Targeted

PT.4

Kitty sat with Sheila, while Doc did what he could for the man. Matt questioned Sheila about who he was. She told Matt the whole story about how they met in her hometown in Iowa and how he promised to marry her, take her to the big city and build a life with her. And she even told him what happened in San Francisco and how she met Kitty.

Once Doc was finished, Matt looked at him. "Doc? Can I talk to him?"

"Matt, he's weak. I'm not sure what you're gonna get from him."

Matt walked beside his bed and John stirred slightly. "Look, I'm Marshal Matt Dillon. Do you have any idea who may have shot you?"

Moving his head, nodding yes. "I was gonna warn the woman."

"The woman?"

"The Russell woman. She wasn't involved… didn't deserve…" Suddenly his eyes closed.

"That's enough, Matt." Doc said. "He's too weak."

"Doc, you heard him. This is about Kitty."

"I heard him."

"Doc, someone is trying to hurt Kitty."

"Why? And who? Matt, how does Kitty know this young woman?"

Shrugging his shoulders, "She said she met her in San Francisco."

"Why is she connected to this? She knows this fella…"

Matt quickly rushed into the outer room, now staring at Sheila. "We need to talk, young lady."

"Matt, what's wrong with you?"

"Marshal, is John alright?"

"He's resting." Doc added. "He'll sleep for a few hours as he should. He's lost a lot of blood."

"Doctor, can I sit with him?"

"Not before we have a talk." Matt jumped in.

"Matt? What is wrong with you?" Kitty snapped.

"Kitty, I need some answers. Some things he just told me. And she has a connection to that man."

"Marshal, I'll answer anything you'd like."

"Good. Lets go to my office."

"I'd like to stay close to…"

"He's not going anywhere." Matt added. "We need to talk."

With an arched brow, "Matt?"

"Kitty, please. This is important."

"It's okay, Miss Kitty, I'll answer his questions."

"I'm coming with you." Kitty asserted.

Entering Matt's office, he pulled out two chairs. "Can I get you two ladies coffee?"

"No, thank you." Sheila shook her head.

"Matt, please. What is all this?" Kitty asked again.

"Kitty, this John person got himself shot because he was trying to warn you about something."

"ME?" She repeated. "Warn me about what?"

"That's what I need to find out. Now, Sheila, you seem to know this man. What would he need to warn Kitty about? Kitty doesn't even know him?"

"Well, Marshal, I can't imagine. I just met Kitty in San Francisco and as far as I know, John and Kitty never met." Now she looked to Kitty.

"No, I never met him." Kitty confirmed. "But he did call me by name in the street. "

"Yes and he told me he had to warn Kitty because she wasn't involved." Matt continued.

"Involved in what?"

"Ah, Miss Kitty, maybe you should have never helped me that night."

"Oh, Sheila, that's just silly. Sheila, you told me that John promised you a life together in San Francisco. Right?"

"Yes." Sheila nodded.

"But when you traveled out there you discovered he had another woman. Right?"

Now hanging her head, embarrassed in front of Matt. "Yes, a very angry woman. Cornelia something or other. I saw her once. She was older, pretty. She was a back east woman, lots of money. But John said he didn't love her. Oh, Miss Kitty…"

"Matt, we're all tired. Lets all get some rest."

"Kitty, I don't want you alone. I'm going to have Newly and Sam take shifts."

"Oh, Matt…"

"Don't argue with me." He said sternly.

"Oh, alright, Cowboy. Have it your way."

Kitty sat in her room quietly thinking about all that had happened, knowing she still had a long night ahead of her in the saloon. She had just finished dressing and was taking one final look in the mirror when a tap on the door and a voice caught her attention.

"Kitty? It's me, Matt."

"It's open." Kitty answered, smiling when Matt entered.

"Look, Kit, maybe it's not such a good idea you being down…"

Spinning around now facing him, "Now, wait a minute, Matt. I'm not going to sit up in this room and hide. I have a business to run."

"Kit, will you stop and listen to me. This John, whoever he is, was trying to warn you. He took a bullet that was probably meant for you."

"Now, Matt, you don't know that."

"Neither do you. Kitty, will you stop being so stubborn? I'm trying to protect you here."

"Damn it, Matt! You don't know that it's me that needs protecting. I haven't done anything to be protected from."

"Ugh! Kit… Well, it's obvious someone doesn't agree. Kitty," he took a step towards her holding her still by the shoulders. "That bar down stairs will be full with…"

She now looked at him with eyes that could melt away any amount of anger. "Matt…"

"Kitty, why do you insist on making my job so much harder? Kit, please work with me here. I could take you into custody."

"WHAT? You'd lock me up?"

Rolling his eyes and tossing his hat in hand. "For your own good."

"Matt Dillon, you wouldn't dare."

"Well, if you force my hand."

"Get out! Get out now!"

"What? You heard me. Get the hell out of here!"

"Kit, wait…"

"I said, get out, now!" She reached for the vase on the table and hurled it at him, just missing him.

"Hey! Watch it. That was close."

She began reaching for another and he quickly made his way out the door, and across the landing and down the stairs, stopping at the bar.

"Marshal, everything alright?"

"Yeah, Sam." Smirking. "Look, Sam, I'm gonna need…"

"I got ya covered. Um, I'll keep an eye out, Marshal. I'll also have some of the boys watch out too."

Tipping his hat. "Thanks, Sam."

"No, problem, Marshal." Sam smiled, looking up towards the landing.

When Kitty made her way down to the floor, she scanned the room. "Sam? Looks like a good crowd."

"Yes, Ma'am."

As the night was going, Kitty continued watching the crowd, taking notice to a few new faces. She figured them to be card players. Drovers weren't due in for another week."

Carrying a tray, Kitty walked behind the bar and looked at Sam. "Sam, we could use another barrel."

"Ah, well, Miss Kitty… I… I…"

"Sam, I'll be just fine. I'm a big girl." Now looking him eye to eye. "You're not fooling me, Sam Noonan."

"Miss Kitty?"

"You men are all alike. I know damn well Matt has you guard dogging me."

"Oh... Well, no... Well, Miss Kitty I… I…"

Now staring at him both hands on her hips and brow raised. "Sam Noonan…"

"Well, alright, Miss Kitty, but I would have done it anyway."

Suddenly a chuckle and a smile. "Sam, go on. Go change the barrel. Please?" Shaking her head she looked at her other bartender. "Alfred, I'll be in my office if you or Sam need me."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Kitty walked back quietly in the office, closing the door, figuring she could work on her books since Sam had help at the bar and things were quiet for now. As she sat down, she felt a presence. Spinning her chair and inhaling, "Sheila? What… What are you doing here? You gave me a…" Suddenly she notice Sheila's expression of discomfort. "Honey, what's wrong?" Is it John? Has something changed?"

Sheila was now biting her bottom lip and her chin was quivering. Kitty started to stand to walk towards her when she noticed someone in the shadows.

Kitty's eyes widened. "What are you doing? What is this?"

Sheila began to cry. "Miss Kitty, please."

"Don't try anything foolish." The shadow person said. "This time I will shoot you and no one will stop me. First the Marshal then this little trollop and just when I thought I took care of her, you. But then we know what you are. You people just can't stop meddling in my life."

"Look, what a minute. Do I know you?" Kitty spat out. "I saw you in San Francisco."

"That's right, you did. What is this all about?" Kitty demanded.

"This is about me taking back what's been taken from me so long ago, Miss Russell. I tried getting rid of you once and the Marshal interfered."

"You did?"

Now even more angry that Kitty didn't remember her. "You don't even remember!" She shouted. "Your Marshal, your man killed my husband in cold blood and I came here to kill you. Like the good book says, an eye for an eye. But he showed up. I thought I got past that but I moved away, met another man who promised to love me. Then this little whore tried to…" Now she pushed Sheila towards Kitty. "She's one of yours, like you. My Oren, he came around here, lured by you, the way you look. I had someone take care of her and you… you interfered. Well, not anymore. Now I'm going to get rid of you both. And I'll get my revenge for Oren and for John."

Suddenly it came to Kitty. The years had been somewhat kind to her but now with everything she had said there was no doubt she was face to face with Cornelia Conrad, widow of Oren Conrad. It had to have been ten years. She couldn't believe she was still holding a grudge.

Sam had attached the new barrel. Matt and Newly were making rounds. Festus and Doc decided to stop in to the Long Branch for a beer and give Sam a hand, watching Kitty.

"Hey, Sam. Kitty around?"

"Alfred says she's in the office working, getting caught up."

Newly looked at Matt. "Marshal? This isn't Doc's buggy. Wonder who'd be parking alone side the Long Branch. It's not Miss Kitty's either. Just saw hers at Moss's."

Both knew as Matt met his eyes. "Newly, you go thru the bar. I'm going round back. Be careful."

Newly entered the bar. "Doc, Festus."

"Hey, Newly, join us?"

"No thanks, Doc. Sam, Miss Kitty around?"

They all noticed Newly's expression.

Tugging his ear, Doc asked. "Newly?"

Saying nothing at first but headed for the office, "Not sure yet, Doc." Festus stood, following him.

Kitty was backed up to her desk. "Look, Cornelia, you're not going to do this anymore now then you were before. This is crazy. Matt shot Oren because he had to. Oren drew on Matt, simple as that. What you're doing now makes no sense, so just put that down."

Slowly reaching in her desk and feeling for her derringer, Kitty did not want to use it but she would if she needed to. Slowly, she tried moving Sheila behind her, backing her towards the door. When Kitty heard Cornelia click the hammer, she pointed the derringer and fired at her arm, causing her to drop the gun.

Just at the same time, Matt kicked in the door, hearing the shot. "KITTY?"

Gasping, "Oh, Matt!" Kitty said, dropping her head. Sheila was on the floor crying. Wrapping his arms around her, Kitty then looked over at Cornelia crouched on the floor.

When Matt saw who it was, "Cornelia Conrad?"

"Yes, it's me."

Newly and Festus bolted thru the outer door. "Miss Kitty?"

Kitty was still catching her breath. Festus put his arm around Miz Kitty.

Nodding, "I'm alright. Festus, can you take Sheila out and have one of the girls take her over to Ma Smalley? Maybe Doc can take a look at her. She's pretty shook up."

"Yes um."

"Go on, Honey. Festus will see to it that you're alright." Kitty told her, patting her arm.

"Newly, take her over to the office and lock her up. Let Doc look at her arm."

As everyone left, Matt turned, now looking at an exhausted Kitty. Saying nothing, he enveloped her in his arms. "Kit, Honey, you ok?"

Burying her face in his chest, "I am now. I am now."

TBC