Matt entered Wilbur Jonas' general store; there were quite a number of people shopping, which was good for Jonas, but not for the marshal as he wanted to talk to him. Jonas poked his head up and waved at Matt, "I'll be with you in a few minutes," he acknowledged. Matt nodded and decided to look around the store to see if there were any other boots like what Zach was wearing.
Jonas was finally able to free himself from a customer, "What can I do for you, Matt," he quickly asked as he approached the marshal.
Matt looked around and pulled the store owner aside, which made Jonas frown. "Have you had any dealings with the Clanton boys?" he asked.
"There's only three of them, isn't there?" Jonas asked as he pulled his arm out of Matt's hand.
Matt nodded, "I'm interested in Zachariah, in particular," he said in a hushed voice.
Jonas noticed the look on the marshal's face and leaned forward, "What's going on, Matt?" he asked.
"Just tell me it you've sold anything to Zachariah," Matt almost ordered.
Jonas' eyebrows knit together at the tone of the question. The store owner walked over to the service counter and opened his ledger and Matt followed, "Its been busy so give me a minute," he said as he flicked through the pages, scrolling down with his right index finger until he saw Zach's name, "He was here with his kid brother and bought a pair of boots," the store owner looked up. "Now what is this about?" he had to ask.
Matt didn't answer at first, "Did he take the old boots with him?" he questioned as he walked to the service counter.
"Well," Jonas paused in thought, "I don't think so," he sputtered.
"Where are they?" Matt was anxious to see them.
"I put them out in the bin in the alley. They didn't look too bad, so I thought maybe someone might like them," Jonas explained as he looked in the direction of his store room that led to the alley, and then back at the marshal. Matt's heart sunk at the words. "Thanks. I'll go look," he stated as he left the store, rather than go through the storeroom. Jonas stood with his mouth hanging open – Matt never did answer his question.
Matt walked down the boardwalk and entered the alley beside the store. His eyes scanned the area looking for the boots. They were still sitting at the top of the bin just as Jonas had said. Matt grabbed the boots and looked at the soles, "Damn," he said with disappointment, as he looked around the alley. They still weren't the boots he was looking for, but now he had to take into consideration that maybe Zach is telling the truth.
Matt walked back to the general store and entered to find the store owner tidying up after a busy few minutes. The marshal walked over to Jonas, "Are these the boots you put out in the alley?" he asked.
Jonas looked over his silver-rimmed spectacles and took one of the boots to study it, "Sure looks like them," he handed the item back to the marshal. "Matt, what's this about?" he asked placing his hands on his hips.
"It's about solving a murder," Matt growled.
"You think that Zach did it?" Jonas nervously pointed at the footwear.
"I don't know what to think," Matt shook his head. "We have evidence, but none of it's making sense," he sighed.
"Look, Matt, the Clantons are nice people. I can't see any one of them killing someone," he paused, "Who was it," he had to ask.
Matt shook his head, "No one you know," he said as he left the store again leaving Jonas standing with his mouth open in wonderment.
The marshal began to cross the alley between the store and the Long Branch Saloon when Festus appeared on the boardwalk in front of him, "Matthew!" he pointed to the front of the saloon.
"What is it Festus?" Matt curtly asked; still feeling annoyed about the boots.
"Newly and me followed the foot prints to the Lang Branch. It's gotta be someone in thar!" the hill man's eye brows lifted to his hat.
Matt handed the boots he had to the deputy, "Get these over to the jail house and come right back," he ordered. "Come into the saloon like nothing was wrong," he then warned.
"You betcha Matthew," Haggen said as he dashed off; his big spurs jingling all loudly as he crossed the street.
The marshal watched the hill man for a moment and then turned his attention to the matter at hand. Slowly he walked to the swing-doors and peered over the top. Kitty and Doc were at their table, Newly was at the bar with Sam, and Zach was with Clement at the far side of the room. He drew a deep breath and pushed through the doors.
Newly and Sam gave him a quick look and resumed their conversation, all the while trying to watch Zachariah. Matt passed the two men and walked back to where Kitty and Doc were seated; and took a quick look around.
"You look like you could use a drink," Kitty noted the sour look on the marshal's face. Kitty motioned for Sam to bring Matt a beer.
"You're right," Matt said in a hushed voice and lowered himself onto a chair; he rested his forearms across in front of him on the table. "I see he joined his brother," he grunted as he looked across the room from under his hat. Sam placed the mug next to the marshal's elbow and went back to the bar.
Doc leaned forward, "He sure is playing coy," he said as he gruffly drew his hand over his moustache. "What did you find out about the boots?" he asked.
Matt's eyes shifted to the doctor's, "Jonas sold Zach a pair the other day," he stated, "but the ones he left behind still aren't the ones we need," he added. "Festus and Newly follow a trail of foot prints to here," he then stated.
Doc ticked his head, "So who is wearing them?" the doctor did a quick look. "I hope we find out soon," Matt answered.
Festus entered the saloon and walked over to where Newly was, at the bar. The two deputies engaged in a conversation, and Matt could only imagine what it was about, as now and again one or the other would glance over their shoulders to the two Clanton brothers.
Across the room, Clement tried not to look at the law men as they peered over in their direction, "Why did the marshal want to see you?" he then asked Zach.
Zach shrugged, "A misunderstanding," he smiled weakly. "Don't worry about it," he patted his kid brother on the shoulder.
"I don't like how they keep looking over here," Clem huffed.
"Maybe they like your new hat," Zach poked his brother in the shoulder, which made him laugh. "Why don't you go and asked them?" he nudged his brother, knowing full well that Clem was naive enough to do it.
"It is a nice hat," Clement said as he removed the hat and studied it for a few minutes before placing it back on his head and standing up.
Festus nudged Newly on the elbow, "What's he doing?"
Newly shrugged, "Maybe he's getting ready to leave," the young deputy suggested.
Clement walked around the barroom floor whimsically pointing to his hat. A few fellows laughed at his action, which made him giggle. His travels took him further into the room and before he knew it he was at the same table as the marshal, where he stood frozen. Kitty smiled, "Nice hat," she spoke softly. Clem slowly smiled back and began his routine again. This time Matt noticed the muddied boot print on the floor in front of him. Slowly the marshal stood and walked closer to the young man. Clement turned and looked up at the marshal.
"Are those your boots," Matt pointed to Clem's footwear. The young man's eyes followed down to the floor and then he looked up, "Yes. They're my boots," he smiled thinking that Matt was going to pay him a complement.
"You're coming with me," Matt took Clem by the arm.
"What for?" Clement asked as his anxiety grew.
"We're going to have a little talk," Matt stated firmly. By now the whole room was watching, including Zach who was half way to his feet.
"About what, marshal?" Clem asked politely.
"About the murder of Jane Rose McKay," the marshal replied as he escorted Clement out of the saloon and over to the jailhouse. Festus and Newly were close behind.
Zachariah sat down and swallowed. His heart was pounding as he suddenly realized that his young brother was in deep trouble. Zach wet his lips and thought quickly. He stood and walked to the door as if nothing was wrong. Once he left the saloon he headed straight for the hotel to inform Randall and his father the Clement had been arrested without implicating himself.
Doc and Kitty exchanged looks. The doctor stood, "I'd better join Matt," he said as he picked up his medical bag and headed for the jail house.
Kitty walked to the bar and stood with Sam. "You don't think he did it, do you, Miss Kitty?" the barkeep asked.
"I don't know Sam. Doc was right. This is going to get messy," Kitty sighed.