Tombstone.
I walked down Allen Street this morning and found Jan standing near the Crystal Palace. I asked her if she knew anything about anything strange around the blacksmith office but she said she hadn’t heard about the stolen horses there.
“Did the blacksmith’s get burned?” She asked.
“No... a couple of his horses were stolen. Serious crime.”
“Just wondered because I heard the train station was burned.”
“Oh was it? When?”
“So I heard, yesterday.”
“Really... Any suspects on it?”
“My first thought was it couldn’t be Rikki. That’s the one place she wouldn’t light up. I’m not sure…”
“You’re right about that. Looks like I have another case to investigate.”
“I think I remember someone saying they saw some Indians.. but I couldn’t tell you who now.”
“Ah, so you can’t remember how you found out ’bout it?”
“Just hearing talk yesterday evening, just don’t recall who said it.”
“Alright. Guess I’ve got two cases to look into now. Thanks for letting me know, Jan.”
“Sure, if I remember who said it I’ll let ya know.”
“Thanks, I’d appreciate that. It was the station here in Tombstone, yeah?”
“Yes.”
“I need to head to my office and get some paperwork done on this. Thanks again, Jan.”
“No problem,” she said and I headed to my office.
***
This afternoon I walked by the orphanage and saw Abi with some kids and asked if they’d seen anything about the train station fire. Aspen said that she knew it was on fire but she didn’t know who it was. They said the general store was set on fire after the train station one happened ad Aspen heard someone say that it was the Indians.
I looked over then as Doll and Ivy came over. “Doll, Ivy, I’m looking into the train station fire and the general store fire... if ya’ll know anything?”
“Was there for the dance on Tuesday but left early,” Abi said.
“So you didn’t see anything strange around the blacksmith office, Abi?” I asked.
“The only strange thing I saw was when Lot rode his horse into the middle of the dance.”
“What would it be worth to you if I did have knowledge Miss Trin?” Ivy looked at me.
I looked at her, knowing her testimony wouldn’t help much since she was an outlaw but said, “Well Ivy... I’m just askin’ around right now.”
“What happened at the blacksmith?” Abi asked.
“Some horses were stolen.”
“You can ask all you want, but if you want any answers from me we will have to negotiate a price,” Ivy said then.
“Doll, you know about anything?” I asked her and nodded to Ivy in understanding.
“I know lots of things bout lots of things, but no idea what are you asking about? What are you trying to find out?” Doll asked.
“Well Trin you could always arrest her for withholding evidence,” Abi suggested.
“Not exactly, Abi. It isn’t on the charges list. Her testimony wouldn’t help the prosecution anyway,” I stated.
“Probably not,” Abi agreed.
“Doll, some horses were stolen in Black Diamond and two fires were set in Tombstone,” I told her.
“Oh dear!” she exclaimed.
“You might know bout some of that too. Yeah, you can say I have suddenly gotten busy.”
“No, I am afraid this is first I have been to town in a bit. Been having problems with my horse so not been in town much,” Doll admitted.
“Fair enough.” I nodded.
Paisley walked over then and I asked her if she’d heard about the fires around town. Ivy grinned over at me and said, “So... if Doll was having troubles with her horses, and then she comes to town around the same time horses are stolen…?? Do you see what you might be missing?”
“Ivy that is ridiculous,” Abi said and shook her head.
“I have a feeling Doll used her own horses.” I stated.
“Yes I have a stable full of them. All paid for,” Doll said and shook her head at Ivy. “I have the receipts.”
“And I know this for a fact,” I said.
“I saw the one station was burned, but other than that no…” Paisley said.
“Did you see anyone around the station, Pais?” I asked her.
“It’s the ones you least expect, that you should expect it from,” Ivy commented.
“Not before the fire. Amara showed me the rubble,” Paisley told me.
“Seems I need to ride out to the fort then,” I realized. “Think I’m going to ride out to the fort and find Amara. See you guys!” I waved as I got up on my horse and headed out to the fort.
I knocked on the big door of the cavalry fort and Suzy came out to greet me. I asked if Amara was around but she said she was out in Black Diamond a bit ago so I thanked her and headed that way.
Black Diamond.
I went over to the ranger station in Black Diamond and knocked on the door. Amara invited me in and I walked inside, looking around. “Don’t believe I’ve ever been in here, but Jimmy and Natalie have told me all about it.”
“Oh it has a nice upstairs with bunk beds. Have a seat.”
I sat down at the desk and said, “I’m working on a few cases, was hoping you could help me out.”
“Of course what do you have?”
“Well... I’m looking into the fire at the train station firstly... Paisley informed me that you’d showed her the rubble afterwards. I was hoping maybe you’d been around when it happened to see something.”
“Unfortunately I was not. Miss Rikki left me word.”
“She told you the place was on fire?”
“No she said it got burned and miss Abi saw who did it. She said it was Mahko.”
“Abi didn’t say anything about who did it, and I asked her if she knew anything.”
“It was a mess.”
“Aspen and Paisley talked to me about it right in front of Abi. It was Mahko ?”
“She said she was going to go and get trees from the reservation to build a new station.”
I smirked at that irony and said, “I s’pose I need to press Abi harder for information when she’s not swarmed by children.”
“And also his lady Apache friend Miss Wild Fox attacked me on the train the other day. She said the chief wants to get rid of the ‘iron horse’. So it could have been her as well.”
“Wait, wait… I told Abi that I was looking into the train station fire right? She clarified that we were talking about the station and said that Rikki put out most of the fire and that Aspen told her it was on fire, and then she said that she hadn’t seen any Indians near.”
“Or both of them.”
“Abi is lying to someone.”
“Oh?” Amara looked up.
“Well… She’d told me she didn’t see any Indians around.”
“Oh?”
“She said, and I quote, ’the only person I saw was Aspen and thats because she yelled at me that it was on fire. Rikki showed up and put most of it out.’ I clarified with her she was talking about the train station… She said, ‘yes the station. and no I did not see any Indians anywhere near.’”
“Well… my opinion, they did it. They have been threatening to stop the train.”
“They were huh?”
“Yes, miss Suzy was there and so was Strider when she did that.”
“I’ll talk to them both then.”
“I would look there first. Well I think it’s cruel.”
“That’s a good start. I’m still curious why Abi told Rikki that it was Mahko. And yet didn’t tell me that same thing.”
“Yeah, maybe she is afraid Trin.”
“She may, yes. If she saw Mahko do it, she’s our prime witness. Or didn’t want to say it in front of the children.”
“You know she has to protect all the children. That would be my thought.”
“It makes a lot of sense. Thank you Amara, that gives me more people to talk to.”
“Anytime Trin. I do appreciate everything you can do to help us on this case.”
“Something else… I’m looking into the horse theft at the blacksmith office in Black Diamond here.”
“Oh?”
I nodded and said, “Pookes and his friend Haver had found that the two horses were missing Sunday morning.”
“Well I don’t know about that. Hmm… That’s a hanging.”
“The horses are two black mares. The boys searched everywhere except for Ghenna and the native village. I found some deer skin at the scene… Commonly used in making native clothing.. Or other scouting clothing. But that’s not enough to tie it to anyone.”
“Well here is something. Mahko told me he and Sonsee were married. And I said ‘Well you never invited me to the wedding’. He said, ‘No it was a traditional wedding.’ Some kind of ceremony where you place seven horses outside of her hut. Where did he get them?”
“And when was this wedding?”
“It was private he says. You might ask him about the ceremony with the seven horses.”
“That is indeed curious. You don’t know when the wedding was?”
“I thought so. I found out when we were at Kate’s dance.”
“Ah so the conversation was Monday night.”
“But he says they will have another for everyone to attend later.”
“Perhaps we’ll see the horses there if we don’t find them sooner. Well that’s awfully curious. One final case to run by you, if I could?” I looked at her.
“Okay.”
“Michael and Aspen told me that yesterday, the general store had been set on fire. Aspen had said she’d heard someone say it was the Indians again. Now, I know children’s testimonies don’t hold true in court but… It was the first I’d heard about that fire and it’s something I want to look into.”
“All I know is Cas put an out of business sign on it.”
“So I should talk to Cas then.”
“Well I think is is just plain sick of it. I think he wants out. I would not even bother him with it right now.”
“Well I’ll just ask around then and hopefully someone else saw it.”
“We are all trying to help Jenna in any way we can.”
“Jenna?”
“She is the new mayor of Benson.”
“Wow. I had no idea.”
“Yeah,” Amaraa said with a smile. “She has big plans. We are all very excited.”
“Alright well... if there’s nothing else you need me for?”
“I think that’s it.”
“Well I hope to bring some life back to our law as well. Hope to close some cases. Things have been stagnant for too long.”
“I will let you know if I hear anything more. And thanks a bunch.”
“Thank you, Amara. I really appreciate that. You know my office is in Diamond as well. If you need anything, please do leave me a note there in my mailbox?”
“I sure will,” she said as she lead me to the door.
“There’s a mailbox at the office in Tombstone as well. Thanks so much, Amara. Have a great night!”
I waved to he rand hopped on my horse, riding towards Jackson’s office. I knocked on the door and saw him working hard so I went inside to talk with him. “Evening, Jackson. How are things?”
“Well, no problems around here since I instituted some new security,” Jackson said with a wry grin.
“Good to hear that. Sorry we couldn’t solve that one. Just wasn’t enough evidence or witnesses.”
“Oh, I’m gonna solve it alright. I knows damned well who done it.”
“Not much we can do to get a warrant if we have no statements, witnesses or evidence, Jackson. You never even gave me a statement.”
“Oh, but of course… but of course… I s’pose it’s out of the hands of law now…”
“Unless a witness comes forward, yes.” I shrugged. “I have some new cases though... Wondering if you might know some things about them. If I can run them by you?”
“Sure thing, what kind of cases?”
“Alright well we’ll start local... I’m looking into the fact that the blacksmith office horses were stolen Sunday morning… Know anything about that?”
“They were more like mules really.”
“Well sure. Black mares, apparently.”
“But no, I ain’t seen em I guess in some time,” he said with a chuckle.
“Alright. How about the general store fire over in Tombstone?”
“Stealin’ on Sunday mornin’…” He shook his head. “They sell matches?”
“I was told it was arson,” I said and looked at him. “You don’t know anything about that I guess?”
“You under some impressions I had somethin to do with these crimes?”
“No sir. Just figure you might have seen somethin’. Or heard somethin’. That might point me in the right direction. I’m askin’ everyone.”
“No, though I’d say there’s some chance its connected to the arson of my office.”
“What about the arson at the train station in Tombstone?”
“Once a criminal finds a means they like for havok… You sure thats arson? We get fires from the sparks of the track all the time with dry brush in the summer. Seems we got a rash of arson on our hands.”
“It would appear that way, wouldn’t it? Well I won’t take up too much more of your time, Jackson. Thank you for your input though.”
“You are quite the detective.” He smiled.
“I try,” I said with a wink to him.
“Well thank ya fer trying to figure this stuff out.”
“Someone has to, eh?”
“I’d bet they’s related. And I’d bet my mother’s cattle it’s that no good scoundrel Will O’Sullivan.”
“Well, I don’t like to jump to conclusions. But you have a good evening, Jackson. I should keep going on my hunt for truth.”
“Well walk, jump, run...as long as theres a conclusion.”
“Have a good evening, Jackson,” I said and rode off as I waved.
Tombstone.
I walked into the orphanage this afternoon and saw Abi sitting on the rug with Michael and Michelle. I asked Abi if we could talk in her office and she led me there, closing the door behind us.
“What’s going on?” She asked with concern.
“I’ve been talking with Amara about the train station fire and it seems I have conflicting information that I need you to clarify.”
“Me? What information?”
“Apparently Rikki informed Amara that you saw who set the fire at the train station. She said you told Rikki that it was Mahko.”
“No I did not. He was nowhere around.”
“Then Rikki is lying. Not that that’s surprising, but I wanted to make sure you weren’t just afraid because that would have made you the prime witness… And you are in charge of protecting the children, which I appreciate.”
“The only time I have seen Chief Mahko was in Black diamond at the dance.”
“I understand.”
“He and his sister were there visiting Pastor Chris.”
“You’ll understand my confusion.”
“I don’t think he did it at all.”
“Why do you think that, hon?”
“The only one I have seen that looked suspicious was Wild Fox.”
“Natalie has informed me of her... joking about eating children and whatnot. That’s just in general though, right? You didn’t see Wild Fox at the day of the fire?”
“She tries to intimidate women into giving her their clothes. Yes… on Allen Street on a horse.”
“At the time of the fire?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Which is strange. I’ve never seen her on a horse.”
“Very odd then. Thank you, Abi. This has been helpful. I’ll let you get back to the children. I’m sorry if it appeared like I doubted you, I just wanted to make sure I had all the facts straight.”
“Well if he did I did not see Mahko anywhere around. Thanks Trin.”
“Thank you hon. I appreciate it,” I said and walked out of the orphanage, waving to the kids who were starting to gather on the rug out in the main room.
I headed over to the bank and saw Bree sitting near the front door. I greeted her and asked her if she could help me with some cases and she said that she would try. She didn’t see anything about the fires and said all she heard was horses in town. She said it was a Native person but she wasn’t sure who. She didn’t know anything about the general store fire either.
“When I arrived in town I heard people say fire at store and sure enough was burnin. The smell was horrid,” she told me.
“Did you see anyone suspicious or anything that might lead to who did it?”
“I can tell you something?” Bree whispered.
“Sure hon. I’m listening.”
“Well, the night I healed Chris from Tina shooting him. We were leaving the clinic and Mahko and Sonseeray walked in. I was surprised. I asked if I could help them. Sonsee said she needed bandages so I being me, got her some. But I was not sure why came in so quietly. But sure wasn’t gonna get upset.”
“What night did this happen, hon?”
“Then she gave Chris a healing tea and supplied me with some. So I thought most kind… I noticed them standing at the end of town near Annie’s a long time though… that was earlier. So maybe the are up to something ya think?”
“When was this, Bree?”
“I don’t need no trouble though. Same day Chris was shot. T’was Monday, Trin.”
“I understand. Okay…”
“I didn’t even see Tina shoot Chris. I had left and returned to find him in a pool of blood in the street. ‘fraid I not be much help.”
“Oh you are plenty help, Bree. About the general store fire though.. You didn’t see who might have set it?”
“Would be terrible if’n we get raided again like long ago. But now I think so many fires and sure never see Rikki around and she famous for matches.”
“Yes, we all know she likes them... But... that brings me to my last case. The train station fire. That train is her baby and I doubt she’d set it on fire.”
“So many kids running around I fear for them.. Oh for sure, she not hurt the train.”
“Right. Don’t s’pose you saw that one though.”
“Oh well now ya mention this, it be day I don’t remember which I know Mahko was angry about the train getting water or something. He was just all over the tracks looking. I don’t know what he was looking for.”
“Maybe train scares their horses? Or the tracks hard rid horse near.”
“Interesting indeed. Thank you Bree, you’ve been fantastically helpful.”
“Really? Goodness, I didn’t know I was.”
“You always are, my dear friend,” I said and she smiled wide at that. “I just wish more folks were around to be as helpful as you. I hope you have a great evening, Bree!”
I walked down the street and Ivy stopped me. “Did you find out anything, Miss Trin?”
“I’ve been learning lots of things.”
“Such as?”
“Now you know I can’t reveal anything during an open investigation.”
“What ever it is you’ve found out, I am sure I already know of it. So.. it wouldn’t really be revealing anything, would it?”
“Either way, I can’t share anything with you at this time. Have a good evening, Ivy.”
“Are you dismissing me?!” Her jaw dropped but I continued to head on, hopping on my horse and riding around.
Black Diamond.
I sent Angel a telegram about the two cases in Tombstone so she knew what was going on and then Jimmy walked in with a frown on his face. “Ma?” He asked, clearly preoccupied with something.
“What’s up buddy?”
“When can I has my bb gun back?”
I chuckled and walked over to ruffle his hair. “When your father says so, buddy.”
“But… he said to talk to you. Cuz I asked him.”
“Of course he did.” I rolled my eyes. “Why don’t we take a walk, kiddo? I’ll get you a rootbeer and we’ll talk about it, alright?”
“Alright,” jimmy said and followed me to a table in the saloon.
I made up two root beers and sat down across from him. “Now Jimmy... Why did your dad take the bb gun away from you? Do you remember?”
“Ummm cause I was carrying it around not watching where I had it.”
“And? What should you have been doing with it?”
“Well pa says when I around people, to either point it at the ground or sling it over my shoulder.”
“Do you know why that is, Jimmy?” I nodded.
“Ummmmm.....I dunno.....maybe cause it make people think I shoot at them?”
“There’s another reason too, kiddo. You wanna hear it?”
“Yes ma.”
“Well... You know how easy it is to shoot the trigger of the gun to make the bb’s go?”
“Uh huh.”
“That’s why. It would be real easy to do that by accident, wouldn’t it?”
“I guess...but what bout if I huntin bears or coons or wild injuns?”
“Jimmy... it’s not just about accidentally shooting someone else. You could accidentally shoot yourself too. In the foot or leg or somewhere. I know it’s just a bb gun.... but we’re trying to teach you the importance of always having a gun holstered. Unless you’re aiming at something. Does that make sense?”
“I guess… but ma I too young to carry a big gun like you or pa. I know bb guns can hurt, cause I killed a big ole rat with it. I wasn’t pointing it at no one though.”
“Jimmy... you’re not listening. You could hurt yourself.”
“Why would I shoot myself?” Jimmy looked at me.
“No one ever means to do it, Jimmy, but it happens. Listen... We have a rule in town... Every town here… It says that if someone has a weapon unholstered, and they’re not using it for defending themselves against an outlaw or an animal… They get arrested.”
“Kinda like when pa went to clean his pistol that time and it went off in the house and put a hole in the floor?”
“Yes, just like that. If they have that rule for adults... Don’t you think it should be for kids too?”
“Yeah I guess...so but how can I hunt varmints if I have to have it slung on my shoulder all the time? Or is it only when in town with people?”
“That’s just it. It’s in town where people are. I don’t want you to hurt anyone by accident. Yourself or anyone else, okay?”
“Okay ma. I promise to sling it before I go into town. Do I come tell you and pa if I see people around town with their guns out?”
“Jimmy if you see that, run the other way, alright?” He nodded and I said, “If there are guns out, I don’t want you anywhere near them, do you hear me?”
Jimmy nodded and then looked at the table, still seeming confused. “Yes ma’am. Ma…?” He pointed to the weapons on the table and asked, “Did you put those there? That’s a really big knife, ma!”
“No Jimmy, I don’t know who put those there.” I shook my head. “Do you understand better now why we don’t unsling our guns in town, Jimmy?”
“Yes ma. I just didn’t understand cause you see Mr. Lot and others walk around guns pointing everywhere and well pa sometimes doesn’t watch where he points his rifle either.”
“Well buddy... Mr. Lot isn’t a good example for anything. And I’ll talk to your father.” I winked at him.
“No, and he stinks bad too,” Jimmy agreed.
“Alright buddy, I think you’re ready for having that gun back. Let’s head home and talk to your pa, shall we?”
“Yay!”
I took our cups back to the sink and we headed home to talk to Tom and Natalie.
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