William Drake stood before Sharif Harden who was reading the report that Gilbert Clarke had requested. Harden stood up from his chair and looked at the lawyer. "Why is this just coming to light now?"
"My client is the brother of the late Richard Clarke. He claimed that he was deliberately left out of the Clarke business estate. Further more, when he read the doctor's report on how his brother died, he pointed out that his brother only wore half boots without laces." Drake moved closer to the sharif. "I looked into the death of Herman Smith - same result. His death was a fall down stairs."
Harden walked out from behind his desk. "She must be pretty convincing to have someone marry her and have them change all their savings over to her incase of death. Quite the con-artist indeed."
"Yes, indeed. My fear is that she wont stop at two. She'll keep going until she is stopped." Drake sat on the corner of the large oak desk.
Harden slowly turned to the young lawyer. "Do we even know where she is?"
Drake shook his head no. "The last word we have is that she told people at the funeral for her husband Herman, that she was planning on going west. Maybe to San Francisco."
Harden rubbed the back of his neck. "Sure are a lot of places between here and there. I'll get posters made up with a reward and send them to larger cities and towns. Some places that look like she might find a rich suitor."
"Good plan. Here, you might want this too." William handed the sharif a photograph of Annie that was taken with her and the late Richard Clarke for their wedding.
"That will help. I don't think I have ever had to described a con-woman murderer before..." Harden looked at the photograph and shook his head. "Really makes ya wonder why some people are the way they are..." Harden headed to the door. "The posters should reach most places by midday Wednesday or Thursday." He left for the print shop down the street.
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Festus rubbed his eyes to waken up. It was a grand Thursday morning. After a quick wash of his face he pulled on his boots, vest and plopped his hat on his head to face the day. He walked out of the livery and across the street to the jail house. Matt was sipping on a coffee and reading the newspaper as Festus opened the door. He had picked up a package on the doorstep.
"Morning Matthew." He stepped in and closed the door.
Matt looked up to the deputy as he poured himself a coffee. "Where did you go last night?"
Festus shrugged. "No wheres in particular..."
Matt remained silent for a moment. He could see that Festus was trying to look busy. "She really does bother you doesn't she!" Matt asked his partner.
"Matthew." Festus turned to face him. "Thar is somethin' about her that jist ain't right. I tried to explain it to Miss Kitty and...wall she sorta understood..."
Matt sighed. "Well you better be sharp on Saturday. Doc wants you to be his best man."
Festus sank in the chair next to him. "Best man my foot. If I were his best man, I would let him know what I thought of that Annie Smith..." As Festus spoke he poked through the stack wanted posters that Matt hadn't looked at yet. One crook looked just like the others...except the one near the bottom of the heap. "Matthew..."
Matt looked up again from the paper. "What ?"
"Matthew. We got a heep of trouble on our hands." Festus slowly pulled the poster out on Annie Smith. "Isn't this Doc's Annie Smith?" he held it up for matt to look at and he could hear the marshal swallow his coffee in a loud gulp.