PT.14
Old Flame revisited
Judge Brookings, bundled up in a high collared coat, slowly stepped out of the stage.
Carl, releasing the bags tied on the top, called, "Careful there, Judge. Don't want ya to fall."
"Thank you, Son. I'll be just fine just as soon as I get out of this God forsaken snow. Oh, I'm getting too old for this."
Matt came from his office. "Judge Brookings, good morning."
"Matt, how are you?"
Matt was still favoring his arm from the shot. "Ah, it's nothing, just a graze. Say, let me get you breakfast and I can fill you in."
"Sounds great." The two headed for Delmonico's.
Joe greeted them as they entered. "Be right out with coffee. Just sit."
"Thanks, Joe." Matt said.
"How've ya been, Matt? Haven't been out this way in some time."
"Good, Judge."
"And Miss Russell?"
"Well, Kitty's recuperating from a gunshot wound."
"Matt, are you telling me that… that poor woman has been shot?"
"Ah, Doc says she'll be fine with proper rest. Broke a few ribs. Kitty's strong. The strongest woman I know."
Shaking his head, "Matt, I'm an old man and I'm seriously thinking about putting down the gavel."
"Is that right?" Matt said surprised. Matt never saw him as an old man.
"Ok, Matt, we'll discuss that another time. Right now, fill me in."
"I'm not sure where to start."
"Let's see, apparently these two, I have in the jail, planned to rob the gold that was coming in on the train. I was going to have put it into the bank, here in Dodge, till it could be transported to Fort Dodge. The Colonel was sending his men to pick it up, but with the storm there was a delay. However, on their way into town, they hit Jake Worth's place and stole some horses and shot Jake down when he tried to ride to town to warn me. Back shot him."
Rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger, "Hummmmm… Matt, did Miss Russell get caught in the middle?"
Matt twisting his mouth, "Ah, yeah, but not how you think."
"I'm listening, Matt." Now frowning at Matt.
"Ok, let me back this up a bit. There's a woman in town…"
Now really curious, "Yes, go on." Brookings said.
"Well Dolly was a woman friend from many years ago. She came to town a few days ago on the stage."
Judge Brookings, from the look on Matt's face, knew this was gonna be some story here. "Matt, this Dolly? An old friend? An old flame?"
Nodding his head in acknowledgement. "Yeah, way back when. Uh, we were kids."
"And Miss Russell was…"
"Oh, Kitty was in San Francisco on business." Matt said.
"Oh, I see." Brookings said continuing to rub his chin.
"No, now, that's not it at all."
"Ok, how is it?" The judge was now smiling.
"Ok, Dolly, Dolly Winters, yes, she wants what I can't give her but just refuses to understand."
"Oh, women! What it is to be young, Matt."
"Anyway, Judge, it turns out that Dolly Winters is mixed up with these two I have in my jail. Don't quite have all the pieces to that yet, but a few days ago when Kitty and I were coming out of Doc's office these two were in the Long Branch. We had seen them earlier and Dolly was at the hotel. Where she still is locked in her room. Festus called out to me that the horses in front of the saloon had Jake's markings on them and as we walked towards them, two shots rang out. One grazed my arm, the other hit Kitty. Festus and I were tending to her when another shot rang out, but that is when Festus returned fire, hitting what turned out to be Dolly Winters."
I think I see now. Matt, this Dolly Winters, she was the second shot you heard?"
"Looks that way. But she was aiming for Kitty, unbeknownst to the two men who were shooting at me. They were thinking I now was coming for them."
"And you say Miss Russell is going to be fine?"
"Doc Adams thinks so." Matt answered.
"Well, Matt, those two will hang for horse theft. As for the woman, is Miss Russell pressing charges?"
"Ah, we haven't discussed that just yet."
"Well, Matt, that is attempted murder."
"Yeah, I know that." Matt said. "Look, Judge Brookings. I'd like to clear all this up before Christmas."
"Well, Matt, let's go see Miss Russell." And they headed out for the Long Branch.
Pushing thru the doors of the saloon, Sam greeted them. "Morning Marshal, Judge Brookings."
Together, they both returned the greeting. "Sam, is Kitty still up stairs or…"
Then dropping his eyes, "She's in the office, but I didn't tell you."
Matt and Brookings laughed. "That's Kitty, can't keep her still."
"I'll tell her you're here, Marshal. Go on sit down." Sam said. Sam knocked on the office door. "Miss Kitty? Marshal wants to see you."
"Ok, Sam, I'll be right out."
Sam returned to the bar. "Coffee's hot."
"Thanks, Sam."
He brought a tray with a fresh pot of hot coffee and three cups to the table. "She'll be right with you."
"Thanks." Matt nodded.
As the office door opened, she was walking gingerly. "Well now, to what do I owe this visit?" Then nodding, she said, "Judge Brookings." She smiled at him. "So glad you made your way through this awful storm."
"Miss Russell, looking lovely as ever."
Smiling at him, "Why, thank you."
Then Matt began, "Kitty, Judge Brookings needs to know…"
She was now looking on with a raised brow. "What?"
"About Dolly and if you want to press charges."
"Oh, I see." Shaking her head, "She could have killed me but…"
"Miss Russell, this makes the difference as to whether she goes to prison for attempted murder or just conspiracy to robbery."
Now Kitty had to think. She wanted Dolly out of their lives but then she also knew she wouldn't survive in prison. Well, Judge Brookings, I just want her gone. Matt, you two deal with this."
"Well, Kitty, if you chose not to she'll be charged with assault by the court and the conspiracy."
Kitty just shook her head and sipped her coffee.
The trail took place two days later. Marv and Ned were sentenced to hang for stealing Jake's horses and attempted murder of Jake. Dolly was sentenced for assault and conspiracy but only two years in a women's work house.
Jake recuperated slowly but he joked about needing the rest anyway. But he promised Kitty, he wouldn't miss her Christmas party for the world. He wanted a dance with her. He always made it a point to bring the children of his ranch hands to enjoy in the festivities.
Judge Brookings agreed to stay for the party also. He remembered how Kitty went to great lengths for the children as well as everyone in Dodge.
TBC