Doc tucked his hands into his pant pockets and stood across from Percy. The undertaker pulled a white sheet up over the dead man's face. Slowly he looked up to Doc. "Whoever killed him, knew how to handle a knife."
Doc's eyebrows rose slowly and he pulled his left hand from his pocket to swipe it across his moustache. "That so."
Matt heard only Doc's comment. "About what?" He said as he stepped up to stand beside the doctor.
Percy turned to wash his hands and as he did, he spoke. "I was just saying to Doc, that whoever killed that man, knew how to handle a knife. Perhaps even has some background in livestock."
Matt looked discouraged. "That could be just about everyone within a hundred miles of here."
Doc nodded in agreement. "Matt. Do you suppose Mr Thompson knew who killed him?"
Matt shrugged. "Yeah, there is that possibility. Why?" He was curious about what the physician was thinking and why he'd ask such a question.
"It would seem to me, that he would have. His murderer must have known that he was in the alley or even persuaded him to go into the alley. I certainly wouldn't go into an alley with someone I didn't know, unless that is I was forced to. But I didn't see any signs of a struggle when we were there this morning." Doc played with the top of his ear as he thought and spoke.
Matt's eyes narrowed in concentration. "Louie said that Thompson only came to Dodge a few days ago. I guess there's enough time to meet someone and trust them enough, especially if you were venerable..."
Doc ticked his head. "I still can figure out why he was murdered though, Matt. Percy has all his belongings over here." Doc walked toward a small table which held Thompson's bill fold, glasses, a photograph of his wife and a wedding band. "Even his gold ring is here." Doc pointed to the item on the table while Matt picked up the bill fold and looked through it. "I see what you mean, Doc. Not even his money is gone." Matt sat the bill fold back down on the table and sighed. "Just like the last one..."
"Only worse. Pete Jordan may have lived if he was found sooner. Thompson didn't have a chance. The moment that knife cut into his throat he was as good as dead." Doc looked up at Matt who was looking out onto Front Street and lamented. "We have a killer walking in our midst and we don't know who."
Doc stepped forward. "No. No, we don't right now, but if we keep our eyes open for strangers we just might find this killer."
Matt looked over to the doctor who was also now looking out onto the dusty street. "Doc. You know as well as I do, it could be anyone out there."
