Inside the Taylor camp, the mood was solemn. Working in silence the men finished the task of burying Craig Taylor and set their shovels aside. Spike hammered a simple wooden cross into the mound of earth. The men removed their hats. Marlene clasped her hands together. Spike cleared his throat. "Craig Taylor, you were a good man. We will never forget you. Matt Dillon's bullet took you down, but know that your death will be avenged so that you can rest in peace. Amen."

Marlene reached over and clasped Spike's huge, rough hand in both of hers. "Good words. Believe me, Matt Dillon's pain will be worse than the fires of hell, and his woman's pain will be a close second. That's why we gotta find her first thing in the morning." She looked around at the men. "Stew is ready. Grab bowls and come and get it." She threw her long braid over her shoulder and stood next to the big black pot, hanging over the cooking fire.

Kitty's legs were shaking with fatigue by the time she circled back to the Taylor camp. Her unaccustomed full-on run, fueled by fear, had taken a toll. Eating nothing but walnuts, didn't help, but as she cracked open two more shells, she felt lucky to be eating. She reached an area thick with shrubs, bushes, rocks and trees, and knew the camp was in there. The Taylors deserved credit, for finding the perfect hideaway for outlaws. Quietly and cautiously, she worked her way through the foliage that surrounded the camp, careful to stay hidden. She could make out the fire in the center of camp, but couldn't see much else very clearly.

The Taylor men formed a line by the fire and one-by-one held out their bowls for Marlene to fill. When Spike stepped forward, Marlene gazed up with a glowing smile and filled his bowl to the brim. "Come back for seconds if you want." He smiled broadly, "I will. I've got quite appetite." John was next. She left his bowl half empty. He scowled. She laughed at his expression. "Don't be silly. I'm making a joke. That's not for you, it's for Dillon. Give it to him and come back for yours." Grumbling, John crossed the camp to Matt, still sitting on the ground looking pale and clearly hurting. The open cuts on his back were raw and his left shoulder ached like hell. John grudgingly held out the half filled bowl of stew. Matt set it on his lap and spoke casually through spoonfuls. "Looks like your men didn't find Kitty." He took another bite and nodded toward Marlene and Spike, talking and laughing together. "Seems Spike doesn't care. Looks like his interest is elsewhere." John narrowed his eyes, "Dillon, shut up and eat." He stormed off, mood growing darker by the second.

Kitty inched closer to camp to see beyond the fire. Carefully peeking through the brush she squinted hard, and could make out Matt's familiar frame. His arm was in a sling, and his back must hurt like hell, but he was sitting up and feeding himself, that was something. Comforted that Matt seemed mobile, fatigue and stress overwhelmed her. Suddenly feeling exhausted, she stretched out on a long, flat rock and stared up at the sky. It was getting dark, too dark to even see where she was walking. She was well hidden, so it might be wise to just stay put for a while. At first-light, she could make her way around to Matt. From there they'd decide what to do. She pulled her light wool jacket tighter, and drifted off to sleep.

Dodge

Inside the stable Moss stood by his desk, going through his receipts for the day. He heard the door and looked up. "Hi Festus, you're early for the craps game. The other men aren't here yet, and Tommy's still sweeping up."

"I ain't here for the game Moss. I gotta ask agin if ya seen Miss Kitty today."

"You mean, she ain't shown up yet?"

"Nope, not a body has seen her this whole, entire day. I checked in every place of business, shop and restaurant, even the church. It's the strangest thing, Moss. Me and Doc and Sam all saw her late last night when the long Branch was closin'. She was headin' up ta her room like usual. Now it's like she went and disappeared right inta the air." The two men shook their heads, and with nothing else to do or say, watched Tommy sweep out the stalls. The boy moved efficiently, pushing dirt, dust, dried mud and bits of hay into an every growing pile. Wanting to encourage the teenager's hard work Moss called out. "Tommy, you're doing a good job, you got a nice big mound there. Don't forget every stall has to … say…" Moss pointed to the mound of dirt and dust. "What's that piece of paper sticking up there. Looks like somebody dropped some mail or maybe a note or a list. Bring it over, Tommy." The boy picked up the slip of paper he'd swept up with dirt from the stall the big mare, Belle was kept in. He shook off the dust and handed it over. Moss unfolded the paper. His eyes widened, and the color drained from his face. Festus grabbed his arm. "What's wrong Moss, what's it say?"

Moss cleared his throat: If you want to see Matt Dillon alive, come to Willow Creek. Be there by dawn. Come alone. Tell no one. We have eyes everywhere. If you do not follow these instructions, Matt Dillon will be killed.

Stunned into silence, Festus grabbed the note, even thought he couldn't read the words himself. "Moss, who coulda dropped this? I mean, I'm thinking Miss Kitty, but you and Tommy say she ain't been here."

"Well," Moss scratched his head. "Somebody did stop by last night when me and Tommy were sleeping. He borrowed a horse and left money to pay for it. I didn't think it worth mentioning. It wouldn't have been Miss Kitty. Why would she…"

"It-it-it was her. It was Kitty Russell. I lied to you Moss. I saw her, but she said not to tell anyone, and …." The teenager put his hands on his head. Festus took him by the shoulders. "I'm sure you were tryin' ta do right, whatever happened. Now the three of us are gonna go up ta Doc's, an' Tommy, you're gonna tell us exactly what happened."

Taylor Camp

Unable to sleep, Matt peered into the darkness to gather what information he could. Only one man was up. He was guarding the horses. The men seemed to take turns doing that, day and night. All and it was quieter than last night, when the sounds of John and Marlene having sex spread through-out the camp. Instead he heard the couple whispering. Their voices were quiet, their anger unmistakable. The situation with Marlene, Spike and John was something to keep an eye on, maybe something to be used. But where was Kitty right now? He figured Spike was right, and she circled back to camp instead of trying to reach Dodge on foot and in the dark. He squinted into the foliage, seeing nothing, but trying to detect any sound or movement. If you're there Kitty, stay hidden and stay safe.

Dodge

Moss. Festus and a teary eyed Tommy joined Doc in his office. Tommy finished the story of his late night encounter with Kitty Russell. "I'm so sorry, I should have checked with you, Doc, to make sure you told Miss Russell to go and see a sick friend right away."

"Oh Pshaw." Doc put an arm around Tommy's shoulder. "You had no reason to think she'd make up such a story. Now we have to set things right." He looked at Festus, "We have to go after Kitty and Matt."

Festus nodded emphatically "Here's what I'm thinkin'. Miss Kitty's been gone a whole day, sp I ain't gonna take the time ta get a whole, entire posse together. I'll git Newly an' Sam. The 3 of us will head out tonight. I can figure the directions by the stars. That way we'll be almost thar by mornin'.

Moss shook is head. "Festus, that's just three men. You might want more than that. Remember, they captured Marshal Dillon, and that's a darn hard thing to do."

"I'll go with you." Tommy's youthful voice piped up. "I know I'm only 15, but I'm real good on a horse and real good with a rifle. Besides, I want to make up for my mistake."

"Well, I'm going too." Doc stepped nose to nose with Festus. "And I'm going in a wagon. Don't say I won't keep up. I will. Fact is Matt and Kitty might need my medical help AND one or both may need to ride home in a wagon, AND, I have a rifle too, and we both know I can use it."

Festus scratched his ear. He knew when he was beaten, besides Tommy and Doc had good points. "All right, get ya-selves ready. I'll go git Newly and Sam. We'll be headin' out directly."

TBC