Festus had left the Long Branch confident Abelia would see things his way after she had time to mull things over.
As far as motherhood went, Abelia was strict but reasonable when it came to her children and while Festus wasn't Johnny and Marianne's father, he had assumed the role when he married their mother.
After hanging the last poster, Festus had gone back into the jail to clean up when he heard the gun shots.
Drawing his revolver, he rushed out the door of the jail and watched Matt running in the direction the shots had come from.
"Festus," Matt said pointing toward the back of the bank. "Horses out back!"
Festus nodded as he followed the Marshal behind the bank but the riders were already gone.
"How many?" Matt said as Festus kneeled and looked over the tracks.
The hill man used his tracking experience to look over the tracks before looking up at the Marshal.
"Three horses," Festus said standing up. He pointed at one particular track. "One horse was waited down, Matthew."
"Let's see how much money was taken and if anyone was hurt," Matt said holstering his gun, he headed back toward the front of the bank.
Festus followed Matt around to the front of the bank but he wasn't completely convinced the wait on the third horse was solely because of how much money was taken.
The hill man's hunch was confirmed when Mr. Bodkin stepped out the front door of the bank holding a wound on his shoulder.
"Marshal," the manager of the bank said running toward the lawman.
Matt grabbed the bank manager before he collapsed. "Harry, what did they get?"
"Everything in the safe, Marshal," Mr. Bodkin said as Doc and Kitty arrived.
"Doc, help him," Matt said looking at the physician before turning to Festus. "Let's go!"
"Wait," Bodkin said turning to look at Festus. "They took her to!"
"Took who?" Festus said slightly confused.
"Your wife," Mr. Bodkin replied slowly. "They took Abelia!"
At first Festus wasn't quite sure what the manager of the bank had said until Kitty spoke.
"I sent her to the bank to make a deposit for the Long Branch," she said apologetically as Doc took Bodkins arm.
"You better come with me, Harry," Doc said.
"Hold on, Doc," Matt said looking at the bank manager. "Was there anyone else in there?"
"No," Harry Bodkin said shaking his head. "I had just opened, the only customer I had was Festus wife."
*i hope this is more to your liking Guest :)*
