Wilbur Jonas carried an armful of brown-paper wrapped packages out to Sarah Perkins' wagon, "Thank you ever so much, Mr. Jonas," she smiled from the seat of the wagon.
"Oh," Jonas blushed slightly, "You're welcome Miss Perkins," he smiled back and wave to her as she went on her way. Jonas stood on the boardwalk and watched before the marshal caught his eye across the street.
"Marshal?" Jonas hollered to catch Matt's attention over the traffic of the wagons, horse and people on Front Street. Matt felt trapped. The marshal acknowledged the store owner with a wave of his hand and then drew a breath before crossing the busy street. Matt reached the other side - much to his discontent, "Good morning, Jonas," he forced a smile knowing full well what Jonas wanted to see him about.
"Good morning, marshal," Jonas adjusted his spectacles before continuing, "You haven't seen Festus this morning have you?"
Matt drew his lips tight and looked around, "No, I can't say that I have," Matt stated. "Why?" the then asked.
Jonas frowned, "That's not like Festus when I send him to deliver something..." he said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well, perhaps he got busy doing something else," Matt said as he started to leave.
"I bet you that old Thomas Brooks is giving him a hard time. Next time that man places an order with me, I'll fill it with explosives!" Jonas blurted out.
Matt thought for a moment, "He's done this before. Brooks, I mean?"
Jonas nodded with an angry look on his face, "I've told him I will not supply his liquor," Jonas placed his hands firmly on his hips and looked down the street.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that, Jonas," Matt said while looking at Jonas who slowly looked back. "Now, marshal, I only did that once, and I learned my lesson," the store owner said sheepishly. Matt smiled, "I'm just giving you a hard time," he chuckled.
Jonas failed to see the humour and cleared his throat, "So what are you going to do about this?" he asked Matt straight out.
Matt looked down at the boardwalk and thought for a second and then looked back at the intense blue eyes of Wilbur Jonas, "I'll find Festus and see that he is all right, and have him see you," Matt said, "but, if Festus hasn't got all your money from Brooks, you don't take it out on him, alright?"
Jonas nodded, "I won't marshal, you have my word on that. That old coot Brooks should be locked away. The last time I took things out to him and he accused me of cheating him he threw rocks at me with deadly accuracy!" Jonas stated.
"Why didn't you tell me about this?" Matt then asked.
Jonas shrugged, "I guess by the time I got back to town I had calmed myself down enough. I'm not even sure you were here that day," Jonas sighed. "That's why I've asked Festus to take a run out there the last few times. I figured him being a deputy and all..."
Matt nodded, "I'll have a talk with Brooks," he said with a frown. Jonas looked hopeful and was about to go back into his warm store when Matt stopped him, "Jonas?"
Jonas turned, "Yes?"
"Did Brooks hit you with any of those rocks?" Matt asked.
Jonas was reluctant to answer but he noted the growing irritation in Matt's stance, "Two or three of them hit me in the back and shoulder as I raced back to my wagon," he said softly. Matt nodded, "Thanks," he said as he turned back to the jail house to talk to Festus. Jonas watched the marshal for a brief moment before returning his attention to a few new customers in his store.
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Festus' chin rested on his knuckles of his right hand while he rested his elbow on the small wooden table. With his right hand he pushed a few checkers around. He was not looking forward to facing Jonas and hoped that Matt wouldn't get caught up in the whole mess. Festus' eyes lifted as the latch on the door made a noise and Matt stepped down into the office, closing the door behind him. Matt twisted his mouth before he pulled his tan hat from his head and snapped it down on the wooden peg near the door.
Matt said nothing as he walked to his desk and lifted his coffee cup. Slowly he turned and walked to the little wood-stove and with a cloth, picked up the battered enamelled coffee pot and poured a cup full. The room was cool enough that steam could be seen lifting from the dark brown liquid.
Matt then slowly walked over to Festus and pull out the other chair before lowering himself onto it, "So," he began as he formulated his words.
Festus dropped his arm to the table, "So, what Matthew?"
Matt drew a sip of coffee and then looked at Festus, "How come you never told me that Brooks threw rocks at Jonas and that is why you are running orders ut there?"
Festus squirmed in his seat and looked down at the checkers on the table, "Wall, Matthew," he began, "Jonas asked me not ta say anything cause he didn't want to make Brooks even more mad then he is," Festus stammered.
"I see," Matt nodded as he tried to make sense of the situation, "but you wanted me to patch things up for you and Jonas because Brooks didn't give you the whole amount he owed," Matt stated.
"Something like that," Festus continued to play with the checkers.
"Festus," Matt clamped his free hand down over Festus' hand to stop him from playing with the red and black wooden play pieces, "there's more to this and I want to know. Now," his voice was firm.
Festus looked up from his hand and his eyes were sheepish looking. He swallowed hard and he squirmed some more, "Matthew, you know that Brooks fellow only moved here a few years ago," he said in a hushed voice. Matt nodded.
"Wall, Mr. Jonas doesn't want anyone to know that Brooks is Ellen's brother. He tried to em...embuz..." Festus fought to get the right word out.
"Embezzle?"
Festus nodded, "That's the word Jonas used..." he stated while clicking his fingers.
"Huh?" Matt's eyebrows knitted together.
"Seems like Brooks tried to steal from Ellen..." Festus said as he slowly pulled his hand free from under Matt's.
"Well, this gets more interesting all the time..." Matt looked down at his coffee and wondered what to do.
"Wall its got me all confused, that's a for sure!" Festus grumbled. "Don't get me wrong," he said crossing his arms across his chest, "l like Jonas and Ellen, but that Brooks fellow is rotten to the core..."
Matt set his cup down on the table and stood. "I think it time I payed a visit to Thomas Brooks," Matt said as he walked to the door and pulled his hat off the peg. "Rocks or no rocks, he has some answering to do," Matt said as he opened the door and left the office.
Festus huffed, "I'm glad I ain't goin' out there again..." he pushed the checkers across the table.
