Chapter 5

Sam had been standing at the bar drying glasses when Matt came through the swinging doors and rushed up the stairs. Like Chester, Sam was confused by Matt's actions. As a barkeep, he witnessed a lot of things in the Long Branch. He could see that Miss Kitty and the Marshal were becoming really good friends, and quite possibly more. Sam figured Matt knew Kitty well enough to know that she would still be asleep at this hour of the morning. Before he was able to call up to him, Matt went inside Kitty's room, leaving Sam even more puzzled.

A couple minutes after Matt entered Kitty's room, Chester entered the Long Branch in the same hurrying manner as Matt. But instead of rushing up the stairs, Chester went to the bar. He still had the letter in his hand.

"Sam, did Mr. Dillon come through here?" he asked, trying to catch his breath.

"Yes, he ran upstairs to Miss Kitty's room," Sam answered. "Chester, what's going on?"

Chester took the letter and put it on the bar. "This here letter was on the floor of the jail near the door this mornin'."

Sam read the letter and then looked up at Chester. Worry was all over his face. "Oh my."

"Didja see anything last night, Sam?" Chester asked.

"I'm afraid not," Sam replied.

Matt took the second letter and put it back in the envelope. He folded the envelope and put it in the inside pocket of his vest. He made the decision not to make the letter public. Matt would show Chester and probably Doc, but nobody else. He took one final look around Kitty's room and walked out.

"Mr. Dillon," Chester addressed Matt as Matt came down the stairs. "I reckon Miss Kitty ain't up there."

"No, she isn't," Matt sighed. Matt wanted to get back to the office so he could focus on the letter he found in Kitty's room, but he knew he should question Sam. He turned his attention to Sam. He pointed to the letter on the bar. "Sam, is there anything you can tell us about this?"

"I'm sorry, but no," Sam answered with a shake of his head.

"Who was Kitty with last night?" asked Matt.

"Well, we were awful busy last night, but I do recall seeing her having a beer with a young cowboy?" Sam replied.

"Did anything stand out about this fella?" Matt continued his questions.

"Nothing that I noticed. He and Miss Kitty seemed to be enjoying each other's company," Sam replied.

"Ya wouldn't happen ta know the feller's name?" Chester questioned.

"No," Sam sighed. Matt looked down and shook his head in frustration and disappointment. "But Suzette might know. She had a beer with him. She took him up to her room."

As if she had sensed she was being talked about, Suzette stepped out of her room. "Suzette!" Matt hollered up to her. "Wouldja mind coming down here?"

"Sure thing, Marshal," she responded. She walked down the stairs and joined the three men at the bar. "What can I do for ya?"

"The young man you were with," said Matt. "What was his name?"

"Why? Is he an outlaw or something?" she asked.

"I'm not sure," Matt replied. "Did you get his name?"

"No," Suzette answered. "The only thing he told me was that he was passing through Dodge. He seemed like a decent guy. Why do you want his name?"

"Kitty's missing, and he was seen with her before he was seen with you," Matt replied. "I'm not sure if he's connected with her disappearance. Where did he go after he left your room?"

"Oh no!" Suzette exclaimed. "I can't believe Kitty is missing. I'm not sure where he went after he left my room. I assume he left the Long Branch. He wasn't there when I went back downstairs."

"Thanks for your help," said Matt. "Listen. Don't be asking anyone questions about Kitty's disappearance. I would much rather have people volunteer information. If you hear anything, let me know."

Sam and Suzette nodded in agreement. Both of them really liked Kitty. Suzette was new at the Long Branch, and Kitty befriended her right away. Suzette appreciated Kitty's friendship, especially since she was so far from home. Suzette came from Philadelphia.

"Mr. Dillon, why ain't we looking for tracks around the Long Branch?" Chester asked.

"I thought about that," said Matt. "But last night's rain would've washed away any tracks."

"I fergot about that," Chester admitted.

Doc walked into the empty jail office. He called out to Matt and Chester thinking they might be in the back cell area or outside. When he received no response, Doc decided to wait. He poured himself a cup of coffee and took a sip. After one sip, Doc knew Chester had made the coffee. Seeing the checkerboard and pieces on the table, Doc took the board and put the pieces in their places.

When Matt and Chester returned to the office, Doc was sitting at the table waiting for them. He had the checkers game all set up. "Are either of you interested in a game of checkers?"

"Not now Doc," said Chester. "We got more important things ta 'tend to. Miss Kitty's missin'."

"What?" questioned Doc. "What are ya talking about?" That was the last thing he expected to hear.

Chester gave Doc the letter that was found on the jail floor. "Read this."

Doc read the note. "By thunder Matt! What are ya doing about this?"

"I've already been at the Long Branch and up in Kitty's room. You can tell her bed's been slept in, and there doesn't appear to have been a struggle," Matt replied. He pulled out the newest letter from his pocket. "This was on her pillow. It appears to be some sort of riddle"

"I have one eye, but cannot see. There are different types of me," Doc read.

"Kitty would have fought if she was able to," Matt pointed out. "Doc, do ya think she was given something?"

Doc thought about Matt's question. Last night he didn't think twice about Sam telling them Kitty was so exhausted. He just figured she had worked too many late nights and it was catching up to her.

Doc swiped his hand over his mustache and tugged on his ear. "After learning what happened and knowing how tired she was last night, I would put my money on it."

"Damn," Matt mumbled, wishing he had stayed the night with her.

"Mr. Dillon, why didn't you tell Sam or Suzette about the second letter?" asked Chester.

"Any letter we get stays between the three of us," Matt responded. "The less people that know about the letters, the better. If anyone mentions the letters, they could possibly be tied with Kitty's disappearance."

"Alright," Chester agreed.

"What about this riddle? Have you thought about it?" asked Doc.

"I've been thinking about it," Matt answered. "I'm trying to think of what has one eye."

"There are potatoes, but people say potatoes have eyes, not just one," Chester stated. "There's old man Watkins. He lost an eye several years ago, but there ain't different types of him. Do we know who's sending these notes?"

"No and that's one of the things that bothers me," Matt replied. "Not only do I not know where Kitty is, but I have no idea who has her. The first note said we, meaning there's more than one person involved. The question is how many are involved."

"A needle," said Doc.

"What?" Matt and Chester asked at the same time.

"A needle has one eye, and there are many kinds," Doc answered.

"Where are we gonna find a needle?" asked Chester.

"At the dress shop," Matt answered.

"Do ya think Miss Sarah has the next clue?" Chester asked.

"No. Whoever is behind this wouldn't risk being seen," Matt answered. "I'm guessing the next clue is somewhere at the dress shop, but more than likely it's outside."

Matt, Chester, and Doc left the jail and casually walked over to the dress shop. They did not want to draw attention to themselves. Luckily the dress shop did not open for another half, so Sarah Carr would not see them hanging around her business and wonder what was going on. They were also fortunate the dress shop was on a side street and not on Front Street.

"Where should we start lookin'?" Chester inquired.

"Everywhere," Matt replied as he began searching.

The three men had been searching the area for ten minutes. They moved the doormat and looked under it. There was a lantern hanging by the door. Chester thoroughly searched the lantern. Thinking they had the wrong answer to the riddle or were at the wrong location, Matt, Chester, and Doc were about to leave, when Matt stepped on a loose plank. Bending down, Matt removed the plank. Underneath the wooden plank was another envelope.

Matt picked up the envelope and put it in his pocket. He fought the urge to tear the envelope open and read the letter right where he was standing. Matt walked back to the office with Chester and Doc following.

The moment Matt walked into the office, he opened the envelope and pulled out the piece of paper. He looked it over, expecting to see another riddle or clue. There wasn't one.

"What's it say?" asked Doc.

"The next clue will be delivered," Matt read. "It says it will be delivered tomorrow."

TBC