The Cabin

Matt dug into the soft earth until he reached the remains of the children. Overcome by grief and sorrow River turned her head and walked away.

Matt steeled himself, and kept his emotions in check as he examined the remains of two small boys who had been murdered. When he finished, he went to River and put a hand on her shoulder, "Mrs. Cassidy, the boys were shot in the backs of their heads, but maybe you knew that."

For the first time in 2 years, River Cassidy lost control of her emotions, and her wrenching sobs filled the quiet night air. Matt put a comforting arm around her and ushered her inside. He sat her down and patiently waited for her to regain some semblance of composure.

As her sobs slowly abated and he spoke gently, "The boys were shot, and I searched every inch of this cabin and didn't see one shotgun, rifle, pistol, or any other type of gun. I have a feeling they never left you with a gun."

"That's right, the only guns were the ones they wore, and they even slept with those. I guess they thought I'd do something rash, like shoot myself."

"What happened to the boys?"

She hesitated, but the truth had been dammed up for too long, words came flooding out, "They were kept tied up all time. They were scared and hurt, and cried, cried a lot. I wasn't allowed to help or comfort them and the sound of their cries will haunt me always. A ransom was arranged and when it was time to fetch it, Larry wanted to stay behind to keep an eye on things. Jack thought they should all go in case there was a trap, and they had to shoot their way out. Larry finally agreed. They reinforced the ropes and pulled them even tighter on the boys. Then they tied me to a chair with my hands behind me. Luckily, by that time, they were in a hurry and didn't do a great job. After they left I managed to work my way free. I got a knife from the kitchen and started cutting the ropes from the boys. It took a while but I did it. Then I tried to open the back door. It was locked from the outside, and so was the front. Finally I was able to force the window open enough for a small body to squeeze through. I helped them out, and said to run fast. I shut the window, feeling good about something for the first time in two years. That's when I heard shots. The men were back and saw the boys running."

She squeezed her eyes shut. Matt looked at her pale, tear stained face and wished there was a way to take her pain away.

He whispered, almost to himself, "Jack said you stabbed them because he knew if I searched the cabin for a weapon, I'd be able to find a knife, but not a gun. Pretty smart."

River looked at Matt, "Marshal, you said you'd have Eric protected. If that happens and I know he's safe, I'll tell everything to a judge. If I'm not sure of Eric's safety, I'll stand by and let Jack tell his story even if it means I'll hang."

"Mrs. Cassidy, if your husband is still in Topeka, as I'm sure he is, he'll be protected. You have to remember though, now that I know the boys were shot, I'll testify."

River slumped down in her chair suddenly totally exhausted and terribly confused. Matt looked at her with understanding, "It's very late, and it's been a long, hard day. I'll go get some beans, jerky and coffee from my saddlebags. It's not much but it's something. Then you should get some sleep, we'll head back to Dodge at first light.""

A slight smile crossed River's lips. Kitty was right, he is a good man. "All right, but under the circumstance I think you should call me River."

"All right River, and it's Matt."

They didn't say a word as they ate their modest meal, and afterwards River quietly said goodnight and went to bed. As she pulled the blankets over her, she realized that the bed felt different. For the first time, she didn't have to wonder which of the three men would be joining her to satisfy his needs.

Matt found a bed across the room and settled in. His thoughts returned to Kitty and what she had done, and an incident from a few years before came into his head.

He had been seriously wounded by a madman while taking Pruitt Dover to Dodge to stand trial. Pruitt could have taken advantage of the situation and escaped, but he stayed to help and even dug the bullet out. They made it to Dodge, and Pruitt stood trial. There was no real evidence against him, but a judge who had a reputation for being a "hanging judge," found Pruitt guilty of murder and sentenced him to death.

As he was taking Pruitt to Hays to be hung, there was not doubt in his mind that the good and moral man who'd saved his life, had been wrongfully convicted. It ate away at him, and he couldn't stand it. On the way to Hays he risked his badge, reputation and freedom and allowed Pruitt Dover to escape. Ultimately Pruitt didn't accept the sacrifice. He returned and insisted on facing the sentence.

Deep in thought, Matt knew he believed, heart and soul, in the importance of upholding the law. Yet, there were rare occasions when a higher justice had to be served, despite the consequences. Kitty had met that moment in her life, just as he had with Pruitt Dover. There was no difference.

He closed his eyes and pictured Kitty, wanting more than anything to have a chance to hold her close, let her know he understood, and tell her that he loved her and always would.

River wasn't sleeping any better than Matt. For the first time in two years she had hope. She was rid of Jack Caton, it seemed that Eric would be save, and she wasn't going to be hung. Of course she'd confess to breaking out of jail, she didn't want Kitty to be blamed, but maybe under the circumstances there wouldn't be a prison sentence. No matter what, as soon as she could she'd get lost in some city, happy in the knowledge that Eric was safe. She wished she could be with him, but after two years with 3 men who had her at will, she wasn't worthy of a decent man's love. She didn't expect Eric to take her back. It wouldn't be fair to even ask.

The Next Day – Dodge Mid-morning

Kitty was in the Long Branch trying to keep busy. Matt hadn't come to see her last night which meant one of three things – he hadn't found River, he'd found River but couldn't bring her back, or he brought River back but stayed away. None of the three were good.

She also knew that Festus had met Judge Brooker's stage that morning, and wondered what he'd said.

As she wiped down the bar yet again Sam rushed in, "Miss Kitty, just I saw the marshal and he wanted me to tell you he'd like to see you outside his office."

Kitty smiled weakly, thinking – Oh great. Matt's going to arrest me.

She headed to the marshal's office with an unaccustomed feeling dread at the thought of seeing Matt. When she got closer she saw him standing with River. He looked at her and smiled. It wasn't just a smile, it was the smile filled with love that he reserved for her alone. She knew immediately that no matter what the future held, Matt loved her.

He walked towards her and took her arm, "Kitty we have to talk and we will, but right now please take River up to your place. I have to send a telegram. River can fill you in."

Matt rushed off, and Kitty looked at River. She had cleaned herself up, brushed her hair, and had a familiar spark in her eyes. Kitty smiled and took her arm.

TBC