Red could see Dodge in the distance. In his mind, his plan was prefect. No one would be the wiser of who he was. However, there was one thing that almost slipped his mind - the saddle bags that hung over the back of Garrett's horse. He brought both horses to a stop and quickly dismounted. His tired eyes squinting toward Dodge and then glaring indignantly back over his shoulder. He quickly removed the leather bags from Garrett's horse and dropped them over the back of his own animal and tied them to the saddle. It would have been hard to explain why he held interest in them when they were on a stray horse.

With another quick surveillance of the horizon behind him, Red mounted his horse and continued on toward Dodge.

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Matt and Festus continued to follow the horse's hoof prints in the sandy soil. Festus spotted the birds first. Vultures circled high in the blue sky. Every now and again one would dive down behind a hill. "Matthew." He pointed to the sky. "Looks like we might find something alright."

Matt nodded. "Or someone." His voice was clear and held a tone of abomination. "Let's keep moving."

The two lawmen pushed forward in the growing heat of the day. Festus removed his hat and drew his shirt sleeve across his forehead wiping the sweat from his brow, stopping it from running into his eyes. All the while he tried to stay focussed and not think of Doc. He adjusted himself in his saddled and prodded Ruth to catch up with the marshal's bigger horse.

"Matthew?"

"Festus?"

"How do you think ole Doc's doing?" Festus' voice was soft and caring.

Matt smiled and look at his deputy. "He's probably better off than us at the moment."

Festus furrowed his brow and Matt noticed that perhaps his comment wasn't clear enough. "Newly and Kitty will have Doc up and about in no time. You can't keep that old turkey buzzard down."

Festus smiled to himself at the comment. "He's a tough ole scudder that's fer sure." He said under his breath.

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Doc finally pulled himself up from the bed. He sat holding his side and sipped on the coffee Kitty made. She sat on the chair beside the bed. "Bet you feel better now that you've eaten." She said softly.

"You bet I do." Doc set his cup down on the table. "I suppose that Matt and Festus haven't returned yet."

Kitty slowly shook her head. She took a long sip from her cup and then looked at the doctor. "Newly and Sam said that they headed out of Old Dodge to track Garrett's gang down. Newly also said he didn't like the look in Festus's eyes."

"Whadda mean?" Doc blinked his eyes and inquired.

Kitty sighed. "Seems Festus was mighty upset with whoever worked you over."

"Dang fool. He'd better not try anything silly." Doc lamented.

Kitty stood. "I think Matt will keep him under control. You get some rest. I have a business to run."

"Sure. Love me and leave me. Story of my life..." Doc joked as he painfully settled back to the bed.

"Don't be so hard on yourself. I'll be back later!" Kitty winked at Doc.

"Thank you for everything..." Doc sighed and closed his eyes.

Kitty smirked and left the room pulling the door behind her. Her quietly left the office and made her way back to the Long Branch. As she descended the stairs her eyes caught sight of someone she'd hadn't seem in Dodge before. He was a rugged man who looked like he'd been out on the prairie for weeks. Something about him bothered her, however. He seemed shifty and watchful of his every move.

Kitty entered the saloon and the unknown man followed her through the doors. She stepped behind the bar next to Sam. The man bellied up to it. "Whiskey." Was all he said.

Red looked around the saloon. His eyes examined every man and woman in the room. Once he was satisfied that there were no lawmen amongst them, he relaxed.