Two Weeks Later
The Topeka courtroom was hot and stuffy. Matt sat behind a table stretching out his stiffening leg, as the jury filed in with a verdict. Billy Baines had been charged with assaulting Calvin Cunningham and damaging the Sweetwater Too. Simple charges, after all was said and done, but it was what the law allowed. The Morris brothers were long gone. No charges were made, after a hearing before a judge determined the shooting of Raymond Cunningham was self defense. When Matt watched them get on the train to leave, he was sure he hadn't heard or seen the last of them. Men like those brothers always seem to find trouble to get into.
"All rise." Judge Mortimer Morrison took his place behind the bench and turned to the jury foreman. "What verdict have you reached?"
"We find the defendant guilty of the assault of Calving Cunningham, and guilty of the destruction of private property owned by the Dillon family."
Mortimer looked at Billy seated with his lawyer, a bored looking man in a three piece suit. "Mr. Baines you have been found guilty on two counts. I sentence you to 4 years in prison for assault and 6 months additional time for destruction of property. The judge struck his gravel "Court dismissed."
A court officer led Billy away, in handcuffs, to serve 4 and a half years in prison. Matt made his way to the back of the courtroom room where Kitty was sitting with Doc, and Calvin Cunningham. Calvin stood as Matt approached. "Matt, I'm glad Billy's going to jail, though to my way of thinking he deserves to serve more time for the suffering he put you and Kitty through. Still, I hope he finds a better way to live when he gets out."
Matt nodded. "What about you Calvin? Your father didn't leave a will, so as next of kin, you inherited quite a corporation – a number of business in different places."
"Business and finance is an area I feel confident in, even thought I don't have a lot of experience. I've spend the past two weeks going through records, statements, reports and talking to people. I have a long list of things that need to be straighten out, and I'm sure there will be more. I want to make the Cunningham Corporation into a good and honest business." Calvin smiled sheepishly at Matt. "Thing is, I'll need sound legal advice from a lawyer I can trust. Would you consider coming on as a legal consultant. You can take other cases at the same time. and won't even have to represent my interests in court, unless you want to. The position is advisory." He saw Matt hesitate and leaned closer. "It's a new day for the company, I promise you that. You're an honorable man, but so am I. If you don't find the work fulfilling, you can leave at any time."
Matt looked Calvin in the eye. This 18 year old was more of a man the Raymond Cunningham ever was. He extended his hand. "It's a deal. Let's work out the details." Calvin clasped Matt's hand with both of his. "I'll be in your law office first thing tomorrow. We'll make an arrangement we both can agree on. Right now I have a lot more work to get to."
Kitty stood beside Matt, to watch Calvin leave. "He's an exceptional young man, Matt. Strange that his father hated him so much, even as a child. Guess we'll never know if there was a reason." She sighed and glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's time to go to the station isn't it?" Matt nodded and put a hand on Doc's shoulder. "We can't let you miss that train. Even though that young partner of yours has been treating folks in Dodge, I have feeling they'll be a line of patients waiting to see you."
The three friends piled into the wagon, and as soon as Matt flick the reins Kitty's eyes welled up with tears. She pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed her eyes. "Doc you'll be back for Thanksgiving, right? And stay for Christmas and New Years?"
"You bet. I wouldn't miss Gail's first Christmas for the world. Even though, like Matt said, I'm still needed in Dodge, it's good for my young partner to work on his own, now and then." Doc ran a hand across his mustaches. "There will come a day when I retire and become a full time Grandpa. Maybe spend part of my days, looking over the shoulder of a certain lawyer, to make sure he doesn't mess up too much." Matt chuckled and pulled into the depot. Three whistle blasts from the train sounded the last chance to board. Doc gave Kitty a hug while Matt grabbed his suitcase, and the two men walked to the front car of the train. Doc's was climbing aboard when he paused and turned. "Sometimes a man has to be sure he says things that have to be said. Matt, I've always been proud to be your friend, and that only grows with time." Suitcase in hand, Doc Adams hurried onto the train to find a seat.
Matt climbed back into the wagon, and together he and Kitty watched the train until it disappeared over the horizon. He squeezed her hand. She inched closer, and they sat shoulder to shoulder as they rode home. "Matt, funny isn't it - after everything that happened, you'll be working for the Cunningham Corporation."
"A lot of unusual things seem to happen to us." He smiled crookedly. "Wouldn't you say?"
"True, but those days are really over. The store is cleaned up. We're all safe. After diner we'll put Gail to bed, and have a quiet evening together. Everything will be nice and normal, and stay the way. Matt flicked the rains and smiled inside. Somehow he doubted that.
The End