Newly was sitting at Doc's desk, reading from one of the medical textbooks that the doctor kept on the top of the roll-top desk. The young deputy's head lifted as he heard the door open. Newly watched the two sergeants enter the office. Cox closed the door behind.

"Doctor Adams?" Williams asked.

Newly smiled, "No. Doc's just laying down for a while. He's exhausted," O'Brien said as he stood up. "Can I help you?"

"We've just finished talking to Miss Russell and Mr. Jonas," Williams stated. "I was hoping we could talk to the doctor as we understand that he was another passenger on the stagecoach," Williams stated.

"Why do you want to know that Kitty and Jonas couldn't tell you?" Doc said gruffly from the doorway behind Newly. Newly turned and looked at the beleaguered doctor.

"We're just checking some details," sergeant Cox replied.

"I see," Doc said as he moved into the office and looked down at Matt who remained unconscious on the examination table. "Well, if I were you two, I'd be on my horses and tracking those men right now," Doc looked over his shoulder.

Williams shot a quick glance to Cox before his eyes came back to the doctor's, "And why do you say that?"

"If Kitty and Jonas gave you their accounts, there's not much more to add to it. They are two of Dodge's most upstanding citizens. Kitty runs the cleanest and most legal saloon for miles, and Jonas is an outstanding member on town council as well as a very smart business man. I'd go so far as to talk their word for gospel," Doc turned and squared himself to the two sergeants.

Williams looked over to Cox, "I guess we'd better start after these men," he said.

Doc's eyes narrowed, "You still aren't convinced they are army, are you?" His words bit at Williams. The sergeant took one long step forward but Doc remained where he stood.

Williams looked down at the doctor, "I don't like your insinuation," he growled.

Doc huffed with half a chuckle and drew his hand across his moustache, "And what would that be?"

"I get the feeling you don't think you know what we're doing?" Williams stated.

"Oh, I know you know what you're doing. I just wonder why you aren't doing it," Doc countered.

Williams drew his jaw muscles tight. "Cox, get the men ready and find that deputy," Williams said while glaring at Doc, "I want to know where these men went."

"I'm on it," Cox said as he moved quickly to the door and left the office. Williams and Doc continued to eye each other before Williams finally broke his stare at the doctor and hastily left the office, not even closing the door behind.

"That was nervy," Matt groaned from the table. Doc and Newly stepped quickly to the marshal's side.

Doc smiled, "How are you feeling, Matt?"

"Like you where in my chest with a shovel," Matt stated as he slowly opened his eyes and rolled his head toward the doctor.

"I told you it wasn't wise of you to wander all over the countryside with that bullet in you," Doc scolded.

"I sure wouldn't have done Kitty or Jonas any good staying back up the road," Matt tried to reason.

"You should have left me to worry about that," Doc muttered as he picked up Matt's wrist and pulled his watch out of his vest pocket to that Matt's pulse. Doc seemed satisfied that Matt's condition was stabilizing. "I want you close your eyes and go back to sleep. Festus and Newly are looking after things," Doc stated.

"How are Kitty and Jonas?" Matt asked.

"A whole lot better than you. Now get some sleep," Doc said as he readjusted the blanket covering Matt. Matt didn't argue and his eyes slid closed.

Newly hovered over Doc's shoulder, "Doc?"

"Hum?" Doc looked up into the brown eyes of the deputy.

"Why did you say that stuff to Williams?" Newly asked.

Doc thought for a moment, "I'm not really sure. There is something about that sergeant I just didn't like," Doc said.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sergeant Williams stood on the boardwalk with his arms folded across his chest. He listened to Festus' story. "When I came back to see if Doc was all right, three fellas came down the stairs, here, and started shooting. They ran off down this alley and I haven't tracked them yet," Festus stated.

"Why didn't you track them?" Williams barked.

"Cause I was concerned with Doc and Matthew's well-being," Festus glared. "I also knew you was heading to Dodge and I figured that them three are your worry and not mine," Festus scrunched up his left eye.

Williams twisted his mouth in thought, "I see," he said allowing his arms to drop to his side out of frustration, mostly. He turned to face sergeant Cox, "This town is full of funny men," he growled. "Get the men mounted and we'll head down this alley," he said gruffly as he looked back over his shoulder to Festus who was busy watching the other troopers prepare for the ride. Cox nodded and moved passed Williams and gave his order for the troopers to mount up.

Williams turned back to Festus, "You are a hill man, aren't you?" he asked in a loathsome kind of way.

Festus turned and looked at the sergeant, "And yer askin' why?"

"I hear that your kind are good trackers. Better than any that the army has," Williams said hoping that he set the bait and that the hill man would take it.

"Jist what are you sayin'" Festus tightened his jaw and studied the sergeant.

"I was just wondering if you could loan yourself to the army to track these men down," Williams seemed much calmer.

Festus thought about it, "Wall, Newly is in town and Sam can take care of things," Festus thought aloud. "Let me just talk to Doc and Newly," he said as he headed to the doctor's stairs.

"I'll be right here," Williams smiled. His eyes narrowed as he watched Festus quickly climb the stairs and enter the doctor's office.