Chapter 13

Being the only doctor for almost a hundred miles in any direction doesn't lead to a peaceful life. In all honesty I enjoy being busy and using the skills I learned long ago in my youth, together with others I've acquired along the way. All the same I wouldn't have minded a little help here and there. Mrs. O'Day had been a great assistant. She'd been in town for almost a week and had visited Jennie Wilson every day. She reported to me that Jennie was doing well and the young couple were now anxious to continue their journey to Wichita to help her parents run the farm they'd worked for many years.

It had been three days since my conversation with Festus. I checked on Jennie Wilson and was amazed by her progress and rapid recovery. Donny sat beside her with his arm around her shoulders and listened carefully while I instructed them that she was to rest for at least three hours every afternoon for the next month and no lifting anything heavier than a dinner plate. The young couple had very little money so I refused to accept any payment from them, but Donny assured me he'd send what they owed as soon as he got a job in Wichita. Somehow I believed him.

Daylight was starting to fade as I left the boarding house to go find something for supper. As I walked to Delmonico's I gradually became aware that a pair of jangly spurs were coming up behind me. "I can hear you Festus," I called over my shoulder.

"Was ya' gonna eat supper by any chance, Doc?" he asked in what for Festus passed as a polite tone of voice.

"I was planning to eat alone," I told him in the sternest tone I could muster.

"Don't get yer' dander up!" He was walking beside me now and pulled something from his pocket. It was a lavender colored envelope.

"Where'd you get that?" I was almost angry that he'd picked up my personal mail.

"Open yer' ears and listen here a minute, Doc. If I hadn't got this here letter from Miss Kitty for ya' ta be a readin' of, you'd a had ta wait till Charlie opened up the mail office again tomorrer mornin'. So I thought ta myself, Festus, that ol' scudder will be so pleased ta get this here letter that he'd be proud ta buy ya' supper."

I tried to snatch the envelope from his hand but he was faster than me.

"Jes' wait 'till we's a seated an' ol' Joe takes our order. Then ya' can be a readin' what Miss Kitty's writin' be tellin' us." He spoke slowly, well slowly for Festus, trying to sound as if he was explaining something to a child. I frowned in reply but it looked like I had no choice but to follow his instructions.

We entered the cafe together and of course Festus ordered the most expensive steak on the menu and topped it off with 4 eggs. He also ordered two slices of pie for dessert and coffee to wash it all down. After that I thought I'd better stick with the beef stew or else I'd need to be talking to Mr. Botkin about a loan.

With a great flourish, the deputy pulled Kitty's letter from his pocket and set it on the table, his hand still hovering threateningly over it.

"Now ya' ol' quakety-quack. Do ya' need me ta open it it for ya'?"

"No thank you, Festus, I'm quite capable of doing it myself." I picked up a knife from the table and carefully slit along the lavender colored flap.

There were just two sheets of Kitty's neat, precise hand writing. As I started through the first page my stomach knotted up so tight that I thought I might not be able to eat that stew when it arrived.

My dearest Friend

This will probably be my last letter before we head home. So much happened these last few days that there is no way I can write it all down. Matt is tired of being in Denver, he feels he's been gone far too long and now Dodge City is relentlessly pulling on him to return.

As I said I can't possibly write about everything that's happened and indeed I was not witness to many of those events or the ones taking place now. First let me say that Matt and Amos were greatly disappointed by the local sheriff. Disappointed might be too mild a word to express their comments about him. Apparently he didn't think Matt's story of the killings plaguing so many towns over the last twenty years had much merit. Furthermore he believed any murders taking place in that particular section of Denver were none of his concern. It boiled down to the fact that if Matt and Amos wanted to pursue Hank Delaney and his accomplice they were on their own. I'm so very worried about what's going to happen now because I understand Matt well enough to know that come hell or high water, he's not about to give up. I'm also aware that his eagerness to return to Dodge will make him try to hurry things along. You know as well as I do that bad things can happen if speed is the priority. Even Jeffrey has talked with him about the risks he's taking, but you know how our marshal treats such advice. Amos of course remains calm while he chews on that half smoked cigar but I know he will go along with whatever Matt decides because he too is a lawman to the core.

"Tell me what she says Doc." The voice from across the table reminded me that Festus was still waiting to hear the contents of the letter I was almost afraid to share.

"In a minute. Let me read a little more." Should I tell him about the Sheriff's lack of interest in the murders? How he brushed off Matt and Amos as not understanding how things work in Denver? The deputy would probably be on the next Santa Fe headed west - or more likely saddling up that old mule of his.

As planned we all went to see the The Barber of Saville this evening. I was so enthralled with the entire extravagant production that for a while I forgot my own worries and concerns. The music, the powerful voices and the elegant costumes carried me away to another world. The last act concludes with Figaro finally managing to get the lovers, Count Almaviva and Rosina married. Bartolo arrives after all is done and although he wanted Rosina for himself he has no choice but to bless the happy couple. The whole cast wishes them all kinds of love and happiness for their future together. It brought me a sad kind of happiness Doc ... I just wonder if that will ever... but you know how I feel about Matt.

It was then that I noticed Matt and Amos were no longer in their seats. I felt kind of stunned until Jeffrey took my arm and we walked out of the the auditorium amid the rest of the retreating audience. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the performance as much as I did. I overheard little pieces of conversation between people who recounted this aria or that scene. Jeffrey decided we should visit the small, but plush bar just off the foyer and wait for Matt and Amos to show up. We sat in a booth sipping on very fine brandy but I could tell he was on edge.

We stayed there while people drifted in and out. Gradually the bar emptied until we were almost the only ones left. Jeffrey decided he was going to take me back to the hotel where I'd be safe while he went to look for Matt and Amos.

That's what happened Doc - I went from the dazzling opulence of the opera to sitting in this hotel room worrying what was happening to Matt. All I can think of is the danger they are in. I can only imagine that the two lawmen are tracking down the killer and it's taking longer than they thought. Maybe they planned to set some kind of a trap for him or perhaps they're searching every alleyway in that part of town. Now Jeffrey has gone to join the hunt, so I'm concerned about all three. I know Matt and Amos must have had some plan in mind, so if it all works out we will be leaving here very soon.

But now I sit alone in this room, Doc. The man I love is wandering around the bad part of town together with Sheriff Hockley. I hate to think about it but Jeffrey is out there with them too, and he certainly doesn't have the skills of a seasoned lawman. I don't even know if he's ever fired a gun. So I'm here at this old writing desk with only a pen and paper for companions. You know I'm not a great believer Doc but if I were, my sincerest prayer would be that this will end soon. If I try hard I can picture us all sitting safely around that table in the Long Branch where Matt can tell you everything that happened this night. Keep trying to imagine that scene too Doc, because I remember how you told me those same words years ago. Today I still believe they were part of the reason Matt came home safely to us after his ordeal with Lon Gorman. Come to think of it Amos Hockley was there that time as well.

Take care my friend. I am sure we will all be home soon.

K

How could I possibly explain all that to the deputy sitting across the table? I had little appetite left for the plate of stew sitting in front of me. Festus was staring at me too which made me push the plate away.

"Waal?" he questioned.

"Remember, Festus that the letter I'm reading was written at least two nights ago. They might already be on their way home." I noticed that he'd finished the steak and eggs he'd ordered and was eyeing my dish of stew.

"If ya' ain't gonna eat that Doc..." I pushed it towards him.

"Ya' can talk while I'm eatin'," he announced as if I thought listening would dampen his appetite.

"Apparently the sheriff wasn't too interested in helping Matt and Amos. The last thing Kitty tells me is that they were off somewhere in the bad part of town looking for the killer and his friend. They were hoping to arrest both before another murder took place. After that they would all be on the next train home."

He actually stopped eating and took a moment to look up at me.

"When I finish eatin' these fine vittles Doc, I'll go on down to th' depot an' find out if they're on th' next train. Don't ya' be a'worryin' none. I'll find 'em."

I smiled. Festus was a good man to have around when things got out of hand. Of course I could never tell him that. Suddenly he was the one trying to give me hope. I dropped some coins on the table and told him I'd see him later. My mind was in a dark turmoil as I walked slowly back to my office.

TBC