TIME FOR REDEMPTION
Disclaimer: Just taking Our Friends out to play. Will put them back when I'm done…
PT.1
It had been exceptionally warm all week in Dodge, and the air so still. If it had been late summer no one would have thought twice but it was only June. Not much was happening in town, which made for a peaceful time and for some a restless time. Doc, of course, was always busy. People always had need for his services, be it set a broken arm or leg, or stitch a cut here or there, even deliver a baby or two. And soon he would begin his yearly rounds, now that the winter weather had broken. He would have Newly take over in town if anyone was in need of a doctor.
Matt sat in his office, rummaging through his mail, over and over again, not really paying much attention to any of it. Every few minutes looking from the clock to the calendar, he had the date on the calendar circled. Kitty was due back from her business trip today. It seemed to him like she had been gone forever, even though it had only been just under two weeks.
He stood. Then, walking across the room, pouring another cup of what was now cold coffee and peering out the window, willing the stage to ride down Front Street. But no matter how hard he willed it, no stage.
Setting himself back at his desk, trying to set his mind back to his work, hoping at least there'd be something in the pile from Kitty. But no, nothing. He turned his attention to the banded up roll of posters for the week. As he unraveled them, he closely looked them over, studying the faces and names. Matt swiped his hand over his face thinking, 'Will this Job every get any easier and why do these outlaws seem to be getting younger and younger?'
Driving rapidly across the prairie, the overland stage had a full passenger load. Two young children and a woman and two men and Kitty made for a bit of an uncomfortable ride.
The one extra rider was an add on when he missed his stage connection at a previous stop. He made a point of sitting next to Kitty, occasionally rubbing his arm against her, being quite annoying.
She would try squirming closer to the window, finally, turning and in a firm tone, "Sir, If you don't mind, I would appreciate it if you'd remain in your part of the seat. This ride is uncomfortable enough without you making it any worse."
Shifting just a bit, smiling back at her, "Why, Darling, please excuse my rudeness." Then he gave her a shifty smirk.
Kitty couldn't help but think the woman across from her looked familiar but she couldn't place from where.
Then the young girl softly looked over at Kitty. "Ma'am, are you going to Dodge City?"
"Yes, Sweetheart, I am. Dodge is my home."
The young girl smiled.
Quickly the woman hushed the girl. "Carrie, hush now. You have no need to talk to her."
"But, Mother, I was just making polite conversation."
"Yes, Dear, but you should only make conversation with certain people."
Kitty's brow now raised. Now her curiosity was up. Who was this woman? And why would she say such a thing?
Young Carrie just dropped her eyes.
Within a few minutes they could all feel the stage slowing to a stop.
As Kitty looked out the window, she saw Carl stepping down from his seat. Furrowing her brow, she asked, "Carl, what is it? Why we stopping?"
"I'm sorry, Miss Kitty but…"
Just then she could see two men standing alongside Carl. One with a shotgun pointed at Carl's head. Quickly she started to reach for the door, while saying, "What is going on here?"
But she felt a hand grab her arm, pulling her back. "Just relax, Red or Miss Kitty. Wasn't that what he called you?"
As she turned, the hand that grabbed her was that of the man sitting alongside her and he was now pushing a gun in her side.
He looked to the other man, "Now you, Big fella', don't you get any ideas. Just open that there door slow like and let the lady and kids out real easy."
The man did just what he said, gently helping the children and the woman down. The men outside with Carl led them to a spot keeping them together.
"Now, don't anyone do anything stupid and no one with get hurt."
Now the other man led Kitty out while saying, "We just want this here lady, Miss Kitty Russell. We have us some plans fer her."
"Who are you and what do you want with me?" She demanded!
Carrie was holding close to the man she was standing near. Kitty now wondered where he fell in with this.
Then Carrie, in her soft voice, said, "Father, what are they going to do to her? Why do they want to take her?"
Now Kitty realized this man was with this other woman and the children but they never spoke all through the ride.
"Carrie, you need not worry. This doesn't concern us." He told his daughter.
"But, Father…"
Then he quickly spoke up. "Look, you men want the woman. Ok, you have her. Then there's no reason we can't just be on our way. I have business to attend to."
Now snickering, one of the men walked up close. "Is that so, old man?" Then he elbowed him in the stomach forcing him to double over. "You shut up. Nobody goes anywhere, till I say so."
Then he slowly walked over to the woman, running his fingers down her cheek, continuing down her neck. She quickly slapped his hand away.
"Don't touch me, you filthy animal."
Slapping her hard, knocking her to the ground, then grabbing her by the hair. "Now you'd better learn to play nice. Hey, you." He yelled to Carl. "Untie those horses."
Carl did what they told him. They had roughed him up pretty good.
"Now, Little lady. You're gonna ride into Dodge and find that Marshal." The woman's eyes widened. "What's the matter, lady? You know Dillon, don't 'cha?"
Shaking her head. "Yes, I know Matt Dillon."
"Well, you tell Dillon I got his woman and if he wants to see her alive, he'd better come and git'r."
All the while, Kitty was watching this woman's reaction.
"And don't you stop anywhere else, cause you take too long, and these here youngins' of yours, well…"
Nodding. "Who should I tell Matt, wants him?"
"Just tell him, Sheppard. Elvin Sheppard. Now ya git up on that there horse and start ta' riding." Sheppard pushed her up on the horse, slapped the horse as hard as he could, and she rode off.