Chapter Twenty-Two: The Next Day
St. Louis:
Bryant Scott had never been what others called "a coward", however the instructions that he received from Albert Spenser in the telegraph sent a chill up his spine. He mumbled to himself as he left the telegraph office in St. Louis. Keeping the woman down in the cellar locked up and fed every couple of days was one thing. Burning the house to the ground was one thing. Out and out murder, that was a hanging. Bryant Scott did not fancy his neck stretched by a noose.
He went to a local bar and had several beers. Tonight, tonight he knew what he had to do. If only the woman would do as he said and not double cross him. No she wouldn't do that, she hated Albert too much. Tonight, have some liquid courage, Bryant Scott knew what to do.
Around midnight, Scott entered the home like he had done a thousand times. He knew where the money was kept and went there. He grabbed the small lockbox and opened it. Almost 500.00 dollars was tucked away to feed the missus, now it was his. Looking around quickly, Scott put his plan into action. Packing one side of the saddlebag he brought in with food, he packed the other side with a change of clothes and a small derringer. Securing it onto the extra horse he brought along with a coat, bedroll and water container, he returned to the house.
Outside the money he had found, there was nothing he wanted. He poured oil all over the upstairs and down the steps inside the cellar. She watched him pour the oil all over the bottom of the cellar, but not her. Was this man going to burn her alive. Barbara Spenser cursed at the man and attempted to harm him. Standing only 5 feet tall to this man's almost 6 foot did not help her. He stepped back away and looked at her. To him, he could not understand why Albert did not like her. At 5 foot tall, slightly plump, long raven hair and brown eyes, he thought she was a handsome woman.
"Woman, settled down at bit. I ain't going to burn no one alive. Now you behave yourself for a bit and I won't hurt you."
"How could I believe you. Three weeks I have been locked down here." She spatted back at the man.
"I ain't no murder. Albert wants you dead. Now I am going to release you from the wall, and we are heading outside. If you scream, I will gag you proper."
Scott went to the wall and release the chain from it. He slightly dragged her up the stairs and outside. She did not say much, mainly complained how fast he was dragging her. Outside he lifted her up on the extra horse and then mounted his. He secured the chain on his horse and told her to hang on.
Scott leaned over and grabbed the lit lantern and threw it into the house, causing the house to burst into flames. He turned around and urged his horse forward. At first, Barbara had thought about jumping off, however nixed it. He would just drag her on the ground. Holding tight as she could, the two of them travelled several hours. When he stopped them, he yanked her off the horse. "We sleep here for a few hours and before sunrise, I will leave. I suggest you head that way to Dodge and Albert."
"What about you? Don't you want revenge on him also."
"Nope, just don't want to be around anymore. Have what I need."
"Are you going to leave me in chains? She asked.
"Nope, just for the time being. When I am ready to leave, I will toss you the keys. Now woman, shut up and get some sleep."
True to his word, when Bryant Scott woke up the next morning, he made sure her horse was saddled and gave her some coffee. He mounted up and tossed at her feet the keys to the chains. "Dodge, that way. He wants some woman name 'Red'." With that Scott took off on his horse and Barbara Spenser proceeded to unchain herself, mounted her horse and left, heading towards Dodge City and her cheating, murderous husband Albert.
The Cabin:
Both men woke up just before sunrise, each dealing with stiffness and aches. The floor was hard, and both were in pain. Festus looked at Dakota's arm. "Boy, we needs to git ya to Doc. That here cloth seems painted to your skin."
"Yeah, hurts like a kick from a mule fer sure." He nodded to Festus, "How's the arm?"
"Never you mind boy. We's Haggins are as tough as a mule." Festus headed towards the door.
"About as ugly as one too." Dakota smiled at the deputy. Festus's eye squinted at Dakota.
"No need to make such words there. Lets get the guy and haul him to Dodge."
Dakota agreed and headed outside with him. They both tied their items onto their horses, tossed the man over his saddle, tied him down and then headed home.
"You know Festus, once if I live, get down with the Doc's, I am going to treat you to a large steak, the largest they have at Delmonico's. With all the fixings you can eat and all the coffee you can drink. Then taking you to the Long Branch and we will have our fill there."
"Hungry, is you?"
"Yeah."
"Figuring you live Doc Sam, do youse?"
"One can only hope." Dakota laugh, "Can only hope."
Dodge City:
The sounds of children engulfed the upper level of the Long Branch. Loud whispers of "be quiet" could be heard along with, "Do you think they are awake?" Doors opening and slamming, Jessica's voice trying to calm everyone down, and the giggles as not only from Matty and Lilly, but Johnny also caused her voice to raise up.
"We need to get downstairs for breakfast." Jessica sounded upset. "Maria will have breakfast ready, and you two need to be ready for school."
"Your sounding like an old woman Jessy," her twin chided her.
"Your not our boss," Matty piped up.
"What if mama and papa aren't awake, will they miss breakfast and will Matty and I just show up to school. What if the other children don't like us?" Lilly's lower lip began to trembled.
In their bedroom, Matt and Kitty were finishing up dressing. "Well mama, are we up?" Matt smiled at her.
"Oh, I am sure we are up." She retorted
"Is that a fact?" He countered, loving the sounds of the children.
"That's a fact cowboy. Now, do your job and handle the mob that is in the Long Branch."
Both chuckled a bit, and then Marshal Matt Dillion, put on his hat, stepped out into the hallway seeing the four of them. Using his best marshal voice, "Hold it right there. What is this fuss about? Why do I see four youngins up here and not downstairs getting breakfast like they are supposed to be doing?"
The four of them stopped their fighting and stood there staring at their father. Life was different now and was going to be a large change for all of them. Matt pointed to the stairs and the Dillions moved quickly.
Stopping them, he bent down and looked at the younger two. "Lilly, they will like you at school. Mama will always have breakfast with you, and I will always try. Matty, when mama and I are not around, Jessica is the oldest. You do as she says."
"Yes papa", Matty and Lilly said together and then headed downstairs towards the table where there were bowls of oatmeal, toast, milk and fruit.
"Johnny, the pistol, either in your room, or under the bar. Not the table, and not around Dodge."
"Yes. Sir', Johnny scowled. He headed downstairs and placed his gun belt under the bar where Sam pointed.
"After breakfast Johnny, how about I show you the workings behind the bar." Sam smiled and patted the dejected young man's shoulder.
"I like that Sam." Johnny plopped down on one of the chairs beside Matty.
Jessica watch as her twin. "Father, he has worn that since he has been 13. Taking it away might not sit so well."
"Neither does having him in a shootout." Matt looked at his son. "Maybe later I will take him for a walk around Dodge and we can talk."
Jessica kissed her father's cheek and headed downstairs. Kitty came up beside Matt, wrapped her hands on his arm. "It just takes time Matt. Spending time with him would be an excellent idea. Explain to him why he cant walk around Dodge with his gun belt."
Matt looked down into her blue eyes. "I already know what I am going to say Kitty."
"You do?"
"I am going to tell him that it is your idea." Matt grinned his boyish grin at her. She in turn, slapped his arm, picked up her skirt and headed downstairs.
Breakfast evolved into a round of excited noise, questions with many answers and discussion of what in Dodge to do. Soon Maria came out with two buckets with lunches in them. Matt, Kitty and the two young one's stood up and headed out the door. Jessica went after them, stopping her father. "Father, Mr. O'Brien will be here in a couple of hours for our walk. I am still permitted to walk with him, aren't I?'
"And what will you be doing in those few hours?" Inquired Matt, as he looked at her excitement.
"Maria needs help with the dishes and cleaning up. Sam should not have to do that. Then of course I need to get ready. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself looking like a wash woman."
"Of course you can go. Just have him bring you back in two hours and then come over to the office and see me."
She sighed. "Yes father." She kissed her younger sister and brother and wished them a good day at school. Turning Jessica went to help Maria with the morning dishes.
Kitty took Lilly's hand and their arms swung in between them. Matt and Matty walked behind them. The schoolhouse loomed ahead of them and Matty stopped. Matt looked down at his son.
"Papa, what if the teacher don't want to teach me cause of my ears."
"I don't think you will have to worry about that Matty. Just do your best and your ma and I will help you." Matt ruffled his son's hair. Placing his hand on the young boy's back, Matt urged him forward.
Miss Janie Mercer had been informed about the two Dillion children. She also knew that the boy had some issues with hearing. She arranged for the boy to have a front seat and for the girl to sit with another beginning student named Sarah.
When she saw the Dillions heading towards the school, she had an older boy named Claude take the children in. Greeting them, she was not sure what to call them, so she decided to play it safe. "Marshal, Miss Kitty. Welcome to Dodge City School. Who do we have here?"
Matty swallowed hard as Matt encouraged his son forward. "My name is Matthew James Dillion Junior. I go by Matty. I hear better now." He extended his hand, and she shook it.
Lilly let go of Kitty's hand and not to be outdone by her brother, Lilly extended her hand. "I'm Lillian Kathleen Dillion, but they call me Lilly. I have not been in school before." Miss Mercer took her hand and shook it also.
"I am your schoolteacher, Miss Mercer. Now, say goodbye to your parents and let us go into the schoolhouse. We can talk more after school Marshal, Miss Kitty." She turned, placing a hand on both children's back and guided them into the schoolhouse.
"I feel like I am abandoning them Matt." Kitty hand one arm around her waist and the other hand on her mouth.
"Now Kitty, we agreed to get them into school as soon as possible. They need to make friends, have a routine."
"I know Matt, I know."
"Lets go and look at a few houses, see if we find one we like." Matt extended his arm, bent at the elbow. Kitty took it, and as they walked away, she kept looking backwards.
Sam Nooman led Johnny down to the cellar. In one room, was barrels of beer and stacks of rye and whiskey. There were cases of glasses for both beer and whiskey. In a second room, Johnny noticed broken tables and chairs.
"Sam, what is all this?"
"Fights happen in the Long Branch Johnny. Those are the furniture that gotten broke up."
"I see. What do you need me to do?
"Right now, we need a barrel and two boxes of whiskey upstairs. Then the glasses in the kitchen need to be brought out. We need to lower the chandler and replace some candles. Oh, a load of wood will be coming in any day now. It needs to be stacked over there."
Johnny went about his morning, doing the chores that Sam had requested. His attention went from the second room and the furniture and his gun belt. Sam, seeing this, placed his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"He is only doing it to protect you, Johnny."
"I don't see how. Not letting me have my gun doesn't make me feel very protected."
"Those that wear guns, who are bad, know one thing. Killing an unarmed man means hanging. Your father has many enemies, and he does want you to become a target. Until you know and understand Dodge City. Just give it time."
"I guess. I got it all done Sam. Is there a hardware store that has things like nails, tools, glue. That sort of thing in this town."
"Yes. What do you need."
"Just like I said. I want to fix the furniture downstairs. If I can."
Sam told him where the hardware store was. "You can charge it to the Long Branch." Johnny nodded and went to leave just as Newly entered.
"Johnny, is your sister ready?" Newly asked.
"How should I know. I've been working." Johnny pushed pass him and headed in the direction that Sam told him to go.
Newly watched the young man head down the street and reentered the Long Branch. When he entered, Jessica, wearing a light pink dress and white hat walked down the stairs. Newly took off his hat and met her at the bottom of the steps. "You sure do look awful pretty Miss Jessica."
"Thank you. Ready to go? I am excited to see the town."
"Yes ma'am." Newly put his hat back on and extended his elbow. "See you later Sam. I will have her back in two hours."
Sam chuckled as he watched the young couple leave the bar. His boss and the marshal definitely have their hands full.
By noon, Matt had enough of house hunting. Seemed that no house was good enough for Kitty. Perhaps it was too soon. Maybe she just felt more secure in the Long Branch. It had been her home for several years and she knew it.
"Tired?" He slowed their pace down. "How about some lunch at Delmonico's?"
"Lunch sounds good Matt." The couple steered in their direction towards the restaurant.
"They are fine honey. I know it is all new, but we will all be fine."
"I know. Just wish I had more time here with them, to help them adjust." She looked at the menu posted outside the restaurant. "I don't want elk stew. Think a steak would hit the spot."
"Matthew", a familiar voice called out. Turning towards the voice, the couple saw Festus and Dakota riding up Center Street with another horse behind them. The two men pulled up to the couple and Matt walked back to the extra horse.
"That is the moron marshal. He jumped me and Festus here saving my backside."
"I see." Matt looked at the man. "Either of you recognized the man?"
"Nope" was the response from both.
"Alright, get the body to the morgue and then you get up to Doc's. Kitty and I will be in here eating."
"Sure thing, Matthew. Come on boy, youse hears the man."
Matt and Kitty watched the two men move off towards the morgue. Kitty shook her head. "She is going to kill him you know."
"Don't want to deal with that on an empty stomach." Matt opened the door and let her enter first.
Once the body was given to Percy, their mounts and the extra horse dropped off at Moss's, the two weary men walked up the stairs to the Doc's office. Taking a deep breath in, Dakota opened the door. Doc looked up and then stood, moving towards them. Taking Dakota's blood-soaked arm, he guided the young man to the table. "Festus, are you hurt?"
"Nah Doc, going to the jail to sleep. Just needed to get the boy to you. Sees you later Dakota, fers that steak." Festus walked out of the office, crossed the street, entered the main room and collapsed on his bunk, snoring almost immediately.
Doctor Sammatha heard the door open and closed, Doc's voice and Festus's. She worried when she did not hear Dakota's or anyone else. When the door opened again and closed, she could not sit in the bedroom anymore. She grabbed her cane and slowly walked into the room.
"Sam, what are you doing out of your chair." Doc looked over his round glasses. Sammatha stopped next to Doc and looked at Dakota's arm.
"What happened?" Sammatha looked at Dakota's face for an answer.
"I slipped up, got caught off guard. Took a knife from my wrist to my elbow." Dakota said quietly. "I really need to clean up."
"It would be better if he bathed before we take the wrappings off. You stay here with her Dakota, while I hire someone to bring up some hot water."
Doc left the office and headed down to the street. He saw Johnny walk up the street and he called him over. "Johnny, need a couple of buckets of water brought up to my office. Do it for me will you."
As he watched Doc head up the stairs, Johnny blinked. "Why sure Doc, I am doing nothing right now." Johnny headed back to the Long Branch, walking pass Sam, dropping off the items he bought. He when straight back to the kitchen and grabbed two buckets of water.
Doc returned and went back over to Dakota. "Johnny is bringing up water that we will heat up. I will help you bath, and then soak the arm. We need to put in stitches once we clean it up."
"Sorry," Dakota said to both of them.
"Sorry for what Kota?" Sammatha seemed confused.
"For being more bother than I am worth."
"Oh phew-shaw son." Galen started. Sammatha rubbed his back.
"A good bath, some pain medication, and a good night sleep is all you need." Sammatha reassured him.
A few hours later, Dakota had a bath with Doc's and Johnny's help. Washing his hair was always a pain, but he refused to cut it. Dakota put on a pair of cut off pants and while Doc stitched up his arm, Sammatha combed out his hair and braided it. When all was done, Dakota went into his bedroom, collapsed on his bed. Sammatha came in and placed a quilt over him. "Get some sleep Kota." She whispered to him and then heard his slight snoring.
Albert Spenser rode on the light horse he picked up in the town he left. It wasn't the greatest horse he every rode, but time was essential, and he could not be picky. While he rode, he began to formulate his plan. First, he would watch, and then, maybe there would be accidents. The boy Johnny would be his first victim. Needed to get that snot nose kid out of the picture.
As for Jessica, well, men are weak, and with enough money and booze, they would do almost anything. But Red, ah yes, Red. I will make pretty girl babies and strong boy babies with her. And the bar would be his. Afterall, how could the marshal want her, if he caught them in bed together and her full of his child.
And his poor wife, lost in a tragic house fire. He would cry in Red's arms being a new widower. In a few days he will be in Dodge, and