PT.21

Dodge City, Kansas

The train depot was filled with a large welcoming committee, mostly made up of Dillon's. All of them were excited. They had been waiting, knowing Matt, Kitty, Grace and Festus were due to return.

Once the children heard the whistle blow, they began jumping up and down yelling. "Here it comes! Here it comes!"

Exiting the train, "Poppa!" Mary ran, seeing Matt. "Am I happy to see you." Hugging him. "Where's Momma?"

"She's right behind me with Grace." Just then, he turned and reached his hand out to help Kitty down the stairs.

"Momma, I've been so worried."

"Mary, relax. I'm fine."

"Momma, now that you're home, we are going to take good care of you."

"Will you all stop hovering?" Kitty said, shaking her head. Now looking past Mary, she realized she saw Beth. "Beth? Beth Sweetheart! What on earth..."

Quickly hugging her. "Momma, Grace and Mary told me what was happening so Jesse and I made the trip here. We thought we should be here."

"I'm happy to see you but they over reacted. I'm fine. Really, I am fine."

"And you will be even better when we get you home and you get more rest as your doctor ordered." Grace announced. "Oh, and that'd be me."

"Grace…"

"Et et. No arguments, Mother."

Kitty just huffed and shook her head as they all headed out to the ranch.

Two Weeks Later

Topeka, Kansas

Matt and Kitty made the trip to Topeka. Matt had tried to convince Kitty not to go since she had given Marc Jennings an affidavit while they were still in D.C. He didn't want her to have to face Harriman or any of his associates. He also didn't want her to have to relive the experience, which would happen in the hearing.

After checking into the hotel, "Kitty, I'm going to go and see Judge Huntly and find out what time this hearing is set for. That will give you time to unpack and relax. Then we can get something to eat. I won't be long."

"Ok, Matt." She said as he left the room.

Matt walked across the street to the sheriff's office. As he entered, "Ah, Matt. How are you? I was wondering if you'd get in today."

"Dan. Yeah, Kitty and I just got in. She's over at the hotel now, getting settled."

"How's she holding up?"

"Pretty good. She's a strong woman. I wish she'd stayed home. I'd rather she not have to relive any of this but she's stubborn as well."

"And I'm sure that's part of what you love about her, Matt."

Rolling his eyes. "Yeah. That's it." Now snickering. "Huntly get in yet?"

"Not sure. He hasn't checked in with me. Look, Matt, how about I take you and Kitty to lunch?"

"Sure. Kitty would like that. She'd be happy to see you again."

As she unpacked, there was a light tap on the door. "Just a minute." She answered. "Cowboy? You forget your key?" Opening the door, she was smiling but quickly her smile dropped. "What are you doing here? I thought you were..."

"Relax, Kitty. We're staying here at the hotel. Sheriff Reilly has a full jail so Marc Jennings put us up here at the hotel."

"OHHHH? Ok, so then what do you want from me?"

"Kitty, we need to talk."

Shaking her head, "Un huh. I think anything that needed to be said was said back in D.C. Neither I nor Matt have anything more to say to either one of you." She began to close the door but putting her foot in the door, Joey leaned in.

"No, Kitty, you don't understand. Kitty, you can't let them send me to jail. I can't go to jail."

"Is that a fact? Well now, maybe you should have thought of that before you helped those two kidnap me. Now, if you don't mind..."

"Kitty, you have it all. Matty, the home, the family. You have everything you could ever want. Would you deprive me of the same? I could have had it all. I could have been you. It was supposed to be me, not you. Don't you see that?"

"Now wait a minute. Matt and I have been together a long time and have been through a lot to get to where we are. I didn't take anything or Matt from you. What you said in my hospital room. You didn't mean any of that, did you? Sam was right."

"Kitty, as long as you are here, in my way, it won't ever be right. I like you, Kitty but I can't lose him a second time."

"What? What are you talking about?" Kitty was trying to make her way towards the door. She could now see the strange look in Joey's eyes. Suddenly, Joey reached behind her, pulling out a large blade. "Whoa! "Joey, wait now. Don't do anything crazy."

"Kitty, I can do this so it will be quick. I was trained by some of the best. You can't leave this room alive."

Kitty's eyes widened and her breathing became rapid. Backing up, she bumped into the night table. "Joey, please. You don't need to do anything crazy. Let's take a minute and think about this." Kitty was trying to buy some time, hoping Matt would hurry and come back.

As Joey stepped forward towards her with the blade pointed at her, Kitty reached behind her, grabbing the lamp. Swinging it around, she aimed at Joey's head, knocking her off balance. Quickly, she headed for the door. Joey reached up, grabbing her skirt.

They were now in the hall, both on the floor. Kitty tried to fight her off. Joey, several times, swung and aimed the knife towards Kitty. They were now edging their way towards the landing just as Dan and Matt entered the hotel.

"Matt? What is going on?"

"Kitty!?" They both rushed towards the two women. Dan rushed, grabbing Joey while Matt hurried to Kitty, scooping her up. "Kit. Honey? I've got you. You're alright now."

Dan quickly disarmed Joey and cuffed her. "Matt, I'll handle this." He said, walking her out.

"Kit, what happened here?"

Wrapping her arms around him, trying to catch her breath. "Matt, Sam was right. She was fixated on you. She wanted me out of the way. She thought if she got rid of me, she'd have you, the home and family, etc. She thinks I stole all that from her. Everything that she said back in D.C. was all a lie."

"Come on. Let's get you cleaned up. Did she hurt you?"

"No. No, not really."

Hearing

When Judge Huntly arrived, they all gathered in the court house.

One by one, they all were questioned about what part they had in different areas of the case. From the beginning, when Huntly first suggested the new idea to reroute the railroad, to the awards night to Kitty's kidnapping and now including Joey's attempt to kill Kitty.

After hearing all sides, Huntly took a break to decide then returned.

"All rise! Judge Huntly presiding."

As he sat, he looked at them all. "Ok, I have given this all a great deal of thought and I have to say I am quite alarmed at some of what I've heard here today.

One, as to the railroad deal, I have made the decision for you all since it seems you can't do it amongst yourselves. The railroad will follow the surveyors plan I put forth avoiding Dodge City and Ford County.

Two, as to the kidnapping of Mrs. Dillon. Mr. Harriman, you are guilty of facilitating a kidnapping which led to an attempt of murder. I am sentencing you to ten years in state prison.

Three, Josephine McKay Aka Benson, I also find you guilty of facilitating a kidnapping and attempt of murder, twice. I sentence you also to state prison for no less than five years.

Mr. Dillon, Mrs. Dillon, I hope this will end this. Mr. Dillon, you have had a long distinguished career in law enforcement and should be proud of what you have accomplished. I heard about the award you received. And it was a well deserved one at that. Congratulations and thank you. Court is adjourned."

As they all left the court house, Kitty turned to Matt. "Cowboy, is this all over now?"

Lifting his brow, "Yeah, Kit, it is."

"Good." Patting his arm. "Can we please go home now?"

Nodding, "Yeah, not a minute too soon. How fast can you pack?"

Clearing her throat, "You kidding? I haven't unpacked." They both looked at one another, smiled, wrapped their arms around one another and walked back to the hotel.

TBC