Matt stepped into the Long Branch and walked up to the bar where Kitty was perched.
"Evening, Cowboy," Kitty said with a grin. "Can I buy you a beer?"
"Sounds good," Matt replied looking around at the raucous atmosphere of the saloon on a Friday night. "How's things here?"
"Busier than usual," Kitty said passing the mug to Matt as Doc and Festus walked though the doors.
"I'm tellin ya Doc," Festus said stepping up to the bar. "That ol catfish was at least as big as yer arm."
"I know," Doc said shaking his head.
"Festus," Kitty said with a mischievous grin. "Are you telling tales again."
"No, ma'am," Festus said quickly.
"He's really not," Doc said sorrowfully.
"Then where's the fish," Matt asked looking at the two men.
"Wal, between him a hollerin, don't loose it and ma pole a breakin," Festus said sadly. "It done got away!"
"Well," Kitty said putting two mugs of beer on the bar. "Maybe this will help lift your spirits!"
"Much obliged, Miss Kitty," Festus said sipping the beer. "I got a good mind ta go back ta that ol pond and try again tomorrow."
Doc stifled a yawn. "You do that," he said giving Kitty a wink. "But some of us have to earn a living around here!"
"Wal, you ol scudder," Festus said scrunching up one eye and pointing at the older man. "It was yer idea ta go fishing in the first place, wasn't it Matthew?"
"I'm not getting in the middle of this," Matt said just about choking on his beer. "And we got wanted posters to go though tomorrow and Judge Brooker is coming on the stage."
"Awe, foot," Festus said sullenly.
Matt grinned but looked up when Barney ran in with a telegram. "Been looking all over for you, Marshal," he said passing the message to Matt.
"Thanks, Barney," Matt said tearing open the message. Scanning it with his eyes, he pursed his lips before looking up. "Looks like your going to be seeing an old acquaintance, Festus."
"What you talking bout, Matthew," Festus said watching Matt's expression.
"Seems your old friend, Bucko Taos has gotten himself into some trouble," Matt replied evenly.
"Wal, I ain't seen hide not hair of him in years, Matthew," Festus said remembering the last time they were together. "What's he done did?"
"Says he killed a man in Texas," Matt said folding the message. "He was caught here in Kansas and taken to Hayes where he escaped before they could take him back to Texas. Could be he's headed this way?"
"Maybe," Festus said thoughtfully. "But I don't see how he coulda killed anyone, Matthew."
"Well," Matt said agitated. "Whether he did or didn't, don't matter, we got to bring him in."
"Matthew," Festus said quietly. "Let me go after him."
"Alone," Doc said looking at the hill man.
"Wal, ya," Festus replied. "I know the hills better than anyone, if he's here, I'll find him and he'll come back with me. At least that way no one'll get hurt, don't ya see."
Matt clinched his jaw and Festus knew the lawman was thinking about it.
"Well, alright," Matt said finally. "But if he gives you any trouble..."
"I'll do what needs ta be done," Festus replied slowly. "You can count on me, Matthew."
"I know," Matt said evenly. "You get some supplies together and head on out."
"Will do," Festus said heading toward the doors of the Long Branch.
"You sure about this, Matt?" Doc said looking at the lawman.
"I hope so, Doc," Matt replied sipping his beer.