This story is intended
for mature audiences due to language, violence, and the vivid depiction of a
consensual adult relationship.
“Matt, what in the devil happened out there tonight?” Doc
demanded. “I’ve never seen Kitty so distraught.”
“It was bad, Doc,” Matt grimaced. “I won’t lie to you.”
Doc and Matt had left Kitty sleeping in the next room as
they talked quietly with Festus in the outer office.
Matt continued, “I thought I had it all under control,
but then I was ambushed by several more men.”
He wearily rubbed his face, his expression desolate. “Doc, they were gonna make me watch them…hurt
her.”
Festus spoke, “Well, Matthew, how’d you manage to stop
‘em?”
Doc interjected, “You mean you weren’t there with
Matt? How on earth did you stop all
those men by yourself?”
“I’m not sure, Doc.
I honestly don’t remember a whole lot.”
Matt’s eyes were distant as he tried to recollect the evening’s exact
events. “I just recall those bastards
tearing at her clothes…” He turned his
head and looked away as he murmured, “…touching her…and then…” His expression was bleak. “And then I was standing in front of an
unarmed man, shot to death with a bullet from my gun.”
Doc whispered hoarsely, “Good heavens…”
Festus clarified, “Doc, I was there after the dust’d
settled. I saw what’d happened.” His expression was dour. “Poor Miss Kitty was a’layin’ there…clothes
tore half off…” He shook his head
miserably. “And all those men… Against just you, Matthew. You was a’fightin’ for yer life. Yers and Miss Kitty’s…”
Matt wretchedly argued, “But Festus, I saw that man. He was unarmed.”
Doc countered, “Matt, don’t you dare go beating yourself
up over this. Those filthy animals got
what they deserved as far as I’m concerned.”
“But, Doc, I’m a U.S. Marshal.” Matt’s tone was anguished. “I’m sworn to uphold the law, but tonight I
broke the law.”
Firmly, Festus retorted, “Matthew, I don’t keer. Them blame rascals was a’gonna’ hurt Miss
Kitty and you done what you had to do to pertect her. I don’t keer if ya’ had to kill ever last one
of ‘em.” He harrumphed and shook his
head. “Don’tcha’ think she’s worth it?”
Doc nodded sagely as he swiped a hand thoughtfully over
his wiry mustache. “And that’s what it
boils down to, Matt. You can regret what
happened tonight, but what matters at the end of the day is that little lady in
the next room. She’s safe and sound
because of what you did.”
Matt scrubbed a hand over his mouth and closed his eyes,
but didn’t know what to say. His head
and his heart were clearly at war.
Festus awkwardly cleared his throat, then reminded Doc,
“We got them three prisoners down ta’ the jail Matthew done knocked the tar out
of. I myself don’t give a whipstitch if
they don’t get no doctor’s help a’tall, but you kin go see ‘em iffin ya’ got
the time.”
“Alright, Festus.
I’ll go right now, if one of you will stay here in case Kitty needs
something.”
“I’ll stay, Doc…”
Matt quickly answered, “I’ll stay.
Festus, will you go back to the jail with Doc?”
“Shore, Matthew, I’d be glad to.” While Doc grabbed his bag and headed out the
door with Festus, Matt wearily groaned and lay back on Doc’s examining table,
his mind a whirl.
And on the other side of the bedroom door, a stricken
Kitty sat on the floor against the door where she’d been listening quietly to
the three men’s conversation. She was so
sorry, so sorry it’d come to this. That
Matt had been forced to tarnish his beloved badge to protect her. She didn’t know what she could do to make it
right…
tbc
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