Two days had passed and so far there was no move towards Doc. He, in fact, was becoming more grumpy as the days wore on with the constant hovering of Festus or Newly. But then he reminded himself that they were only doing what matt had asked. For that he was grateful.
Matt held a meeting in the street and informed the town that Judge Brooker would be arriving on the stage the following day. He was looking for jurors for the Jed Fleming's trial. Templeton Brown felt uneasy about Jed and what the future held for him. There was precious little he could do for his lead man.
Pip, on the other hand, had waited for the announcement of the arrival of the circuit judge. He looked at the few men he managed to gather and agreed to help free Jed. "Now look. We have us two days to do something, or ol' Jed's gonna hand from a rope!"
"Whadda ya suggestin' Pip?" Chuck leaned forward to talk over the table.
All of a sudden Pip's eyes turned black with a hate building within him. "We're gonna make sure that the old sawbones wouldn't make it to the trial."
"And just how ya gonna do that? The marshal has his deputies watchin' him about the clock." Clarke whispered.
"I know that. I got eye, ya know." Pip scowled at Clarke. "I have ta think this through a bit. But I'll come up with sumptin'." Pip leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. He glanced around the Bull's Head and then smiled. Leaning forward he motioned for the men around the table to lean in. "First thing we're gonna do, is go over to that fancy Long Branch. That's where he's stayin'." Pip smiled showing his brown teeth. The others nodded in agreement with the first step of Pip's plan. Together they stood and without much notice, left the Bull's Head.
The after noon sun was warm and the street was filled with people who were setting up for the summer street festival which also marked the cattle season in Dodge. Games of chance and skill were always a hit with the young cowboys who looked to show off their talents before the young ladies. And the animal judging was always popular for the youngsters.
While Festus ran the gun skill challenge, he left Doc with Newly. Doc was a judge for the children's animals. "Newly? How much longer is this going to last?" Doc was clearly exasperated about the deputy practically following him everywhere.
Newly shrugged. "I guess until Judge Brook starts the trial. Look, Doc. I know this is hard on you, but it's for your own good."
Doc spun on his heels. "I haven't so much as seen a gun, bad guy or boogeyman to frighten me off yet!"
Newly nodded in agreement but added, "I still have ta keep an eye on you." He could see that Doc was ready to bellow at him when Matt strolled up beside the two.
"Matt. Just give me "some time" alone? I know you are doing this fer me, but I'm feeling smothered!"
As Doc lamented to Matt and Newly Pip and his men slowly passed by. "Okay, Doc. There's enough people around town today, but I want you to stay visible. No running off..." Matt scolded his friend and without another word Doc smiled and tipped his hat and disappeared into the crowed.
Newly looked at the marshal with deep concern in his eyes. "Are you sure that was a good idea?"
Matt smiled. "Ya...it was either that or he would have tried to do something on his own. At least this way we have the upper hand..." Newly could only raise his eyebrows in surprise at the response from the marshal.
Pip nudged Clarke and Chuck and waved them to follow him. All they needed was a clear shot and a dense crowd. The followed the doctor and made sure that they weren't being watched. Doc made his way toward the gun skill challenge that Festus was running. He felt that if Festus saw him then he'd be okay on his own.
Festus acknowledged Doc's presence with a twitch of his head. "All right you cowboys. Who's got the fastest draw?" Festus worked the cowboys into a fever and they all wanted a try at the gun skill game, even Pip. Pip stepped forward and then with a daring glance looked back at chuck and Clarke. They both nodded.
Festus set a new row of bottles up and stood back. "Get ready...Go!" He shouted and the cowboys drew their guns...in a blaze glass shattered and bullets buzzed. The crowd was roaring. And what seemed like a minute was only half that time. The guns were quite and so was the crowd. That was until a woman screamed from the right side of the crowd, "Doc's been shot!"