Matt stirred at the sound of the coffee pot rattling in the corner of the jail house. He forced himself to roll over and look at who was making the noise. At first he thought is was Festus, but the form didn't fit. He ran his hand over his face and rubbed his eyes. "Judge Brooker?" Matt pushed himself up off the cot.
"Mornin' Matt. Thought we could use some extra strong coffee this morning." Brooker continued to fuss with the pot and water.
Matt pulled on his boots then stood, stretching his back. "It was a rather late night...or early morning, if you will..." Matt now stood next to Brooker.
Brooker was satisfied with his coffee making efforts and set the pot on the small wood stove. "I didn't like hearing what Doctor Adams had to say about being shot from behind. Mighty cowardly thing to do...not just to want to shot a man...an unarmed one at that, and then do it from behind..."
Matt could only agree. "Well, two of the suspects are behind that door. I'm not taking this lightly either Judge. I don't want back stabbers or shooters in my town."
"Matt...how'd all this get started anyway? You've never had this kind of trouble with cattle barons before." Brooker sat down in the chair in front of Matt's desk.
"I know. I'm not too happy about it either. That feud between Brown and Johnson has gone on for 15 years at least. Seems there was a woman involved and as I understand it she married the one that she was in love with while the other thought it was him..." Matt sat behind the desk.
"Couldn't they get things straightened out by asking her?" Brooker rested his chin on his knuckles.
"Maybe. But she died shortly after she and Johnson were married. Both men have been at it since, and unfortunately, some of Brown's are overly loyal to their boss."
Brooker shook his head. "I'll never understand people, I sware."
Jus then the door opened and a weary Festus Haggen stepped down and into the room. "Mornin' Matthew. Judge Brooker..." He stopped at the coffee pot and lifted the lid. Festus' eyebrows rose in delight. "Matthew. I think you finally caught on! This here coffee is fit fer a Haggen!"
Matt looked at Brooker and the two men laughed. "I made the coffee, Festus." Brooker chuckled.
"Oh! I'm sorry Judge Broker. Ifin I'da knowd...well, fiddle...maybe you could show Matthew and ol' Doc how to make this here coffee!" Festus smiled broadly and sat at the little table with the checker board.
"Speaking of Doc...How is he?" Matt quickly changed the subject.
"Wall, Miss Kitty is with him now. He slept the night but he's a bit crotchety right now. Miss Kitty says it cause he's hungry..." Festus could hardly keep his eyes open and as soon as he answered Matt, he tucked his fist under his chin and closed his eyes.
Matt smiled. "Well, if he's thinking of food, he's on the road to recovery. And speaking of food. Judge? Would you like to join me at Delmonico's for breakfast?" Brooker stood up as quietly as possible. "Sounds good Matt. I can go over some logistics with you...away from walls with ears..." He thumbed over his shoulder to the door behind him. Matt nodded and stepped toward the door to the jail house and took his hat off the peg. He glanced back to Festus who was now face down on the table. Brooker's eyes followed Matt's. "He's a loyal man, Matt."
"Few like him, that's for sure." Matt pulled his hat on and grabbed his gun belt before stepping out into the morning sun with Brooker behind him. Matt closed the door and the two men walked slowly up Front Street for their breakfast.