Festus sat on the edge of his cot, where he had been for the last few hours. He and ol' Louie were catching up on the last few weeks while Festus was recuperating from the blundered bank heist. The both had men too much to drink. Louie had already fallen over on to his bunk and passed out. Festus wasn't far behind. A simple grin curled his lips. "It's good to me home again...Loou...Louie..." Then he burped.
Festus gently lowered himself down on to the mattress. "Night Louie...Night Ruth..." And his eyes slid shut.
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Newly left through the back alley, in search of Festus. Matt and Doc discreetly made their way back to the Long Branch. There was enough activity inside the saloon that no-one seemed to notice the slight flurry of activity just down the street.
Both men walked up to the bar and both had solemn expressions on their faces. Kitty noticed right away and moved over to the men. "You two look like you just seen a ghost."
Doc's eyes shot up to Kitty's in surprise. He wasn't sure what to say, neither did Matt who was leaning over Doc's shoulder.
Kitty's eyes narrowed. She recognized the look now. They both had something to say or ask, but didn't know how to go about it without hurting her feelings, or someone else's. "Let's have it..." She said dryly.
Doc look up over his shoulder to Matt. "Best you ask her. You're the Marshal." He sighed and looked back to Kitty who was looking all that much more perplexed.
"Kitty. Has Festus been in here tonight?" Matt held his voice to almost a whisper.
Kitty shook her head no and then added, "He was in here earlier, but not tonight. What's this about?"
Doc swallowed. "You better pour some drinks."
Kitty was cautious but did what Doc suggested and then she placed them on the bar in front of each of the men and one for herself. "Okay. Now what?" Now even her voice was low with concern.
"Kitty, Festus could be in some serious trouble." Matt started.
Kitty's eyes blinked. She was refusing to believe what her ears just hear. "Trouble? Matt, what on earth are you talking about?"
Doc pulled on his ear. "Kitty, there was another murder tonight." His voice was low and calm. "Matt found Festus' hunting knife at the scene." He looked at Matt and then back to Kitty. "We need to find him..."
Kitty couldn't believe it. "Festus murdered someone?" She whispered.
Matt spoke quietly again. "Well we don't know for sure that he did it. That's why I need to find him. I need to bring him in..." Matt's face showed the internal struggle he was having. "This isn't easy on me either."
Kitty looked down at her drink. "This is ridiculous...Festus wouldn't kill anyone for no reason..."
Doc shook his head. "I can't say anything to the fact, but perhaps the injury he sustained in that bank robbery might have changed him. I personally haven't noticed anything anytime I visited him since..." He sipped his drink. "You just don't know about head injuries..."
Kitty took a long slow sip from her glass. "Matt. He was here earlier. The only thing he said was that he was going to visit with Louie. My guess is you'll find him in his own room."
Matt chugged his drink and patted Doc on the shoulder. "You both stay here. I'll call for you later." Matt straightened and walked sternly to the doors and left Doc and Kitty looking at each other wondering what was going to happen next.
