Early the Next Morning

The sun was barely brightening the sky, when Matt quietly left the boarding house to get his horse from the stable. Dodge City was still asleep, even the milkman hadn't stirred, but Matt knew Moss Grimmick would already be up and tending his horses. They'd had many a good predawn conversation, he and Moss, two men who often had things to do before the town woke up. Some days Doc was that category too. Matt smiled to himself. Thank goodness for Doc and his prescription of whiskey. It knocked him out for a good 5 hours sleep. That and the breakfast of ham, eggs and coffee he made for himself in the boarding house kitchen, was all he needed to face a hard day – or so he hoped.

He pulled open the heavy stable door and spotted Moss carrying a water bucket into a stall. The craggy face stable owner looked up. "Morning Marshal, not surprised to see you heading out this early. Rumors are flying about that lady who got stabbed." Matt went into Buck's stall to saddle him up. "She's missing Moss. I'm going out looking for her, but I have a question for you. Anyone borrow a wagon and horse yesterday in the afternoon or early evening?" Moss scratched his thinning hair. "Matter of fact, Carl Jones stopped by wanting to rent a big wagon and my strongest horse. He said he needed to make good time getting to Topeka." Matt frowned. "Jones – that's the bald man with the scar on his cheek who drifts in and out of town. Strange he had money to rent a rig." "Surprised me too Marshal, Carl Jones ain't exactly the salt of the earth, but he paid up front. Anyways, he picked up the wagon in the late afternoon, and said he'd be back in a couple of days." "That's a big help Moss, thanks." Matt got on his horse and took off towards Topeka, wondering if Lola knew what she could be getting into, hiring a man like Jones.

Danny O'Brian yawned and stretched his arms as he emerged from the abandoned cabin he'd been using. It was time to go after Lola. They'd been married for 11 years and he knew how her mind worked. She'd head to the nearest town that had a sizable stage-coach hub. A place where you could take a stage in any direction, to any number of cities or towns. Topeka was the nearest place that fit the bill. That's where she was headed. Danny saddled his horse and set off. He had to make good time to catch up with his wife and get to the bag she took.

Matt rode at a clip, and not far from town, made out wagon tracks on the dusty road. Tracks made by a wide wagon, being pulled by a big heavy horse. He kept up the pace, and by late morning reached an open stretch of prairie land. His horse grow skittish. Matt saw why. Vultures were circling overhead like hungry demons. He lowered the brim of his hat, and squinted against the blazing sun. The lifeless, bloodied body of a man, was sprawled out a few feet away. Matt jumped off his horse and ran over. It wasn't pretty. A bullet, shot at close range, ripped the man's guts wide open. Matt turned the dead man's head to look at his face, It was Carl Jones. The bald, scar-faced loser who rode in and out of Dodge, looking to make money doing jobs that didn't tax him too much. Jaw clenched, Matt knelt and ran his hands along Carl's dead body. to search his clothes. Shoved down in the back pocket of his pants was a $50 bill. More money than a lowlife, loser like Jones ever had at one time, but it wouldn't have put a dent in the money Lola had in that bag

Matt heard a horse approaching and got to his feet. He was only mildly surprised to see Danny O'Brian riding towards him. "Hello O'Brian, my guess is you're heading to Topeka." Danny stared wide-eyed at the bloody body on the ground. "I – Oh – I - yes, that's where I figure my wife, Lola, is headed. I guess that's what you're figuring too?" Matt nodded, and pointed to Carl Jones' body. "Whoever shot this man, was close enough to look him in the eye. Think Lola could have done that?" Danny swallowed hard. "Under the right circumstances, I think she might enjoy it." He looked up at Matt. "Um - we're both going to Topeka, why not ride together? Be easier to pass the time." Matt eyed O'Brain. He had nothing to lose by riding with the man, and information to gain. "Sure, but first help me bury this body. I'm not leaving him to be picked apart by vultures."

Dodge

Darlene groggily lifted her head and blinked her eyes in semi-darkness. It took her a minute to realize she was still in the empty storeroom, where Danny left her with the briefest goodbye. She got to her feet and pushed her hair out of her face, feeling empty and lost. For the first time in her life she had no orders to follow. The one thing she was used to, was obeying. For as long as she remembered, Daddy made it clear if she messed up or disobeyed, he'd abandon her to starve. After Daddy died, Danny did the same. She always did what she was told, but here she was, abandoned. Tears ran down her face. She rubbed them away with the palms of her hands. Crying wouldn't help, she had to find a way to survive. She had no money, and her job with Kitty was gone. All she needed to start with was travel money, to get on a stage to somewhere. A small amount would do. She knew where to get it, and the time for getting it was now.

She slipped out of storeroom, hurried to the Long Branch and looked over the bat wing doors. Her timing was right, the place was empty like she knew it would be. Most folks don't realize how predictable they are, but from an early age carnival kids are taught to notices folks' behavior. Take Kitty, she was cautious when it came to handling and locking up her money, with one small weakness. Every night when she locked up the take of the day, she left single dollars and small coins in the cash register, to have as change for the following day. It didn't add up to much – maybe $10 or $15 dollars, and it saved her the trouble of opening her safe first thing in the morning. Thing was, when Sam arrived early in the day, Kitty unlocked the doors to let him in, and they went off to the side room, to make free lunches. The cash register was unattended for a small amount of time. That time was now. Darlene pushed open the doors, making sure they didn't flap, and tip-toed behind the bar. Holding the bell of the cash register with one hand, to muffle the sound, she pressed the DRAWER OPEN button. As expected Kitty had left a small pile of dollars and some quarters, dimes and nickles, in the drawer. Enough to take a stage-coach someplace and start over. She scooped up the money, stuffed her pockets, and quietly closed the draw. Walking on tip-toe, she was halfway to the door when she heard a voice and froze.

"What do you think you're doing." Kitty marched over, smoke coming out of her ears."

"Kitty, it's a small amount of money. I-I just want to get out of town. I-I…"

"You're a thief, and worse." Kitty glared. "You tried to kill Lola." She grabbed Darlene's arm.

"I'm no murderer. I'm just trying to survive. I'm sorry." Using two hands, she shoved Kitty with all her strength. The red-head staggered back. Her high heel caught a table leg, her foot went out from under her. Arms flailing, her head smacked the edge of the table before she hit the floor. Darlene stared the red-head. She wasn't moving. Blood was seeping from the back of her head. She ran to the door, turned and yelled. "Help, Help." She heard footsteps and bolted.

In the side room, Sam was humming a fiddle tune and slicing bread when he heard a call for help. He dropped his cutting knife and hurried into the saloon. Kitty was on the floor, a pool of blood spreading around her head.

Matt

After laying Carl Jones to rest in a shallow grave, Danny O'Brian and Matt climbed back on their horses. The wagon tracks still pointed northwest, towards Topeka. It was clear that after Lola left Jones, she kept moving. "O'Brian, let's go." Matt took off.

TBC