The Train

Matt pushed his hat up from his eyes and slowly stretched his arms. Kitty grinned. "Well you took quite a nap. We're just about there." He smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry Kitty,. I didn't mean to sleep so long and leave you with no one to talk to." She put a hand on his, "Don't be silly. You needed the sleep, and believe me I enjoyed watching the miles race by getting us further and further from Dodge."

SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI. LAST STOP.

Kitty jumped up from her seat. "We made it. We actually made it." She glowed with joy. Matt quickly glanced around. No one was watching, they weren't in Dodge, and darn she looked beautiful. He got to his feet, took her by the shoulders, and gently kissed her lips. It was short, but oh, so sweet.

ALL PASSENGERS MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE EXIT.

With a hand on the small of her back, Matt guided Kitty to the end of the car. The train rocked to a full stop, and the couple stepped down onto the busy St. Louis platform. Matt spotted two workers unloading luggage from the baggage car, and quickly retrieved his one duffle bag and Kitty's two bulging suitcases.

"I have everything Kitty, we're set." With his duffle bag under an arm, and a suitcase in each hand, he nodded towards the exit. "Let's get to our hotel." They smiled at each other, their steps were light, they'd made it this time, a real vacation, just the two of them.

Outside the station, hansom cabs were lined up next to the walkway. Matt signaled the driver at the front of the row. The young man cheerfully tipped his hat, and leaped down from his seat. "Welcome to St. Louis. I'll load up them bags." Matt helped Kitty climb into the carriage, and took a seat beside her. Before they knew it they were outside the Lindell Hotel on Washington Street, an impressive brick building that was five stories high. A lanky doorman, in a red uniform, pulled open the heavy door. Matt strode in carrying the luggage, with Kitty an eager two steps ahead of him. She glanced around the lobby and a smile lit her face. Matt had chosen the hotel and made the reservation. It was everything she hoped - elegant and grand, yet warm and welcoming. She leaned into him and whispered, "Is the reservation in your name?" He shook his head, "Not that I'm famous, far from it, but my name is known in some circles, so I thought it best to go by yours." He rang the bell on the check-in desk. A bespectacled clerk, in a bowtie and jacket scurried over. "May I help you?"

"Yes, we have a reservation, Mr. and Mrs. Russell." Matt and Kitty both knew, no respectable hotel would give a room to an unmarried couple. They also knew that a mature couple, who seemed relatively close in age, would not be asked for proof of marriage.

The clerk smiled pleasantly, "Excellent. Sign here. I'll get your key. Suite 5B – top floor. Loyd here, our bell hop, will get your bags and take you up. If you need maps, directions or help of any kind during your stay, feel free to stop by my desk."

A short, muscular man in a red uniform gathered their bags. "Please follow me." In a corner of the lobby he opened a gate to what looked like a tiny, rectangular room. "The elevator, we call it our Otis. I'll work it, and get you spot-on even with your floor." Inside the Otis, Matt watched Loyd with interest. "Last time I was in Washington DC, one of these was being installed, but neither of us has been in one before." Loyd smiled, "Safer than a horse and buggy."

They inched their way up steadily and, with some finessing, Loyd stopped the elevator exactly level with the 5th floor. Pride shone in his face. "When you want a ride down, ring the buzzer on the wall. Now, I'll just take your bags to your room and leave you to your privacy."

With Loyd gone, and the door closed behind him Kitty stood in the sun-lit suite and squeezed her arms around her waist. She could hardly believe she was actually here, on vacation with Matt in a beautiful hotel. Her eyes rested on a tall, oak dresser across the room. A glass vase sat on top, overflowing with flowers. "Matt, just look at those beautiful roses and violets. She moved closer and saw a small, white card tucked between the flowers.. Mystified, she picked it up. Dear Kitty, if you're reading this note, we finally made it to St. Louis. I need you to know that every time you choose to stay with me another day, I know how lucky I am. Love, Matt.

Kitty blinked back tears. Matt must have arranged for the flowers and note when he made the reservation. She turned and took his hands. "I love you, Matt." He kissed her softly. She paused to relish the moment, and engrave it on her mind. A broad smile spread across her face. "Well Cowboy, let's unpack and go see some sights. You should be good and fresh after that nap you took. He laughed. "Let's get to it."

An hour later, arm in arm, they made their way through Forest Park. With no timetable or route in mind they stopped to admire ornate fountains, explored the formal gardens and debated how many hours of work it must take to mow all the lawns, "Oh Matt, it feels like we could walk on the winding paths forever and never get to the end."

Matt nodded, "And I've read there's talk of adding a zoo, a museum and all manner of things." He smiled. "That means we'll have to keep coming back."

"I like that idea, in the meantime we'll make the most of this trip. Don't forget, after dinner we're seeing the HMS Pinafore at the Grand Opera House. I've read it's real funny and the music is great. Tomorrow after breakfast, we'll go shopping and then…"

"Matt, Matt Dillon is that you?" The couple turned. A slow smile of recognition crossed Matt's face. "Mike? Mike Haley?" Kitty couldn't help but sigh. The man looked pleasant and she knew he was a friend of Matt's, but he wore a badge and, according to the newspaper she read on the train, was involved in a tricky case. She smiled weakly.

"Yeserie, Matt, it's me. Last time we saw each other was 10 maybe 12 years ago. I was the sheriff in Topeka and you came for a trial. Of course I read about you in the papers now and again. Impressive as always. I'm on the police force here now, been in St. Louis for the last 6 years." He tapped his badge. "Worked my way up to lieutenant. Always keep you as my model Matt. So, what brings you to my city?"

Matt shook Mike's hand with real affection. His old friend was a good man. Smart and honest, with a slender build and winning smile that masked his strength and toughness. "Great to see you Mike. We got through some tough spots when we started out as deputies. Glad you're keeping St. Louis safe. I'm here with this lovely lady, on vacation. This is Kitty Russell. She owns the Long Branch, finest saloon in Kansas."

Mike tipped his hat. "It's a pleasure to meet you." He noted that Matt had introduced the beautiful red-head with her business credentials, not as defined by their relationship. That meant they weren't engaged or married, but she was to be respected.

Kitty smiled politely. "The pleasure is mine Lieutenant Haley."

"Call me Mike." He flashed a smile, but quickly grew serious and turned his attention to Matt. "I know you're here to get some rest and relaxation, and knowing you it's deserved and needed, but I wonder if you could spare some time to go over a case with me. You were always good at getting to the bottom of things. You might have read about it in the newspaper. 3 young men with well-to-do fathers go missing. The fathers filed missing persons reports and demanded action. They were breathing down our necks every day. I get that, after all their sons are missing. But then something changed. They stopped coming to the station, stopped pushing for answers. It's like they no longer cared whether we found their sons or not." Mike shook his head. "It's odd Matt, and I could use a pair of experienced eyes, that are fresh to this situation. If those young men are alive I want to get them back, and if their fathers know something, I want to find out what it is."

Matt glanced sideways at Kitty. "Mike, I don't know if…"

Kitty sighed, "Go on and help Matt. I plan to spend the morning shopping, and you don't need to come. In fact I might have more fun on my own. How about this – after breakfast tomorrow you go and meet with Mike while I shop. We'll meet for lunch at 1:00." Kitty smiled mischievously, "I kind of like the idea of surprising you with my purchases."

Mike laughed. He liked this women already. Matt squeezed Kitty's hand and turned to his old friend. "Mike, I'll meet you in your office at 9am, and be at your service until I have to get to my important, 1:00 appointment to have lunch." Mike took off his hat, and made a gallant bow towards Kitty, "I'll leave you two alone. I've interfered in your vacation enough for one day. Matt, I'll see you tomorrow."

TBC