Rescue and Recovery

PT.11

Matt sat on the train, looking out the window, his mind drifting, wondering what could have happened to Kitty. This was a business trip she told him and a wedding. What kind of trouble could she have walked into? Why didn't she listen to me? I knew this wasn't a good idea for her to come here alone.

"Ah, Kit Honey, what happened? Where are you? Are you alright? Hang on, Honey, I'll find you." Just then he heard the announcement that they were pulling into the St. Louis station.

As he descended the train, he started to look around for a place to rent a carriage. But heard a voice

"Marshal? Marshal Dillon?" Turning he saw standing before him, a petite girl, Hilda Lemp.

"Hello, Marshal. I'd recognize you anywhere. I'm Hilda Lemp. I sent you the wire about Miss Kitty."

"Yes, thank you."

"Come, I have a carriage over this way."

"Miss Lemp, what happened? You said Kitty is missing."

"Yes, Marshal, and call me Hilda, please. I believe she is. It's a long story and I'd like to explain it all from the beginning, if you'll indulge me. Marshal, when Miss Kitty came here, it was so my father could show her how well their business deals were doing and for my wedding."

"Yes, Kitty told me as much." He said.

"Yes, but it turns out when she arrived she found out Father was covering up the fact that he had made a few bad decisions business wise that hurt the profits and tried recouping them by making a deal with a local banker, Louis Shaw. Only the deal had a pay off. It was..."

Scrunching his face, "What was that?"

"Me!"

"You?" He asked.

"Yes, my father had to agree to let him marry me, an assurance of sorts, guarantee. Something to hold over father."

"And how does this involve Kitty?"

"Well, first, I had told Kitty I didn't want to marry Louis, in hopes she's talk to father on my behalf. I'm sorry , that was before I knew about the arrangement. But then Kitty found out. She overheard them talking in the library and saying she was in the way, an interference."

"Ok, then what happened?" He asked again.

"Well, the following morning, Father, Kitty and I went to the plant and when Father and I were in the office, Kitty disappeared. Later, when we couldn't find her, Louis said he saw her on the plant floor and that she had left, that she had an emergency. And he said she asked him to give us the message that she was sorry but she had to leave."

"Leave? And go where?"

"That's just it, Marshal. He said she went home to Dodge City."

"Dodge City? But Kitty didn't…"

"Oh, Marshal, I know she didn't. All her things are still in her room, just as they were. Marshal I'm scared. That's why I sent you the wire to help. I know you can help. I know you can find her. You can, can't you. Please? She's special to me, Marshal."

"Hilda, don't you worry. We'll find Kitty and you're right, she is special."

As they pulled up to the Lemp House, Willam Looked surprised seeing Matt climbing down off the carriage then helping Hilda down.

"Father, you remember Marshal Dillon?"

"Yes, I do. Kitty's friend. Welcome, Marshal. What brings you to St. Louis?"

"I did, Father." Hilda answered. "I did to help find Miss Kitty."

"Hilda dear…"

"What? Kitty went…"

Stopping him, both Matt and Hilda said together, "No, she didn't return home. Kitty's missing."

"Father, I sent for the Marshal to help find her and we need to cooperate with him. Father, I told him everything that has happened."

"Hilda, what are you talking about?"

"Oh, Father! No more. Please? Something has happened to Miss Kitty because of what she overheard between you and Louis. Father, I've been trying to talk to you alone about it but Louis has seen to it that we haven't been alone. Father, I believe he's behind this."

"Look, Lemp, I need you to tell me everything you can to help me find Kitty."

"Marshal, I'm not sure what I can tell you."

"Think. Where would he take her? Hilda said she disappeared while you three were at your plant. Where is it?"

"Well, it's in town. I can take you and show you but I don't know what you think you'll find there."

"Just show me."

William and Matt headed down to the Lemp plant.

TBC