Doc finished redressing Wilbur Jonas' bandage. "That's looking good. Mighty good, Jonas." Doc said as he washed his hands in the basin of water. "You should be able to put weight on that leg in a day or two, I'd say." he said as he dried his hands and started to pack his medical bag.
"Any sign of the robbers? I mean has the marshal had any luck tracking them down?" Jonas said from his bed.
Doc shook his head no. "Matt and Festus followed the tracks as far as they could but night came on and so did this snow. Matt came in tonight. In fact Festus is still out in it somewhere." Doc drew his hand across his moustache. "I sure hope he's found shelter. This night isn't fit for man nor beast." Doc said solemnly as pulled on his coat and placed his trademark black felt hat on his greying hair. "Good night Jonas. I'll be by again tomorrow."
"Thanks Doc. Hope Festus gets back to town soon." The older man tried to smile. Doc nodded as he knew Jonas was only trying to be encouraging. "See you tomorrow Doc." he said as the doctor opened the door and stepped through to close it behind him. The night air seemed much more bitter to the doctor.
Doc drew a deep breath and pulled his winter coat closer around him then decided to visit Matt at the jail. The wet snow was getting colder and was now crunching under every foot step. Sometimes the doctor wonder what made him stay in Dodge, and every time he thought of the people in the large town; many he called friends, and few he called family.
Matt sat at his desk and sorted though some posters of wanted men. He didn't see anyone in the pile that looked like he might have seen in Dodge prior to the robbery. With a huff he placed the posters down on his desk with a thud. Just then his eyes lifted to the door was Doc walked through.
"How's Mr Jonas?" the marshal asked as he stood to stretch his back.
Doc said nothing and headed to the coffee pot and noted that his was empty. "Humph."
Matt restrained the laugh he had. "How bout I put on a pot of coffee?" he walked to the stove as Doc sat in the chair next to the little table he and Festus had argued over many a games of checkers. "Fresh coffee? Sounds good. By thunder it's getting really cold out there tonight." the doctor said then he blew warm air in to his clasped hands. "Jonas is doing just fine. Should be up in a day or two." he concluded.
Matt smiled. He knew fully that Doc was more worried for Festus' well being but he said not a word and fixed the coffee pot and sat it on the little wood stove. Matt moved back to his chair behind the deck and looked up to Doc. "Lookin' for something to do?" Matt asked knowing anything might get Doc's mind off his missing friend.
"Sure. What do you need?" Doc looked all of a sudden awake.
Matt stood and walked over to the table with the wanted posters. "See if you recognize any of them, will you."
Doc looked up to the lawman. "You're joking?"
Matt shook his head no and walked back to his desk to look over a report hat was due. After a few minutes, he slowly looked up to Doc who wore a frown on his brow. "I pay taxes for you to do this..." he mumbled but continued with his task. Matt could only smile.