Matt opened the door to the jail house and his eyes set directly on his deputy that stood behind the bars down in the lock-up area. Slowly he walked toward the open wooden division door and picked the keys off the worn wooden peg on the wall. "Festus?" Matt's voice broke the silence.

Festus blinked his eyes at the marshal who stood on the opposite side of the bars. "Matthew? I heard Louie calling fer help and I couldn't do anything. Is he alright?"

Matt stood quietly and unlocked the door. "No. Festus, Louie is not alright. Doc's working on him now..." Festus rallied and tried to push past the tall lawman. "Doc will take care of him. I know you're good friends, but right now I need you to focus." Matt's big hand held Festus from leaving the cell area. His eyes cast down on the marshal's hand and then stepped back. "Who done it to ol' Louie?"

Matt slowly turned and entered into the main office area. Festus followed closely behind. "I don't know Festus. It appears to be the same person responsible for the others." Matt sat on the corner of his desk. Festus stood before him and tucked his thumbs into his vest pockets. "Peers we got us a big problem and no answer, don't it."

Matt looked up to his friend. "Truer words have never been spoken."

Festus made his way to the door. "Matthew. Thar's gotta be something in them alleys that will give us a clue."

Matt stood from his desk. "Newly, Doc and I looked everywhere. We didn't see anything out of the ordinary."

Festus looked Matt in the eyes. "Maybe you didn't. But you didn't have a Haggen lookin' fer ya."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was several hours when Doc, Newly and Kitty had finished working on Louie. Doc washed his hands in a small basin while Kitty and newly fussed with the wood stove and pot of water on it. "It's up to him now..." Doc's voice cut through the clattering of the stove and pot.

Kitty turned to the doctor. She was almost shocked that he'd say such a thing, but then her eyes drifted to the poor old man on the examination table. His breathing was weak and his complexion was pale. A lump swelled in her throat - Louie was one of the most gentle men she knew in Dodge.

Doc held Louie's limp wrist and studied his watch. Dissatisfied he gently lowered the limb back tp the table and pulled the white sheet up under Louie's chin. Doc pat him softly on the shoulder. "Hang in there Louie..." He spoke before turning to Newly and Kitty who were watching the doctor helplessly. "You two better go and get something to eat. I'll stay with Louie." He ushered them to the door. "Go on now. If I need you I'll call." He opened the door and Kitty and Newly slowly left. They'd see Doc act like that time and time again. They knew that he was hurting as well.

Festus stood att he base of the staircase. He noted the look on Kitty's and Newly's face. His heart sank. "Ain't good news you got, is it?"

Kitty shook her head no and stood next to the deputy with Newly behind her. She placed her hand on Festus' arm and looked into his hazel eyes. "Perhaps Doc will let you see Louie."

Festus understood and pat Kitty's warm and caring hand with his heavy rough hand. "Thanks Miss Kitty." He tried to smile but anger was building within him. He was determined to find the person responsible for hurting his friend - even if it meant without Matt's help.