Doc continued on his trek t the Long Branch and now he was more alert about the people on Front Street. It wasn't like Jonas to say something if he didn't honestly believe there was a reason to. The doctor's eyes scanned the street hoping top catch a glimpse of the men Jonas had spoken of. All Doc saw where locals. With a twist of his lips, he pushed through the swing doors and stepped down into the saloon.
Kitty watched her friend as his eyes scanned the room wondering if the men had made their way into the establishment for a drink. But again, all Doc saw where regulars and a few cowboys that didn't fit Jonas' description at all. Doc frowned then brushed his right hand across his moustache as he walked toward Kitty.
The saloon owner was nested in at the end of the long dark wooden bar. Her eyes followed Doc through the crowd until he stepped up to the bar next to her, "You sure look like you're looking for someone. Hopefully it isn't a secret!" she mused.
"Very funny, Kitty," Doc said as he looked over his shoulder.
Kitty tapped Doc lightly on the forearm, "I'm over here, you know?"
Doc looked back to Kitty, "Sorry. Jonas and I were just talking..." He brushed his moustache again with is hand.
"Oh? And what insight does Jonas have for you know?" Kitty half laughed.
Doc furrowed his eyebrows, "It so happens he saw some unusual characters over at the train depot the other day while he was picking some things up," Doc stated in a low and hushed voice.
Kitty giggled, "Oh, come on Doc. Since when are you going to listen to Jonas about unusual characters? He can stretch the truth a little," Kitty looked at Doc.
"Well, I know he can, it just something about what he said, that's all..." Doc looked around the room again.
Kitty was now looking too, "Well, what did Jonas see?"
Doc shot a look back to Kitty and he caught her looking around the room, "He said he saw a couple of well dressed men and one was carrying a medical bag..."
"So?" Kitty asked.
Doc frowned, "As Jonas put it, if there were another doctor in town, don't you think he'd have looked me up?"
Kitty shrugged, "Maybe he hasn't yet..."
Doc was about to say something more and realized what Kitty had said. He clamped his mouth shut and twisted his lips in thought. He realized that Kitty was likely right. Again he frowned, this time at Wilbur Jonas for filling his head with thoughts.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It was late in the day when Matt turned back toward the cemetery. He found no more of Mrs. Cooper's disappearance from her grave. The marshal looked up to the horizon and saw Festus walking in his direction and from the slow walk he possessed, Matt gathered he didn't find anything more either.
The marshal made it back to his horse before Festus did so he waited to hear what the deputy had to say, "Find anything?"
Festus shook his head no, "Not a single thang, Matthew. It's almost like they disappeared into thin air!" the deputy's eyebrows rose up under his tattered hat.
"Well, we both know that is impossible," Matt said as he pulled himself up onto his saddle.
"I do make ya wonder though, don't it?" Festus said as he climbed up onto Ruth and prodded the mule forward. "That is does, Festus," Matt answered back. Neither of them spoke anther word until they reached the livery stable.
Matt dismounted, and pulled Buck into his stall, "Hank, could finish here?" he asked the stable keep.
"Sure, marshal. I'll take care of Ruth too, Festus," he smiled.
Festus was more than grateful, "Well than you Hank!" his hill twang was sweet.
"Festus," Matt motioned to his deputy, "Let's go and see Doc. Maybe he's heard back from some of those hospitals, he said he was going to send telegraphs to," Matt said as he walked up the street.
"I sure hope ol Doc did hear something. This whole mess is just too creepy, if you ask me!" Festus said.
"I agree, Festus," Matt said as he approached the stairs to Doc's office.
"Doc's at the Long Branch, marshal," Jonas said as he placed a bushel of potatoes out in front of his store.
"Thanks, Jonas," Matt smiled and started to walk toward the saloon.
"And Marshal, be sure he tells you what I told him," Jonas said and then quickly looked around and went back into his store. Matt blinked and looked at Festus who shrugged. Both law men continued to the Long Branch.
Matt pushed through the swing doors with Festus right behind him. The marshal spotted Doc at the end of the bar with Kitty. Both men wove their way through the growing crowd, "Kitty. Doc," Matt smiled.
Doc looked up to Matt and over to Festus, "Did you find anything else?"
Kitty's eyebrows knitted together, "What do you mean by anything else?" she looked at Doc.
Doc looked at Kitty, "Oh, I guess I forgot, having gotten caught up in Jonas' story."
Kitty looked at Doc with great interest, "Go on..."
"Festus found a bonnet and a scarf, that we believe was on Mrs. Cooper when she was buried," Doc said in a hushed voice. Kitty's mouth dropped open, "Oh, that is terrible!" she whispered.
Matt leaned forward, "We didn't find anything else," he looked at Kitty and Doc.
Doc shook his head, "This is all so unbelievable," his voice was low and caring.
Matt looked at the doctor, "You said something about Jonas. What was it?"
"Doc rolled his eyes, "You know how he is," Doc scoffed.
"Well, yes, but I would still like to know what he said," Matt insisted.
Doc proceeded to tell Matt and Festus what Jonas had seen days earlier at the train depot. Matt straightened himself, "Did you ask Jonas if he's seen these fellows since?"
Doc nodded, "Of course I did and he hasn't."
Matt pursed his lips in thought, "Excuse me. I'm going over to talk with Jonas and then over to the train depot. Maybe between the two we can rule out these men," Matt said as he left.
"Or not," Festus said as he watched Matt leave the saloon.
