PT.13
Matt's friend's stood puzzled, now looking back and forth at one another.
"Matthew," Festus knelt down with his hand on his friend's shoulder, wiping away a small tear hoping no one noticed. "You jes tell me what'cha want to do and I'll git er done."
"Festus, I can feel her. Ya know? Here." He was now hitting his fist to his chest. "If she were gone... If she were gone..." now inhaling, "I'd know in here." Again hitting harder.
"I hear'd ya, Matthew. So we gonna find Miz Kitty. You bet'cha, we will. If I'm a lyin' I'm dyin'."
Matt and Festus stood, turned and saying nothing, took off.
Harriman and Lane entered Harriman's office. It was dark. Now lighting the lamp and opening the cabinet, pulling out two glasses and a bottle of whiskey then pouring them both a drink. "Harriman, we have to fix this. This all went so wrong." Lane began.
Taft Bridge
Early morning, two old men were walking alone the banks of the Rock Creek. The sun was just beginning to rise. Suddenly, as they were talking and decided stop and sit on a bench, one of the elderly gentlemen thought he noticed the light catch something.
Turning to his friend, "Walter? Did you see that?"
"What?" Now leaning to see.
"Over there." As they walked closer and up onto the edge of the bridge, trying to get a closer look.
They could now hear a slight sound. "Help... Help… me... Is any-one... ther..."
Now the sound drifted off. "Walter, did you hear that? Someone is there."
Lying by the edge of the rocks tangled amongst tree branches, all that was visible were strands of red hair and two arms holding tight over a large log. A blue skirt was soaked and floating in the water. As the cool water current rippled over her body.
The two old men began to panic. "That's a woman! How'd she get down there? We got to help her. We got to find her some help, quick."
Matt and Festus decided to retrace their steps. Festus followed what looked like tracks of small footsteps. He thought he saw them late the night before, when he was talking to Joey by the river. Sam and Joey had returned to the Winsor Inn and met up with Jake and Charlie. They were two others with their group and they filled them in on what happened. Charlie couldn't help but remember how beautiful he thought Kitty was when they met on the train.
They all decided to join in the search, although they felt Matt was still in denial.
Matt stopped off to check with the constable. Seeing him, he let him know what they'd found.
"Matt, I'm sorry for your loss. I'll have Harriman brought in again."
"Kitty's out there. I know she is. I feel her."
Stopping, looking puzzled. "But, Matt, you just said you found the fresh grave."
"Yeah, I found a grave. But it's NOT KITTY'S. I know it's not her."
"And you know this because?"
"I just do." Quickly, he turned, leaving slamming the door.
As Festus followed the small footsteps, he came across a torn sleeve of a blue jacket. One that he definitely recognized. Rushing to grab it, "Miz Kitty?" Holding it up to his face. "Aw, stay in the buggy, Miz Kitty. We gonna find ya. You bet ya, we will."
Just then he heard, "Hey you. Mister? Over here! Can you hear me? Mister, I need help!"
Festus squinted his eyes, now seeing a small framed man leaning over, trying to shield his eyes from the bright streaks of light. "Mister, please, there's a woman. She's hurt!"
Festus rushed through the cold water towards the man. Show me where she be at."
As he made his way closer, he could now see the form of what he now knew was the woman he had known and loved for many, many years. The wife of his best friend. "MIZ KITTY!"
Festus quickly began pulling off the branches and freeing her from the entanglement. Pulling her free, he gently scooped her in his arms. "I got'cha." Holding her tight and carrying her to the bank of the creek, he climbed out of the cold water. Dropping to his knees, he cradled her, rocking her. "Aw, Miz Kitty. It's gonna be alright now. I got'cha. And ol' Matthew, he's a gonna be here directly."
"Mister? You know the lady?"
Nodding, "Hurry yer ownself. Call fer help. Hurry now."
Festus took off his jacket, wrapping it around her. As he was brushing his hand across her cheek, Kitty began to moan. "Miz Kitty? It'll be alright." He was continuing to rock her.
Standing, he scooped her up and started walking. "Ya know, Miz Kitty, I made Gracie girl a promise. I did. I promised, I'd bring her, her momma home safe and I'm a gonna keep that there promise. So, you jes stay in the buggy. Then he began humming as he walked.
Harriman and Lane sat talking when the door opened. "I understand you may need my help?" As they looked up, Benecourt stood in the doorway. "Someone want to explain?"
"Sit, I'll pour you a drink." Before he could begin his version of the story, Lane noticed they had another visitor.
TBC