PT.5

My Family, My Choice!

Matt, Festus and the men had worked night and day, digging. Matt had the idea to dig an adjacent whole to the well as deep as to where the boys were, then across to the boys. Then bring them up though that one, since it would be stronger and since they were able to shore it up with supports. After two long days and nights, they finally reached the boys.

Everyone was exhausted. Doc stayed for a while to treat the boys, while the others all headed back to town. Sam and Ma Smalley had cooked and set up for all the men to have food and drinks after their ordeal.

After a while, little by little, they began to dwindle out and go back to their own homes. By now, Doc was back in town as well. Festus came in with him, making sure he got back ok.

Matt had just gone to the Dodge House and laid out on the bed, falling asleep. Then waking later, he figured he'd better head to the Long Branch. He hadn't seen Kitty since he got back. He knew she'd understand about the urgency of the boys, but still he was gone a long time.

As he crossed the street and entered the Long Branch, it was fairly empty. "Sam?"

"Marshal, there's still food if you have a mind to eat."

"Ahhh, no thanks, Sam. I think I'd better wait and see Kitty first."

"Miss Kitty's not here, Marshal."

"Not here? Where is…"

"Marshal, that's what I was trying to tell you the day you were all running out to the farm to help with the boys." Sam tried to explain.

"Well, Sam, where is she?"

"New Orleans. Here, she left this for you."

Matt shrugging his shoulders and rolling his eyes. "What did I do now?"

"Oh, Marshal, she wasn't angry. She did seem distracted though. She got an envelope, a rather large envelope. She didn't tell me what was in it, but after she and Doc came back from the Foster's, she packed and went. She asked me to give you this note."

Matt took it from Sam, and began to read.

Matt,
I'm sorry, I had to go before you got back, but this is something I have to take care of and have to do it now. I should be back in a few days.

Kitty

Something about this didn't sit well with him. Generally, Kitty told him everything. But this note was vague. Was she alright? Is she safe? All the usual questions were going through his head. But she said she'd be back in a few days and that would mean she's on her way back then. "So, she'll tell me all about it when she gets here. Yeah, she'll tell me all about it."

Kitty went to the offices of LaTrese and DuPree. When she entered, Edward LaTrese met her in the
outside office. "Oh, I'd recognize you anywhere, Miss Russell."

"Is that so?" Kitty answered. "Well, then you have me at a disadvantage, Mr...?"

"Allow me. Edward LaTrese. Won't you come into my office? Can I get you something to drink?"

Kitty smiled. "I…"

"Fresh coffee?"

"Alright, thank you."

Handing her a cup of coffee, "Please, sit and be comfortable."

"Look, Mr. LaTrese. I've come a long way. So can we dispense with the small talk and get to why you summoned me here?"

"Oh, my dear, summoned is such a harsh word."

"Spare me the charm, please? What is it you want from me?"

"Well, I am here to speak to you on behalf of the family of your great-aunt Constance LaRouge."

"What about her? And what do you mean, 'on behalf of'? Has something happened to…"

"I shall tell you all you need to know. Be patient, my dear."

"Well, on with it. What has happened and what is this 'On Behalf Of' business?" Now her temper was starting to flare. She was thinking. "If the family had something to say, why weren't they just saying it to her themselves?"

"Miss Russell, Constance LaRouge is, as you know, a very old woman. And her family feels that her mind isn't, well, shall we say, with her all of the time?"

"Aunt Constance's mind is just fine. And what is it they all feel that her mind isn't right about? Get to the point Mr. LaTrese."

"In the past several months, the family has retained me and my firm to handle family affairs and that includes Miss Constance's last will."

"Oh, I see. Someone in the family doesn't like what it says. Is that it?"

"You might say that, Miss Russell. I have been directed to make some changes to said will and this is where you come in." He said pacing the room.

"And just how is that?" Kitty asked with an arched brow.

"It seems she had named you as executer of her will, which means I need your help. I need to make sure Miss LaRogue has not made any frivolous decisions with her estate."

"Let me get this straight, Mr. LaTrese. You want, and the family wants to know what is in Aunt Constance's will so you can try to change it. If indeed she has left them all out of it? And you can't do that without Aunt Constance's knowledge. Am I correct? So you want to use me."

And as she finished her sentence, she let out a bellowing laugh. She stood up, picked up her hat, walked slowly towards the door and stopped. Turning slowly, looking at him, with her jaws clinched so tight, her face was now crimson. "ABSOLUTELY NOT! Do you hear me? I will not! How dare you? How dare they? Now I remember why I got away from this family all those years ago." Kitty turned and walked out, slamming the door behind her.

"But, Miss Russell…" LaTrese was saying, running out after her.

But Kitty didn't stop.

Reginald was waiting. "Where to, Miss Russell?"

"Reginald, do you know LaRogue Manor?"

"Oh, yes, Ma'am. Of course I do."

"Please take me there."

"Yes, Ma'am, at once. Begging your pardon, Ma'am. Are you alright?"

"Yes, Reginald, I'll be fine."

"Did you know the LaRogue's when you lived here, Miss?"

"Constance LaRogue is my great-aunt on my mother's side."

"Well, then you have come home." He said smiling at her.

She just returned the smile.

TBC