July 20, 1901

Black Diamond. 

This evening I went to the office and found a note in my mailbox from Reverend Wulf. Going to the blacksmith shop, I saw Tom and Wulf drinking coffee together and smiled at the men as I greeted them. 

“Trin, join us and get a cup of coffee,” Wulf invited. 

“Hi there. I just got the note from Pookes that we’ve had some mishaps here in town lately?” I asked him.

“Mishaps?!” Tom exclaimed. 

“Yes. He and Haver found out Sunday morning when they woke up to a smell of fire.” 

“Uh oh. Not another fire?” Tom looked worried. 

“Alright let’s start at the beginning,” I suggested, getting out my notebook.

“And went out to look and the mares I got from Denver were gone,” Wulf went on. “Haver’s a good kid that works with Isaac, my Partner here.” 

“Right, Pookes... He wrote a note for me. So On Sunday morning when Pookes and Isaac were here, they noticed the horses were missing? And there was remnants of a fire?” 

Tom poured me some coffee and told me it was really good as I thanked him for it and Wulf went on with his story. 

“It was Haver, his 13 year old friend.” 

“Haver?” I looked at him, not knowing the name. 

“Yes the young Lad that works for Isaac. He is learning the smith trade. Big boy for his age.” 

“Pookes, the boy that works with Isaac, correct?” 

“Pookes is an orphan  Sel and I took in when we lived over in Pearce and Haver works for Isaac. They both live here.” 

“Oh okay, Haver is Pooke’s friend.” 

“Yes.” 

“I see. And he wrote a note to me saying they saw the fire at the blacksmith office, and that two horses were missing.” 

“Yes and I came over after church and took a look and they were no where to be found. Isaac never leaves the forge lit overnight. Too much dry tender about.” 

“Do they have any idea who might have done it? Anything left behind?” Tom asked. 

“No just some burnt grass and sticks the cleaned up. And the black mares are missing.” 

“Black horses then, okay that helps,” I noted, marking it down. 

“The boys searched all over for miles for the mares and they just kinda disappeared. They did not go to the Indian camp or Ghenna. I have forbid them to go there any time.” 

“Very good of you.” I nodded. 

“Do these horses have any special markings or features that will help us find them?” Tom asked. 

“Good question, dear.” I smiled at Tom, proud of him. 

“Haver is real good with horses. They follow him around like a puppy. Yes, have a Bar D on the left hip and they are fine-blooded mares. Not nags. I paid 50 dollars a piece for them as broad mares. Both about two years old… Fifteen hands, twelve hundred or so pounds. Black as a moonless night. Not one hair white on either.” 

“Sounds like really good stock Reverend. It would be a real shame to lose those,” Tom commented. 

“We’ll do our best to find them, and find out who started this fire,” I promised. 

“Yes, I had some plans for them to pay for the kids education,” Wulf said. “Most kindly of you booth.” 

“We’ll have to talk to Pookes and Haver…” I commented. 

“Yes for sure,” Tom agreed. 

“Well they are off fishing,” Wulf told us. “But they are out of  tutoring by Sel in the morning by 10.” 

“And Isaac? Would he know anything?” I asked. “I will have to look around then.” 

“Reverand would you or the boys have seen anyone hanging around the shop out of the ordinary? Like more than normal?” Tom asked. 

“Might ask Bree,” Wulf suggested. “I do know a new family just moved in. I do know a new family just moved in.” 

“So wait… There was no fire, right? We’re just talking stolen horses?” I looked between them. 

“Good idea, she knows just about everything that happens around here most times,” Tom said to Wulf. 

“Think he is called Will and his wife Dee or some such… Bout all I know. With the train going by who knows.” 

“Yes Will and Dee…” I nodded. “They’ve moved into Black Diamond. Me and Jimmy met up with them the other day. Alright well I’d like to walk around and look if you don’t mind. Maybe they left something behind.” 

“Like I said, I have not met them,” Wulf said. “Okay.” 

“Oh that was the couple Jimmy was talking about. Said something about somebody needed a bath inside and out or something,” Tom said. 

I chuckled and nodded to him. “You two chat, I’ll just poke around outside.” 

I walked outside, hearing them chat about the church and I looked around for anything out of place. I studied the horse equipment, not remembering how any of the stuff functioned and then looked closer at the horses that were there, gasping when I saw what I saw. I fell back against the post and when the men came out to ask what was wrong, I shakily pointed to the piece of deer skin. I swore, feeling the world spin. Why did these worlds have to collide again? Tom put his arm around me but I collapsed in his arms from the shock.

When I came to, I blinked up at the men seeing I was in the blacksmith office. Tom handed me a cup of water and I took it shakily, sipping the drink slowly. “Take it easy dear. Here drink this,” Tom said softly. 

“Tom…? The deer... skin… Outside… It…” I blinked and looked around. 

“We brought you into the blacksmith shop. You collapsed,” Tom told me with concern in his voice. 

“There was... outside…” I reached for Tom’s hand and he held mine gently, looking into my eyes. 

“Yes a deer skin dear. Where the horses were being kept.” 

“Apache…” I said softly, but loud enough for both of them to hear. 

Tom removed his hat and knelt beside me. “Apache?!” I nodded, starting to sit up and he asked, “Are you sure?” 

“I’m four-generation Apache, hon. I’m sure. 

I spent so much time with the Natives before coming to Tombstone.. I’d recognize that material anywhere. It’s... It’s what they use for Native clothing.” 

Tom looked at Wulf and asked, “Could it be someone trying to pass it off as Apache?” 

“I hope so…” I blinked. 

“I think so. The Apache are not that careless,” Wulf stated. 

“I mean I don’t want to go accusing the Chief or his people of horse stealing. It would cause one heck of a ruckus,” Tom said. 

“Why do you... think I collapsed?” I asked, drinking more water. 

Tom put an arm around me and held me close. “Are you going to be ok? I have never seen you collapse like that before.” 

I leaned against him, pulling him close. I was relieved they were both there and blinked back the threatening tears. “I just... I saw... and it… Damn it, why can’t the past stay where it belongs?” 

Tom reached for a handkerchief from his vest and wiped my eyes. “It’s okay Trin. We can’t escape the past.” 

“Trin, the past is past but we often learn from it and at times it is useful,” Wulf advised. 

I sighed, reaching for Tom’s hand. “I need... to get that evidence locked up..” 

“Trin, I think your on the right trail,” Wulf told me. “It was planted.” 

“Are you sure you’re ok? Maybe you should go home and rest,” Tom suggested, squeezing my hand tightly. 

I nodded to Wulf and said, “Either way... I can’t... I don’t want to scratch the Apache from being a possibility.” 

“To cover up the deed or I hope not to start a war,” Wulf said. “I leave that up to you but being around Indians in Kansas and now here they are not careless in what they do.” 

“You’re right reverend,” Tom agreed, holding me tightly. “From my dealings with them in Texas and a few times here, they aren’t as careless as people think they are.” 

“If I can answer any more question let me know,” Wulf said. “You best get Trin home.” 

“Thanks for telling us all you know…” I nodded to Wulf. “I need to get that evidence locked up.” 

“Not much more you can do anyway tonight,” Wulf said. 

“Yes I think so too reverend. Thank you for your help, and we will find those horses as soon as we can,” Tom promised. 

I wandered out slowly to retrieve the evidence, putting my gloves on before I did. I gathered the deer skin into a plastic bag and went to my office, shakily opening the door as Tom followed close behind. I put the bag into the cupboard and locked it, going back to lean against Tom. 

Tom held me close, kissing me softly. “Are you okay dear?” 

I kissed him back and leaned against him tiredly. “I just... any time I see... Apache things... I still can’t get over how the natives treated me so many years ago. Especially since going over the journals lately more with Natalie…” 

“Well whatever you do, don’t go riding off into Apache territory alone. Ok? You come get me first and we can ride together.” 

“Of course, dear. I promise I won’t go anywhere on this one alone other than asking around town for witnesses. Can we go home, dear?” 

“Yes dear we can go home.” 

Bisbee.

We headed home and heard the kids talking inside. I held my hand on his arm to stop him so we could listen to them while they talked inside, since the windows were wide open. 

“So yeah then we went down in the mine and we found this! See?” Natalie was asking, holding out a gold nugget to Jimmy. 

“Wow sis! What mine did you go into to find that?” Jimmy asked. 

“Well um... Don’t tell ma and pa, okay?” Nat looked nervous and I perked, looking over at Tom with concern. 

“I won’t say a word I promise,” Jimmy insisted. 

“I was with Michelle and Michael and they wanted to go in the caves and stuff and we... We went to…” Nat hesitated. 

“Michael and Michelle went with you? Awww wish I had been there,” Jimmy said and pouted. 

I opened the door then and stormed in. “You went to where exactly, Natalie Grace?” 

Tom walked in with me and Nat jumped, looking down at the ground and swallowing hard. Shira barked excitedly, looking between all of us.

“Well?!” I looked at Nat expectantly. 

“But ma. Michelle and Michael wanted to go with her. So it really aint her fault. Pa you tell her!” Jimmy insisted. 

Nat cringed and stepped back a bit. “I… I’m sorry.” 

“So if they told you they were going to stick they head in a cow butt, you would do it too huh?” Tom asked and Nat shook her head. 

“Natalie Grace, where exactly did you go?” I asked her firmly. 

“Ewwwwwwwww Paaaaaaaaaa!” Jimmy made a face. 

Nat looked over to Tom then and said, “They wanted to explore. So we started walkin’ towards Pearce and I SAID we weren’t s’posed to go in that mine but... But Michael went in there anyways and I showed them where I got hurt and he made the lift thingy go up and wanted to go down and I just COULDN’T let them go down alone cause what if something happened!!!” 

Tom looked at Natalie, shaking his head, and then looked back at me. I sighed, too tired to deal with it, giving him a pleading look. “But…” Tom started. 

“Which one of us fainted back there just now, huh?” I looked at him. 

“YOU FAINTED?!?!” Nat exclaimed. 

“Fainted? WHO!” Jimmy looked at us worriedly. 

“Dear you go to bed. I will handle these to outlaws on my own,” Tom promised. I nodded to him and headed upstairs, giving Nat a look as I walked up to my room. I continued to listen as they talked but eventually I fell asleep, letting Tom deal with the kids. 

July 13, 1901

Black Diamond. 

This morning, I walked down the street in Diamond and saw Will O’Sullivan standing in front of one of the house. “Howdy Will. Been looking for you.” 

“Me?” He laughed. 

“Mmhmm.” 

“What do you need? I’m not hard to find. I live here now. Just need some hanging baskets I think,” he said and laughed. 

“Well... Seems there’s been some rumours of political disputes as of late,” I told him. 

“Oh, well they learn I’m the only real candidate. No one knows outlaws like I do,” he said and laughed. “I mean Jackson don’t get it.” 

“You know anything about who burned down the campaign office the other week?” 

“No, of course not. But I happened by it after it as burnt and was so ugly I slapped up one of my election posters on the wall as a public service. His store was so so so ugly. What an eye sore? I expect better of a candidate…” 

“Oh really? So you weren’t around to witness the fire itself then?” 

“Of course not. I would have reported it to the local law… That is if I could find one,” he said and chuckled. 

“Well, you can always report things to me in my mailbox, Will. You do know I happen to live with a local lawman here…” 

“Oh, I ain’t seen him lately.” Will offered his hand and said, “You know, I could use your vote. Jackson is is such a stuff shirt and I hear the other man Chris is a womanizer.” 

“Well, even if he ain’t been around, he’s more than likely at home with the children while I’m working. You can always get a message to him through my mailbox.” 

“Oh yes. Well, I didn’t have anything to report about the fire. I bet he burnt it himself… maybe for insurance. I hear his campaign is short of funds.” 

“Hey there Dee,” I said as the woman walked over to join us. 

“Dee, she’s asking about the fire across the street,” Will explained. 

“Oh,” Dee said. 

“I told her I walked up after it.” 

“Been looking around for anyone who lives in the area for days…” I nodded. “Things have been kinda quiet no matter when I come into town.

“Yes, it has been very quiet,” Dee said. 

“Yes we just moved in here together,” Will said with a smile. “We plan to liven things up a bit.”

“Well good to have some regular residents around here,” I said. “I’ve had my office here for a while now... If you need anything at all, please drop a note in the mailbox. I’ll make sure it gets to local law.” 

“Well can’t say as I blame them… Menkes is such a rude man,” Dee said. 

“Yes he was saying he bedded my mother and she like 80 years old such a tasteless man he is,” Will said. 

“Just would have been nice to have a witness of some sort… Not much we can do without it.” 

“Yes, and also I hear he received lots of donations from the ladies’ society meeting, but can’t account for them. Tisk tisk…” 

“Is the frustration lately. No one seems to be around unless there’s a dance,” I said with a shrug. 

“Unfortunately they do things when no one is around,” Dee commented. 

“Well we plan to be here lots,” Will told me. “Where is your office Trin?” 

I led them to my office and showed them my mailbox where they could leave me messages. Will asked me if I could hang up a poster on my window but I told him I didn’t want to get into the political stuff as it would put a target on my back. He offered to handle any problems I was having and I told them I didn’t want to make things dangerous for my children. 

“You know,” Will said then. “I hear he professes himself as strong on law, and he shot Rikki down and drew first.” 

“I was aware there has been bad blood between the two.” I nodded. 

“Well no one charged him. I think he’s paid the law off,” Will said. 

“Last I heard Chris was running as well.” 

“He is. Running after ever skirt in town… Oops, did I say that out loud?” 

“But he has not been here much either,” Dee put in. “Last I heard he was engaged to Kai.” 

“Oh is he? I hadn’t heard that yet.” 

“That was a few months ago,” Dee said with a nod. 

Jimmy walked over then and Dee was shocked at Jimmy’s BB gun, but I said that was Tom’s doing. We talked about the rules of guns and then we looked back over to the campaign office. 

“But I sure am glad he fixed the place back up what an eye sore it was,” Will said. 

“I have my suspicions,” Dee said. 

“Not really much I can do without witnesses, now is there?” I muttered. 

“I bet Chris did it,” Will suggested. 

“Even if we have evidence it doesn’t prove who did the fire itself. Just who was around. Which isn’t enough for a warrant.” 

“Well we will keep an eye out,” Dee promised. “Seeing how’s we live right here now.” 

“I’d appreciate that, Dee. The more eyes the better.” 

“Well I heard she shot Rikki down and drew first,” Will said. 

“Who shot Rikki down first? Right before the fire?” I looked at him. 

“I also hear that it was a revenge shooting. That’s a hanging offense. I would like to see him charges.” 

“When did this alleged revenge shooting happen?” I asked. 

“I did see a new deputy sheriff here the other day. A lady,” Dee commented randomly. 

“Well it was the night after the ladies society meeting,” Will told me. 

“Which was when in relation to the fire? And who shot her?” I asked. 

“He was running around town saying he was going to get Rikki.” 

“Jackson?” 

“Yes. I think Bree treated his wounds and probably heard it.” 

“When, Will? Before the fire?” 

“Yes, before the fire.”

“Yes and Kris let him go,” Dee said. “The marshal.” 

“Right before?” I asked. 

“That doesn’t surprise me.” I sighed. 

“Dirty law is the worse thing,” Will said. “Well I’m sure there were witnesses. It was on Allen street. I was not here or I would have fixed it.”

“Alright let me get this straight. Before the fire at the campaign office, Jackson was shouting that he would get Rikki and he managed to shoot her down. Bree treated Rikki’s wounds and Jackson was arrested by Kris but then released?” I asked. 

“Yes,” Dee said. 

“He most likely paid bail then.” 

“No. He was let go form the docs office.” 

“Yes and the night before was the ladies society meeting,” Will said. “And Jackson was shot that night.” 

“I see.” 

“And was outside bragging how he was going to get Rikki. I’m sure Bree heard that.” 

“Kris was there then?” I asked. 

“Yes. It was the night of Kate’s dance,” Dee told me. 

“How soon before the fire did this all happen?” I asked. “That means Monday night… What night or day was the fire exactly?” 

“Yes the ladies society meeting was umm robbed on Sunday night,” Will said. “He thought Rikki done it. I’m sure Doll can give you the dates.” 

“The fire... June 25. A Thursday,” I summarized. 

“Yes, this was a week before, or maybe two.” 

“So the ladies’ society robbery and the revenge shooting happened a week before the campaign office fire burned down?” I asked. 

“Yeah. There was witnesses. I bet Rikki knows who was there when she got shot.” 

“Rikki’s statement wouldn’t help me in court, Will,” I told him. 

“Well good luck talking to Kris. He never answers me,” Dee said. 

“Believe me, I know…” I sighed. 

“It was a week or maybe two. I’m not good on dates detective,” Will admitted. 

“But it was before the fire, yes?” I asked. 

“Yes, before the fire.” 

“And you’re suggesting the fire is in response to Jackson’s revenge shooting?” 

“Who knows. The man is dirt. I bet he’s got lots of enemies.” 

“Well at least we know the bigger picture now, right buddy?” I grinned and looked down at Jimmy who just nodded in agreement, though he looked confused. 

“Well he can accuse me. I will make a fool out of him in court.” He laughed. 

“He still hasn’t given me a statement about the event. Neither has Suzy. Or anyone else for that matter.” 

“Well of course not. That would implicate him in a revenge shooting and that’s a hanging offence. He could be the first candidate for governor that is hung.” 

“Kind of a ‘catch twenty-two’,” Dee agreed. 

I nodded, understanding. “So as usual... I just need witnesses. But there likely wasn’t a single witness to the fire, so we’d still be back to circumstantial evidence.” 

“I would like to see him charged for shooting my friend Rikki,” Will said. 

Jimmy offered them some liquorice and Dee confirmed that I would be singing at the Stock Exchange in a couple of hours. 

Will looked at me then and said, “Trin, I doubt you will ever solve the fire case but there is an easier one the revenge shooting.” 

“Will... do you know anything about the ranger station fire, which happened the same day as the campaign fire?” I asked. 

“No." 

“Not a word’s been said about that fire either. I guess my focus turns to the revenge shooting.” 

“Sounds like we have an arsonist.” 

“Don’t we always?” 

“Well I think the shooting and the cover up is a much bigger story.” 

“Indeed, it’s the bigger case for sure, just a matter of whether these are all related or not,” I said. “It sounds as if they are.” 

“Well he’s a dirty man. And so arrogant.” 

“Well I wish you luck..like I said we will keep ours eyes open Trin,” Dee promised. 

“Maybe he needs a bath Mr Will,” Jimmy suggested. 

“Thanks, Dee. I’m gonna need it,” I said and chuckled at my son. “If only it were that simple.” 

“Well pa always says ex-lax can clean yore insides, and a good bath on the outside, might get ’em clean both in and out, right ma?” Jimmy looked up at me and I smirked, messing his hat a bit. 

Jimmy and I headed over to the cantina but Bree was napping so we went for a ride. 

Goldfield. 

We stopped riding in Goldfield when Jimmy called to me and said, “Ma! I need to show you something me and Natalie and Timmie found.” 

“This oughtta be good. I’m right behind you.” I chuckled. 

“Oh I sure hope so. Can you… help me with my saddle bag?” Jimmy asked and tried to lift it over his shoulder. I reached for it and almost dropped it. 

“Geez Jimmy, what’s in that thing? Gold??” 

“Woah ma! Be careful!” He looked at me with a big smile and said, “Actually… yes!” 

I stumbled back a bit on my horse and looked at him. “James Randall Wallace Paige. You better not be teasing me.” 

Jimmy opened the saddle bag and showed me a big chunk of gold. “I ain’t teasin’ ma. It’s real gold. We found it in some old ruins in the ground.” 

I blinked at him and looked around nervously. “Jimmy. Not out in the open. Do you have any idea what outlaws would do if they saw that pile of gold right now?” 

Jimmy looked around and asked, “What outlaws ma?” 

“The ones that could be lurking around the corner. Let’s take this bag home. Does your father know about this?” 

“Nobody but the nuggets and you now ma. We found it over a week ago.” 

I exhaled a bit and said, “Let’s ride back to Bisbee and take it home, alright? I don’t want you carrying that around with you all the time. It’s too dangerous. And we’re going to tell your father.”

“Okay ma,” he said to my surprise. I’d been expecting more of a protest but was relieved when it didn’t come and we rode back home. 

Bisbee. 

I walked into the house with Jimmy as Jimmy dragged the heavy saddle bag up the hill, grunting as he went. “Tom!” I shouted as we walked inside. 

“What I do now?” Tom asked from upstairs.

“You didn’t do anything, dear. It’s your children. Come down here please?” 

“Damn that’s heavy!” Jimmy said as he dragged the bag into the house, sweating already. 

“James Randal. Language,” I said and looked down to him. 

Tom walked downstairs and looked at me, then at Jimmy. “What in the world have you done now kiddo? And what did I tell you about that language?” 

“Well you try toting a hug chunk of gold up that dern hill and see what you say,” Jimmy said to him. 

“I want to know where you found that gold, son,” I looked at Jimmy. 

“A huge chunk of WHAT?!” Tom exclaimed. 

Nat ran into the house then and we all greeted her as Shira in behind her. Shira licked Jimmy’s face and then bounded over to greet us as we looked between the two children. 

“Explain yourselves. NOW,” I said firmly to the two of them. 

“What did I do?!” Nat asked, looking confused. 

Tom walked over to me and asked, “Did he say what I think he said? Did they find gold somewhere?” 

Jimmy looked at Nat and then at me. “We didn’t steal it, I swear!” 

I pointed at the couch and said, “Alright. Everyone sit, and explain this to us.” 

Shira sat down obediently and we looked at the kids, waiting for an explanation as Tom declared he needed a drink and poured himself some whiskey. 

“Well where do we start?” Jimmy asked Nat. 

“Well we found that letter, ’member Jimmy? From that dead soldier guy’s wife!” Nat started. 

“Oh yeah, and you found whatever it was from the soldier too sis. So we went to look where that map showed us.” 

“Yeah! The treasure map!” 

“So you found a treasure map. Where? Then where did you find this gold?” Tom asked. 

“What, no whiskey for me?” I asked, looking at Tom. 

Tom offered me half his whiskey and said, “I didn’t think you would want any before singing dear?” 

“It’s good for the throat and I’ve got lots of time before I have to sing.” I shrugged. “Besides... extenuating circumstances.” 

Jimmy looked around and said, “Ok well you remember our hideout where we found that money. Well upstairs there is an old teapot where I found a letter with a map on the back of it. The letter was from the wife to her soldier telling him she found the gold.” 

“Yeah,” Nat said, “So then we went to the hideout and showed Timmie ’cause he’s our newest Nugget friend. Then we went and found this real neat ranger’s station.” 

“Wait, wait... which ranger station?” I blinked. 

“The Ranger station in Black Diamond,” Jimmy replied and I swallowed hard, looking at Tom with worry as I recalled the fires as of late. 

“Don’t worry ma, it was empty. Except Nat found a letter from a soldier to the same woman who wrote the letter I and map I found. The we followed the map to a place high up in the hills, where there is a house, but just below it a ways was some old walls fallen down and we found that big chunk of gold buried there.” 

Tom looked confused and said, “I didn’t know Diamond had a Ranger station.” 

“It’s the one that Suzy told me had been put on fire... around the same time as the campaign office. But no one has given me a statement or anything to investigate it, so since the soldiers seem to think they can solve it on their own, I’m letting them deal with it,” I explained. 

“We did see not fire damage when we went in there ma. We found a case full of guns and a jail cell inside though,” Jimmy said. 

“Mama it was real neat. But the cell was unlocked. So we could go in and out of it no problem. I don’t think it been used much at all,” Nat said. 

“Oh and we found these real old guns and a knife inside a rusted out stove in an old shack of some kind too. But we left them there.” 

Tom looked at me with worry then and looked back at Jimmy. “You didn’t play with those guns or the knife did you Jimmy?” 

Jimmy looked at Tom and then at Nat, who stayed quiet. “No pa. I picked them up to look at ’em, but left them on the floor. They looked real old though. The knife was huge. Almost as long as my arm I think.” Nat nodded in agreement as he talked. 

“Ok, just remember what I have told you both. Never play with guns or knives. They are for adults and not kids. Understood?” Tom looked between them. 

“He was carryin’ that BB gun around today too again,” I said, looking at Tom. 

“But ma!” Jimmy cried. “I wasn’t aimin at nobody. I always carry it with me when I go out. I never know when I will run into a bear or somethin.” 

“Jimmy. What did I tell you about your bb gun? That it can hurt people just like a grown-up gun can. You are supposed to keep it slung on your shoulder at all times. Right!” Tom looked at him. 

“Yes pa, that’s what you told me,” Jimmy said and looked down at the floor. 

“Now about this gold..” I said, looking over at the bag, then at Tom. “How much would you say is here, hon?” 

Tom held out his hand then to Jimmy. “Let me have it son. I guess you aren’t ready for that responsibility.” 

“But pa!! He’s our protector!!!” Natalie cried. 

“I sorry pa. I jus…” Jimmy looked at the floor, handing over his bb gun and trying not to cry. Natalie reached over to squeeze his hand too. 

Tom looked at me and said, “I don’t  know hon. It needs to be weighed. I ain’t never seen that much gold in my life I don’t think. Not at once.” 

“Me neither. And I wonder if we can determine where this money came from... Other than where they found it at the ruins there,” I said with a nod. 

“NO!!! You can’t take our gold too!! They’re gonna take it, just like the other money, Jimmy!!!!” Nat cried. 

“NO! You can’t have it! Not this time!” Jimmy cried. 

“Hey you two! Settle down. We ain’t going to take your gold. But we got to find out what its worth, and find a safe place to keep it,” Tom said. 

“And, we need to find out where it came from,” I said with a nod. “If it came from someone’s account in a bank, then that gold belongs to someone. If it just came from the bank, then they’ll probably let us keep half as a finder’s fee. But we can’t take all of it for ourselves.” 

“Give me back my bb gun and we will consider letting your take our gold to find out what it’s worth,” Jimmy said. 

“He’s your son,” I said and rolled my eyes. 

“Hey! How would you like me to tan your hide son? I might use the butt of your bb gun to do it? Then toss it in the trash. So don’t be trying to get smart with your ma and pa ok?” Tom said firmly. 

“PA!” Nat exclaimed and I looked over to Tom with a warning look to relax. Tom drank the rest of his whiskey and Jimmy started to cry. 

“Maaaaaa....I don’t want to be whooped with my bb gun!” Jimmy cried. 

“Now Jimmy, no one is going to whoop you, are they, dear?” I looked over at Tom firmly, hoping I was right. 

Tom sighed deeply and said, “No. I ain’t gonna whip you Jimmy. But you need to watch how you speak to us from now on. Ok?” 

Jimmy rubbed his eyes and moved closer to Nat, hugging her and me tight. “Okay.” 

I rubbed his back and said, “It’s okay buddy. Your father just wants you to respect us more. You have to know we know what’s best for you two.” 

“But why cant we keep all the gold ma? We found it in the ground this time. Not like the money we found in the hideout. So it don’t belong to nobody,” Jimmy said. 

“Your father will explain that. I need to go upstairs and change.” I hugged him once more before ruffling Nat’s hair and heading upstairs to get ready for my gig. 

Downstairs I heard Tom say, “Well son, ummmm…. That gold come from somewhere. It didn’t get there on its own. Someone buried it. Which meant they either stole it, or hid it there from outlaws stealing it. So we have to find out who it belongs to.” 

“Well okay but.. We still get to keep some of it, right?” Nat asked. 

“That all depends on who it belongs to. If the people are no longer living, well then yes. But if they are alive, then they might give you something for finding it. It appears to have been buried a long time. Did you see a date on the letters or the map?” Tom asked. 

“Do you still got the letter?” Nat asked Jimmy. 

“I’m needed over at the saloon. Am I getting my bartender today?” I asked as I walked downstairs and looked over at Tom. 

“I remember something like 1863 I think pa,” Jimmy said, looking from Nat to Tom. He dug in his pockets and said, “I must have left it at the hideout. I didn’t want anyone else to find it.” 

“Yes of course dear. Be there in a few,” Tom promised me. 

“We should go back and make sure of that date then, Jimmy! I bet those people not alive still! That’s soooooo long ago!” Nat exclaimed. 

“In 1863 I was seven years old, just so you know.” I smirked. 

“Yeah, we will try to make sure they are dead first,” Jimmy said. 

“Well... Um... maybe not THAT old,” Nat said and looked at me. 

“I’ll see you later, you two. You stay safe out there. And see you soon, dear,” I said as I gave them a hug. Jimmy and Nat ran out and I went to the saloon to start setting up. 

I played at the Stock Exchange and the music went well with a few people there to listen. Ruby and Spank got into some sort of fight while I was playing that ended in Spank getting a black eye. 

After everyone told me how great the music sounded I looked between Ruby and Spank and said, “As for the two of you.. Music’s s’posed to bring people together, not make ’em fight.” 

“Sorry about Spanky and me, Trin. It was all… his fault as usual,” Ruby insisted. 

“Tell her that. She hit me… Three times,” Spank insisted. 

“I think it was the whiskey dear, not them,” Tom said. 

“He would push any woman to the utter limit,” Ruby said. 

I looked at Tom and told him, “No more whiskey for Ruby.” 

“Me?!” Spank shook his head. 

“Chauvinist,” Ruby muttered. 

“See what I gotta deal with?” 

“You should call in at the surgery, Spank. Get the doc to check that eye out.” 

“Yeah, don’t want no doc.” 

“Take her home and give her some coffee Spank, she might feel better afterwards,” Tom suggested. 

“What they gonna do? That musta hurt. Anyway… Thanks Trin for tonight.” 

“My pleasure, Spank,” I said and smiled at him. 

Spank and Ruby headed out and I looked over at Tom and chuckled. “See Tom... That’s why we aren’t getting married.” 

“Thank God for that then....cause I don’t want no black eyes,” he said with a laugh. 

“Now if we can just figure out what to do about Jimmy and Natalie,” Tom said. 

“Yeah…” I sighed and we said goodbye to Jy and headed home to deal with the kids and figure out what to do with the gold they had found. 

June 29, 1901

Black Diamond. 

This morning I received a telegram from Deputy Sheriff Ellie Stoneshield that read, “The following was noticed by passers-by after the attack on the Campaign office of Mister J Menkes: On the window a poster had been placed stating Will O’Sullivan for Governor. This is a possible source of information which you may already have, but just in case you don’t.... Any help you might need feel free to message me..” 

I began to send a telegram to her and said, “Hi Ellie, thanks for the notecard. We definitely have been looking into this. We have some evidence but it’s not really conclusive. Are you in possession of the poster, by chance? What we really need now are witnesses. Myself and Tom Wallace, a deputy in Black Diamond and my man, have been ferviously looking into this case. Thanks for your contact.” 

June 27, 1901

Tombstone. 

This evening, Ansar sent a telegram for me to meet with him as soon as possible. I walked through town looking for Ansar and found him in the courthouse in his office. He called down when he saw me and I headed upstairs, opening the door. “Hey there Marshal. Been a while since we met in here.” 

“Yeah it has. Glad you could get here so fast.” 

“I’ve been hoping to catch you on some things. When Natalie told me you were in town I ran right over.” 

“Anyways, the reason I sent for ya was for a few things.” 

“I’ll let you start.” I nodded and took a seat across from him. 

“First of and most important is a fire in diamond I had a look myself and there was quiet a bit of ash. Have you been over there?” 

“I’ve been investigating it. I can relay some information to you on that already if you’re interested. Tom, my man and the deputy over there, is working on the case with me.” 

“What have you found?” 

“We’ve investigated the office and come up with ample evidence on the suspects... Would be nice if I could add witnesses to that but... you know how things run around here lately.” 

“Evidence such as?” 

“Alright well... Suzy and Jackson told me about the fire. I went to the office and found a picture on the window.. It read, ‘Will O’Sullivan for Governor’.” I took out the picture and handed it to him to look at. I wondered why we needed to investigate, but looked further on the issue anyway…” 

“Yeah, I seen the thing.” 

“Nothing is that simple in this town, you know?” 

“Well can’t just blame a guy just on a poster alone. Need proof.” 

“Jackson informed me there were two prints of boots in the office. Since I had Will’s prints, finger and boot, on file... I went back to get my file on Will and brought it to compare the boot print with the one found in the office. It was an exact match. The only mystery remained... Who belonged to the other print? But... We figured that out pretty quickly too. Interested in knowing who belonged to that second boot print?” I looked at him. 

“Okay I see. So two boot prints… right… and fingerprints.” 

“So this second print… Jackson informed us that Rikki and Will have been at his throat since he started his campaigns… In the past... Will and Rikki have been tied to the hip, as I’m sure you’re aware…” 

“Mmhmm so it’s a boot and finger print? Or just boot. Just to be clear.” 

“Two individual boot prints. Separate. Two different people. One of which, I already had on file from when Will was arrested in the past.” 

“Ah, so just boot prints?” 

“The other... Well... Because of this suspicion of Rikki being involved, we thought... Where is Rikki most often? On the train…” 

“What if someone borrowed his boots? Or her boots?” 

“So we tracked down the train, and there were only a couple of prints in the conductor’s car. One which was clearly male by the arch of the boot... The other, more female. It was a match to the one we found in the office. I didn’t say it was good evidence… It’s just... all we’ve got so far. It’s all we could gather at the scene. Most fires around Tombstone have been started with a lamp oil of some sort. But in this case that won’t even help us cause we can’t compare the oil to anywhere…” 

“Well just asking as this are questions the defence could ask.” 

“It’s a fair question, and one I need your guidance on. Quite frankly, Ansar, we’ve got nothing. Jackson told me he would work on the witness statement but I don’t even know if he saw it.” 

“Hmm, if you had a finger print that would be more.. defined. But with a fire.” 

“But the fire would have burned all that up..” 

“Hard to tell,” he said and I sighed. “Did you find where the fire started?” 

“I was hoping to do that with you... My experience on arson is somewhat limited. Even though I’ve investigated several fires here…” I shook my head. “It’s something I wish to learn more about. What would you advise?” 

“Hmm, well... hard to say. fires are a beast to prove. Why most people get away with it." 

“Right... It’s why we need bloody witnesses.” 

“I know Rikki is a big firebug and that’s why she is.” 

“But that’s circumstantial. So is Will’s picture on the window. Even if we had prints on the picture itself... It doesn’t prove the fire.” 

“And her main thing to make sure there never a witness. Kind of her M.O. Calling card one could say. But we can’t blame every fire on her.” 

“Then we’re screwed.” 

“Even with the boot prints... And the picture... We’ve got nothing.” 

“Did you take the picture?” 

“I took a picture of the picture... I could go back to get the picture itself... I’m sure it’s still there.” 

“Someone had to put that thing there.” 

“I knew I should have taken it.” 

“If someone put it there then it could have print, it survived the fire.” 

“Or it was put up after the fire.” 

“That too… Someone put it there.” 

“Either way... Even if Will’s prints are discovered on it... It won’t prove who set the fire. He could have done that hours after the fire, completely unrelated.” 

“Right, but it will prove he was there. And his boot prints.” 

“True… I knew I should have gotten prints from the picture itself.” 

“It’s a trail.” 

“Want to go collect that now? Though we do have more to discuss.” 

“Well when you can. But I wanted to speak to of another matter but it’s not as urgent. It can wait.” 

“As did I, which is somewhat urgent.” 

“I can speak to you when you come back.” 

“Alright, you’ll still be here for a while? I want to gather the prints before the picture is lost.” 

“Exactly. I will be here if not you can always get a hold of me somehow.” 

“Alright. I’ll try to be quick,” I said as I headed out of the office. 

I went to Black Diamond and almost fell off the horse in frustration, seeing that everything had been cleaned up at the office. I rode back to Tombstone, frustrated with myself, and saw Ansar and Angel in front of the sheriff’s office. I dismounted the horse in frustration and walked over to them. 

“I’m sorry, Ansar… I should have taken the damn picture yesterday. It’s gone. We’ve got nothing.” 

“Not there? Dang,” he said. “Can’t say ya didn’t try.” 

“I should have. There’s another case I want to talk to you about, which might be connected.” 

“It happenz, Trin. Iz good evidence you got right?” Angel asked.

“Not really, that’s the problem, Angel.” I shrugged. 

“I would speak to Amara she may know more on the matter then me. She the one who showed it to us,” Ansar said. 

“Even if it WAS Rikki and Will who wore those boots... They coulda been there hours after the fire. That picture was probably hung up hours after. It’s too circumstantial. I’ll try to get a witness statement out of Amara... If I can find her.” 

“I know ven the fire happened. Vas ven Tombstone had the dust storm,” Angel said. “I vas in Diamond just before it happened sadly. Vas me and Bree and some new voman. We seen Rikki in Bisbee. Last I heard from her she vas going to tip the outhouse over vith the mayor in it but the rest of us ve vent to mine bakery then boom it happened. But I vasn’t there sadly.” 

“What time of day was this?” 

“Um… I believe about noonish ven I vas about in Diamond.” 

“That was yesterday right?” Ansar asked. 

“Cause shortly after at mine bakery vas showing Joe my new cake and he spoke about Bianca coming about noon.” 

I nodded and said, “Something else happened yesterday too... And I’m wondering if they were connected. Suzy informed me that the ranger station in the canyon had been burned down.” 

“I vasn’t about yesterday had a day off,” Angel said. 

“I didn’t even know we had a ranger station in the canyon, and I went over to look but no one was there so I couldn’t get in to see where the fire happened.” 

“Right, sorry the passage of time gets me sometimes,” Ansar said. 

“Suzy barely stayed two seconds to give me information about that fire.” 

“Days tend to blend into each other. I ask her more about it then. What time she found it.” 

“I haven’t heard a single thing about this other fire. I haven’t been able to find her since. Or any other soldiers.” 

“She may had found, she may have information we don’t. Track her down. You’re good at that.” 

“And Angel’s seeing Rikki in Bisbee before the blast wouldn’t really help us, would it?” I asked. “Since it doesn’t directly tie her to the fire in Diamond. I didn’t think so. So we still have nothing.” 

“Helps but circumstantial. Need more. Like I said, talk to Suzy.” 

“I’ll keep asking for witnesses, but I doubt I’ll find any. Like you said, she’s good at doin’ stuff in secret. I’ll try to get more than two words out of Suzy... But that’s a battle in itself. Guess I’m going to ride out the ranger station then.” 

“Good luck,” Ansar said and nodded. 

“Thanks to you both,” I said to them and hopped on my horse. 

I rode down the street and saw Chris and Bree. We talked about how Amara and Suzy weren’t around when I needed them and I sat down to join them. 

“Do you guys ever… Wonder what the hell happened to this place…” I asked them. 

“Every day…” Chris nodded. 

“Since my mother passed.. And I took some time off... I’ve been working on my memoirs more…” 

Bianca and Aspen came over then and we talked with them about how Nat wanted to learn how to dance. When I said I had to go, Bianca tempted me to stay for a glass of wine and Chris told me not to rush off. I looked around at the streets with a sigh and told them I had people I needed to find and headed down the street. 

June 26, 1901

Tombstone. 

I walked down the street and nodded to Lex and Abi. When they greeted me I asked them, “Either of you witness the fire over in Black Diamond? At the campaign office?” 

“No, I haven’t,” Lex said. 

“Who’s campaign office?” Abi asked. 

“Jackson Menkes.” 

“Haven’t been to Diamond, but half the town would be happy about that,” Abi commented. 

“I s’pose they would. He’s not well liked from what I hear. I’ve no problems with the man myself though.” 

“Well I have a problem with him but I don’t like fires.” 

“Don’t know him,” Lex said. 

“Well I’ll keep walkin’ then. You two have a good evening,” I said and waved. 

I walked down the street and found Chris in front of Kate’s. “Evening Chris. Mind some company?” 

“Sure. Have a seat. I’m afraid I might not be very good company, though.” 

“Somethin’ on your mind?” I asked as we greeted Paisley who came over. 

“Too much.” 

“I know the feeling. I’m lookin’ into a couple fires over in Black Diamond. Campaign office and the ranger station.” 

“I heard. Menkes office,” Chris said. 

“Oh? Fires?” Paisley asked.

“Know much about it, Chris?” I asked. 

“Serves him right, but fires?” Paisley asked. 

“Not a thing, Detective,” Chris told me. 

“Office was burned down,” I explained. “Pretty sure I know who did it, but I’d love witnesses on top of evidence.” 

“Am I a suspect?” Chris asked. 

“I have not been in Black Diamond much,” Paisley admitted. 

“And we know nothing about the ranger station fire... Suzy barely stayed around for two sentences about it.” Looking at Chris I said, “Nope Chris. Just lookin’ for witnesses.” 

“Good. I figured I might be, considering.” 

“Why on earth would I suspect a preacher, Chris? “ I grinned and winked at him. 

“Did you toss your hat in Chris?” 

“It should be official tomorrow,” Chris said with a smile. 

“Wonderful!” Paisley exclaimed. 

“Excuse me?” I looked between the two. “You ain’t gonna be a preacher no more?”

“Why for Governor Trin!” Paisley said. 

“Oooh!” I grinned. “That’s much better.” 

“He can do both and he is a much better candidate than the others,” Paisley said. 

“I thought he was throwing his hat in as in... throwing in the towel,” I admitted. 

“Well, thank you. I’ll consider that your vote, Trin,” Chris said to me. 

“You got it, Chris. When are elections?” 

“I see a landslide in the future…” Paisley commented. 

“Miss Paisley, I’m counting on you to bring me all of the Dove’s votes.” Chris smiled at her. 

“I will spread the word of course..” 

“Chris... you’re a charming, single man..” I grinned. “I hardly think you’ll have a problem with the dove’s votes. Am I right, Paisley?” 

“Well… I wouldn’t go that far. I’m an alright fella, I guess,” Chris said humbly. 

“Pfft.. You are more than alright Chris,” Paisley said. 

“Just cart that little boy of yours around.. You’ll have all the town’s votes.” I winked at him. 

“Hey! Grand idea!” 

“Leo will surely win votes!” Paisley agreed. 

“That boy is a vote magnet, Chris.” 

Paisley spun a penny on the ground and picked it up and handed it to Chris with a grin. Chris took the penny and smiled. “One penny closer, huh?” 

“Of course! You need campaign funds Chris.. Every penny helps.” Paisley grinned. 

“Right. Campaign funds…” Chris laughed. 

“You know the Pinkertons will back you, Chris... We’ve got funds too…” I winked at him. 

“I appreciate that, Detective.” 

“ou’ve been there for me and my family on more than one occasion, Chris. It’s the least I can do. My daughter adores you.” 

“So, I have the Doves and the Pinkertons backing. Hmm Rev. Wulf is my campaign manager, so I’ll have the clergy’s support, of course.” 

“I think all the kids will sway voters to Chris..” Paisley said. 

“Mmhmm. Definitely. Landslide sounds just about accurate, Paisley.” 

“I do love those kids,” Chris said. “Oh, by the way... Paisley, how is Miss Kenzie?” 

“Yep… landslide.” Paisley looked over at Chris and said, “I have not seen her in a while.” 

“I spoke with her the other night. She was a little upset.” 

“Oh? She say why?” 

“Upset?” I put in. 

“Something about letting you down because of her schedule. Does that mean anything to you? I think she was confiding in her pastor,” Chris said. 

“I do not feel let down…” Paisley shook her head. 

“She is a mystery. One minute she’s a shy little thing and the next, she’s like a bunny rabbit with her tail on fire.” 

“I will let her approach me on it.” 

“She’s awful pretty…” he smiled and I smirked a bit. 

“Yes. And single…” 

“I seem to have a weakness lately.” 

I leaned back and sighed a bit and Paisley looked over at me. “Everything ok Trin?” 

“It’s been a long month..” 

“Don’t I know it…” Paisley said. 

“My mother died a few weeks back… So I’ve taken... some time off.” 

“Oh, I am so sorry Trin!” Paisley expressed her condolences. 

“She was very old... she had a good long life,” I told them. 

“Condolences. I noticed you haven’t been in town,” Chris said. 

“Still…” Paisley nodded. 

“Now both my parents are gone…” 

“I lost mine a while back. And my father more recently…”

“It’s brought up a lot of memories about my father’s death twenty years ago…” I admitted.

“I know how you feel. Me and Deb lost our parents when we were young.” 

“Took me a bit to get my head back on straight and into investigating again. : Now I’ve got two cases. One which I’ve got pretty much figured... The other…” 

“Well, we all have a new family here, right?” Chris smiled. 

“We sure do Chris,” Paisley said with a nod. 

“Suzy was all gungho for me to help her figure out who set the fires... It didn’t take Sherlock Holmes to figure out the campaign fire one… I’m not sure we have enough for a warrant without witnesses though…” 

“I bet Will. His biggest contender,” Paisley guessed. “Until Chris enters.” 

“I think Menkes set it himself,” Chris guessed. “Or paid them to.” 

“All the evidence points at him and Rikki. I even have boot prints. And the sign Will left on the window of the office. But Rikki was there too.” 

“And Rikki loves to play with setting fires or did,” Paisley commented. 

“I went on the train and got the print from the conductor car… Got her print from there since no one else drives that train.” I winked. “It was a definite match.” 

“They are almost joined at the hip,” Paisley said. 

“I had Will’s prints on file already. So that was a match.” 

“Well, Jeffery is a trained conductor, believe it or not,” Chris said. 

“Will and Rikki,” Paisley said. “Jeffery does so many things.” 

“Well... his prints would have been smaller…” I pointed out. 

“True.” 

“At any rate… Witnesses would put that case to bed.” 

“He’s gonna be driving the new Church Train,” Chris said. 

“But yeah... witnesses is gonna hurt it. No one witnesses anything around here anymore. Suzy barely stayed around to give me anything about the ranger fire. She just wandered off. I don’t even know where the damn station is. For the rangers out there. She mentioned the Canyon but... That’s all I know.” 

“I just hope all that dang shooting has stopped.” 

“Do either of you know where that station is?” 

“Ranger station? Yes,” Paisley said. 

“Where is it, Paisley? Is it too far into the canyon?” I asked. 

“If you go East at the Cantina and up the hill it is there.” 

“Thanks. I’ll have to wander out there.” 

“Very low on the border of Arizona Territory.” 

“Thanks, Paisley. I shall see you folks later. And Chris let me know if I can help with the campaign.” 

“Have fun wandering,” Paisley said. 

“Thanks Trin. I will,” Chris said with a smile.

I smiled at them and headed down the street to find the fort.