Topeka Kansas

Eric Cassidy was counting his winnings from the previous night. He was pleased with his growing fortune, but it had no value to him without River. The shameful night he lost her in the poker game he learned that she, and only she was irreplaceable treasure, the kind of treasure that should never be risked. He couldn't undo what happened, but he wanted to be ready to provide her with a good and comfortable life if he was ever blessed with the opportunity. If she never wanted to see him again he'd understand, but he'd be ready provide for her even if it was as a secret benefactor.

He heard a knock and quickly put the money away "Come in."

Sheriff Wilber Grant walked in with his deputy, "Mr. Cassidy, please come with us. You are not in any trouble, but we've been ordered by a US Marshal to put you under protective custody."

Cassidy was stunned, "Protective custody, why? Who would want to hurt…" He stopped and recalled Jack Caton's threats. "Does this have anything to do with my wife, River?"

Grant took Eric's arm, "I don't know Mr. Cassidy, but Marshal Dillon doesn't do things without a good reason. I'm going move you to a different location, and my deputy will be your body guard until the marshal tells me otherwise."

Dodge City

Matt came out of the Dodge House and was hurrying down Front Street to the Long Branch. After sending the telegram to Topeka to ensure Eric Cassidy's safety he had gone to see Judge Brooker. The fact that Festus had been the one to greet the judge gave him some concern. Always talkative, Festus sometimes said more than he had to and Matt wondered what he'd told the judge about River's escape. He was relieved to learn Festus had merely said that River was gone and Matt went after her, with no mention of the circumstances surrounding the escape. Matt knew the truth would come out, but wanted to be present when it did.

The judge was in a hurry, and set the preliminary hearing to begin in a half hour. He wanted Jack Caton, River Cassidy, Matt and Festus to be present. Matt was hoping to have a few minutes alone with Kitty before he had to take River to the hearing.

As he hurried along he heard his name and turned around. A young man was running towards him waving a piece of paper, "Marshal, this came for you."

Matt took the telegram - Cassidy in protective custody. Wants to know if wife is involved.

Matt smiled and continued walking. Things were falling into place.

Long Branch – Inside Kitty's Bedroom

"River, you will do no such thing."

"Kitty, you can't stop me from saying that I escaped on my own."

"River, that's ridiculous. I'm going to confess that I let you out. Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

"Look who's calling who stubborn."

"At least I'll be telling the truth"

The argument was stilled by the sound of a knock. A knock Kitty recognized, "Come in Matt."

Matt waked in and was more than a little surprised to see the women standing opposite each other, hands on hips, steam coming out of their ears. He had a feeling he knew what it was about, and also knew they were two of the strongest, most stubborn people on earth.

He held out the telegram, "River, take a look."

She read the message and smiled broadly, "This is wonderful, thank you." She looked up and saw Kitty and Matt holding each other's gaze, "Um, I wonder if I should go down stairs and get a sarsaparilla."

Kitty gave River a look of gratitude and Matt nodded, "I'll be down soon. We have to be in the Town Hall, that one story building on First Street, in a half hour."

The second River closed the door behind her, Matt had Kitty in his arms. She leaned into his chest, and he whispered, "Kitty, I'm sorry about what I said. I shouldn't have reacted that way."

"Oh Matt, I know how you feel about the law, and you're right, it's just that..."

He smothered her mouth with a kiss. Their lips separated, "Kitty, I understand. You remember what I told you about Pruitt Dover don't you?"

She nodded, "That was so very hard for you."

He stroked her cheek, "Yes, that's why I understand."

"Matt, I committed a crime. I could go to jail."

He pulled her closer, "I'm here for you Kitty, no matter what happens. I love you, and always will." After a minute, he reluctantly stepped back. "I have to go to the hearing. I'll be back as soon as I can and we'll talk."

Town Hall

Judge Brooker was seated at a large oak desk in the Town Hall office that was adjacent to the room where trials were held. Matt and Festus walked in with Jack Caton and River Cassidy. Caton got close to River and whispered in her ear, "Remember honey, Eric will die if you testify against me."

Everyone was seated and Judge Brooker began, "This is a preliminary hearing for the purpose of deciding what charges to bring against what parties. Once that is established, a trial date will be set. Everyone will be sworn in. All statements made here are made under oath and false statements will carry the penalty of perjury."

The judge called Caton first. He confessed to robberies and kidnapping but said that River had planned all the crimes and murdered the boys. He swore wore that River stabbed the children to death, while they were tied up.

Matt was called next and described digging up the graves, and seeing bullet holes in the small sculls. Caton was shaken, but still confident that River would back up his story.

River had the telegram clutched in her hand, when the judge had her proceed. She quietly described how she had come to be with Caton and his partners. Then she spoke about the boys. Her voice shook with emotion but she looked directly into Caton's eyes and told the truth.

Caton jumped to his feet, "You bitch, Eric Cassidy will die."

He looked around, and before anyone could move, threw himself out an open window and sprinted away.

Matt and Festus drew their guns and went out the door after him. Caton was running full tilt down the street. He turned a corner to evade capture, just as the stagecoach coming that way was picking up speed. The driver couldn't stop the horses in time and they slammed into Caton, sending him flying off to the side.

Matt ran to Caton's body. His neck was broken, he was dead. The stagecoach driver ran over, horrified by what he'd done, "Marshal, he came out of nowhere. I tried to stop honest."

Matt nodded, "I know. It's not your fault. He made a lot of bad decisions. This was the last of many."

Festus and Matt returned to Town Hall and found Judge Brooker and River deep in conversation. The judge heard the men come in, "What happened?"

"Jack Caton is dead. It was an accident. He turned onto Front Street as a stagecoach was barreling down."

The judged sighed, "All right. I'm officially closing this part of the hearing. No charges to be made. Matt I'd like a word alone with you."

Matt nodded, dreading the questions about River's escape that he knew were coming. He turned Festus, "Please take River over to Kitty's."

Alone with Matt, Judge Brooker looked at him. He considered the marshal a friend, but also respected and admired the man more than just about anyone he had ever known. Matt Dillon didn't have a dishonorable bone in his body.

"Sit down Matt. I know that Festus was surprised to find Mrs. Cassidy gone from her cell, but I'm going to assume that she was in your custody all along. I'm going to assume that you took her to that cabin to gather evidence, and didn't have time to inform your deputy before hand."

Before Matt could answer, Judge Brooker stood, "Well, case closed no further legal action needed. I'm going to meet Doc Adams for dinner. Good night, Matt. You look kind of tired to me. Get some rest."

TBC