Rescue or Recovery
PT.9
Dodge City, Kansas
Lying, listening to the early morning sounds of the day, still tossing and turning, it was a restless night for Matt. He understood Kitty's reasons for making this trip. Business, she had said, oh and the wedding. But she had been gone about a full week. He was missing her and had no idea when she was returning. Ugh! Tossing again on the cot in the office, he tried ignoring the sounds of old man Sims' squeaky milk cart.
Lying with a pillow pulled over his head, he was thinking, "This must be how Kitty feels when I'm gone." He still hadn't received a letter or wire from her. This was unlike Kitty. Finally getting up, walking across the room, and looking in the mirror on the wall, he said to himself, "Sheesh, you look awful."
Deciding to splash his face with cold water, suddenly he heard the jingle of spurs on the boardwalk and whistling. Just as he leaned to peak out the window, in a flash, the door opened.
"Matthew? Matthew?"
"Festus, I'm right here."
Festus was standing, holding a string full of catfish. "Looky here. Hope yer hungry. These here catfish were'a biting this morning."
"Festus…" He started and rubbed his hand over his face, then realized it wasn't worth saying anything. Shaking his head, 'Yeah, yeah, go on cook em up. I'm gonna take a look around the street."
"Matthew? Still ain't hear'd from Miz Kitty, huh?"
Rollin' his eyes, No Festus' …. No!
St. Louis, Missouri
Hilda was awake and dressed, making her way down the hall. Stopping just outside Kitty's room, she lightly tapped on her door. "Miss Kitty? Miss Kitty? It's Hilda. Are you…" She was now, slowly opening the door. Although Louis had said Kitty had him pass on a message that she had gone back to Dodge City for an emergency, Hilda had a gut feeling. She didn't trust Louis. There was something in his demeanor. She had learned to read people from William and John.
As she entered the room, she found Myra, the maid, cleaning up the room. She was coming out of the water room holding one of Kitty's nightgowns. Hilda looked at her surprised.
"Myra?"
"Oh, Miss Hilda. I was just straightening up for Miss Russell."
"Myra, did you see Miss Russell?"
"No, Miss." She answered. "But…"
"But what, Myra?" Hilda questioned. Myra now, lowered her eyes, hesitating. "Myra?"
"Well, Miss Hilda, last night Mr. Shaw suggested that I pack up Miss Russell's things."
"Mr. Shaw asked you to do this? Why?"
"All he said was Miss Russell had to leave suddenly and…" Again she lowered her eyes.
"Hummmmmm, it's okay, Myra. Pack them but just leave them in here. I'll handle this."
"Yes, Miss Hilda."
Kitty, groggy, stirred, stretching and rubbing her neck. She was sitting on a crate, balancing herself against the wall. Getting up and leaning against the wood plank, she was listening, hoping to hear voices. Again, all she could hear were the loud vats.
Then suddenly, she heard what sounded like large barrels sliding. Thinking to herself, "Oh good, someone is out there. Now she was being hopeful. "Hello! Hello out there! Can anyone hear me?"
Just then the wood door opened. "Now, now, Miss Russell. No one can hear you and no one will hear you."
Her eyes widened. "Well now, why am I not surprised?"
"Miss Russell, you're a smart woman. I knew you'd put two and two together."
"Do you really think you can keep me here? You know, someone will be…"
Cutting her off, "Ah, Miss Russell, yes I've considered that. That is why I'm moving you."
Inhaling and eyes wide, "What? Where to?"
Smiling in a sinister fashion, "You needn't concern yourself." Then turning, and waving his hand …Two men entered. "Take her!"
Her jaw dropped, as she took a step back. "Wait one minute. Don't you touch me."
"Now, Miss Russell, we can do this one of two ways, the easy way, or…"
Exhaling, tightening her jaw, her stare could burn a hole throw them. "Where are we going?"
Waving his hand through the doorway. "Right this way, Ma'am. Oh and if your think of trying anything stupid…" He began patting his side pocket. "Don't, it won't be pleasant."
Tilting her head, "Oh I wouldn't dream of it." She answered sarcastically.
Hilda hurried through breakfast. "Father, Mother, I have a few errands to run in town. I'll be…"
Quickly William cut in. "Hilda, what is so important? You know I don't like you going into town alone."
"Oh, Father, please. I'm a grown woman. I just have some things to do. Women things."
"And you can't wait till your mother or I, or even Louis, are free?"
Quickly, she answered. "NO! There are some things I'd like to do alone. Please?"
"Well, take one of the servants. I'd feel better you not be alone."
"Oh, Father, alright."
After she finished, Hilda grabbed her reticule then went to the kitchen, seeing the cook. "Madeline?
Madeline, is Ali around? I'd like her to go to town with me."
"Miss Hilda, she helping Myra with the rooms."
"Ok, I'll find her." Ali, was Madeline's daughter. She was about the same age as Hilda. She grew up in the house. They played together as small children and were more like sisters. Hilda could take Ali with her and not feel like she was being spied on. She could trust her. They shared secrets. Ali knew all Hilda's secrets. She knew Hilda didn't want to marry Louis. She knew she could even trust her to explain why she was going to town if need be.
The two girls climbed into the carriage and headed for town. "Hilda, I'm real glad you asked me to come with you today. I think this will be fun." As Hilda turned and looked at her friend, Ali could now see the expression on Hilda's face. "Hilda, is something wrong? Are you ok?"
"Ali, I don't know. Maybe not but I need to know that if I tell you something, I can trust you to keep it just between us. Can I?"
"Oh, Hilda, of course, just like always. You know that. Pinky swear." She was now holding up her pinky finger. This was something they'd done since they were little girls.
Tightly hooking their pinky's together, "Ok then. Ali, I'm pretty sure Miss Russell is in trouble and I… well, if you are with me, we have to try and help her."
"Oh, Hilda, what kind of trouble?"
"Not real sure just yet but I think Louis is involved."
Covering her mouth with her hand, inhaling deep. "Oh no, Hilda!"
Nodding, "Yes, Ali. Last night Louis told Father and I that Miss Russell had an emergency and went back to Dodge City."
"Ok, why do you think that wouldn't be true?"
"Ali, I don't think she would have just left and said nothing, not even a goodbye."
"But if it was an emergency…" Ali asked.
"Ali, all her things are still in her room. Everything."
"Oh, Hilda? What can we do?"
"Well, first thing, I'm gonna send a wire to Dodge City."
"Dodge City?" Ali repeated.
Nodding, "Yes. See Miss Russell has a very good friend… Well…" Now smiling, "I think he's more than a friend, but he's a United States Marshal. And if she is in trouble, I'd think he would want to know."
"Well then, let's do it." Ali agreed.
Once in town, Hilda and Ali found the telegraph office. Entering, "Good morning, Mr. Bowers."
"Morning, Miss Lemp. What can I do for you?"
"I'd like to send a wire, if you please."
"Well, yes, yes, write it out and I'll send it."
Marshal Matthew Dillon, Dodge City, Kansas
Marshal, Miss Russell is missing. Need your help. A.S.A.P.
Miss Hilda Lemp, St. Louis, Missouri
She handed it over and Bowers read it.
"Marshal? Dodge City, huh?"
"Mr. Bowers, just send it. Please?"
"Yes of course, Miss Lemp. Will you be waiting for an answer?"
"Oh that won't be necessary. He'll come."
Dodge City, Kansas
Barney sat quietly at his desk, dozing when his telegraph started tapping. When he saw the message, he knew he had to hurry and alert the marshal. Rushing out onto the street, he was asking everyone he came in contact with about Matt.
"Where's the Marshal? Anyone see the Marshal?" When he saw Festus, he yelled. "Festus! Festus! Where's Marshal Dillon?" He was now so excited he could barely speak.
"Now, Barney, hold ur taters. What'cha gittin' all cited about?"
"Festus, I got this wire for the Marshal. It's urgent! It's bout Miss Kitty!"
Just then, Matt and Doc were coming out of Delmonico's.
"Well, Matthew's right there abouts."
"What's all the excitement out here?" Matt asked as he stepped up next to them.
"Aw, Marshal, this!" He was now waving the piece of paper. "It's Miss Kitty!"
Matt could see on Barney's face it wasn't good. Grabbing the wire and reading, his eyes locked on the words… 'Miss Russell is missing'.
"Matt, what is it?" Doc asked.
"It's Kitty. She's missing, Doc."
"Matt…" But before he could finish, Matt was gone.
TBC
