Peter and Kitty

Peter had a firm grip on Kitty's arm as they trudged up the hill from the farmhouse where she had unsuccessfully sought refuge. Once they reached the top, Kitty saw a carriage waiting, a larger, fancier one than they had arrived in. Seeing her look of surprise, Peter smiled smugly, "My dear, I've arranged for everything. We'll complete our journey in style." He offered Kitty a hand but she ignored it and climbed into the carriage, somewhat awkwardly, but unassisted. Peter sighed and followed.

The driver flicked the reins and the carriage took off towards Topeka. Inside, Kitty sat staring straight ahead. Peter looked at her and didn't say a word. Now was not the time to make an advance. He didn't like the difficulties presented by having sex in a carriage, he'd wait until they were in a comfortable room. He retrieved some papers from his leather bag, and reviewed his opening statement for the Barnett case.

Many hours later the carriage stopped and the driver opened the door. Peter stepped out followed by Kitty. She looked around, "Where are we? This isn't Topeka."

Peter gripped her arm and walked her towards a stately, brick house, "I am way beyond staying in hotels in places like Topeka. We are a mile or so outside the city. My client owns this house, and gave me leave to use it with a housekeeper to see to my needs." Peter paused and grinned, "Well not all my needs. You'll be here to take care the more pressing ones."

Kitty tried to yank her arm out his hand, but he tightened his grip, "Kitty, you will soon appreciate how lucky you are to have my interest."

Before they reached the front door it opened and a woman stepped out. She was of medium height, big boned, and looked to be in her 40's. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a tight bun, "Hello Mr. Westport, I'm Mrs. Anne Auden. Mr. Barnett sent word that you'd be coming. I hope to make your stay comfortable." The woman hadn't known that Westport would be with a woman, but didn't care one way or the other.

Peter looked Mrs. Auden up and down, and decided that although rather stiff, she was not unattractive, even though past her prime. She would do in a pinch. He smiled, "Thank you Mrs. Auden. Please show us to the master bedroom."

The housekeeper led them to a large bedroom at the top of the stairs, and handed Peter a key before leaving. Once inside Peter turned to Kitty, "I'm riding to Topeka, but I'll be back in a few hours. Make yourself at home." He left, and locked the room from the outside."

In Topeka, Peter immediately went to the telegraph office and was handed a telegram.

Evidence not found. Matt Dillon arrested the others and is Topeka bound.

Peter couldn't believe it. Damn, how hard could it be to get a couple of pieces of paper from that marshal? He reread the telegram and paused – the name 'Matt' jumped out at him. Kitty had gotten a telegram from someone named Matt, and wouldn't talk about him. Then she told the farmer that she needed to contact a US Marshal. Peter laughed to himself, it had to be - Kitty's Matt and Marshal Dillon were the same person. It couldn't be more perfect. Peter practically clapped his hands with glee. The marshal had something he wanted, and he was in possession of someone the marshal would surely make a deal for. Of course the marshal wouldn't know that he wouldn't really relinquish Kitty or that Kitty surely wouldn't leave him once he won his case. The marshal would simply hand over the documents.

Peter was deciding how to contact Dillon when saw a man step out of the sheriff's office. He was an imposing figure - tall and authoritative. Then Peter noticed the star on the man's shirt and smiled. What luck - that had to be Dillon. He got close enough to be heard without shouting, "You're Marshal Dillon, aren't you?"

Matt stopped, looked at the man and in an instant assessed him – rich, spoiled and pompous. Matt nodded, "That's right."

Peter looked up at Matt, "I'm Peter Westport. Mr. Robert Barnett's attorney. I have a business proposal for you, and I suggest we go someplace to talk,"

Matt's expression didn't change, "We seem to be talking here just fine. What's on your mind?"

Peter lowered his voice, "I assure you, this is a discussion that would be best held in private. It involves a woman named Kitty."

Matt's heart jumped but his face didn't change, "Like I said Mr. Westport, we seem to be talking fine right here."

Westport shrugged and stepped closer, "I believe you have some things I want. Two documents. You will give them to me and then testify that they were missing when you went to get them. The reason you will do this is because I have something you want -Kitty."

Westport expected anything but the reaction he got. Matt looked down into his eyes and said quietly, "If you harm Kitty Russell in the least, you will regret it every minute of your miserable life. I will make sure of that."

The hair stood up on the back of Peter Westport's head. For the first time in his life he felt intimidated and afraid. He starting backing up and averted Matt's gaze, "I'm going to see my client." Peter turned and walked as quickly as he could while trying to maintain some semblance of dignity.

Matt watched the man rush off feeling less calm then he looked. How could that weasel possibly have Kitty? She was in Chicago visiting her friends. He stopped short. He knew the name Westport rang a bell. Kitty said that her friend Dorothy was now Mrs. Westport. Was that man married to Kitty's friend? That didn't seem likely.

He decided to walk over to the Kansan Hotel, the most expensive hotel in town. Someone like Westport would stay there. He'd get information and if need be search the man's room.

Meanwhile, Peter tried to calm himself as he entered the jailhouse and spoke to the sheriff, "I am Peter Westport, Mr. Barnett's attorney."

The sheriff took Peter to Barnett's cell and left. Barnett stood up, "Is it all set?"

Westport shook his head, "Not quite."

Barnett scowled, "I told you who had the papers."

Westport replied, "I'm working on it."

Barnett sat back down, "I gave you a nice sum of money to hire the help you'd need. Do I have to remind you that if you win this case, not only will I be generous, but every wealthy person in the country who gets into trouble, will want you as their lawyer." Barnett turned his back to Westport, indicating that the conversation was over.

Kitty

Once she heard Peter's footsteps grow faint and then disappear Kitty tried to open the door. Finding it locked, she used all her strength to force it, to no avail. She yelled for the housekeeper, but there was no response. After yelling and banking on the door for another 15 minutes, she decided to try the window. She pushed with all her might, but it didn't budge. She didn't see a window lock so concluded it was just stuck. After trying again and again, it opened it an inch. That gave her hope and she kept pushing, after much effort, it opened all the way. She leaned out to see if there was a way to climb out, but there wasn't, she was on the second floor with no way to climb down without a ladder. She leaned out the window and looked around, but no saw on one. She yelled out, "Mrs. Auden, please come up and unlock the door. Mr. Westport accidentally locked me in."

After many minutes, Mrs. Auden came out of a shed and stood below the window, "I can't unlock it. Mr. Westport has the only key. Anyway, locking you in couldn't have been an accident. He must have had a reason."

Kitty thought back to the farmhouse episode and hoped this would be different. She had to change this woman's mind.

TBC