Doc stood at the bar in the Long Branch with Festus at his side. "I don't give a hoot-toot about what that Jed feller says, if ol' Doc says he saw what he saw, then he's guilty!" Festus rounded his point by poking his forefinger onto the bar.
Doc just wanted to crawl away. He felt enough eyes were looking at him. "Would you just hush up!" He snarled at the deputy.
Festus shrugged off the comment and continued. "Wall, golly bill Doc. You saw what you saw!"
"I know what I saw and I don't need to be reminded of it ten or more times! Kitty would you pour him a drink. Maybe that will shut him up!" Doc swiped his hand across his moustache and glared at Festus who look down at the physician and huffed, "Don't blame me when you stand up there during the trial and you ferget an important part of yer story..."
Doc glared even harder at Festus. "What I'd like to forget is this conversation!" He then looked to Kitty. "You better pour me one too..."
Matt entered the saloon and walked over joining his friends at the bar. Before he said his hellos he glanced around the room. Most of the partons were from Erik Johnson's group. Matt's attention turned back to his friends. "Hi, Kitty. Doc. Fetus."
Doc set down his drink. "You okay?"
"Sure. Why?" Matt's eyes met the physician's.
"You seem a little edgy that's all. Let me guess. That Jed fella has been making overtures about escaping." Doc sipped on his drink.
"Well, you're partly right, Doc. But his overtures are more a death threat from what I have heard." Matt glanced over his shoulder and then to Kitty and Festus. Doc had returned his attention the drink in his hand.
"Death threat? What do you mean, Matt?" Kitty stepped closer to the tall lawman.
Matt leaned closer to his friends and then looked at Doc who was still not listening directly. "Doc. This concerns you..."
Doc stopped sipping his drink and slowly set his glass down. "How do you mean this concerns me?" There was a slight chill was to his words.
"The threat is against you..." Matt placed his large hand on the physician's shoulder and the doctor looked from the marshal to Kitty and Festus.
"Me?"
Matt nodded. "You're the only witness that saw Jed kill Randy Brant. Now, don't everyone panic. I've talked to Brown and he's going to keep his ears and eyes open for who might be up to this. In the meantime Doc, I want Festus or Newly with you almost all the time."
Kitty's face was a wash of concern. "You could stay here, Doc. It'll be safer than your place."
Doc wiped his hand across his moustache. "Why, this is ridiculous!"
"It might seem so, but I'd feel a whole lot better if you did stay here, and with Festus or Newly." Matt sighed.
With a sag of his shoulders Doc saw no way around what Matt had suggested. "How long is this going to be for?"
Matt adjusted his hat back on his head and straightened his back. "Until Judge brook can get here. A few days maybe..." Matt was about to leave when Doc stopped him by placing his hand on the lawman's forearm. "Thanks for lookin' out fer me Matt."
Matt could sense a fear was washing over his friend. "Thanks for understanding, Doc." With that Matt left the saloon. Doc turned to face Kitty and Festus who stood speechless. "I would like another drink, please Kitty..." Doc looked back over his shoulder to the men in the room. He swallowed hard.