Pt.9
A Promise/A Favor/A Savior
What seemed like folks from the entire county, gathered.. into the Hotel, which doubled for a courtroom,
Many even crowded outside just to try and hear what was taking place, inside? The chatter so loud it was overwhelming… Kitty entered surrounded by, Matt Doc, Festus and of course,.. Taylor Breckenridge.
As they made their way to the front of the room, sitting along side… Oliver J. Barrister III was Patrick Kinkade Jr. and his brother Sean… both boys glaring over at Kitty!…Mary sat quietly, just behind them..
When kitty looked over at Mary ,…Mary dropped her eyes…unable to make eye contact. She looked up once.. but Pat Jr.,, looked her direction and just said Ma’! in a forbidding tone. After sitting down…
Matt, Doc and Festus sat just behind Kitty…. Doc reached out placing a hand on Kitty’s shoulder…
We’re all right here Honey… right here. Nodding ever so slightly… I know Curly ..I know… Patting his hand… Then the Balif ..stood and announced: ok,.. Order! Order! The Honorable Judge Brooker Presiding …all stand! Judge Brooker looked around the room, Good Morning Everyone!.. go on be seated! Mr. Breckenridge,… Mr. Barrister ..are we ready to proceed? Glancing at one another…
Yes Your Honor, they both answered. Well then , Let get started….Mr. Barrister, I believe you have the Floor?
Oliver Barrister , walk to the front of the Judge’s desk,.. your Honor…Today we are prepared to prove to you and this court, that this Woman… clearing his throat…excuse me Judge…That Miss Kitty Russell,
Brutally Shot and Killed , The Father and Husband… A honest and Loving , hard working Family Man ..
In Cold Blood!…quickly Taylor Breckenridge stood …”Your Honor”? is this a statement or is Mr. Barrister , testifying? Nodding his head,.. Tone it down Mr. barrister…The Judge said in agreement.
Forgive me your Honor?…Yeah, Yeah.. move on… As My First witness, I’d like to call …
Everyone held there breath,…. Patrick Kinkade Jr. … everyone was shocked,… how and in what way could he be a witness against Kitty? Pat Jr. sat in the seat provided next to the Judge…
Son, “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth , and nothing but the truth…so help you God?” Yes Sir, …I will…. Proceed Mr. Barrister… Mr. Kinkade,,,.. Oh, you can call me Pat…Mr. Kinkade was My Poppa’ ..that was until ..until she-devil Murdered u’um!…again, Breck ,stood up…Your Honor? Son, Just answers the question you are asked. Yes sir Judge. Now, Pat… Did you Know of any previous …shall we say ..meetings your poppa’ had with Miss Russell? Pat scrunched up his face in thought…hummmmm,.. Well yes… I sure can…Me and Poppa’ were gittin’ supplies ..at Mr. Jonas’ store
And she came out…I didn’t think about it at the time, but makes sense now…their meetin’ must have been planned fur? Why ‘s that Pat? Well Poppa’ didn’t want me to go wit him at first,… and she was real surprised like when she saw he wasn’t alone? Leaning into Breck…That’s a lie Breck!.. I only recognized him from seeing him at the Long Branch…a few times… he had been really drunk.. and rowdy..
It’s ok Kitty…I handle this… ..Barrister continued,.. any other times… then once I came to town and Poppa’ was in her place…she was plyin’ him with liquor and hangin’ all over him…now a bit more loudly…That’s A Damn Lie! Kitty blurted out. Placing his hand on her arm,.. Kitty relax. But…
Kitty please.. ..Ok I’m Sorry… Pat, Barrister continued… Was your father a Good Man?… Oh Yes Sir.
Kitty’s jaws were tightening… Damn Lie ! Damn Lie !… Matt leaned up ..Kitty you alright?…
Nodding …yeah,…He could tell there was something she was holding in/back….But What was it?
I like to now call Mrs. Kinkade to the stand,… Mary now lookin’ scared…walked slowly…
Judge Brooker, swore her in… Mrs. Kinkade ,..sorry for your lose… Thank You Judge… ok, Mr. Barrister
Good Morning Mrs. Kinkade, I understand this is a very difficult time for you and your children ..but
I need to ask you a few questions? ..is that ok? ..slightly nodding ..Yes Sir. How long have you and your Husband lived here in Dodge Ma’am?…oh, about one year now. You both came here planning to make a life here, for you and your family?… yes Sir. Your Husband , he was a hard working good Man?….
For a moment , Mary Kinkade dropped her eyes,.. Then looked at her sons… began to tremble…Yes Sir.
Good Father , Good Husband.. Loving Man?….Tears started to fill her eyes….and the trembling became more visible …Yes Sir. And things will be very difficult without him? She just nodded.
Judge Brooker,… said.. Mr. Barrister? Ok,.. you can step down Mrs. Kinkade…as she walked back to her seat,.. Pat Jr. And Sean…looked at her,…Pat Jr. grabbed her arm… Stop your sniveling…Go on Home now! This didn’t escape Doc’s attention….. Ok, Folks this has been a long morning.., and I haven’t even had a decent cup of coffee… let’s recess.. Till 2,o’clock this afternoon… as everyone was piling out…
Matt grabbed hold of Kitty’s shoulders … come’on we’ll go out the back way… Matt Doc, And Breck
Surrounded her…. Matt was talking to Breck,… Doc pulled Kitty aside,… Honey ,I know .. You don’t want me to say anything about what happened out there on the farm that day but Honey.., Between you and Me…
Throwing up her hands… Doc,… Please… This Barrister character, may call you to testify… so I’d rather not ….Ahhhh Honey!? You need to talk to Matt, Curly I can’t! you know Matt?.. he would have to tell Judge Brooker whatever I tell him… and I can’t Curly … I Promised!… Do you know what this Means?
With hurt filled sadness in her eyes…she nodded… Yeah.., I know!
TBC
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