Chapter 2

Trail to Dodge

After three weeks of tracking they crossed from the Nations into Kansas and four hours later came across a stage being held up, both the driver and shotgun rider were dead. They chased the gang off, Hawk looked in the coach.

"Anyone hurt?"

"No, thanks to your timely arrival," a young man said.

"Where were you heading?" Cutter asked.

"North to Dodge City," a drummer said.

"Right, we'll take you on into Dodge."

Cutter and Hawk picked up the bodies of the driver and shotgun guard and put them in the rear compartment. They got up onto the box Cutter slapped the reins and urged the horses up into a canter. They kept going until Cutter saw a building, he steered the coach into the yard.

"Howdy, welcome to Miller's Crossing, there's food and coffee in the house. Where're Phil Davies and Ted Nolan?"

"In the back. They're dead, stage was held up, we come across them, drove the gang off afore they got anything."

They entered the house with the passengers, who all wanted to know if they'd be able to get to Dodge.

"That's where we're going to so we'll take the stage the rest of the way."

Relieved everyone sat to eat a meal of ham, potatoes and beans."

"You going to take the bodies on into Dodge?" the station man asked.

"Yep, they deserve a decent burial, not some hole on the prairie." Cutter said.

The passengers were curious about the badges worn by Cutter and Hawk.

"I'm an Arizona Ranger and Hawk is Indian Police off an Apache reservation. We're trailing a gang of stage robbers, not the ones who attacked your stage. The one's we're after killed my partner and wounded me."

"Cutter isn't telling you everything, his partner was also his wife."

"They take women in the Arizona Rangers?"

"Ma'am, they take anyone who has skill with guns and a passion for seeing justice done," Hawk said. "Should be in Dodge tonight, we'll be reporting to the marshal, Matt Dillon."

"You ever met him?"

"Yep, a time or two. He's a damn good man to have at your side when the chips are down," Cutter said.

"Stage is ready. You going to take the stage on then?" the station man said.

"Yeah, we're going to Dodge anyway," Cutter said.

"You want to leave your horses here?"

"No, just leave 'em tied to the back of the stage."

Everyone went out to climb aboard the stage; Cutter took the reins again and slapped the reins urging the horses on into a trot. Four hours later they headed up Front Street to halt at the stage depot. Hawk smiled seeing Festus.

"Wall, if it ain't ol Sergeant Hawk?"

"Howdy Festus. Get Doc and Matt, stage was held up, they didn't get anything though. They did kill the driver and shotgun rider."

Cutter and Hawk jumped down and unhitched their horses from the back tethering them to the nearest hitching pole. Festus left and returned with Matt and Doc.

"Bodies are in the back, Matt," Hawk said.

"Howdy, Matt," Cutter said.

"Cutter."

There was an implied question in Matt's response.

"Sam's dead, Matt, line of duty."

"Damn, you two ever..."

"Yep, got two boys, she insisted that they both be named for you, eldest is Matthew and the youngest Dillon. Fill you in tomorrow right now all I need is sleep," Matt nodded.

He stood watching as the bodies were removed and the strongbox with its gold shipment for Bodkins Bank transferred over to the bank.