Matt slowly made his way through the crowd and the word of Doc being shot had spread quickly. Several of Dodge's citizens stopped the marshal and asked how the doctor was. Matt couldn't give them any real answer as he was uncertain himself.
Erik Johnson stopped Matt just as the marshal was going into the jail house. "Matt. You any closer to getting Fleming on trial?"
Matt looked sharply at Johnson. "No. I take it that you haven't heard my key witness was shot this afternoon..."
Johnson pondered the question. "Nope. Which witness?"
Matt drew his cheek and jaw muscles tight. He wasn't angry at Johnson, just the facts. "Doctor Adams." Was all he could muster and his tone was one that warned not to push much further.
"Doc Adams!" Johnson looked around. Even his own abruptness surprised him. "Is he going to be alright?" Johnson grabbed Matt's forearm stopping him from continuing into the jail house.
Matt swallowed. "I don't know. I left Newly, Kitty and Festus with him. He didn't look good." Matt's sighed deeply. "I have no leads on who did this, but I have my suspicions." Matt looked down and Johnson removed his hand from Matt's arm and then followed him into the law office, closing the door behind him.
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Nearly and hour had gone by and Newly worked as fast as he could and using what skills he had. His hands and shirt were covered with the blood from Galen Adams. Every now and again the man on the table would twitch and Festus would hold him tight and try to calm him. The deputy's eyes ran back and forth from Newly's stern concentration to Kitty's complete disbelief. Festus was caught in between. He believed in Newly's abilities but, like Kitty, feared that Doc had lost so much blood and the time continued to pass.
Finally Newly stopped. He dropped the chrome plated instrument into the pan with the others. The sterilizing alcohol was as red as the blood on his hands. Newly leaned onto the examination table over Doc.
"Newly?" Kitty spoke softly. "What can I do?"
Newly looked up to Kitty's blue eyes. He sighed deeply and shook his head. "I've done everything I can do. He's lost so much blood and his breathing is so shallow..." Newly looked as if he was going to cry. "It's up to Doc now and I don't know if I have given him any chance at all..."
Kitty stepped closer to Newly as his head dropped down out of fatigue and fear for the unknown. Kitty's hand on his shoulder only offered a slight sense of reassurance. "You know Doc won't give up this easily...especially if has something to tell Judge Brooker." Kitty's voice was firm and believing, but she too was hiding the truth - Doc was hanging on just only.
Festus leaned forward and listened to his friend breathing. He straightened slightly and looked at Doc's face. "You better get better you ol'..." his voice broke and he fought to regain his composure, "you ol' scudder..." He drew his sleeve across his wet eyes. "I cain't go fishin' alone..."
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Matt sat at his desk and Erik Johnson sat in the chair opposite. "Matt. You know I will do everything I can to help you and Doc."
Matt's eyes slowly lifted. "I know you would. And I appreciate it. But right now, I have to make sure that your men and whoever killed Randy are not confusing matters worse."
Johnson leaned forward and looked Matt deep in the eyes. "You know it was one of Brown's men, don't you?"
Matt nodded. "Yes. But I have find out just which one. And I don't want you to get involved. Do you understand me?" Matt even stood o use his height to state his purpose.
Erik Johnson nodded. "Sure, Matt. I do. I sure hope Doc pulls through and that Jed Fleming pays for his actions." Johnson said somewhat sadly as he stood. "Poor Doc being caught up in this and Randy...he was a good man Matt."
Matt didn't say anything as he watched Johnson leave the office. As soon as the door was closed, Matt sat down and ran his hand through his hair. He was at a loss of what to do next and with the unknowing of Doc's condition hanging over him his stomach felt like it was tying up in knots.