PT.10

Masks We Wear?

The hotel gaming room was quite spectacular, several poker tables, two large roulette tables, there were even arrangements set up for bets on the local horse races. They would get the results wired in.

John, and Kitty walked around, Kitty was taking in all the new sites. This was a far cry from what she dealt with in Dodge. It did put her thoughts back to New Orleans. But even there at that time things weren't this advanced.

"Oh, John, this is wonderful. You know Dodge City would never see something such as this."

"No, Kitty, I suppose it won't. Not in our lifetime." Then he smiled. "Feeling lucky?" He asked.

"Oh, John, I don't think I should." She said with a slight hesitation.

"Oh, go on. It won't hurt to play just a little and besides you play a mean hand of poker. I've seen that first hand." Again smiling at her.Then coming closer to one of the tables, John looked at the four gentlemen playing. "Hello, gentlemen, I'm Doctor John Chapman, and this beautiful lady here is a good friend of mine visiting from out west. Would you gents mind if the lady sat in on a hand or two?"

Quickly, the four gentlemen stood. "Ma'am, we'd ah… we'd be delighted!" The man nearest her pulled out a chair. "Allow me, Ma'am." Then from another, "Played much poker, Ma'am?"

Kitty with a POKER straight face,… "Oh, a time or two. And the name is Kitty, Kitty Russell."

John stood behind her with his hands on the back of her chair. The game went on for some time. Kitty started out slow, then began winning hand after hand, man after man dropping from the game, saying "Sorry, lady you're too much for me."

"A time or two huh?" One of them repeated. "Seems to me you know this game better then you let on."

" Well, gentlemen, it's been a pleasure. Thank you for allowing me to sit in on your game." Then she rose, looked at John and inhaled. "I think we should go. Besides I'd like to change for supper before Matt gets back."

"Yes, Ma'am, right this way. I'll see you to your room.

As they headed towards the elevator, John spotted Maryellen entering the lobby. "Maryellen?"

"Oh, John, there you are." She answered. "Wasn't sure I'd run into you."

"Oh, I was just escorting Kitty back to her room and then I was going to stop by your room and see if you would join me for supper." Now, not wanting to be a third wheel, "John, I…I..." Kitty interrupted. "John, I can get back ok on my own. You two go on. I'll be fine. Thank you for brunch."

"Kitty, are you sure?"

Putting up her hands, " Yes of course I am. Again, thank you." She then disappeared into the elevator.

Matt had returned from his meeting with the manager of the hotel and he had made another visit to Constable Dolan to let him know about what the manager had told him. It seemed that several guests were robbed of jewelry, and several others were swindled in different games. The manager, who introduced himself as Phillip Dupre', told Matt that this had happened several times before and gave him the dates and times. Matt, was trying to put it all together.

When Kitty entered the room, he was so deep in thought, he didn't hear her. "Well, hello, Cowboy! How long you been back?"

A bit startled,.. "Huh? Oh, Kit, I didn't hear you come in."

Smiling at him,… "Yeah, I can see that. What is so interesting?"

"Oh, this? It's the report from Phillip Dupre' for Jim Dolan. Kit, how could something like this happen right under their noses?"

"Something like what, Matt?" She asked looking puzzled.

"Look I get the robbery of the Jewels part, but the games?"

"Cowboy? Do I really need to tell you how many ways there are to cheat in poker or in any of those games? I learned things when I grew up with Pan, you wouldn't believe."

Rolling his eyes… "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Tossing up her hands in the air. "Why just today, when John and I were in the gaming room, why I saw more going on in there then…"

"What?" He stopped her mid-sentence.

Furrowing her brow,… "What's wrong?"

Now straightening up. "You and John did what?"

"Now, Matt, I told you. We were just going to check out the hotel gaming room and if you got back…."

Waving his hands in front of his face,… "Wait, wait, when did you tell me you were going with John Chapman anywhere?"

"Oh, Cowboy, in the note!"

"And what note are we talking about, Kit?"

"The one I left for you at the front desk, you were still with the hotel manager."

"Kit, I never saw any note and besides I don't like you spending so much time with…."

Now standing with both hands on her hips, "Matt Dillon, John Chapman is just our friend."

Huffing out a breath and rolling his eyes,… "Yeah, surprisingly enough, it's you he seems to find ways to get alone."

"UGH! Matt! John knows how much I love you and he respects you very much." Walking over to where he was sitting on the chair, kneeling down in front of him between his legs, taking hold of both his hands. "Cowboy, you know its you I love. There's no room in this heart…" placing his hand over her heart… "for anyone but you." Then reaching up and cupping his face in her hands, she softened her expression. "Please?" She then placed a tender kiss on his lips.

Before she could pull away, both of his large hands were around her waist, pulling her up and into his lap, deepening the kiss, claiming what was his.

Then as their lips parted he said. "And just so we're clear, Miss Russell."

"Yes, Marshal?"

"The rest of you belongs to me too."

"Oh, yessss, Marshal." Laughing her usual laugh.

TBC