Pt.5
“Always”
Matt sat slouched sideways in his chair,… it seemed like this trial was taking forever in his mind?
Actually his mind was not even there…. Now resting his chin in his hand…listening to the same testimony
He had just heard over and over not more then a week ago… Finally he heard the judge, say… Marshal?
Marshal Dillon, ! Oh, uh.. Yes your Honor… Are you wait for a written invitation? I’m sorry Judge…
Will you Please take the stand?…Yes Judge…. Then the Lawyer for the accused proceeded…Now Marshal Dillon.. I Understand you were called into this case, after the fact ..is that correct? That is correct…
I was called to handle the situation in Elkhart … Where? The lawyer ask. Sorry, Matt replied that would be Elkhart Kansas. Go on… when I arrived the sheriff there ,…had in custody, the prisoner, Matt now pointed to ..Pete Robertson. He had arrested him for brutally assaulting a young woman, then burning down her family Home with her still inside…The lawyer now interrupted ..But there are no murder charges here Marshal. No, your right.. Thanks to a good Samaritan.. Who rescued her.. When he saw Robertson running from the House. But, Marshal isn’t it true the young woman recanted her version of the charges?
Out of Fear. .Yes! Do you have children Mr….ahh … Marshal my have children isn’t important here…
Matt just tightened his lips, and jaw.. never mind you just answered my question…it’s obvious you don’t..!
It’s also fairly obvious he was working under someone else…Not the smartest move.. But…Your Honor!
The lawyer yelled out… Marshal can you control your statements? Matt then added. One other thing..
In my investigation of this matter, Judge, I’ll stake my Job on it there is big money behind what is going on here.. Just as I said in my first testimony Robertson‘s not working alone.… The Judge leaned over.. Marshal.., You may step down. As Matt step down from the chair, Jake motioned to him from his seat… Matt.. quick.. Then he handed him a wire…As Matt looked down at it, ..it was from Kitty
Marshal Matthew Dillon
C/O Sheriff J. Reilly
Hayes, Kansas
Matt, Need you here a.s.a.p. . Stop . Jesse is Missing .Stop .
Been missing two weeks. Stop . I’ll fill you in when you arrive .stop.
Other related trouble .stop .
Kitty
Matt crumbled the Paper…looking around…Matt what is it? Jake I need to get out of here…
It’s my daughter and Son-in-law.. There’s some trouble…. Kitty’s there but she’s worried..
Well Matt we’re breaking for the day, Let’s go see the Judge…
Springfield, Colorado
After, sending the wire to Matt…Kitty walked around Springfield…trying to get a feel for what was going on?…. Seeing what she could …ohh overhear? Several ranchers were outside of the feed store…
Talking ..all concerned that Shaffer was nosing around their places… checking out with the town banker the value of the land deeds… it was like they knew who was next on the list.. Then she overheard one of them say: Look Shaffer has His sights set on the Clayton Place now… those kids can’t fight him for long…!
Hell … no one has even seen Jesse.. For going on two weeks now… then another one in the crowd spoke up: suppose he mysteriously had an accident? Kitty stopped in her tracks. Excuse Me? They all stopped
Looked up…Oh, pardon us Ma’am ..No, That’s alright.., I just happened to overhear what you said ,about Jesse Clayton …Possibly Mysteriously having an accident…? Oh no Ma’am you must be mistaken…
No, No ..I heard you very clearly! Finally, a third Man ask, Why?.. Who are You? He’s My son-in-law.
If you all feel like this is what is happening… Why?… Why aren’t any of you standing up and doing anything about this? What is wrong with all of you? You’re a woman, you have no idea.. what this is about! Oh, Don’t you dare! Don’t give me that…. Well if you are all to Coward.. Then I’ll have to do something myself! And she stormed off!…..
As she made her way down the street… she headed straight for the sheriff’s office….
Throwing the door open… startling him … Whoa… there Missy now nothing can be all that bad!
Don’t you whoa Missy Me! Calm down Honey…I’m not your honey either! Chuckling…he said ok?
Why don’t you tell me what you are so all fired up about? Well, Maybe I just will do that! With hands on her hips, I don’t think you have a grain of sense in that head of yours!.. That or you don’t deserve to be wearing that badge! Whoa now…What did I do to deserve that ? Damn it!.. it’s what your not doing…!
Your Letting that ! , That Harlen Shaffer.. waltz around this place…running buck shot over anything and anybody he wants.. And your doing nothing! Here sit …pulling out a chair for her. I don’t want to sit.
How long are you going to let him try to steal the land out from under these ranchers… and when they don’t comply.. well.. Opps!.. accidents just happen? And Has he done this to you ?…Miss….
Mrs.! ….Mrs. Dillon no ..My daughter. I know of no accident..? The sheriff answered. “Really”! so surprising! Kitty said sarcastically. Jesse’ been missing for going on two weeks…other families have unexplained accidents… all the same families who wouldn’t sell out to Shaffer… And what are you doing ?
Oh, Don’t bother with an answer …Nothing! Well, That will all change!… she turned and slammed the door on her way out!
Across the street, she noticed.. a saloon.. Thinking to herself.. ‘I need a drink”…several stopped to look as she entered… Can I help you Ma’am… Whiskey.. Please? Oh, Ma’am I, are you sure you want to be …
Yes I’ve been inside a Saloon before…Whiskey Please? Coming right up! She could feel eyes on here back…Mrs. Dillon isn’t it?…. Turning slowly…. That’s right….! This is hardly the place for a…
Save the charm Mr. Shaffer! Is there something you wish to say to me? I’d be pleased if you’d sit with me.
Kitty moved to a table where Shaffer was sitting…. Alright…Now…What? Not much on small talk are you? Shaffer ask. Get to your point Mr. Shaffer! Mrs. Dillon,… I am a business man…Ha! I am.. he said. You don’t say…kitty said with a smirk. Mr. Shaffer I know Businessmen… You’re a Bully… A Monster. businessmen make deals… you make threats.. Then take! But Not anymore!
Now he began to laugh….. I know what you tried to do to Beth and Jesse’ ..and I can’t prove it just yet…
But I know your behind Jesse’ disappearance… Laughing again.. Saying : look here men… Just like a Momma Bear…. Now standing. .before he could finish…Mr. Shaffer… Word to the wise……
Think just how far a Momma Bear will go to protect her Cubs!….dropping her glass on the table…so to splash her whiskey all over him…. “Food For thought.” with a raised brow…looking over her shoulder as she left the saloon!
TBC
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