Bill Murray and Ted Rodgers were holed up in a cave to the east of Dodge City.
"We got to get some supplies," Bill said.
"Are we going to Dodge?"
"No that town belongs to Matt Dillon. We ain't going there until we've made a few plans."
"You mean the real reason we come to Kansas."
"I promised Old Man Tolliver I'd protect his granddaughter. Her brother's insane."
"Yeah it would take a maniac to want to wipe out his entire family. I can't get the sight of that three year old boy out of my mind," Ted said. "Look I know Dodge belongs to Matt Dillon but don't you think we should get his help."
"I thought stopping the stage to take her with us would do it. Should have known the guard would misunderstand. I hope Danny rots in hell that guard's the only man to die in one of our holdups."
"So what we going to do now? I mean she's safe enough in Dodge for the moment. But for how much longer he's bound to find her sooner or later?"
"Okay we ride into Dodge tonight. Get Dillon to listen to us."
Bill and Ted rode onto Front Street late that evening. They could hear the honky-tonk pianos and the cheers coming from the saloons. They dismounted and tethered their horses outside the jail. Looking at each other they entered the jail. Matt looked up as they entered. He recognised them from the posters on them.
"Marshal I believe you're looking for us?" Bill said.
"I am. Never thought you'd just walk in like this?"
"Thought we ought to talk to you. We need your help."
Bill went on to explain all the events leading up to their arrival in Dodge. Matt shot a worried look towards the door he rose.
"You better follow me," Matt said.
He led them to the Long Branch quickly spotting Tom and Mary Jane were sitting with Kitty, Festus and Doc.
"Matthew ain't those the men as held up the stage?" Festus asked.
"Mary your brother Frank what do you know about him?"
"Not a great deal only that he should never be spoken of why?"
Bill was a little hesitant not wanting to cause Mary Jane anymore pain than necessary.
"I promised your grandfather that we'd protect you from him. We should have done it different."
Bill explained as gently as he could what had happened to her family. He could see the pain that the news caused Mary Jane and hated himself for causing it. He wished there was an easier way of telling her about her brother Frank killing the rest of her kin.
"Your grandpa was still alive when we come on the scene. He told us what happened."
"He's supposed to be in the asylum in Denver."
"Tom I'm going back to the office," Matt said. "I'll check the recent circulars. Take Mary Jane to Ma Smalley's keep her safe."
Tom nodded and left taking Mary Jane with him. Matt returned to his office with Bill and Ted. He opened a draw removing the circulars they started going through them. After awhile they all stretched yawning the poster wasn't there.
"Well I'll see if there's anything in the mail tomorrow. One thing once Mary Jane is safe I'll have to arrest you."
"We know that Marshal we'd half decided to quit anyways," Bill said.
"Until we catch Frank Hawkins I'm going to make you temporary deputies. Colorado will have to come get you after that and take you and Frank back."
Matt handed over a couple of badges. They put them on their shirts.
"I want you to go to Ma Smalley's tell Tom that I've sent you to help him watch over Mary Jane."
"You got it."
Matt gave them directions to Ma Smalley's saying that he and Festus would relief them in the morning. They left heading straight to the boarding house.