Police Station
Matt impatiently scribbled answers on a missing person's form, and scrawled his signature at the bottom. He understood paperwork as well as anyone, but there were times, in his opinion, when action should come first and forms later. He strode over to Mike Haley's desk, "Here you go. All filled out." The police lieutenant jumped to his feet. "Great, now I can call an official search. I already have a group of men waiting. Let's go." He led Matt to the front room, where 8 armed policemen were gathered. Mike walked to the front of the group. "Men, we're searching for a missing woman named Kitty Russell. She's a healthy, attractive woman her 30's with fiery red hair that gives her a distinctive look. When last seen she was wearing a blue blouse and dark skirt, and heading from the Lindell Hotel on Washington Street to the main shopping district. Her stated intention was to spend the morning in that area. Marshal Dillon and I went into numerous stores this morning, and could find no one that remembered seeing her. So, we need a more thorough search. We'll cover that entire area, making inquiries everywhere. I mean everywhere, not just shops and stores. Hit places that seem more unlikely such as: barber shops, tailors, land offices, printers, even banks." He pushed he door open. "Let's get on it."
Kitty
After explaining his return to a gunslinging life, when he left Dodge, Will looked at Kitty with pleading eyes. He needed to hear that she understood, and believed he was a good person.
She absorbed every word, and her heart went out to him. She'd seen suffering in her time on earth and Will was surely suffering – body, mind and soul. Yet, part of her wondered if he could have found some way to change his life and go in a different direction, if he truly wanted to. "Will," her voice was soft. "That doesn't explain why those three men have you lock up here. Why are they so full of rage and hate for you? The one with the gun mentioned their sons, and – and I read in a newspaper about three men whose sons went missing. Do you have anything to do with that?"
"Yes – that." Will swallowed hard. "A couple of weeks ago I finished a job in Clayton, not far from here. It paid well, so I came to St. Louis to buy a new suit and do some gambling. I went to the Golden Times saloon. A few folks recognized me, others recognized my name. My picture isn't on a wanted poster, but my name, description and reputation as a gunslinger are not unknown." Will let out a heavy sigh. "I was drinking by myself, when three young men came in wearing shiny new guns. You've seen the type Kitty, brash, full of themselves, pockets stuffed with their daddy's money, making them feel important. One of them, last name Wellington, came up to me at the bar. I felt his breath on the side of my neck and turned my head to look at him. I could tell by his stance and the way he wore his gun, that he fancied himself a gunman." Will uttered a harsh laugh. "I'm sure he was good at shooting cans off a wall. That night he wanted to show off, using me."
"You're Will Stambridge aren't you? I heard you were in St. Louis. Word is you're fast with that gun. Truth is, you look kind of old and tired to me. My name's Jasper Wellington Jr. I don't get the kind of respect folks give you, but I will soon. You're going to face me in a gunfight, right now. Of course, If you're too old and tired, I understand. How about this - kneel down, hand over your gun and I'll accept your surrender."
"I shook my head and walked passed him, right out of the saloon. Wellington's buddies were patting his back and saying I was yellow bellied. I ignored it, even though in the back of my mind I knew that too many encounters like would tarnish my reputation, and threaten my livelihood. Anyway, I got on my horse and rode over to Creve Cour. I rented a little cabin in the woods to find some peace and quiet – some time to think. Two days later the three of them showed up. I don't know how they found me. I was lying in bed, when I heard them outside the cabin."
"Stambridge, you can't hide in there forever. When you come out we'll be here, and you'll have to face Jasper. Jasper Wellington Jr. is going to be the man who takes Will Stambridge down."
"I saw no way around it Kitty, so I strapped on my gun-belt and went outside. The Wellington kid was ready, legs spread, hard stare. I stood across from him. He drew. I fired first. My bullet went into his chest. One of his friends fell to his knees beside the bloody body, screaming – NO NO NO. The third boy went for his gun. I fired. He crumbled to the ground. The kneeling boy looked up at me. I'd never seen such rage. He dived for the gun his friend had dropped. I fired again. He flew back. I checked the bodies. All three were dead. I buried them and went back into the cabin. I-I don't know how much time passed. I slept, drank whiskey and slept again. I was either drunk, sleeping or both when some cowboy broke in, hit me over the head, and tied me up. I woke up here in this basement. Later I learned that the Wellington kid left a note for his father, saying he was going to Creve Cour to take me on, and prove he was a man. I guess the three men figured it out from there, and decided to take the law into their own hands." Will looked into Kitty's eyes. "Jasper Wellington Jr. and his two friends were spoiled and arrogant. I had no choice. When someone draws a gun, it doesn't matter how young or inexperienced he is, you have to defend yourself. I'm not a murderer."
Kitty didn't speak, her face was unreadable.
"I had no choice." He voice almost a whine. "Kitty, Dillon's killed men. You don't blame him. Don't blame me for killing those boys. There was nothing else I could have done."
The Bank
Adam grabbed the whiskey bottle sitting on Carl's desk. Jasper grabbed his hand. "No, we need steady hands and clear heads. When it's done there will be plenty of time for whiskey." Carl tore up a piece of cloth and shoved a strip into his back pocket. "We'll blindfold the woman. It will make it easier on her. Let's check our pistols." Each man reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a gun to make sure it was fully loaded. Jasper looked at his friends. "Like we planned. The merciful thing is the woman first. The three of us fire at once, so we don't know who's bullet actually kills her. That way no one has to carry guilt in his heart, for being her murderer. Then Stambridge. We take turns putting bullets in him until he's dead. He deserves to suffer."
The men nodded grimly, filed out of the bank, and headed for the door to the warehouse basement on Empire Street. They walked silently, side by side, wearing their business suits. Three men who'd been the best of friends from childhood. They stopped in front of the door. Adam solemnly pulled the key from his pocket. "I'll be glad when this is over." He opened the door, and the three men walked down 5 steps ready to kill two people.
Matt
Mike Haley, Matt Dillon and 8 police officers spread out across the St. Louis shopping district going in and out of stores, shops, offices, restaurants, and every other kind of business, asking if anyone had seen Kitty Russell. No one remembered her. Matt paused outside the watchmaker's shop. He could go in with Kitty's picture and ask questions, but he knew what the answer would be. It was just plain odd. Not only was Kitty a striking woman, she was friendly and outgoing. She would have spoken to people, smiled at them. They would remember her – that is unless – unless she didn't go into any shops or stores. How would that be possible? Could she have gotten lost somehow? Even if she had, she would have found her way back by now, unless something happened.
Matt's gut twisted. In a flash of intuition he remembered the wrong turn he'd taken the day before, walking back to the hotel. He'd ended up on that strange and empty street called, what was it – Kingdom, Realm – no Empire Street. It was unlikely Kitty had wandered that way, but ever other block in the area had been searched and searched again. It was worth a try.
Without taking the time to tell Mike or the others about his idea, Matt hurried off to find Empire Street. Recreating the path he'd taken yesterday, he walked a few block and turned the corner. There it was – Empire. Just as he remembered, there was nothing to see but the back of a large building, an empty warehouse probably. He walked the length the untended walkway. It was eerily still and quiet. There was no movement, no sound, no sign of life. Annoyed with himself, he shook his head. Wandering a deserted street was a stupid idea, and a waste of time. He should get back to Mike and the others.
TBC
