Speed stood back from the wide open door awaiting the delivery of the prisoner Miss Zenobia Mathews. Wanted for murder and was recently located and arrested by a U.S. Marshal by the name of Duncan Kerriganl. A name he had heard over the last few months. A United States Marsha's presence in a territory was hardly unusual.

She stepped through the door and Speed smiled. He understood that she had shot her father, that was plain as day, but all he had been told was that she would be delivered to Kalispell.

"Hello, Miss Mathews. Let me get those cuffs off." He said as he took a step toward her. "I am going to put you in a holding cell up here, instead of down in the cellar. You're in my custody now, so we'll do this my way." he informed her as he took the key and began turning it to unscrew the cuff on her right hand. "There's no sense in making this as hard as possible."

Duncan Kerrigan watched Zenobia closely as she dismounted, his expression steady and unreadable to anyone who didn’t know him well. He was a man of discipline and restraint, but there was no denying the flicker of admiration he felt as she stood tall, despite the cuffs around her wrists and the weight of her situation. Her poise and quiet defiance stirred something in him—something he wasn’t entirely comfortable acknowledging.

She had every reason to be broken, yet here she was, walking into the Marshal’s Office like she owned the place. It wasn’t arrogance, though. No, it was dignity, and it struck him harder than he’d care to admit. Duncan was a man who respected strength, and Zenobia had shown it in ways he hadn’t expected during their journey.

Still, his role was clear, and he couldn’t afford to let his feelings cloud his judgment. Justice had to be served. That didn’t mean he was indifferent to her fate—far from it. He’d seen enough injustice in his time to know when someone was more than the crime they stood accused of. Zenobia was a puzzle, and the more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to understand what had driven her to this point.

As she entered the Sheriff's Office with her head held high, Duncan felt a strange mix of pride and sorrow. Pride in her resilience, sorrow for the road she now had to walk. He followed her inside, silent as always, his eyes sharp and watchful.

Whatever happened next, he vowed to himself, he wouldn’t forget Zenobia Mathews—or the unexpected way she’d made him feel.

As Duncan stepped inside, his boots echoing softly on the wooden floor. His posture was relaxed, but his sharp eyes took in the room, noting every detail as he tipped his hat toward Speed. His tone was polite and measured as he addressed the deputy.

“Morning, Sheriff. U.S. Marshal Duncan Kerrigan." extending his hand, "I appreciate you taking Miss Mathews into custody. She’s your responsibility now, and I trust she’ll be treated fairly while she’s here.”

He shifted slightly, his expression calm but resolute. “I’ll be staying in Kalispell for a few days to see this matter through, if that’s all right.”

Duncan’s gaze flicked to Zenobia briefly, his face giving away nothing. He returned his attention to Speed, offering a small nod of respect. “If you need anything from me, Sheriff, just let me know. I’ll be at the hotel for the time being.”

With that, he stepped back toward the doorway, resting a hand lightly on the brim of his hat as though ready to depart, he looked to Zenobia, “You’ve handled yourself well, Miss Mathews." He paused for a moment then gave her a nod. 

Javia, Flip

Speed looked up as the man spoke, "It's Marshal, Marshal Spoeed Guyer, and Zenobia, and I are, well, old friends you might say." He looked the man over wondering how it had gone between them. It was for sure Zenobia did not want to be taken, she knew that a rope awaited her if she was.

"Maybe you can help me out with this, why did they send her back here if she's already been tried?" He asked, "I mean they certainly could carry out the sentence in Helena, couldn't they?" Speed had no idea why they would return her to Kalispell for the hanging, it was not like there was family here that had demanded her return to witness her demise. Murder was murder, and she was guilty, that was a known fact. He smiled, "Well, it will be a few days before this is done, the gallows will need to be built, of course. But there's the hotel and we have a boarding house, whichever suits your taste or budget."

He took Zenobia by the arm to lead her back to the holding cells, "I'll just put Miss Matthews here in a cell. Oh, if you're hungry? The Lickskillet just u the street has great food and reasonable too. Be right back." They disappeared through a doorway into the cell block.

Javia, Jhwulfven

"I'll have a plate sent over shortly." Speed told her. "I see that you haven't changed a whole lot." He spoke as he was closing the cell door, then turning the key in the lock. "We here in town understand what happened with your father and you, and we regret that there was nothing we could do to change the outcome."

It was true that there was suspected abuse by the man on his daughter, and that she killed him seemed to be justifiable, and he was sure that was the defense that Lewis Reeve presented, but neither he or Pike he who knew could testify had been sent for. He would have gone, and so would have Pike.

"Perhaps Mister Reeve will stop in to see you, and should Mister Kerrigan out there wish to stop in, he is welcome, I'll let both Pike and Charlie Wentworth know." He paused, "We'll do what we can to make you as comfortable as we can, Zenobia."

Jhwulfven

Javia

Duncan watched as Marshal Guyer undid Zenobia's cuffs and placing her in the cell. He took a moment to consider the question. The reasoning behind the decision to bring Zenobia back to Kalispell for execution wasn’t exactly standard, but it wasn’t without precedent. After all, public perception played a significant role in maintaining order in these parts.

“They sent her back to make a statement,” Duncan finally said, his voice even. “The folks here need to see that justice isn’t just some distant idea carried out in Helena or somewhere far off. They need to know it’s real, that the law can reach out and touch anyone who breaks it. I figure whoever made the call wanted to reassure the people, plain and simple.”

He stepped toward the door, nodding to the Marshal. “I’ll grab a bite and let you deal with getting her settled. I will bring something back for Miss Matthews." 

Flip

Javia 

Speed looked at the man a bit astonished. "A statement? Alright, I guess. Seems Helena doesn't rightly know what's going on out here, but I believe the last thing that this town needs is a 'statement' about much of anything." The idea of any town including the capitol sending his town a statement just rubbed him wrong. "No offense, not blaming the messenger for delivering the message so much as the message itself."

That was when the door opened and Phin McVay sauntered in. "Afternoon Marshal. Would I be wrong in assuming this fine young man has delivered Miss Zenobia Mathews back to the scene of the crime, as they like to put it?"

Phin? Marshal Duncan Kerrigan, Marshal, Phineas McVay, owner-publisher of our local paper." Speed introduced. "And yes, he brought Miss Mathews back to hang here at home." Phins eyes got large,

"Perhaps Marshal Kerrigan, we might have a talk about your trip here." Phin suggested.

"That would be appreciated, Mister Kerrigan." Speed replied as the man headed for the door. "Likely be some time since she ate." He added, then turned to Phin, "What can I do for you, Phin? Doubt Miss Mathews has anything to say, but you're free to try. She's in the holding cells."

"Well, IK might give her some time to get settled in and probably not so angry as she might be after the long ride." The publisher said, a bit reserved about facing Zenobia, even with bars between them!

"Suit yourself Phin, she'll be here a spell. Got to get a poper gallows built before we hang her, I'm not using no tree!" Speed stated firmly.