Kitty stood outside River's cell clutching the keys Festus had shoved into her hands. She stood frozen in place as her mind raced in circles - - lock the door, swing it open, lock it, open it. River stared at Kitty through the bars and whispered desperately, "You know I'm innocent. I need this act of kindness, please."
Their eyes locked, and as the seconds crawled by tension filled air. Then with sudden resolve Kitty pulled the door open. "Take Willow Bend Road. It goes straight south, and you won't get lost." River nodded and hurried to the rear door. She looked back, her voice barely audible, "Don't worry Kitty, I'll disappear. I'll become someone else." River went through the door and was gone.
Kitty very slowly pushed the door of the cell shut and took a long, deep breath. She walked past the front cell and saw Jack Caton napping peacefully on his cot. He had obviously heard nothing. She stepped into the front office, closed the door behind her, hung the keys on the hook, and walked outside with her heart pounding in her chest.
Festus
After leaving Kitty with the keys, Festus ran outside the marshal's office and found Jeb Walker standing there looking mad dog angry and holding a gun. The three men who had tried to stop him were on the ground nearby, sporting swollen jaws and black eyes. Jeb had easily brushed them aside. Taking Jeb Walker down was not a simple matter. He was a massive, hugely strong 25 year old, with the mind of a 5-year-old boy.
Festus took a step towards the enormous man, "Now Jeb, where in thunder did ya get that gun, ya know ya Ma and Pa don't take kindly to ya havin a gun."
"Festus, I've got to kill the witch you got inside. I hear she killed two little kids, and I know for a fact that witches eat kids. I have to save the children of Dodge from her."
Festus put up a hand, "Jeb, she's jus a lady, and she's gonna be tried…
Jeb was in no state to listen. He lifted the gun and pointed it at Festus, "You can't stop me, Festus. I have to kill that bad, bad witch. It's the only way to keep the little kids from being killed and eaten."
Festus was trying to figure out what to say to change Jeb's mind, when a voice of authority loudly bellowed, "JEB WALKER."
Jeb turned towards the sound, and stammered, "M-m-m-ma, I thought you were shopping."
Mrs. Walker marched over, "I was until you didn't stay put like I told you to and caused this ruckus." She put out her hand, "Stop all this foolishness, and hand me that pistol."
"But Ma, I've got to kill the witch. It's important."
Mrs. Walker glared at him, "If there is a witch, Marshal Dillon is more than capable of getting rid of her. Now you hand me that gun, and tell me who you took it from."
Jeb reluctantly gave his mother the weapon and pointed to a man who was sitting on the ground rubbing his jaw. She handed the man his gun, "Sorry for the trouble my son caused." The man took the gun and got to his feet. "That's all right Mrs. Walker, we know you and your husband do your best. Me and my two buddies were just trying to stop him from bursting into the marshal's office. We don't like a child killer either, but figure the law should handle it."
She nodded her thanks at the other two men as they stood up and brushed themselves off, then she turned to the deputy, "Festus if you want to arrest him I understand, but you know how he is. If it's all right with you, I'll send him home to his father while I finish up here."
Festus looked at Jeb and decided that sending him home was better than locking him in a cell near Mrs. Cassidy. "All right Jeb, get on ya mule and head on home to ya Pa. Go directly now or ya Ma and Pa are gunna be sore, real sore."
Jeb looked at the ground, and sighed. Finally he looked up, "All right, I'll go home to pa." Mrs. Walker took his arm, "Do you have something to say before you go?" Jeb looked Festus, "Sorry for the trouble."
Festus smiled, "It's OK Jeb, go on home now."
Jeb went to his mule, and climbed on whispering under his breath, "I still think that witch ought to be killed."
He flicked the reins and was headed home, just as Kitty came out of the marshal's office still trying to calm her pounding heart. She went over to Festus, wondering if she could manage to sound normal, "Festus, what's been happening?"
Festus shook his head, "Miss Kitty, Jeb Walker got it in his mind that Mrs. Cassidy is a witch. He was gunna shoot her to save the kids in Dodge. He punched a fella and snatched his gun. Two men tried ta stop him, but ya know ya self how strong Jeb is, and they ended up on the ground. His ma got him to give over the gun and sent him home to his pa. I figured that was better than havin him in a cell near Mrs. Cassidy, anyways his pa an ma handle him better than anybody."
Kitty smiled and put a hand on his arm, "Seems like you did a good job Festus." Even as she spoke she was wondering how long it would be before Festus or Matt found out that River was missing. She decided that all she could do was walk calmly back to the Long Branch and wait for things to unfold. She was about to leave Festus when she stopped in her tracks with a horrible realization. If Jeb was going directly home, he'd take Willow Bend Road, the very road she told River to take. If Jeb came upon a woman he thought was a witch he'd kill her, and man his size didn't need a gun to do it."
Kitty tried to swallow her panic, "Festus, where's Matt?"
"He's jawing with Mr. Botkins about a gold shipment or some such thing.
Kitty nodded and hurried towards the bank. She saw Matt coming out and rushed over, "Matt we need to talk. Please come to the Long Branch."
Seeing the look on Kitty's face, Matt didn't hesitate and they were soon inside her office with the door shut.
"What is it Kitty? What's wrong?"
She took a deep breath. There was no way to say it, but to say it, "I let River escape. Festus had to tend to something and asked me to lock the cell. I let her out."
It took Matt a few seconds to register what Kitty had said. His voice was filled with disbelief, "You what?"
Words poured out of her rapidly, "I let her escape Matt. She's innocent, and won't defend herself. I let her go. The thing is, Jeb Walker wants to kill her. He thinks she's a witch, and they're both headed to Willow Bend Road."
Matt stood and looked down her. She cringed at the look of anger and deep, deep hurt in his eyes. He spoke quietly, but his words thundered in her ears.
"I trusted you. I trusted you like I've never trusted anyone, and you've betrayed me and everything I believe in. I trusted you."
He walked away and opened the door, "I have to find her, before Jeb Walker does."
She jumped at the sound of Matt slamming the door behind him. The sound echoed in her ears.
TBC