Mid afternoon, Matt waited outside the jail and sighed when he seen Festus ridding into town on Ruth.
"Matthew," he said climbing down off the mule. "I tell ya, that ol man Willard is as crazy as they come."
"Oh, what'd you find out?" Matt said opening the door to the jail, he closed it once Festus walked in.
"Weren't no cattle rustlers," Festus stated getting a cup of coffee. "That there fence of his was so wore out, those cattle just pushed that section down and walked right on out. Took me half the day to fix it and round up the cows."
"That's to bad," Matt said running a hand though his hair.
"What's a been going on around here," Festus replied looking at the Marshal. "You ain't never been the nervousiee type, Matthew. What's a bothering you anyhow?"
"Before we get into that," Matt said holding out his hand. "Why don't you pass me your gun and belt."
"Alright," Festus said scrunching up one eye. "What's all this about?"
"I'm going to tell you but you have to trust me on this," Matt said looking at his friend. "The gun, please."
Festus undid his gun belt and passed it over to the Marshal meekly enough. "Alright, ya got it," he said angrily. "Now tell me what's got ya so worked up!"
"Cal Strom came into town today to use the telegraph office," Matt said putting the gun belt on his desk before turning back to the hillman. "Abelia went to check some messages for Newly and Cal seen her."
Festus looked at Matt, he didn't like where this was going and had a feeling he wasn't getting the whole story. "And," hey said harshly. "What did that yahoo do, did he hurt her?"
"Now calm down," Matt said watching Festus hands clinch suddenly into fists. "She's resting up at Doc's."
Festus shot Matt an angry look as he opened the door to the jail and headed over to Doc's office. Rushing up the stairs, he opened the door as Doc looked up from his desk.
"Doc," Festus said as the older man stood up.
"Festus, what's the matter with you," Doc said shuffling toward him. "Don't come running up here like that!"
"Where's Abelia?" Festus said agitated.
"In the back room," Doc said motioning toward the back with his head. "She was asleep!"
Festus took off his hat and dropped in the chair near the doorway as he sat on the side of the bed.
"Bee," he said gently taking in to account her bruised face and the cast on her wrist supported by a pillow underneath it.
Abelia smiled as he brushed the side of her face with his finger. "You're back," she said a tear sliding down her face.
"Shhhh," Festus said bending down to kiss her cheek. "Don't ya go getting all upset now, Doc'll have ma head."
Abelia smiled again as Festus stood up. "You sleep, I'll be back ta get you later."
Doc waited until the hillman came into his office again before heading for the door.
Festus followed the physician outside closing the door behind him.
"She gonna be alright, ain't she Doc," Festus said once they were down the stairs.
"She'll be fine," Doc said heading toward the Long Branch. "I'm more worried about you."
"Me," Festus replied incredulously. "Why ya worried about me for?"
"Because," Doc replied looking at him. "Matt's gonna go get that Cal Strom and you need to keep your head straight when they get back!"
"Wal ya ain't got nuthin ta worry bout," Festus said taking a seat inside the saloon. "I can't do nuthin. Matthew done took ma gun and he gonna be with that feller when he comes back so it's not like I can beat him ta death, which is what I'd like ta do but I won't!"
"Well, good," Doc said looking at Kitty. "Just so we understand each other."
"Have a beer Festus," Kitty said evenly. "Ma's got the children."
"Much obliged Miss Kitty," Festus said quietly. "Just a wish I had been here when that feller attacked her."
"No you don't," Doc said sipping his beer. "You would have killed him, then Matt would have arrested you, then you'd be in big trouble, then where'd Abelia and the kids be?"
Festus shook his head as he looked at Kitty. "I hate when he's right!"
Matt easily rode into Strom's camp but was stopped by the Judge himself.
"Marshal," the judge said crossing his arms. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Where's your son?" Matt said looking around the camp.
"He's here," Judge Strom said slowly. "Why?"
"He attacked a woman in town today," Matt replied crossing his arms. "I'm going to have to take him in to face charges!"
"Come now Marshal," Strom said putting his hands into the pocket of his coat. "The way my son explained it, the saloon girl wouldn't return his affections, you know these young men."
Matt pursed his lips before he spoke. "That wasn't a saloon girl he attacked, judge," Matt said firmly. "It was Mr. Haggens wife! Now, I think you are going want to turn him over to me if you are still interested in pursuing any lawsuit against Festus and Kitty."