Flame Series #18: Physician Heal Thy Self

CHAPTER 15

Answers

Kitty finished preparing a fresh pot of coffee, as she relayed the strange behavior of both the Cannons at lunch. "You were right. Something is definitely off with those two. I'll be glad when they leave town."

"Hmmm, maybe; but I'd like to know more about them. Him, in particular. I got another telegram. This guy is hiding behind his wife's money, but Barlow can't get anyone to talk. I just can't figure out what he wants from us."

"I think we can answer that." Calleigh stepped into the jail, with Newly trailing right behind her. "Darcy has been drugging Poppy." She flashed a proud glance at the handsome face beside her. "Newly realized that Doc's sickness started when the Cannons got here. When I checked that little silk pouch that carried his toothpicks, it had traces of lithium, which would account for the side effects. I suspect Darcy has been dosing him even more, now that he's spending time at the clinic." A single eyebrow lifted, signifying her annoyance. "I know he's been sneaking up there while I've been on rounds."

Kitty let her eyes wander from one concerned face to the next. "But, why? What did Doc ever do to him?"

Calleigh walked over to the stove to help herself to a cup of coffee. "Maybe it's one of us, and he's using Poppy to get to us. Matt, could this be someone from your past?"

"I suppose it could be. I don't remember anyone named Cannon, but I didn't always get a name. Pour me a cup of that, will you?"

Calleigh handed him the cup she had poured for herself and retrieved another one. "I don't like not knowing where they are. We really need to keep track of both of them. I don't think Phoebe is dangerous, but still."

Newly stared out the window of the jail, casually at first, but then something brought him to attention. As the buggy drew closer, he could see the disheveled state of the old man and little girl. "Oh, my God." His outcry was brief and faint, but enough to alert the others that something was terribly wrong.

Vince Morgan had barely pulled the buggy to a complete stop, when a pair of strong hands reached past him, snatching up the sleeping baby. Matt held her only briefly, but long enough to assure himself that she was okay, before passing her into the eager hands of her mother. Kitty watched Calleigh check the baby's vitals. She didn't realize she had been holding her breath, until the young physician gave her a smile and a nod.

"She's just exhausted, but under all that mud, she's all right." Doc was still weak from the ordeal, but with Newly's help, he climbed down out of the buggy.

The deputy ushered the older man into the jail and settled him in the chair by the desk.

"Can I get you a drink, or coffee, or something?"

"Coffee would be good, Newly. Thanks."

Matt watched his wife hoist the child higher on her shoulder. He walked across the little office, coming up behind Kitty, and leaned down to kiss the sleeping toddler. "Are you all right?" He whispered to his wife, as he slipped his arms around her waist. Kitty looked up, their eyes met and without a word she had answered his question.

Matt let his gaze settle on Darcy Cannon's prey. "Doc, what happened? Did she get away from you?" Matt was all too familiar with the speed those chubby little legs could travel.

He tried to answer, but it was difficult with Calleigh poking and prodding everywhere. "It was a bit more complicated than that."

Calleigh interrupted him again. "Poppy, look toward the window." She held his chin in her hand, giving his eyes a close examination. "Darcy Cannon has been drugging you."

"Yeah, I know." Even though he was surrounded by people that loved him, he chose to look at the one stranger in the room. "Vince, maybe you should tell them."

With a brief smile to the older man, Vince emerged from the corner of the room. He knew that within the next few minutes, those curious eyes watching him would turn to anger—or maybe worse. "My name is Vince Morgan. I'm a private detective that was hired by Darcy Cannon."

Stunned silence weaved its way through the small group. Eyes darted from one curious face to the other, finally settling back on the visitor.

"About ten years ago, there was a shooting here in Dodge, at the Long Branch. A man named, Trip Singer shot you in the back, Marshal Dillon and then shot your wife."

Kitty leaned back into her husband, as his hands tightened around her waist. Both remembered that night very clearly. Matt was the one to ask. "How is he connected to Singer?"

"He was Singer's only nephew. After his uncle died, he went to live with his mother's sister in New York and he took her name. She was killed in a freak accident, leaving a small inheritance to the boy." Vince paused. "Even though I have no proof, I'm pretty sure that Clarinda Cannon didn't accidently fall down those steps."

"Okay, this is beginning to make sense; but why is he after Doc?" Matt's anger made room for a touch of curiosity. "I'm the one that took Singer's brother to be hung. Why am I not his target?"

"The boy loved his dad, but he worshipped his uncle. They were two sick minds that formed a twisted bond."

"And I let that uncle die." Doc held onto Calleigh's hand, as she pulled her chair closer to him. "I had to choose, between him and Kitty. Cannon says I played God." His gaze wandered back to the woman he loved. To the woman he thought of as a daughter. "Maybe I did, but that's what you do when your child is in danger."

Kitty was careful not to wake Hadley, as she left the security of Matt's arms and walked over to Doc. She leaned down to kiss the weary man. "I love you, too," she whispered.

Calleigh was becoming impatient. "I still don't understand what this has to do with the accident today."

"Just calm down, little lady." Doc squeezed her hand. "Before you can understand today, you need to know more about Darcy Cannon—and this is the man that can give you that information." Doc nodded to Vince, once again giving him the floor.

"I can't say I liked , but he was a paying client. Marshal Dillon, he hired me to find out if he was your biological son." Vince expected the shocked looks, so he proceeded quickly with his tale. "But like I told Dr. Adams, I think that was a smokescreen. He didn't seem at all disappointed when I couldn't find any corroborating evidence. I figured that was the end of my association with him, until I got word that there was a lawyer in Boston, checking up on Cannon."

"Barlow Madsen."

"That's right, sir. I guess you're the one that contacted him."

"Yeah." Matt's features had grown into a wary scowl. "It was just a hunch, but something about that guy felt off."

"Well, you were right. Darcy Cannon has been having accidents for years. There were three mysterious deaths at the hospital he worked at in Richmond and two more in Boston. Most of the time, it was circumstantial and the law couldn't touch him. Occasionally, he slips up, but the problem is, Mrs. Cannon is a very wealthy woman. She manages to silence any witness with money."

Kitty had resumed her place next to Matt. She felt his body grow tense and once again, his hands tightened around her waist as he spoke. "What just happened to my daughter and Doc, wasn't an accident. Was it? I mean, Darcy did this on purpose."

Vince glanced at the old physician, quickly, before answering. "In a roundabout way, yes. He did drug the coffee, but that's as far as his involvement went. It was Cannon's good fortune that Dr. Adams was taking his granddaughter out to the pond."

Doc knew the time was going to come when he would have to tell them that it was under his watch, the girl fell into the water. This seemed like as good a time as any. "Vince, I need to tell this part. Darcy did drug the coffee and it did come close to knocking me out. I got dizzy and couldn't get up. Hadley took off toward the pond. I got to her, just as she tumbled into the muddy water. I'm sorry. I feel like I let you all down."

Vince watched this family close in around the weary man. All of them, instantly offering words of love, saying anything necessary to absolve him of any wrongdoing. They truly were a loving family.

"I was watching from the top of the hill. I saw Cannon ride off as the little girl wandered to the edge of the water. I started down toward the pond, but Dr. Adams had already rescued the child." Vince was sure the old doctor blamed himself for the accident. The stranger hoped those words would remind the old physician that even in a drugged state, he managed to save the little girl.

Kitty stepped forward, just slightly out of Matt's hands, confronting the man from Philadelphia. "Are you saying he was going to stand there and watch my baby drown?" She clutched the Hadley tighter to her bosom.

Vince simply could not face her probing blue eyes. He looked down at the floor and nervously shuffled his feet. The truth was becoming harder to tell. "Mrs. Dillon…that is exactly what he intended to do."

Several years ago, when the seasoned investigator was working on a case in Montana, he witnessed a mountain lion trying to kill a grizzly cub. Just as the lion was about to thrust its knifelike claws into the small, furry creature, the bloodthirsty roar of the momma bear bellowed. Vince could still see the murderous rage in the momma bear's eyes, seconds before it attacked and ripped the lion apart. A shiver trickled down his spine, as he witnesses the identical look in Kitty Dillon's eyes.

"Matt." Her voice was tight.

A gentle hand moved from her waist to her shoulder. "He won't get away with it, Kitty. I promise you that." Matt focused his attention back to Vince. "Can we prove what he did today?"

"No. He watched from a distance, but there is no law in not going to a person's aid. You can't prove he spiked the coffee. Just like all the other accidents, he was involved in. Either they couldn't be proved, or his wife bought silence from his victim's families."

"Matt, what about Gert? Can we prove she was murdered?" Calleigh saw the curious look in Doc's eyes, but he was too tired to ask any questions.

"Probably not." The marshal's voice was cold, his tone harsh. "But I can pay him a visit and convince him it's in his best interest to leave Dodge—while he can still walk!"

Newly was the first to grab the big man, before he could get out the door. "Matt, let me go with you. I know what you're thinking, but… remember who you are."

Calleigh gave Poppy a kiss and went to the door to join her husband and dad. "I want to come with you. He used me to worm his way into this family."

Matt looked to his wife to sanction Calleigh's request. "Honey?"

Kitty peeked at the baby and then at her family who stood poised by the door. She wanted to go with them. To tear that man limb from limb. To hear him scream for mercy. But her place was with Hadley. "All of you, be careful. He is not worth losing a member of this family over. Just remember that."

Doc managed to get to his feet, steadying his wobbly legs by holding onto the back of the chair. He thought it would be best if he could get Kitty to go back to the ranch. "Vince, would you be willing to help Kitty and me get home?" He nodded toward the baby. "We need to get Hadley to bed."

Vince offered a gracious smile, as he steadied the weary man. "That's an excellent idea. Looks like you could use some rest as well."

Kitty watched her family go in search of the vile miscreant, as she waited for Vince to help Doc up into the buggy.

((()))((()))((()))((()))((()))

Newly could see the marshal's jaw tighten and muscles twitch, as they walked into the lobby of the hotel. The deputy knew how badly he wanted to kill Darcy Cannon, so he could only imagine what Matt was feeling. That was his daughter, his baby girl and that man was willing to stand by and watch her drown.

His eyes strayed for a second, from the marshal, to his daughter. The young redhead looked like Kitty, but she had her father's grit and desire to protect. Newly knew Calleigh's respect was more for her father, than the law, but she would play by the rules—for his sake.

If there had been any way to keep either of them from coming here, Newly would have tried it. But now, all he could do was pray that Kitty's words would keep both Matt and his daughter from doing something they all would regret.

Howie looked up from the counter when he saw the marshal enter the lobby. Before he could offer a greeting, he saw Calleigh and Newly shadowing the big man. The look on their faces caused his breath to hitch in his throat. Matt Dillon's eyes were no longer blue, but black with rage. His jaw was set tight and giant fists hung at his sides. The two faces that followed him were equally frightening. Equally dangerous. Howie shrank back, as the trio walked past him. Heavy footsteps echoed into the empty lobby as they neared the second floor.

Matt stood in front of the door to room twelve. Tension between the three was palpable, as they looked at each other. Newly knew he should do something, but like the others, all he could see was that tiny, helpless girl sinking into that muddy water. His voice was deep and dangerous, like the roar of a lion, when Matt called Darcy's name. He didn't wait for a response, as his giant boot splintered the wooden door from the frame. Disgust vied with rage, as he confronted the villainous young man.

"It's not my fault! It's not me!" Darcy Cannon was huddled in the corner of the room, brandishing a bloody knife. His eyes no longer gold, or even brown, they were simply giant, dark pools of terror, against a white background. His face and shirt both smeared with blood "It was her." His feral screams continued to pierce the air. "She tried to kill me!"

Matt turned in time to see his daughter rush over to the body curled up in a fetal position in the center of the bed. Phoebe moaned in pain, as Calleigh rolled her over. It was impossible to count the number of stab wounds at a glance and equally shocking that the wounded woman was still alive. "Phoebe, what happened?"

The dying woman grabbed at Calleigh's shirt. "Don't…hurt…him," she gasped. "He can't…can't help it."

"She tried to kill me." Darcy huddled closer to the wall, terror filled eyes darted about the room. "Tried to poison me. I had to-"

Matt's boot connected with the side of Darcy's face. "SHUT UP, DARCY!" He kicked the knife aside and grabbed the man by the front of his shirt. "I'm trying real hard not to kill you!" Another blow sent the arrogant man flying across the room.

"Matt!" Newly shouted, but his concern was not for Darcy Cannon.

The marshal stopped. He glared first at the unconscious man, then back at his deputy. "I know!" Matt jerked the man upright enough to bind his wrists in a pair of metal cuffs.

"Is he…all right?" Phoebe winced in pain, as death was invading her body.

"Why did he do this to you?" Calleigh knew she couldn't save the woman, and wasn't really sure she wanted to.

"I knew...that they would…would hang him." She sucked in a deep breath and squeezed Calleigh's hand. "For killing a child. I couldn't…let that happen. But he recognized…the smell."

There was another sharp cry of pain, as the dying woman struggled for air. Calleigh was confused when a smile crossed Phoebe's lips. "When I…I told him to kill…granddaughter…I meant…you." She pulled on Calleigh's arm, drawing her closer. "I just wanted…a marriage…like yours." There were no more words from Phoebe Cannon, now or ever.

Newly leaned down beside his wife. "Why didn't you tell her that Hadley wasn't dead? She deserved to know she did this for nothing."

"Nothing?" Darcy had staggered to his feet and stared at the bloodied body of his wife. Newly's words had a calming effect on the battered man. "If the girl's not dead, you have to let me go."

Calleigh whirled around as she jumped to her feet. "Is that all you have to say? As disgusting as this woman was, she did everything for you. She destroyed her own life for you!"

Darcy was suddenly struck with a fit of laughter. "She did such a good job that you don't have any proof against me for anything!" He held up his chained hands and shook them at the marshal. "Take these things off of me."

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Darcy." Matt gave his prisoner a shove toward the door. "You're going to jail and then you're going to hang."

Darcy stumbled against the wall, as he struggled to get his footing. "For what! That kid didn't die and even if she had, you couldn't prove I was involved. Phoebe made sure I was in the clear. You can't prove anything."

"I can prove one thing." Matt watched the gold flecks in the young man's eyes fade in confusion. "You murdered your wife." He looked back to the bed. "And she can't help you out of this one?

TBC