"Before we go see Matt," Doc said tugging at his ear. "There's a few things you should know."
"Like what?" Festus asked suspiciously before looking at Doc's front door.
"Hold on," Doc replied heading toward the door as someone knocked impatiently on the other side.
"Doctor," Marshal Abbott said pushing his way past the physician. "I've come to talk to the deputy!"
"And I told you," Doc said angrily. "I'm not letting you question him until he's ready!"
"You can't stop me," Abbott said handing Doc a paper. "This is from the governor, it's a warrant for the arrest of both deputy's."
"Warrant," Festus said standing up as Doc turned around.
"It's nothing Festus," Doc said stepping between the men. "Marshal Abbott's going to take this to Matt."
"Now why would I do that," Abbott said chomping on his cigar. "He ain't in no state of shock as you put it. He can come with me right now!"
"Doc," Festus said looking confused. "What's he talkin bout?"
"He's not going anywhere with you!" Doc replied adamantly!
"I figured it was an act," Abbott said snidely. "Now I know!"
"Look mister," Festus said angrily. "I don't know what yer jawing bout but me and Newly done everything that Marshal Halstead wanted us to do!"
"He wanted you to release the prisoner, did he?" Abbott said evenly. "I know he was your friend and you took advantage of that, didn't you?"
"That's enough, Marshal," Matt said stepping into Doc's office.
"You can't stop me Dillon," Abbott said snidely. "I have a warrant for his arrest."
"I know about your warrant!" Matt said angrily taking the Marshal's arm. "This isn't your jurisdiction. Judge Brooker already took over the case, it's out of the governor's hands."
"You can't do that," Abbott replied. "Those two lied and a Marshal died because of it!"
"You're right about one part of that," Matt said with a nod. "Halstead did die but not because of anything my deputy's did. And the hotel clerk confessed to his role and backed up the story Newly told about what happened. So it appears, you don't have much of a case which is what Judge Brooker has informed the Governor of and that means, I want you out of here on the next stage!"
"This isn't over, Dillon," Abbott yelled as Matt pushed him toward the front door of Doc's office.
"Doc," Festus said watching Matt and Marshal Abbott leave. "Is you gonna tell me what in tarnation is a going on."
"Yes," Doc said swiping at his mustache. "I think that I'm going to have to."
"Can I get you another beer, Festus," Kitty asked watching the hill man hungrily finish off a sandwich and beer.
"Much obliged, Miss Kitty," Festus said with a slight nod as Sam brought over another beer. "I can't remember when I've had something to eat and drink."
"That's because it's been days," Doc said walking up to the table with Doctor Schultz behind him.
"Nice to see you again, Festus," Herman said as Festus did a sideways glance.
"Doctor Schultz," Festus said distastefully before picking up his beer.
"Don't be rude," Doc said glaring at Festus. "Doctor Schultz was just about to leave on the evening stage."
"Sorry ta see him go," Festus said snidely.
"Don't worry about it, Galen," Herman said with a smile. "Festus is still mad at me from the first time we met. And he has every right to be!"
"Darn right," Festus groused. "But I guess I do owe you a thank you on account of what ya did for me."
"That's right," Doc replied quickly. "If it wasn't for him, you'd still be comatose."
"Coma...what?" Festus asked as Doc shook his head.
"Don't worry about it," he said drawing up a chair as Herman did the same.
"So," Kitty said with a smile. "What's your plans now that your a free man again."
"I haven't thought that far ahead but I do know that I plan on practicing medicine again," Schultz replied with a smile.
"Just not the mesmerization part, right?" Doc said as Herman nodded.
"I promised the judge that I would not!"
"Good," Doc replied before looking at Festus. "Of course in some instances, it would come in handy."
"You aught ta know," Festus said sliding back his chair. "I'm gonna get outa here before someone gets the idea in their head ta make me start crowing like a rooster again!"
Doc laughed as Kitty scoffed and swatted his arm. "Doc," she said angrily. "Don't even think about it!"
*Ending this here, RL is rearing its ugly head at the moment I'm dealing with a blown head gasket and searching for a new car! Talk about stress, seriously leaning toward a Honda, just so tired of having disposable cars ;) in the meantime, I'm busy thinking about my next story! :)*