"What do you think Newly," Burke said watching the deputy kneeling down in the road.

"Can't tell for sure if this is the way they came," Newly said standing up. "Let's keep going."

Burke sat up straighter in the saddle as he heard a horse in the distance. "Someone's coming," he said looking at Newly.

Newly drew his gun as Burke and Sam did the same and moved to opposite sides of the road.

Matt slowed his horse as Newly smiled. "Marshal," he said as Matt nodded. "I sure am glad to see you."

"Newly, Sam, Burke, what are you three doing out here?" Matt asked.

"Looking for you and Festus," Newly said. "Mrs. Eaton came into town earlier, took the ransom that Kitty and Abelia got together and left."

"But, she told us after she got it, we could go," Matt said with a nod.

"Then where's Festus," Newly said looking beyond Matt.

"She released him about thirty minutes before me, you should have happened on him first," Matt said tipping his hat up.

"We didn't," Newly said slowly. "And that's not what Mrs. Eaton told us."

"What did she tell you,"Matt asked his voice suddenly all business.

"She said, only one of you would be released, the other, well the other would be killed," Newly replied as Matt pursed his lips.

"You got your keys," Matt asked as Newly nodded. "Get these shackles off and follow me."

Newly pulled the keys out of his pocket, unlocked the shackles and Matt turned his horse back the way he had come. "Give me a rifle!"

With night falling, the temperature continuing to drop and frost covering the trail, Matt spurred the horse back to the darkened cabin that he and Festus had been held at.

Kicking open the door, Matt entered followed by Newly who lit a discarded oil lamp.

Going from room to room, they didn't find anything to indicate Festus fate until Sam rushed into the cabin.

"Marshal," he said handing Matt the deputy badge. "I found this in the stable near wagon tracks."

"Let's follow them," Matt said putting the badge in his pocket, he started for the door.

"We can't," Sam said stopping the lawman. "It's starting to snow, the tracks are already covered."

Matt clinched his jaw, he didn't want to return empty handed especially on Christmas but with the weather coming in, there was little they could do.

"Alright," Matt said looking at the three men. "We'll return to Dodge, at first light, we'll try to follow those tracks."

Abelia paced Doc's office as he checked the time on his pocket watch.

"It's late," he said looking at Kitty seated nearby. "Why don't I walk you to the Long Branch Kitty, you need some rest. Abelia can stay here tonight."

"No," Abelia said softly. "I can't sleep, not until..." Doc nodded as Kitty sighed.

Staring into the cup of hot coffee she held, Kitty almost didn't hear the footfalls on the steps outside Doc's office until the door opened and Matt stepped inside followed by Newly.

Dropping the cup, Kitty flew into the Marshal's arms and as she smiled, Matt gently pushed her away and looked at Abelia across the room.

Abelia didn't need to be told, the look on Matt's face told her everything she needed to know. As her knees buckled and she slid to the floor, some how Matt was there.

"Bring her in the bedroom," Doc said leading the way, he pulled back the covers and Matt gently lowered the woman onto the bed.

"Here Doc," Kitty said handing the physician a glass bottle of smelling salts.

"Thanks Kitty," he said softly. "You might want to stay close."

Kitty nodded as Doc lifted Abelia's head and ran the open bottle under the unconscious woman's nose.

"Festus," Abelia sobbed as Kitty held the woman. Nodding at Doc and Matt, they left them alone and stepped out into Doc's office.

"You alright?" Doc asked looking at the large lawman.

"Ya," Matt said putting his thumbs though the loops of his pants."I don't think he's dead Doc," Matt said gently. "There's no body, we found his badge by some wagon tracks."

Doc nodded as he swiped his mustache. "I pray your right Matt, I really do."