Chapter Seven: Confrontations
The sound of gunfire jolted Marshal Matt Dillion awake. Sitting up awkwardly, grimacing at the pain in his shoulder and side, he slowly turned and placed his feet onto the floor. Another couple of gunshots urged Matt to stand up, taking a few steps to the door, he opened it and leaned against the doorway. As Doc Adams grabbed his medicine bag and headed to the door, Doctor Sammatha exclaimed "Marshal, why are you out of bed?" Doc Adams turned and frown at him "What in tarnation are you doing up Matt?" The sound of two more gunshots echoed through the town.
"Doc; sounds like a gunfight. I need help getting my pants on and I need my gun belt."
"What part of staying in bed a few more days did you not understand." Doc rubbed his mustache and glared at Matt. "You have a deputy that can handle it. We did a lot of work getting those bullets out of you."
"Doc, this is my town. I swore to protect it and that is what I need to do."
"Your town, is it? When did you buy it?" stated Doc flatly. He turned to his wife "I need to go and see the wounded. See if you can get this overgrown public servant back into bed."
Nodding, Doctor Sammatha walked over to the marshal. "Let's get you back into bed Marshal." Turning her head towards her husband, "Galen, please be careful."
"Of course," Doc simply stated as sounds of boots on the stairs captured their attention.
A moment later, the door opened and Nathan Burke, the freight manager for Dodge entered "In here. Doc, we have a wounded drunk cowboy with a bullet in his chest." Several men carried a young man, bleeding in the chest and laid him down on the exam table. Both doctors immediately went to the patient. Matt in turned notice that Burke was wearing a deputies badge.
"Burke, what happened?" Matt inquired.
"Oh Marshal, good to see you up. That one and his friend became drunk at the Long Branch. Sam cut them off and they started a fight, first with Sam and then each other. Next thing anyone knew, they were out on the street having a shootout. Took them a couple of shots before this one got hit and he killed the other one. Festus is down there taking care of the dead one."
"That's enough Burke, the marshal needs his rest and I need quiet to take care of my patient. So out with you", snapped Doc. "And you" looking at Matt. "Bed, no argument. Festus has things under control. So bed" he pointed to the bedroom.
Burke retreated out the door, Doc was in a sour mood and that was not a great time to be in his presence. Matt sighed. He knew there was no arguing with him, so he went back to bed. Matt also knew that Festus would come up and tell him what had happened. And he also knew that Festus was a capable deputy.
Rolf and Johnny moved towards Albert who did not seem to want to release Kitty. The others stayed towards the doorway of the kitchen, Maria gripping Lilly so she could not run to her mama. Albert had a crazed look in his eyes, looking at Kitty and then to Johnny.
"Johnny boy, she slapped me. No woman should slap a man." Albert rambled, his grip on Kitty did not release.
"Go low" whispered Rolf and Johnny nodded slightly. He waited for the command from Rolf and the moment that Rolf said now, both men tackled Albert. Rolf grabbed the man around the chest area and Johnny tackled his legs.
A scuffle insured, with Albert attempting to rid himself of both men. Johnny held on tight to Alberts legs, wrapping his arms around the man's knees and using his weight, laid on Alberts lower legs. Rolf slammed his fist into Alberts head, and as he hoped knocked Albert out.
Kitty Russell slid down the wall once she was released from Albert's grip. Her throat hurt and it was a bit difficult to breathe. Her hand went up to her throat and rubbed it. She heard the younger two children cry out when Albert's grip on her was over. Maria and Jessica went immediately to her, while Claria's hands went to Matty's and Lilly's shoulders.
"Stay here children" Claria commanded with softness in her voice.
"Mother," Jessica tenderly took Kitty's hand and removed it from Kitty's neck.
"I am alright" Kitty's voice was rough and more of a whisper.
Claria looked over the situation and took charge as only she would know how to. After all, this was what she was trained for, to run the house. "Rolf, gather his things, and throw him on his horse. He does not need to be here anymore. Please inform him of such. Johnny, saddle your horse and get the doctor. Maria, Jessica, help Mrs. Dillion up and help her to room. Dress her in a nightgown so the doctor can exam her."
Johnny stood up over Albert with anger in his eyes. When he was told to fetch the doctor, he looked to Clara first and then to Kitty. Seeing her on the floor, marks on her neck, he looked back at Albert with fire in his eyes and both of his hands made fists.
Jessica, understanding Johnny temperament called out to him "Johnny, mother need a doctor. Please go." Johnny turned to his twin; fire melted out of his eyes. "yes, alright. I will be back with the doctor as fast as I can." Johnny left to go and saddle his horse, headed to the only doctor he knew.
Rolf stood and picked up Albert, taking him out of the house and to the stables. He tied up the man and headed back to the house to gather Alberts items. Placing the items into a carpet bag returned to the stables. Albert woke up and tried to move. Unsure how he would wound up in the stable, much less tied up, he would cuss out loud and continued to attempt to stand up. Rolf entered the stable and went to Albert's horse.
"What the hell am I doing here, and what are you doing with my horse." Albert demanded.
"I am saddling up your horse Mr. Albert. Your presence is not wanted here." Stated Rolf as he finished saddling the horse, tying the carpet bag on the saddle horn. Grabbing Albert and getting him to his feet, Rolf then tossed Albert on his horse.
"Aren't you going to untie me?" fear could be heard in Alberts voice.
"Nope." Stated Rolf as he led the horse down to the front gate and slapped the horses backside sending both horse and man away from the grounds.
Maria and Jessica helped Kitty to stand up and then guided her up the stairs. Matty broke free from Claria and headed up the stairs in front of everyone. Lilly followed her brother by breaking free and running up the stairs. Once up the stairs and in front of Kitty's room, Matty opened the door and Lilly ran to the bed, pulling the covers down. When Maria and Jessica had Kitty in the room, Maria took the young children with her, mentioning that hot water will be brought up in a bit. Jessica retrieved Kitty's nightgown and proceeded to unbutton the back of Kitty's dress. Not protesting the help from Jessica, Kitty stripped down and put it on, climbed into bed, drawing her knees up to her chest.
"I wish your father was here" she said quietly.
"I wish that too. Uncle Albert is no longer on the grounds. I just hope he stays off and doesn't come back. I am scared though he will make trouble for us in court." Jessica fluffed up the pillows, gingerly lowered Kitty's legs and covered her up to her waist.
A short while later, the sounds of hoof beats and a buggy could be heard. Jessica's stomach tensed as she rose and went to the window. Looking out and seeing Johnny ride up and dismount, she sighed relief and looked to Kitty.
"Mother, Johnny is back with the doctor."
"Serious Jessica, I am fine. I don't need a doctor." Protested Kitty
"Just the same, you should let him exam you. Father would be very disappointed in us and in you if you don't." Jessica countered. The front door opened and closed, the sound of boots on the stairs brought Johnny and the Doctor closer to them.
A knock at the bedroom door, Jessica opened the door and let both Johnny and the Doctor in. "Doctor Tanner. This is my mother, Kathleen Dillion. She was brutally attacked by our uncle."
"Doctor Tanner, I told them I didn't need you. I will be just fine," Kitty looked annoyed.
"Young lady, you will let me be the judge of that." Dr. Tanner went to the chair beside the bed and sat down, opening his bag, and then started with her neck.
The train pulled into the station and two weary men departed. Fetching their horses, each will quietly mount them, and once directions have been given to them, head to the telegram office. A telegram would be sent to Marshal Matt Dillion stating that they have arrived at St. Louis and more information shall be sent once that information was retrieved.
"Do you know where the Spenser estate is?" Newly inquired to the telegraph operator.
"I do. Why does two deputies need to go there?" a suspicious sound will be heard in his voice.
"We have business there" stated Newly.
Looking the men over, the operator gave them directions on how to get there. Newly thanked him and both men went and mounted their horses.
"Wonder how things are" Dakota said out loud.
"I hope everything is fine." Newly replied. The two men continued their journey towards the Spenser's estate quietly, with anticipation building up in them. Each man expected the best and the worst. Newly reflected on why the marshal kept them hidden and wondered if that might be his future if he continued down the path of law enforcement.
On the road leading up to the Spenser estate, they will spot a man on a horse staring at the house. They slowed down their horses and approached the man who acted surprised to see them.
"Can I help you gentlemen?" Albert asked.
"We know where we are going" Dakota stated flatly.
"You seem to be watching the Spenser household quite intensely" added Newly.
Albert scuffed at this. "Well, I got tossed out of my sister's home by some uppity servants because the boy did not like me, and his 'mother' took his side." Taking notice of the deputies badges, "Are you here to arrest someone?"
Newly looked to Dakota and then back to Albert. "We are here on behest of the boy's and other children's father. Seems he was worried that something would happen to them and too their mother."
"We would like to sit and chat, but don't have time. Need to check in and make sure all is fine." Dakota nodded and clicked for his horse to go forward. Newly will do the same watching the man as they left.
"Is he trying to follow?" inquired Dakota.
"No, seems he is heading back towards town." Newly looking around.
"Why don't we go at a fast trot? He didn't feel right to me." Dakota urged his horse to go a bit faster, with Newly agreeing and keeping pace. A few minutes later going through the entrance of the estate, Dakota stopped his horse and looked behind them. Not seeing the man anywhere, he turned around and caught up with Newly. Once at the front door, they dismounted, tied their horses to the railing and started up to the door.
The door opened and Johnny stepped outside, closing the door behind him. He will place his thumbs in his belt, standing wide foot and look at the two men. Newly could not help but crack a large smile on his face. Standing before him was a mini me Matt Dillion in the flesh. Dakota will also see the resemblance in the face of the marshal and the boy. "And who would you two deputies be, and what do you want here." Johnny demanded.
Newly took a step forward, "I am Newly O'Brian, and this is Dakota Smith." He started. "Are you Johnaton Dillion?"
"I just might be." Johnny replied carefully.
"We are deputies for your father, Matt Dillion. He sent us here to help Miss Kitty Russell and his children home."
"And why did he not come himself?" Johnny tilted his head a bit, staring from one man to the other.
"Well, boy," Dakota interrupted, "He was shot up pretty bad and could not make it, so he sent us. Is your 'mama' in the house?"
TBC