Festus stood with his back to Matt as the marshal locked the metal bar door behind him. "Festus. I'm going to do every thing I can for you. I want you to know that." Matt wasn't satisfied that Festus heard him. "Festus?"

"I heard ya Matthew. You don't need to worry about me." Festus spoke and his words to Matt's ears were chilling.

Matt sighed. "We'll talk in the morning when you've had a night sleep and a clear head..." Matt was somewhat disappointed with Festus' attitude. However, he could only guess that it was the booze speaking.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Doc walked Kitty back to the Long Branch. It was just about closing time and Sam was seeing the last few stragglers out before turning the sign. "Miss Kitty? Doc? You look like you have just see the dead rise..."

Kitty shook her head and entered the saloon. Doc followed with Sam beside him. "Worse then that Sam. Festus might have committed those murders of late. I can't ever tell you that I have never seen him so jumpy as he was just now." Doc slowly shook his head. "I'll stop in and have a look at him tomorrow." He wiped his hand across his moustache as he started to leave. Kitty placed her hand on his arm. "Doc. Have a late night drink with me...please." Her eyes were moist and tears were ready to fall.

Doc nodded. "Sure Kitty. And Sam, I'll buy you one too, once you close this place up for the night. I think we need to come up with a plan...or something to help Festus..." Doc sounded as rattled as everyone looked. It might every well be a long night.

As the three of them settled around a table, there was a slight knocking from the front door. Sam answered it on Miss Kitty's approval. It was Matt. "You look like you too could use a drink." Her voice was warm but also husky from fatigue.

"Yeah, I sure could." Matt sat down next to Doc as Sam went to the bar and poured another drink and returned to the table to sit.

Doc sat in silence. Although it appeared that he was studying his glass his mind was on the three murders...the knife, and the methods of death. Something was not right. Festus was not the murderer, but how could he prove it? He couldn't possibly let his best friend down now.