Chapter 8
Doc walked down Front Street, on his way to the jail. He was going to get Matt and Chester, and then the three of them were going to walk over to the Long Branch and have a drink. Doc reached his destination and walked inside.
"Are you two ready to go?" he asked as he swiped his hand over his mustache.
"Just about ready. Let me finish this last on this report," said Matt. "There, finished."
"I saw Miss Kitty this morning. She said she was working tonight," said Chester.
"Well, let's get going so we can have a drink with a beautiful girl," said Doc.
Matt could only smile as the three of them left the jail. As they walked down Front Street, towards the Long Branch, they could hear the sound of the player piano. The Long Branch certainly sounded lively tonight. The men walked through the batwing doors and took a seat at an empty table.
"It shore is busy in here tonight. I don't see Miss Kitty anywhere," said Chester.
Both Doc and Matt looked around. They too did not see Kitty anywhere. They really didn't think anything of it. Maybe it wasn't time for her to be at work yet and she was up in her room. Maybe she had to get something out of the back office.
"It's probably not time for her to work yet," said Matt.
"Wahl, I think I'll mosey on up to the bar and order our drinks. I'll ask Bill when Miss Kitty will be working tonight," said Chester. "What do you want ta drink?"
"Beer for me," said Doc.
"Same," said Matt.
Chester walked up to the crowded bar and was able to find a spot for himself. Bill saw Chester and went over to him so he could take his order.
"Evening, Chester. What can I get for ya?" asked Bill.
"Three beers, Bill. Hey Bill, what time is Miss Kitty working?" asked Chester.
Bill filled three mugs of beer and placed them in front of Chester. "She was supposed to start work over an hour ago, but she hasn't shown up yet. I sure wish she'd hurry and get here. We could really use her."
"Hasn't shown up yet? Is it like Miss Kitty to be late for work or not show up?" asked Chester with concern in his voice.
"No, it's not. She's usually here on time, most often even before her shift starts," said Bill. "I went up to her room and knocked on the door. When there was no answer, I opened the door. She wasn't there. I didn't want to go through a lady's room and invade her privacy, so I left."
"Why didn't you come and get the Marshal?" asked Chester, not believing what he was hearing.
"I guess that never crossed my mind. I didn't think Kitty was in any kind of trouble," said Bill. "She could still show up. Maybe she lost track of time."
Chester paid for the beers. "I'll let Mr. Dillon know about this and see what he thinks." Chester took the beers and returned to the table.
"Like I said earlier, Kitty must not be working yet," said Matt. He was a little disappointed. He had been hoping he would be able to see her tonight.
"That's just it, Mr. Dillon. Bill said she was supposed to be at work over an hour ago and she hasn't shown up yet," said Chester. "He said he went to see if she was in her room and she wasn't there. He said he didn't want to go inside and invade her privacy."
"I know we've only known Kitty for a few weeks, but it doesn't sound like her to just not show up for work. She seems like a responsible young woman," said Doc. "Matt, what do you think?"
"I agree, Doc. I'll go up to her room and look around," said Matt, getting up from his chair and heading for the staircase.
Matt climbed the stairs and walked over to Kitty's room. Out of respect, he knocked on the door. He really wasn't expecting a response. Matt opened the door and stepped inside. Nothing seemed to stand out. Her bed was made and her carpet bag sat in the corner of the room. Seeing her carpet bag, Matt knew she couldn't have left town. That did make him feel better, but that still didn't say where she was. Knowing there weren't any clues in Kitty's room, Matt went back downstairs.
"Did you see anything alarming?" asked Doc.
"No and her carpet bag is still here, so she couldn't have left town," answered Matt.
"Did you think she would have left town?" asked Doc
"No, besides there wasn't a stage out of town today," Matt replied.
"I don't think she left town. I saw Miss Kitty this morning. She told me she was working tonight and that she would see me. Why would she say she would see me tonight, if she wasn't going to be here?" said Chester.
"Yeah and she and I were going to go fishing on my next day off. She seemed excited about it. So I don't think she would leave town either," said Matt.
"What are you going to do?" Doc asked.
"The only thing I can think of doing is asking people around town if they've seen her. Unfortunately the businesses are closed for the day, so I can't ask those owners. I'll start with Bill Pence," Matt responded.
Matt walked up to the bar. Doc and Chester followed. "Bill, when was the last time you saw Kitty?"
"Marshal, I saw her this morning. I talked to her briefly. She said she was going to have breakfast at the cafe," Bill answered. "I haven't seen her since. I've been really busy. Do you think something is wrong?"
"I'm not sure, but I'm going to investigate. Thanks," said Matt.
Matt, along with Doc and Chester, left the Long Branch and went back to the jail. The short walk from the Long Branch to the jail was a silent one. Each man was trying to come up with an explanation of Kitty's disappearance.
"Maybe she was taken by Indians," suggested Chester.
"Oh shaw! Don't you think people would have noticed Indians coming into town and taking a young woman?" asked Doc, his voice full of annoyance.
"Well forever more Doc, I'm just throwing out suggestions," said Chester.
"Please you two. I'm trying to think," said Matt. "I'm going to go and talk to Moss Grimmick and Ma Smalley."
"Why those two?" asked Doc.
"I'm gonna ask Moss if Kitty or anyone peculiar rented a horse or anything from him. I'm going to ask Ma Smalley if Kitty rented a room from her. The last time Kitty and I ate together, she mentioned she might want to rent a room from Ma," answered Matt.
Matt left the jail and towards his first destination. He reached Moss Grimmick's stable and walked inside. Matt looked around the stables, but couldn't find Moss. He called out for him, but there was no answer. He was about to leave, when Moss walked inside.
"Moss, I was just about to leave," said Matt.
"Sorry, Marshal. I was out back. Is there something I can do for you?"
"Moss, did Kitty come by today to rent a horse or anything?"
"No she didn't," answered Moss.
"Has anyone peculiar or suspicious been around to rent a horse or anything?" asked Matt.
"No there hasn't. Is something wrong, Marshal?" Moss responded.
"I'm not one hundrerd percent sure. Kitty is missing," said Matt. "I'm asking around to see if people have seen her. Have you seen her at all today?"
"I'm afraid not. I do pray that you find her," replied Moss.
Matt left Moss Grimmick's stable and headed towards Ma Smalley's boarding house. He was surprised that nobody had seen Kitty that day. She couldn't have disappeared off the face of the Earth. Matt reached Ma Smalley's and softly knocked on the door. He prayed that Ma had some answers.
Ma opened the door and saw Matt standing on the other side. "Marshal, what a surprise. What can I do for you?"
"Ma, I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you had seen Kitty at all today?" Matt said.
"I haven't seen her at all today. Did you think she might be here?" replied Ma.
"She's missing and she did tell me the other day that she was thinking about renting a room from you. I thought maybe she came by to talk to you," Matt answered.
"She's missing? Oh no. I wish I could help you, but I haven't seen her," Ma softly said.
"Thank you for your time, Ma" said Matt as he left the boarding house.
Matt returned to the jail empty handed. He was at a loss. He had no idea what to do. This feeling of not having control of the situation was new to Matt. He prided himself on being able to take control of something and getting to the bottom of things. Right now, he couldn't do that.
Doc saw Matt's face, when Matt returned. He knew Matt came up empty handed. "Nothing." It was more of a statement from Doc, than a question. Matt shook his head no.
"Are ya gonna go out and look for her, Mr. Dillon?" asked Chester. He was very anxious.
"I have no idea where to look. Plus, it's getting dark," answered Matt.
"I just hate the thought of Miss Kitty possibly being out there all alone or with a stranger," said Chester.
Matt swallowed the lump in his throat. He shared the same concerns as Chester and probably Doc. Matt knew he wouldn't sleep that night. Kitty would be on his mind. However, if he wanted to be alert and ready the next day, he would have to force himself to sleep.
Four miles south of town another person was having trouble sleeping. Adeline Pumford tossed and turned, trying to get sleep to come to her, but it wouldn't. Her guilty conscience prevented that. All she could think of was Kitty Russell, hurt, and all alone. She hoped Kitty wasn't dead. Adeline knew sleep wouldn't come until she did something about her guilty conscience. She would go and see the Marshal tomorrow.
The next day dawned and Adeline got ready to go into town. She saddled her mare and mounted it. It only took twenty minutes to reach town, but it seemed like it took forever. Adeline rode up to the jail and dismounted. She wrapped her mare's reins around the hitching post and walked up to the door. Adeline turned the doorknob and walked inside.
"Miss Pumford," Matt addressed her. "What can I do for you?"
"Marshal, I know that Miss Russell is missing and I know where she is," Adeline answered.
TBC
