Pt.4
"Marshal? You're not looking too good." Basco observed. "But then, I'm not feelin' so good myself. Maybe it's this heat?"
"Basco, you said your mother was on foot?" He was now trying to shake his head clear. "Where do you think she might go? There's not much around here. It's a long way to Dodge on foot for an…" Now Matt held back his words.
"No, no, Marshal. I understand. Momma is an old woman."
Kitty was up early. She had made plans to stop at Sarah Carr's dress shop for a fitting. Then she planned on taking some things to Bess for the children.
"Sam, I shouldn't be long. I have my fitting then I'll stop at Lathrop's to check on my order. But It should be quick."
"Oh, no problem, Miss Kitty. Things are slow this morning." He replied.
She made her way across Front Street and down Main, entering Sarah's shop.
"Ah, good morning, Kitty. I have your dress ready right here. Coffee's hot. I'll be right with you."
"Thanks, Sarah." Kitty walked behind the screen to change but she suddenly felt a presence.
"Stay quiet, unless you want to see your friend hurt. Come with me. This way out the back."
Kitty felt something sharp at her back. "What do you want with me? Why don't you people just leave Dodge and leave me alone. You won't get away with this."
"Yes, I will. They will be too busy to worry about you." Quickly she shoved Kitty towards the back door. Then Kitty heard glass crash.
Matt and Basco came across a group of drovers.
"Hey, Dillon. Nice of you to come out and see us. I was coming into see you. Who's your friend?"
"Anderson, I didn't know you were here yet."
"Dillon, you don't look so good. What's ailing you? Here, climb down here. Cook will get you some good food and coffee."
As Matt and Basco dismounted, Anderson noticed something was wrong. He quickly went to the cook. Hey, we have a problem. These men need their stomach's fixed up. I'm thinking they got themselves something bad."
Cook nodded. "No problem, Boss. I got this."
Over the next few hours both Matt and Basco were bouncing back. Anderson approached them. "Well now, you're looking much better. I told you, you need to take off that badge and join my crew."
Matt just laughed.
"Dillon, a little hard work never hurt anyone. Dillon, what have you two had to eat and drink?"
Basco spoke up. "My wife made us coffee and breakfast."
"Hmmm… You two have had something bad."
Basco looked to Matt. "Marshal, hmmm, do you suppose… my boy…"
"Basco, let me ask you, you went for water where? Where did you get the water from?"
Rubbing his chin. "There is a small pond near our camp. We came upon it when we first came this way. Marshal, what are you thinking?"
Angelina Basco led Kitty to a wooded area. "Now, out here, you can't harm anyone every again." Suddenly she hit Kitty from behind, knocking her out. Dragging her over to a tree, she tied her up. "Now, you evil woman. You will never harm anyone again."
TBC