AN: A couple of months ago I posted a story called, A Way Forward, and some kind readers suggested a sequel. I decided to try. Here it is in 6 chapters. At the end of A Way Forward, Matt gave up the badge and is about to become a lawyer. He and Kitty are married, expecting a child and living in Topeka. Kitty runs a small business from their property.

On with the show – About a year later.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

The Topeka courtroom was stifling by the time Judge Mortimer Morrison turned to the jury with his final instructions. Matt Dillon, seated behind a table with his client, slowly and quietly stretched out his bad leg. Old Morrison, hawk nosed and beady eyed did not take kindly to unnecessary sounds or movements in his courtroom. The Judge's twanging voice rang out. "Gentlemen of the jury, you have heard the evidence and arguments. If the Cunningham Corporation has proven, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Mr. Jebediah Sawyer set fire to the property in question, you MUST find him guilty. If Mr. Sawyer's lawyer, Matthew Dillon, has given you reasonable doubt, you MUST find the accused not guilty. It's as simple as that."

Matt watched the 12 men file out, and it cross his mind, not for the first time, it was a shame women couldn't be jurors. Nothing in life had convinced him that men were smarter, wiser or better judges of characters than women. In fact sometimes the opposite seemed true.

"Well Matt, w-what do you think?" Jeb Sawyer's shaky voice betrayed his nervousness.

"Jeb, I've just finished my first year of lawyering, and I've won more cases than I've lost, but I've also learned that only a fool predicts what a jury will do. Let's hope I blew a big enough hole in the other sides case, for the jury to do the right thing." Matt pushed himself to his feet. "I'm going to get some air. The clerk will get me when the verdict is in."

Matt crossed the room and walked past the well-dressed lawyer for the Cunningham Corporation. He had slick, fast-talking way about him, like the snake oil salesmen who, now and then, passed through Dodge selling lies. Ignoring the man's smug smile, Matt pushed through the door of the austere, stone courthouse, and stepped outside. A cool breeze washed over him, and he leaned back against the building enjoying the air and sun. It felt good, and he felt damn lucky to be here. For years he was sure he'd die in the line of duty, wearing a badge on his chest. Somehow he kept surviving until his beat-up, shot-up body, could no longer do the job the way he knew it should be done. He figured that meant his useful years were over, and had a mind to head off to the high country, and just live day to day. But Lady Luck was with him, and her name was Kitty. She saved him from his doubts and fears, and helped him plan a future for the two of them. Turned out, he took real well to lawyering. The hardest part was being cooped up in a stuffy courtroom, on trial days. That's why his method of preparing cases differed from most lawyers. Instead of sitting in his office, hour after hour, he rode out under the big blue sky, to think things through. Jeb Sawyer's case, for instance. An honest, hardworking farmer, Jeb was accused of setting fire to a shed owned by the Cunningham Corporation. Jeb's hat was found at the scene. A hat he said had gone missing, just days before the fire. The key was Raymond Cunningham's interest in buying Jeb's land. Jeb and his wife wouldn't sell. If Jeb was found guilty he'd be jailed and fined. His wife would have to sell the land. It….."

"Mr. Dillon, the jury's back." Matt nodded his thanks to the clerk, and glanced at the clock as went back inside. The jury's quick decision meant he'd be right on time, to meet Doc's train at the station.

"All rise." Judge Morrison took his seat behind the bench and turned to the jury foreman. "Have you reached a verdict?"

The foreman solemnly nodded, "We find the defendant, Jebediah Sawyer, not guilty."

The judge peered at Jeb, "Mr. Sawyer, you have been found not guilty. You are free to go." He struck the gavel and rose. "Court dismissed." Jeb turned to Matt grinning broadly. "Thank you. I wouldn't have had a lawyer at all, if you weren't willing to wait 'til crop-selling time to get paid. End of next month, you can count on that fee, and an apple pie from my wife." Matt shook Sawyer's hand and grinned, "I know I'll get the money, and I look forward to the pie. Go enjoy the good news with your wife." Matt hurried off get to his wagon, and drive to pick up Doc. He almost reached the door, when a gold tipped cane swung out in front of him, stopping inches from his knees. Matt pulled up short. A large, fleshy man lowered the cane and moved his massive girth to block Matt's path. "Mr. Dillon, I'm Raymond Cunningham, owner of the Cunningham Corporation."

"I know who you are. Excuse me. I'm in a hurry."

Cunningham didn't move. "Mr. Dillon, I'm told you've been practicing law for barely a year, but in just that time my company has lost three cases to you. That's a problem, but I have a solution. As of tomorrow you work for me. Be in my office at 9AM sharp." Matt stepped around the man. "I choose my clients, Cunningham. I won't be there tomorrow." He continued walking. Cunningham's voice cut through the air. "I believe you will."

Forcibly pushing Cunningham's words from his mind, Matt climbed into his wagon. He'd been looking forward to this day, and wasn't about to let it be poisoned by the likes of Raymond Cunningham. This was Doc's first visit since bringing Gail Kathleen Dillon into the world, six months ago. Kitty'd been struggling bad, at the end of her pregnancy. When Doc found out how worried the Topeka doctor was, he left his young associate alone in Dodge, and came to be with Kitty. Good thing too. Labor came two weeks early, and it was long and hard, but after 36 harrowing hours mother and daughter were fine. Now Doc would be able see, 6 months later, how happy and healthy they were.

Matt rounded the corner to the bustling station just as the whistle blew 3 times, announcing the train's arrival. He spotted Doc immediately, stepping onto the busy platform. His old friend's hair and mustache were almost snowy white, but his lively eyes and the spring in his walk were never going to change. Matt waved from his wagon. Doc quickened his pace. "Well Matt, your hair's some grayer, but you look good, like a man who has a full and happy life."

"I sure have that Doc, hand me your suitcase and climb on up. Kitty can't wait to see you, and you'll be amazed when you see Gail. She's crawling around so much, we put down rugs so she doesn't get splinters." Doc settled next to Matt eager to get going. "I thought I'd be waiting at the station a while. Your last message said you might be delayed because of your case. What happened?"

"Jury deliberated fast. My client was found not guilty."

Doc nodded with some pride. "So you won another case."

"Seems so." Matt sighed. As much as he tried to banish Raymond Cunningham from his thoughts, his well honed lawman's instincts were alive and telling him, men like Cunningham do not easily give up.

The Courthouse Topeka

Raymond Cunningham leaned heavily on his cane as he made his way out of the courthouse. Gout is a troublesome thing. He spotted a cowboy slouched lazily against a lamppost, cigar dangling from his lips, "Billy, get over here."

The cowboy quickly straightened up, adjusted his gun-belt and ambled over. "Hello Boss. Did we win the case?"

"No." Cunningham's stare was icy. "Planting Sawyer's hat near that useless shed I had you set on fire, was a good move, but it wasn't enough to win the case. I'm going to give you a chance to redeem yourself, and earn your pay. Know where the lawyer, Matthew Dillon lives?"

"Sure, just outside the city proper, half mile, maybe less."

"Good, I want you to send a message to Dillon. Let him know bad things will happen if he isn't in my office at 9:00 tomorrow morning. Something that threatens his wife or child perhaps, but hold off on following through – for now at least."

Billy nodded, tossed his cigar aside and turned to walk away. He paused and looked back. "Boss, how much do you know about Dillon?"

Cunningham shrugged. "He's a skilled lawyer who beats me too often. I need him under my thumb."

Billy hesitated for a second. "Boss - men in my profession see him different. To us he's Matt Dillon – the man who was a US Marshal. Took down a lot of men, even whole gangs. He's the type that don't back down. I'd think twice about taking him on, if I were you."

"You're not me, and I'm starting to wonder if you're man enough to remain on my payroll. If you can't do what's needed, I'll hire someone else."

"No, no boss. I got this. I've already got a plan."

TBC