"Festus," Abelia said handing him the satchel she finished packing with her clothes. "You're not even paying attention to what I'm saying, are you?"
"Oh, sorry Bee," Festus said taking the small bag. "What were you saying?"
"I said, I wanted to know if Robert was going to be home for supper?" Abelia said looking at him. "Kitty wanted to bring something over and she wanted to make sure she made enough."
"I don't rightly know," Festus replied absently. "He didn't come home last night."
"He didn't check in with me last night either," Doc said surprised as he wrapped up Abigail before handing her off to Abelia.
"Doc," Festus said putting Abelia's bag on the floor. "Can ya take Bee and the Abby to Kitty at the Long Branch till I get there?"
"Why?" Doc asked as Festus headed for the door.
"I'm just gonna check with Matthew and see if he seen him anywhere's is all," Festus said hastily leaving the ward.
Doc shook his head before he swiped his mustache as he watched Festus leave.
Matt checked the mail and the telegraphs that morning but go no new messages about Quantro and his gang.
"Matthew," Festus said entering the jail. "Have ya seen Robert any where?"
"Not today," Matt said glancing up. "Why, is he missing?"
"Maybe I'm just a being a little over protective," Festus said as Matt rolled his eyes. "But the boy didn't come home last night. And Sam told me he was in the Long Branch drinking with a couple of fellers he meant on the road."
"He has been though a lot lately, Festus," Matt said opening another letter. "Maybe he just felt like staying away for a bit."
"Maybe," Festus said thoughtfully. "Sam also told me he was takin em ta the Dodge House but when I checked, the clerk told me no one like that had checked in and he never saw Robert last night."
"He didn't, huh," Matt said beginning to see Festus concern. "His horse in town?"
"Nope," Festus said softly as the door to the jail opened and Stephen walked in.
Festus took a step back and watched as the stranger went to where Matt was at his desk.
"You the Marshal," he said as Matt nodded.
"I am," Matt said looking up. "What can I do for you?"
"Got a message from a friend for you," Stephen said as Matt narrowed his eyes.
Standing up, Matt snatched the paper from the boys hand and opened it as Stephen took a step back.
"Festus," Matt said evenly as he scanned the message. "Quantro has Robert!"
"What!" Festus said approaching the desk. "What's it say?"
"Quantro's hurt bad," Matt said reading the message again. "Robert has agreed to help him in exchange for guaranteeing our safety. It's says, Quantro has agreed that none of his men will cause any harm here as long as we cooperate with them. Robert has to bring him to the hospital for treatment or he's not going to make it."
Festus squared his shoulders as Stephen stepped forward. "So what's it gonna be, Marshal?"
Festus whirled around as he drew his gun and pushed the boy, pinning him against the wall.
"I'll tell you what's it gonna be!" Festus said angrily pushing the barrel of his gun into Stephen's chin.
"Festus!" Matt yelled coming around the front of the desk and grabbing the hill man's arms. "I don't like this anymore than you do but think about your family. They'll come with or with out our cooperation, don't you think it's better to agree to their terms!"
Festus nodded as he took a couple of deep breaths before Matt let him go. "I'll agree fer now," he said looking directly at Stephen. "But you tell that Quantro feller, if in any harm comes ta my boy, all bets are off!"
Stephen smiled as he nodded once before heading to the door. "We'll be coming though town, you have the street cleared!"
"I'll have it cleared," Matt said with a nod.
"Good," Stephen said as he left.
Festus sat next to Abelia at the Long Branch as Matt explained the situation to Doc and Kitty.
"He says, he don't want no help from anyone," Matt said meeting Doc's eyes. "Especially from the 'retired' old Doctor."
"Retired," Doc said harshly.
"It just means, he don't want you there so you won't get hurt," Abelia said quietly.
"I know what it means," Doc said looking at Matt. "What else does it say?"
"After Quantro recovers, he's promised to move back toward Mexico and leave Dodge alone," Matt said folding up the letter as Newly came racing in.
"They're coming!" he said as everyone stood up to watch them pass.
Going to the doors of the Long Branch, Festus stepped outside with Matt and watched as the thirty or so riders on horse back rode in formation around the wagon Quantro rode in for protection.
Behind it, Robert rode between Stephen and Ernest but broke away toward the Long Branch.
"Where you going," Stephen said moving his horse in front of Robert's.
"To see my family," he said spurring his horse forward as Stephen and Ernest followed.
"No funny stuff," Stephen said drawing his gun as Robert slid off his horse.
"Ya alright, son?" Festus said as Robert made his way toward them.
"Yeah," Robert replied with a nod aimed at Matt and Doc. "Sorry, I didn't know who they were."
"How could you have," Doc said looking toward the hospital. "What's the problem?"
"Shot in the stomach," Robert said with a grin. "Nothing I can't handle!"
Doc nodded as he tugged on his ear. "Everyone's out, just like you asked."
"Thanks," Robert said evenly. "I'd rather do this alone, after all, he needs me more than I need him!"
Doc nodded as he looked up the street. "You just be careful and take care of yourself."
"Planning on it," he said meeting Festus eyes. "Give Ma a kiss for me."
Festus nodded as Robert got back onto his horse and rode down to the hospital.