The sun was just peeking over the horizon when Festus entered the jail house. He spent the night spelling Kitty off and watching over his friend, Galen Adams. His eyes were nearly crossed after the long vigil but at least he was satisfied that he left Doc in good hands once Sam arrived who would wait until Kitty was ready.
Festus noticed Matt sprawled across the bunk at the back of the jail house and did his best not to disturb his sleep. As quietly as possible the deputy lowered himself into the chair at the table where he and Doc played checkers. The board from the last game was left as it was - unfinished. Festus smiled at the four black checkers at his elbow. Doc, he was sure, had a way of cheating as he rarely won a game with the against the doctor.
The deputy's eyelids were heavy and he sunk down in to a peaceful sleep with his head tucked into his curled arm.
Matt stirred. He heard some movement and rolled over to look. He saw Festus asleep at the table. He quietly sat up and pulled on his boots. He pushed himself up from the soft bed and stretched his back. Perhaps a soft bed wasn't a good thing after all.
Matt walked passed his slumbering friend, grabbed his gun belt and hat before stepping out onto the street and closing the door behind himself. His eyes shifted to the widow above the General Store. He decided that if Festus had turned in and someone was looking after Doc, then the doctor made it through the night. Still, Matt's heart ached with the fact his dearest friend was in such peril and he was no closer to finding the culprit. He turned and slowly walked up Front Street to the Long Branch in search of a coffee.
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The early morning stage rolled into Dodge, rather unnoticed. Its sole passenger was Judge Brooker. Brooker looked out of the small window in the coach and felt an uneasy feeling sweep him. There was no-one to meet him like in the past. He didn't see the marshal or his deputies anywhere in sight. His jaw tightened in concern.
Once the stage was pulled to a halt, the driver quickly stepped down and opened the door helping the judge on and onto the boardwalk. The driver then clambered back to the top of the coach and retrieved the judge's two carpet bags and handed them down one by one. And without some much of a farewell, he snapped the reigns and headed to his next stop to pick up waiting passengers.
Brooker picked up his bags and headed to the jail house again noticing how quiet the town was. Once he reached the jail house he opened the door. His first sight was Festus asleep at the table. He heard noises from the cell area and assumed that it was the man awaiting trial. Brooker was growing annoyed at the lack of acknowledgement for a judge of his stature.
"Mr Haggen!" The judge spoke but Festus didn't stir from his deep slumber. Brooker stepped closer to the sleeping deputy. "Mr Haggen?" He said louder and with a nudge.
Festus finally stirred and rubbed his hand over his face. "Sorry Matthew. I just too a quick nap there...I was up all night keep watch out fer Doc, ya know...I'll make the coffee..." Festus still had not looked at the man standing beside him.
"What do you mean you were keeping an eye on Doc...for what?" Brooker's voice held concern for the old doctor.
Festus shot bolt up. It wasn't Matt that was asking the question. "Judge Brooker?" Festus scrambled to his feet. "Oh, I'm powerfully sorry I didn't greet you more proper like..." Festus moved to the little wood stove and started to make coffee. Brooker followed him. "Mr Haggen, you said something about Doc Adams. What has happened here?"
Festus slowly set the coffee pot down and his tired eyes looked up to the judge's. "Ol' Doc got himself shot real bad. Matthew still ain't sure who dunnit..."
Brooker moved even closer. "Will Doctor Adams live?"
Festus shrugged. "He made it through the night. Newly dun everyhtin' he could do fer him. Poor ol' scudder..." Festus fussed with the lid on the coffee pot. "Whole thing just seems so unreal, that's all."
Brooker nodded in agreement. "Can I see him? The doctor, that is..."
Festus sighed. "I suppose ya could, but I don't think he's gonna say much..." Festus stepped to the door and opened it for the judge. "I'll take you over directly."
Brooker patted Festus on the shoulder. "I'm sure the old boy will be just find. I need him to be for this trial. That cowpuncher who beat that other one to death sounds like a nasty fella..." The two left the jail house.
Jed stood clenching the bars that stopped him from running. His jaw ached from grinding his teeth. He was getting desperate and wanted to talk to Pip.