"Matthew," Festus said entering the jail a short time later.
"Festus," Matt replied with a nod. "Doc taking care of the girl?"
"Yep," Festus said taking a cup from the wall before helping himself to a cup of coffee. "Ol Doc'll have her back on her feet in no time."
"Good," Matt stated. "Now tell me about what you found out there!"
Festus told Matt about how he found the wagon, the bodies and the girl before the Marshal put up a hand to stop him.
"But you didn't find any signs of an Indian attack?"
"Not a one," Festus said shaking his head. "I don't know why that little girl would want ta lie bout such a thing, Matthew."
"Maybe," Matt said thoughtfully. "She knows who did it and she's trying to protect them by telling us it was Indians."
Kitty smiled gently when Liza opened her eyes and slowly looked around Doc's spare room.
"Who are you?" she asked when her eyes fell on Kitty.
"I'm Kitty Russell," the Saloon owner said sitting forward. "How are you feeling?"
"Hungry," Liza said quietly.
Kitty nodded. "Doc said you could have some broth when you woke up. Would you like to try that?"
Liza nodded as Kitty uncovered a large mug next to her bed. "Here," Kitty said taking a seat beside her on the bed. "Let me help you with this."
"Thank you," Liza replied with a smile. The woman sitting next to her was like no one else she had encountered before, the scent of her perfume hung in the air as the stones on her dress sparkled in the sun light coming though the window. "Your very pretty."
"Well," Kitty said bashfully. "Thank you."
"Where's, Mr. Haggen?" Liza asked after a few sips of broth.
"I suppose he's talking to the Marshal," Kitty said as the girl's eyes became quite large and frightened. "Are you alright?" Kitty said after noticing her reaction.
"Yes," Liza replied pushing away the mug. "I'm just not very hungry."
"Maybe later then," Kitty said with a gentle nod.
"And you never found out what their names were or where they had come from," Matt questioned as Festus shook his head.
"Didn't really have time, Matthew and with the youngin having a busted leg and all she'd been though already, wal, I figured all that could come later, don't ya see."
"Your probably right," Matt said with a nod as Doc walked in.
"Doc," Festus said as the physician shut the door behind him. "Liza alright, is she?"
"Yes," Doc said swiping his mustache. "Fortunately, it was a clean break and as young as she is, it'll heal quickly."
"That's good news," Festus said relived.
"You should be able to talk to her as soon as she wakes up, Matt," Doc stated taking a seat at the table in the center of Matt's office. "What did you find out about what happened?"
"Not much," Matt replied with a nod toward the hill man. "Festus didn't get much information from her except that she said Indians attacked her family."
"I can't hardly believe that, Matt," Doc replied tugging at his ear. "We haven't had an attack around here in years."
"I know," Matt stated thoughtfully. "That's what makes me uneasy about the story she told Festus. But, why would she lie?"
"Onliest way ta know is ta ask," Festus said with a wiry grin.
"No time like the present," Doc replied. "Kitty's up there with her now but she should be coming around anytime."
"Alright," Matt said looking at Festus. "Let's go see if we can get more information from here."
Kitty stepped out of Doc's spare room when Matt, Festus and Doc entered the physician's office.
"Kitty," Doc said slipping out of his coat. "Is she awake?"
"Yes," Kitty said nodding her head. "She just woke up about an hour ago."
Liza heard the voices coming from the other room and wondered if it was her they were all talking about.
Looking toward the window in the room, she smiled when Eddie gently opened it and slipped inside.
"What are you doing?" Liza whispered as Eddie looked down at her. "They're all in the other room!"
"I won't be long," Eddie said with a weary grin. "Looking at stealing a horse and buggy. I'll be around to get you tonight!"
"Alright," Liza said waving him away. "Go now! Hurry!"
Eddie nodded before climbing out the window and gently shutting it as the door to the bedroom opened and Kitty walked in.
"Liza," she said as the girl looked toward her. "The Marshal would like to ask you a few questions."
Matt stepped inside the room and smiled at the girl before taking a seat next to her.
"Festus tells me that you thought Indians are the ones that attacked your family," Matt said as Liza nodded her head.
"I don't think they did Marshal," Liza said harshly. "I know they did! I seen them! I swear it!"
Matt sighed in frustration before he met the girl's eyes. "Are you sure," he said slowly. "This is a very serious charge and if I wire Fort Dodge about an Indian attack, a lot of innocent people are goingto be put in harms way."
"I don't know what else you want me to say, Marshal!" Liza said sternly. "I'm telling you what I saw!"