Kitty smiled in her sleep as she felt soft kisses on her neck. She slowly opened her eyes and drowsily pulled Matt down for a long, deep kiss.

When they came up for air he smiled, "I thought you were going to sleep the whole day away."

Knowing Matt had been up for hours, Kitty looked at him with mock annoyance, "It's only 9:00, but I suppose you're going to tell me about all the amazing things you've already done this morning."

Matt laughed, "Does finding old Mrs. Johnson's lost cow count for anything?"

Kitty laughed with him, "It does with Mrs. Johnson. They looked at each other and grew serious, "Matt, have you seen River yet today?"

Matt nodded, "I brought her breakfast, but she's still not talking. One thing I'd like to know is if she's Mrs. Cassidy where is Mr. Cassidy?"

"That's a good question Matt, and I'll ask her, but first let's get breakfast. I want to tell you everything about her, then I'm sure there will be no doubt in your mind that she's innocent."

Topeka Kansas – Mr. Cassidy

Eric Cassidy looked in the mirror as he lathered up to shave. He'd recently moved to the Grand Inn after spending 2 years in a run down boarding house. It had taken him that long to regain his footing, but things were finally coming together, and a deck of cards was his friend once more.

He thought about the days when he had taken good fortune for granted and felt almost invincible. During that time he met and fell in love with River - warm, sweet, beautiful River. They'd had 10 years of married bliss, while his skill and luck with cards provided them with a very comfortable life. Then suddenly, like a door slamming shut, things changed and he was on a losing streak. His money dwindled, and he started selling his possessions. River said she didn't care about money, but he couldn't stand their diminished life style. It embarrassed him.

He got wind of a high stakes poker game, and sold everything he could to have enough cash to join in.

There were four players: himself, Jack Caton, Jerry Sanders and Larry Clifford. River was there, standing behind him for good luck. Five shady-looking men wearing gun belts were stationed around the room. Jack said they were there to guard against cheating.

The play began. Eric remembered how quickly the betting escalated, and an hour later his money was already growing short. He picked up the three cards he was dealt - a queen and two kings. Jack bet another hundred dollars. Eric was out of cash, but didn't want to fold so quietly asked River for her wedding ring. Without a word, she calmly handed it over and he tossed it into the pot, "That's worth more than a hundred. Agreed?" The men nodded their acceptance and the last two cards were dealt. Eric picked his up, and his heart jumped, he now had two queens and three kings. He smiled inwardly knowing that River would get her wedding ring back.

Jack threw in a wad of cash, "Another four hundred."

Eric felt panicked but tried to sound calm. He knew he had an almost unbeatable hand, "I don't have it at the moment. How about an IOU?"

Jack glared at him, "No IOU's – That was the rule from the start. I'll tell you what though. I've been eyeing your pretty lady. Seems to me she's worth $400, what do you other fellows think?"

Jerry nodded and smirked. Larry grinned, "Sure, as long as whoever wins her shares."

Eric couldn't bring himself to fold, not with so much on the table and an almost unbeatable hand. He gave River a quick wink to reassure her, "All right, my wife is part of the pot."

He laid his cards out, "Gentlemen behold my full house, 2 queens and 3 kings.

Larry and Pete threw their cards down in disgust, and Eric started to pull the pot of money towards him.

Jack Caton stopped him, "Not so fast."

Card by card, Caton laid out 4 aces. He pushed Eric's hand from the pot, "The money's mine, the lady's ring is mine and the lady is mine."

Eric sat frozen in horror. Caton got to his feet, and squeezed his hand tightly around River's thin arm, "A bet's a bet. She's mine. Eric, if you even try to get near her I'll kill her." He looked at River, "Pay attention honey, and look around. These men are my friends, and they all owe me something." He looked from man to man, "Ain't that right boys." Each man nodded, and Eric smiled, "Honey, if you even try to leave me or ever, ever say a word against me, Eric is a dead man. My friends will kill him for sure. You shouldn't care after he lost you in a poker game, but you do."

Dodge City

Over breakfast, Kitty told Matt all about her friendship with River. She put her fork down, "You see Matt she couldn't possibly have done any of those things. She's not capable. You believe that don't you?"

"Kitty, it doesn't matter what I believe. If River doesn't say anything in her defense the jury will believe those men.

"Matt they're criminals."

Matt nodded "Yep, but according to them so is she."

Kitty's frustration was building. She felt like she was getting nowhere with Matt, even though she wasn't sure what she expected of him.

The conversation had stopped when Kitty had another idea. "Matt, does River have to stay in that awful cell? Can't she stay with me, or in a room at Ma Smalley's?"

Matt shook his head vehemently, "Kitty, I'm sorry but no. She won't defend herself, so I consider her an escape risk. With Festus guarding the jail and Newly watching the wounded man at Doc's, I don't have the man power to guard her in a different location."

Kitty felt a small stab of guilt. She knew that River wanted to escape, but that wasn't what she was thinking of when she asked Matt to move her.

Matt broke into her thoughts, "Also, she's safer in jail."

"What do you mean safer?"

Matt leaned forward and lowered his voice, "Kitty, rumors are out there that she murdered two children, and that's upsetting to people. Some might not want to wait for a judge and jury to make a decision."

Shock and comprehension registered in Kitty's face and Matt took her hand, "I'll tell you what. Put together some things that will make her more comfortable and bring them to her. While you're there please, please try to get her to talk. Judge Brooker will be here tomorrow to decide on charges and set a trial date. Knowing him it will be soon."

Kitty nodded and sadly remembered how River had wondered about the number of tomorrows she'd have.

After hurrying home, it didn't take long for Kitty to pack a hairbrush, mirror, change of clothes and a few chocolates. River had always had a sweet tooth.

As she walked down Front Street, she paid close attention to what people were saying.

"I hear she slaughtered two youngins. It's unbelievable."

"What kind of woman does that? It ain't natural for a woman to kill children."

Kitty wanted to tell them a thing or two, but knew it wouldn't help so hurried along. She entered the office and Festus looked up, "Mornin Miss Kitty, I know why ya here, I'll bring ya to Mrs. Cassidy."

Inside the cell, Kitty soon felt like a dismal failure. River thanked Kitty for her efforts, but didn't see the point of brushing her hair, changing her clothes or eating chocolates. She also made it clear she wasn't going to talk about what happened or about Eric.

A half hour later, with defeat in her voice Kitty called out, "Festus, I'm ready."

Festus unlocked the cell, and Kitty slipped out. He was about to relock it when a man rushed in, "Come quick Festus, Jeb Walker is causing big problems."

Festus thrust the keys at Kitty, "Miss Kitty, I got ta go. Lock the cell fur me."

Festus was gone. Kitty held the keys and her eyes met River's.

River whispered, "Kitty if you don't help me, I'll hang. Please."

TBC

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