David was up well before dawn. He dressed quickly and left his room, being careful to close the door without making a sound. Treading lightly on the thick beige carpeting that lined the hallway, he listened carefully for signs of life. All was quiet and he make his way down the carpeted stairs to the lobby. He hoped that Claire Hollis had done what she'd promised and left a note for him. As he neared the front desk he could see that the overnight clerk was tired and bored. He plastered on a cheery smile. "Good morning my good man. I must say it is quite amazing that after working a long hard night you still look fresh and energetic. You deserve twice what you are being paid."
The clerk perked up at the unexpected complement and David continued, "My name is David Miller, would you happen to have a note for me?"
The clerk moved quickly to the mail cubbies, eager to be of service to the pleasant gentleman. "A woman dropped one off late last night, she said it was from a judge."
David read the note: Dear Mr. Miller, I would be pleased to perform a marriage ceremony for you and Miss Russell. My sister Claire would be honored to bear witness. Please be at my chambers at 222 Watson St. at 10AM. Judge Joshua Hollis
Delighted with the message, David was about to tip the clerk when he had a thought. Perhaps Claire had left a note for Kitty. If so he should read that one too. He rubbed a gold coin between his fingers, "Dear sir, I hate to trouble you again, but might you also have a note for my fiancé, Kitty Russell?"
The clerk saw the coin yet hesitated. " I - I'm very sorry sir, but the rule is to give a message for a guest to that guest only."
David's leaned in and whispered, "I understand, I truly do. It's just that my fiancé won't be down for quite some time. She always sleeps late and then takes quite a while, sometimes hours, choosing her clothes and beautifying herself. Not that she's not beautiful enough, but you know how women are."
The clerk laughed and David continued, "My fear is that if she gets a message too late, she'll miss out on something important."
Still fingering the coin, David managed to smile kindly while looking concerned. The clerk made a decision. "There is a message here for Miss Russell. I'm sure there is no harm in giving it to her fiancé."
David offered a nod of gratitude, and handed the clerk the gold coin. He unfolded the note and was startled. It was not from Claire Hollis.
Dear Kitty, Don't worry about the Ronnigers. They are all safe. I'm in the hotel, room 322. I'll watch for you. Matt.
David's mind was reeling. How could the Ronnigers be safe? Billy and Greg were watching them every minute. How could Matt Dillon be here? He was barely alive just days ago. David took a deep breath and calmed himself. Kitty would never see the note. She didn't know the Ronnigers were safe or that Dillon was here. Things would proceed as planned. The wedding would take place at 10AM and they'd be on the train to New York at noon. He walked out of the hotel, tore up the note and thought about Matt Dillon. He'd never met the man, but according to Calvin he was extremely smart, tough and capable. Perhaps additional protection was warranted in case he encountered the man. He turned and walked down Jefferson Avenue looking for a place to buy a gun.
Stores hadn't yet opened for the day, but he saw a man inside a gun shop polishing some pistols. He banged on the door and the man looked up and hurried over, glad to open early for a potential customer. A half hour later David emerged wearing a shoulder holster under his jacket, with a loaded pistol inside. He'd never carried a gun before, but instantly liked the feel.
Walking tall, he headed back to the hotel to get Kitty. He was a block away when he stopped in his tracks. Nigel and Harry were outside the hotel doing a not very good job of hiding in the shadows. David laughed to himself, he'd make sure they'd be waiting all day. He went around the corner to the back of the hotel, where he'd seen the servants' entrance. He pushed through the door and saw maids, groomsmen and porters getting ready for work. No one looked up as he hurried by. The crazy ways of rich folks never surprised them.
He made his way up the back stairs to the 2nd floor and rapped softly on Kitty's door, "Open up my love. It's time to go.
She opened the door wearing an ivory silk blouse and light blue taffeta skirt, the clothes she'd chosen for the wedding. He took her hand, "Come this way. We're getting married at 10:00. We'll get the noon train to New York, and then sail to Europe. Good by and good riddance the USA."
Her face was unreadable as she followed him down the back stairs. Two things kept her from falling apart. The knowledge she was keeping the Ronniger safe, and the hope that Matt had found the note, and knew that she loved him.
David helped her into a hansom cab and they sped off to Judge Hollis' chambers on Watson St.
Inside the hotel lobby, Matt paced back and forth and Doc sat in a chair at the foot of the stairs. They'd been waiting for Kitty or David to emerge since dawn. As the minutes ticked by, every instinct in Matt told him something was wrong. The front door opened for a couple of guests, and Matt glanced outside, "Doc, look at those two men standing off to the side. They look like they're up to something. Could they be Nigel and Harry?"
Doc peered outside and squinted, "That's them Matt."
Matt jumped to his feet and strode outside. Not noticing the pull on his wound, he grabbed each of them by the collar, yanking them off their feet. "Where is she?"
Nigel and Harry were stunned. They had no idea who this angry, giant of a man was. Matt had been out of town when they arrived in Dodge, and had been shot as soon as he got back.
Nigel recognized Doc and put it together. He managed to squeak, "Are you Marshal Dillon?"
Matt released his grip, but held the men with a threatening glare. There was danger in his voice, "That's right, and you'd better tell me where Kitty is."
Harry was frozen with a kind of terror he'd never felt before. Nigel managed to speak, praying the marshal would believe him. "Honestly, we don't know. We were waiting for her to come out."
The force of Matt's stare did not diminish, "You must know something, think."
Harry spoke for the first time, his face pale and voice shaking, "I don't know what it means but late last night when I was in the lobby, I saw a woman come in with a note for David Miller. I heard her say it was from Judge Hollis.
Matt frowned, "Hollis? Kitty has a good friend named Claire Hollis. What did this woman look like?"
"Slender, darkish blond hair, in her 30's, a pretty woman."
Matt nodded, "That's Claire." He strode back into the hotel, to speak to the clerk. The man was flirting with a pretty, young woman and paid no attention when he heard Matt approach. Matt pulled his badge from his pocket and waved it in front of the clerk's face, "US Marshal, I want to know where I'd find a Judge Hollis, and I want to know now."
The clerk's eyes rested on the badge and then on tall, muscular man who was holding it. He blanched hoping to high heaven he'd never be in trouble with this man, "I-I-I have that information, I have it right here in this book. All the official offices of St. Louis are right here in this book. I have it."
"Well hurry up."
"Here it is 222 Watson St."
The words were barely out of the clerk's mouth when Matt and Doc rushed out and climbed into a cab. They didn't realize that Nigel, Harry and their boss had decided to follow.
TBC