Slow Train to Dodge
PT.15
Cates once again left Kitty while he went scoping out the town, looking for signs to see if his plan was working. He was excited to see Festus talking to Carver and Doc along with none other than Matt Dillon.
Staying out of sight, he headed for the saloon, figuring he could overhear the conversations that now were surfacing throughout town, about the missing woman from the hotel.
Doc was trying to get Matt to rest a bit after the long train ride but that was hopeless. Matt looked to Carver then Festus. "Festus? These abandoned buildings you spoke of, I think we should check them out. If you say…"
But before he could finish, Carver jumped in. "Now, Matt, that'd be a waste of time. There's nothing out there, I'm tellin' ya. Those buildings are barely standing."
Inhaling deeply, "But if Festus saw someone going out that way and carrying a tray…"
Doc was watching Matt then looked at Carver. "No point in arguing with him, not where Kitty is concerned."
"Well, Doc, it's Miz Kitty were'a talkin' bout."
"Don't you think I know that, you fool? I'm just as concerned about Kitty as you both are."
Kitty, working as hard as she could, managed to get her one hand free. Then she worked herself around, trying to free herself the rest of the way. She could see a beam of light between the boards. Not being able to see much but remembering her surroundings from when she was outside earlier, she was trying to pull on the boards to separate them, even trying to kick at them.
After exhausting herself, she tried taking the empty tray and prying it between the boards. Then she heard what sounded like whistling. Stopping to listen and peeking through the cracks, she could see a young man walking straight for the building. "Hey! Hey, you out there. In here! In here! I need help! Please? Please? I need help!"
"Who are you?" The young man asked.
"My name is Kitty Russell. I'm being held prisoner. The door is locked from the outside."
"Wait! Kitty Russell? The same Kitty that's Tracy's friend?"
"YES! Who are you? Oh, never mind that. Just get me out of here before he comes back."
Jay came around the building and tried to unlock the door but it was chained and padlocked. "Ma'am, I need to get something to break this. I'll be back."
"No! Wait! You can't leave me here."
Jay quickly ran back towards town, running into Festus and Doc outside the café. Not wanting to say who he was he said, "Deputy?"
"Yeah?"
"You're the one lookin' for the missing woman, right?"
"That'd be right. What'cha know bout' that?"
"Follow me."
Just then Matt came from Carver's office. "Festus, what's this?"
"Matthew, this here feller knows somethin' bout Miz Kitty."
"Son, where is she?" Matt asked quickly.
"This way." Jay replied.
Quickly they all headed towards the warehouse but as they approached, Cates had already returned.
"Where'd ya think you were going, Red?" Grabbing her and tossing her across the open space. "Did you think you were gittin' away from ol' Sam? Did ya?"
With a sarcastic smirk, "Did you think I wouldn't try?"
"Now, Red, you really don't wanna make me mad. I just come back ta tell ya Dillon, he's gonna do like he's told. You must mean a little somethin' to him. He came all this way."
Furrowing her brow, she was not sure if she believed him. "Matt's here?"
Now laughing at her, "Sure is! What? You didn't think he'd come fer ya?"
Suddenly, from outside, "CATES! You wanted me. I'm here. Let Kitty go. Deal with me! This time, do it like a man. Face me, man to man! Just let her go!"
Kitty yelled out, "Matt? Matt?"
Cates turned, slapping her, knocking her to the ground. "Quiet, woman. I'll kill her, Dillon! The deal was you bring Ben then you get your woman!"
Kitty laid on the ground, holding her jaw. "Matt, don't make deals with killers. No way, no how."
"I'll kill her, Dillon." He called again and quickly he fired his gun.
TBC