After Jack left, Elizabeth readied for bed and decided to sit down with a book. She settled herself on the couch in front of the fireplace. Pulling the fleece blanket over her pajama clad body, she snuggled up with a new book. It wasn't often that during the school year, Elizabeth had time to read anything. She was usually focused on schoolwork, and right now the focus was on the Christmas play. She hoped the book would distract her from the stress of the play and the burglaries. Looking over at the fire, Elizabeth took a deep breath. She hoped for the town to be healed.
Elizabeth must have dozed off because she woke with a start to police sirens and flashing lights. Stumbling up from the couch, she pushed aside the curtains of her front window. It was hard to focus, her eyes still adjusting. She grabbed her heavy fisherman's sweater from the hook by the door and slipped her feet into her rain boots. Grabbing her keys, Elizabeth uncertainly went outside. From her porch, she could see what appeared to be pandemonium. A few houses down were the police cars, the three the town had, all lit up, which was a strong contrast to the dark night. She looked at her watch, it was 1AM. She had fallen asleep on the couch. Elizabeth caught the voice of Mrs. Blakely, the head of the school board, yelling frantically. She stepped toward the end of the porch.
"He was here! With my children!" She yelled. The neighbors converged on the scene, and Elizabeth saw Jack, trying to calm Mrs. Blakely down. Elizabeth stepped off her porch and headed toward the scene. She saw the Blakely children close to the stairs, hugging each other from the cold. Deciding they needed looking after, Elizabeth went to them and knelt before them. Both children had been her students, one was in her class now and the eldest was a few years prior.
"Are you okay?" She asked softly, rubbing their arms with her hands. The shook their heads, looking bewildered. Elizabeth looked over her shoulder seeing Jack talk to Mrs. Blakely.
"What happened?" Jack asked.
"The robber, he was in my house! Just now! I was coming downstairs for a glass of water and there he was!" Elizabeth saw that she was crying. Jack looked past Mrs. Blakely and noticed Elizabeth with the children.
"Mrs. Blakely?" Elizabeth asked. The woman looked at her. "Can I take the children to my house, out of the cold?" She glanced at Jack, who gave her a small nod. "At least until this is sorted out?" Mrs. Blakely nodded quickly. Jack sent Elizabeth a grateful smile, which she returned. She knelt back in front of the children. "Will it be okay if you come with me to my house until your mom gets this sorted out?" They nodded. "Okay, here we go." She took their small hands and walked them back to her home, looking once more over her shoulder at the frantic scene.
She waited quite a while, finding ways to occupy the children and not appear worried. But it didn't stop her random pacing and casual glances out the window. The police lights were blinding even though they were down the street. The children were restless, and Elizabeth brought some warm milk into the living room where they were curled up on the couch. Mrs. Blakely's young son was already half asleep, but her oldest was alert, waiting to hear what the police had to say.
After a while, there was a knock at her door, Elizabeth stood, holding the smaller boy in her arms. He had slowly moved his way into her arms while he dozed on the couch. She opened the door to Mrs. Blakely, who looked tired. Behind her was Jack. The older boy went to his mother, hugging her tightly. Jack stood in the doorway. "Thank you Elizabeth." Mrs. Blakely said. She took her smaller son from Elizabeth's arms. "I appreciate this." She took the children toward the door and thanked Jack again. The door shut, and Jack stepped toward Elizabeth. She saw that his eyes were tired, his face sallow.
"We've added Mrs. Blakely's robbery to the investigation." He sighed and looked at the floor. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around her middle. "Another one." His eyes drew to Elizabeth's, which were frightened, watery. He stepped closer toward her. She looked small in her flannel pajamas and heavy sweater. Her hair was loose, makeup gone, and he felt the attraction again – a sudden strong desire to protect her as more than a detective. Jack wanted to reach out to her, hold her, but he knew that was wrong. He cleared his throat. "I have to go back to the police station." She nodded. "Lock your door and keep it locked." He said, remembering her earlier words. She nodded again and with that Jack was out the door.
Elizabeth went to the door, locking it. She tugged on the knob to check its surety. It helped but did not quell her fears of a robber on the loose
Another burglary since he had arrived – a day since he had arrived. Jack looked over the files in front of him, his desk strewn with papers, a charted map on the wall, articles lining the half molding. The room looked like it had been tossed in a glass bottle on angry waves. It was hard for him to figure this out. There were no clues, no ties, no trails – nothing repeated, nothing the same – each break-in was different. The time varied, the place, the item. He couldn't hack it, and a part of him was beginning to wonder if it was a team and not a single person. That theory didn't last long though.
Earlier that day, Jack and Bill had sat down with Mayor Gowen – a gruff man, with little room for flexibility or understanding. He was in a hurry to see the case get solved, and a hurry to stop paying to for an extra detective, especially one who had a burglary under his belt. Gowen had complained about the consistent burglaries, the town's safety, all the concerns that did matter, but he did little to give Jack a chance. Bill took up for Jack, making it clear that they could use a new voice; it would just take time. He expressed his utmost confidence in Jack. On the other hand, while this wasn't the first time Jack had been put under pressure to solve a case, it was the first time he felt like giving up – and only after a day of looking over clues. As he listened to Gowen, he already felt as though he was letting the town down.
He looked out his window. It was already dusk, people were still milling around, especially with the Christmas festival starting in a few days. He watched a couple of shop owners take care of hanging some lights from their windows. It was idyllic. People in Hope Valley lived in harmony; it was only the robberies that were disturbing their peace. Jack stood, needing to stretch his legs and take a moment to think for himself. A cup of coffee would help.
When Jack entered Abigail's café, he instantly recognized the sound of Elizabeth's voice. Strange how that was the first thing he pulled from the restaurant. She was standing at the counter holding up what appeared to be a Christmas tree costume. Abigail quickly spotted him and came from behind the counter, causing Elizabeth to fold the costume up in her arms.
"Hello Jack." Abigail said kindly. "Can I get you something? We're closing soon, but I can whip up anything you'd like." He shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Just a coffee." He replied.
"Are you sure? No food? I think I heard you haven't been out of that office all day." She headed toward the coffee pot. Jack glanced at Elizabeth, who was listening. "Bill said you've been working very hard and that you met with Gowen." Abigail raised an eyebrow and Jack sighed. "Don't let him bother you. He's a bit of a mayoral bully."
"I'm just trying to doing my job." He responded.
"Well, how about a sandwich? I have left over roast beef. It would be no trouble. Sometimes a little food helps." She handed Jack the mug of coffee.
"Okay, that would be great."
"Perfect. Come have a seat in the back. I was just showing Elizabeth one of the repaired costumes – a tree!" She said with a chuckle. Elizabeth held up the green felt. It was covered in ornaments and garland. "It'll be perfect for the children." Jack took a seat at Abigail's kitchen table.
"Any big breaks in the case?" Elizabeth asked. She was putting the costume back into the bag.
"No." Jack replied. He sipped on his coffee. She noticed he still looked as weary as he did the night before, which wasn't surprising. But Hope Valley always had the opposite effect on people. In fact, she didn't just come for a change of scene, she wanted a slower life. She hoped Jack would get to experience some of that before he left.
"Well I'm sure you'll find something. This crook can't run forever." Abigail said. "Sit Elizabeth. I'm making you a sandwich too." Elizabeth began to protest, but Abigail shushed her.
"Could you tell me what holiday events are coming up?" Jack asked. "Bill had mentioned there was a lot going on this year."
"Sure." Elizabeth said. She watched Jack pull out a small notepad – always the diligent Mountie. "The Christmas festival, which begins Thursday. It runs till Sunday evening. Every night there are different contests, activities, and things. There is food, games, items for sale. It's really a fun experience." She watched him write it all down. "Then Christmas Eve is Monday. The children have their special play and choral performance at the church that evening. We have a candlelight service after."
"Don't forget the Christmas soiree." Abigail said putting down two plates on the table. Jack raised his eyebrows. "It's a beautiful dance they have every year. Mostly adults, of course, but we do have some teenagers that like to come out. It's very sweet." Elizabeth nodded. "That's on Saturday. Elizabeth and I volunteer. I used to go years ago before I lost my husband, but now I just help out."
"And you," He looked at Elizabeth, "just help out?" Jack asked. She swallowed the bite of her sandwich.
"Yes." She replied easily. Surely, she had gone with someone once, Jack thought. "Either there or the festival – or both." Abigail took a seat at the table with the two.
"And on Christmas we spend time with our families, usually town is pretty quiet, everyone is home. New Year's is fun though." Abigail said.
"Oh yes, we have fireworks" Elizabeth added. "And a little talent show with the children."
"Sounds very busy for the next couple of weeks." The women nodded. "I'll have to be on the lookout."
"Well, you know Jack," Abigail began, "Maybe you could attend these events with Elizabeth?" Elizabeth felt herself choke on her sandwich. "Elizabeth, you know just about everyone in town. And Jack, she'd be a great person to introduce you. I would certainly help. But I have some committee work to do and run the café." Jack looked over at Elizabeth, who's face read bewilderment and surprise.
"It's fine, Abigail," He began to concede.
"No, no." Elizabeth interjected. "I'd be happy to show you around." She wasn't sure where this was coming from. "If it helps with the case, I mean." She added.
"Sure, sure. It would be good to meet other people."
"So Thursday then?" Abigail asked, looking at both. They nodded slowly, glancing at each other for confirmation, before looking back at Abigail. "Then it's a date!" Abigail said clapping her hands together. Elizabeth's eyes widened, and Jack spit his coffee. "Not that kind of date." Abigail said with a shake of her head. She turned back to the fridge, a smile on her face. The detective would do just fine for the teacher, she thought.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Happy Holidays! xoxo -B.
