Black Diamond.
I walked out of the apartment this morning feeling rested and happy for the first time in a long time. Kaden stood in front of the office and I greeted him, asking if there was anything new. He said he was checking mailboxes and I invited him to come with me for coffee with Alex and Aly but he went on with his work. I saw Ger in the street and invited him as well, but he refused too so I continued on towards the cafe.
I walked in and smiled at the two of them sitting at the table and Alex smiled at me. “Mornin’ Trin! Have a good time last night?”
I looked from him over to Aly and asked, “She told you already, didn’t she?”
“Well, no details, just said you seemed to have a good time,” he nodded.
“Well... I’ve known Ed for quite a while working with him in court. Was only natural we’d danced but I never thought he’d end up walking me home,” I smiled. “I wasn’t gonna walk from there to home all by myself.”
“Nope, always good to have company and not walk alone,” he grinned.
“Good morning,” Aly smiled and waved to me finally.
“Morning, you little secret revealer.”
“Hey now, he asked me how the dance was. I didn’t really give TOO much detail... leave that for you.”
“Well I can say I slept well for the first time in weeks.”
“That’s true, she only said you had a good time with someone,” Alex agreed.
“Did you end up dancing with anyone, Aly?” I asked.
“Nope, I was content last night to be by myself.”
“Maybe someday I’ll go to one of those,” Alex said.
“You know I would’ve danced with you if you were there, Alex,” I looked at him.
“Alex all three of them doves last night got butt-ass naked,” Aly grinned. “Think ya coulda handled that?”
“Maybe naked doves is just what I need,” Alex laughed.
“Maybe that’s what I need too,” I chuckled.
“Naked doves?” Alex looked at me.
“Hey we stayed covered last night. Give me some credit,” I winked at Alex.
“I didn’t say anything about you getting naked!” Alex replied.
We talked more about the dance and I smiled, looking around. “Can’t remember the last time the three of us were all in a good mood.”
We continued to talk and joke for a while and then talked about how there was a really strange man in Tombstone named Curly that gave Aly and Pet the creeps. He had said something about how every day brought new opportunities and she said he had a curly mustache. We talked about the incident at the saloon and how the man hadn’t returned since it happened. Aly said that she was going to give her application to Tye in person and I looked forward to working with her officially.
Walking over to the tree, we sat up on the branches and talked about the dance some more. Aly suddenly looked over at me and said, “Trin. There is something else that I need to tell you about the fire.”
“Oh?”
“I haven’t told anyone yet because I was asked not to... but you should know. and you have to PROMISE me not to tell anyone.”
“Aly... if it helps the investigation...” I looked down at her.
“It really doesn’t. Jewel came to me and handed me an armful of cash and told me to use it for the house repairs.”
“Really?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah. She told me not to tell anyone. So I haven’t...until now.”
“Why the heck would she do that if she was the one who set it and she turned herself in?”
“Guilt maybe.”
“Weird... Aly, you know I can tell Tye without mentioning your name, right?”
“Yeah but then he’s going to talk to Jewel.”
“Well... yeah but also because of her threats to Ger and Myst before the fire. It’s the natural conclusion, hon. You’ve got to tell Tye yourself maybe. You can’t hold those kind of secrets for outlaws like that. You keep doing that, and it’ll get you into trouble. Trust me.”
“I know, but I did promise her I wouldn’t tell anyone. Can’t we just.....ugh... Yeah you’re right I suppose.”
“She’ll keep asking you to keep more secrets and you never know it might turn into something that’s dangerous.”
“True. I just don’t like breaking a promise Trin. I figured it was just her pride.”
“I know you don’t, Aly. But from an outlaw like that? You’ve got to remember what side you’re on too.”
“Guess trying to see the good in the bad is a weakness of mine.”
“Especially if you want to be a deputy.”
“Oh I know what side I’m on, that’s not a question. I just want to see the good in people Trin.”
“You keep a secret like this from Tye... How do you think he’ll take it if he finds out you kept that from him?”
“Especially the bad ones. Ok well I’m telling you now because it seems the right thing to do.”
“I wish I could be more like that, Aly. I see the bad in people, even the good ones,” Alex put in then.
“You’re right, it is the right thing to do. And I’m proud you told me. Just don’t expect me to keep it from Tye. We’ve got to work together to put these people behind bars, even if there’s some good in them.”
“Let’s give each other some then and balance things. I’ll take your bad, you take my good, and we’ll both be set,” Aly smiled at him and looked at me. “Okay, that’s fine. Like you said... outlaw. So I shouldn’t care.”
“Deal!” Alex laughed.
“That works for me,” I smiled.
We continued to talk and then we joked around with trying to make Alex blushed. I changed into the dress that I’d worn to Annie’s the night before but nothing seemed to phase him so I went back and changed again. Katie walked over and chatted with us about how she worked at the saloon in Diamond as a dancer. Alex headed out to get some work done and I told Katie how I’d started out as a dancer. When Aly headed inside to take a rest, Katie climbed up on the tree branch beside me.
“This is the best place to relax when it’s quiet around here...” I smiled at her.
“Yes, I can see that. David doesn’t want me wearing my native dresses and looking like a savage,” she sighed.
“Oh yeah?”
“That was part of our fight yesterday.”
“I didn’t know you had a fight, I’m sorry... did you work it out?”
“Yes we did, I was not happy with the way he acts around the natives and that is what started it. I reminded him I am half native, I mean I am proud of that darn it.”
“You and me both... Four generations back but still.”
“It is something to be proud of.”
“I have a lot of Apache tendencies in me... like tracking and observing that they do...”
“My mother was Lakota. Half my clothes are native.”
“My father was Apache war chief in the civil war... they had an Apache division in the war.”
“Wow, I did not know that.”
“It almost got me killed actually. When my father died fifteen years ago, my brother came to me and gave me his war medal. The medal was worth a fortune though and one of his war mates came to find it and take it from me.”
“I understand what David went through recently but he needs to understand that was and isolated event and not all natives are like that and he was somewhere he did not belong to begin with...” she looked at me and said, “Oh wow, I am sure glad it did not get you killed, how scary.”
“In the end though he couldn’t kill me for the medal because he realized we were both Native and he couldn’t do it. But he was working with a gang from here and Harmini came after him for not taking care of me. She killed him right in front of me.”
“Oh my gosh...”
“He sacrificed his life for me so that I could still live,” I sighed at the memory.
“It sounds really scary, I would still have nightmares from that.”
“If I didn’t have Alex through all of that... I don’t know where I’d be now.”
“I understand, I don’t have any of my family left. My mom died giving birth to me and my dad and brothers died in the war... I found out later that I have a half sister that is older than me but I didn’t know that growing up. When my dad and brothers went off to the war I was very little and went to live with an older uncle up North. When I was old enough I moved to Colorado.”
“Alex and Aly are my family now... And Dave and Tye and Ger and you.”
She smiled and said, “And all of you are my family, since I left all my close friends behind in Colorado after my divorce. I just had to get away after that. But everything happens for a reason and I have never been happier than I am right now.”
“Me too... Last night at that dance with Ed... was the happiest I’ve felt in a long time. I finally received closure over the whole Dutch Solo thing when I went back to talk with him the other night. I feel like I can get back to my life and focus on solving cases and doing what I do best, you know? I can finally put the past behind me. I slept better last night than I have in weeks.”
“I do understand, it takes a long time to get over something like that. It took me a long time to be able to go back to Colorado but I can now and be ok and even be in the same room with Crows and have been able to for awhile now because I am so much happier now. I love David so much more than I ever loved Crows. I would not have thought that possible back then,” she laughed.
“I’ll never go back to Colorado. It’s in the past now. My life is here. I know that nothing changes with Dutch. If he wants me he knows where to find me now.”
We talked about people who were from there and Katie said that Logan was now with a man, which shocked me since how much he had flirted with me and other women back then.
I decided to head to the court room and see if they needed any help with trials coming up.
Tombstone.
I rode over to the courthouse and was asked to prosecute the case against Jack and Sommer for robbing the Calvary payroll. Outside the courtroom, I wished Ger good luck as he would be the defense lawyer. We walked into the courthouse and Jimmi greeted us as he came in and took the seat as judge. After waiting a few minutes, Jack and Sommer came in and sat beside me at the table while Ger stood beside them. Sommer almost looked disappointed to see me and I hoped that I could pull this off with only one witness statement to read.
Jimmi reached for the gavel and I looked at him, “Don’t scare me with that thing again, Sir. Makes me jump every time.”
It wasn’t long before court began and Jimmi gave me a sly grin as he rasped the gavel on the desk. “This court is now in session.”
“Every damn time,” I muttered, jumping at the sound of the gavel.
“Accused Jack and Sommer, you have been charged with the following offense, that of attempting to rob the cavalry payroll. Defense, how do the Prisoners plead? Guilty or not guilty?” Jimmi asked.
“Not Guilty your Honor.”
“Very well. We will now hear the opening statements. Prosecutor, you may approach the Jury.”
I stood and smoothed my dress, walking over to the jury. “Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, we are here today to charge Jack and Sommer of robbing the calvary payroll. This case is crystal clear as far as the prosecution is concerned. Several calvary members witnessed them demanding the payroll and they refused so a gunfight ensued. I ask that you find them guilty and maybe they will learn their lesson and refrain from stealing from the hard-working members of our calvary.” I smiled at them and turned to walk to my seat.
“The very idea!” Adrian murmured from his spot on the jury and I smiled at his reaction.
“Thank you Prosecution. Defense, we will hear your opening statement. Please approach the Jury,” Jimmi instructed and I watched, curious which approach Ger would take.
“Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury...this is a case of misunderstandings as will be seen through the evidence. At the end, you will have a clear view of what happened and find my clients Not Guilty...Thank you.”
I wondered what evidence but focused on my case, or lack thereof. Jimmi asked for my first witness and I stood, looking at him. “Your honor, unfortunately my witnesses could not be present as they are currently occupied keeping our town safe. I would like to read a statement from General Honi.”
“The Jury will not the following sworn written statement will be treated as if the author were here,” Jimmi instructed. “Proceed, Prosecution.”
I took out the statement and read, “‘Sommer and Jack approached the cavalry payroll run and demanded the surrender of the payroll box. When they were refused they started shooting the cavalry detachment of General Honi, Colonel Wedge and Capt Seth returned fire gunning both down. They were taken into custody and then treated by a doctor for their wounds. I was slightly wounded by Sommer. SIGNED: Ranger suzy Honi.’”
“Seth shot her!” Sommer gasped.
“Sommer... please...” Ger insisted.
“Do you have further witness or sworn statements Prosecution?” Jimmi asked.
I looked over at him and said, “No sir. Prosecution rests.”
“Thank you Prosecution. Defense, please call your first witness.”
“Thank you...Defense calls Jack to the stand,” Ger said and walked over with Jack to the witness stand where Jack was sworn in. When he was given permission to begin Ger said, “Jack, would you please tell the court what happened, in your own words please?”
“Well I live at the end of the street and that morning I was going to get some boots. The banker had a nice pair of boots and I meant to ummm... acquire them. Well the pay roll detail rolled up and they started being all demanding... touching their guns... well Sngeles came out of the bank and got oh her horse I said stop as there was a small kitten in her path. That blue coat Seth drew and shot at me so of course I drew and shot back. Next thing I know I was shot by all, and I don’t know what happened to the kitten. As I fell, they started shooting at my fiancee. and I blacked out.”
“You’re so full of sheep dip Jack!” Adrian blurted out and I chuckled at that.
“Do you remember who it was that shot at your Fiancee?” Ger asked.
“Woke up in the clinic cuffed was taken to the fort and jailed... all of them,” he answered and there was chatter amongst the jury and Jimmi instructed them to be quiet.
“Your honor...would you remind the jury to keep their personal opinions to themselves,” Ger requested.
“Thank you for reminding me Defense, I am on top of this, slowly,” Jimmi said. “Continue.”
“I have no further questions.”
“Thank you Defense, Prosecution you may question the witness.”
“Could he clarify who Snegles is?” I asked. “I mean I’m sure we have a good idea but just for the record.”
“Witness? Who was the rider on the horse?” Jimmi looked at Jack.
“He needs a pair of Boots he oughta get a respectable job and BUY a pair... besides..” Adrian leaned over to Pet on the jury. “WHO knows what fungus Tully has!”
“Oh, Angeles,” Jack clarified.
“That’s all from me,” I smiled.
“Thank you. Jack you may step down and return to your defender. Defense, any further witnesses?”
“I would now like to call Sommer to the stand,” Ger said and she came forward to be sworn in. When Ger was given the permission to continue he asked, “Sommer, please tell the court what happened from your point of view.”
“Okay. First I will say this I never stepped out of the Last chance saloon. I was waiting for Jack to come and have breakfast with me. I heard gunshots. I went up on that balcony... I saw Jack surrounded by the calvary. I drew and tried to defend him before they killed him. Then Suzy came after me up the stairs Seth was with her.”
“The Cavalry are the good guys dear Miss Sommer,” Adrian leaned in then.
“She shot me down..before I could even move and Seth well. He can’t shoot too well,” Sommer continued. “He hit poor Suzy.”
“Your Honor?!” Ger protested.
“Yes defense?” Jimmi asked and I blinked.
“I think someone needs a reminder,” Ger looked at Adrian.
“What I say?” Adrian’s eyes widened.
“Well both Jack and I were shot and Miss Doll took very good care of us,” Sommer went on as if there was no interruptions.
“Yes she did,” Jack agreed from beside me.
“We were then put in a paddy wagon and hauled off,” Sommer said. “I about died on the way.”
Jimmi looked at the jury carefully and then turned to Ger. “Defense, I am responsible for the court in session. Please continue with your task for your client and I will do mine for the court.”
“And Jack was bouncing around in the back like a rabbit from all the bumps in the road,” she said and I rolled my eyes at that.
“So, you are saying that you and Jack were treated improperly by the Calvary in your transportation to the clinic for medical treatment?” Ger asked.
“Well yes we about died on the way to the Fort.”
“Thank you...no further questions,” Ger sat down.
“Seth can’t drive that thing. You know...” Sommer kept going.
“Thank you defense, Prosecution.. will you be cross examining this witness?” Jimmi asked.
“I have no need to question further, your honor,” I said, to the shock evident on everybody else. I knew, however, that there was no point in questioning the witnesses because they would just continue to tell lies anyway that weren’t lined up with Suzi’s report.
“Very well,” Jimmi nodded.
“Prosecution, we will hear your closing please,” Jimmi said then and I started to walk towards the jury.
“Your honor, I still have one more witness,” Ger pointed out.
“You have another witness? Excellent. Please wait a moment Prosecution.”
“Yes sir,” I nodded and sat back down.
“Defense, please call.”
“Yes sir, I would like to call Dr. Doll to the stand,” Ger said and Doll was brought forward to be sworn in as a witness. When given permission to begin Ger asked, “Were you at the clinic when Jack and Sommer were brought in with injuries on that morning?”
“No sir, but I did go there when I heard shots as I was walking with a new person towards the bridge of Pearce.”
“Then they were already there when you arrived...what were the extent of their injuries please?”
“Hmm... Sommer was shot in the shoulder and Jack was shot in the side. I treated them both. Jack paid for both treatments.”
“And you and the new person treated their wound, correct?”
“Well I had the new person hold compress, yes. But yes, I treated them both.”
“Did you treat anyone else? Any member of the Calvary?”
“No Sir. Didn’t see any of them hurt, but if they were their medic was there... So she would have treated them, I suspect.”
“Thank you. No further questions,” Ger said and sat down.
“Thank you Defense, Prosecution, would you like to ask this witness anything?” Jimmi asked.
I stood and walked over to Doll, saying, “I just have one question this time, your honor.”
“Ah, you can walk,” Jimmi observed and I looked at him with a smile.
“You’ll understand in my closing statement.”
“Proceed with your cross examination.”
I looked at Doll and asked, “You mentioned that you didn’t treat any calvary. According to Suzy’s statement, she was only slightly wounded. Did you see her enough to evaluate her condition?”
“Not that I remember, ma’am. I know Wedge was in the doc’s office with us, and several cavalry were outside, but I don’t recall seeing Suzy in all the confusion.”
“Suzy eats nails for breakfast.. a gunshot to her ain’t about to phase you you think?” Adrian asked then.
“Alright. Then you can’t definitively say if any of them were wounded or not,” I nodded.
“I can only say for sure I treated Jack and Sommer, and did not treat any cavalry.”
“Which still doesn’t state whether or not they were wounded, since their medic could have been with them. No further questions,” I said and sat back down.
Doll went to sit down and Jimmi asked if the defense had any more questions, but he said that he did not. He invited me to give my closing statement and I walked over to the jury and began. “Folks, we’ve heard the sworn statements from two outlaws that claim to mention protecting a cat, and yet Ranger Honi never mentioned a cat once in her statement. One would think that this would be an important detail to include in retelling the story of this incident. Sommer also stated that she was in a separate spot from Jack, and yet Honi reported them coming out together. Sommer stated that Suzy was wounded by Seth, but in Suzy’s statement it is clear that Sommer shot her... Doll stated that she did not treat any calvary, but Honi’s report stated she was only slightly wounded so it seems irrelevant to mention if she treated calvary or not. We’ve heard the statement of the General which listed several witnesses, who couldn’t be here today because they are busy keeping us safe. We rely on these men and women for our protection and they deserve to be awarded financially for it. They rely on this pay for their livelihoods. Please do the right thing and find these two guilty of attempted robbery. Thank you.”
“Thank you Miss Trin,” Adrian nodded and I chuckled at that, siting back down and nodding to Jimmi who also thanked me.
Jimmi invited Ger to give his closing statement the jury and Ger walked over. “Members of the jury, yes, the prosecution has a ...A report from General Honi....only from her...not from the rest of the witnesses to back up those claims. And why wouldn’t the Calvary find replacements for the witnesses so they could come to court and testify I wonder? You heard what happened by both defendants....it was a case of misunderstanding...itchy trigger finger, then self defense... Was the General shot? Maybe, but with bullets flying, who knows who’s bullet hit her??? I can’t, Can you? Finally, I want you to remember what the judge said at the beginning...put your feeling about my clients aside and judge them on what you ‘heard’ from all the witnesses here and not what you think could have happened....if you do, I’m sure you will find them not guilty. Thank you.”
Ger went to sit back down and I shook my head, knowing that the point wasn’t about who shot Suzy but the fact that they had attempted to steal the payroll. Jimmi then invited the jury to retreat to the room and discuss their verdict.
As they discussed the case, I sat quietly and wondered if there was any chance at all that I could win this one, but I guessed not. I realized then that I should have removed Mysti from the jury bench since she would have been biased in supporting Ger no matter what the evidence showed.
When the jury came out, I sat up straighter and waited for their verdict. “Members of the Jury, would your foreman please stand and give your verdict?” Jimmi asked.
“The jury finds Jack and Sommer both guilty,” Katie declared and I blinked in surprise.
“Your honor, permission to question the jury?” Ger asked then and we looked at him.
“Well, dang, some justice in Tombstone for once,” Nora said from the audience and I couldn’t have agreed more.
“Jack and Sommer Starr, you have been tried in a court of law and a Jury of your peers has found you guilty of the following crime, that on March 22nd you did attempt to rob the cavalry Payroll,” Jimmi announced. “You will be sentenced to 10 minutes in Jail or a $20 fine ...each. This trial is over. Dismissed,” Jimmi said, ignoring Ger who slammed his fist on the desk. Ger handed his clients each some money as I headed out of the courtroom, smiling at my surprise victory.
***
Black Diamond.
Later this afternoon I walked through town and saw Tye and Peta arguing with one another. “Hey there you two,” I smiled but Tye didn’t respond and just walked into the office, closing and locking the door.
I blinked and looked at Peta, “What’s with him?”
She peered through the window with a paper and pen and started making notes. “Got a skunk up his butt.”
I chuckled and unlocked the door, going in and closing the door behind me. “Keep that door locked,” Tye ordered and I nodded, locking it.
“So.... you do exist.”
“You want to start up too?”
“No sir. Just good to see you again. Got a gift for ya.”
He set his pad down and looked at me. “Only when you need me for somethin’. Got anything for me?”
I handed him the incident report for the Apache’s shooting case and said, “All but one report in... Waiting on Dave’s. But that should be enough if he doesn’t get his butt in gear. I think I gave you the statement from Mysti about the fire at her place... I got a letter from Aly that she gave Ger, detailing the repairs she needed to do on the house,” I handed him the report from Aly’s next.
He started reading and looked up at me. “Do you know this Apache?”
“I talked to him for about ten minutes and all I got was that paragraph out of him. Was the first time I’d seen him. Didn’t have much of an Apache name and he didn’t speak in Apache to me. Talked more like an outlaw than an Apache, to be honest.”
“Can you tell me what the nutjob looks like?”
“I sure can. Short, kinda hunched over... Wore a black cape and a um.... diaper thing... That’s what it looked like anyway... Bald head... Dark skin...” I looked at him as he took a few notes and asked, “No comment on the word diaper? Really?”
“Apache comes into town and shoots some folks? I’m not surprised he wasn’t wearing women’s underwear on his head.”
I laughed and said, “I don’t think he ever mentioned the tribe he was from either.”
“So he might not be Apache?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” I shrugged. “Didn’t look or sound like Apache.”
“Alright. So maybe some drunk fool tryin’ to get the Apache in trouble.”
“Another possibility. I mean he didn’t even write out a statement for me. He signed the blank paper and dated it... I transcribed his description word for word.”
“Alright,” he said and set the report away. “I’ll need to find a judge to get some warrants signed, then.”
“Yes sir,” I nodded.
“And I need to figure how I’ll write up Jewel’s confession, since she turned herself in for the fire.”
“Still waiting on Dave’s report.... That will help in court. But that should be enough to get you the warrant.”
“Right... About that...” I hesitated. “Aly told me that Jewel gave her money to pay for the repairs.”
“Alright. That will help her case in court, but doesn’t get her off the hook, either.
“If she even bothers to show up for court,” I nodded. “Krell has been in town again, by the way.... In no shape to talk about any cases though. And haven’t been able to talk to Leigh either. I’m afraid those cases will go cold. Same with the bank robbery and bank fire...”
“The town has enough to worry about with those two nearly disappearing on us.”
“Anything else you need from me, Tye?” I nodded.
“Not currently.”
“Alright then. Glad to see you’re still alive and kickin’, Sheriff. Been awfully lonely around here without ya,” I winked. “Oh yeah... I was going to give you a quick update...”
“Peta might give me a stroke ‘fore too long. Other than that, I’ll be fine.”
“I talked with Dutch Solo the other night. I think that threat is behind me. The marshal there has assured me they are close to catching the killer so hopefully.... That means that’ll be over soon.”
“So you’ll stop dippin’ your head in a vat of acid soon then?” he asked nad I tilted my head to the side at him. He pointed to my hair and said, “Or whatever it is you women do to look the way you do. Hell if I know.”
“Don’t know... Blonde is kinda growing on me,” I chuckled. “Alright, I should let you get back to work. Hope that helps.”
“I’ll get this straightened out.”
“Thanks Tye. Stay safe,” I nodded and headed out of the office.
“Thanks for the reports,” he said as I left.
“Yes sir,” I smiled and walked out, seeing Aly waiting. “He’s all yours,” I winked at her.
“Get in here before Peta sees the door open, then,” Tye groaned and I headed to my office across the road with a smile.
