"Matthew, they went this away," Festus said following the tracks of Jeb and Ed Hopkins.
Twin brothers who had held up the stage, robed it and then set it ablaze, leaving the passengers and driver stranded.
Festus and Matt stopped at a fork in the road as Festus looked over the tracks.
"Looks like they went this way," Festus said pointing to the right.
"Isn't that out by the Johnson place?" Matt said looking at Festus knowing he had a past relationship with Abelia and her children.
"Awful close Matthew," Festus said with a nod as Matt sucked a quick breath.
"Look!" He said pointing off into the distance.
Festus turned around and his heart started to race as he seen thick black smoke billowing up above the tree line.
"That's Abelia's farm," Festus said remounting Ruth.
Matt drew his rifle as they approached the farm house.
Festus watched in horror as most of the farm house was engulfed in flames.
"Abelia," he yelled running toward the barn he looked inside as Matt dismounted and looked around.
"She's not here Matthew," Festus said looking at the house.
Matt caught Festus as he tried to enter the fully engulfed house. "Festus, you can't go in there!"
"Abelia might be in there!" Festus yelled.
"If she is," Matt said gently. "She's already gone."
Festus pulled away from Matt's grasp, helpless to do anything about the fire they could only watch until the fire finally burned itself out.
"Well," Matt said later after sifting though the debris. "I didn't find a body."
"I didn't either Matthew," Festus said relieved.
"Could she have gone into town," Matt asked.
Festus shook his head no. "Her buckboard in the barn Matthew," he said angrily. "Those two fellers must have took her."
Matt was afraid of that as he looked at the anger in his deputy's eyes.
"We're going to need some help," Matt said evenly. "We'll get Newly in Dodge and pick up the trail from there."
"Alright Matthew," Festus replied. "I'll have to get to the school house and get Johnny and Marianne to Ma Smally."
"What are you going to tell them?" Matt asked quietly.
"Don't know yet Matthew," Festus replied running a hand across his brow. "There ma's gone and they house gone. What would you tell em."
As Matt filled in Newly about what happened, Festus met the Johnson children at the school.
Marianne saw him first. Running toward Festus, she flew into his arms and giggled when he scooped her up.
"Festus," Jonathan said smiling.
"Well hello youngin's," Festus said taking Johnny's hand.
"Festus," Marianne said looking around. "Where's Ma?"
"Wal that's what I'm a wantin to talk to you children about," Festus said leading them to Ma Smalley's boarding house. "Yer Ma had to leave town for a day or two so me and Ma here," he said nodding at the older lady. "Are gonna be keeping an eye on ya till she gets back."
"Where did she go Festus," Marianne asked.
"Wal you see," Festus replied slowly. "She didn't rightly say but I know she'll be back real soon."
"Alright," Marianne said hugging the deputy before Festus sat the kids down in Ma Smalley's kitchen. "Now I got a few things to take care of so if in I'm not back by tonight Ma here's got some things for you two to wear ta bed and she's gonna tuck ya in real good and tight and I'll come see ya as soon as I get back."
Johnny smiled as Festus rubbed his head. "Thanks Festus," he said.
Matt, Doc and Newly meet the hillman in front of the jail. "I just tole them youngin's there Ma had to go out of town," Festus said.
"Good," Doc said swiping at his mustache. "You three be careful now."
"Ain't us you should be worried bout Doc," Festus said. "If in those two fellers hurt Abelia, they's the ones you need to be sorry for."
