Matt left police headquarters sure that Police Lieutenant Roget had lied about Rosie's death, but equally sure that the man knew nothing about Kitty. He stood outside the building trying to come up with a reasonable next step in his search for Kitty.

"Mister, Sir, Marshal."

Matt turned and saw a tall, thin, dark-skinned man, with salt and pepper hair, walking towards him. He was wearing a porter's uniform.

"Is there something I can do for you?"

"I didn't mean to listen in, but I was sitting in the police station and heard you say you were a US Marshal. My name's Joe Jones and I'm a porter down at the train station. In fact, I noticed you there earlier, getting off the first train of the day. Thing is, I couldn't keep working this morning. Something weighed too heavy on my mind. I came here to tell the police about it, but I'm not the kind of person they're quick to pay attention to. I've been waiting a while."

"I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm way out of my jurisdiction. I don't see how I can help you."

"Marshal, I heard you ask about Miss Kitty Russell. I know where she is, and it's no place she wants to be. She was taken at gunpoint."

Matt's eyes widened. He'd seen clues pop up unexpectedly before, but this beat all. "Can you take me there?"

"I'd be pleased to and while we're walking, I'll tell you what I know."

"Lead the way, the faster the better."

Kitty

Naked, and curled up in a ball, Kitty couldn't keep her teeth from chattering. She tried to stop another cough from rising up out of her chest. Every cough intensified the pain in her gut, thanks to Clarice's hard tipped boots. She tried to trick her mind by recalling warmth – being under a quilt with Matt, snuggling against his warm body on a cold winter's night. Matt – The man she wanted to grow old with. She'd thought the only thing that could rob her that joy would be his death in the line of duty. Oh Matt – he'd told her that he loved her many times, but right now all she could hear was his voice, hoarse and desperate, saying, I need you Kitty, I need you. The deep, raw truth of that had made her want to live. She needed him as much. They couldn't be the best of themselves without each other. He always said that there was hope in any situation. She had to hang on to that. Damn it, she couldn't die naked and alone in some storeroom because she didn't hand over a key she didn't have.

Matt

Joe Jones pointed to a one-story building on a desolate block, "There it is. They took her in there at gunpoint and left her there." Matt tried the door; it was locked. "Step back, Mr. Jones." With a strong, swift kick the door sprang open. Jones followed Matt inside with eyebrows raised. He was glad he and this man were on the same side.

Matt stood in the center of the room. "It's empty, no sign of anything or anyone."

"I swear they brought her here and left without her. You believe me, don't you?"

"Yep." Matt nodded, "I've been a lawman a long time. Things aren't always what they seem to be. Let's check around the walls and floor to make sure there are no hidden doors or anything like that."

Matt started at one end of the room, feeling the wall for long, straight cracks or any other sign of a secret door. Jones saw what the Marshal was doing and started from the other end. They met in the middle. Matt sighed, "Nothing, let's check the floor for loose boards."

"Marshal, look there." Jones pointed to a bump in the floor. Matt knelt down. "It's a latch." He pushed it open. Underneath was a metal ring. He yanked hard. The trap door opened and he hurried down the steps with Joe Jones close behind. Kitty was shivering in a corner, naked, bruised and tied up like an animal. They froze in shock for an instant. Jones swiftly turned away. It wasn't right that he see a woman like that. He shed his jacket and shoved it in Matt's hands. Matt hurried over and wrapped the porter's jacket around Kitty's cold body. The bruises on her face and stomach twisted his heart. He sat on the floor and pulled her onto his lap. Her skin felt cold, much too cold. He put her against his chest to warm her. She slowly opened her eyes. "Matt, you're here, how?" He set his outrage at her treatment aside. Now was not the time for rage or questions. He gently touched her face. "Long story, but you'll be fine." He pulled a knife from his pocket and cut the ropes from her ankles and wrists. The ugly bruises underneath made his stomach churn. He heard a noise and looked up. Clarice and Paul raced down the steps. The unlatched trap door had warned them to be ready, Paul's gun was drawn. Jones moved quickly and stood between Paul and Matt, who had Kitty on his lap. Paul pointed his gun at Jones, "You are dead. I'll count to three before I pull this trigger. I want to see you pee in your pants out of fear."

The smug pause gave Matt opportunity. He swiftly set Kitty down and shoved Jones aside. Paul saw and adjusted his aim. Matt drew. His bullet hit Paul's chest. His gun flew from his hand as he crumbled to the floor. Clarice went to grab the gun.

"Hold it. If I were you I'd stop there."

"You wouldn't shoot a woman."

"Try me."

Clarice backed up and turned to face him. "I don't know who you are, but this misunderstanding can be cleared up. Let's go see Police Lieutenant Roget."

Matt ignored her. "Mr. Jones would you please pick up that gun and keep it pointed right at her."

"Sure thing Marshal."

Matt hurried back to Kitty and lifted her in his arms. She felt warmer already and he was slightly relieved. For the first time he looked around the entire room. The sight was bizarre - torn pieces of fabric, buttons, zippers, ripped ribbons and busted shoes were strewn about.

Kitty lifted her head and looked towards Paul's body. "Is he dead?"

Jones picked up Paul's hand and felt for a pulse. "He's dead from the bullet for sure, but look at this hand. It's swollen to twice its size from an infection."

"I bit him." Kitty's voice with filled with pride. Bruised and naked except for a porter's jacket, she was still Kitty Russell. Matt smiled at the women he held in his arm.

"Doesn't anyone care that my husband is dead?" Clarice walked toward Paul's body.

"Oh Clarice, even as kids you two were friends for what you could do for each other. I'm sure you got married because you thought you'd make a nice looking society couple."

"You bitch." Forgetting her current situation, Clarice moved to slap Kitty's face. Joe Jones aimed Paul's gun at her. She turned, "How dare you, you're nothing but a porter."

Matt took a step towards her, still holding Kitty in his arms, "I'm a US Marshal and Mr. Jones is my assistant. You go sit in the corner over there and be quiet. If you don't, I'll have my assistant tie you up."

He felt Kitty giggle and then wince in pain. "We'd better get you to a doctor, Kitty." He looked over at Joe. "Mr. Jones, can you lead me to the nearest hospital?"

"Sure thing, but what about them. " Jones pointed to Paul's dead body and Clarice sitting in a corner scowling."

"He's dead, and she'll be fine waiting here until I have time to go to the authorities. Let's just be sure to close the latch so she's locked in."

Clarice was horrified. "You're not leaving here with a dead body? How long do you intend to leave me here? It's cold. Will it be hours – days?"

Matt ignored her. "Mr. Jones, to a hospital please, lead on."

TBC