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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2770601" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><em>FYI Readers, we're now down to the final play-by-post threads from this module. I figure maybe ten to twelve more chapters of the story. </em> </p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Chapter 164, “Interrogation” , Sunday, January 22nd, 1882, 6:00 P.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>Virgil Earp states, "Mrs. Kale, I'm going to need to ask you for the present whereabouts of a Mr. Colby Tucker. He's wanted for questioning regarding his possible involvement in a recent stagecoach robbery. I know that he was a friend of your late husband and I'm not sure exactly what lies he may have told you, but it is very important that we find him as quickly as possible. You would be doing him as well as yourself a favor by telling me where I can find him."</p><p></p><p>She answers, "I'm sorry Marshall, but I don't know his present whereabouts. I did see him this afternoon over at the Corral. He had a box of my husbands things that I went to reclaim. That would have been sometime about, oh, three o'clock perhaps? I'm not quite sure, as I went to the stone mason first to arrange for Tom's headstone. He was still at the corral when I left. After that I can't help you. What lies do you mean? He would hardly speak to me at all, almost as if he was afraid of me for some reason. He just got me Tom's box and shooed me out."</p><p></p><p>Virgil says "Please think about anything that he might have said. Mrs. Kale, his life depends on our finding him. We think he and Johnny Ringo were both in on the robbery together. Johnny Ringo is currently behind bars and in the County Jail as a robbery suspect, but his lawyer will probably get him released on bail tomorrow. If Ringo gets to Tucker before we do he's probably a dead man. Look, we were told that he ran right after you arrived to see him. Do you know where he might have gone to?"</p><p></p><p>Katherine hesitated. They were obviously going to dance around each other if one or the other didn't start telling the truth. Ruby had said both Johnny Ringo and Morgan Earp has been angry about what happened at the card game. Was it possible they really did want to find Tucker to protect him? Could the interrogation have been about that as well? </p><p></p><p>She says, "There are some things I don't understand here, Marshall. If they were in it together, why would Johnny Ringo want to hunt Mr. Tucker down? It seems to me that silence would be in both their interests. And earlier, you said that I would be doing Mr. Tucker and myself a favor. Am I in some kind of danger?"</p><p></p><p>He replies, “Well Ma'am, I'm afraid you could be. I'm not sure exactly what you heard about Ringo, but he's not a man to be trifled with. Why Tucker is in danger is simple, he could testify against Ringo in court. Without Tucker's testimony the evidence against Ringo is superficial at best. I doubt the Judge would convict. There's no way any judge will offer an immunity deal to Ringo, nor would he take it, but if Tucker gets such an offer I'm sure he'll jump at it. Ringo knows that too." </p><p></p><p>Earp then leans against the table, placing his hands on the table top palms down and fingers extended. He leans towards Kate and says "Mrs. Kale. You were seen talking with Colby Tucker just a few hours ago. In fact, you appear to have been the last one to see him. Everyone knows that Tucker and your husband were friends, Ringo knows that. And it won't take him or his Cowboy Gang buddies long to find that out either. The safest thing for you to do right now is tell me where Tucker is hiding."</p><p></p><p>"I can't tell you what I don't know," Kate said truthfully. At this point she didn't know where Tucker was. He could be in Tucson, or on his way to Boston, or hiding anywhere in between. "For what it's worth, I believe that both Mr. Tucker and myself are in danger. I even believe Ringo could be that danger. But don't you think this will go better if we are both completely honest Marshall? Why don't we talk about what we both really want to talk about?" Kate stood up slowly. </p><p></p><p>"I have heard stories, or lies as you've been calling them. And I've met your brother Morgan, I've saved his life. I liked him. And I could believe that it is all lies except for one fact. He's always been nervous around me, always almost afraid. And that day after I saved his life, he apologized to me before he passed out. And now he's left Promise City. I have no interest in taking anything to a judge, no interest in charges or trials. I just want to know the truth. I think I deserve that. And just to show you that I mean it.”</p><p></p><p>She states, “You can point your sidearm at me while I do this if you like," Kate said as she slowly removed Tom's pistol from her skirts, keeping her fingers far from the trigger, and laid it on the table in Virgil's reach. Then she pulled the Derringer as well and laid it down too. </p><p></p><p>Virgil stops her and says "Ma'am, it appears that Mr. Tucker filled your head with lots of lies. I believe my brother Wyatt explained to you why Morgan is not comfortable around you. If that is insufficient, and you want to let your imagination run wild, well, there's nothing I can do about that. But I'd advise you for your own safety to not leave this hotel tonight, and to be gone in the morning before Johnny Ringo makes bail." And with that he turns and walks out of the room.</p><p></p><p>Kate watched Virgil leave and slowly sat down, her weapons still laid out on the table. She propped her elbows up on the table and rested her head in her hands. Why was it so hard to get to the truth? Wasn't she the only danger to them now? With Tucker gone, and her willing to forego any formal proceedings, and still no truth? Tears began to run down the insides of her sleeves. </p><p></p><p>"Stupid, stupid girl," she muttered to herself. She would have to go through Morgan. He was the only one who knew the full truth, and might be willing to tell it. She dried her eyes and put her weapons back in their places, and tried to think of how to find Morgan Earp. As Kate is returning her weapons to their various hiding spots Ginnie slips into the room and sits fully clothed across the table from her </p><p></p><p>The girl states, "Ma'am I'm not really sure what the Earps want with you, or why you seem so determined to stay away from them and get yourself in trouble with them at the same time. It seems to me that your Tom was a good man to have someone like you care for him. He would want you to be safe and get on with your life. He's dead and that can't be fixed, but anyone who makes those Earps angry gets dead too. The way that Marshal left this room showed me that he wasn't any too happy with you. Isn't it better to be alive and not buried in a plot next to your husband?"</p><p></p><p>Kate sat down helplessly. "I don't know. Honestly, I don't know what they want with me. I don't want to be in trouble with them, and I don't want to cause them any trouble either." She sighed. "I know nothing can bring him back. But it's hard to start again when the past is still tied around your ankles." Kate stood up and went over to Ginnie. "Come, we should get out of here before the owner Kate gets angry." </p><p></p><p>Katherine walked her new charge out of the dining room and back toward the stairs. She remembered what Ruby had told her about James Earp. Morgan could be over at the Oriental Saloon, but going there could be the most foolish thing she could do, aside from going to the Marshall's office. Virgil Earp had warned her not to leave the hotel, and Kate couldn't help but wonder if that was a warning or a threat.</p><p></p><p>Big nose Kate approaches Katherine and Ginnie. In a soft voice she says "Virgil said that you might be in danger, that the members of the Cowboy Gang could be after you. He said that you were on the stage when his brother got shot and might be able to identify some of the robbers if you saw them again. He asked me to make sure that you stayed in the building." </p><p></p><p>After a short pause she says "I hear that you play the piano. I have a recently tuned instrument over here and my regular pianist has Sunday night's off. Perhaps you would be willing to play something for us?"</p><p></p><p>Warning or threat, Virgil Earp intended to make sure she stayed in this hotel tonight. Well, she still had tomorrow morning to find Morgan, and making an enemy of Big Nose Kate was a poor idea. "Yes, the Marshall is very concerned," she said, keeping her voice even. "How kind of you all to look after my safety." </p><p></p><p>Kate lightly squeezed Ginnie's shoulder and gave her a poor imitation of Ruby's "go with it" look, then pulled out a dollar and gave it to her. "I'm sure you have something sweet for her while I play," she asked Kate before walking over to the piano. Tomorrow would have to be soon enough, or perhaps late tonight when everyone was asleep. Morgan had worked the night shift in Promise City, perhaps he did here as well. </p><p></p><p>Katherine sate down at the instrument and started with the Strauss waltz she knew so well. She had played it so often that even in her distracted state she could play it well. As always, playing brought calmness to her and she was able to play some more difficult pieces.</p><p></p><p>Kate kept an eye on Ginnie as she was seated at a table and given a piece of yellow cake. She would be alright for now. Katherine kept playing, unsure of what would happen if she tried to stop and go up to her room. Most likely nothing. It would be trying to leave the hotel that would be the problem. </p><p></p><p>Over at Gregory’s Restaurant, Ruby and Jake have finished their meal and are currently talking to Tombstone’s Deputy Marshal Williams. "Excuse me for a moment, Mr. Williams." Ruby leans close to Jake. "Maybe mention those $20 dollar bills?"</p><p></p><p>"Marshall, you give up too easy." Jake gives him a easy smile. "Ruby has reminded me of some other information, still a bit speculative. I'm worried about the risk to Ruby, and I could use some information to help keep her safe." Jake gives her tender squeeze. "You are a clever man, why don't you ask me some questions about specific people, perhaps some you suspect. Are you sure you don't want to quietly trade a little information? I could save Wells Fargo a lot of money, make you a hero and keep this beautiful woman safe. Of course I never heard anything." Jake looks at him expectantly.</p><p></p><p>He tells Jake "Perhaps we can talk later. How long do you anticipate staying in town and where are you staying?" Jake replies, “We are at the Cosmopolitan and probably leaving on the stage to Promise City tomorrow." Ruby interjects, "Probably? No we ARE leaving on the stage tomorrow, we're going home." Jake says, "Like I said, we are going home tomorrow," as he smiles at both of them. The Deputy Marshal leaves. </p><p></p><p>Katherine played piano for about forty-five minutes before getting up. She nodded to Big Nose Kate as she went over to Ginnie. "Let's go on upstairs, I'm tired." She and the young girl go back up to the room. She says, "I still have that bit of business to take care of dear. I'll be back in a little while. You should get some sleep. It's been a long day, and tomorrow there'll be a long stage ride." </p><p></p><p>Katherine then went back out and peeked down the stairs. She watched until Big Nose Kate went into the kitchen, then made her move down the stairs and out the door. It had just gotten dark out when Kate exits the saloon and grand hotel and walks out onto the street. It was amazing how quickly she had come to detest this town. Town, more of a small city at this point. She had heard that the population was now nearing 6,000. Most of them lived in the workers' barracks up the hill near the mines and smelters rather than in the town. But it still wasn't the small town that she had grown accustomed to in the short three weeks since she left this place. "Why did I come back?" she initially thought to herself. But she knew the reasons why, and one of them still remained.</p><p></p><p>After this long, long day, Kate felt a bit as if she were drowning. There was too much going on to keep track of. There was only one thing left clear in her mind, the need to find Morgan Earp. With no idea where else to look, Kate went to the Marshall's office, located above the Crystal Palace. She walked up to the first employee she could find. "Is there anyone upstairs in the Marshall's office right now?" No, office hours are over" the waitress stated. </p><p></p><p>Kate asks, "Could you tell me where I might find Morgan Earp then?" She tells Kate, "Sorry, no idea. You might try the town jail." "Thank you, I'll do that." Kate left the Crystal Palace and made her way over to the town jail. She reaches the town jail and finds the main door locked. She notices that the whole side stone wall on the eastern end, connected to the jail cells, is still lying in rubble on the ground. She recalls the story of Dudley Yeat's escape ten days earlier and guesses they've been too busy dealing with stagecoach robberies to be concerned about rebuilding it.</p><p></p><p>Kate stepped over a bit of the rubble, considering. Johnny Ringo was in the county jail. At least then she would have everyone she needed in one place. She didn't seem to see anything as she walked away from the town jail and headed for the county jail instead. </p><p></p><p>Jake and Ruby enjoy dinner and some chocolate dessert without rush. He then say, "So, Miss West, how would you like to take a walk? Perhaps we'll go visit the Earps at their office. I believe they asked us to come see them when we were at the train station." Jake raises an eyebrow and gives her a little grin. "I'd love to Mr. Cook." She stands up and takes his arm and they head to the Crystal Palace, where they find the office empty. "Should we go looking for them? We could ask Big Nose Kate..." He states, "Why not? Let's go talk to her." </p><p></p><p>Ruby takes Jake's hand and they head to the Grand Hotel. Once inside they look around and until they see Big Nose Kate and they approach her. Kate welcomes the two of them and asks if they would like a room. Ruby sighs. " I wish we were here for a room," as she gives Jake a glance. "We're looking for you, actually." She says, "We've met before, around two weeks back. A table at the restaurant perhaps? I'm afraid that our pianist has Sunday nights off, but even without the entertainment you'll find no better restaurant in town."</p><p></p><p>Ruby replies, "Yes we have met before, about two weeks ago. You have a good memory. To be totally honest with you, we are looking for Morgan Earp. We have some business with him and he asked us to stop by today, but we were, uh, busy." She smiles at Jake. "I know he might be at the Oriental Saloon and that will be our next stop, but since we know you know everything that goes on around here we were hoping you could save us from running around town searching."</p><p></p><p>She says "No, I haven't seen him since around lunch time. His brother Virgil was in here a while back. I'm not sure where they are at the moment. The Oriental Saloon is as good a place as any to start." "Thank you, Kate. You've been very helpful, yet again." Ruby turns to Jake. "Let's go to the Oriental. Maybe we can even play some cards and have some drinks while we're there." She smiles and without waiting for an answer grabs Jake's hand and pulls him out, heading to the Oriental Saloon.</p><p></p><p>Kate arrives at the County Jail. The Cochice County Sheriff, Johnny Behan, is the only one there at the moment other than the prisoner in one of the cells who she assumes to be Johnny Ringo. She took a deep breath and stepped inside. She walked over to she Sheriff and said quietly so the prisoner wouldn't hear, "Pardon me for intruding, but I'm looking for Deputy Marshall Earp. Could you tell me where I might find him?" Behan replies "No idea. They don't work for me, they just dump their prisoners in my lap," and gestures to Ringo. She says, “I'm sorry. He's not at the office, and the town jail is obviously not fit. I hesitate to ask, but might you know where he lives?"</p><p></p><p>Ringo yells out from the cell "The Earps have a house in the center of town, a few doors back from the Oriental Saloon. Hey pretty lady, could you do me a favor?" Kate turned toward the cell as she moved back closer to the Sheriff. "I'm not in the habit of doing favors for men in jail, and I doubt the Sheriff would allow it."</p><p></p><p>Behan replies "Lady, I don't give a damn. Ringo's okay in my book, Earps hate him, that's why they keep arresting him. Never have anything to make it stick. He's only here because there's a great big hole in the town jail. Crazy thing was, he was in there when the hole got blown in it and stayed behind instead of escaping. Seems to me they could have just kept him back there this time too instead of dumping him on me."</p><p></p><p>Kate tilted her head and took a step forward. "What do you want?" He says "I was wondering if you might loan me a book. I'm getting frightfully bored in here and would really like something to read." Kate took a couple steps closer, but still out of Ringo's reach. "Why would you think to ask me for a book?" She dropped her voice and whispered, "Do you know who I am?"</p><p></p><p>He says "Why yes Mrs. Kale, I happen to know a lot about you. What I'd really like from you right now would be a book. I'm a college educated man and an fluent in reading several different languages. If you could locate for me a book in either English, Spanish, Latin, French or Greek that would be just fine. I had a hunch that you of all people might know where to find one for me."</p><p></p><p>"I didn't bring anything to Tombstone with me," she said slowly. "I only have a couple books that belonged to my late husband. How did you know me, or know anything about me? We've never met." He replies "Oh, I think we've crossed paths before. Only a couple of books you say? That's odd, I thought you might have more than that....five-hundred-and-eighty-two to be exact."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2770601, member: 8530"] [I]FYI Readers, we're now down to the final play-by-post threads from this module. I figure maybe ten to twelve more chapters of the story. [/I] [B]Chapter 164, “Interrogation” , Sunday, January 22nd, 1882, 6:00 P.M.[/B] Virgil Earp states, "Mrs. Kale, I'm going to need to ask you for the present whereabouts of a Mr. Colby Tucker. He's wanted for questioning regarding his possible involvement in a recent stagecoach robbery. I know that he was a friend of your late husband and I'm not sure exactly what lies he may have told you, but it is very important that we find him as quickly as possible. You would be doing him as well as yourself a favor by telling me where I can find him." She answers, "I'm sorry Marshall, but I don't know his present whereabouts. I did see him this afternoon over at the Corral. He had a box of my husbands things that I went to reclaim. That would have been sometime about, oh, three o'clock perhaps? I'm not quite sure, as I went to the stone mason first to arrange for Tom's headstone. He was still at the corral when I left. After that I can't help you. What lies do you mean? He would hardly speak to me at all, almost as if he was afraid of me for some reason. He just got me Tom's box and shooed me out." Virgil says "Please think about anything that he might have said. Mrs. Kale, his life depends on our finding him. We think he and Johnny Ringo were both in on the robbery together. Johnny Ringo is currently behind bars and in the County Jail as a robbery suspect, but his lawyer will probably get him released on bail tomorrow. If Ringo gets to Tucker before we do he's probably a dead man. Look, we were told that he ran right after you arrived to see him. Do you know where he might have gone to?" Katherine hesitated. They were obviously going to dance around each other if one or the other didn't start telling the truth. Ruby had said both Johnny Ringo and Morgan Earp has been angry about what happened at the card game. Was it possible they really did want to find Tucker to protect him? Could the interrogation have been about that as well? She says, "There are some things I don't understand here, Marshall. If they were in it together, why would Johnny Ringo want to hunt Mr. Tucker down? It seems to me that silence would be in both their interests. And earlier, you said that I would be doing Mr. Tucker and myself a favor. Am I in some kind of danger?" He replies, “Well Ma'am, I'm afraid you could be. I'm not sure exactly what you heard about Ringo, but he's not a man to be trifled with. Why Tucker is in danger is simple, he could testify against Ringo in court. Without Tucker's testimony the evidence against Ringo is superficial at best. I doubt the Judge would convict. There's no way any judge will offer an immunity deal to Ringo, nor would he take it, but if Tucker gets such an offer I'm sure he'll jump at it. Ringo knows that too." Earp then leans against the table, placing his hands on the table top palms down and fingers extended. He leans towards Kate and says "Mrs. Kale. You were seen talking with Colby Tucker just a few hours ago. In fact, you appear to have been the last one to see him. Everyone knows that Tucker and your husband were friends, Ringo knows that. And it won't take him or his Cowboy Gang buddies long to find that out either. The safest thing for you to do right now is tell me where Tucker is hiding." "I can't tell you what I don't know," Kate said truthfully. At this point she didn't know where Tucker was. He could be in Tucson, or on his way to Boston, or hiding anywhere in between. "For what it's worth, I believe that both Mr. Tucker and myself are in danger. I even believe Ringo could be that danger. But don't you think this will go better if we are both completely honest Marshall? Why don't we talk about what we both really want to talk about?" Kate stood up slowly. "I have heard stories, or lies as you've been calling them. And I've met your brother Morgan, I've saved his life. I liked him. And I could believe that it is all lies except for one fact. He's always been nervous around me, always almost afraid. And that day after I saved his life, he apologized to me before he passed out. And now he's left Promise City. I have no interest in taking anything to a judge, no interest in charges or trials. I just want to know the truth. I think I deserve that. And just to show you that I mean it.” She states, “You can point your sidearm at me while I do this if you like," Kate said as she slowly removed Tom's pistol from her skirts, keeping her fingers far from the trigger, and laid it on the table in Virgil's reach. Then she pulled the Derringer as well and laid it down too. Virgil stops her and says "Ma'am, it appears that Mr. Tucker filled your head with lots of lies. I believe my brother Wyatt explained to you why Morgan is not comfortable around you. If that is insufficient, and you want to let your imagination run wild, well, there's nothing I can do about that. But I'd advise you for your own safety to not leave this hotel tonight, and to be gone in the morning before Johnny Ringo makes bail." And with that he turns and walks out of the room. Kate watched Virgil leave and slowly sat down, her weapons still laid out on the table. She propped her elbows up on the table and rested her head in her hands. Why was it so hard to get to the truth? Wasn't she the only danger to them now? With Tucker gone, and her willing to forego any formal proceedings, and still no truth? Tears began to run down the insides of her sleeves. "Stupid, stupid girl," she muttered to herself. She would have to go through Morgan. He was the only one who knew the full truth, and might be willing to tell it. She dried her eyes and put her weapons back in their places, and tried to think of how to find Morgan Earp. As Kate is returning her weapons to their various hiding spots Ginnie slips into the room and sits fully clothed across the table from her The girl states, "Ma'am I'm not really sure what the Earps want with you, or why you seem so determined to stay away from them and get yourself in trouble with them at the same time. It seems to me that your Tom was a good man to have someone like you care for him. He would want you to be safe and get on with your life. He's dead and that can't be fixed, but anyone who makes those Earps angry gets dead too. The way that Marshal left this room showed me that he wasn't any too happy with you. Isn't it better to be alive and not buried in a plot next to your husband?" Kate sat down helplessly. "I don't know. Honestly, I don't know what they want with me. I don't want to be in trouble with them, and I don't want to cause them any trouble either." She sighed. "I know nothing can bring him back. But it's hard to start again when the past is still tied around your ankles." Kate stood up and went over to Ginnie. "Come, we should get out of here before the owner Kate gets angry." Katherine walked her new charge out of the dining room and back toward the stairs. She remembered what Ruby had told her about James Earp. Morgan could be over at the Oriental Saloon, but going there could be the most foolish thing she could do, aside from going to the Marshall's office. Virgil Earp had warned her not to leave the hotel, and Kate couldn't help but wonder if that was a warning or a threat. Big nose Kate approaches Katherine and Ginnie. In a soft voice she says "Virgil said that you might be in danger, that the members of the Cowboy Gang could be after you. He said that you were on the stage when his brother got shot and might be able to identify some of the robbers if you saw them again. He asked me to make sure that you stayed in the building." After a short pause she says "I hear that you play the piano. I have a recently tuned instrument over here and my regular pianist has Sunday night's off. Perhaps you would be willing to play something for us?" Warning or threat, Virgil Earp intended to make sure she stayed in this hotel tonight. Well, she still had tomorrow morning to find Morgan, and making an enemy of Big Nose Kate was a poor idea. "Yes, the Marshall is very concerned," she said, keeping her voice even. "How kind of you all to look after my safety." Kate lightly squeezed Ginnie's shoulder and gave her a poor imitation of Ruby's "go with it" look, then pulled out a dollar and gave it to her. "I'm sure you have something sweet for her while I play," she asked Kate before walking over to the piano. Tomorrow would have to be soon enough, or perhaps late tonight when everyone was asleep. Morgan had worked the night shift in Promise City, perhaps he did here as well. Katherine sate down at the instrument and started with the Strauss waltz she knew so well. She had played it so often that even in her distracted state she could play it well. As always, playing brought calmness to her and she was able to play some more difficult pieces. Kate kept an eye on Ginnie as she was seated at a table and given a piece of yellow cake. She would be alright for now. Katherine kept playing, unsure of what would happen if she tried to stop and go up to her room. Most likely nothing. It would be trying to leave the hotel that would be the problem. Over at Gregory’s Restaurant, Ruby and Jake have finished their meal and are currently talking to Tombstone’s Deputy Marshal Williams. "Excuse me for a moment, Mr. Williams." Ruby leans close to Jake. "Maybe mention those $20 dollar bills?" "Marshall, you give up too easy." Jake gives him a easy smile. "Ruby has reminded me of some other information, still a bit speculative. I'm worried about the risk to Ruby, and I could use some information to help keep her safe." Jake gives her tender squeeze. "You are a clever man, why don't you ask me some questions about specific people, perhaps some you suspect. Are you sure you don't want to quietly trade a little information? I could save Wells Fargo a lot of money, make you a hero and keep this beautiful woman safe. Of course I never heard anything." Jake looks at him expectantly. He tells Jake "Perhaps we can talk later. How long do you anticipate staying in town and where are you staying?" Jake replies, “We are at the Cosmopolitan and probably leaving on the stage to Promise City tomorrow." Ruby interjects, "Probably? No we ARE leaving on the stage tomorrow, we're going home." Jake says, "Like I said, we are going home tomorrow," as he smiles at both of them. The Deputy Marshal leaves. Katherine played piano for about forty-five minutes before getting up. She nodded to Big Nose Kate as she went over to Ginnie. "Let's go on upstairs, I'm tired." She and the young girl go back up to the room. She says, "I still have that bit of business to take care of dear. I'll be back in a little while. You should get some sleep. It's been a long day, and tomorrow there'll be a long stage ride." Katherine then went back out and peeked down the stairs. She watched until Big Nose Kate went into the kitchen, then made her move down the stairs and out the door. It had just gotten dark out when Kate exits the saloon and grand hotel and walks out onto the street. It was amazing how quickly she had come to detest this town. Town, more of a small city at this point. She had heard that the population was now nearing 6,000. Most of them lived in the workers' barracks up the hill near the mines and smelters rather than in the town. But it still wasn't the small town that she had grown accustomed to in the short three weeks since she left this place. "Why did I come back?" she initially thought to herself. But she knew the reasons why, and one of them still remained. After this long, long day, Kate felt a bit as if she were drowning. There was too much going on to keep track of. There was only one thing left clear in her mind, the need to find Morgan Earp. With no idea where else to look, Kate went to the Marshall's office, located above the Crystal Palace. She walked up to the first employee she could find. "Is there anyone upstairs in the Marshall's office right now?" No, office hours are over" the waitress stated. Kate asks, "Could you tell me where I might find Morgan Earp then?" She tells Kate, "Sorry, no idea. You might try the town jail." "Thank you, I'll do that." Kate left the Crystal Palace and made her way over to the town jail. She reaches the town jail and finds the main door locked. She notices that the whole side stone wall on the eastern end, connected to the jail cells, is still lying in rubble on the ground. She recalls the story of Dudley Yeat's escape ten days earlier and guesses they've been too busy dealing with stagecoach robberies to be concerned about rebuilding it. Kate stepped over a bit of the rubble, considering. Johnny Ringo was in the county jail. At least then she would have everyone she needed in one place. She didn't seem to see anything as she walked away from the town jail and headed for the county jail instead. Jake and Ruby enjoy dinner and some chocolate dessert without rush. He then say, "So, Miss West, how would you like to take a walk? Perhaps we'll go visit the Earps at their office. I believe they asked us to come see them when we were at the train station." Jake raises an eyebrow and gives her a little grin. "I'd love to Mr. Cook." She stands up and takes his arm and they head to the Crystal Palace, where they find the office empty. "Should we go looking for them? We could ask Big Nose Kate..." He states, "Why not? Let's go talk to her." Ruby takes Jake's hand and they head to the Grand Hotel. Once inside they look around and until they see Big Nose Kate and they approach her. Kate welcomes the two of them and asks if they would like a room. Ruby sighs. " I wish we were here for a room," as she gives Jake a glance. "We're looking for you, actually." She says, "We've met before, around two weeks back. A table at the restaurant perhaps? I'm afraid that our pianist has Sunday nights off, but even without the entertainment you'll find no better restaurant in town." Ruby replies, "Yes we have met before, about two weeks ago. You have a good memory. To be totally honest with you, we are looking for Morgan Earp. We have some business with him and he asked us to stop by today, but we were, uh, busy." She smiles at Jake. "I know he might be at the Oriental Saloon and that will be our next stop, but since we know you know everything that goes on around here we were hoping you could save us from running around town searching." She says "No, I haven't seen him since around lunch time. His brother Virgil was in here a while back. I'm not sure where they are at the moment. The Oriental Saloon is as good a place as any to start." "Thank you, Kate. You've been very helpful, yet again." Ruby turns to Jake. "Let's go to the Oriental. Maybe we can even play some cards and have some drinks while we're there." She smiles and without waiting for an answer grabs Jake's hand and pulls him out, heading to the Oriental Saloon. Kate arrives at the County Jail. The Cochice County Sheriff, Johnny Behan, is the only one there at the moment other than the prisoner in one of the cells who she assumes to be Johnny Ringo. She took a deep breath and stepped inside. She walked over to she Sheriff and said quietly so the prisoner wouldn't hear, "Pardon me for intruding, but I'm looking for Deputy Marshall Earp. Could you tell me where I might find him?" Behan replies "No idea. They don't work for me, they just dump their prisoners in my lap," and gestures to Ringo. She says, “I'm sorry. He's not at the office, and the town jail is obviously not fit. I hesitate to ask, but might you know where he lives?" Ringo yells out from the cell "The Earps have a house in the center of town, a few doors back from the Oriental Saloon. Hey pretty lady, could you do me a favor?" Kate turned toward the cell as she moved back closer to the Sheriff. "I'm not in the habit of doing favors for men in jail, and I doubt the Sheriff would allow it." Behan replies "Lady, I don't give a damn. Ringo's okay in my book, Earps hate him, that's why they keep arresting him. Never have anything to make it stick. He's only here because there's a great big hole in the town jail. Crazy thing was, he was in there when the hole got blown in it and stayed behind instead of escaping. Seems to me they could have just kept him back there this time too instead of dumping him on me." Kate tilted her head and took a step forward. "What do you want?" He says "I was wondering if you might loan me a book. I'm getting frightfully bored in here and would really like something to read." Kate took a couple steps closer, but still out of Ringo's reach. "Why would you think to ask me for a book?" She dropped her voice and whispered, "Do you know who I am?" He says "Why yes Mrs. Kale, I happen to know a lot about you. What I'd really like from you right now would be a book. I'm a college educated man and an fluent in reading several different languages. If you could locate for me a book in either English, Spanish, Latin, French or Greek that would be just fine. I had a hunch that you of all people might know where to find one for me." "I didn't bring anything to Tombstone with me," she said slowly. "I only have a couple books that belonged to my late husband. How did you know me, or know anything about me? We've never met." He replies "Oh, I think we've crossed paths before. Only a couple of books you say? That's odd, I thought you might have more than that....five-hundred-and-eighty-two to be exact." [/QUOTE]
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