Chapter 15

Tabitha. Tabitha Saunders. It had been over twenty years, but he would never forget Tabitha Saunders. The man standing before him was Tabitha's father, Myles Saunders. Doc did not know where Myle's wife Lorraine was, but that did not matter right now.

Over twenty years ago Doc was attending medical school in Philadelphia. He was assisting in Tabitha's tonsillectomy. He had been put in charge of administering the chloroform. He had been following the instructions given to him and was carefully pouring the correct amount of chloroform over the apparatus that was covering Tabitha's nose and mouth. Doc had been doing everything correctly.

The problem was the apparatus. It was broken and allowed Tabitha to breathe in more chloroform than she should have. Before anyone realized what was happening, it was too late. Tabitha Saunders had died from chloroform poisoning. She was only eight years old.

Myles could see that Doc was remembering. "You remember," he stated. "Diana and I were told that Tabitha needed her tonsils out. We were told it was a routine operation. We were told that everything would be fine, that Tabitha would not have so many sore throats. We were lied to. And then you were never punished. The law never punished you."

"Mr. Saunders," Doc began.

"No, I'm not done," Myles stopped Doc. "Ever since my little girl's death, it's been my aim to seek vengeance on you. But my wife, may she rest in peace, would have nothing of it. She begged me not to avenge our daughter's death. I respected her wishes while she was alive. Now she's gone. She died of typhoid last year. It's taken me that long to find you."

Doc was getting impatient. He had to get back to Dodge. Ruby needed him. The only thing that was keeping him from pulling his pistol out of his medical bag and shooting Myles Saunders was the knowledge that Ruby was Newly. Right now Doc had no choice but to put his trust in Newly. He also knew he could not shoot Myles because there was no justification for it. As the only doctor in the area, he had a responsibility to the citizens of Dodge City.

"I'm sorry for what happened, but what happened to Tabitha was an accident," said Doc. "What you've done was on purpose. And why are you punishing an innocent little girl? She did nothing to you. And let me tell you something. The law will be after you."

"Believe it or not I feel bad for the little girl," said Myles. "But I want you to know what I went through. I want you to know the pain I went through after Tabby's death. I reckon if you lose your granddaughter, maybe you'll feel what I felt."

"Like I said, the law will come after you," Doc reiterated.

"The law," Myles said with disgust. "I've wanted vengeance against the law too. Can you imagine my delight when I found out that the little redhead was the Marshal's daughter. It's like killing two birds with one stone."

"Marshal Dillon did nothing to you," Doc snapped back. "You have no reason to take vengeance on him."

"He's the law. That's all the reason I need," Myles stated. "I think I've kept you long enough. Goodbye Doctor Adams." Myles rode off.

Doc paid no attention to what direction Myles rode off. His only focus was to get back to Dodge, back to Ruby. The entire trip back Doc prayed that he would not be too late. He thought back to when Matt had been shot multiple times while Mace Gore and his gang took over Dodge and how hard he prayed then. He was praying just as hard now.

Doc arrived back in Dodge faster than he could ever remember. He parked his buggy next to his office. Grabbing his bag, Doc swiftly climbed out of his buggy and ascended the stairs to his office. In his advanced age, Doc normally had a firm grip on the railing and took the steps one at a time. Today was different. Today Doc practically ran up the stairs.

He opened the door and found Ruby laying on the examination table. She appeared to be asleep, but Doc knew better than that. His precious granddaughter was unconscious. Newly had a hold of her little wrist. He was checking her pulse. When he was finished, Newly gently put Ruby's arm down next to her side. Newly looked at Doc and saw the angst written all over his face.

"Her pulse and heartbeat are slower than normal," Newly answered Doc's unanswered question. "I'm glad yer here. I honestly don't know what to do. I've been monitoring her heart rate and praying. What else do you want me to do?"

"That's all we can do," Doc replied.

Doc walked over to the examination table and looked down at the little girl who was usually so full of spunk. He noticed a small sore of Ruby's lips. Doc knew that direct exposure to chloroform can cause sores. Doc instantly became worried that the inside of Ruby's mouth and possibly throat could have sores. He checked.

"What are ya doin', Doc?" Newly asked as he observed Doc looking inside Ruby's mouth.

"I'm checking for sores," Doc explained. "Chloroform exposure can leave sores." He finished examining Ruby's mouth.

"Did you find any?" asked Newly.

"A few," Doc replied. "I hate ta see even a few, but it's better than a mouth full of sores."

"Did Festus go and get Kitty?" Newly asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"Yeah," Doc answered. He took his desk chair and pulled it up next to Ruby.

Kitty had decided to wash bed sheets when she got home from taking Ruby to school. She pulled the sheets off her and Matt's bed and Ruby's bed and took them out to the washing machine. After running the sheets through the ringer, Kitty figured she had enough time to hang them on the washline. She had finished hanging up Ruby's sheets, when she saw Festus riding towards the house.

Kitty had to smile at Festus' choice of animal transportation. Ruth was Festus' trusty and faithful mule. Matt was partial to his buckskin. Festus was partial to his mule. At first she didn't understand why Festus didn't ride an actual horse. She thought he would want a faster animal, but Matt explained it to her. Ruth may not be as fast as a horse, but he was a sturdy, strong, surefooted animal.

As Festus came closer, Kitty could tell by the expression on his face that something was wrong. The more Kitty thought about it, the more she realized that Festus would have no reason to be riding out to the house, unless something was wrong. She grabbed the wash basket, put it next to the back of the house, and walked towards the front.

"Something's wrong," she stated as Festus rode up to her.

"It's Miss Ruby," Festus replied, dismounting Ruth. "Newly think she's been poisoned with chloroform."

Kitty's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh dear God! Is she …" Kitty couldn't finish her question.

Festus knew what Kitty couldn't ask. It was the same question he couldn't ask. "When I left ta getcha, little Miss Ruby was still alive. I'll help ya saddle yer mare."

Kitty could not recall the ride to Dodge City. The only thing on her mind was her daughter. She was doing her best to hold it together. Kitty's heart rate increased the closer they got to Dodge. She was as nervous as could be. She wanted to be with Ruby, but was afraid of what she would encounter when she got there.

Upon arriving at Doc's office, Kitty quickly dismounted her mare. Gathering the bottom of her skirt, she hurriedly climbed the steps of Doc's office. Fesus was right behind her. Kitty opened the door and saw Doc sitting next to Ruby, gently stroking the top of her head. The gesture and the fact that Doc was just sitting there sent fear through Kitty's body.

"Doc, how's my baby girl?" Kitty asked. She approached the examination table where Ruby lay.

"She's alive," Doc replied. "Kitty, I'm so sorry. I'm afraid this is all my fault."

TBC