Double Justice

Disclaimer: Just taking our Friends out to play, will put them back when I'm Done!

PT.1

New Orleans, Louisiana

The Annalise LaRue Russell School for the Blind and Shelter

Sitting in the large library, Ramone' Lavelle, along with Christina and Anna, relaxed after a long day. It was now the fourth year since the opening of the school and it had been a big success. Enrollment was growing, students were coming from all over. And Christina and Anna were able to help more and more people in New Orleans living on the streets that were hungry.

As they sat talking, they were interrupted by the sounds of Emily clearing her throat. "I'm sorry. Am I interrupting anything important?"

Turning and looking up, "No, Emily. Please come in and sit. What has you up so late?"

"Oh, Ramone', I couldn't sleep. I'm just so excited. I just finished my letter to Miss Kitty, letting her know of our visit. I know she will be so surprised when we tell her the wonderful news. I thought of telling her in the letter, but I'd rather tell her in person. I've really grown so fond of her and I know how much you admire her."

"Yes, you're so right. I'll see that it is sent off first thing in the morning." He reassured her.

Dodge City, Kansas

Matt and Festus had been up early out on the upper part of the property where they were working on fences. It seemed that as of late someone had been breaking through local rancher's fences and running cattle across land. Matt's plan was to repair them then try to figure out who was behind the deed.

Cattle herders had always created problems for ranchers before. But when Matt was still Marshal, he usually did his best to control most land problems before they became a problem.

He rode into town, meeting up with Newly and several other ranchers. They all gathered at the Cattlemen's Association's office. Matt knew most of the trail bosses and figured he could deal with them. John Sharron, Luke Cummerledge, and Jack Anderson. It was some of the newer one's coming up from Texas that were some that didn't want to play by the old rules.

"Ok, boys, listen. Let me say this. I know I'm not Marshal of Dodge anymore, Newly here is. But I know Sharron, Cummerledge and Anderson. These are old school boys. It's the others we need to worry about, if they're gonna rough ride across our land. Who know what their gonna do if anyone gets in their way. Now we all have family."

"Yeah, Dillon, we do!" Joe Kelsey yelled back. "And what do we do to protect them? I'll tell ya what I'll do. I see even one of em on my property and I'll…"

Quickly, Matt raised his hand. "Wait a minute! We don't want a war here, do we?"

"Call it what you want, but this is our land and our families."

Nodding, "I understand what you're saying, Kelsey. Let's just keep our heads about us."

Newly jumped in. "I don't want to be locking anyone up if I don't have to. Now, Matt and I are gonna ride out and have a sit down with these different trail bosses and…"

"And what, Marshal?" Three men yelled out together.

"Just wait a minute!" Newly continued. "We'll let them know where they can and can't run their cattle and if they continue to rough ride over private property there will be charges pressed and fines."

A few of the men, not agreeing or liking the plan, stormed out.

Newly, Festus and Matt headed down Front Street, stopping at the Long Branch, pushing through the batwing doors. It was quiet. "Sam?"

Smiling, "Marshal and Marsh… ah, Mr. Dillon. Festus."

Matt shook his head. "Sam, its Matt. I'm not the Marshal anymore and Mr. Dillon was my father."

"Can I get you gents a beer?"

Shaking their heads, "Yeah, Sam."

Sitting down at a table, Festus spoke up. "Matthew, that'll be the third time we fixed that fence."

Nodding, "Yeah, Festus, I know and I know its not Sharron and Cummerledge, nor even Anderson. It's got to be someone new. And if they run across the property close enough when the horses are out on the ridge, I'll have over 500 head of horses later this month or even if they get too close to the house." He rested his head in his hand.

Later, returning to the ranch, Kitty met Matt and Festus on the porch. "Well, Cowboy, your timing is good. I guess your stomach was growling. Supper's almost ready." Furrowing her brow, "Cowboy, want to talk about it?" Slipping her arm around his waist walking into the house.

Matt's head dropped as he took off his hat and tossed it on a chair. "Nah, Kit, it's just all this cattle herding. Can't figure who's behind it. Festus and I fixed those fences three times this last month or so."

"Is there anything…"

Before she could finish, "I'll figure something out, Kit. I have to. Oh, here, I grabbed the mail." He said, handing her a pile of envelopes.

Paying no attention, she tossed them on a side table, running her fingers through his hair. "Come on, Cowboy, let's get you something to eat."

TBC