The Search for Answers

Jacob left the hotel with Josie in tow

He knew just where he had to go

Josie was hungry and fussin

So he stopped in the café to get her a muffin

That girl Gyn was running the cafe

As Myna was home Gyn said she was due any day.

He ordered his sister a muffin and milk

"I love your dress? Is that real silk?"

Josie asked, eyeing Gyn with her neck craned

"Oriental silk. Arrived on the last train."

Jacob knew Josie was small for her years

He worried about her, and had many fears

He knew she would be a woman all too soon

She had already began to swoon

Over Ferdinand's son

But Jacob ended that before it begun

On Josie he vowed to keep a closer eye

But right now he had bigger fish to fry

He had some answers he had to know

Getting them would be hard with Josie in tow

It seemed she and Gyn were getting on well

Perhaps he could leave Josie here for a spell

He ordered a coffee and told Josie to sit tight

He looked at Gyn "If that's alright.

I have some business I must see too."

Gyn said, "Us girls will be just fine without you."

Josie rolled her eyes "Oh come on Jake!

I'm nearly thirteen for pity sake!"

He kissed her head "That is what I fear.

Be a good girl and stay right here."

Jacob walked out the door.

Josie was asking if there was any more.

She wanted some silk for her own dress

Jacob would go to the general store later to check

But now he made his way across town

Not in the mood for chats, he kept his head down

Jacob found the newspaper office locked up tight

He tried to recall the other names Annie spoke last night

Petra, Brody, CG, Billy and Buck

He would be able to find one of them with some luck

He needed answers, some sources

He knew Petra ran the forge and stabled horses

In the forge she wasn't found

But in the stable brushing horses down

"Hello, Master of the Flame.

Your show certainly did entertain."

Petra gave him a grin

Jacob smiled back and moseyed on in

You catch more flies with honey so they say

So charming was the right way to play

His thoughts drifted to Rue

He wondered what all she could do

He hoped she was doin alright

After she healed him last night

He wondered where things stood with Rue

But now his focus was getting answers about Lou

He leaned up against a stall

"Master of the flame is not all.

I have many talents. I'm great with my hands.

He winked, "I have pleased many fans."

Jacob gave Lady a stroke on her snout

While Knight neighed at the injustice of being left out

Petra giggled and smiled devilishly

"Are you going to put on a private show for me?"

Jacob returned her smile

"That would take quite a while."

Petra smirked then her face fell

"So to Rue... what lie would you tell?"

Jacob sighed and looked away

"Rue and I aren't together anyway."

"Oh? So please tell me why is it then,

Last night you claimed to be more than just her friend?

Ruechari is a friend of mine.

So Jacob I won't fall for your lines.

So cut the bull and just tell me

To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

Jacob gave Knight a pet on his mane

Just the thought of Lou brought him pain

But he had to know the answers he did seek

He pulled the paper from his pocket and began to speak

Lady seemed to give him an embrace

Upon his shoulder, her head she placed

Jacob held the photo for Petra to see

"Tell me about Louise McGinty."

Petra eyed the paper then Jacob in turn

"I don't see why Lou would be your concern?

She died before you came to BG.

She was a close friend to me."

"So you knew her well?

Was she happy? Married? Please tell!"

Petra picked up a bale of hay

She placed it near a stall she'd mucked away

"That is not so simple you see.

Lou had her ups and downs in BG.

But before, I speak more of Lou,

Tell me Jacob what's it to you?"

Jacob walked across the stables

To get the answers, he must be able

To tell her the truth about Lou

The older sister he no longer knew

"Louise was my sister. Older than me.

We were born on a farm in Tennessee."

Petra drew in a deep breath

And clutched her hands to her chest

"Jacob, are you telling me true?

Then how come she never mentioned you?"

"Probably for the same reason, I never spoke her name.

Because of all of the pain.

We lost our parents on the wagon train

Then they split our family up again.

No one was willing to take seven children in."

"Do you have proof of what you claim?

Tell me what do you hope to gain?"

"Louise had eyes of blue.

She wanted to be called Lou.

She was born only two years before me,

But she sure was stubborn and bossy

When we were small,

She would fight and hit me with no

problems at all

But the day another boy bloodied my face

Lou put him in his place

Out in the schoolyard

He was disgraced

Lou was fearless it seemed

Very little could make her scream

She was honestly like a second mother

Said we should all protect and watch out for each other

Lou and Brandy were really close

Its probably why they fought the most

But I was the one who gave her the scar on her cheek

When I knocked her down in the creek."

Jacob smiled at the memories

But they also made his eyes sting

Petra was quiet for a while

"That sounds like Lou," she said with a smile.

Jacob nodded his head

The next question, he did dread.

His stomach felt very sick

"Petra, did she pass without pain? Was it quick?"

Petra placed a hand on his shoulder

Jacob already felt ten years older.

"Billy told me Lou died in Bruce's arms, Buck's brother. He loved her so.

She was shot through the heart. It was quick, just so you know."

His pain turned to rage and hate

He cursed fate.

"What is the name of the SOB?

Who took my sister forever away from me?"

"It was her ex-husband Shamus McGinty.

Jacob laughed a strangled sound

"If he's alive I'll put that ba&%$@+!# in the ground!"

"He's already dead

He'd been aiming for Pearce Wade,

Then Shamus killed himself, his debt paid."

Jacob paced the stables and Lady did neigh

Calm down Jacob she seemed to say.

But Jacob was angry and sad

Lou was gone and it felt so bad

Gunned down randomly

Lou was trying to help a condemned man

That much he could understand

That sounded just like the Lou

That as a child Jacob knew

But to know her as a woman,

he'd never get the chance too

Jacob sat down on a bale of hay

Placed his head in his hands and tried to will his tears away

Petra sat down by his side

Placed a hand on his shoulder as he cried

It was unmanly to behave this way

But Petra only had soothing words to say

Jacob felt shame just like with Rue

Crying wasn't something a man was supposed to do

"Jake? What is wrong?" he heard Josie say

She was the last person he wished to see him this way

He cursed and wiped at his eyes

As Josie and Gyn made their way inside

"Josie, I asked you to stay in the café."

"You were taking too long, " he heard Josie say.

He avoided looking her in the eye

"She wanted to bring you a piece of pie."

Gyn held a bag in her hand

Jacob got up to stand

Petra gave Josie a smile

"Could you help me out front a while?

I'm afraid I'm missing one of the cats named Tim.

Could you help me find him?"

"Ok I guess. But Jake why are so sad?

Did I do something bad?

Or is about that Indian gal."

"I'll tell you later Josie.

Please not now."

Josie nodded her head and walked out

She said no more, not even a pout

"I must be on my way.

I have to get back to the café."

"Thanks for looking after her Gyn.

The pie looks delicious thanks again."

"She was no trouble at all.

It seems that apple had a very far fall."

Gyn smiled at her own jest

Jacob imagined he deserved it, he guessed.

When Petra returned he questioned what she knew.

"What else can you tell me about Lou?"

"Lou helped save many that were being abused.

She hated seeing anyone being used.

Her life wasn't easy, she was a soiled dove

Always it seemed to be searching for love."

"She found it with Bruce but it started with his brother.

Brody loved her like no other.

Rumour has it; she has a fling with Billy too.

I believe that's what caused the rift between him and Rue."

Jacob found it hard to breathe

"Are you telling me, what I think you're telling me?

That my sister was forced to turn tricks for money?"

"She got herself away

from her Madame Talulah Grey

She paid a hefty price

Jacob, she saved my life.

And I'm not the only one

5 of us, our freedom, she had won.

We are her Black Diamonds."

Jacob cursed and swore

Not sure, he could stand to hear more.

Petra came near.

"Jacob, your sister Brandy is alive.

She was one of the five.

And Brandy... she's here."