“The governor will see you now,” the secretary said. He was a short, thin, balding man with round framed glasses perched low on his nose.
Matt Starr had been cooling his heels for almost a half an hour, waiting in the governor’s reception room.
He hadn’t spoken to the governor since that day in the newly named Fortune City. Even Barbara and her mother had not been allowed to communicate with him. He no longer knew how he stood with Barbara. In light of everything that had gone down, he assumed that their wedding was off. Strangely, he didn’t care and needed to get back to work.
With the assassination threat over, he had disbanded his extra deputies and had prepared to accept a new assignment from his home office. He was just about to saddle up and ride off when word came that Governor Stanton wanted to see him.
The oversized door to Governor Stanton’s office seemed awfully heavy to Matt Starr as he pulled it open. He stepped inside and the door swung shut on silent hinges, behind him.
Stanton was standing behind his big mahogany desk. His back was to the rest of the office as he stood staring out the French-doors at the garden outside.
The latching click as the door closed was the only audible sound in the silence as Matt stood there; hat in hand, waiting to be acknowledged.
After a moment, Stanton sighed and said without turning around. “I heard the door latch. I know you’re there.”
Matt stepped forward without a word. Stanton turned to face him. His face was stern and grim. Matt halted about three steps in front of the massive desk.
“Is it true?” Stanton demanded.
“I’m not sure I understand you, sir,” Matt hoped he wasn’t sounding like he was intimidated.
“About the girl?”
“I don’t know, sir. You haven’t allowed me talk to Barbara since we got back.”
“I’m not talking about Barbara, just now. What I want to know is about this so called Wildcat Kitty, they call her. They say she is an outlaw.”
“Yes, sir. That is what they say.”
“And you allowed her to just walk away.” Stanton said accusatorily.
“She saved your life, sir,” Matt said with no hint of apology. It was a statement.
“I’m well aware of that,” Stanton agreed. “But the fact of the matter is, she’s a wanted outlaw.”
“That she is,” Matt said. Again no sound of apology.
“And you just let her walk away,” Stanton repeated. It was a statement, not a question. Stanton turned to once again, stare out the French-door. His big hands were clamped behind his back. He was silent for a moment. Then he turned around again. “I ask you again. Is it true? You have a relationship with this bandit?”
“I admit that I have been involved with her before. I’m a sworn lawman and I have pursued her for some time.”
“But you’ve never arrested her, have you, Marshal?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Is that because, what they say is true?”
“Get to the point, Governor. I’m in no mood for word games or pussyfooting around.”
No one had ever talked to Hugh Stanton with such a condescending tone. It took him back some, He nodded and said, “The point is, that I cherish my daughter and I’m a foolish old man who gives in to each and every whim of hers. Whatever she wants, whether it’s good for her or not, I give it to her.
“For some reason, that I cannot fathom, she wants you.” He stared angrily at Matt.
“So, if she wants you, by God she’s going to have you. But, I don’t want you breaking her heart because of this... this Wildcat person. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes sir, you do, “Matt answered, although he wasn’t clear.
“Now, let me make something clear, sir,” Matt said. “I would never do anything to hurt your daughter, but what I think you’re asking me is if I have any feelings for Kitty Carlin or as you refer to her, this Wildcat person.
“The answer is, yes I do. She has been persecuted by Simon Price. Her home was taken from her and her father killed. She turned to banditry to get back at Price. I can understand that. You can argue the right or wrong of it, but I do understand it and I feel bad for her. As a lawman, I am sworn to uphold the law and I am duty bound to bring her to justice when the time is right. I just didn’t feel the time was right the other day. I don’t know if you can understand that or not and quite frankly, I don’t care if you do.
“As for what you really want to know, I have had feelings for the girl, but there could never be anything between us. That’s a total impossibility.”
“You still want to marry my daughter?” Stanton asked sternly.
“Yes sir.” Matt answered, not wanting to admit to himself that the truth was that he really wasn’t sure anymore. “If she still with have me.”
Stanton blew out a breath of relief. Then said, “Alright. That’s the way it will be then, as long as I have your assurance that you’ll never regret this marriage.”
“No regrets, Sir,” Matt said, but inside he wondered.
“There will be no second guessing, no backing out, is that clear?”
“There is no reason to ever back out,” Matt reassured him.
“Just in case you have second thoughts, though. I’m prepared to offer you a dowry; you may call it; an incentive to stick to your bargain.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Matt said.
“But, just in case you do, I’m prepared to give you anything you want.”
“Don’t insult me, Governor. I can’t be bought,” Matt said. He was almost angry now and said, “May I go now?” He started to turn and leave without waiting for an answer.
“Every man can be bought,” Stanton said after him. “What’s your price?”
Matt halted in his tracks, thought about it a moment, then turned to face Stanton squarely. “It’s that simple for you, isn’t it, Governor? You buy and own everyone. Alright, if you want to buy me, I might as well take it.
“My price is amnesty for Kitty, Cy and Jeremy Carlin, as well as one Arapahoe Brown and Henry Tolliver; otherwise known as The Wildcat Gang.”
Stanton thought about it for a moment. A slight smile crossed his lips. He liked owning people. “Alright,” he nodded his head. “You’ve got it. The day you stand next to my daughter and say I do, I will issue the order for amnesty for Wildcat Kitty and her entire gang.”
Chapter Twenty Eight
The Return of Wildcat Kitty and the Cyclone Kid Page 36
