Kitty helped Newly cleaning and redressing the incision on the doctor's side. Adams grumbled the whole time. "I don't think I ever rough-handled anyone that way..." He said from the examination table.

Kitty slowly looked back over her shoulder at her dear friend who was complaining about the treatment he was getting. "Oh? I've seen you practically crawl inside Matt or Festus to dig out a bullet...Newly did what he could...and if I were you I wouldn't complain too much or he might put the bullet back!"

"Oh, that's just a fine thing to say!" Doc barked, but it hurt, so he stopped and grit his teeth masking the pain that ran through his body. He layed back onto the table.

"You okay Doc?" Kitty reached for Doc's shoulder assuring him some comfort.

"Sure. Just pulled something, that's all." Small beads of sweat glistened on the doctor's forehead which Kitty dabbed off with a cool wet cloth. "Sure you just pulled somethin'. By the look on your face you pulled a whole lot." Kitty patted his shoulder.

Doc sheepishly looked up to Kitty. "I keep telling you to sell the Long Branch and become my nurse." He said wearifully. Kitty only chuckled and then turned her attention back to Newly who was waiting for them to finish. He held two ends of a tie he was using to hold the clean dressing in place and couldn't tie it without a finger to hold it still. "Thanks..." was all the gunsmith said as the tied the ends as soon as Kitty placed her index finger on the crossed fabric.

Doc groaned with the final tug. "Sorry 'bout that, Doc." Newly looked down at this friend and mentor. "Probably hurts a lot, huh?"

"Sure does. But it's expected with where the bullet passed through." Doc fought off a wave of nausea. "Has Matt found the trigger man yet?"

Just as Doc asked the question, Matt entered the office. "No I haven't Doc. We're working on it. Judge Brook is going to hold the trail later so you can testify."

Doc nodded. "You don't suppose that who ever did shoot me was a friend of that fella you have locked up?"

Matt nodded. "We do..." Then an odd look ran over the lawman's tanned face.

Kitty and Newly noticed the look. "What is it, Matt?" Kitty stepped closer.

"I'm not sure yet. I'm going to do some checking and be back later. If I'm right, Doc is still in a lot of danger." Matt looked like he seen a ghost. He forced a slight smile an tried to look calm. "I'll be back later. Newly, I need you to stay here until I do."

"Sure thing Marshal." Newly swallowed. He knew what these waiting periods were like from many past experiences as a deputy of Dodge.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Festus stood at the bar of the Long Branch and sipped on a beer that Sam had offered. He didn't notice Matt enter and stride up next to him until Sam greeted the marshal. "Oh hiya Matthew. Sure are a lot of town folks happy ta hear about ol' Doc!"

Matt nodded. "I'm sure there is..."

"Can I get you a drink, Marshal?" Sam smiled.

"No. Not at the moment, but thanks, Sam." Matt leaned into the two men. "Have either of you seen three of Brown's cowboys hanging around? One's a little fella..."

Festus set his drink down. "Was the runty one all kinda wiry?"

Matt looked at Festus, "I guess you could say that. Why?"

"He and his two sidekicks were at the gun skills game when ol' Doc was shot..." Festus' eye scrunched up as he looked from Matt to Sam and back again. "You don't suppose them yahoos are the ones that did the shooting, do ya?"

Matt straightened his back. "I'm not sure Festus, but I know one thing. The one you described wanted to see his 'friend', Jed..."