Kitty pulled the heavy patchwork quilt up around her neck and closed her eyes. Although she was very tired from the long ride, her mind could not keep from thinking about the payroll on board the stagecoach. She curled up into a ball and tried to push the thoughts of what might happen out of her head. Matt seemed confident nothing would happen and she should be happy with that, however, a strange feeling swept over her.

Kitty rolled over and tried to think of things other than the stagecoach journey back to Dodge. Her eyes opened again and she could see Doc and Jonas still playing checkers out in the other room. A slight smile curled her lips and slowly she closed her eyes and she fell asleep.

Jonas stretched, "I suppose we should get some rest," he yawned as he the looked at his pocket watch. It was close to eleven in the evening.

Doc nodded, "You're right," he said as he slowly stood up from the table. "I'll take that cot over there," Doc pointed to a cot near the door.

"That's fine," Jonas said as he headed for a cot on the opposite side of the room, "Night," he mumbled.

"Good night, Jonas," Doc said as walked to his cot, while he pulled off his coat and laid down pulling his jacket over top of him for added warmth. His head had barely hit the pillow and his eyes clamped shut and he as asleep.

Jonas was more restless and took a few minutes to finally unwind and relax enough to sleep. The room was quiet, except for the crackling sound of the fire in the large stone fireplace at the centre of the room - the fire cast a warm orange glow around the room which was a stark contrast of the dark moonless night.

Matt pulled a horse blanket over him for added warmth in the spacious barn. There was only one oil lamp burning in the barn where the horses and the stagecoach were housed. Matt drew a deep breath figuring it was going to be a long night and a longer day tomorrow. He was quite upset with the army and their secret decision to ship the payroll the way they did. He wasn't pleased that it was placing his friends in danger, whether anything happens or not - it didn't sit well with him.

Matt mulled over in his mind whether or not to tell Doc and Jonas, and he decided that he would, rather then them having heard about it after the fact and second-hand. He could then rely on both men as back-up if need be. He didn't want them involved, but he saw no other choice short of leaving everyone at the stage stop, and he knew that wouldn't go over well.

The marshal tried to rationalize the chances of something happening, and if only the army and the driver know of the payroll, chances were extremely thin. This gave Matt pause and he felt a little better about the situation and he relaxed slightly.

Grover Dolan and Malcolm Sage sat opposite each other. "You know we could spell each other off," Dolan suggested to both Matt and Sage.

"I'd rather the marshal and myself spell off," Sage said cooly. He wasn't sure he like Dolan either.

Dolan stood and walked to the barn door, "Have it your way. I'm going to bed, then," he sneered back.

Matt watched the stage stop owner leave then his eyes came back to Sage. "I don't trust him. About as far as I can bounce and anvil in a swamp," Sage said sternly to Matt. Matt nodded, I can understand that," he said as he tried to get just a little bit more comfortable. "I'll take the first watch," Matt stated. "I'll wake you up around two."

"Fine," Sage said with an irritated tone about his voice. The driver pulled his blanket up over his shoulders and leaned his head back onto the stagecoach whee. At least he'd be assured that the coach couldn't be moved without his knowing it.

Matt folded his arms across his chest and sighed. Indeed it was going to be a long night.

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Dwight Hodgson continued to sit and stir the fire while both Frank Elcombe and James Doris slept. He mulled over his plan over and over again - going through each of the details making sure he had all the angles covered. He smiled. His plan he had in his mind flawless and he could hardly wait for morning to arrive to launch his attack and make him and his friends richer than they had ever been before in their lives. An evil grin crossed his weathered face and his grey eyes looked into the fire. As he continued to think, he bit at his lower lips to ward off any giggles that were building inside him.

It was now almost three in the morning and the night was still cold and dark. Hodgson finally decided to get a few hours sleep. He knew that when morning came, his two friends would be eager to get on the road and do the deed. And so was he.

Hodgson pulled a navy blue wool blanket up his chest and laid back to rest his head on his saddle. The night wind was a bit cool, however, with the fire going, it wasn't too bad. Hodgson closed his eyes and tried to imagine what he might do with all his money. A shave, bath and a new suit all came to mind. Again a calculated smile spread across his face. He even chuckled to himself as he continued to think about being rich and not in the army. And the way he had it planned out in his mind, Sergeant Williams or no one from the army would find him again.

Hodgson never asked Elcombe and Doris what they might do with their "new found" money. In someways he wanted to know, and in others he really didn't care. All they had to do is remember that once the deed was done, they could not see each other for several months, nor ever speak of the incident. That is what made Hodgson the most uneasy, however, he wasn't going to worry about that just yet. He'll wait until after they steal the money before he addressed that issue.