Festus bounded down the stairs of Doc's office and headed back to the Livery in search of Billy but the young man was no where to be found until Festus remembered his preference for animals.
Stepping outside the stable, Festus entered the pen where the horses and foal's were kept.
"Billy," Festus said peering into the darkness. "Come here, now!
"Festus," Billy said from the hill man's right. "I know your mad but I had to do it, he was gonna make you send me away."
"Oh Billy," Festus said gently. "Matthew would never had sent you away unless ya did sumthin like this. Now, I am gonna have ta take you to that county home, don't ya see."
"No!" Billy said exploding into action but Festus anticipated that he might so was ready for him.
"Now, Billy!" Festus said taking the younger man to the ground. "It ain't gonna do you no good ta fight me!"
"Why you doing this Festus," Billy said sniffing. "I only wanted to stay with you!"
"That's not possible anymore," Festus said pinning Billy's arms behind his back. "You shot a Marshal, you have to be put some place where you won't hurt anyone again."
"I don't want to leave," Billy said sadly as Festus hauled him to his feet.
"It's not up to your or me now, Billy," Festus said leading the younger man toward the jail. "It's up to the Judge now!"
Newly got up from the desk when Festus entered the jail.
Taking over, Newly pushed Billy, into a cell before shutting and locking the door.
"Festus," Billy pleaded almost sobbing. "Don't send me away! I can't behave, I swear!"
The hill man shook his head as he turned to Newly. "How's Matthew?"
"I don't know," Newly replied grimly. "Doc was still working on him when I left. Why don't you go see, I'll stay here and watch Billy."
"Much obliged, Newly," Festus said gently still very much mad at himself for what Billy did.
Doc finished removing the bullet and then bandaged the wound before using his stethoscope to listen to the steady rhythm of Matt's heart beat.
The physician shook his head when Kitty's eyes met his. But before he could say anything, he looked up when the door to his office opened.
Festus took off his hat as he silently stepped inside Doc's office.
Meeting the physician's eyes, Doc nodded before he spoke. Always concerned with his friends welfare before business, he asked, "You alright," Doc said noticing how scruffy the hill man was.
"Ya," Festus said looking at Matt sadly.
"Did you get him?" Doc asked as Festus nodded the affirmative.
"How's Matthew?" Festus asked as Doc looked at Kitty.
"His heart rate isn't as strong as I'd like it to be but it's an improvement over what it was when I started the surgery," Doc said pulling the blanket up to Matt's chin.
"He's going to be alright, is he?" Festus asked as Kitty looked at Doc wistfully.
"I'm hoping," Doc replied thoughtfully. "Kitty, if you'll stay here with Matt, I think I'd like to get some fresh air."
"Alright, Doc," Kitty said squeezing Matt's hand.
Doc shuffled toward the door, taking Festus arm as he did. "C'mon," he said leading the way out the door. "I think you could use some as well."