Matt grimly looked over the latest batch of wanted posters to come though his office and sighed when the door to the jail opened up. "Morning, Doc," he said never looking up.
The physician's visits to his office which had been routine, increased with their return from Rock Creek more than a month ago. After the trial that found Festus guilty of being Frank Eaton and murder, the town's people banded together to hang the deputy and had almost succeeded. It was only after Newly's quick thinking, opening the cell door and letting him escape, that saved the hill man from a lynching and certain death.
However, Newly had told Festus to hide out until Matt returned from a meeting with the governor but the hill man didn't take the advice and instead went on the run. Matt, Newly, Kitty and Doc had no choice but to return to Dodge after a diligent search of the area turned up no sign of the deputy.
"Nothing new to report?" Doc asked as Matt shook his head no.
"Afraid not," Matt said looking up into the older man's eyes.
It seemed to Matt, as though Doc had aged since their return and the Marshal found himself more worried about the doctor than their friend on the run.
"Don't you think we should have heard something by now?" Doc asked beseechingly before sitting down at the table in Matt's office.
"I've always been told that no news is good news," Matt said pointing at the wanted poster bearing Festus picture from the trial but with Frank Eaton's name in big bold letters. "We're bound to hear something with these wanted posters plastered all over the country!"
Doc shook his head as Matt stood up and moved over to the stove. The Marshal had argued with the governor endlessly to have the wanted posters rescinded, since there was no solid proof that Festus wasn't telling the truth about who he was. But the governor had turned the Marshal down and the posters continued to be sent out until the fugitive was either captured or killed.
"I just don't know how much longer we can go on without knowing," Doc said swiping at his mustache. "Aren't you worried?"
"Of course, I am, Doc!" Matt replied with a weary sigh as he poured himself some coffee. "But until I have something to go on, there's really nothing I can do!"
Doc nodded his head as he stood up and moved slowly toward the door. "I just hope, when we do have something to 'go on' that it's not to late!"
"So do I," Matt said quietly as Doc opened the front door of the jail.
Barney gave the physician a quick nod as he rushed past him and stopped in front of Matt's desk. "Telegram, Marshal," he said handing the envelope to Matt.
"I'll see you later, Matt," Doc said heading out the door.
The Marshal nodded absently as his eyes quickly scanned the message.
"Wait a minute, Doc!" he said looking up. "This is about Festus!"
"What about, Festus?" Doc asked eagerly. "Has he been captured?"
"Let's get Newly and go on over to the Long Branch to discuss it," Matt said putting the paper in his pocket. "I don't want to repeat it."
Doc nodded in agreement as Matt looked at the telegraph operator. "Barney, send a reply. Tell agent Doyle, I'll be waiting."
"Yes, sir," Barney said sliding past Doc.
"Doyle," Doc said narrowing his eyes. "What's he got to do with this?"
"Everything," Matt said grabbing his hat. "Let's go!"
"According to Doyle," Matt said looking directly at Kitty, Newly and Doc seated around a table inside the Saloon. "Frank Eaton was seen camping outside of Abilene. When the local Sheriff and deputy went into the camp to apprehend him, he succeeded in getting their guns and tying the two together to make his escape."
"Hmph," Doc snorted. "Sounds like something he'd do alright. But, if it was Festus, why is he in Texas?"
"Mrs. Eaton said, her husband died about five years ago in Sonora and some friends buried him," Matt said thoughtfully. "But, what if he isn't dead at all. I think, Festus is thinking the same thing."
"And the only way to clear himself," Newly said with a nod. "Would be to bring the man back that he was accused of being!"
"Why wouldn't he ask for help?" Kitty said looking at Matt.
"My guess is, he don't think he can count on the law no more," Matt said grievously. "The law failed him. I failed him."
"No, Matt!" Kitty exclaimed. "You did everything you could."
"Did I? I'm not so sure."
"What else could you have done?" Doc asked. "Your hands were tied the moment Judge Brooker let Doyle take him back to Rock Creek."
"That's the thing, Doc," Matt said meeting the physician's eyes. "I should have fought harder to keep him here. We all know, he's not Frank Eaton!"
"What we know and what we can prove are two different things," Doc said angrily.
"What's going to happen now, Matt?" Kitty asked gently cutting though the argument.
"Doyle will be here tomorrow," he said dejectedly. "We'll head down to Texas and see if we can find Festus."
"What if he goes into Mexico?" Kitty asked looking frightened.
"Then that's where we'll head," Matt replied evenly. "I've asked Doyle to postpone putting a bounty on his head but the Governor won't wait forever."
"And it's far better for you two to find him than some bounty hunter," Doc said knowingly.
"Exactly," Matt replied with a sigh before looking at Newly. "I'll want you with us. Tell Burke to put a badge on and keep an eye on things around here until we get back."
"Yes, sir," Newly said standing up.
"How long do you think, you'll be gone, Matt?" Kitty asked as the Marshal shook his head.
"It depends on whether or not we find Festus in Texas or Mexico."
"Marshal," Barney said stepping into the Saloon a few moments later. "Got another telegram for you!"
"Thanks, Barney," Matt said taking the paper from the telegraph operator.
Kitty watched Matt read over the message and then close his eyes deep in thought before shaking his head.
"Matt," Kitty asked as the Marshal looked worried. "What is it?"
"It's from the Governor's office," he replied standing up. Looking from Kitty to Doc, he said. "The Governor is ordering me to bring 'the fugitive back' dead or alive."
"What are you going to do?" Doc asked gently.
"I don't know," Matt said letting the message fall to the table. "I just don't know."