Matt slowly made his way to the telegraph office to send off a message to Fort Dodge regarding the attempted heist and the outcome. He decided that he'd protect Joe for now, and once he got the farmer's story, he'd decide whether to have him charged with attempted robbery.
Matt reached the telegraph office just as Barney was unlocking the door. It seemed like everyone in Dodge was half asleep, having been up most of the night helping at the scene of the train wreck. "Morning, marshal," Barney didn't bother with the customary "good" part of the greeting; he knew by the look on the marshal's face that he just wanted to do some business and get on with the day.
Barney moved behind the counter and prepared to wire the message that the marshal was hastily writing, "Send this to Fort Dodge, and let me know when you get a response," Matt handed the slip of paper to Barney.
Matt left the office and spotted Kitty leaving the Long Branch with a tray of food. Matt walked across the quiet street and met up with Kitty, "Kitty," his voice sounded tired.
"Oh, hi, Matt," she stopped.
"Heading up to Doc's?" Matt inquired.
"Yeah. I figured by now Newly would be half starved," Kitty smiled.
"Newly? Where's Doc?" Matt questioned with concern.
"I made me lay down. He's in room five at the Long Branch if you need him," Kitty motioned toward the saloon. "And watch it. He's a bear today!"
Matt smiled, "He's likely not the only one," he grunted. "How's Joe?"
Kitty shrugged, "I was with Newly until an hour ago and Joe seemed to be holding he's own," Kitty said as she began to walk to the doctor's office. Matt followed along.
"What are you going to do with him, Matt?" Kitty stopped at the foot of the stairs and looked at the marshal.
Matt sighed. "I don't know yet. He saved my life on the train before the accident, and then he saved Jonas," Matt pursed his lips in thought.
"He's seems like a nice man. Sam and I spoke with him for a bit last evening," Kitty offered. "He's sorry for the accident and awfully worried about his sister," she concluded as she turned to the stairs and began to climb.
Matt said nothing and followed Kitty up to Doc's office where he opened the door for Kitty.
Newly had just finished making a sling for Jonas' arm to help support his shoulder, "That should help relieve so pain," the young deputy smiled. A slight look of relief eased the lines on his forehead; he sighed. Slowly a slight smile curled his white moustache, "Thank you, Newly," he spoke softly and stood up from the chair as Kitty entered the room with Matt right behind her.
"Miss Kitty. Marshal," Newly said to acknowledge their arrival.
"Good morning, Newly. Mr. Jonas," Kitty smiled at the two men. "I didn't think you'd be up Mr. Jonas or I would have brought more food," she said as she placed the tray on the doctor's desk near Newly.
"Oh, that's all right, Miss Kitty. I'm not that hungry, anyway," Jonas smiled.
"How are you feeling?" Matt asked the store owner.
Jonas smiled slightly, "Oh, I'll be just fine in a few days. You know how it is with this shoulder of mine," he said.
Matt smiled, "How's Ellen?" he asked Jonas.
Jonas pursed his lips under his white moustache, "She was awake a while ago," his voice was calm but concerned as he really didn't have any definitive answer for the marshal, or Miss Kitty.
Matt and Kitty understood and didn't push any further for answers. Everyone's attention turned to the office door as it opened with the town doctor standing in the doorway. "What's going on in here? This is a doctor's office, not a convention hall," Doc grumbled as he limped into the room and stood next to Jonas. "How's your shoulder?" Doc asked the store owner briskly.
"I'll be find, Doc. Just tell me straight out how Ellen is," Jonas' voice wavered.
"Doc, you should be up and around," Kitty tried to scold her friend. "You're pushing yourself too hard," she stated.
"Don't tell me what I should or shouldn't be doing. I'm a doctor and people need my help," Doc grumbled. "Now if you've leave and let me get on with my job," Doc turned to his desk where Jonas was standing.
Doc watched Matt and Kitty leave and then he asked Newly to also leave and get some rest, "I'll call on you later, Newly. I'll need to be spelled off in a few hours," Doc stated. In one way, the young deputy was grateful.
Jonas stepped passed Doc and began to walk to the door, "Where do you think you're going?" Doc said over his shoulder.
"I'm letting you get on with your job," Jonas stated.
"Well, I'm not done with you yet. Just because I asked how your shoulder was, doesn't me I'm through with you," Doc pointed to the chair next to his desk. Jonas slowly lowered himself onto the chair and a cloak of dread slipped over him; he watched the doctor's eyes for any hints of what was to come out of the man's mouth.
Doc sat in his chair and wheeled himself over next to Jonas. The doctor gently ran his hands over Jonas' shoulder and despite his best efforts to be gentle, Jonas still winced. "You know, if you separate this shoulder too many more times, I just might have to operate," Doc stated. "Still hurts, doesn't it?" Jonas nodded.
Doc pushed his chair back slightly, "Jonas. There's something more," he looked the store owner straight in the eyes. Jonas drew a deep breath and braced himself for the worst, "Ellen isn't going to make it, is she?"
Doc drew his hand across his moustache, "I didn't say that. However, you should know that she suffered several broken ribs in his mid-back. I'm not sure of the extent of the bruising that she suffered while pinned under the seats. When she came to earlier," Doc paused, "she said she felt numb from her lower back down," Doc swallowed. He hated to be the one who always delivered bad news.
Jonas said nothing. Slowly his eyes turned to the door that separated the two rooms, "Ellen maybe paralysed, is that what you are telling me?" his eyes came back to Doc's.
"Yes," Doc didn't mince words. He studied Jonas for a moment. "Jonas. You can't blame Joe for this," he said softly.
"Then who do I blame?" Jonas' words were like barbs.
"Look, I know how you feel," Doc started to say when Jonas stood up from his chair. "How do you know, Doc? You don't have a wife," Jonas was visibly shaken.
Doc pulled himself up from his chair and stood in front of Jonas, "Joe was with Ellen, calming her. She told me that. He saved Matt and you. I don't think Joe is a killer. If you want to blame someone, blame the ones that are already dead," Doc growled.
Jonas walked to the door. "Thank you for your honesty, Doc," he said as he pulled the door open and stepped out onto the landing.
Doc limped to the door and watched the store owner walk down the stairs. Doc was afraid of what Jonas might do; he'd seen him angry before, but nothing like this.