New Orleans
Captain Blake was good at his job and it wasn't long before he sent word to Kitty that he had found Iris.
Kitty went to the police station where Captain Blake grimly handed his report to her and left the room. Kitty couldn't believe what she was reading. According to the report, Iris was now residing in the red light district and was employed by a woman named Queenie. Queenie ran a brothel that specialized in offering men mature, motherly types.
Kitty knew she had to get Iris out of there.
Kitty thanked the Captain for his work. He told her that he was sorry for the outcome, and to come to him if she needed help, adding that his debt to Marshal Dillon was far from repaid.
Kitty returned home, paid a neighbor to watch Davy and after much trying, hired a carriage and driver who willing to take her to red light district. She had to pay double for him to take her there and be willing to wait to take her home.
Kitty knocked on the door of Queenie's establishment. A plumb woman, with a powered face and strong perfume opened the door. "I'm Queenie, who are you honey?"
Before Kitty could respond Queenie continued, "You are fine looking, you look like a real class act but I'm not hiring at the moment, honey."
Kitty was mildly amused. "My name's Kitty Russell. I'm not looking for work. I'm looking for a person. I understand that she is working here. Her name is Iris, although I can't know if that's the name she gave you. She is my cousin."
Queenie smiled slightly. There was something about this Russell woman she took seriously. "Come in. I know who you are looking for, the new one. You see with the new ones that I hire, if they have relatives those relatives come looking for them. Eventually the relatives give up and go away"
Kitty responded, "I won't give up and I won't go away. Right now I want to see her."
Queenie nodded, "You can see her honey, but you have to pay me for her time just like everyone else does." She held out her hand. Kitty gave her some money. Queenie said, "one flight up – 2nd door on the right. Knock 3 short taps so she knows that you paid me."
Kitty went up and knocked as instructed. "Come in" was the response. Kitty walked in and Iris looked at her in horror.
"Kitty, go away."
"No Iris I won't let you do this to yourself. I'll help you build a new life a better one. You have to believe that Carl's mistakes weren't your fault and losing the baby wasn't your fault. Davy needs you."
Kitty could see that Iris was too deep in depression and self-loathing to hear her.
"Kitty I've serviced enough men to have paid off my initial fee to Queenie, At this point in the arrangement, I keep one third of each payment for my services plus tips. I'll be sending you money for Davy soon. Now get out." Iris turned stonily away.
Kitty knew that Iris wasn't going to allow conversation. "I'll leave but I'll keep coming back until I convince you to come with me."
Kitty turned sadly and walked out.
Topeka Kansas
The stagecoach trip from Dodge to Topeka took three dusty days. When he arrived, Matt was told that his meeting was delayed because of the Attorney General's own travel problems. While he waited, Matt's thoughts kept going to Kitty. Finally, after four days of waiting Matt was ushered into the office of the Governor of Kansas. The US Attorney General and his assistant were there waiting for him along with the Governor.
The Governor and Attorney General Garland greeted him warmly and shook hands. Attorney General Garland spoke, "Matt, this is Spencer Nolan, my assistant. Now let's all sit down."
Garland continued, "Matt, I received your letter of resignation. It's not the first time you've resigned you know."
Matt looked a little sheepish and the other 3 men smiled slightly.
"This time however, because you dated it in advance we all figured that this was a thought out plan on your part. It could also fit in nicely with a plan of ours. You see Matt we are doing some reorganization of the War Department. We are still totally set up for wartime and as more and more time passes since the war, we need to make some changes. We are starting a new division for the western, northwest and northern territories. The person heading the division would be in charge of hiring, placing and monitoring Marshals and Deputy Marshals for all of those territories, and deciding where law enforcement had to be increased or decreased. The person would also be responsible for coordinating efforts between the cavalry and law enforcement when joint efforts are needed. Matt we want you to be that person. You'd be answerable to me. Mr. Nolan would be the person you would go to for resources and legal advice. The salary is not what it should be, but a lot more than you earn now and we'd arrange for you to collect your pension even though you'd officially still be a Marshal."
Matt was startled to say the least, and for a few minutes there was silence in the room. Matt finally responded. "Sir, just where would this job be located?"
The Governor responded, "That's where my small role comes in all of this. The state of Kansas is giving the federal government some land that the state took over a few years back, to house this division. It is about 10 miles outside of Dodge City. I believe it belonged to a family called Emerson at one time. There is a house for your use on the property, housing for any staff you have and lawmen staying there temporarily, some offices and land to be used in any way you deem useful to the division. I believe the plan is to build a telegraph office right on the property so you can get messages in and out quickly"
"That's all correct." The Attorney General added. "Matt, this will not be an easy job. It won't require that you travel much or go after criminals yourself, but it is an important job and we need the right man for it, we strongly believe you are that man. Do you want time to think this over?"
Matt thought for a moment and shook his head. He knew Kitty wanted to be near Dodge because of her friendships and connections. Also, this job would allow him to continue to satisfy his urge to protect without having to be away for days at a time or deal directly with bank robbers and drunken cowboys. As decisive as always he responded, "I'll take the job. One question though. Who will take over as Marshal out of Dodge City."
The Attorney General responded with a smile, "Whoever you appoint!"
The gentlemen shook hands all around. In about 2 months Matt would start his new job and Newley would be the new Marshal.
Matt stopped on his way out. "Just one more thing. I have some personal business to take care of before returning to Dodge. It might take a week or two."
"That's fine Matt." Responded the Attorney General. "I expect with a big change like this in a man's life, there are bound to be some things to take care of."
Matt left the office with his new job description in hand. He was going to have to wait a few days for the next train that was scheduled to go to New Orleans, but that would give him plenty of time to find a good jewelry story. He had some rings to buy.