Downtown Topeka was already already buzzing when the church bell rang 9 times announcing the hour. Matt strode past shoppers, businessmen, cowboys and farmers, and stopped in front of a one-story brick building. In ornate, gold letters the sign outside read: The Cunningham Corporation. Matt pushed through the door to the outer office and, vaguely noting the presence of a cigar smoking cowboy in the corner, burst into Cunningham's office. Raymond looked up from his desk. "Dillon, it's rude to come in without knocking. Don't let it happen again. At least you're on time." He tossed a folder across the desk. "Here's your first case. Appeal the Jeb Sawyer decision – the arson case. This time you'll be on my side."
Matt stood at the very edge of Cunningham's polished desk, and stared down at the man. "I'm here to let you know I don't take kindly to threats." He pulled the drawing of Gail's empty crib from his pocket and tossed it on top of the folder.
Cunningham shrugged and smiled, "I don't know what you mean. What ever that it, it has nothing to do with…." Raymond's words petered out under Matt's hard-eyed gaze. The air felt thick. Raymond stiffened. An unfamiliar feeling gripped him - fear. Matt turned and stormed out without looking back. Raymond let out a long breath. His racing heart began to slow to normal and he whispered to himself, he's just a lawyer.
Matt got on his horse to head home. He knew he'd injected a dose of fear into Cunningham's small, black heart. He also know the fear could wear off. If that was the case, all he'd done was kick a hornet's nest. What he really wanted to do was hire armed guards to stand outside his house, but Kitty was dead set against it – That terrible man will not force me, to turn my house into a fortress. Besides what would Doc think. She was right about that. They agreed it was best not to tell Doc about Cunningham or the treats. No need to worry him.
Deep in thought, Matt rode up the path to his house and spotted Doc on the porch. Determined to act natural and normal he kept his tone light. "Hi Doc you look awful comfy in that rocking chair. Where's Kitty?" The old man leaned back and studied Matt's face. "She took Gail inside to feed her. Come sit and enjoy the sun." "All right, but just for a minute or two. I'm a working man you know." Doc stared off into the horizon, and let Matt settle into a chair. "What's going on, Matt?"
"Don't know what you mea…."
"Stop right there." Doc kept looking straight ahead. "Matt, you and Kitty mean the world to me, and lord knows we've been through a lot together. I'll never forget the day Mace Gore's men sprayed your body with bullets – anyone else would have been dead, and I had to let Kitty think that you were. That was damn hard, seeing her suffer like that. But she came to understand why I did it, and the three of us grew closer. Then there was Bonner. That devil and his dog soldiers beat that beautiful woman, turned her inside out, shot her and tossed her away like a rag doll. You rode out like a demon, consumed with anguish, rage and guilt. That scared me, Matt. I never prayed so hard for a person's safe return. Return you did, and you and Kitty healed each other. I'm proud I played some part in that." Doc shook his head and chuckled. "There were other times too – ones we can smile about. Like the time you tracked that murderer for days and nights, and came back to town exhausted. You missed a picnic Kitty'd spent days and days preparing for. She was madder than a wet hen. You were explaining your side of things to me, and I gave you good advice – don't tell me, tell her. You needed that nudge." Doc turned his head to peer into Matt's blue eyes. "I'm part of your lives, yours and Kitty's, and something's going on. Tell me, I deserve to know."
"You deserve to know what?" Kitty's voice rang out from the doorway. "I put Gail down for her nap. What do you deserve to know, Doc?" Matt rose and put an arm around Kitty's shoulders. "Doc wants to know what's going on. As a lawyer I can tell you, he makes a darn good case for telling him." Matt smiled crookedly. "Besides, he's ornery and can shoot straight." Kitty couldn't help but smile, just a little bit. She slowly nodded. "All right."
Topeka
Raymond Cunningham leaned his arms on his well-polished desk, and narrowed his eyes. Dillon had unnerved him, and he didn't like the feeling. The man must be broken, learn to beg, He'd spend the rest of his days in service to the Cunningham Corporation, doing exactly what he was told. "BILLY GET IN HERE. Lounging in the outer office, the cowboy threw his cigar aside, and hurried in to see Cunningham."Yes Boss." Cunningham chuckled inwardly at the cowboy's eagerness. What a useful idiot. "I've got two jobs for you, Billy. First, it's time I had you take care of my weakling of a son. You saw him leaving yesterday. He's wearing a ring on his pinkie that belongs to me. Get it back, and teach him a lesson for keeping something that's mine. Anything short of killing him is fine. I just don't want the publicity of having a murdered son. Then, go out to Dillon's place and carry out your threat. Take the baby. I don't care where you leave her, as long as she stays alive. If Dillon behaves we'll return her." Raymond checked his pocket watch. "It's 10:00. Get it all done and be back by 4:00 to fill me in." Billy nodded. "You got it Boss. I won't disappoint you."
Determined to make his boss proud, and hoping for a raise in pay, the cowboy and made his way through the busy streets of Topeka, searching for his prey. When he found the pale, skinny kid he'd give him a beating he wouldn't forget and take Mr. Cunningham's ring back. Strange that the powerful Raymond Cunningham had such a weaselly son. No wonder he never mentioned him. Billy reached the end of Main Street and started checking the alleyways. He peered down a lane between two stores, and saw someone walking alone. He grinned and flexed his hands. It was Cunningham's son, all by himself. "Hey kid, hey kid." Calvin turned to see who was behind him. He didn't know what hit him.
Matt
Sitting side by side on the porch Matt and Kitty told Doc about Raymond Cunningham's ruthless tactics, the threatening note, and the card found in the nursery. Doc ran a hand across his mustache. "Well Kitty, now I know why you've been keeping your derringer in your skirt pocket. I bet you thought I didn't notice." Doc stood." I want you to show me where your rifles are kept. I'll keep one by my side. We've been through worse, we'll get through this." Matt nodded and put a hand on Doc's shoulder. "I think it best I work mostly from home, so I'll drive the wagon to my office to pick up the papers and law books I need. I won't be gone long." He looked at Kitty and paused. "You're not going to like this, Kitty but I don't know what Cunningham has up his sleeve, so I'm putting my gun belt back on." She lifted her chin. "Wearing a gun makes you fair game, and you haven't worn it in over a year. Are you sure it's a good idea?"
"I beat Cunningham in court with the skills I learned as a lawyer. The way things are headed, I'll need all the skills I've got."
TBC