Matt, Sam and Jonas continued to inch their way through the debris in search of the hill man. It was slow going as one section of wood would be attached to another and to move it one would have to move something else. They had only gained a few feet into the alley for the forty five minutes of searching. The rain was at least lightening up.
Doc and Kitty stood by watching. Both hoping and praying for the best, and both feeling helpless, especially the doctor. His ribcage was really bothering him now.
Jonas stopped and stretched his back and scanned the pile of wood. It when he spotted a hand under a large section, "Matt," he exclaimed and pointed.
Matt looked up at the store owner and then down to here he was pointing. By now, both Kitty and Doc had moved closer. Matt stepped over some lumber and knelt down, touching the hand. It was cold. Matt swallowed and looked over his shoulder to see Doc and Kitty, now holding each other. Matt shook his head indicating that there was no life.
Doc patted Kitty on the forearm and left her side, moving gingerly thought the wreckage; every step over the lumber hurt his sides. He carefully joined Matt, Jonas and Sam who were standing over the hand. With a groan, Doc knelt down and searched for a pulse – there was none, confirming Matt's findings.
The doctor slowly stood up, with sadness in his eyes, "We have to get him out of there," his voice quivered. Doc ran his hand down his face as he wiped away the rain and tears.
Matt and the other two men resumed their task, now somewhat of a grim one that no one had expected or hoped for. Not a word was spoken.
Doc walked back to Kitty and frowned as he cast his eyes to the ground. Kitty bat her eyes fighting the tears that well in her eyes. They both continued to watch as the small crew worked thought the wreckage.
Matt lifted a large section of wood and rolled it aside. It exposed more of the deceased man, "Hey Doc!" he motioned over to Doc to join him. Doc looked to Kitty and then back to Matt. Slowly the doctor moved again through the debris and stood next to the marshal. "It's Cecil Defoe," the doctor said staring down at the dead man.
"How'd he die?" Matt asked as he knelt down next to Defoe and looked him over.
Doc slowly lowered himself groaning all the way. Once to his knees he blew out a breath of slight relief before he began to look over the farmer. There was staining on Defoe's shirt, so Doc pulled the front open – buttons popped off in all directions and the slit in the under shirt was more visible. "He's been stabbed," the doctor said looking up at the marshal.
"When?" Matt asked impatiently.
Doc pulled open the undershirt and took a peek, "I can't really say, Matt. The rain has washed away most of the external blood. I should probably have a look at him at Percy's," the doctor stated.
Matt nodded, "Fine. Okay Jonas. Sam. Let's see if Festus is under this rubble," the marshal said as he stood up with a renewed faith that the hill man was there. However, he also knew that if Festus was also in the alley, he was a very good suspect in the murder of Cecil Defoe.
It was well into the afternoon and the men made some more headway, as they carefully picked through the pile of wood. Matt stood and stretched his back as he watched Jonas and Sam. The pile shifted slightly and both men stepped back. Matt then heard a moan from under the heap. "Festus?" he called out.
The store owner and barkeep were exhausted.
Matt moved forward and saw a hand stick up through the wood. The shifting pile gave the hill man enough space to move, "Matthew?"
Matt studied the debris pile and then carefully climbed around to where he could see the deputy. "Festus!"
Kitty, Doc, Jonas and Sam all exchanged looks of relief.
"Matthew, I'm pinned in pretty good," the hill man stated. "Might be my leg is broke, too," he said as he looked at the large beam that crossed his left thigh.
Matt assessed the situation and figured that if Jonas ans Sam were with him, they could pull Festus free. "Jonas. Sam, come over here," he motioned them to follow the path he took. Carefully the two men clambered over the wood and joined Matt. "I'm going to lift, you're going to pull," he said to the men. Matt positioned himself and took a hold of a beam. "Ready?" he asked. Both men nodded as he grabbed Festus by the arms. "Go!" Matt shouted as he put his back into the beam.
Sam and Jonas pulled and pulled and finally the hill man was free. Festus wore a look of anguish on his face. Matt dropped the beam and huffed.
Jonas had to sit, his back now bothering him. "You alright, Wilbur?" Sam asked.
"I'll be fine," the store owner tried to smiled as he rubbed his back. Matt smiled and patted Jonas on the shoulder, "Good job," he also looked at Sam. Festus was flat out on his back pain ran across his face. "We have to get him over to Doc's office," the marshal said as he knelt down next to Festus. "Hang on there. We'll get you over to Doc's," he lay a reassuring hand on the hill man's shoulder.
Sam looked at Jonas, "I'll help, Matt," he smiled. "Wilbur's been through enough today," he looked at the store owner. Jonas felt somewhat hurt by the words, but he knew he couldn't be of any help lifting Festus up the stairs and gave in to that fact that Sam was right. Matt nodded and the two men hoisted Festus to his feet and lugged him over the debris pile.
Kitty and Doc were smiling as they watched the marshal and barkeep carry the hill man over the lumber. Jonas struggled behind. Again the rain began.
Once the trio reached Front Street, Doc motioned for them to get Festus to his office. Jonas finally made it over the wreckage and stood wearily as he watch Matt and Sam carry Festus down the street. Doc looked at the store keep, "You gonna be alright? You're limping again," he added.
Jonas sight and nodded. "You'd be limping too if you did that," he thumbed over his shoulder.
Doc was satisfied and smiled slightly. "Do me a favour and get Percy Crump to pick him up," he patted Jonas on the upper arm. The rain intensified, "Sure, Doc." Jonas sighed and hobbled off.
Kitty watched the store owner. "Are you sure he's okay?" she looked at the doctor as they followed Matt and Sam with Festus. Doc smiled. "I'm positive," he smiled. "Jonas just needs to prove that to himself," he said with a tick of his head. "Now let's see how Festus is." he slowly walked down the street, holding his sides.