Wilbur Jonas attempted to free himself from the ropes but Preston tightened them even more. Jonas blinked at the man, "Why are you doing this? If you want the money, take it," he tried to reason with the man that whacked him over the head.
"Look, mister, if you want to live to see another day, you'd better shut up," Preston growled as he took his bandana out of his back pant pocket and tied it around Jonas' mouth. Jonas struggled harder against the ropes but he wasn't making any headway. Jonas rested his aching head on the floor in the storeroom and watched the man leave. He couldn't imagine what he wanted.
Victor White stood in the alley way between the stairs to Doc's office and the Long Branch. He kept to the darker areas and clutched his Winchester; holding it at the ready. His eyes lifted up to the office above where Talbot and Dyer when. It was their duty to rescue Roy Crawford. White could hear a struggled - things weren't going to plan.
Doc stood near his desk and waved his old Navy Colt at the two men who burst into his office seconds before. "Get out of my office now," he glared at the men; his voice was icy cold.
"Do you really think you are going to shoot us with that old hunk of junk?" Talbot laughed. He then indicated to Dyer to help Roy Crawford to his feet.
"He's the marshal's prisoner. And he's in bad shape," Doc cautioned.
Talbot stepped closer to Doc who took a step back right into his desk. Talbot then quickly pulled the gun from Doc's hand and sent it across the room just as quickly. The old gun clipped the lit oil lamp causing it to tumble to the floor. Flames licked at the lamp oil and spread quickly.
Talbot grabbed Doc by the lapels and gave him a back hand across his chin with his left hand, "If Roy is in such rough shape, I guess we need you too," Talbot growled at Doc. Doc was shocked by the events and more so about the flames as they climbed the wall which fronted the street below.
Doc's eyes were wide with surprise and fear as the flames continued to climb up the wall. Talbot pushed the doctor to the door and shoved the doctor's medical bag hard into his chest, "Take this," Talbot growled. Doc was almost in shock as he continued to watch the fire grow in his office.
Dyer, Crawford, and Talbot with the doctor at his side, made it to the alley. White motioned them to follow hin through the back alley. Soon they were out of sight.
Smoke began to billow out of the upper story windows as the flames finally showed on the outside of the building just above the door of the general store.
Wilbur Jonas smelled the smoke from where he remained tied up in the store room floor. His eyes looked to the door that cordoned off the storeroom to the public space. He blinked trying to clear his head and not believe what he was seeing - the flicker of flames could be seen under the door.
Jonas struggled again, this time he stopped as there was a large crash out in the other room. The light of the flames under the door looked more intense. Whatever was happening out in the other room was not good, and the store owner knew that if he didn't get out of the storeroom, he was going to be in big trouble. Jonas squirmed trying to loosen the ropes. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he continued to struggle.
Festus had just finished his breakfast at Del Monico's and stepped out onto the street. He didn't see the fire at first; it wasn't until he arched his back and yawned. The first thing he noticed was the smoke and then his eyes spotted the flames in the upper room over the general store, "Fire!" the hill man bellowed as he quickly made his way across the street and looked up at Doc's office.
Again Festus yelled "Fire!" The deputy looked around wondering where everyone was. Slowly people came out to the street and witness the flames growing stronger. Matt pulled the door open on the jail and gasped at the sight. The marshal dashed across to the livery stable to get some buckets.
As word spread about the fire, the sound of the volunteer fire brigade hose waggon bells could be heard. Matt and Festus scooped water from the trough and threw it at the flames. "Festus, see if you can make it up to Doc's office to check on him," Matt said as he organized a bucket line to get as much water onto the fire as possible.
Kitty stood on the boardwalk and watched Festus inch his way up the stairs. The hill man used his coat to knock out flames that poked out at him. "Doc?" Festus called as he reached the top of the stairs. The door was still opened and Festus carefully entered the room. The fire was mostly at the front of the structure which allowed Festus to check the other room. Doc was nowhere in sight.
The fire brigade was now on site and began to tackle the flames.
Matt saw Festus through the crowd and quickly wove through to where the hill man stood, "Where's Doc?" Matt asked with great concern.
"I don't know, Matthew. He ain't up there," Festus' voice was filled with sorrow.
Matt pursed his lips in thought while trying to figure out where the doctor could be. The marshal's eyes then spotted the two bushel baskets on the boardwalk in front of the store, "Have you seen Jonas today?"
Festus shook his head no, "Why Matthew?"
"Have you ever known him to leave produce out over night?" Matt question.
"Jonas is tighter than bark to a tree," Festus mused.
"Then why are those two baskets there," Matt pointed to the front of the store.
Festus' eyes grew wide, "He must be inside!" Both lawmen raced to the front of the store but the flames and smoke were too intense for them to enter. "Let's try the back door," Matt said as both men ran around the building to the back door. It was locked from the inside.