Matt Dillon took the stage from Aida Springs to Rock Creek with a heavy heart. He got off in town and stopped by the stables, then walked over to the hotel where Doc and Kitty were staying. Finally he headed for the jail.
Newly and Doyle were keeping watch, while Festus did not seem to have moved an inch from the door of his cell. Matt glanced briefly at his friend, then dropped into a chair and covered his face with his hands.
Newly's stomach lurched. "The governor..."
Matt's voice was strangled. "The governor won't intervene."
Doyle walked over to the big man and put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, marshal. I know how you feel..."
Matt exploded into action, lashing out at Doyle. The agent dropped to the floor and the marshal got the keys and unlocked the cell door. Newly spoke up. "Matt, you can't hope to get away with this. They'll take away your badge. You'll wind up in prison yourself."
Matt just looked at him. "Newly, drop your gunbelt." Newly hesitated and Matt loomed over him, his fists clenched. "Do it!" Newly and Festus exchanged a look, then Newly unbuckled his gunbelt and dropped it. The marshal scooped it up and gestured at Doyle. "Now drag him into the cell." Newly bent down and gripped Doyle, pulled him into the cell and straightened up. Matt took a rifle down from the wall. "Come on, Festus."
Festus took a hesitant step out of the cell, then stopped. "Matthew, I cain't."
"Festus, the governor isn't going to give you a new trial. He won't even postpone the execution. Don't you understand if you stay here you'll die?"
The deputy bit his lip. "I understand." His voice dropped. "I'd ruther die than see you get in a whole heap of trouble. I ain't goin' nowhere."
Matt's voice was cold. "You can walk under your own power or I can hit you over the head with my gun and carry you out. Either way you're coming with me."
"Matthew, have you gone crazy?"
"I have. Get moving." Festus looked more closely at his friend. The marshal's face was blank but there were demons in his eyes. The deputy walked over to him and Matt locked Newly and Doyle in. "I'm sorry to do this to you, Newly, but at least you'll be in the clear."
Matt and Festus went out the back. As the marshal closed the door Festus turned to run, but Matt had been expecting such a move. He caught the deputy by the arm, swinging him around and hitting him as hard as he could on the jaw. Festus was out cold and Matt felt remorse, but he was a driven man tonight. He had left two horses in the alley and he tossed his friend over the saddle of one, then mounted the other and rode away.