Frankie Sloane and Rick Winslow pulled their horses to stop at the Double Duce Saloon. The sign that hung precariously in the front window stated there were rooms available, "Things are looking up for us, there, Winslow!" Sloane laughed as he swatted his partner hard across the upper arm as he dismounted, then tied this horse to the rail.
Winslow was slower to step down and tie his horse up; he rubbed his arm. He was still thinking of how cold-blooded it was of Sloane to gun down the unarmed doctor. He chose not to say anything and just followed along; he was in too deep now to just walk way – surely Sloane would kill him too.
The two gunmen entered the saloon and looked around, "Maybe we could stay a few days here," Sloane suggested. "Looks like my kind of place," he smiled as a scantly clad woman walked past him, carrying a tray of empty whiskey glasses. She batted her eyes at him and continued to the bar for refills. Sloane followed her, "I'm new here," he said as he leaned on the bar, looking at the woman from head to toe. "Call me Sloane," he wet his lips.
"I'm Rita," the woman stated, trying to show as little interest in the man as possible.
"Can I buy you a drink, Rita?" Sloane asked.
"Maybe after I'm done here," the woman tried again to put him off. Winslow leaned on the bar next to Sloane and watch on as he failed again to pick up the girl straight off. "Okay. Maybe later," Sloane stated and watched Rita and the now full tray leave the bar and back to the table. Immediately she got back into the lively conversation; several men at the table looked over their shoulders toward Sloane and Winslow. Sloane gruffly turned to the bar, "Get me a whiskey," he snapped at the bartender. Sloane's jowl muscles flexed as he waited for the drink, which he downed in one gulp when it arrived, "Fill it again," he hissed as he looked over his shoulder to the table of men and Rita.
With the full moon, the ride into Dodge wasn't too bad for the hill man. He pulled his mule to a stop in front of the Long Branch Saloon and quickly climbed down off his mount. With three quick strides, he burst through the swing doors, "Miss Kitty, have you seen Newly?" he asked with panic in his voice as he looked around the saloon.
Both Kitty and Sam exchanged looks, "He was in here earlier. Why?" Kitty asked with great concern. She didn't like the tone of the hill man's voice nor his actions.
"Ol Doc got himself shot, and it's bad," Festus stated. "We need Newly to come right away!"
"How bad is bad?" Kitty questioned as she stepped closer to the deputy, looking him in the eyes. Festus loved the old physician as if he was dear kin-folk and Kitty could see in his eyes that he was deeply worried.
Festus shook his head, "When Doc was awake he said that the bullet was pokin' him in the spine and we can't be movin'g him about too much or he won't be able to walk."
Kitty's mouth dropped open, "Oh, poor Doc!" the words seeped out of her mouth as the tears filled her eyes.
"Check the jail house, Festus," Sam spoke.
"Good thinkin' Sam," the hill man said as he quickly walked to the door, "Would get Jonas to have his wagon ready? We'll need it to bring Doc home," he asked of the barkeep.
"Sure thing, Festus," Sam stated. He too had a look of disbelief on his face. The hill man left the saloon. "I'll go see Jonas," Noonan said in a hushed voice. He gently placed his hand on Kitty's shoulder, "Doc will be all right. You'll see," he tried to reassure Kitty. The saloon owner looked up at the craggy face and forced a smile, "Yes, I'm sure he will be too," she swallowed as she watched Sam leave the saloon.
Festus raced to the jail house; his big spurs echoed in the empty night street as he reached the red brick building and flung open the door, "Newly!" he huffed.
O'Brien practically jumped out of the chair, "Festus! What is the problem," he at first was slightly amused at the theatrics that the hill man had put on.
"It's Doc," Festus huffed.
By now Newly had stepped out from behind the big wooden desk, "What's happened to him?" he asked with great concern; his eyebrows knit together.
"He's been shot. He said the bullet is against his spine," the hill man explained. "We need you to get the bullet out, because he said he can't be moved otherwise," he sighed.
Newly frowned, "If it's against his spine, I might not be the best one to try and get the bullet out," he looked suddenly panicked.
"Yer our only chance, Newly," Festus begged. "You gotta help Doc."
Newly sighed, "I'll have a look at him, but if it's as bad you say it is, we may have to send for another doctor," he stated as his left eyebrow arched. "It doesn't sound good at all," the part-time deputy frowned.
"You can do it, Newly...you have to. Now come on. I had Sam get Jonas and his delivery wagon ready," he urged; his eyes holding sadness.
Reluctantly, having been in similar situations, Newly deep a deep breath as he pulled his hat off the peg near the door and gathered what inner strength he could and followed the hill man out onto the lantern lit street. Across the way, Jonas was finishing with a few of the harnesses. The store owner watched the two lawmen approach, "Is there anything else you need Festus?" he asked, even his voice was now holding great concern.
"A few lanterns and fuel. Thar ain't any in that old cabin," Festus suggested. Might want to bring a little food too," he hinted.
Newly looked over the edge of the wagon, "Have you got a mattress or some thick blankets for the bottom and some blankets?" he looked up at Jonas.
"I have a straw mattress that I use when I transport fragile materials, and blankets, of course," the store owner stated.
"We'll those that too," Newly stated as he went with Jonas to collect the items requested.
Festus stepped around Newly as he and Jonas discussed the mattress. "Sam, I'd like ifin you'd stay here and keep an eye on thangs?"
"Sure thing, Festus," Noonan nodded.
Jonas and Newly appeared at the front door of the store and quickly loaded what they had in their arms into the wagon. The store owner went back in for another box of items and hoisted them over the side of the wagon, "That should do you," he tried to smile at the situation.
Festus walked over to Jonas, "Matthew wants you to go too," he stated.
Jonas' mouth hung open slightly, "Oh, okay fine. Sam, could you let Ellen know?" he asked the barkeep who nodded. "I better close the store then," he swallowed as he pulled off his apron and returned to his store. Thankfully he had no customers. Jonas threw his apron onto the counter, grabbed his hat and coat before he blew out the lanterns and finally locked the doors. All the while he wondered why Festus and Matt wanted him to go when there was plenty of capable help; it then dawned on him – Doc had been there for him all along. Jonas blinked and nodded to himself with renewed pride, "Come on. Let's help Doc," he said as he climbed up wagon and sat next to Newly. He flicked the reins and they were away. Sam and Kitty watched as the men travelled up Front Street.