Wilbur Jonas stepped through the door of Percy Crump's Furniture and Undertaker's business. The musky low smell of formaldehyde was slightly masked by the highly scented soaps that the undertaker used to prepare bodies for burial. Jonas wasn't exactly sure why he went to see the undertaker, maybe to see him about Dudley Richards - and had anyone bothered to tell the dead man's wife of the news.
Jonas' stomach flipped at the heady smell and he moved slowly through to the back room where Percy was working on Richards. Another body layed covered with a white sheet, "Whose that?" Jonas pointed to the corpse.
"One of the bank robbers," Percy said looking up from the tubes he held in his hands. "I don't know what his name is," Crump placed the tubes on a tray and walked over to Jonas and looked at the badge. It reminded him of Matt, "How are the marshal and Mr. Bodkin doing?"
Jonas looked away from the body over to Crump, "Doc says they will make it. It'll be a while, however," the store owner stated.
"Is that why you are wearing that?" Crump poked the badge on Jonas' vest.
"Oh," Jonas smiled nervously, "With the marshal layed up and Festus out with a posse. And Newly isn't back yet," Jonas felt more nauseated at the thought of acting as deputy.
Percy Crump smiled, "If you need a hand, don't hesitate to ask," he said as he turned back to his work table and the deceased Dudley Richards. Jonas took a few more steps into the room, "Has anyone spoken to Mrs. Richards?" the store owner asked.
Crump looked up again, "You know, I bet you no one has," he shook his head. "I suppose I should," Crump stated.
Jonas swallowed, "I'll do it," he tried to smile and push away the smells that seemed to be growing in intensity.
"Thanks, Jonas," Crump nodded and went back to his work. Wilbur Jonas quietly dismissed himself and hurried out onto the street and fresh air. He knew a moment more in the morgue he would have thrown up. Jonas held onto a post as he cleared his head and calmed his stomach.
After a few minutes, Jonas pushed off and began his trek over to Dudley and Vivian Richards' house. As the store owner walked, he tried to formulate the words that would ease Vivian's pain. He knew it wasn't going to be easy and already he was hating the duties of being the law in town.
Jonas stopped at the end of the walk that led toward the front door of the little clapped-board house. He drew a deep breath and hoped that whatever he could say was of some comfort to Vivian Richards.
Jonas walked slowly to the front door and rapped lightly. Part of him didn't want Vivian to hear his knock and yet part of him did. Jonas bit at his bottom lip as he heard the latch being unlocked on the inside. Vivian opened the door, "Well, Mr. Jonas. How nice to see you," she said poking her head out the door expecting to see Ellen Jonas at his side. Vivian's eyes quickly came back to Jonas' and then she spotted the badge on his vest, "Has there been trouble?"
Jonas swallowed, "May I come in?" he said softly. Vivian backed up and let the store owner into the house. She didn't like the looks or feel of the air about the man, "What is it, Mr. Jonas," she asked straight out.
Jonas turned and he tried to say something - anything. He was breathing hard and he shook his head, "This is awfully difficult," he stated. Vivian took a step closer, "What's happened to Dudley?" Jonas' bottom lip quivered as ht tried to find the straight to tell the women her husband he been killed.
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Derrick Warwick and "Handsome Dan" crested the hill and looked down onto Dodge City. The night air was getting cooler and their longing for women and alcohol was growing great. Warwick decided that they would spend the night in town while the posse rode around in the dark looking for them. And then come morning, if anything was left of the town, the posse would find it, "There can't be too many deputies left, Huh?" Dan grunted.
Warwick drew a long pull from his cigar, "I'm counting on it. That saloon on Front Street surely looked like the place I want to be," he smiled.
"What if there are some lawmen in town?" Dan asked.
Warwick shrugged, "I imagine all the keeners are with the posse. Whoever is left must be the scrapings from the bottom of the barrel," he laughed maliciously.
"Likely the town drunk," Dan scoffed which caused both men to laugh. Warwick jabbed his spurs into his horse's flanks and the animal jolted forward. "Handsome Dan" followed suit and the two outlaws rode toward Dodge as the sun sank behind the distant hills.
Both men almost goaded each other to reach the saloon before the other. Their riding was reckless and motivated my drink and a good time. They felt they held Dodge in the palms of their hands knowing full well that the big marshal was either severely wounded or dead by now.
Wilbur Jonas pushed his hands deeply into his trouser pockets having just left his own hose and telling Ellen about what was happening. He decided to check in at the marshal's office and look through some wanted posters - perhaps he might recognize the man with the scarred face in one of them. The store owner opened the door and solemnly walked to the marshal's desk and picked up a pile of posters. Jonas lowered himself into the chair and began to thumb thought them when the door opened. "Jonas," Doc said as he stepped down into the office.
The store owner looked up, "Doc?" he wondered why the doctor was in the office.
Doc moved further into the office, "I was just over to speak with Percy Crump. He told me that you want and saw Mrs. Richards this afternoon," Doc looked deeply at the store owner, "Yes," he said in a quiet voice.
"How'd she take the news?" Doc asked.
Jonas shrugged, "As best as she could, I guess. It was one of the hardest things I think I've ever done - telling someone their loved died," Jonas felt a lump in his throat, "I don't think I ever want to do that again," he said as he eyes misted. Jonas blinked away the moisture and sighed.
"How 'bout I buy you a drink?" Doc smiled.
Jonas shook his head, "Maybe in a little while, Doc. Thanks," the store owner smiled.
"Well, I'll be over at the Long Branch spelling myself," Doc half laughed. "If you want to come over later, you're more than welcome," Doc smiled as he reached for the door handle.
"Thanks, Doc," Jonas smiled and went back to looking at the posters in his hands. Jonas nodded, "Yes, maybe later this evening I just might join you, Doc," he nodded as he worked his way through the posters.