Matt studied the poster. "Sure looks like her."
Festus hung over his shoulder. "What's it say? Why is there a poster out on her?" His eyes shifted to Matt's. Matt re-read the details and swallowed. "Says she's wanted for two murders."
Festus shook his head in disgrace. "Ifin that's true, the news will crush ole Doc..."
Matt drew in a deep breath. "It's best we don't mention it to him right now. I want to check on the facts. I'll put the poster in my desk drawer in case he stops by. You know how he likes to look at the wanted posters just by chance that one of them may end up in his office." Matt slid the poster in face down. "I',m going over to the telegraph office and wire this Sharif Harden to get more information." Matt said as he started to leave. "And Festus, don't say a word to anyone about this. Just not yet, anyway."
Festus nodded. "Not a word Matthew. I hope that, that sherif is wrong, just for ole Doc's sake."
Matt nodded. "Speaking of Doc, he's coming this way with a fishing pole."
Festus all of a sudden felt very uncomfortable. He hooked his thumbs into his vest and looked down at the floor. "We're suppose ta be goin' fishin'."
Matt looked at Festus. "If you don't go, he might think something is up. We don't need to worry him...yet."
Festus looked up at Matt. "This might just be the hardest thing that you've ever asked me to do, since I put on this here badge."
Matt smiled. "I know you're the man for it. Good luck." He left Festus standing in the jail house and passed Doc on the board walk. "Doc."
"Matt. Festus around?" Doc questioned.
"You'll find him in the jail house. He's waiting for you to go fishing." Matt thought to himself what Festus had to do over the next couple of hours was going to be like a living hell. He continued up the street to the telegraph office.
Festus busied himself with the coffee pot. He greeted Doc as he stepped through the doorway. "Mornin' Doc!" He could barely get the words out and make them sound okay.
"Festus. Say, were in thunder did you go last night?" Doc concerned him.
Festus continued to fuss with the coffee pot. "Oh, I jist fergot I had somethin' other tha do, that's all..."
Doc wiped his moustache. "Well, you could have at least said good night for Heaven's Sake! I wanted to asked you to be my best man on Saturday. How about it?" Doc's eyes were filled with happiness.
"Wall, I guess that could be okay. But should Matthew be yer best man since you've know him a heap longer than me?"
Doc chuckled. "We flipped a coin. You lost."
Festus' mouth dropped open. "You ole scudder! Just fer that I am gonna catch me that big ole catfish that you have been trying to git now fer three years!" He said with his right eye all scrunched up.
Doc's only response was a disgruntled huff and another swipe to his moustache.
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Matt entered the telegraph office. Barney looked up at the marshal from under his visor. "Good day marshal. Somethin' I can do for you?"
Matt looked deeply into the telegraph operator's eyes. "I have to send a very important telegram to Sharif Harden in Chicago. I also need you to keep it and the reply confidential and to my attention only."
"But what if you aren't here when the reply comes back? Don't want me to give it to Doc so he can read it to Festus?"
Matt adjusted his stance. "I'll be here." He voice was flat.
"Sure marshal." Barney handed Matt a pencil and paper. "I'll send it directly."
"Good. If the reply comes back later to night, I want you to wake me if you have too." Matt continued to write.
"Sure must be some important news you're expecting." Barney said as he busied himself with some filing.
"That is an understatement..." Matt said to himself.