Matt and Festus had buried Johnny Garrett. The only thing that marked his place in the world now was a rough cross that Festus made from two twigs he bound together with a piece of twine. They left him alone and headed toward Dodge in search of Red.
It was well into the afternoon before the two lawmen arrived in their home town. They were both weary from the hectic ride and both knew that their job was not complete until they had Red behind bars.
They pulled their animals up to the hitching post in front of the jail house. "Festus. Take care of the animals, will you? I'.m going over to the Long Branch to see Kitty."
"Sure thang Matthew." Festus looked up the street half hoping to see Doc ambling toward the jail house to get the news. But there was no sign of the ole scudder. Festus refocused and tugged on the reigns to get the mule and horse across to the stable. Hank saw Festus approaching and opened the big door. "Did you find them?"
Festus shook his head in disappointment. "No. Hank you ain't seen no one looking kinda cagey, have ya? I mean in the last few hours..." Festus squinted at Hank.
Hank shrugged. "Lots of fellas fit that description this time of day. Sorry Festus." Hank took the reigns and led the animals into the livery.
Festus sluggishly left the livery stable and sauntered up the street toward the Long Branch. As he walked up the boardwalk, he stopped at the foot of the staircase that lead to the doctor's office. He hesitated and then decided to go up and see his friend.
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Red had finished his meal at Delmonico's and sat content at a table near the door.
It was then that Matt and Kitty entered. They chatted about the past few days events and it was when Kitty said, "Oh, you know Matt. Doc's a tough customer. He's going to be just fine. Just wished you and Festus could have gotten the man that did that to him."
Red listened with interest. He waited until the big law man and the woman he was with had settled in. His mind reeled. So the old doctor was still alive. He picked at his teeth with a tooth pick and slowly stood. Carefully he glanced over his shoulder and looked at the marshal and the woman. He then dropped several coins on the table to pay for his meal and left.
Kitty noticed him leave.
"Something wrong?" Matt asked as his eyes flowed from Kitty to he man leaving the restaurant.
Kitty shook her head. "I hope not. He was over at the Long Branch for a while this afternoon. Just gave me the creeps is all." Her eyes fluttered at Matt.
"I'll check on him after we eat. I'm starved!" Matt's blue eyes met Kitty's. She could only laugh. "Leave it to you to think of your stomach first!"
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Festus knocked gently on the outside door and then called for Doc. "Doc? I jist came by ta see how you were doing?" He leaned against the door and listened. Then he hear movement within. "Come on in Festus...I'm not about to open the door..."
Festus smiled and opened the door. Once he entered the room he closed the door behind himself. Doc had retired to his bed again, although he'd managed to get partly dress. He lay on the bed with a cover pulled over him so he wouldn't catch a chill.
Festus entered the back room. "Doc...How ya feeling?" He looked down on his ole friend.
Doc looked slowly up to the weathered face of the deputy. "I'll be fine in a few days. Right now I feel awful."
Festus nodded. "You looked a whole heap more awful when I found ya out in Old Dodge."
As the two chatted Red slowly made his way up the stairs. He was determined to get away with the Spearville money. And Doc was the only one standing in his way.