"Doc," Matt said stepping inside the physician's office. "Festus sobered up yet?"
"Oh ya," Doc said tugging on his ear. "Good and sober. You come to give him what he gave you?"
Matt grinned as he looked down at the floor. "No," he said grimly. "I've come to arrest him for Sarah's murder."
"You what!" Doc said looking at the lawman. "Please tell me your joking!"
"Wish I was," Matt said moving toward Doc's spare room.
Wrapping lightly on the closed door, he tipped his hat up when Abelia answered the door.
"Marshal," she said taking a step back for Matt to enter.
"Festus," Matt said as the hillman stood up.
"Matthew," Festus said walking toward Matt. "I'm real sorry bout hawlin off and hitting ya! Ya know I'd never try ta hurt ya."
"Never mind about that right now," Matt said firmly. "We got bigger problems."
"What problems?" Abelia asked taking a stand next to Festus.
"Seems Sarah had agreed to meet her uncle here today," Matt replied. "His names Jake Guthrie and when I told him what happened, he insisted on filing charges against you."
"Charges," Festus said scrunching up an eye. "Charges fer what?"
"Murder," Matt said slowly. "I'm afraid my hands are tied. Judge Brooker signed the warrant."
"Yer arresting me?" Festus said softly.
"I have to," Matt nodded as Abelia looked from Matt to Festus.
"But he didn't kill her," she said tears springing to her eyes.
"Bee," Festus said taking his wife's arm. "It's not gonna matter what I say. If in the judge thinks there's enough evidance fer a trial and this Jake feller filed charges, wal then there ain't a nothin me or Matthew can say that's gonna make any difference."
"A trial," Abelia said looking into Festus eyes. "But what happens if it don't come out the way we want it to?"
"Well," Festus said slowly. "I ain't ta worried bout that and I don't want ya a fretting none bout it neither. It's gonna be alright, that much I do know."
"That's right," Doc said gently. "Everyone in town saw how that woman was acting, no one in their right mind would think you killed her."
"I'm not sure the trial will be here Doc," Matt looking at Festus. "Guthrie told the Judge the town's biased. Brokers going to hold a preliminary hearing tomorrow and decide if the trial should be moved."
Festus shook his head. "Things ain't ta looking to good are they Matthew?"
Matt sighed. "It's not time to give up yet," he said moving toward the door. "Let's go."
Abelia squeezed Festus hand as he kissed her gently. "What should I tell the children?" she asked.
"Just have them come see me after school," Festus said. "I'll tell em sumthin."
Abelia nodded as Festus let go of her hand.
"I'm ready Matthew," Festus said as Matt nodded.
Following Matt out of the room, Doc put his arm around Abelia and hugged her to him. "Don't you worry," he said. "Matt'll find away out of this mess."
"I hope so Doc," Abelia said softly. "I really do."
Matt opened the door to the jail and found Newly standing inside. "At least no one knows what's going on yet," the young deputy said as Festus took a seat at the table in the middle of Matt's office.
"No but they'll all know after that preliminary hearing tomorrow," Matt said with a sigh.
Festus looked up as the door opened and Jake Guthrie walked in. "Is this the man Marshal," he said meeting the hillman's eyes.
Matt stepped between the man and Festus as the hillman stood up. "Mr. Guthrie," Matt said putting a hand up. "I don't want you coming in here and causing any problems. Everything will be discussed tomorrow at the hearing."
"Why ain't he locked up," Jake yelled looking at the Marshal. "Is this how you treat prisoners wanted for murder?"
"That's my business mister," Matt said pointing toward the door. "Now I'm asking you to leave or I'm going to throw you out of this office."
Jake looked at Festus before backing away. "Ain't got no remorse woman killer?"
Matt shoved the Jake in the chest causing him to stumble out the door as Abelia, Johnny and Marianne came down the boardwalk.
Abelia flashed the man a nasty look as they passed. "Who was that man," she said once Matt closed the door behind them.
"That was Sarah's uncle," Matt explained with a nod toward the children. "We'll discuss that later."
Marianne ran to Festus and jumped into his arms as the hillman scooped her up and set her down on his lap. "Papa," she said exuberantly. "We missed you last night."
"Ya did?" Festus said smiling slightly. "Wal I'm afraid, I'm gonna be working here with yer uncle Matthew for a time so I won't be at home right now but I don't want you youngin's giving yer ma any trouble while I'm gone."
"I won't," Marianne said putting her arms around Festus neck. "But I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you to," Festus said softly. "You better get along home now so's yer Ma can get supper ready."
Abelia took Mariannes hand as Festus set the girl back onto her feet.
"Pa," Johnny said as Abelia headed for the door. "Who's Sarah Guthrie?"
Abelia looked at Festus as the hillman took Johnny's hand. "Now where did ya hear that name?" he asked.
"Pete Martin in school told me he heard his Pa talkin bout her and you," Johnny said. "He said, his Pa heard about you and that lady from years ago."
"Johnny," Abelia said firmly. "Let's go home."
"It's alright Bee," Festus said. "You and Marianne go on home, Jonathan will be on in a bit."
Johnny looked from Festus to the Marshal before he said anything else. "Is that why the lady was asking me about you?"
"What did she ask you Johnny?" Matt said taking a seat.
"She wanted ta know what time Pa went home," he said slowly. "And how he got there. I told her you usually came home after you made rounds and she wanted ta know what part of town you would be in and I showed her, and then you know what she did?"
"What," Festus said gently.
"She went into the alley and told me and Mariane, she was gonna surprise you when ya came by!"