The marshal caught up with Bo Hopkins outside of Delmonico's.
"Afternoon, Mr. Hopkins."
The man turned and hid the nasty snarl forming on his lips when he saw the big man, "Marshal Dillon, what a surprise. A little late for lunch, aren't you?"
"How's your business going?"
Hopkins turned toward Matt, "It's comin' along, Marshal, thanks for askin'."
Hopkins moved down the street, leaving Dillon flat. Matt quickly went into Delmonico's and over to Flo. He pulled his hat off his head.
"Afternoon, Flo."
"Marshal."
"The stranger who just left here..."
"Bo Hopkins, whut about him?"
"What'd he want?"
"About two dollars worth o' lunch."
Dillon didn't have a lot of patience, "Did he ask about Rose?"
"How'd you know that?"
"What'd you tell him?"
"That she was stayin' at Ma Smalley's, but that I think she left town for a spell."
"Much obliged, Flo."
Matt put his hat on and went quickly to Ma Smalley's boarding house, but he was too late to catch Hopkins there. Ma confirmed that Hopkins had inquired about Rose, and that she explained to him that Rose was visiting a sick relative in Wyoming. Dillon smiled at her and took his leave. Maybe Hopkins would head North.
***********
It was late in the afternoon when Barney came into the Marshal's Office with a telegraph message from Denver. Matt opened it, and quickly read it:
"No warrants or wants on Hopkins STOP Clever and Underhanded STOP Looking for wife named Rose STOP Please advise if help needed STOP"
Barney looked at Dillon, "Says his wife's name is Rose....that ain't the deputy's Rose, is it?"
"Barney, don't you have anything else to do?"
"That's the thanks I git for runnin' over here?"
Dillon glared, so Barney left quickly, leaving Matt to ponder his next move.
***********
A little before seven, Dillon sent Festus for a beer at the Long Branch, and he went to pay a visit to the Freight office. Matt walked in to find Nathan Burke closing up for the night.
"Marshal, I'm just about to close."
"That's fine, Nathan, I'm just lookin' for a little information is all."
"About what?"
"Did a stranger come in here today askin' about Rose Sullivan?"
"As a matter of fact, one did. He also asked if a stage left today at noon."
"Whadja tell him?"
"That one did. The only problem was the fella thought it was heading North towards Wyoming. But don't worry, Marshal, I set him straight on that score, and also told him that Rose wasn't on it in any case." Dillon tried to stifle a moan, and Burke continued, "He was a pleasant enough guy, asked me who Miss Sullivan had cottoned to in Dodge, so I told him about the pending wedding. The guy sure seemed excited when I told him about Festus."
Matt's heart dropped to his knees, "Did he ask where he could find Festus?"
"Sure 'nough did. Told him this time o' night he should try the Long Branch."
Matt glared at the man, "You know Burke, you could always have a second career as the Town Crier should anything ever happen to Barney."
Dillon ran out quickly, heading toward Kitty's saloon.
***********
Hopkins had been at the bar, downing whiskey, watching the patrons around him. It didn't take him long to figure out who Festus was; he was sitting at a table with the owner of the saloon, and the old doctor of the town. The redheaded woman was trying to cheer the deputy up, and she didn't appear to be having much luck. Hopkins had waited about as long as he was going to. He downed one last shot of whiskey, tossed some coins on the bar and headed over to the table.
"You Haggen?"
Festus turned around, "Festus Haggen, yes sir."
Hopkins was slightly amused; although what Rose saw in the country bumpkin was beyond him. No matter, the good deputy wouldn't be around much longer.
"Heard you were carrying on with my woman."
Festus frowned, "Jes' what are you talkin' 'bout?"
"Rose Sullivan. She's my wife."
Festus stood slowly, glaring at the man, his voice staying even, "That so..."
Kitty's voice was pitched with anxiety, "Festus, he's trying to bait you... please, sit down."
Doc added his two cents, "She's right you knot-head. Just sit down."
Hopkins cocked his six-gun and shot at the floor, barely missing one of the deputy's boots. Festus stopped, and squinted at the man.
"So you're the feller who has to beat up on women 'cause ya ain't got nothin' below yer belt. I was a-wonderin' just what a feller like that would do with no gal to take it out on..."
Hopkins cocked the hammer on his gun again, "Just keep talking, Deputy. Give me an excuse."
A voice from the top of the stairs called out, "Bo! Put the gun down!"
"Ah......what have we here? The woman who supposedly went to visit a sick relative in Wyoming? Why Rose, what a surprise..."
Festus looked like he had been hit by a train, "Rose? Matthew told me you left town. What in the hell is goin' on?"
She came down the stairs quickly, "Festus, please try and understand, the Marshal and I thought--"
"--Matthew knowed you didn't go?" He looked at Kitty, and then Doc, "And I reckon the two of you are in on it too...."
Rose walked slowly over to Festus, and took his hand, "We were all afraid of what you might do if you knew Bo was in town. I was afraid."
Hopkins began to laugh, "You were afraid of what this mangy little man would do to me? That's rich! You always were as stupid as a whore, Rose."
Festus turned to the man, "You mind yer mouth, or I'll shut it for ya, real permanent-like."
"I'd like to see you try."
Festus unbuckled his gun belt, setting it on the table, "I'm unarmed, Mister, whut about you?"
Rose held onto Haggen's hand, "Festus, please, don't..."
He squeezed her hand then let go, "It'll be all right, Rose."
Kitty grabbed his arm, "Festus, no?"
"Thar ain't no choice, Miss Kitty."
As Hopkins set down his gun belt, he took a hard swing at Festus, connecting with the man's jaw, painfully. Haggen toppled over backward, smashing into a table. Scrambling up, the deputy ran at Hopkins, knocking the man over at the waist. Then he smashed his fists into Hopkins' several times, before the man kicked him in the belly. Festus fell over, and Hopkins took advantage by kicking him several times in the ribs, causing Haggen to cry out as they broke. The deputy hooked a boot behind Hopkins' right foot, and pulled with all his might, toppling the man to the floor. Festus pounded into the man with his fists, but Hopkins came back with a hard right cross to the temple, dazing the deputy. Pulling himself up again, Festus landed another hard hit to Hopkins' face, sending the man careening into the table he had set his gun on.
Dillon entered at that moment, gun drawn, shouting, "That's enough!"
And thanks to the marshal's distraction, Hopkins found his opening; he pulled his gun from its holster, and wheeled around on Festus. Rose saw the glint of metal, and to her horror realized Festus was nowhere near his weapon, and Dillon didn't have a clean shot.
"Festus! No!"
Rose threw herself in front of Haggen just as Hopkins fired. She took the bullet full in the chest, falling backward toward Festus. He caught her in his arms, her blood splattering his face and hands The crowd ducked after the first shot, and Hopkins never got off a second. Dillon fired the moment he had a clear line, dropping the man where he stood. The deputy looked lost in his drowning emotions. Gently he lay Rose on the floor, cradling her upper body in his arms.
"Doc! Doc!"
Adams knelt down, but he knew there wasn't a chance in hell that Rose would survive the blow she took. Kitty stood behind Festus, her hand covering her mouth, stifling any cries that wanted to escape. Matt crossed the room and knelt next to Adams.
"Doc?"
The old physician looked at Dillon, and the marshal knew the truth. He closed his eyes for a moment, guilt flooding his soul.
Festus looked again at Adams, "Doc, you gotta save her, please...."
Rose gripped the deputy's shirt, her voice a bare whisper, "Festus...."
He leaned down to her, his voice fighting to stay calm, "I'm here, darlin'....don't you try and talk none. Ol' Doc'll fix ya, you'll see. You just lie still."
She shook her head, "Festus, I love you, always."
He could feel the tears stinging his eyes as he bent down to kiss her on the lips. His breath was hot against her mouth, "I love you too, Rose darlin'..... I love you so much.."
Kitty had to turn away, to hide the tears rolling down her cheeks. Matt stood and pulled her into him for a moment. Festus looked up at Adams, his eyes wet and pleading with his old friend.
"Doc, please...."
Stifling his own emotions, Doc barked, "Matt.....get her up to my office."
Dillon looked at the man as if he had lost his mind.
Doc growled at him, "Now!"
Matt took Rose gently from Festus, but she was already growing cold. He couldn't understand what Doc was doing, but without a word he carried her out of the Long Branch, heading toward the old man's office. Doc stopped Festus in mid-step as he tried to follow, then he turned to Kitty.
"Clean him up, and then bring him over to my office." Haggen started to argue, but Adams waved him off gruffly, "Festus, just do as I say." Then he softened, cuffing the deputy behind the head with his hand, "If there's anything that can be done, you know I will do it."
Festus could barely nod, and Kitty gently took the distraught deputy by the arm, and pulled him toward a table. Doc quickly left, unable to bear the distress so plainly filling the room.
"Sam, can I have some water and towels?"
Festus shivered, and Kitty knew it wasn't because he was cold, but rather, cold fear. In all the years she had known him, she had never known him to show fear. Kitty took the towel Sam handed her, dunked it in the water and gently cleaned the blood off his face.
"Miss Kitty....please could we go? I need to be with Rose."
"We'll go in a minute, just let me get you cleaned up."
His eyes were full of unshed tears, and Kitty couldn't bear to look into them. After cleaning his hands and face, she realized he was sitting at an odd angle, favoring one side. Tenderly she touched his left side, and he cried out in pain.
"Oh Festus, your ribs are busted..."
But she knew he didn't care. His only concern was for Rose Sullivan. Without another word, Kitty helped him up, and they slowly made their way toward Doc's office.
"Afternoon, Mr. Hopkins."
The man turned and hid the nasty snarl forming on his lips when he saw the big man, "Marshal Dillon, what a surprise. A little late for lunch, aren't you?"
"How's your business going?"
Hopkins turned toward Matt, "It's comin' along, Marshal, thanks for askin'."
Hopkins moved down the street, leaving Dillon flat. Matt quickly went into Delmonico's and over to Flo. He pulled his hat off his head.
"Afternoon, Flo."
"Marshal."
"The stranger who just left here..."
"Bo Hopkins, whut about him?"
"What'd he want?"
"About two dollars worth o' lunch."
Dillon didn't have a lot of patience, "Did he ask about Rose?"
"How'd you know that?"
"What'd you tell him?"
"That she was stayin' at Ma Smalley's, but that I think she left town for a spell."
"Much obliged, Flo."
Matt put his hat on and went quickly to Ma Smalley's boarding house, but he was too late to catch Hopkins there. Ma confirmed that Hopkins had inquired about Rose, and that she explained to him that Rose was visiting a sick relative in Wyoming. Dillon smiled at her and took his leave. Maybe Hopkins would head North.
***********
It was late in the afternoon when Barney came into the Marshal's Office with a telegraph message from Denver. Matt opened it, and quickly read it:
"No warrants or wants on Hopkins STOP Clever and Underhanded STOP Looking for wife named Rose STOP Please advise if help needed STOP"
Barney looked at Dillon, "Says his wife's name is Rose....that ain't the deputy's Rose, is it?"
"Barney, don't you have anything else to do?"
"That's the thanks I git for runnin' over here?"
Dillon glared, so Barney left quickly, leaving Matt to ponder his next move.
***********
A little before seven, Dillon sent Festus for a beer at the Long Branch, and he went to pay a visit to the Freight office. Matt walked in to find Nathan Burke closing up for the night.
"Marshal, I'm just about to close."
"That's fine, Nathan, I'm just lookin' for a little information is all."
"About what?"
"Did a stranger come in here today askin' about Rose Sullivan?"
"As a matter of fact, one did. He also asked if a stage left today at noon."
"Whadja tell him?"
"That one did. The only problem was the fella thought it was heading North towards Wyoming. But don't worry, Marshal, I set him straight on that score, and also told him that Rose wasn't on it in any case." Dillon tried to stifle a moan, and Burke continued, "He was a pleasant enough guy, asked me who Miss Sullivan had cottoned to in Dodge, so I told him about the pending wedding. The guy sure seemed excited when I told him about Festus."
Matt's heart dropped to his knees, "Did he ask where he could find Festus?"
"Sure 'nough did. Told him this time o' night he should try the Long Branch."
Matt glared at the man, "You know Burke, you could always have a second career as the Town Crier should anything ever happen to Barney."
Dillon ran out quickly, heading toward Kitty's saloon.
***********
Hopkins had been at the bar, downing whiskey, watching the patrons around him. It didn't take him long to figure out who Festus was; he was sitting at a table with the owner of the saloon, and the old doctor of the town. The redheaded woman was trying to cheer the deputy up, and she didn't appear to be having much luck. Hopkins had waited about as long as he was going to. He downed one last shot of whiskey, tossed some coins on the bar and headed over to the table.
"You Haggen?"
Festus turned around, "Festus Haggen, yes sir."
Hopkins was slightly amused; although what Rose saw in the country bumpkin was beyond him. No matter, the good deputy wouldn't be around much longer.
"Heard you were carrying on with my woman."
Festus frowned, "Jes' what are you talkin' 'bout?"
"Rose Sullivan. She's my wife."
Festus stood slowly, glaring at the man, his voice staying even, "That so..."
Kitty's voice was pitched with anxiety, "Festus, he's trying to bait you... please, sit down."
Doc added his two cents, "She's right you knot-head. Just sit down."
Hopkins cocked his six-gun and shot at the floor, barely missing one of the deputy's boots. Festus stopped, and squinted at the man.
"So you're the feller who has to beat up on women 'cause ya ain't got nothin' below yer belt. I was a-wonderin' just what a feller like that would do with no gal to take it out on..."
Hopkins cocked the hammer on his gun again, "Just keep talking, Deputy. Give me an excuse."
A voice from the top of the stairs called out, "Bo! Put the gun down!"
"Ah......what have we here? The woman who supposedly went to visit a sick relative in Wyoming? Why Rose, what a surprise..."
Festus looked like he had been hit by a train, "Rose? Matthew told me you left town. What in the hell is goin' on?"
She came down the stairs quickly, "Festus, please try and understand, the Marshal and I thought--"
"--Matthew knowed you didn't go?" He looked at Kitty, and then Doc, "And I reckon the two of you are in on it too...."
Rose walked slowly over to Festus, and took his hand, "We were all afraid of what you might do if you knew Bo was in town. I was afraid."
Hopkins began to laugh, "You were afraid of what this mangy little man would do to me? That's rich! You always were as stupid as a whore, Rose."
Festus turned to the man, "You mind yer mouth, or I'll shut it for ya, real permanent-like."
"I'd like to see you try."
Festus unbuckled his gun belt, setting it on the table, "I'm unarmed, Mister, whut about you?"
Rose held onto Haggen's hand, "Festus, please, don't..."
He squeezed her hand then let go, "It'll be all right, Rose."
Kitty grabbed his arm, "Festus, no?"
"Thar ain't no choice, Miss Kitty."
As Hopkins set down his gun belt, he took a hard swing at Festus, connecting with the man's jaw, painfully. Haggen toppled over backward, smashing into a table. Scrambling up, the deputy ran at Hopkins, knocking the man over at the waist. Then he smashed his fists into Hopkins' several times, before the man kicked him in the belly. Festus fell over, and Hopkins took advantage by kicking him several times in the ribs, causing Haggen to cry out as they broke. The deputy hooked a boot behind Hopkins' right foot, and pulled with all his might, toppling the man to the floor. Festus pounded into the man with his fists, but Hopkins came back with a hard right cross to the temple, dazing the deputy. Pulling himself up again, Festus landed another hard hit to Hopkins' face, sending the man careening into the table he had set his gun on.
Dillon entered at that moment, gun drawn, shouting, "That's enough!"
And thanks to the marshal's distraction, Hopkins found his opening; he pulled his gun from its holster, and wheeled around on Festus. Rose saw the glint of metal, and to her horror realized Festus was nowhere near his weapon, and Dillon didn't have a clean shot.
"Festus! No!"
Rose threw herself in front of Haggen just as Hopkins fired. She took the bullet full in the chest, falling backward toward Festus. He caught her in his arms, her blood splattering his face and hands The crowd ducked after the first shot, and Hopkins never got off a second. Dillon fired the moment he had a clear line, dropping the man where he stood. The deputy looked lost in his drowning emotions. Gently he lay Rose on the floor, cradling her upper body in his arms.
"Doc! Doc!"
Adams knelt down, but he knew there wasn't a chance in hell that Rose would survive the blow she took. Kitty stood behind Festus, her hand covering her mouth, stifling any cries that wanted to escape. Matt crossed the room and knelt next to Adams.
"Doc?"
The old physician looked at Dillon, and the marshal knew the truth. He closed his eyes for a moment, guilt flooding his soul.
Festus looked again at Adams, "Doc, you gotta save her, please...."
Rose gripped the deputy's shirt, her voice a bare whisper, "Festus...."
He leaned down to her, his voice fighting to stay calm, "I'm here, darlin'....don't you try and talk none. Ol' Doc'll fix ya, you'll see. You just lie still."
She shook her head, "Festus, I love you, always."
He could feel the tears stinging his eyes as he bent down to kiss her on the lips. His breath was hot against her mouth, "I love you too, Rose darlin'..... I love you so much.."
Kitty had to turn away, to hide the tears rolling down her cheeks. Matt stood and pulled her into him for a moment. Festus looked up at Adams, his eyes wet and pleading with his old friend.
"Doc, please...."
Stifling his own emotions, Doc barked, "Matt.....get her up to my office."
Dillon looked at the man as if he had lost his mind.
Doc growled at him, "Now!"
Matt took Rose gently from Festus, but she was already growing cold. He couldn't understand what Doc was doing, but without a word he carried her out of the Long Branch, heading toward the old man's office. Doc stopped Festus in mid-step as he tried to follow, then he turned to Kitty.
"Clean him up, and then bring him over to my office." Haggen started to argue, but Adams waved him off gruffly, "Festus, just do as I say." Then he softened, cuffing the deputy behind the head with his hand, "If there's anything that can be done, you know I will do it."
Festus could barely nod, and Kitty gently took the distraught deputy by the arm, and pulled him toward a table. Doc quickly left, unable to bear the distress so plainly filling the room.
"Sam, can I have some water and towels?"
Festus shivered, and Kitty knew it wasn't because he was cold, but rather, cold fear. In all the years she had known him, she had never known him to show fear. Kitty took the towel Sam handed her, dunked it in the water and gently cleaned the blood off his face.
"Miss Kitty....please could we go? I need to be with Rose."
"We'll go in a minute, just let me get you cleaned up."
His eyes were full of unshed tears, and Kitty couldn't bear to look into them. After cleaning his hands and face, she realized he was sitting at an odd angle, favoring one side. Tenderly she touched his left side, and he cried out in pain.
"Oh Festus, your ribs are busted..."
But she knew he didn't care. His only concern was for Rose Sullivan. Without another word, Kitty helped him up, and they slowly made their way toward Doc's office.