The Next Day
Matt came to a waterfall and paused, so that his horse could take a much needed drink. He reached into the chilly water, and splashed a bracing handful on his face, noting with some satisfaction that the slightly lusher terrain meant that Wichita was close. He rounded the bend and saw a weather worn sign – a wooden arrow mounted on a post. When he got closer he saw the words: Witicha 3 miles. He frowned, the sign was pointed in the wrong direction. For an instant, he considered stopping to fix it, but didn't want to spare, even the small amount of time it would take from his journey. Probably didn't matter. Anyone with with a map or a lick of sense about directions, would realize it was wrong.
Kitty
Mind racing, Kitty stared straight ahead, poker face secure. Since Josh found out that sign was wrong he'd barely said a word, but she could feel the wrath emanating from his body. Yesterday he'd pushed the horses until they stumbled in the dark, and after a few hours rest, they set out again in the predawn light. The man's determination to get her onto a train in Wichita was palpable. Unfortunately, his success was seeming likely. She licked her lips - she wouldn't give up. When they got to Wichita, she'd try to slip away, although given Josh's state of mind, it wouldn't be easy.
"Whoa." Joshua pulled the horses to a stop, took a long, deep breath and turned to looked at Kitty. "Listen, we'll be in Wichita soon, and I want to make amends. I'm sorry I thought you moved that sign. I realize that is quite impossible. And, I'm sorry I got so angry when you set those horses loose. Kitty, we can have a pleasant journey, and you'll soon find out how wonderful life with me can be. What do you say? She looked up at him, and a smile slowly spread across her lips. Feigning co-operation might give her some advantage. She nodded. "You're right Josh, no need to be unpleasant." He patted her hand, "Good. Let's start with a bit of breakfast. I was a demon this morning, and we had nothing before setting out." He reached back into a basket, grabbed two biscuits with one hand, and a canteen with the other. He handed over the canteen, "Have some water. I'll dig around to see if there's some jam left for these biscuits." She smiled and took a sip. The cool water felt good, rolling down her throat. Her eyes widened. The strange metallic taste was familiar. Josh grabbed the canteen before it fell from her hands. Her head drooped. He scooped her up and set her in the back of the buggy, her head on a satin pillow. "Sleep well my dear. Don't worry, when we get to Wichita, your loving husband will carry you onto the train, wanting nothing more than to get his poor sick with to the finest doctor in New York City. I expect I'll be quite admired for that. He got back into the driver's seat and flicked the reins. It wouldn't be long now.
Matt
Matt rode into Witicha, saddle sore and covered with trail dust. He'd made it in record time, pushing his horse as hard as he dared and taking every possible short cut. Still, with Sharpe's lead, he and Kitty could be on the train - or in New York - or even on a ship to London. No matter the case, he'd follow. It that meant a leave of absence from his job and borrowing money from everyone he knew to get himself to New York or London, so be it.
He turned onto First Street. It was wide, and busy and went on for several blocks, with shops lining both sides of the street. He spotted a sign, printed in large black letters - Train and Stage Coach Tickets. He tied his horse to the rail outside, and hurried through the door. A bald, bespectacled clerk looked up. His eyes shot to the US Marshal's badge on Matt's broad chest. "Good morning Marshal. Is there something I can do for you? If you're looking a train, the next one is eastbound and leaves in three hours."
Matt strode over, towering over the clerk. "I'm looking for a man named Joshua Sharpe. He'd be traveling with an attractive young woman with fiery red hair. I think they're looking to board a train to New York City. Do you know if they've been here?"
The clerk nervously adjusted his glasses. "I don't remember seeing a couple like that, and it seems the woman would be memorable. Of course sometimes men come in alone to purchase tickets." The clerk lifted a finger, "But there's no need to guess." With obvious pride he pulled a ledger from below the desk. "I keep very accurate passenger logs. If there is an accident or incident, it's important to know who's on board. Passengers are listed according to the date and train they took. Today's train is included, but of course more names will be added to that. There are always last minute buyers."
Matt flew through the pages checking the list for east bound trains. No Joshua Sharpe or Kitty Russell appeared. Matt smiled to himself. Something must have slowed Sharpe down, and he had a good guess it was Kitty. Fact was Kitty could have gotten away, and could be anywhere. Still, since this was where they were headed, it was best to sit tight for a while. Matt slid the ledger back to the clerk. "If a man named Joshua Sharpe shows up, notify me right away. I'm going to have a word with the sheriff, but after that I'll be in the hotel across the street."
"Of course Marshal. I'll be sure to do that."
Matt hurried out onto the busy street, and cast his eyes about. With so many people coming and going, he'd have to be alert. Good thing, Kitty wasn't the kind of woman who could be easily hidden. He spotted the sheriff's office a few doors down, and tapped lightly on the door before walking in. A stocky man with gray hair and a salt and pepper mustache looked up from behind his desk. "Why it's Matt Dillon. What brings a US Marshal here. I don't see you very often."
"You keep the peace just fine without me, John. I rarely have cause to visit Wichita."
"I'm flattered, Matt." The sheriff got to his feet, and pointed to a chair. "Have a seat. Coffee? What's going on?" John Mannix went to the stove to poor 2 cups of coffee, but saw the look on Matt's face and set the pot back down. "It's more than serious, isn't it? "
"John, there's been a kidnapping. I'm after a man named Joshua Sharpe. He kidnapped Kitty Russell and is coming here to force her on a train to New York."
"Kitty Russell?" John ran a hand across his bushy mustache, "Isn't she the lady that owns the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge? Why would anyone kidnap her? There can't be much ransom in kidnaping a saloon owner. Sounds kinda strange to me." Mannix searched Matt's face. The marshal was the picture of calm, but a wily lawman who's been around can see things most folks miss. "Matt, I'm a straight talking kind of man, you know that, so I'll come right out with it. I'm not one for gossip but I've heard some folks say that you and Kitty Russell have been - well – a – a couple for a time now. You and I both know a lawman ain't no prize to be in a relations ship with. What I'm asking is, are you sure Miss Russell didn't go with this Joshua Sharpe willingly? Could it be you're going after them for your own personal reasons? Maybe you want her back."
"John, she didn't go willingly, he kidnapped her. It's a long story, but you have my word on that."
The sheriff keep his eyes on Matt's. "You know Matt, 9 or 10 years ago I was angling for the job of US Marshal, but you got the appointment. At first I was angry and even puzzled. I was 45 and had been a lawman for more than 20 years, You, on the other hand were what - 25, with nowhere the experience I had. I was convinced they hired you for your gun arm. But I'll tell you, I saw, heard and read the way things were going down in Dodge and the rest of the territory, and I had to admit to myself that the War Department picked the right man. That's my long winded way of saying that I know what you're made of, and I accept your word, but if you're fooling me or yourself, if you're just believing what you want to believe, I won't go easy on you.
"That sounds about right to me. I'm getting a room in the hotel, let me know if you see or hear of a Joshua Sharpe in town.
Kitty
Joshua crossed the town lines into Witicha and his face lit up with a smile. The trip from Meade had been longer and more difficult then he planned, but the result was what mattered. Kitty was his. He would own her body, and when they married she'd provide the legitimacy and cover he needed to expand his business. He drove down First Street looking for a hotel, but spotted the sign for train tickets and pulled up in front of the door. First things first. He turned around to check on Kitty, lying in back of the buggy. She hadn't moved or made a sound since drinking the water he'd laced with sedatives. He ran a finger down her face. She didn't stir. He whispered quietly. "Sleep on. I'm going to get train tickets. Then we'll wait in a hotel room until it's time for me to carry you onto the train. He jumped down and went into the depot. Kitty moaned, Josh's voice had penetrated her cotton filled mind. She managed to open her eyes a slit, and shifted her head to look towards the light shining into the buggy. She could make out Joshua going into a building, and struggled to stay awake. She gasped. A horse was tied outside the building. A familiar horse - Matt's horse. But how could Matt be here? Why? He wouldn't be looking for her, he thought she was dead. Unable to keep her eyes open she fell back into a drugged sleep.
Mr. Sands the bald, bespectacled clerk looked up when the door opened. He frowned. There was something odd about the customer. He was dressed in an expensive suit, and the gold watch in his vest pocket looked real, but his pants and jacket were dust covered and frayed, and there was an odd jumpiness about the man.
"I want 2 tickets for the next train to New York City. According to your schedule one leaves in 2 ½ hours.
Sands straightened his glasses. "All correct. Two tickets will be $18 dollars. Please write the names of the passengers in this book and I'll get you your tickets." Sands reached into a cubby hole and pulled out two rectangular slips of paper. Josh scribbled in the passenger log: Joshua and Kitty Sharpe. He plunked a handful of coins on the counter, grabbed the tickets and hurried out the door. There was time to get a room at the hotel where he could clean up, and force more drugs into Kitty. It wouldn't do to have her waking up, before they arrived in New York.
TBC
