Newly and Festus knew that it would be an all day ride, so they quickly left town with provisions for the day. With any hope Mister Winslow would put them up at the farm, if he was able too all dependent on what shape Frankie Sloane and Jeb Turner left him in.
The two lawmen made small talk as they rode along; mostly about the past few days and the events and about what Winslow had told the marshal. Festus was more concerned for Doc's health, and rightfully so. It was an awful thing for a man of his age to endure, but Newly assured him that the doctor has a strong constitution and that after a good amount of rest, that he would be just like new. The only think that puzzled the young deputy was weather or not, the injury would affect the doctor's mobility, but he kept that to himself.
At least for the two riders, the sun finally broke through the November clouds and felt like it would be a warmer day, compared to the last couple.
Kitty Russell stopped into the doctor's office and found the room empty, so she turned around and left, pondering where Matt might be. As she descended the stairs, she scanned the street. Her face wore a perplexed look as he reached the landed at the bottom.
Wilbur Jonas was his usual busy self; placing bushel baskets and barrels out front of his store as he prepared to open for the day. "Good morning, Miss Kitty," he smiled.
"Morning, Jonas. Say, you would know where Matt is, would you?" Kitty asked.
Jonas motioned with a tick of his head, "I thought I saw him go into the jail just as I was unlocking the store," he noted.
"Thanks," Kitty smiled and stepped down to cross the street to the jailhouse. Jonas nodded and went on about his business.
Kitty entered the jailhouse and saw Matt sprawled on the cot, half covered with a blanket. She moved into the room, closing the door. The sound of the latch caused Matt to stir, "Oh, hiya, Kitty," he said looking up.
"What are you doing here?" Kitty asked.
Matt slowly sat up, "Where do you want me to be?" he questioned.
"Up in Doc's office, where Newly can keep an eye on you," Kitty said in a somewhat scolding manner.
Matt twisted his mouth, "That would be a little hard to do right now," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I had to send Festus and Newly out of town to find out if Winslow is telling the truth," he stated.
Kitty's eyes narrowed, "What did he tell you that was so convincing?" she growled.
"He claims that Sloane and Turner jumped him and his Pa to get fresh horses and then blackmailed him to go along with them," Matt stated as he stood.
"Likely story," Kitty huffed.
"Well, I don't know Kitty. Until I have a chat with Doc to get his side of things and compare it with what Festus and Newly have to say, he's staying in there," the marshal motioned to the open door into the cells. Kitty made a face, "I guess we'll wait and see," she sighed.
"How is Doc, by the way?" Matt asked as he poured himself a stale cup of coffee. He took a sniff and place the cup back down.
"He's like a bear," Kitty stated. "He want's to try and get up and move around, but Newly told him not for a few more days."
"Well it sounds like he's on the mend," Matt chuckled. "How about we get something to eat," he said walking to the door.
"What about your shoulder?" Kitty asked.
"What about it? It hurts and I'm hungry," Matt stated as he plucked his hat off the peg and opened the door. The day had indeed warmed up.
It was much later in the day when Festus and Newly reached the Winslow farm. Things did seem to be out of sorts; the chickens were everywhere and there was only a little hey in the paddock for the horses. The two men slowed their horses to a walk and approached the farm. By the looks of the water in the horse trough it hadn't been filled in a few days.
Both Festus and Newly pulled their animals to a stop and tied them to a post. "We'd better look around, Newly," the hill man said as he pulled his gun from his holster and approached the house. Newly took the way to the barn and smaller out buildings.
Festus scanned the ground and as far as he was concerned there was some struggle, but until he found Winslow senior, it could have been caused by almost anything. The hill man approached the house and noticed that the door was ajar. Carefully he eased himself into the house and found the old farmer on his side near the old wood stove. Festus quickly went to the door and hollowed for newly, "Newly! Over here!"
O'Brien abandoned his search and raced toward the farm house. He entered to find Festus kneeling next to the farmer. "He ain't in good shape, Newly." Festus stated.
Newly looked the old man over, "Let's get him to a bed," Newly said as he and Festus arranged to lift him to the back room. Once on the bed, the old man groaned, "Festus, go and get the wood stove going," Newly stated and he tried to assess Winslow's injuries. Festus briskly left the room to get some fire wood and kindling to get fire started on the big cook stove.
Winslow senior opened hie eyes, "Who are you?" he struggled to ask.
"My name's Newly O'Brien. I'm a deputy from Dodge," he said as he continued to look the old man over.
"No deputy I know looks at a man's wounds like you're doing," Winslow groaned.
Newly stopped, "I guess not. But sometimes I fill in for Doc Adams," he smiled trying to reassure the farmer.
"I've heard of Adams, why isn't he here?" Winslow moaned.
Newly looked over his shoulder to see Festus getting the stove started. He then looked back at the farmer, "He had a run in with three men. One claims to be your son," he looked Winslow in the eyes.
"Rick's all right, ain't he?" the farmer coughed.
Newly nodded, "Yes. But I need to know about the two men that he was riding with. This is very important," he said firmly. "Rick is in serious trouble. That's why we need to know about what happened," he looked down at the farmer, dabbing his forehead with a damp cloth.
Phillip Winslow nodded, "I need some water," his eyes flutter. Newly obliged and let the farmer sip on some water. "They came here like they owned the place," Winslow stated and groaned, holding his ribs. "They wanted the horses. Ricky and I tried to make them leave," he coughed.
"Do you keep any alcohol around here?" Newly asked.
"Just a jug of corn mash in the barn," Winslow said, "Why?"
"Because my friend Festus and I are going to try and make you as comfortable as possible," Newly smiled. "Festus, see if you can find his jug," O'Brien looked back to the farmer. "I wager you and Doc Adams are cut from the same cloth," he joked slightly.
Winslow found, "Look, I hurt," I don't need any new clothes," he muttered as he misunderstood what Newly said.
"Rest easy Mister Winslow. Festus is getting your jug," Newly stated as he stood and closed the damper back on the stove. He looked back at the old farmer in the bed. Maybe, Winslow was telling the truth after all. Newly's new concern was to keep Phillip Winslow alive long enough to hear the whole story. Newly sighed as it proved to be another long night.