It was now night and the sky was overcast; Matt and the posse still had not found a trace of the two bank robbers, "I don't like it," Matt said with an uneasy tone to his voice as he pushed his hands into his coat pockets whilst looking up and down Front Street. "We're clearly missing something."
"They just can't of up and disappeared," Festus growled out of frustration. "They're like a pair of slipperdy eels with oiled skins on a rainy night," the hill man stated in a huff.
Matt nodded in agreement, "My guess is they're lying low, making plans to either leave Dodge before we catch them, or try to get at Doc," Matt stated. "Unfortunately, I think Doc's still their target now," Matt squinted his eyes across the street hoping to catch sight of the two men.
"With my men in place, they'd be fools to try anything against the doctor," Chip responded.
"I appreciate that, Chip, but it seems like Frankie Sloane hasn't used his head so far through all of this," Matt stated. "It's only going to get worse for the two of them," he added. Chip nodded, "I see your point, Matt."
Matt walked with the two men toward the Long Branch, "I'll spell Newly off for a while. I want you to keep looking for Sloane and Winslow. Make sure you even check in sheds and even the outhouses," he stated. "They can't be that hard to find."
Festus and Chip nodded as they watched the marshal enter the saloon. "Let's get a coffee to warm up before we go lookin' again," Festus suggested as the night air seemed much colder than the previous nights. Chip heartily agreed as he pulled his coat collar up to shield his neck from the cool wind.
Matt stopped at the bar where Kitty stood, "Quiet evening," he said as he looked around.
"It sure is. I think word has gotten out about the bank robbers being still on the loose," Kitty looked up at the marshal.
"It's isn't for the lack of trying, Kitty. We've looked just about everywhere for them," Matt stated as he leaned down onto the bar.
"Yo look cold. I bet a drink will warm you up," Kitty smiled.
"It would, but I'm going to relieve Newly in a few minutes," Matt smiled.
"How about a coffee, then?" Kitty asked.
"That sounds good. I'll take you up on that other offer later," Matt stated as he accepted the coffee that Kitty just poured for him.
Sloane and Winslow remained behind the crates in the alley down by the Double Duce. In a fury, Sloane grabbed Winslow by the lapels of his coat and pulled him close, "You're going to go to the Long Branch Saloon, and find out what room that old pill-pusher's in. I want him dead for good," he sneered.
"They'll have him guarded, for sure," Winslow tried to reason as he tried to free himself from Sloane's grip. "They'll know who I am," he added.
"No they won't. They'll be looking for me. I won't make my grand entrance until later tonight, once the saloon is closed. In the meantime, you get over there and find out what room that quack is in," Sloane's eyes narrowed and he shoved Winslow toward the street.
Winslow straightened his coat and hat, as he glanced back at Sloane, shaking his head before he left. Sloane wasn't sure whether his partner would actually go through with the plan, so he decided to follow him, "I've got my eyes on you Winslow," he said from the shadows. Winslow's shoulders sagged.
Matt entered the room and found Doc asleep and Newly sitting in the upholstered wing-back chair. The room was cozy and quiet. Matt moved over to Newly, "You can go now. I'll watch over Doc," he said.
"I gather that Sloane and Winslow are still on the run," O'Brien sighed. Matt nodded, "Festus can fill you in on where we've looked and where they plan on looking next," informed the young deputy.
Newly acknowledged what Matt said and walked to the door. He turned before he left, "There's bottle of laudanum on the night stand, if Doc needs it," he pointed. "So far, he's been resting well."
"Thanks, Newly," Matt said as he settled into the chair and watched Newly leave, closing the door behind himself. O'Brien paused out side the door before he made his way down the floor. The pause was long enough that Winslow spotted the part time deputy on the landing as he entered the saloon. Looking discreet, Winslow walked to the bar and ordered a beer.
Kitty glanced up at the young man and then noticed Newly as he crossed the floor, "How's Doc?" she asked as the Newly stopped next to her at the bar.
"He's resting, just fine," Newly smiled. "Hopefully in a few days we know more about his injury, and how and if it will effect him," he sighed.
"You've had a long day. How about a drink?" Kitty asked.
"That would be awfully nice, Miss Kitty," O'Brien smiled back. Kitty asked Sam to pour a beer for Newly. Her eyes went back to the young man at the bar. He certainly was self-absorbed with himself as he kept his head low and made no real eye contact. Winslow looked over and saw the saloon owner looking at him which made him blush. Awkwardly he smiled; Kitty smiled back and went on about her business. Newly thanked the saloon owner for the drink before he left the saloon. He gave a quick once over look around but all seemed quiet. O'Brien left the saloon.
Winslow ordered another beer, and remained to himself. He wondered if he had ordered something stronger whether he'd have the guts to tell Sloane to go to hell the next time he ordered him around, but he realized that he just didn't have the backbone. Deep down he was hoping that the law would take care of Sloane and that he could just disappear.
Winslow belted back the remainder of the beer and left the saloon as quietly as he arrived. He took a quick look over his shoulder to the center door on the balcony before he sought out Sloane who was waiting in the alley between the saloon and general store. Sloane grabbed Winslow by the arm and pulled him into the darkness. "Are you crazy?!" Winslow growled. "The jail house is just over there," he pointed.
"I know that. What room?" Sloane snapped in a hushed voice.
"The one in the middle, up the stairs," Winslow sighed. Sloane released his partner's arm, "Excellent," he said as he poked his nose around the corner. "Now we just make sure the law doesn't find us before closing time," he smiled.