Right on schedule, a sour looking old man entered the Marshal's office. Accompanied by a man in his early twenties, he was immediately conformational.

"Where's my boy?"

Matt rose slowly, drawing himself to full height with a businesslike tone. "Judge Strom, I take it?"

"That's right." the old man nodded at the younger, "This is my youngest son, Mark."

"Is that you, Pa?" Rick shook the bars.

"His trial starts in three days." the Marshal cut in, his tone frosty, "You're welcome to stay in town as long as you don't cause trouble."

"What charges are you holding him on?"

Matt's eyes flashed dangerously. "Disturbing the peace, destruction of property, trespassing, holding a hostage, assault, five counts of attempted murder. If Judge Brooker needs something else, you better believe I'll think of it!"

Strom didn't flinch. "Are you saying you'd make up charges if the court's decision isn't to your personal liking?"

"Judge," Matt's jaw clenched, "I witnessed your boy in Miss Russell's room, alongside my two deputies and her bartender. It was my bullet that saved our lives after he fired at us. You better believe we'll all testify to that and your boy will go to prison."

"We'll see, Marshal…" Strom's scowl deepened, "We'll see…" He tipped his hat, "Come on, Mark. Let's walk around town. Get a feel for the place." Glancing at the door separating them from the cells, he called, "We'll be back, Rick."

"Judge." Matt's words hit their backs as they walked out, "You remember what I—"

The door slammed unceremoniously on his threat and he waited less than a minute before following. Much to his chagrin, they headed directly to the Long Branch and he had to content himself with hovering over the doors. He knew they knew he was there but he thought things might go better if he didn't appear to smother them.

Kitty wasn't on the floor as Sam handed them their orders but she soon stepped out of her room. It took only a look from her lover for her to understand what was going on.

Judge Strom was also staring at her. Following her eyes, he saw the unspoken message pass between them and quickly downed his drink. Heading for the street, he left his youngest son to drink more leisurely.

"Marshal, I don't see why the trial can't proceed tonight." he spoke when the two met at the doors, "I'll be happy to fill in for your Judge, ah...Brooker, was it? Why don't we convene here, at the scene of the crime, tonight?"

The tingle that raced up Matt's spine nearly set his temper on fire. "Judge, I don't think you realize how far you are from the Panhandle and Panhandle justice. You're farther than you think. I suggest you and your boys get yourselves rooms at the Dodge House and stay there as much as possible until you're ready to leave town."

Instead of following the Marshal's advice, Strom headed down the street. Matt watched for a moment before entering the saloon and making a beeline for Kitty as she came down the stairs. He didn't even care that Mark was still watching.

"Kit, those Stroms are just exactly who we thought they'd be." he whispered angrily, "Greedy men who believe they own the land they walk on."

"Surprise, surprise." she rolled her eyes, A frown creased her eyebrows, "What is it, Matt?"

"You read me like an open book, sweetheart." For a heartbeat there was a tiny smile on his face then his forehead also furrowed with worry, "Honey, you need to lay real low tonight. In my room. I'll have Festus stay with you."

Her eyes widened. "Matt, what's going on?"

"Shhh…"

His eyes cut down the bar but Mark had disappeared.

*⁓8⁓*

With the Marshal out of his office, Strom headed back to the jail. Since he'd be holding court this evening, he needed to collect witness reports.

"Rick?" he called, stepping through the door, "We need—"

"Morning Judge…"

Thad spoke from the Marshal's chair. Rising slowly, he tipped his hat politely, "Maybe you don't remember me. I'm Thad Greenwood."

For a moment, Strom was too surprised to speak but he quickly recovered.

"Why, yes...ah..." he stammered, "Young Thad...what brings you to Dodge?"

"I live here now. Marshal Dillon was kind enough to give me a job."

"Oh?"

Strom struggled to keep a straight face. "Good for you, young man...I, ah, I need to speak with my son."

"Go ahead." Thad gestured towards cells as he sat back down.

"Privately…"

"He's right in there."

"Pa, that Marshal is talking with Kitty Russel right now!" Mark broke the impasse, excitedly blowing into the room.

Strom's eyebrows shot up, "Thad...is Marshal Dillon friendly with Miss Russell?"

"Of course." Thad frowned, "Marshal Dillon has lots of friends. Dodge wouldn't be the same without him."

"Is that so?" Strom stroked his chin slowly, "So, you'd say that the people of this town owe Matt Dillon a lot, is that right? That maybe they'd cover for him if—"

"Matt would never—" Thad bolted to feet.

"Let's say," Strom went on, "Miss Russell noticed my son in the bar that night...maybe she was jealous of the money he'd made selling our cattle. I've no doubt that would be a temptation for a woman in her position..."

"Now, just a minute—"

"Of course, I don't blame her for her feelings." Strom continued gently, giving the blond deputy a patronizing look, "But we can and must blame her for luring Rick to her room with drinks and...promises...with the intention of robbing him."

"That's exactly what happened!" Rick called from the cell, "It's coming back clear as day now. She—"

"That's enough!" the deputy's anger rose to new heights, "You have no right to come into this town and—!"

"Then when Marshal Dillon found out what his woman had done," the Judge's voice rose, "he chose to shield her from rightful prosecution. He failed in his duty to—"

"I thought those drinks tasted funny!" Rick interrupted again, "And she's friends with that doctor too! Yeah, that's—"

"That's enough!" Thad roared, "I won't hear another word of this! I—"

"I suppose we can't blame an old man for falling for the wiles of such a woman..." Strom shook his head, sighing.

"Listen here," Thad stalked forward, shaking an accusing finger, "Rick is solely responsible for what happened that night and I'll testify to that because I witnessed the whole thing!"

"What's going on here?" Matt's voice thundered.

"We were just talking, Marshal..." Strom abruptly motioned for Mark to follow him. Cutting Matt a long look as he stepped around him, he called back to his eldest son, "We'll be back later, Rick."

"Thad?" Matt quickly closed the door between the rooms, "What happened?"

"I-I don't know…" he looked unsure, "I just hope I haven't made things worse."

"That's not possible." Matt scowled fiercely.

Author's Note: Phoenix5129: Thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying it!