The Stolen 5

I don't own these characters; I just like to spend time with them. No other profit to be had.

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Wednesday

Matt sat in a small little room, nervously shifting his long legs, trying to get comfortable. Finally giving up the effort, he rose and paced over to the small window, looking out onto the street.

Looking out the window, he wasn't really seeing the street below. His mind was on other things both in and out of Hays.

Glancing back at the office door, he wondered what was taking so long for Proctor to call him in. Matt had been told to be there by 9am. It was now 10, and he was still waiting. Ever patient, Matt shook his head and turned back to the window.

Whatever this was about, what ever Proctor wanted of him, he hoped it wouldn't require him to be gone for too long from Dodge. Though he would never shirk his duty, and he would complete what ever assignment was placed before him, he still hoped to spend as little time away from home as he had too.

Matt had never really given his feelings much thought, but standing there, looking out at a scene not really before him, he realized that in a way he was homesick. He missed the dusty streets, and the little brick jail and Doc and Chester and….Kitty. Perhaps more than anything or anyone, he missed Kitty.

With the countenance of a man in love, he smiled at the thought of the fiery little redhead waiting on him in Dodge. Though he had fought tooth and nail to keep from it, he had fallen for her. Fallen so hard, the thought fairly took his breath away.

And Matt knew, she had the same feelings for him. He had warned her of how it had to be and that he couldn't marry her. But with the wisdom of youth, and complete inexperience in the 'forever' department, she had ignored his warnings, and took him into her heart and her bed, willingly and enthusiastically.

"Matt?" Proctor broke him from his revelry. "Sorry to keep you waiting so long, but I had some things to review before we met. Also I'm expecting one more….." he turned towards the door when it opened. "Oh here he is. You've met Tom Harrison haven't you, Matt?"

Matt looked at the man just walking in and grinned. "Sure have." He said as he extended his hand. "Tom, good to see you again."

"And you, Matt" Tom replied as they shook. Though he was 4 years older than Matt, Tom sometimes felt years younger. The things Matt had accomplished in only a few years as a US Marshal, had far outshone any accomplishments of his own.

"Well gentlemen, shall we retire to the office and get this meeting started?" Proctor asked interrupting the reunion of the two lawmen.

Both men nodded and obediently followed him in.

Upon entering, Matt saw several papers and maps littering the top of the large desk in the center of the room. More paper was atop a small table to the side of the room. Placing his hat on the nearest chair, Matt made his way to the desk, but remained standing till given leave to sit.

"Have a seat, gentleman." Proctor gave his permission. Matt and Tom glanced at each other as they took chairs opposite each other, in the front of the desk. "I know you two are wondering why I called you here, and I do want to apologize for giving you men such short notice of this meeting. But this matter is of the utmost urgency, and I needed my two best men on it."

"On what?" Matt asked. Proctors tone implied something very serious indeed.

"Have either of you ever of heard of 'White Slavery'?" Proctor asked.

Both officers nodded their heads. "Nasty business," Tom stated. "Heard it was also a booming business down in Texas."

Proctor nodded. "Yes, but it's not only in Texas any longer. We recently received information that 'the business' has moved into Kansas. From our information, an auction is set to take place this Friday."

'In Kansas?" Matt questioned. "First I've heard of it."

"Me too," Tom agreed.

"Yes, our office as well, but our informant in this matter is very reliable. I assure you our information is accurate."

"What exactly is your information, Mr. Proctor?" Matt asked. "I mean, besides the auction, do you know who's holding it or where?"

"I'll get to all of that in a moment, Matt" Proctor said. "First things first. I want to know if you two are agreeable to work together on this thing."

Both men nodded. "Of course." Matt said

"What do you want us to do?" Tom asked.

"I want you two to go in undercover. Our contact inside the camp is more than willing to help, and I think with just a little planning we might be able to put a stop to this, before these people pack up and take off to another state."

"Well," Matt said, "let's get to planning." He knew little of the "white slavery' business aside from a few stories told him by other lawmen, who had in turn heard them from others. But what little he did know, made him want to do everything in his power to stop it. He did not want this kind of 'business' in his state.

"Get comfortable, gentlemen" Proctor said. "This is going to take some time."

TBC