walked over to the crowd in front of the Oriental and Angel told me that an Apache woman was in the doctor’s office because she’d been hit by the train. I asked if they’d heard of a woman named Janna Lee Moonie but no one seemed to know who I was talking about. They kept talking about how Wild Fox was the one in the clinic and how the Natives don’t understand much about trains and tracks. 

“I do know a Jannali Moontites…” Lot said eventually. 

“Oh, her I know,” Angel said. 

“Yes... Jannali Moontites…” I nodded. “Hmm… When did ya see her last? I know her as well.” 

“I believer it is pronounced Moon LIGHTS,” Ivy explained. 

“About an hour ago. She was buying a brazier,” Lot said. “From the auction thingy.” 

“She’s apart of ya’ll, ain’t she?” I asked, looking at Lot. 

“Oh gosh been a vhile,” Angel said. “She use to hang vith Garth, Mac and Sniper in front of Kate’s.” 

“Hmm… That makes the most sense, Lot, thank you. That’s a big help actually. I was gonna go through my old files and see if anything popped up but I wanted to ask around first.” 

They continued to talk about how Millard’s leg had been cut off by a train and we got into a theological discussion about God allowing things to happen to certain people. Jackson came over and I wished him good luck on his campaign to be governor. We talked about the election and about services at the church in Benson. 

Wyette came over then and I asked her if we could go to talk somewhere alone. We walked to my office and she disappeared as she got distracted by something but eventually rejoined me in the office. 

“I might have some news already for you,” I told her. 

“Oh?” Wyette took a seat across from me and looked over curiously. 

“I was askin’ some people tonight if they knew of a woman by the name you gave me… They said they didn’t recognize that name but… Lot said he did know someone named Jannali Moontites. Seems kinda close, huh?” 

“Oh? Yeah that sounds familiar.” 

“Here’s the thing though… I know that woman…” 

“Do ya?” 

I dug out the file I had on Jan and put it on the desk. “Yes... I never met her myself but... in a conversation about gang members... her name came up.” 

“My pa said she ran with bad people,” she said with a nod. 

“Yeah... back then she was in the Wild Bunch Gang... a rough gang here in town led by none other than Mr. Lot.” 

“So she really is an outlaw?” 

“He said he saw Jan over by the auction board earlier tonight putting money on a brazier.” 

“So she’s around.” 

“Sure is. Now the next question is... Is it for sure your mother?” 

“Yeah… and if she is, I ain’t sure she’ll want to meet me.” 

“Well... Right now the question is.. Do you want to find out one way or another? Knowing all this? I mean, it might not even be here... but those names are awfully similar to be a coincidence. And I’m not much one to believe in coincidences.” 

“I knew before I came that my mother wasn’t what people consider a good person.. but I’d at least like to meet her if nothin else.” 

“I agree with you. I think you need to know for sure.” 

“Yes ma’am.” 

“We can talk to Mr. Lot... See how much we can learn about her.. Or rather to some lawmen... that’d be safer.” 

“Maybe so.” 

“Well let me keep poking around.. Maybe we can get more information from Angel... I might see if she knows her.. maybe she can draw a sketch. Or maybe someone else can.” 

“Okay.” 

“Then we can see if she has the same facial structure as you have.” 

“My pa said I look some like her but I also look like his ma.” 

“Then maybe we can get someone to draw this Jan person for us.” 

“Did either of them say what she looks like?” 

“No... and I’ve never met her myself. At least I don’t think... hold on…” I shuffled through my files then and said, “Hmm.... I have interacted with her a few times it seems.” 

“You have?” 

“Back a couple of years ago it looks like..” 

“I guess you talk to so many people it must be hard to remember all of them.” 

“It is... but I try to keep a pretty good record of when I talk to everyone... It’s why I write these journals,” I said and showed her the big pile of papers. 

“Wow, that’s a lot of writing.” 

“Sure is. She mostly hung around outlaws whenever I see her in the journals..” 

“I heard people sayin my pa had a sordid past too.. guess I just come from bad stock.” 

“Last I saw her was the end of last year. You know what... let me see what I can do here with a sketch.” 

I took out a piece of paper and a pencil, closing my eyes as my mind went back to all the interactions I’d had with Jan as I read the journals. I started to sketch the woman’s face, remembering details as I went. I completed the sketch and slid it over to Wyette, looking up at the girl and down at the sketch, comparing facial structure of the two. 

“Hmm… Looks pretty similar, don’t you think Wyette?” 

I watched Wyette closely as she studied the picture and she said, “he kinda does look a bit like me I think.. her hair’s dark.” 

I started to shade in the hair a bit darker and said, “Yeah… I think it’s worth tracking her down. Well I think we’ve made progress tonight, hon.” 

“I think so.. strange to think she was standin just outside earlier today.” 

“Indeed... but it gives us hope too.” 

“Yeah.” 

“Well I should get home and see what those two kids of mine have gotten themselves into tonight..” 

“Thanks Miss Trin.” 

“Anytime hon... I’ll try and find Jan and ask her if she remembers anything about you.” 

“Ok.. but you think she might pretend she don’t know?” 

“That’s possible… But it’s the only thing I can think of to do next.” 

“Yeah.” 

We headed out of the office and Wyette went back to the orphanage as I headed home.