Matt organized a group of men and divided them to cover the roads out of the town, "I don't want you to stop folks from coming into Dodge, be everyone heading out, I want you to search their wagons. I know this sounds harsh, but I don't know what else to do," Matt explained. They stood at the edge of Dodge on the dirt road that became Front Street.
"What if we find the bodies?" Burke asked.
"Then you hold the person or persons until I get to you," Matt answered.
Burke twisted his jaw and looked at the other men around him, "Frankly, I can't believe it has taken a second body to go missing before this. I mean, shouldn't this have happened after Mrs. Cooper went missing?"
Matt narrowed his eyes and stepped closer to Nathan Burke, "Careful Burke or I'll have you thrown in jail for slander..."
Burke smiled weakly and made a face before he backed away from Matt. The other men in the group rolled their eyes at Burke's attempt to tell the marshal how to do his business.
"Sam, keep an eye on this crowd," he said to the barkeep as he began to turn.
"I will marshal," he said as he looked over to Burke who moved to the back of the group. "I sure hope yo can find out what is going," Sam smiled and his whole face smiled with his tanned winkles.
Matt had stopped and smiled back then placed his right hand on the barkeep's shoulder, "We'll do what we can and I also want to get to the bottom of this mess," Matt stated and turned away.
"Good luck, marshal," Sam called after the lawman.
Matt walked back into town and met up with Festus and Newly, "This might take some time," he stated when out of the corner of his eye he saw Doctor Hare and his assistant.
The two men walked along the boardwalk and chatted. Matt quickly caught up to them, "Hello, Doctor. Beck," he smiled and yet held his eyes on the men.
"Marshal? Looks like you have a town gathering," Hare lifted his slender cane and pointed to the small group of men in the middle of the street who were now standing with Festus and Newly.
Matt glanced over his shoulder and returned his gaze to the doctor, "You might say that. Where were you last night? Say about two in the morning?"
"In bed of course," Hare stated and looked at Beck.
"And where is it you are calling your bed for the night?" Matt asked.
"In the hotel. The Dodge House," Hare said.
"Oh," Matt said as he straightened himself while sliding his thumbs into his waistband of his pants.
"Well, Marshal. You don't expect the doctor and myself to sleep in a barn, do you?" Beck said.
Matt pursed his lips, "No, but I would have thought to see you fellas would be seen around town more too," Matt added.
"Oh, Marshal, you can blame our absence on the street with my delicate stomach," Hare added.
"Delicate stomach?" Matt questioned.
Beck stepped forward, "Yes, marshal. The doctor doesn't travel well and with different foods..." he smiled hoping the marshal understood.
"Oh. Well, I'm sorry to hear about that," Matt said although he wasn't throughly convinced. "I would like to chat with you again later today, if the doctor is up to it," Matt said.
Beck nodded, "We'll be sure of it," he smiled. Hae tipped his top hat, "You best get back to your town meeting, Marshal. Those men look like they have some business to address," the doctor smiled then tapped Back on the shoulder with his cane.
Jonas watched with great interest, "I'm telling you Festus, they are the ones you want. I just feel it!" the store owner whispered in the deputy's ear.
Festus slowly looked over his shoulder to Jonas whose eyes were locked onto the two men. The look on the mercantile owner's eyes said a lot more to the hill man then the words he just spoke. Festus turned back and looked at Hare and Beck and the shiverdy willies made his skin crawl. Festus' body shook as a willy ran up his spine.
Matt had walked back to the group and looked at Festus, "Are you okay?"
Festus swallowed, "Them fellas sure give ya the creeps, don't they?"
Matt looked over his shoulder and watched Hare and Beck leisurely walk along the boardwalk chatting. "Yup," was all Matt could say.
"Matthew, I'll take Hank, Lathrop and Louie," Festus said as he gathered his little team of searchers and walked off to the south end of town.
Newly looked at Jonas, "Do you want to come with me?"
"Oh, no," Jonas shook his head, "I'm not getting involved with the likes of them," he pointed up the street.
Matt shook his head, "Jonas, we don't know that they have anything to do with this."
"Maybe not, Marshal, but I remember what they said to me, and I want no part of anything that would make me get nearer to them..." Jonas stated. "I'll be glad to provide food and supplies, but I'm not going to get involved!" Jonas quickly turned and went back to his store.
Newly's eyebrows were almost to his hat, "He sure is in a state!" he smirked.
Matt frowned, "I don't blame him, though."
Percy Crump and Barney Danches stepped froward, "We'll go with you Newly," both men carrying a long gun of one description or another. "Thanks," Newly smiled and began to walk to the west. Crump and Danches followed along.
Matt stood alone in the street. He decided that he was going to go from door to door to see if he could find anything suspicious or any clues to the disappearances of the two dead bodies.
Wilbur Jonas watched the marshal walk away by himself. Part of him wanted to join the marshal, and the other part resisted. Jonas blinked and then drew a deep breath. His jaw muscles flexed from the uncertainly he was feeling. With his lips pursed together, he finally made a decision.
Jonas pulled off his white apron and placed it on the produce just inside the door. He stepped up to the boardwalk and took one step in the direction of the marshal, when Doctor Hare and Charles Beck stopped him.
Jonas' mouth dropped open and he moved slowly back down into the store. His blue eyes were wide as backed right into Hans. Jonas froze and all he could hear was his heart pounding in his chest.