Kitty's destination was the Dodge House. As she marched down Front Street, thoughts of George Parker filled her head. He liked being the center of attention, no doubt about it, but that hadn't bothered her. Some men were just like that, and he was a lot more entertaining than most. He was fun to be with, at least at first, with his tales of his courtroom feats and adventures. Sure he flirted a bit, but he was on his way to a job in San Francisco, so she figured it was all in fun. Then something changed, and she saw his dark and angry side. Looking back she realized it coincided with Matt's return with Jeb Mason. She couldn't quite put the puzzle pieces together, but she knew she was right. George Parker was the one who wanted Matt dead. She hurried into the hotel and struck the bell twice, to get Howie's attention, "What's George Parker's room number?"

"Hello Miss Kitty, number 205 right upstairs and…"

Before Howie was finished, Kitty was at Parker's door, tapping lightly. "George, it's Kitty."

Parker smiled, he hadn't expected things to unfold so quickly. He smoothed back his hair and straightened his tie before opening the door. As he expected, Kitty stood before him looking upset, her lips tightly pressed together. "Kitty, it's always lovely to see you, but I have a feeling something is wrong. You've come to the right person. Whatever it is, I'm sure I can help. You can count on me." He gently pulled her into the room and closed the door.

She lowered her eyes and took a deep, ragged breath, "I-I just want to know why - why did this have to happen?"

"Oh Kitty." He gently took her hands. "Sometimes we lose people that we care about. I'm so sorry. Marshal Matt Dillon was a great man."

She looked up sharply, "Matt's alive, I want to know why you wanted him dead."

He dropped her hands, and for the first time since she'd know him, George Parker looked surprised. He covered it quickly with a smile. "Well – I – I don't know what you're talking about. Why would you or anyone think that I would want the marshal dead. It's preposterous."

Kitty raised an eyebrow, bluffing was nothing new to her. "You thought Matt was asleep when you poisoned his water. He wasn't. He was wide away and saw you empty a bottle of arsenic into the pitcher, and put the empty bottle in Jeremiah's pocket. Matt described you perfectly, right down to the clothes you were wearing."

"You're lying."

"Nope – As soon as Doc and I entered the room, Matt told us to dump that water out. Why else wouldn't I have given him a drink from that pitcher?"

Parker shook his head in disbelief. "No – if you're telling the truth, I would have been arrested."

"Oh, you will be. I just wanted to get here first to ask why?"

"Damn it." Parker shoved Kitty hard, and ran out of the room. She fell backwards against the wall. Parker sped down the stairs and out of the hotel trying to think rationally. He had to get out of Dodge and find a hiding place where he could think. He'd come up with a clever defense, or maybe just head to San Francisco. First he needed a horse so he could get away from town. He took off down the street looking for a horse to steal.

After she hit the wall, it took Kitty a few seconds to regain her footing, but she was determined to catch Parker. She hurried down the steps and out of the hotel, to the middle of the street. She looked both ways, spotted Parker and took off after him. After running a few short and stumbling steps, she kicked off her high heel shoes in frustration, and picked up speed running in her stocking feet.

George Parker spotted a horse tied to a rail, and lengthened his strides. Kitty had her eyes on him and picked up speed. Parker got to the horse and quickly untied the reins from the rail. Kitty was gaining ground. Parker put a foot in a stirrup. Kitty launched herself into the air and landed on his back. He tried to elbow her away but she clung hard and yanked at him with every ounce of strength. They tumbled backwards onto the ground – Kitty on her back – George on top of her staring at the sky. He quickly scrambled to his feet and got one foot in the stirrup again. She grabbed his other leg and pulled.

Across the street, Jeremiah stepped out of the General Store carrying a big bag of groceries and a brand new broom. He saw Kitty furiously pulling on Parker's leg. He hadn't seen a good woman that mad, since his Mabel whacked a man with a frying pan to stop him from hitting his wife. Jeremiah dropped the groceries and hurried over swinging the broom. With Kitty pulling at Parker's leg, Jeremiah started whacking his back with the broomstick. Parker put a hand up, "Stop, stop." He was about to give up when he saw a pistol poking out of horse's saddlebag. He grabbed it and pulled the trigger, firing a warning shot into the ground. Kitty and Jeremiah jumped back in surprise. Brandishing the gun, Parker got on the horse. "I should just kill you two."

"That thar ain't a very good idea." Parker turned to the voice. It was Festo – or whatever his name was, holding a rifle. Parker aimed at the deputy. It was a stupid move. Festus fired. Parker fell from the horse with blood pouring from his chest. Kitty hurried to kneel beside him. He was loosing blood fast. "George, why? I still don't understand."

"I wanted you."

"You don't love me. I know what love looks like, in a man's eyes."

"I didn't say love. I wanted you, and I always get what I want." Parker closed his eyes for the last time.

Kitty lifted an eyebrow, "This time, you got what you deserved." She stood and brushed the dirt from her skirt, suddenly aware that she was a mess and shoeless. She lifted her chin, as if everything was normal. "Festus, you came out of nowhere. How did you know?"

"Well, Miss Kitty, Matthew was worried 'bout ya. He told ole Doc ta git me lookin fur ya. Said if Doc didn't move quick, he'd cum lookin' hisself, even if he had ta crawl."

Kitty smiled, "That sounds like Matt."

"Yep, that's Matthew fur ya." Festus smiled with pride. "Well, I'll go about seein' ta Parker's body. Ya know Miss Kitty, fur a man so cocky an all, he jus weren't real smart."

"Um, Miss Kitty, I believe these are yours." Old Jeremiah Thomas was awkwardly holding a pair of delicate high-heeled shoes out in front of him.

"Thank you Jeremiah." She set the shoes on the ground and quickly stepped into them. "You know, sometimes a lady's clothes can be a hindrance." She saw him blush slightly and smiled, "I'd better go see Matt and let him know what happened. I can't thank you enough for everything you've done." She lifted her face and kissed him on the cheek.

Jeremiah smiled thorough his long beard, "Ma'am, I gotta say one thing. I can see right clear, that you and the Marshal have a real deep itch for each other. I mean deep in the heart and soul. It's a rare and good thing, like me and my Mabel had. I'll tell you, when the good Lord decides to take me, I'll do my best to look out for both of you."

"Thank you Jeremiah. No one's ever said a nicer thing to me."

"Well, I'll finish buying what I need, load my wagon and head off. I hope I get to see you and Marshal Dillon again." He turned and went on his way. Kitty smiled and hurried to Doc's to see Matt.

TBC