Red kept prodding Doc through the maze of alleyways until they reached the two saddled horses. "Are you gonna make it easy on yerself?" Red sneered.
Doc looked at the bandit with hate in his heart. He drew his hand across his moustache and pulled himself up onto the horse. A look of disgust etched his face.
Red quickly mounted his horse and motioned for Doc to move out. Reluctantly Doc nudged his horse and the two men rode into the night.
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For Matt and Festus, the sun rose fast enough over the horizon. Festus was up at least a half hour before Matt. He had made coffee and some grits. Matt stirred with the aromas. "Bound to be a cooler day, Matthew." Festus poured two cups of coffee and handed one to his boss.
"Thanks Festus." Matt pushed the wool blanket off himself and sat up. "How do you figure it's gonna be cooler?"
Festus stood. "I've lived off the land long enough to read it. It got cool enough last night that will change today's weather. I garuntee that we get rain in a day or two." Festus sipped on his coffee.
Matt had alway admired his friend's hidden talents and decided to go along with Festus' word.
"When yer finished Matthew, I'll clean up the plates and then we can be off. I wouldn't want those scallywags to git too far out of our reach." Festus said as he ate.
Matt knew that every moment that they waited to find Garrett and his men was precious. He seemed to eat faster.
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Newly stepped out of the jail house and started up the street. He was heading to the Long Branch for a cup of coffee. He had seen Festus and Matt make it before, but decided that someone who really knew what they were doing was his best choice.
He crossed Front Street and stepped up onto the boardwalk which lead past the General Store, Doc's stairs and to the Long Branch. Mr Jonas was busy with a costumer as he walked by the General Store. Out of habit he looked up to Doc's office and the sound of the door bumping on the frame made him stop and take note.
Newly's eyes narrowed as he pulled his gun and slowly climbed the stairs. Carefully he pushed the door open into Doc's office. There was no-one in sight. Nothing out of the unusual, except that Doc's hat and coat hung off the rack behind the door. Newly probed further into the back room. Nothing. No sign of Doc at all.
He slid his gun back into his holster and left the office. Perhaps Miss Kitty knew where Doc was. He closed the door to the office behind him and headed to the saloon.
