Rescue or Recovery?
PT.14
Matt made his way towards the river dock. Looking around, seeing the workers loading and unloading their wears, Matt began questioning workers. Many couldn't help because they didn't understand English. Others just would point him in the direction of someone else. Boats were moving in and out of the docking area.
Matt felt a tugging on his vest from behind. "Mister? Mister?"
Turning, he saw the small boy Lucas. "Son? What is it?"
"Mister..." he was now pointing out and down the river. "That there is one of the men. Him!"
Matt now saw the man he was pointing at standing on the deck smoking a cigar. "Lucas, are you sure?"
"Sure, I'm sure. He was the one yelling at the pretty redheaded lady."
Matt's face turned red and he rushed to look around for a boat he could get on that would catch up to these men. He had to catch them before they got too far.
Lemp House
Hilda entered the library, seeing William upset. "Father, we need to talk."
"Not now, Hilda."
"Yes, Father, now! There are some things I need to say and things you need to hear." Claudia turned to leave the room but Hilda grabbed her arm. "No, Mother. Stay. You need to hear this as well. Please sit, both of you. As you know I am a grown woman and I am capable of making decisions, decisions for myself and my life. And yes, I know you're going to say I'm a woman and I should do only as I'm told. But, Father, times are changing. Women are doing much more on their own. Look at Miss Russell. She is beautiful, smart and a wonderfully successful businesswoman and you and Grandfather both respected and trusted her enough to do business with her. Am I right?"
William couldn't help but agree and also be proud of how smart his daughter was.
"Father, I'm not going to marry Louis Shaw. I've worked much too hard, learning everything I could and doing everything I could to make you and Grandfather proud of me and accept that I could be every bit as valuable to this family as a son." She now stared him eye to eye.
"When Kitty came here a few years ago, she only made me know more than ever just how right I was. And she made me know how proud I am of what and who I am. So you can either accept me or not." She now stood and kissed them both.
She turned and as she walked out of the room, "Hilda, where you going?" Claudia asked.
"To help the Marshal find Miss Kitty."
Shaw's men rushed the boat down the river, not knowing they'd been seen.
Kassick, going below, looked at Kitty. "Well, Red, guess it's the end of the line for you."
Furrowing her brow, "What? Where we going? Where are you taking me."
Now laughing, "Ah, nowhere." He reached for a large rope.
Kitty began to back up but she didn't have anywhere to really go. "Wait a minute. What are you doing?"
"Boss says to tie ya up and take you for a deep swim. Hahaha."
"NO, NO! You can't…"
He already had a large rope tied around her chest and stomach, holding her arms tight to her. Now pulling her to her feet She was fighting him as he forced her to the upper deck.
Hilda made her way to the family plant, questioning Miss Jennings. Mrs. Jennings explained that William and Matt had been there and found Kitty's kerchief and that Matt had left heading down the street on foot. Hilda wasn't sure where he'd be headed but walked around asking if anyone saw or spoke with a tall cowboy. Many pointed her in the direction of the river docks. Hilda remembered Louis had a boat docked there.
Searching the area, she questioned folks on the dock. Hilda was approached by Lucas. "Miss? Miss, you lookin' fer the big man in the big hat?"
Stooping down to talk to him, "Yes, I am. Did you talk to him?"
"Yes, Miss, he was lookin' fer the pretty lady. Two men took her on that boat down the river. He's gone to find a boat to catch them."
Taking his hand and ruffling his hair, "Thank you. You've been a big help." Reaching in her reticule, she handed him twenty-five cents. "Here ya go."
"Wow, thank you."
Hilda rushed to try and find Matt. Walking along the boardwalk that ran along the river, she looked at all the faces, grabbing the arm of every large man who could be Matt. After several wrong men, she finally saw a man bent over a small rowboat, climbing in. Grabbing his shoulder, "Marshal? Marshal Dillon?"
Turning quickly, "Yes?"
"I'm Hilda."
Nodding, "Yes, I remember. What are you doing down here?"
"Same thing you are. Trying to find Miss Kitty."
"You just stay here. It's not safe. She's on that boat. I'm going after them."
"No! Marshal, I'm going with you. That's Louis' boat." Now staring at him. "Please?" She didn't wait for an answer. She climbed in. "Well? What are you waiting for?"
Shaking his head, "Women!"
Matt was rowing as fast as he could and Hilda knew why.
"Marshal, I'm so sorry for everything that has happened and how this has affected Miss Kitty. She just tried to help me."
"It's not your fault, Hilda. This is your father and Shaw's doing. But right now, first things first, and that's getting to Kitty and making sure she is safe."
As they were talking, Hilda looked up with a look of shock on her face. "Oh my, Marshal! What's that they're doing?"
When the two looked up, they could see one of the men throwing something overboard making a large splash. It went into the water but didn't resurface.
TBC
