There was a chill in the early morning air that told of winters past, and Festus couldn't keep the smile from his face as he piled more wood into the stove. Doc's office was about as cold as Haggen ever recalled it being, and he couldn't imagine venturing outside without at least having himself a cup or two of coffee. But as he shoved the last piece of wood in the stove, he remembered the reason he was in the office, and the fleeting smile was gone. He pulled his boots on, and then looked out the window. The snowflakes were coming down at a quick pace, and the grin once again returned to his lips: with snow like this, any trips to Hays would have to be postponed, which meant Doc's trial would be delayed. Anything that kept Doc in Dodge, giving Matthew more time to get to the bottom of what happened with Aaron Bradley was a good thing in Festus Haggen's book.

He pulled his shirt and vest on, and made some coffee. It was barely first light when he drank his first cup, and the frantic knocking on the door jarred him, spilling some of it on his pants.

"Oh fiddle n' tarnation..."

He opened the door, prepared to yell at whomever was there, but stopped dead when he saw the panic in the soft blue eyes. He pulled her out of the cold snow, and into the warmth of the room.

"Miss Kitty, whut in the--"

"--Oh Festus, they're gone."

"Whut...who's gone?"

"Matt and Doc."

"Cain't be. They wusn't leavin' 'till later today, and with this here snow a blowin' all over the prairie, ain't nobody goin' no place."

She grabbed his vest. "Festus, I'm tellin' you, they're gone. I went over to Matt's office to make coffee for the two of them, and neither one of them is there."

"Wull maybe they're someplac't else."

She looked at him strangely. "No kidding..."

"Whut I mean is that mebbe them two went ta Delmonico's fer breakfast."

"Matt wouldn't have taken Doc over there under the circumstances, and you know it."

Festus grabbed his coat and hat. "Come on, Miss Kitty, let's go over ta the office and see if'n there's a clue ta whar they went."

"Ain'tcha ya gonna read it, Miss Kitty?"

She sat on the bunk that had been Doc's, clutching the folded piece of paper with her name on it in her hand. She shook her head, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. Festus sat down next to her.

"I knowed it's hard, Miss Kitty, but Doc might've said whut he and Matthew were a fixin' ta do."

Russell looked at him, her voice quiet. "Truth is, I'm terrified to read it, Festus."

"Doc wouldn'ta said nuthin' bad to ya, and that thar's the onliest truth you need to know."

She grabbed his hand and held it for a moment. "Can you give me a minute, Festus?"

The deputy didn't seem to get her meaning, because he didn't budge off the cot. She looked at him.

"Festus...I need a minute alone."

"Yessum." He stood and headed toward the door leading to the office. "If'n you need anything a-tall, you just let me know."

"Thanks."

Haggen gently closed the connecting door, and Kitty sat still, her mouth pulled into a tight line of fear. Finally, she opened the piece of paper that bore her name written in Doc's hand, and began to read.

My Dearest Kitty,

I wish there was a way for you to know exactly what is in my heart, for I am

certain that it would make all of this a little easier for you. I have asked Matt

to take me to Hays early because I am far too much a coward to face saying

good-bye. It is my hope that someday you will find it in your heart to forgive

me, and that you will understand why I do not want you at the trial, nor what

will follow. You will always be a part of me, and I thank God for that. If my

daughter had lived, I would have wanted her to be just like you, and that is

the finest way I can think of to let you know how much I love you. You'll

always be my girl.

All my love,

Doc

Kitty felt her stomach tighten with emotion fighting to get out. She buried her face into Doc's pillow, in a vain attempt to stop the grief, but it was a battle lost before it was begun. She heard the jingle of Haggen's spurs, and a moment later felt his weight on the cot, followed by his hands on her shaking shoulders.

"Aw now, Miss Kitty, don't cry. Please don't cry none..." Festus gently pulled her into his arms, patting her back. "Whut kinda words did that ol' scudder use in that thar letter anyways? Upsettin' ya like that...it's all right now, jes' don't cry no more." But weep she did, and he swallowed hard. "Now you know that ol' Doc wouldn't wantcha ta cry like this..."

With a desperation she couldn't cover, Kitty grabbed Festus by the shirt. "Please, Festus, take me to Hays."

"Wull, it's a-snowin' something awful out thar, Miss Kitty, ain't no stage runnin' today..."

"No. I mean right now. In a carriage, a wagon, on horseback...I don't care. We have to go there, now."

"Simmer down, now, Miss Kitty. You ain't makin' a lick o' sense."

Her tear-filled eyes pleaded with him. "The letter, Festus...he means for us not to be there, that's why he and Matt left in the middle of the night." Haggen frowned and she continued, "He thinks they're gonna hang him, Festus, and by God, unless we can find a way to help him, he's probably right."

Haggen's jaw set tightly. "Ain't nobody gonna hang ol' Doc while I'm still breathin', Miss Kitty, and that thar's the God's honest truth." He gently pushed her to arm's length. "I'm gonna saddle up some horses and pack us some vittles and blankets, you go on back ta the Longbranch and pack yerself up some warm thangs, and somethin' to ride in. If'n we push them horses, we can be ta Hays before ya can say rat run over the roof of the house with a piece o' raw liver in its mouth."

Kitty leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I knew I could count on you, Festus."

He nodded. "And that thar's a pure ol' dee fact, ma'am."