Anton stood in his room, paralyzed by the situation. There were jugs of gunpowder, sticks of dynamite, large drills and locksmith tools on his hotel room floor, and a US Marshal knocking insistently on the door.
Matt rapped on the door again, "Anton, I need to talk to you."
Drake whispered, "Little brother do something."
Anton nodded. He opened the door a sliver and slipped out into the hall. He quickly closed the door behind him and leaned against it. Matt looked into Anton's panicky eyes as he asked, "Can I come in?"
"Um, well marshal, it's just that – well it's just that my brother is here. That's right, my brother is here visiting and he – he is not feeling well so he is asleep."
Matt looked dubious, "Maybe I should go get Doc."
"No, no that won't be necessary. My brother just needs sleep. So, what was it you wanted to ask me?"
After staring at the closed door for a second Matt answered, "You told my deputy that Adriana tried to shoot you. I just want to verify some information and make sure that you want to press charges."
Anton swallowed hard and decided that the best thing to do was cut the conversation short, and worry about pressing charges against that madwoman later, "Marshal, Adriana and I had a misunderstanding. There is no need for charges. If you'll excuse me I should check on my brother." Anton quickly slipped back into his room and closed the door.
Matt was confounded by Anton's avoidance, but also convinced that the reason Anton wanted to get rid of him had nothing to do with a sick brother. Deciding not to push Anton further, Matt left the hotel to make his nightly rounds. The Lady Gay would be his first stop. He pushed his way through bat wing doors and looked around noting that the bar was packed and the gambling tables in full swing. Things were rowdy and loud, but nothing was out of the ordinary, or threatening to spill over into violence. He made his way through the crowd to the back of the room. Adriana was at her table with a customer, an old cowhand. Matt stood off to the side and as he watched he detected a distinct tiredness and lack of enthusiasm in Adriana's manner. The old timer walked away with an expectant smile on his face, and Matt went over and stood by her table. She looked up with a slightly bored expression, but when she saw who it was, her violet eyes regained some of their luster, "Well hello marshal. Would you like me to read your cards?"
Matt shook his head as he sat down, "No thank you Adriana, but I'd like to ask you some questions."
"Come on marshal. Let me read your cards. What do you have to lose?"
"Two dollars."
Adriana smiled as she shuffled her cards and started to lay them out, "I'll do your reading for free, or is the real problem that you are afraid of what my cards will reveal. Three cards marshal, a secret from you past, a secret in the present and a choice for the future?"
Matt smiled wryly, "Adriana, I know my past – mistakes, things that weren't mistakes but I regret I had to do, and things I'm pleased about. My present – I'll keep trying to do what needs to be done. I've had some hard won lessons, so I hope to make fewer mistakes. My future will be born of that."
Adriana was taken aback by the seriousness of Matt's answer and didn't speak for a moment. Finally she looked into his eyes, "What about your lady? Don't you want a card reading about your future with her?"
Matt met Adriana's eyes, and said very quietly, but with a voice rich with emotion, "I will love her forever. No one else will ever hold my heart."
His words, his look, his tone of voice touched her very core. She thought to herself, Muma was right to be displeased at Kitty's illness. If it had gone on too long she would have died and this man would have never recovered. After a few seconds of silence Adriana brought herself back to the reality of the moment. She looked at Matt, "I assume Anton, Doc and Kitty have all told you what's been going on."
Matt nodded, "Doc's not convinced that your tea had anything to do with Kitty's fast recovery, but if it did I'm grateful. Anton, is not going to press charges, but I want your word that you won't try to kill him or anyone else."
Adriana looked down at the table as she busily gathered her cards and put them into her bag, "I think I'll call it a night marshal. It's a long way back to camp. I'm sure you've heard that Muma is gone, so I'll be walking."
Adriana rose from the table and looked it Matt for a few seconds before walking away. Matt watched her go. He knew he hadn't gotten her word that she wouldn't try to kill anyone, but he didn't go after her. He had considered it briefly, but didn't and wasn't sure why.
When Adriana was outside of the Lady Gay, standing in the cool night air, it occurred to her that there was no reason not to remain in town overnight She had been camping out because that was best for Muma. She hadn't wanted Muma to have to spend her nights in a stable. With an empty feeling in the pit of her stomach, she walked to the Dodge House to get a room.
The night clerk greeted her and gave her a key to room #4. She didn't realize that down the hall in room #2 Anton Durbin was lying in bed trying unsuccessfully to go to sleep while his brother snored peacefully beside him.
Matt finished his rounds and ended the night in the Long Branch. He stood outside looking over the batwing doors until he saw Kitty, and then walked in. She turned and smiled, "How about a beer Cowboy?"
Matt nodded and Sam brought over 2 beers. The couple went to sit in a table in the back. It was almost closing time, and the saloon was nearly empty."
"Matt, did you talk to Anton and Adriana?"
Matt nodded and took a sip of beer as Kitty continued, "Is everything all right?"
Matt gave a short laugh, "Kitty everything is strange, real strange." He finished his beer. "How about I help you lock up and we go upstairs. I'll tell you all about it, and I'd kinda like to be holding you in my arms."
Kitty nodded, "I'd kinda like that too."
Early the Next Day
The sky was still dark when Adriana rose. She looked out the window and seeing a strange redness in the fading moonlight thought - this is the day I will kill a man. She dressed quickly, put her gun in her skirt pocket and quietly left her room. She walked passed the night clerk knowing he wouldn't notice her, and went outside. The air was still, as if waiting for something. She walked down the deserted streets and positioned herself in the doorway of a shop, somehow knowing it was the right place to wait for Anton.
Anton woke with a start and looked around his room. His brother was gone and so were the gunpowder, dynamite and tools. Rising quickly he looked out the window and saw no movement of any kind.
Matt's eyes popped open and he soon realized it wasn't even dawn. He turned towards Kitty and saw she that her eyes were already open, "Kitty, you're awake awfully early. It's still more than an hour until dawn."
Kitty moved closer, "You're awake early too. Even for you. Matt, something feels strange. I can't explain it. It's like we're in storm, but all is quiet."
Matt pulled her to him, and held her tight. They clung to each other and Matt kissed her long and deeply before rising to get dressed. He looked over and saw that Kitty was also out of bed and dressing. He should have been surprised but wasn't.
TBC