Rick Winslow followed Sloane out to the street, and began regretting the day he met his "business" partner. Truth of the matter was that even if he got the chance to break ties with Sloane, he knew the man's vengeful ways that he'd catch up with him, even if it were the last thing on earth for him to do. Winslow's only course of action was to continue to lay low.
"We need to find another place for the night. I'm tired," Sloane grumbled. "There has to be another place in Dodge," he said as he grabbed the reins of his horse and pulled himself up to the saddle. Winslow followed. Sloane tossed the empty bottle from his horse and listened as it smashed against the wall of the Double Duce. He laughed out loud; and hard.
They rode up the back street until they reached Bridge Street. The Lone Star Saloon fronted the street, and there were still lights on inside, "Maybe they have rooms here," Sloane huffed.
"Just don't go looking for trouble now. I'm tired too and I don't want to sleep in no stable with my horse," Winslow snapped.
"Shut up your mouth, or I'll do it for you," Sloane threatened. Winslow scowled at his partner as he dismounted.
The two men entered the saloon and walked to the bar, "You over there," Sloane called to the barkeep.
"What?" the older man asked.
"You have any rooms for the night. We've had a long ride," Sloane stated as he arched his back.
The man behind the bar pointed across the room, "Talk to Mr Tate," he suggested. "I only run the bar," he said as he wiped the top of the bar.
Sloane made a face and turned to the table where a fairly well dressed man sat with another man – they seemed to be in deep conversation. Sloane didn't care as h made his way to the table.
Tate looked up, "Can I help you?" he looked Sloane over from head to toe.
"I was wondering if your fine establishment had any rooms available," Sloane poured on what charm he could manage.
"Where you from?" Tate asked; keeping his eye on the man.
"Does that matter?" Sloane half laughed.
"I don't want rift-raft in my saloon," Tate stated.
Sloane's jowl muscles tensed up and he was about to say something when Winslow stepped forward, "Pardon my friend. We're awful tired and have travelled a long way," he smiled as he pulled off his hat and played with it in his hands.
"I see. Well how long are you planning on staying?" Tate asked Winslow, ignoring Sloane.
"Just a night or two," Winslow smiled.
Tate snapped his fingers at the man behind the bar, "Give these two a room," he shouted across the floor.
"We thank you," Winslow again smiled as he nudged Sloane. Sloane's eyes narrowed as he didn't like what just happened. He quietly followed Winslow to the bar to get the key, before they headed up the stairs. Winslow could feel Sloane glaring at him as he bid the bartender and Tate a good evening.
Newly stood up and arched his back, "I found it," he sighed. "It's going to be hard to get at with the extractors," he lamented.
"You have to try, Newly," Festus urged.
Matt stepped forward and placed another clean bowl of hot water on the table near the young deputy. He didn't say a word, but his face and his action spoke volumes.
Jonas pulled himself up from the rickety chair he was on, "Maybe if you took a quick break to eat something," he offered. "I brought some food, not knowing how long we'd be here with Doc," he stated.
Matt smiled at the store owner, "You have a good point Jonas. None of us have eaten for a while. Newly, wash your hands and I'll keep and eye on Doc. Get something to eat," he more or less ordered. Newly nodded and slowly washed his hands and then placed a clean cloth over the would that still had the probe inside.
Jonas opened the box and offered Newly and Festus whatever was available. He hoped that in a little way he was helping, other than placing the odd log on the fire per Matt's request. Jonas left the two men to eat and walked over to where Matt was standing, "Go get something, to eat," he ticked his head. "I brought lots," he forced a smile.
"Thanks Jonas," Matt nodded. "I'll get something in a bit," he stated. He could see the sadness in the store owner's eyes as Jonas looked down at the doctor, "I sure hope Newly can get that bullet out," he sighed.
Matt placed his right hand on Jonas' shoulder, "He will. How about getting some more water," he smiled slightly trying to keep the men busy so that they weren't thinking the worse. Jonas nodded, "Sure, Matt," he said then retrieved the two buckets and walked to the door. Jonas paused and looked back at Doc on the table; he blinked his eyes and wondered how the doctor was able to deal with situations like this and not break down. With a deep breath, Jonas opened the door and stepped out in to the cold night. With the moon still high in the sky he could easily see his way to the stream. He could also see his breath. He quickly dipped the pails into the stream and hurried back the warmth of the cabin.
Newly has resumed his work, this time with the bullet extractors. Matt handed what tools Newly need to O'Brien, while Festus kept the lantern in the right place for Newly to see what he was doing. Jonas went to work, boiling the water and keeping the fire going.
It seemed like forever, but Newly had finally removed the little bone fragment, dropping it into the pan. He drew a deep breath and gently pushed the extractors into the wound to find the bullet. Will a little manoeuvring he was able to reach it. He made a face as he worked the instrument around to try and grab the bullet. Doc groaned deeply which made Newly slow down. Matt, Festus, and Jonas were now standing by watching; waiting and hoping for a good outcome.
Newly gave in another try, and this time, he was successful. He tighten his grip on the extractor ensuring he didn't lose the bullet as he pulled it out. Finally the projectile was out of the doctor. Newly stood and stared at it before he dropped it into the pan with an audible clink. He sighed with relief, but it wasn't over yet. He had to clean and patch the wound, before they even thought about taking Doc back into town.
"Good job, Newly," Jonas smiled. Both Matt and Festus agreed.
"Once I clean up, and wrap Doc's side, I suggest we take turned watching over him tonight. I don't think we can move him just yet," Newly said as he washed his hands.
"I'll take the first watch," Jonas offered.
"That's fine, Jonas, but if he wakes up and starts talking about the man he was trying save and the ones that shot him, you wake me up right away," Matt directed.
"Certainly," Jonas nodded. "I want whoever did this to Doc as much as you," the store owner stated. Matt smiled and nodded. "I'll take the next shift," he handed Jonas a gun before he turned to the middle of the room where both Festus and Newly had already bedded down with the blankets which were brought. Jonas pulled the old chair over and took a seat – it promised to be a long night.