Matt and Doc leaned against the long dark bar at the Long Branch Saloon. They both looked dog tired. The two men were discussing the events that led to the arrest of Luke Fleming when Kitty stopped by on the other side of the bar, "You two look like you could use a stiff drink," she smiled.

Matt looked up into the shining blue eyes of the redhead, "You are good a mind reader, Kitty," he smiled back.

Doc chuckled slightly as he watched Kitty pour two drinks.

"Jonas told me about Fleming," Kitty said as she slid the glasses across the bar to her friends.

"I mentioned it to him," Doc commented as he sipped his drink. "I didn't know all the details, so someone else will have to fill him in," he said.

"I'll have a talk with him later,' Matt aid.

"He assumes that he'll be called on as a witness," Doc mentioned.

Matt nodded, "He knows how things go," he said. "I'm sure he's not too happy about it," he smiled.

"He didn't look too happy this morning when I was talking with him," Kitty said.

"I think he did well, standing up that no-good," Doc said referring to Thomas Holt.

Kitty smiled slightly, "He's stronger than most give him credit for. He'll be fine."

Doc nodded, "Well, he's proven that in the past," he said with another sip of his drink. "He just doesn't like being involved with trials and such. He particularly hates being at the centre of attention," Doc pointed out.

"I don't know any one that does like that," Kitty quipped.

"I think Fleming and his men won't either," Matt added.

"Oh, I bet that Holt fellow will love it," Doc said as he swatted the top of the bar with his plam. "You should have seen how he drew the attention to himself and Jonas the other night," Doc said ticking his head. "He's a real dandy, he is," the doctor grunted.

"I don't imagine that Judge Brooker will have anyone grandstanding in his courtroom," Matt said as he lifted his glass to his lips.

"When will the trial be?" Kitty asked.

"I'll know when I hear back from Brooker," Matt said. "Hopefully later today. I also need to hear from the sheriff from Pratt to find out more about Fleming's involvement with the murder and the cheating," Matt stated.

"I'm sure you'll find a few men around Dodge that can speak in court regarding that matter," Doc said. "I've heard a few rumblings this morning about how some men feel he was cheating at the card game last night."

"Me too," Kitty stated. "He must be really smooth. "I over heard one man who said that the pot was close to a thousand dollars," she said as she leaned onto the bar.

"Did they say how they thought he cheated?" Matt inquired.

Kitty shook her head no, "I thought that would be some thing you'd want to talk to them about," she said to Matt.

"You know who they are?" Matt asked.

Kitty nodded yes, "They are regulars at the Oasis and the Running Bison," she said. "I got the feeling that they wanted a change of scenery," she said flatly.

Matt nodded, "I'll be back later," he said as he finished his drink.

"I should go and check on Festus," Doc also finished his drink and thanked Kitty for her hospitality.

"If you need anything, Doc, let me know," Kitty said to the doctor who was following Matt to the door. Doc acknowledged with a wave of his and a thank you from across the room.

Matt and Doc walked along the boardwalk and crossed the alley, "I'll talk to you later, Matt," the doctor said as he began to climb his stairs.

"See you, Doc," Matt said as he watched the doctor enter his office at the top of the stair case. He then turned his attention to the general store and its owner. Matt strolled to the door and peered in. Jonas was with one customer and there was no one else in the room, so Matt seized the opportunity to chat with the store owner.

"And I thank you for your business, Mrs. Latchford ," Jonas smiled and handed the woman her items. She smiled and turned. Matt touched the brim of his hat to greet the woman who smiled at the marshal as well before leaving the store.

Jonas quickly busied himself with his ledger, hunching over it as he wrote in what he had just sold. He hoped to look busy enough that Matt would come back later.

"Jonas?" Matt said as he stepped toward the service counter. Jonas slowly looked up, "Hello, marshal," he said as he stopped writing and stood up straight.

"Doc said he spoke with you briefly this morning," Matt said.

Jonas nodded, "He did." Jonas knew where the conversation was headed.

"You also know that I need you as a witness," Matt said.

Jonas wet his lips and nodded, "I do," he said. "After what the Holt fellow did, I'd be glad to," he said touching his chin.

"I'll also ask you to talk about how they intimidated you with the threat of their business," Matt stated.

"I will answer whatever questions are asked of me. There's no room in Dodge for scoundrels like that," Jonas said.

Matt nodded, "I'll let you know when the trial will be. I suspect that it will be before the end of the week," Matt said as he turned and left the store. Jonas stood watching the marshal and thought back to the first time he saw the men ride into town and how Festus and Doc knew there was something different about them.

Doc removed his hat and placed it on the rack behind the door. Next he pulled off his coat and hung it on another peg, before he walked over the examination table where Festus remained. Doc lifted the hill man's wrist and read his pulse, which seemed much stronger.

The movement caused Festus to stir. Slowly his eyes opened and he looked around the doctor's office. Everything was blurry.

"Festus?" Doc looked down at the deputy.

"Doc?" Festus looked up at the doctor. "What happened?"

"You were shot by that Holt fellow. You saved Louie's life," Doc smiled.

Festus frowned and tried to think and then it cam to him, "I remember," he smiled. "Where's Holt now?"

"Matt has him and the rest of them locked up. There will be a trial, but I don't want you to worry about that," Doc said and patted Festus gently on the arm. "Get some more sleep," he said in a hushed voice. Festus nodded and then closed his eyes.

Doc drew a breath and knew Festus was going to be just fine in a few more days.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Judge Brooker rapped the gavel down onto the block of wood on the desk as he called the courtroom to order, "Would you please take your seats or I will clear this room!" Brooker bellowed.

Slowly people took their seats and an lull came over the courtroom. Luke Fleming smiled like the Cheshire Cat as the foreman of the jury announced that he wasn't responsible for the murder in Pratt, however was guilty of cheating at cards.

"Mr. Fleming," Brooker looked at the well dressed man, "Your type is despicable and a scourge on well meaning folks. You will spend three years in prison for your acts," he said.

"And for you Mr. Morgan, Warner and Williams, for being willing accomplices in in Mr. Fleming's cause you will each receive two years in prison. I trust you will learn your lessons there," Brooker said.

The room was silent and all eyes then moved to Thomas Holt, "Mr. Holt. You show no compassion or malice. You have no heart in my opinion, and I see by the way your peers see you, they feel the same," Brooker paused. "You have been found guilty of the attempted murders of Doctor Adams and deputy Fetus Haggen. You are guilty on two accounts of assault, one on Mr. Jonas and the other on Mr. Pheeters. For your selfish actions, you will receive ten years in the penitentiary," Brooker stated.

Holt's jowls ached and he tried to work his way out of the shackles that bound his wrists.

"This court is adorned," Brooker said with one last rap of the gavel.

Matt, Newly and several men from the State surrounded the prisoners to escort them to the awaiting prison wagon. The rest of the room emptied and only a few stayed to watch the prisoners leave. They included Doc, Kitty, Louie and Jonas among a few others. Festus was still resting up in Doc's office.

Matt moved the shackled men along. Holt's eyes darted wildly around looking for an opportunity. He then spotted the gun on one of the guard's hips and pulled it free. Everything happened so quickly. He brought the handle down over the right ear of Luke Fleming, "I'm not going to jail for you!" he shouted.

Matt and Newly had their guns drawn.

Fleming dropped to his knees.

"You owe me money!" Holt continued to yell at Fleming who was now on the floor with rich red blood running from his skull.

In another flurry of activity, Holt tried to shoot the already prone man, but Matt's bullet hit its mark and Holt clutched his chest and fell to the floor next to Fleming. Doc pushed his way through the crowd as others watched on in horror.

Doc knelt next to Fleming who was breathing erratically, "I don't think I can help you son. He cracked your skull wide open," Doc said as he tried to help the dying man.

"I figured he'd try something," Fleming coughed. "Never bite the hand that feeds you, Holt," he said to Thomas Holt who was near death himself.

"You owed me money," Holt gurgled before he shook violently and then drew calm.

Fleming smiled and looked over to his other men, "Look after Billy. Make sure this doesn't happen to him," Fleming wheezed.

"Sure Luke," Thomas Morgan said.

Fleming's eyes closed and Doc gently set his head down on the floor. The doctor slowly stood and wiped the blood off his hands with a handkerchief, "He's dead. He didn't have a chance and neither would have I. That blow cracked his head wide open," he said in a low tone.

Matt nodded and moved the other men along to the wagon.

Kitty, Jonas and Louie stayed in the room with Doc.

"Seems like a whole lot of angst for nothing," Louie stated.

Doc looked over to the town character. He always was amazed that Louie was able to sum up events like this, The doctor nodded, "It sure does, Louie," he said.

Kitty hook her arm around Louie's and Jonas' arms, "Let's get out of here," she tried to smile at the two men. "You too, Doc," she said as they left the room.

"I'll notify Percy and join you later," Doc said as he stared down at the two dead men. Doc shook his head and slowly turned away, "A whole lot of angst for nothing," he repeated.