Rescue or Recovery?

PT.17

Constable Morrow had gathered up Carter and Kassick along with the boat captain and took them in for questioning. He realized the captain didn't actually know much of what was going on. He was just employed by Shaw to care for his boat and drive any time he took it out. He had never given him any details of their plans that day. When questioning the men, Carter and Kassick admitted he had no part in any of the plan Shaw put in place. Morrow released him.

"Ok, you two, you both realize I have a long list of charges against you. And depending on what happens at the hospital, I may be adding murder to that list."

"Hey now, wait a minute!" Carter yelled out. "It was Shaw that wanted the redhead at the bottom of the river. She didn't mean a thing to us. If ya ask me, that is a waste of a lot of woman."

Now rolling his eyes, Kassick huffed out a breath. "Who you kidding? She was a wild cat, Carter. Red was givin' nothin' like us the time of day. That's fer sure."

It would have been amusing to Morrow had the situation not been so dire. "Alright, alright, you two. You two are going to be my guests, till I get further word from the hospital. Let's go in the cell."

Things weren't looking hopeful for Kitty. Her vitals weren't improving. Her breathing remained shallow even with the oxygen. The doctors insisted William and Hilda leave. Visiting hours were over.

It was late when Matt showed back up at the hospital. The doctors gave him the news. Matt tried insisting that the doctor let him stay in the room with Kitty, so she would know he was there, close by. He knew Doc would understand his thinking and he knew Kitty would feel his presence, his love. She needed him. She needed him as much as he needed her. But how could he make them understand?

Kitty lay unconscious in her room, restless, tossing. The room was dark. Over and over in her head, flashes of pictures, faces; Shaw, Kassick, Carter. Then being tossed in the water, struggling, trying to get loose. Screaming for help, praying, wishing for Matt to come and help. If only he knew. If only he knew what was going on and where I am. "Oh, Cowboy, where are you? I need you!" She was still thrashing in the bed, struggling to breathe, panicking. "Cow-boy?"

Slowly the door opened. She heard the footsteps. She started to relax. She could see the large figure. "You're here." She mumbled. Then she felt something come down over her face. She began to fight, kicking and clawing as hard as she could.

Then suddenly, again the door opened and she felt the pressure release and heard a scuffle ensue. Shaw? Matt and Shaw were now fighting blow for blow. Shaw had dressed in a doctor's white jacket and snuck in Kitty's room without being recognized. He had covered her face with a bed pillow, attempting to suffocate her. But he was interrupted when Matt and her doctor entered her room.

Matt had Shaw on the floor pounding him in a rage. Dr. Madison had called for security who now came rushing in, attempting to pull Matt from him.

"Sir, Sir, release him, now. We will arrest you, Sir."

Suddenly Dr. Madison spoke up. "Gentlemen, this is Marshal Dillon. He apprehended this man who was trying to suffocate my patient. This man here is the one you need to remove and arrest. Remove him and deliver him to Constable Morrow."

"Yes, Doctor."

Matt ran his hand through his hair. "Now, I'm not leaving Kitty alone."

"But, Marshal…"

"That wasn't a question. I'm staying with her at all times.

Dr. Madison saw the expression on Matt's face and decided not to argue.

Matt sat close to Kitty and enveloped her in his arms. "You're safe now, Kitty. I'm here." Laying her head on his chest. "I'm right here."

Dodge City, Kansas

Barney ran across Front Street. "Doc!"

Doc frowned as he descended the stairs from his office. "Barney, what in thunder?"

"Doc, it's a wire. It's from the Marshal!"

"Ok, Barney. But must you broadcast it across Front Street?"

"Sorry, Doc, but I thought you'd want to know. It's serious, urgent."

Now reaching to grab the wire from his hand, "Ah, just give it to me!"

Doc started to read then saw, "KITTY ILL, Can you come?"

He knew this was urgent for Matt to ask him to come. He crumbled the paper in his hand. "Barney, find Newly for me, will ya?"

"Sure, Doc."

Doc headed for the train station, purchased a ticket for the next train out to St. Louis. He quickly headed for the Long Branch to let Sam and Festus know what he was planning and that he would contact them as soon as he knew more. Then when Newly showed up, "Newly, I need you to look out after my patients while I'm gone, if you don't mind."

"Doc, what did the Marshal say?"

"All he said is he found Kitty and she was ill and could I come. Not much more. But if he's asking me…"

Nodding, "I understand, Doc. If Marshal Dillon is asking for you…"

All four men looked at one another, all afraid to say what they were thinking.

"I'm leaving on tonight's train." Doc told them.

Fetus and Newly saw Doc off at the train. As Doc took his seat, he sat and looked out the window. The sky was clear. He swiped his mustache with his eyes pooling up. "Aw, Kitty Honey."

TBC