Dodge Mid-Morning
Festus ran his sleeve across his eyes to wipe away the dripping sweat, and pushed through the door to the marshal's office. "Matthew I tell ya, it's hotter out thar than…" He stopped and stared. Matt was bent over a desk that was covered with telegrams, letters and wanted posters. The deputy's eyes widened. "Golly Bill, Matthew, what's all that fur?"
"The Reynolds gang, Festus. It's become a huge priority with Washington and for good reason." Matt dropped a telegram onto a pile. "I've heard from just about every sheriff in this territory, and a few in Oklahoma. The word is more men are joining the gang, hoping to get rich pulling off some big raids. The Reynolds brothers are smart. They've been able to keep the details from leaking out, but it seems they're gathering men in a few well-hidden places. When they're ready to make a move they'll unite. Once that happens they can do a whole lot of damage, before they're stopped – that means bloodshed, suffering, people dying."
"Matthew, some of 'em are locked in cells in Hays an' a coupla other towns." Don't that help none?"
Matt shook his head. "No more than 5 or 6 have been arrested in total, and not one of them is talking." He picked up a telegram and smacked it with his fingers. "Best I've got is this - the sheriff in Topeka, thinks some of the leaders, likely family members, may be riding along Pawnee River. I'm gonna head out that way and see if I can pick up a trail."
"I'll go along with ya Matthew. Ya don't wanna be by your lonesome trackin' men like that.
Matt grabbed his hat from a wall peg. "I need you here Festus, looking after the town. Let Doc know where I'm going in case – anyone asks. See you later."
St. Louis
In Gravois Park, John set a picnic basket down in the shade of a sprawling oak tree. Elmira spread a blanket on the grass, and lowered her aging bones into a comfortable sitting position. She took off her feathered hat. John unbuttoned the jacket of his linen suit and sat beside her, clearly in fine spirits. "Mother, isn't it wonderful, the way Kitty took Johnny off to the Sweetwater Cafe to pick up fudge for dessert. It's nice for them to spend time together. Johnny's growing quite fond of Kitty."
"Kitty seems fond of him too. but she is quite absorbed in the workings of that cafe. I guess that's natural since she's a co-owner, after all she needs a means of support," Elmira unpacked the picnic basket and began to set out lunch. "Strange she never married – Kitty, I mean - she's so attractive, personable and bright. Perhaps the right man never came along. Still, most woman settle for a match that's good enough, because frankly, being an unmarried woman is usually quite a difficult path. That brings me back to wondering why Kitty never married. She must have had offers, but that's just a guess, she doesn't talk about her past. All we know is that she was born in New Orleans and owned a business in Dodge City, Kansas." Elmira looked at John. "Perhaps you know more, after all, you have been spending a lot of time with her."
John laughed and shook his head. "Mother, I see no need to pry. We know the most important thing about Kitty – the fact that she's a wonderful woman. Oh look." He quickly stood. "They're back from the cafe."
10-year old Johnny grinned, and Kitty chuckled as she handed John a bulging box. "We have more than enough fudge for everyone, way more, Johnny made sure of that." John tousled his son's hair and squeezed Kitty's hand. "Come get out of the sun, and sit. We found the perfect spot and lunch is all laid out."
Under the shade of the giant oak they talked, laughed and ate hard boiled eggs, cold chicken, cheese and bread. Elmira's eyes and thoughts rested on her son. He was hanging on Kitty's every word, and loved to make her smile. Clearly, the almost 50 year-old man was smitten. He never acted this way when he courted his late wife, Lorraine. Of course that relationship was different. Lorraine was a sheltered girl of 19 when she married John, an older, wiser man of 38. Kitty is fully a woman, mid to late 30's perhaps, who is competent and confident. When something amuses her she laughs, she doesn't titter. She'd lived in other places, done things, met people, but spoke little about where, what or who.
"Mmmmmm" Johnny let out a satisfied hum. The three adults looked over. The 10 year old's mouth was stuffed with fudge, with chocolate smeared over his mouth. John laughed. "You got the last of the fudge, son. Enjoy." He turned to Elmira. "Mother, why don't I put you and Johnny in a hansom cab. Kitty and I will clean up here and be right along. Elmira looked knowingly at John. For better or worse, he'd made a decision. She put a hand on his arm. "All right son."
Riding home, Elmira wrapped her arm around her grandson's shoulder, barely listening to him chatter about school. A soon as they got home, the boy raced to his room to read a dime novel about traitors and spies. Elmira lit the foyer light for John and Kitty, in case they returned after dark, and climbed the stairs to her suite. She paused at her door, and looked up the winding staircase toward Kitty's attic room. She couldn't blame her son for falling in love with the woman. Kitty was attractive in every way, and might be just what John and Johnny needed. On the other hand, a woman so reluctant to talk about her past must have secrets, and if there was any possibility those secrets could harm her son and grandson, it was her duty to uncover them. The stately grey-haired woman lifted her chin, continued up the spiral staircase and entered Kitty's room. Hands on her hips she glanced around. Everything was tidy and in place. Her eyes were drawn to small, red box sitting on the table. Weeks ago John mentioned, he was having an expert jeweler select a fine and expensive piece, for him to give to Kitty. It must be in that box. Curious she lifted the lid and gasped. It was the amazing necklace, that Kitty sold to the jeweler on Lafayette St. The sapphire in an exquisite silver setting. Kitty claimed she didn't remember where she got it. The look on her face said otherwise. Elmira closed the box. Should she tell John about the necklace? Reveal he'd given Kitty a gift that she once owned, but sold with sudden urgency. Elmira heaved a heavy sigh. It might be better to say nothing, and let things take their course. Feeling older but not wiser she went downstairs to her suite.
Matt
Matt rode along the Pawnee River and quickly picked up tracks. He felt like he hit the jackpot. It was clear three riders were joined by two and then another one. He felt certain he on his way to a one of the gang's hideouts. There'd be too many men to take on alone, but if he followed and stayed out of sight, he could gather information and return later with more men.
Eyes fixed on the ground ahead, Matt kept his horse to a slow but steady pace. He didn't want to be seen or heard by the riders up ahead, but had to follow before the hot, dry wind erased their tracks. Nature's cruelty was on full display. The scorching sun was merciless, and the hot wind whirled dust up into the air. Matt reached for his canteen to ease his thirst. A scream pierced though the blowing wind. Matt froze. Another scream, gut wrenching cries for help. Men's angry voices followed, their words indecipherable. Horses galloped off. Matt drew his gun. The screams continued. He cautiously rode towards them. The Reynolds were shrewd. It could be a trap. Gun in hand, he got off his horse, and took cover behind a pair of tall, thick oaks. He peer around the trees, and spotted a boy of 12 or 13 screaming and writhing in pain, his leg gripped by a bear trap. Matt holstered his gun and ran to the boy. "Hold on there, son. Try not to move, I'll get this thing sprung open." The boy's face was ghostly, his body trembling. He spotted Matt's badge and put up a hand. "No, no, no, no." Matt took out his gun. The boy closed his eyes, sure his head was being blown off. Matt flipped the gun to grip the front, and used the butt to bang on the hinge of the trap. Three sharp whacks, then again, and again The iron claws sprang apart. The boy opened his eyes. "You didn't shoot me." "Now why would I do that?" Matt rolled the boy over to look at his leg, gritting his teeth to keep from flinching. The ripped flesh, mangled muscles, crushed bone, would test the toughest human. Matt swallowed hard. "I'll get you to the nearest town, to a doctor." Even as he said the words, Matt knew it was too late. Tears streamed down the boy's thin face. "We can't make it. I'm gonna die." Matt took the boys hand. "I'm gonna do my best to keep you alive." "Ya wouldn't say that if ya knew my name's Jerry Reynolds. I was ridin' with my big brothers when I went to look for water and got caught in this here trap. My brothers hadda keep goin', 'cause they figured they was being followed. Jus' like you can't stop 'cause you're after 'em." The boy shuttered. "Oh God I'm scared. I'm gonna die." Matt took Jerry's hand. "I'm not leaving. When the pain gets bad, squeeze hard." Jerry disparately gripped Matt's big, strong hand. His breaths grew fast and shallow. His lips were turning blue. Tears streamed down face. "Can ya hold me." Matt wrapped his arms around the slender boy who'd never grow to be a man, and pulled him close. "Sleep, it will be all right." Jerry rested his head against Matt's chest. His voice a desperate whisper. "I don't wanna go to hell. I don't wanna burn forever. Maybe if I fix something, I'll be….." Jerry gasped for air. "Lawman, there's 4 hideouts – Spear Hill, Colby Caves, Red Dirt Cove, Shelby." The boy's eyes opened wide. "I'm scared. I'm scared." Matt stroked the boy's head and held him tight. "Shhh, sleep, everything will be fine." The small body jerked and went limp. The lawman cradled Jerry in his arms. After a time, he gently set the body down and got to his feet, eyes moist. "Let's give you a proper burial, son." He dug a grave, as best he could and laid the boy to rest. Using two sticks and piece of rope, he fashioned a cross and hammered it into the grave."Rest in peace, Jerry Reynolds. You deserved a longer life, and a better one." Jaw clenched, he got on his horse and turned back towards Dodge, repeating the places Jerry had named – Spear Hill, Colby Caves, Red Dirt Cove, Shelby. The meeting places for the Reynolds gang. 50 men or more were likely in each of those locations. It would be an army if it joined together. Now had a chance to prevent that from happening.
St. Louis
Kitty and John cleaned up their picnic area, working side by side in comfortable silence. "Kitty, it's cooling down, and turning into a lovely evening, it would be pleasant to walk home. We can cut right through the park." He offered his arm. She took it with a smile, and they strolled along the winding walkway, chatting, laughing, and admiring gardens and fountains. They came to a pond filled with gold fish, frogs and water lilies. She turned to him, "John, isn't the pond lo..." To her shock he was down on one knee. "Kitty Russell, I think you know how I feel about you. I don't see the point in waiting any longer. Will you marry me?" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring. "Please say yes." She reached down and gently pulled him to his feet. "Yes." He slipped the ring on her finger and wrapped his arms around her. "You have made me the happiest man alive."
TBC