March 18, 1901

Bisbee. 

I was sitting in the office at home tonight when Jimmy and Natalie ran into the house shouting. “Pa! Ma!! Jimmy bit me!!!” Natalie exclaimed. 

“Pa! Pa! Ma! But she tackled me and was punching me first!” Jimmy cried. 

“Only cause you was pickin’ on me all night and wouldn’t shush!!!” 

“Well cause you was bein a brat!” 

“What’s all this yellin’ about??” I asked as Thomas and I walked downstairs together. 

“What’s this about fighting, punching and biting?” Thomas asked sternly. 

“We was at the dance and he was makin fun of me all night and callin’ me fat and names and stuff! I couldn’t take it no more!” 

“She called me short!” 

“You did what, Jimmy?!” I gasped. 

“I did not. I called her fat cause she said I was short..and pickin on me..and was talking bout kissin boys again…” Jimmy said. 

“Nu uh I was not!” 

“You was so!” 

“You was talkin bout me lookin like I kissed a frog when I ate those cupcakes! And I said I wasn’t gonna kiss no frog unless I KNEW it was gonna become a prince!” 

“Yeah and you said what ma told ya bout not kissing every boy in town.” 

I sighed and looked over at Thomas as I sat down with a tired expression. “He’s your son.” 

“Enough you two!” Thomas exclaimed. 

“But paaaaaaa! She started it!” Jimmy exclaimed. 

“I did not!!! Then I sat on him to make him stop... And he BIT ME!! !” 

Jimmy poked Natalie in the side and she held out her arm to prove the point and went to punch her brother. 

“Natalie, upstairs. Now.” I exclaimed. 

“But ma, what’d I do?!” Nat sighed. 

“Jimmy! Why did you bite your sister?” Thomas asked. 

“Cause she sat on me and started hitting me!” Jimmy cried. 

“Just go upstairs sweetie, I’ll come up with you. The boys need to talk downstairs,” I told Natalie. 

“Cause he kept callin me names and pickin on me in front of everybody!” Nat muttered and stomped upstairs.

“You deserved it!” 

“I DID NOT!!” 

I looked at Thomas with a sigh and walked upstairs after my daughter, who was sitting on the bed with her arms folded. 

Jimmy called after me, “I swear she started it pa. She is always mean to me. She is always a brat!” 

“I am not! You’re the one callin me fat and callin’ Miss Abi old!!!!” Nat called. 

“I DID NOT CALL MISS ABI OLD!” 

“You did too!!!” 

“Well you’re still fat!” 

I walked into the room and sat down on Natalie’s bed, looking at her as the boys talked downstairs. “Sweetie... was he the one who kept bugging you for no reason?” 

“Yeah!! He kept goin’ on and on and then I just had to make him shush! So I sat on him. And he bit me.” 

“I will make you shush next time..I just give ya a black eye!” Jimmy called. 

I looked at the bruise forming on Nat’s arm and sighed, caressing her neck a little in support and then yelled downstairs, “One more word out of you mister, and you’re sleeping in Shira’s bed!” 

Nat winced and looked at me. “I know we not s’posed to fight but I just... couldn’t take it no more.” 

“No you won’t Jimmy. You do, and you wont leave the house for a month! You hear me! You don’t bite yore sister, no matter what she says or does. Women are just weird sometimes,” Thomas said loudly to Jimmy downstairs. 

“Hey! Who’s side are you on!?” Nat called downstairs. 

I held Nat close and rubbed her back. “Sweetie... I know he can be a pain sometimes, but you’ve gotta show him how to deal with mean people. You’ve gotta ignore it no matter what. Just walk away, and he’ll get bored of bugging you. He does it cause he knows it’ll get a rise out of you.” 

“You darned tootin I had to bite her...she sat on me and felt like a heavy sack a taters was on me...she wouldn’t get off me,” Jimmy said loudly. 

“HEY!” Nat exclaimed. 

“Natalie, what did I just say?” I asked and rubbed her back more. 

“Well he shouldn’t be so mean.” Nat sighed and nodded and looked at the bruise on her arm. “Maaaa it’s turnin’ purple!!” 

“It’s just a little bruise, kiddo... You’ll be fine. Why don’t you wait here and I’ll go downstairs and see how things are going?” 

“Ok Jimmy, well I see we ain’t gettin nowhere tonight...so I think two days of cleaning house, and not going out to play will be a good punishment for you. That means no friends, no running out to play or explore with Natalie. You will stay here and do whatever your ma and I have for you to do. Understand?!” Thomas said to Jimmy downstairs. 

“But… But… That’s not even fair!” Jimmy cried.

I walked downstairs then and put a hand on Thomas’ shoulder. I tried not to cry, seeing Jimmy so upset. 

“Now off to bed, and I don’t want to hear another peep out of either of you,” Thomas ordered. 

When Jimmy was upstairs, I looked over at Thomas and asked, “House arrest? Really?” 

“He’s gotta learn, dear. One way or the other. What else was I supposed to do? He bit her. I had to punish him or he would never learn.” 

I nodded, rubbing his back and pulling him close. “I know... And it don’t sound like he’s sorry about it either.” 

“He just doesn’t understand why girls are so different from boys. But I cant have him giving Natalie a black eye or biting her every time she makes him mad. What would you have done?” 

“Thing is I don’t think that she was the one who started it. Sounds like he was egging her on and she couldn’t take it anymore. But I told her that she couldn’t fight back and had to ignore it or she’d be stooping to his level.. And how he does it cause she’ll react.” 

“Yeah true. But she needs to quit hitting him and punching him too. I don’t think she was totally innocent in all of it.” 

“No, I know... But he doesn’t make it easy for her. Think of how the outlaws are for us and how hard it is not to fight back sometimes…” I kissed him softly and shook my head. 

“Do you think I was too hard on him?” 

“I think dear.. that you miss enforcing justice. Because there’s not been a single case in months... and yes, maybe a tad harsh. I think he should still be allowed to go out of the house but... Still do the cleaning and dishes… But... I trust you honey, and it’s up to you. I’ll support you no matter what.” 

Thomas thought about that and said, “Well I think one day in the house will make him think twice at least. I will give a little slack on the second day. Only after all his chores are done, and he’s finished whatever we want him to do.” 

“I think that’s fair, honey. I don’t think I need to punish Natalie though... We have to let her stand up for herself to some degree... Though she shouldn’t have tackled him right there in the saloon either.” 

Thomas pulled me close and snuggled me on the couch. “I will leave that up to you dear. You are better at getting her to understand than I am. I just gotta whack Jimmy in the head with a shovel to get through his thick head.” 

“I’ll take Natalie on a long walk tomorrow and we’ll talk about it. She’ll understand.” I took his hand then and stood. “Let’s go to bed, sweetheart.” 

He took my hand and followed me upstairs, telling me he loved me as we fell asleep. 

March 14, 1901

Pearce. 

I walked into the saloon this afternoon and joined in on the dance, but then when I saw Max, Alex’s friend from Boston who’d assisted me on several past cases, I went over to greet him. “Come to visit Alex?” I asked him. 

“Yeah I figured before he had screaming kids in his house too.” 

“Good plan.” I chuckled and we sat at the bar for a drink. “So how are things in Boston, Max?” 

“Good.... Sort of.” 

“Sort of?” I looked at him. 

“I could use your help on a case.” 

“What kind of case?” 

“We can talk about it after. I want to enjoy my drink first.” 

“Sure, we can head to Diamond after this and talk about it. I’ve been using the office out there more. Safer for the children.” 

“Children?” He blinked and looked at me. 

“Thomas and I live together in Bisbee... He adopted a son, Jimmy, and I adopted a daughter, Natalie. We skipped that annoying baby phase.” 

“Oh Nat, yeah I think I met her last time I was out here. And smart people.” 

“They’re great kids. Nat said that she started working for you, Bree? Bree runs a great cantina over in Black Diamond.” 

“Yes this mornin’,” Bree said with a nod. “She does a great job.” 

“She had fun givin’ coffee to ya’ll on the cavalry run too. So proud of her.” I looked over at Max and said, “Had to have the... talk with her.” 

“The talk?” 

“Mmhmm… The talk…” 

“Do I want to know?” 

“She asked how come there weren’t babies all over our house ’cause Thomas and I sleep together.” 

“Seems that way at my house,” Max said and burst out laughing. 

“I told her that we don’t do the thing that makes babies. We got enough kids.”

“My wife’s pregnant again.” 

“Too much risk for babies these days... so we….” I blinked and looked at him. “She is?” 

“Number nine!” He shrugged. 

“Good gosh! How on earth are you still upright?” 

“I’m not the one who has to give birth!” He laughed. 

We continued to talk about writing out my memoirs as the dance continued and greeted people as they came into the saloon to join us. 

After the dance, Max took me over to Alex and Aly’s place in Pearce and he showed me around the house. We sat down in the living room and he took out a large folder, handing me the papers from it. “Can you read these over at some point? I’d like your opinion on it.” 

“I sure could.” I started to read the papers and said, “Looks like there’s been a lot of sickness over in Boston... People of all ages gettin’ it?” 

“Yeah it’s strange. Looks like simple illness, yet the patterns don’t work like contagion. I suspect something else.” 

“What sorts of people are getting sick? All ages or..?” 

“It’s all in there, but mostly men. Adults. Sometimes the family gets sick too. But rarely anyone else around the victims.” 

“Hmm… That’s odd.” I looked through the papers, reading peoples’ backgrounds and what they did for a living. “Looks like they’re mine owners... most of ’em…” 

“My thoughts too. I can’t seem to get any of the other detectives to look into it, but there’s something going on.” 

“I would tend to agree with you.” I nodded. “Any money missing from these businesses? Or anyone dying from the illnesses?” 

“A few have died. No money missing, but… One person in particular seems to be profiting.” 

“Oh?” 

“I just need proof.” 

“Profiting how?” 

“Some of the business owners haven’t been able to keep working they’ve been so sick. Had to sell off, usually at a lower price than the business is worth. A Mr. Brian Macomber has been buying them. Or some anyway.” 

“I wonder… If someone’s poisoning them. To make ’em sick and have to sell. So that he can scoop in and buy them.” 

“That’s my thought. I can’t seem to prove it. And you’re the only one who seems to see what I see here.” 

“I agree with you. It’s far too much of a not coincidence. You know what I mean?” 

“Yes. I feel like I’m hitting a brick wall. I think some of the detectives back home might be on Macomber’s payroll. you know, not officially.” 

“You think they’re in on it?” I asked and raised an eyebrow. 

“That’s why I needed to come all the way out here to talk to you.” 

“Very serious indeed…” 

“I think that’s why they keep pushing it away and making excuses when I bring it up.” 

“I wonder how we can prove this... Any doctors around there able to decipher if the illnesses were poisoning?” 

“Autopsies are rare. I don’t think any of them have been tested. They just burn the bodies, saying they died of consumption” 

“I think that needs to be your next step. If you can prove they were poisoned then…” 

“I know what consumption looks like an that ain’t it.” 

“Do you have pictures of the victims? Alex was a good doctor in his prime, you know.”

“I agree. I need to get some tissue samples. I’ll show him some photos. Maybe he can help.” 

“I think you do. And I think you’re right on this case... and if these detectives are profiting with this….” 

“I don’t trust anyone back home with this.” 

“Then you’ve got a series crime here, Max.” 

“Yes, that’s just what I’m worried about.” 

“And if I were you.. I’d watch your back. They might come after you next. But you’ve got the leg up on them... You know their game now.” 

“I’m already on high alert. I sent my wife and kids up to live on my dad’s farm.” 

“Good plan. I think it’s too much of a coincidence that this guy’s profiting big from these businesses closing.” 

“I think so too.” 

“Something is up and I think he’s behind it. I wonder if he... gets to know the owners and such, then poisons them with a drink over a chat.” 

“Thank you for letting me bounce this off you. You’re the only detective I can trust.” 

“Of course. Thank you Max, that means a lot.” 

“That could be. I need to find some link there.” 

“I was worried my skills were deteriorating. I ain’t done a lot lately…” 

“Naw, that’s like riding a bicycle.” 

“Last case I had... Was the case back around Christmas…” 

“That long ago?” 

“There was one with a red rose left in some lady’s room last month at the hotel but… I suggested she go to another hotel and she’s been left alone. The case around Christmas hit too close to home. Literally.” 

“Aly said that hotel is haunted.” 

“Seemed the Wild Bunch were gettin’ revenge on me and my family for having hanged one of their members at court. Though the man was gonna be hanged no matter what happened at the trial.” 

“Yikes! Those gangs are crazy.” 

“They tacked a death threat to the cabinet in our kitchen... rummaged through the living room.. stole the kids’ presents… Left notes… Set my office in Tombstone on fire…” 

“Stole the kids presents! Now that’s just down right low.” 

“Heard they took ’em to the orphanage. As if that makes it better.” 

“Well, yeah at least those kids got presents then. But still…” 

“Then were both since arrested and sent to court for other crimes. So I let it be. Ain’t heard a word since.” 

“Sometimes that’s the way to go.” 

“We moved to another house in Bisbee… Told the children not to share the new location to anyone. That it has to be our own little safehouse. Was scary as hell, Max.” 

“I can imagine. I’m afraid I’m going to be in the same boat soon.” 

“The note said… ‘The hangmans noose will tighten round your neck next. Watch your back Miss Trin.’” 

“Thankfully they’ve found other ways to amuse themselves. I started to use the office in Diamond more. Thomas became a deputy there instead of Tombstone/Bisbee. Things have been more peaceful. But I just... have no work.” 

“Well, you can do my work now.” He chuckled. 

“Ain’t much I can do for you on this case other than tell you you’re on the right track. You need to get those pictures to Alex… And get some samples from the autopsies if you can. To prove poisoning.” 

“That’s helpful. Yeah if he’ll look at ’em” 

“I’m sure he will, Max. For you?” 

“Trin, he’s gotten really um... Did you know he’s a painter now?” 

“A painter?” I sat up straighter as he pointed out the canvas in the next room. “He did that?!” 

We talked for a while longer and then I headed home. 

March 10, 1901

Tombstone.

This morning I was walking through town and waved to Pat as he rode by on his horse. He told me that his girlfriend arrived and then I headed down the street to talk with Joe. We talked about how I’d been missing work and he said he’d been thinking of decorating the town to just provoke a reaction. We talked about Bianca and Thomas and how it was hard to stay positive lately. I told him that Thomas was going to be a teacher and we talked about how Ghenna wasn’t a good place to raise kids. After a while, I headed back to the office to get more writing done. 

March 9, 1901

Tombstone. 

This morning I rode up to the Apache village and waved to a Native man who was there. We didn’t talk long and I headed back to Black Diamond. 

Black Diamond. 

I rode to Diamond and saw Bree at the cantina. She was making cake and I sat down and had some with her. We talked about the books and how it was therapeutic to get things written down. We talked about the shooting contest in Pearce and how restless I was feeling. 

The man from the village rode over then and we introduced ourselves.  He said his name was Pat and talked about Black Diamond. I told them I was singing in Bisbee soon. When it was time to get ready, I headed over to the Stock Exchange to get warmed up.

Bisbee. 

I walked into the saloon and there were already people joining before I started playing. Thomas arrived and took his place behind the bar as I started to warm up and then I sang for the group. The gig went well enough and then Thomas and I headed back home. 

*** 

Tombstone. 

Tonight, I went in to the dance at Kate’s and greeted everyone, going over to the bar as Aly made me a drink of whiskey. She said that she’d moved back to Pearce and that it felt good to be back. I told her I couldn’t wait to see Alex again and they said that he looked good again, which made me happy to hear. It was wonderful to relax with everyone and reminisce about old times. We talked about some of the outlaws who had come and gone and about how Aly’s baby should be born soon. We continued to dance and then Alex came in and it was so good to see him again. We talked about their new home and then Thomas came into the saloon. He was thrilled to see Alex again as well and we had such a good time reuniting. After a while, Thomas and I said goodnight and headed home. 

March 7, 1901

Black Diamond. 

I walked into town this morning and waved to Wedge and the others, talking to them about payroll. I told Stormy how we would be focusing on Bisbee and Diamond, and told her that she could ask me for help if she needed it. Bree joined us when the payroll was done and we continued to talk about our families. Stormy and I talked about why we decided to move farther out of town and how much more peaceful things would be now. 

Tombstone. 

After a while I went into town and talked with Cas about payroll and how peaceful things had been lately and how much I wished there was some work to do. 

“So the kids studied all about the Birdcage theatre last night,” I told Cas. 

“Nice.” 

“Mmhmm came at us with a few questions though.” 

“They always do.” 

“How do you explain the red light district to ten and twelve year olds?” 

“You tell them the brakemen on the trains used to set their lanterns down when they went to have lemonade.” 

“Seriously?” I looked at him. 

“Well that was how it got it’s name... I dunno about the lemonade part, but I ain’t tellin’ no secrets to no kid.” 

“Okay how about this.... what about the ladies of the evening? That danced in cages?” 

“They was dancers. That’s all a kid needs to know” 

“Right.” I nodded. “They said it was like Paisley. See... Natalie already knows about doves… Her birth mother was a dove. Shot down by a guy while she was workin’.” 

“They can know some, they’ll find out the rest soon enough,” Cas said. 

“Sure is true.” I nodded and we greeted Thomas and Abi as they came over. “Already had to have the talk with Natalie about how it’s okay to have lots of friends with boys, but not to kiss all of ’em.” 

“I don’t think so,” Cas said.

“Dear are you asking Cas about the bombshell the kids dropped on this mornin?” Thomas asked. 

“Is something wrong?” Abi asked. “Bombshell? Nothing bad I hope.” 

“Just gettin’ some parenting advice, Abi,” I told her. 

“Ummm, yeah Miss ABi! The kids popped up this mornin askin bout the red light district and dance cages on the ceiling of the Birdcage Theatre. It seems they was readin the history or Tombstone,” Thomas explained. 

“Kids ask hard questions sometimes.. nothin’ we ain’t all tried answerin’ before without spittin’out our drink,” Cas said. 

“Well Aspen and some others have been asking a lot of questions about babies too,” Abi told us. 

“Mmhmm they sure do. Oh? About babies?” I looked at Abi. 

“Yes.” 

“Yeah but Cas, try answerin’ it first thing in the morning before you had yore coffee,” Thomas told him. 

“Thus the ’not spittin’ out your drink’ part,” Cas said. 

“They keep saying but... but... but…” Abi said. 

“Ain’t it fun?” I chuckled. 

“It’s just lovely,” she said with a laugh. 

“Tell ’em everyone’s got a butt and they all stink.. next question,” Cas advised. 

“You should have been with Trin, Miss Abi, when she tried to convince Nat and Jimmy that you didn’t get babies from kissing,” Thomas said with a chuckle. 

“Yeah, that was a fun conversation.” I chuckled. “She’s twelve though so... that’s when my mother told me.” 

“I have had that same conversation with the girls and boys,” Abi said. 

“Like tryin’ to explain to Kei that arm hair wasn’t what attracted women,” Cas said. 

“Of course had I known we were just gonna adopt two kids.... I wouldn’t have had to have the conversation.” I looked over and winked at Thomas. 

“Arm hair?” Abi blinked. 

“Yep, he swore that was why Marshal Ansar got the ladies.” 

“It don’t Cas?” Thomas chuckled. 

“No dear, it don’t.” I laughed. 

“Awww, but I thought you fell in love with me cause of my manly armhair dear,” Thomas said with a laugh. 

“Try convincin’ a 6 year old that when he has his mind set,” Cas said. 

“Life would be so boring without those kids askin’ stupid questions,” I observed. 

“And they keep saying but why… But why?” Abi said. 

“Ansar coulda been sittin’ on a gold mountain with a talkin’ horse and it woulda still be the arm hair that got the ladies,” Cas said. 

“Oh I know Miss Abi, Natalie is always asking WHY WHY WHY pa!” Thomas chuckled. 

“Why do you do this or why does this happen when you do this?” Abi mimicked the kids. “Why does it snow in Diamond and not here in Tombstone?” 

“I was wondering that too. That’s not a stupid question.” I laughed. 

“Higher elevation, dear!” Thomas smiled. 

“The altitude’a course.. it’s colder the higher up you get,” Cas said. 

“Typical,” I said and rolled my eyes at the two men. 

“Explain that to an eight year old,” Abi said, “When they say but we have hills here why no snow.” 

We continued to talk and joke about questions skids had and Aspen came over to join us. We discussed the chicken and the egg and it was fun just to relax and laugh with the others. 

Thomas and I went into the Oriental, since it was one of the few saloons not run by outlaws, and sat down at the bar. Once we had our drinks, I looked over at Thomas and said, “Sometimes I had another job outside of the law enforcement... Like as well as, not replacing it.” 

“You know something dear, we really do need to sit down with the kiddos sometime soon, and ummm explain LIFE to them.” 

“You go ahead,” I laughed. “You go ahead. I explained the magic of life with Natalie already.” 

“You did what?!” Thomas blinked. 

“I told you dear... I had that talk with her about how it’s okay to have lots of friends that were boys but not to kiss them all… So then she asked well, how do babies happen?” 

“Well do you mind having that little talk with Jimmy since you seem so good at it?” 

“And she asked me how come you and I never make babies even though we sleep in the same bed. So I told her that kissing boys and sleeping in the same bed doesn’t make babies. I told her there was a lot more to it... that you and I chose not to do.” 

“I guess cause the rooster and laid his egg yet!” Thomas chuckled. 

“Cause the risk of havin a baby is too great when you do that.. stuff... so we choose not to do it. So... she asked what it was. And well…” 

“Well you still ain’t answered my question yet.” Thomas smiled. “You just went around it.” 

“I’m just sayin’… I had to explain it to her. I didn’t go into... details... Just said that it was something that we chose not to do. And that it happens when uh... more private body parts touch. Not the stuff that everyone sees” 

“Yeah, there is a lot of risk in it, and since we have them, we have no need to take that risk. We have enough risks as it is.” 

“Exactly.” I nodded. “So that’s how I explained it to her. She’s twelve... she had to know sometime soon.” 

“Yeah I know. I am just not sure if Jimmy is old enough yet. He’s just 10, and still thinks girls carry cooties.” 

“I think you’re right, dear.” 

“I think we should kinda watch what they read from now on. So we get to keep close watch on what they read” 

“I hope I did a good job explaining it to her?” 

“It sounds like you did love. Probably better than I would have, if it had been me trying to explain it to her.” 

“That’s why I didn’t want to tell you at home that we had the talk... I didn’t want to embarrass her.” 

“Yeah, I understand. Those sort of things are best discussed between mom and daughter, son and father I think.” 

“Mmhmm. So whenever you feel Jimmy’s ready, you go ahead, dear. I trust you.” 

“Would you believe my pa didn’t tell me until I was nearly 15?” 

“Wow…” 

“But I sorta knew by then anyways. I had been talking to these ladies I would always see in the street. A couple of them would sit with me for ma and pa when they would work. Little did I know, they were ladies of the evening themselves.” 

“How could you have known at that age? I still can’t believe they just read that.. I mean Natalie gets that stuff... her ma did it but…” I sighed. 

“Well like Natalie and Jimmy, I was always asking questions. You gotta remember my pa owned a newspaper and I was all the time lookin for the scoop like Natalie does.” 

“Yeah…” 

“I love you dear,” he said as he kissed me then. 

I smiled and held him close. “"I love you too hon. Do you think we should head home?” 

“Yeah...maybe that would be a good idea. You look tired, and I want to check on the kiddos. They were sposed to be gettin ready for bed when I left the house.” 

Bisbee. 

We rode back to the house and heard Jimmy and Natalie shushing each other upstairs. We saw Natalie and Jimmy in bed and hiding under the covers and Thomas said, “Don’t even try to hide it, you two!” 

“Aw man... Why they gotta be detectives and stuff?” Natalie pouted as Jimmy pretended to snore. 

I went over and leaned down to kiss Jimmy’s forehead. “Nice try, little one.” 

“Uh huh...you fakers...Why don’t you ever wanna go to sleep?” Thomas asked. 

“Thanks ma. I tried!” Jimmy grinned.

“We wanted to say goodnight to you first,” Natalie said. 

“What were you two doin’?” I asked, ruffling Jimmy’s hair. 

“Readin more about the history of Tombstone,” Jimmy said. 

“Yeah how come we don’t got a swimming pool nowhere?” Nat asked. 

“Ma, pa, did ya know there used ta be 100 saloons in Tombstone?” Jimmy asked. 

“You have to admit... there’s worse things they could be reading,” I said, looking over at Thomas. 

“Now Jimmy, I think yore exaggeratin’ that a bit don’t ya think?” Thomas looked at him. 

“Is he bein’ dramatic again pa?” Natalie asked and we laughed at that. 

“I AM NOT! And it says it here in dis here book Miss Bratty Pants!” Jimmy exclaimed. 

“Now listen you two.. time for bed. Let’s put the book away tonight,” I said and kissed their foreheads. 

“Ma, if they was birdcages n the birdcage theatre, why did they call them ladies of the evenin dancin in them cages. Wouldn’t that mean they was birds of the evenin?” Jimmy asked. 

I sighed and went over to the bed and looked at Thomas. “They’re all yours dear.” 

“It’s time for bed, kiddos. No more questions tonight,” Thomas said. We kissed them goodnight and then headed for bed. 

March 4, 1901

Bisbee. 

Today we spent the day moving into a bigger house and set up the furniture so that we were ready to call it our home. We let the kids and Shira into the house and then I called a family meeting as we sat down on the couch. 

“Now listen here you two.. There’s a reason we moved, and it ain’t just to save money and get a better view,” I told them. 

“Is it closer to Diamond where pa works?” Natalie asked. 

“You didn’t burn down the kitchen in the old house did ya ma?” Jimmy asked. 

“No, I didn’t.” I chuckled and looked over at Thomas. “Honey, help me out here?” 

“Well he had a good point dear. I mean, you are learning, but....she’s right kids. We had more serious reasons.” 

“That’s not quite what I mean by helping.” I nudged him. 

“Was it to get away from miss Downy’s new hotel?” Natalie asked. 

“You think she tried cookin a turkey again?” Jimmy nudged Natalie. 

“Jimmy thats enough! Apologize to your ma!” Thomas ordered. 

“I sorry ma...I love ya even if you cant cook as good as pa!” 

“Uh huh. Now listen. You two remember how Mr. Lot and Downy came to our old house over Christmas time and we had to clean up from the mess they made…” 

“Yeah how they stole our stuff.” Jimmy nodded, and Natalie just sighed and looked down with a nod. Jimmy leaned over and hugged Natalie with a worried look on his face. 

“Well... they ain’t the only ones who don’t like your ma and pa. Thing is... with both of us working more now... more people ain’t gonna like us.

“Kids, we don’t want you running off into Tombstone alone anymore. Not unless one of us is with you. Or unless an adult we trust is with you,” Thomas said. 

“But what if we wanna go to school? Or just visit at the orphanage?” Natalie asked. 

“I think to the orphanage is fine... and school... but not down by the saloons. Too many outlaws own those buildings now,” I said with a sigh. 

“Ma, somethin’ else is wrong. Ya don’t usually get this worried over nothin’ like this,” Natalie said and looked at us. 

I reached for Thomas’ hand and said, “This house is our home. It’s where we want to raise you children and we want to keep you safe. You need to be very careful with who you talk to about where we live. Don’t tell anyone we’ve moved, okay?” 

“What about Jeffery, Aspen and even Millard? Can we tell them?” Jimmy asked. 

“Not right now kids. We don’t want everybody knowing we moved. Once things are a little settled, and we been here a while, then you can. If you have to go to the orphanage, the school or into Tombstone, go together. Never go alone,” Thomas said. 

“What if Jimmy’s at the bakery and I wanna go to see Aspen and Jeff? Is it okay if I take Shira?” Natalie asked. 

“Yeah, and I have to go to the bakery. Can I take Shira or go if I run and not stop anywhere till I get there?” Jimmy asked. 

I sighed and leaned my head against Thomas’ shoulder, not sure what to say. Thankfully, Thomas began to explain. “Kids! We know you want to play and have fun....sighs trying not to tear up...What we are asking, for the first time in your lives...be responsible about where and how you go to places. Jimmy, the bakery is in Pearce, I understand, but you can stay on the outskirts of Tombstone and get there. Natalie, you can go to the orphanage and play with the kids. But by no means go into downtown Tombstone, unless Miss Abi is with you. Understand?!” 

Natalie blinked and clung to Jimmy’s hand and said, “Yes pa.” 

I looked between them and said, “We’re not saying this stuff to make your life awful... We just want you two to be safe. It’s dangerous out there, and getting worse. There are some bad people coming back to town and we don’t want them to know about you two or where we live, okay? That’s why we’re being so cautious right now. We don’t want what happened in our old house to happen here.” 

Jimmy looked from Natalie to us, tears threatening his eyes. “Iis it something we did? I mean are we the cause of all this?” 

“We’re not upset with you buddy, we just want you two to be safe,” I said to him.

“Ma...? Is one of your old cases back in town? Is that why you don’t wanna relive the past and keep writin’ about it?” Natalie asked then. 

“Jimmy, Natalie, you did nothing. This is for all of us as a family. Don’t ever think you two cause any of what happens,” Thomas said and squeezed me tight. 

I nodded to Natalie and clung to Thomas as I said, “You’re right sweetie. You both saw how scary it was for us at Christmas time. We just... don’t want that to happen here. Let’s make this our secret hideout place, okay?” 

“Ma, Pa, what do we do if we feel or see someone following us? Like that crazy ole woman who tried to get us on a train?” Jimmy asked. 

“Run to the orphanage,” I told him. 

“You run either to the orphanage, or to the bakery in Pearce, or the sheriff’s office. Look for someone you know,” Thomas said. 

“Like you both did when that lady followed you around town. You ran back to the orphanage even though you’d just been there all weekend. And we were very proud of you,” I told them. 

“I so didn’t wanna be locked up there again just to get away from the crazy lady,” Natalie stated.

“Yes, you did the right thing. There is always safety in numbers,” Thomas assured. 

“Ok ma and pa. Looks at Shira and rubs his eyes and yawns himself. I sleepy, can I go get in my own bed?” Jimmy asked then. 

“Jimmy, Natalie, you can go to bed, and why don’t you two sleep together tonight. Being we’re in a new house and its gonna feel strange,” Thomas suggested. 

“Can we just shove our beds close together?” Natalie asked. 

“Sure kiddo.” I nodded. 

They hugged us goodnight and when we were alone, I looked over at Thomas and said, “That went well, thank you honey.” 

“Yes it did. better than I thought… they’re wonderful kiddos aren’t they?” 

“They sure are... And you’re a great father.” I nodded. 

Thomas sighed and wiped his eyes. “You’re a great mother. I just worry about ya’ll so much. Especially with all thats happened.” 

I nodded to him and wiped away his tears. “I know dear... but we’ve made the right decision in moving here. Let’s head up to bed sweetheart.” 

We walked upstairs and I pet Shira and smiled at the family picture on the wall before heading up to our new bedroom with Thomas.

March 3, 1901

Black Diamond. 

I walked into the saloon tonight and blinked at the crowd. “Wow! Full house tonight!” I grinned and waved to everyone, seeing my man behind the bar counter. When Thomas asked me what I wanted, I asked if I could have him there and now and he told everyone not to look behind the bar and I blushed, telling him I was only kidding. We had so much fun and danced and talked while the others danced to the music. It wasn’t long before Thomas and I joined the group on the dance floor. I met a few new people and I told them about spending more time in Diamond, and how Thomas had become a deputy in Black Diamond. I told them about Natalie’s difficulties with boys. Even Sam Grey arrived at the dance, who I hadn’t seen in forever. 

“Where you livin’ now then Nim?” I asked Nim at one point. 

“Have my own saloon and Miss Harmini made me a Maverick Boss, so I can do what a darn well please I guess. Upstairs in the saloon at the moment. I talked to her for a good bit today Angeles, she hopes to be back for a visit soon. Her and Clint.” 

“Clint still around?” I blinked with some nervousness. 

“Clint will be back? Well, need to buy a new rope soon maybe.” Angeles grinned. 

“Yea, Miss Harmini is going to track him down for me.” Nim smiled. 

“That’s a ghost that keeps rising from the bloody grave.” I chuckled. “Was my first case when I came to Tombstone. Always knew it ended too easy.” 

“Dear, who is this Clint fellow?” Thomas asked. 

“Suzy will be more than happy to hear Clint is back,” Angeles said. 

“Was my first case when I came to Tombstone. Always knew it ended too easy,” I said. I looked over at Thomas and said, “We’ll talk later, dear.” 

“Clint is one of the most dangerous gunfighters you’ll ever meet, deputy,” Rikki told him. 

“Oh really? Is he a bigger pain in the darie rear than Lot?” Thomas asked and I grimaced, nodding to him. 

“He don’t act like Lot, thank God, but he is still dangerous,” Rikki said to him. 

“My first trial as prosecutor, Lot was Clint’s lawyer,” Angeles said. “Difficult trial. Let’s say I never worked so hard like that. But finally used that big ass Lot for cleaning the floor of the courthouse when Clint was found guilty of killing a marshal.” 

“Way back when my kid sister Xav first came to Tombstone, seven years ago, she ran with Clint and learned from him,” Nim said. “Had one sister learn from him, one learn from Sarrah and I was left out in the cold.” 

Since everyone else was sharing stories about Clint, I decided to join in. “He was arrested for several warrants before I moved to Tombstone. Ansar asked me to track him down... worked with Tye investigating Clint’s past cases with Tye... Saw Clint in town late May a couple years back. He dualed with Jimmy and was arrested. Then he escaped. They said he’d been killed later that night.. Turned out... his wife knew the man who’d come to Tombstone to track me down... from Canada… When Sunset couldn’t kill me because of how close he’d been with my father... Harmini shot him down for some reason or another in front of me… Told me I had to help her hang Sunset by the rope or she’d kill me too. I couldn’t do it. The man had saved my life. So I ran.” 

“Miss Harmini does not do anything for no reason,” Nim said. 

“Clint showed up a month later at a trial for Serenity,” I said. “I knew it wasn’t the last we’d seen of him then but I haven’t heard from him or them since.” 

“Oh dear. Clint is sounds like a real hard case then,” Thomas replied. 

“Was the most frustrating case I ever had.” I nodded. “It was closed that night that he was arrested after dualing with Jimmi. But I still had to deal with his bloody brothers.” 

“Trying to pin anything on Serenity is frustrating,” Nim agreed. 

“Thankfully they’ve all been shelled out of Tombstone never to return,” I said with relief, knowing that the mayor warned them never to come back. I looked at Thomas and said, “Honey... Whatever you do… And I mean this more than I’ve ever meant anything against Lot or mac or any of them… DON’T let Clint Houston near our children.” 

“Clint have the next way to act... him ask if you don’t answer correct search a medic because him will shot you at the next word,” Angeles said. 

“Aw Trin, Clint is a good role model.” Rikki giggled. 

I shot her a glare to show I wasn’t kidding and said, “His wife almost killed me, Rikki. I hardly call that a good role model.” 

“I think so, did wonders for Xav,” Nim said. 

“That’s his wife, not him,” Rikki said.

“Just meant Clint wasn’t in town to do it,” I said. 

Thomas listened closely while we talked and then finally said, “Dear, if he gets anywhere near our kids, I promise all in Tombstone, Bisbee, Benson Black Diamond and Pearce will hear it.” 

“Pffft he would not have done it,” Rikki said. 

“He search a medic for me a few times even one time with his witness in court I make some people guilty... so depend how you treats a Clint him will treated you,” Angeles said. 

“Tye warned me that if Clint ever found out that I was after him, he’d make sure that I wouldn’t search for anyone ever again,” I said. “I’m not naive enough to think that Clint wouldn’t touch me.” 

“I normally only are awful with him in Court... but I can said the couple times shot me was him who bring me with the medics,” Angeles said. 

“He’s always kind to me.” Rikki smiled. 

“That’s because you’re on the same side, Rikki,” I told her. 

“Same side?” 

“Well, let’s hope that never comes to fruition love. Cause it will be one bloody day in Tombstone for sure,” Thomas assured. 

“Of course Clint its not a saint... ask a any cavalry the nightmare to every Saturday…” Angeles said. 

“Yep, everyone will be shot down except Clint,” Rikki said with a giggle. 

“Rikki, I healed him several times for being shot,” Angeles told her. 

“No man is a saint in the Wild West, even our Deputy over here. It’s why it’s called the wild west,” Nim said. 

Thomas held me close and kissed my forehead, telling me, “It will be alright dear.” 

“What are you saying, Nim?” I looked over at her. 

“And remember, can’t use morphine on him because is allergic,” Angeles said. 

“Just that any man that comes out west here can’t call himself a saint after being here for awhile, nature of the things a man has to do to survive out here,” Nim said. 

“Don’t mean every man’s going to choose the wrong side of the law,” I told her. 

“I agree,” Angeles said. 

“You can’t make that generalization, Nim,” I warned. 

“Nim, I can honestly say I have not done anything to be ashamed of or illegal since I come out here. and I am from Texas,” Thomas said. 

“Sure I can Trin, I wasn’t trained by Pinkertons,” Nim said. 

“Bull, Nim. Don’t go talkin’ bout my man like that. You don’t even know him. Pinkerton’s wouldn’t paint every man with the same brush either. Especially law.” 

“I met him earlier, before you arrived, seems like a nice guy.” Nim smiled. “Doesn’t mean he has not done something out west here that he wouldn’t think about back East.” 

“He just told you he hasn’t. Take the man for his word. Stop judging people based on everyone else’s actions.” 

“Yep, I know, generalization, question revoked your honor,” Nim said and I grinned with satisfaction. 

Thomas hugged me tightly and kissed me. “Come on dear. Just let it go. No sense in making a fuss.” 

“Good enough for me.” I shrugged. “I won’t have people talkin’ bad about law for no reason, dear. Especially the man who has my heart.” 

“You talk bad about me Trin,” Rikki pointed out. “And I am Law in Ghenna.” 

“She wasn’t insinuating me directly dear,” Thomas said with a smile. “But you do have to admit, there are a lot of crooked lawmen and other men here out west that could never get away with it if they were back east.” 

“Because I know you’ve been arrested and in court, Rikki.” I shrugged to her. “And I know you’ve been claimed guilty. I know, dear,” I said as I looked at Thomas. 

“Thank you Thomas, and sorry if I offended Trin, but we spark easy, think it is from former court battles,” Nim said and smiled. 

“All lies,” Rikki grumbled. 

“We’re used to the courtroom indeed.” I nodded to her. “Thought I’d lost my skills in arguin’ since there ain’t been court in ages. Guess I haven’t.” I chuckled finally. 

“There a court in town, if you want some differences fixed, ladies.” Angeles chuckled. 

“Why couldn’t all battles be settled in the courtroom, instead of with bullets? Wouldn’t it make the whole world a lot better?” Thomas smiled. 

“Sure would, love. We’re fixed, right Nim?” I asked. 

“But Rikki, just think, instead of throwing lead, you could throw the book at someone,” Thomas said with a wink to me. 

“Oh, well Thomas, I can give you a living example right here, I was a US Marshal, most of my battles were in the courtroom and sorry, I don’t think justice was done. As a Maverick boss my justice is on my hips, and I don’t have to argue my case,” Nim said. I sighed and bit my tongue, leaning against Thomas to control myself as she went on. “Perhaps one day when Arizona becomes a state, I might find my way back to the other side of the fence.” 

“True Nim and Rikki, but the gun is not the answer to everything. One day, in this world, the gun will fall to the side and and the law will rule. Guns cause more bad than good I think,” Thomas said. 

“For now, I like my form of justice better,” Nim said. 

“Guns are the answer,” Rikki argued. 

“I agree with you Thomas, but until we get statehood, that day won’t come.” 

“Depend the point of view the guns are the answer,” Angeles said. 

“Tomahawk works good too,” Snow said then. 

“Ya don’t argue with someone pointing a loaded .44 at you,” Rikki observed. 

“Why he tomahawk my friend? This can be more nice for one nice haircut,” Angeles said with a smirk at Snow. 

“Ok, point made,” Thomas said. “But what if the person you are pointing that .44 at is faster with their gun, or has friends around. Does that not make it unfair for either side?” 

I had a flashback then to the Cherokee village and the chief wanting me to join in with the scalping there and I looked at Thomas. “Can we go home, dear?” 

“Yes dear, let’s head home. I have an early start in the morning. Lawman’s job is never done. Night folks.” 

We said goodnight to the others and headed home. I desperately needed to see my children and get some fresh air.

Bisbee. 

I walked into the house with Thomas and felt my legs going weak under me. I sat down on the couch, shaking and feeling white. Thomas locked the door and sat down beside me, cuddling me close. 

“You okay dear?” he asked with concern. 

I shook my head and hid against him. “I never wanted to hear those names again.” 

Thomas nodded and hugged me tight, kissing me softly. “I know dear, but when you deal with friends of them, you’re gonna hear their names. But if they stay in Tombstone, then we don’t have to worry with them.” 

“I hate that Nim’s a Maverick’s boss. I mean it makes sense... she was always on the other side in courts and always defended outlaws anyway but... She’s gonna be too damn good,” I muttered. “And now she co-runs Kate’s. Which you know what that means? Two out of the three major saloons are run by outlaws now.” 

“I can’t believe what this town is coming to. First the outlaws run it, now they run the saloons too. But what can we do baby?” 

“Hide in Bisbee and Diamond. It’ll be safer for us and safer for the kids. We’ll have to warn them not to go to Kate’s without us.” 

“God help anyone who tries to hurt our kids baby. I will lose my star to see they burn in hell if they do.” Thomas hugged me tightly. 

I hid against him and then tried to hear if the kids were awake. “You hear that, dear?” 

“I don’t hear anything, baby.” 

“Exactly…” I smiled and kissed his lips softly. 

“I love you so much my dear.” Thomas smiled and kissed me deeply. 

“Thank you for helping me stay calm tonight baby. Sometimes they just... get to me, those two... And Angeles doesn’t help.” 

“That’s what I am here for dear. I know. But it does neither of us any good to get upset over their stupidity. They do it cause they know it gets to you.” 

“I know... but when they start attacking people I love, I ain’t gonna stand for it. And I got her to take back her argument, didn’t I?” I grinned and winked at him proudly. 

“Yes you did my love. I am very proud of you for standing your ground. But just please be careful around those two. You never know what they might be up to.” 

“I know, dear, I know... Known them almost two years now... Wow... you know in two months it’ll be two years that I’ve been here in Tombstone?” 

“Really? Wow…” 

We continued to kiss and then instead of going to our room, we kissed Jimmy and Natalie goodnight and then went out onto the deck where we curled up and fell asleep under the stars.