Chapter 7

Pursuit

Abigail Stanton watched as the men took off after Nate Tolliver and Beau Montgomery. She closed and locked the door and turned towards Dewitt Graves who was sitting at her kitchen table. She quickly filled the water basin and doused a cloth into it to clean Dewitt's cut he had received from being flung against the wall.

"No, just sit still, DeWitt. Let me bandage you and then you can lie down until your Mary comes." Abigail stated. "I'm sure she has heard that you are here?" Abigail inquired.

"Yes, I told her that I would be here for the night to keep an eye on you and Elizabeth." DeWitt shook his head. "I wasn't very successful in keeping you both safe." DeWitt was furious.

"You were outnumbered. These men are ruthless and the element of surprise was on their side. You did your best, DeWitt. Don't blame yourself for Elizabeth getting taken." Abigail tried to calm him down.

"Elizabeth is gone and you were hurt." DeWitt continued to admonish himself.

"Don't worry about it now. Jack and the posse are on their way to find Elizabeth. I trust that God will make this right. Jack will find them and bring Elizabeth home and bring those men to justice." Abigail stated with such conviction.

Mary Graves having heard the commotion had rushed over to the café to see what had happened. She looked at DeWitt who was now lying on the couch, asleep. Mary sat down on the chair beside him, gently taking his hand in hers. DeWitt stirred, but did not wake up. Mary said a silent prayer. Abigail had come back from the kitchen to see if DeWitt needed anything and saw Mary sitting beside him. She smiled to herself and quietly stepped out of the room. Abigail knew that DeWitt was in good hands.

Nate Tolliver and Beau Montgomery were heading to Cape Fullerton. True, they were wanted there, but they had to get passage on a ship to the states. This was of course, the best option for them now, having eluded the Mounties on several occasions. They had built quite a reputation, one that almost rivaled Nate Tolliver and his other gangs exploits. Nate was lost in thought as he remembered Joe and the others who were locked up in Cape Fullerton. His lawyer, Marcus Fredericks had sent word that he was making his appeal later that week. Nate was pleased that something seemed to spur the lawyer on to get the gang out of jail. He still, however, didn't know why the lawyer was helping him. He trusted him as far as he could throw him. He was in his debt, and that didn't sit well with Nate at all.

Elizabeth began to stir in the saddle. She awoke to the smell of cheap cologne and sweat. Nate Tolliver had been holding her tightly so she wouldn't fall off. He took pleasure in watching as she squirmed and tried to loosen his hold on her. Elizabeth looked up at Nate. He had an eerie look on his face. He was enjoying himself way too much. She looked away and tried to focus on more pleasant memories. She thought of Jack and how she knew within her heart that he was in pursuit of these two criminals. She prayed that they would have the sense to stop and let their horses rest. She hoped that it would allow Jack and the posse to catch up. She knew, however, that it was futile to think that they would be so accommodating.

Jack and Lee were leading the posse. Their horses were galloping at full speed. Jack was determined to get to Elizabeth. He had never pushed Sergeant so hard. They were nearing Cape Fullerton where Sergeant could get his much deserved rest. Lee was right on his heels. The others were a few yards away. Jack was focused, determined to get to Elizabeth. He was afraid for her safety. He feared that they would take their anger out on her. They wanted Jack to suffer and with Elizabeth in their hands, he was truly suffering. He needed to get to her. He needed to bring her back to safety. His thoughts were consumed by Elizabeth, seeing her in Nate Tolliver's arms. He was so incensed with rage that it only fueled his desire to get there as soon as Sergeant could manage.

Nate Tolliver began to speak to Elizabeth. He knew she was awake, but she had closed her eyes to act like she was asleep. He knew she didn't care for his company. It didn't matter to him. He just wanted to get her riled up. He liked his women feisty. Elizabeth was listening to what Nate was saying. She desperately tried to ignore his innuendos. She would not give him the satisfaction of letting his words upset or anger her. She did not want to give him the time of day. He had been talking for what seemed like several hours, so she tried to focus on Jack and wondered how far away he was from Cape Fullerton. They had made it to town about a half hour ago. She didn't know where the men intended to stop and rest their horses, but she knew they would have to stop soon. Nate Tolliver and Beau Montgomery were not that heartless to run their horses into the ground, or were they?

"So, you're a teacher?" Nate asked conversationally.

'Yes, but you knew that.' Elizabeth thought. 'I'm not inclined to speak with men who repulse me.' She was silent.

"Oh, come on. Tell me a little about yourself. We were so rudely interrupted the last time we had a conversation." Nate encouraged.

'The last time we spoke? You mean the time that you had me in the mine against my will?' Elizabeth inquired silently. 'Did you forget about the time that you had my sister Julie and me in the cabin?' Elizabeth seethed inwardly. 'Oh yes, those were both very enjoyable experiences for me.'

"This conversation is rather one sided. Why won't you talk to me?" Nate asked her, already knowing the answer.

Pressing his lips to her temple, he drank in her scent. Nate was intrigued by this woman. Sure he liked her sister, but Julie was not here. There was only her and she was the one who seemed to know what she wanted out of life. She had spunk. She had spirit. Normally, he liked his women to be more docile, more accommodating. But, Nate also loved a challenge. He and this teacher were going to be in close quarters for quite some time on the ship, so he was trying to get her to relax and be comfortable in his presence. Little did he know that this challenge was going to be impossible to achieve. Elizabeth was still determined to stay quiet. She did not want to hear him say another word, but she wasn't going to voice her desire for him to shut up. He would most likely act out and say or do something worse than she had been afraid of for the last hour. Nate pressed her body closer to his. She cringed, trying to pull away from him.

There wasn't much she could do. They were on his saddle atop his black roan. This poor horse seemed to be worn out. Neither Nate Tolliver nor Beau Montgomery seemed to care about their horses and the rough riding they were inflicting on these noble creatures. She was getting mad. How dare they treat their horses in this horrible manner. She desperately wanted to tell them off. Her desire to be unharmed, however, was a driving force to not anger her company.

"That's it. You are going to talk to me, woman!" Nate growled.

'What are you doing? Stop, please!' Elizabeth shouted inwardly. She did not know what he was about to do. She did not want to know. She looked back at Beau who seemed to be lost in his own thoughts since they arrived in Cape Fullerton's seedy district.

He pulled on the reigns and slid down off the saddle, taking Elizabeth with him. He had stopped down a back ally, where the Mounties had been known to steer clear from after dusk. Only the bravest of the lawmen dared come to this part of town. Nate Tolliver grasped Elizabeth's wrists and pulled her closer to him. His breath was on her face. She cringed as he gripped her waist tightly. She couldn't budge. He ran his hands up and down her back, holding her as close to him as was allowed. She squirmed and struggled. Her fight only seemed to heighten his desire for her. Nate held her chin roughly with his hand, tilting her eyes to face him. Elizabeth closed her eyes and willed herself to be anywhere but here. He chuckled lustily. He leaned in closer until his lips touched her cheek. He moved his lips up towards her left ear then back around to her right. He was reveling in this moment.

'I thought you said you wanted to talk?' Elizabeth asked inwardly. He was so infuriating. She didn't know how to get him to stop without angering him further. 'Jack! Please hurry! Find me and take me home!' Elizabeth prayed fiercely.

She couldn't stand to be so close to this filth. His hands would not stop touching her. She was repulsed. She tried to break free and Nate squeezed her harder. He pressed his hard lips to hers in a dominating, demanding kiss. Elizabeth could not get free. His kiss deepened. She couldn't take it anymore. This filth had his hands and his mouth all over her face and back. Elizabeth, being so enraged, lifted her foot and stomped on Nate's foot so hard that he stumbled backwards. He caught himself and before she could get too far, Nate darted towards her, grabbed her wrist, whipping her around and clocking her in the face. Her body went limp in his arms.

Jack and the posse had arrived in Cape Fullerton. Jack led them to the Royal North West Mounted Police headquarters. Wasting no more time, he headed to the lead constables office. He explained the situation and asked for a few Mounties to accompany them in their search for Nate Tolliver and Beau Montgomery. He told the constable in charge that they needed new mounts.

Constable Denny Lissing gathered six of his top men to aid the posse in their search. He was impressed that Jack had gathered the number of men he had in such a small town as Hope Valley. He knew, however, that these men didn't have the Mountie training to successfully go after Nate Tolliver and bring him to justice.

Constable Denny Lissing led the six men to look for Nate Tolliver. Jack, not wanting to stop for anything went with them. Lee and the posse agreed to join the search at first light. They knew that Jack wouldn't rest until Elizabeth was safe in his arms.

Constable Denny and Jack took the lead as they began their search. Denny had half his men head west towards the shipping port, while he and Jack and the others went towards the questionable part of town. He knew there was a place that criminals gathered after dusk, but to this day, he only knew of its general location. His fellow constables had told him that it was moved sporadically every few days. It could be two to five days or even in one day depending on how secure the criminals were in their current hideout.

Jack noticed how Denny had taken charge and couldn't help but admire the younger man's tenacity. He reminded him of himself when he was fresh out of the academy. He had been driven by the desire to make his father proud, once he graduated. This man seemed to need to prove himself as well. Jack turned his attention to the task at hand. Their detail had been searching several blocks when Jack noticed that a man in the shadows had ducked into a back ally. Jack followed his instincts. He beckoned Denny to follow him down the ally. The other two Mounties flanked Jack and Denny.

Jack reached the door and tried to open it. It was locked. Denny took out his pocket knife and handed it to Jack. Jack nodded his thanks and began to jimmy the lock open. As the door opened, Denny ordered the other two men to wait outside and stand guard.

Jack and Denny drew their weapons, cocking them, not knowing what was on the other side of the door. They were met with darkness. Jack pulled out a match which allowed him to see a lantern that was just a few steps away. Walking further into the room, they suddenly heard voices. They both crouched down and waited against the wall, trying to make out what was being said behind a door that the man had left slightly opened.

"Terrance! What are you doing here? You were told to stay with that woman." A man barked.

"I'm sorry, Ben, I was hungry. She's out cold and no one knows where she is." Terrance tried to explain.

"You have a death wish, or something, kid? Nate Tolliver did not put you in charge out of the kindness of his heart. You still have to prove yourself to him. This is not the time to be thinking of your stomach. Besides, the others are too busy to be watching her. We all have a job to do. The gang is still in jail and Nate has not heard from the lawyer in several days." Ben Ward explained to the new recruit.

"Ben, I'm worth more than just someone's babysitter. I tell you, the woman is not waking up anytime soon. I need to eat to keep my strength up." Terrance responded.

"Kid, you better get back there and make sure you ain't followed. If she is found, then Nate Tolliver's plan falls apart." Ben ordered.

"What is this plan any way? Nate Tolliver hasn't said a word about it for several hours." Terrance asked.

"Nate hasn't heard from the lawyer, Marcus Fredericks, so he thought if he could keep this teacher long enough, he could ransom her for at least one of the gang members for an exchange." Ben suddenly stopped.

Ben thought he had heard something. He crept over to the door, to see if there was anyone there.

Denny had shifted his weight slightly and stepped on a can. The can crushed under his weight. Jack turned to face him, pressing his finger to his lips, to tell Denny to be quiet. The two Mounties braced themselves. They heard footsteps. Jack looked around for something in the room to hide behind in case the man came out the door. He saw a turned over barrel and motioned for Denny to follow him.

The barrel was big enough for one person. Jack saw an overturned table by where they had come in. He quietly, yet quickly moved behind it, effectively camouflaging him from view.

Ben opened the door and stuck his head out. He didn't see anything. He was quiet. He listened for any movement. There was none. He waited for a few more moments and then decided it was nothing.

Jack let out a sigh of relief as he made his way back to where Denny was crouched behind the barrel.

Ben told Terrance that he better make his way back to the teacher. Terrance finally agreed to go, albeit rather begrudgingly. The door opened, effectively blocking Jack and Denny from Terrance's view.

Jack motioned for Denny to follow him as they made their way in the direction that Terrance had gone. Terrance seemed completely oblivious to any one being around. He had been advised to make sure he wasn't followed, but he didn't seem to think it was important to be cautious.

Jack was grateful that this young man didn't take his job seriously.