It was first light, and Festus was wide awake as usual and annoyed at this current situation. Not just with his broken leg, but with Matt's seeming disappointment in him. He wanted desperately to help find the guilty person, but by the looks of things he wasn't going to be going anywhere for some time to come.
Doc was the next up. The hill man heard the doctor groan from the other room. Doc slowly dressed and ambled out to the main office, "You alright, Doc?" Festus asked.
"No change from yesterday," Doc said as he looked over to the deputy. "In fact I think I feel worse," he said as he finished buttoning his shirt.
"That happens I suppose," the hill man lamented.
"How's your leg?" Doc asked as he lifted the sheet and gently felt the swollen limb. The hill man tried to hide his pain as he drew in his lower lip, "It hurts like thunder," he spoke through his clenched teeth.
"It'll be better when the swelling goes down," Doc offered.
"Doc?"
"Yes?" the doctor looked Festus.
"Is Matthew mad at me?" the hill man asked.
Doc frowned and shook his head, "No, he's just concerned that if word gets out that you were with Cecil when he died, that Vera might want to lay a murder charge against you," he stated. "Matt has to find the murder weapon and the murderer first," the doctor added.
Festus settled back to the examination table, "I'm one hundred percent that was ole Cecil's team I untied," he swallowed.
"I believe you," Doc said as he settled down into his chair.
There was a light rap at the doctor's door, "It's open, Doc said firmly hoping it wasn't someone looking for treatment. Instead it was Wilbur Jonas, "How are you Doc?" he asked as he stepped into the room. He acknowledged the deputy, "Festus," he smiled.
"I'll be fine in a couple of weeks, but thanks for asking," Doc noted.
"I'll be working in the store...we'll trying to get into the store, so I thought is fair I told you in case you hear any noise from downstairs," Jonas stated.
"Thanks for the heads up," Doc smiled. His eyes then squinted quizzically at the store owner, "And how are you?" he then asked.
Jonas shrugged and looked at his arm, his back hurt, his leg hurt, everything hurt, "I might not look as bad as you, but I hurt," he sighed.
Doc smiled slightly at the store owner's candor. "Just take it easy will you?"
Jonas nodded and looked over at the deputy, "Fell better soon, Festus," he said before he left.
Doc ticked his head thinking about the bad luck of late that the store owner had endured. He wished there was a way to turn it around. Doc was deep in thought about the subject when the door opened again. This time it was Kitty Russell, "I can well imagine that the two of you are half starved," she smiled and placed a basket of food on the small table next to the desk. "I want to see everything eaten," she said like a mother.
Doc smiled, "Thanks Kitty," he said leaning forward to peek under the red and white checked cloth. The fresh bread smelled heavenly.
"I'll be back later," the saloon owner looked at both men with a slight smirk. She felt like a school teacher making sure her students did their homework. Kitty was about to close the door when Matt entered. Doc had just handed Festus some bread and both men looked like they were caught trying to break into a store.
Doc huffed. "I think my office is busier than Del Monico's," he grumbled as he took his seat again.
Matt made a face, "Well, I'm glad to see you too," he stated. Doc made a face and then chewed off a piece of bread. Kitty excused herself leaving the men to talk. "Can either of you tell me who else had dealings with Defoe?" he was quick to ask.
Doc shook his head, "That's the first encounter I had with him," he said after swallowing the bread. "I can't say I have heard anything about his around town," the doctor shrugged. "Sorry Matt."
"I bet Jonas would know," Festus stated. "He hears all sorts of gossip," he added.
Matt's eyebrows lifted. Even Doc was surprised by what the hill man said. Festus looked at the two men, "Wall, it's true!"
"I never took Jonas as a gossip," Doc chuckled.
"Wall he doesn't part with what he knows all the time," Festus stated.
"And just how do you know this?" Matt asked wondering.
"You should see all the little old ladies chatting him up," Festus said with slight embarrassment.
"Little old ladies don't generally know old miserable farmers," Doc barked. Festus' mouth dropped open.
Matt sighed, "Fine. Maybe he has heard something and has just forgotten," the marshal said as he shook his head and left. Doc remained looking at the hill man. "I can't believe you just said that," he growled and chewed off another piece of bread.
Matt watched the store owner for a few minutes; he was busy with the men helping him repair the store. "Jonas?" he finally called over.
Jonas motioned for the men to continue as he limped over the the marshal, "You're limping," Matt pointed out. The store owner nodded, "It's my left leg again," he said rubbing the back of his thigh where he was injured a few weeks earlier. Matt acknowledged, "Don't let Doc know," he smiled.
"I need to ask you a few questions," Matt said looking over to the men. "Maybe over at the jail," he indicated.
Jonas looked suddenly like he was in for it. "What did I do?" he swallowed.
"Nothing," Matt placed his hand on the store owner's shoulder. "I just don't want prying ears listening," he smiled. He could feel Jonas relax.
The two men walked to the jail, Matt opened the door "Have a seat," he offered Jonas as he hung his hat on the wooden peg next to the door.
Wilbur slowly sat down at the little table at the centre of the room. The store owner couldn't imagine what the marshal wanted to talk to him about. Matt took the other chair and turned it around so he could rest his arms on the back. He straddled the chair and sat. "Have you heard from anyone in town about Defoe?" he asked studying Jonas.
Wilbur blinked in thought, "Just that some of the other store owner's didn't have much use for him," he stated.
"Why didn't they like him?" Matt continued.
"Well, you heard what happened to me!" Jonas was a little more animated.
Matt put out his right hand to calm the store owner. "I heard, but did he do that to others as well?"
Jonas squared himself and narrowed his eyes, "As much as I distrust the rat, apparently Angus McTabbott and Defoe got into a heated argument. Word has it that McTabbott never did see his money," the store owner poked his right index finger onto the table.
Matt shook his head, "Why don't you people tell me these things?!" he said with slight exasperation.
"Matt, I don't go around telling tales out of school," Jonas said in a huff. Matt had to hide his smiled. There was a gain of truth about what Festus said.
"Angus McTabbott, eh?" Matt stood.
Jonas put two and two together and stood looking at the marshal. "you don't think McTabbott killed Defoe, do you?" he was almost astonished that he said what he did.
"I guess I'm going to find out," Matt said as he gathered his hat and left the jail. Jonas stood in the middle of the room with his mouth open in shock.