Chapter 8- Secrets

Bill took the telegram from Jack and began to read it out loud…
"The bodies of two more women were recently found in Moose Jaw and Lethbridge. Both women were brunettes. They appeared to have been dead for some time, and the cause of death has not yet been determined. These deaths are suspicious, and until further information is received to the contrary, they will be treated as part of the serial killer investigation. Information will be dispersed as it is obtained."

"Jack," Bill stated, "I believe we have a problem headed here to our town. We need more information. There has to be some evidence that has been missed. It is hard to believe that someone could commit these murders and not leave any evidence behind."

"Bill," Jack responded, "We have a lot of work to do here, but right now, we need to get over to the Saloon. I don't want to leave the women alone too long."

The two Mounties headed off to meet up with their dates at the Saloon. As they walked in the door, Jack's jaw dropped as he saw Andrew leading Elizabeth out on the dance floor. He started to cut in, when Abigail stopped him…

"Jack, it's just a dance," Abigail interjected, "He is a nice man, and he is here all alone. Elizabeth is just trying to help him fit in here."

Jack stopped, but it took all of his willpower to keep from cutting in. "I don't like seeing him with his hands on Elizabeth." Jack thought to himself. His thoughts continued, "He looks like he is enjoying himself too much…Way too much with my Elizabeth."

The song ended, which thrilled Jack, However, as he saw Elizabeth walking toward him, Andrew took her by the arm, turned her around and headed back on the floor for another dance.

"I've seen enough," Jack said as he walked out on the floor.

Jack tapped Andrew on the shoulder, and said, "May I cut in?" This actually sounded more like a demand than a question.

"Certainly, Jack," Andrew frowned, but stepped away from Elizabeth and started to head back to his seat.

"Thank you, Andrew," Elizabeth caught him before he left the dance floor. "You are a wonderful dancer. Thank you for keeping me company until Jack arrived."

"It was my pleasure, Elizabeth." Andrew smiled at Elizabeth, but raised his eyebrows and glanced over in Jack's direction.

"I don't care for that man," Jack said to himself.

"Thank you, Jack," Elizabeth leaned in and whispered in his ear.

"Thank you, for what?" Jack asked.

"For putting your jealousy aside and being so nice to Andrew." Elizabeth responded. "I feel sorry for him. Here he is in a new town, with very few friends. But…"

"But, what?" Jack inquired.

"But you know that I love you, right? I will always love you. I'm nice to him because I am being neighborly, nothing more!" Elizabeth pleaded her case.

"Stop looking at me like that, Elizabeth," Jack said as he whispered in her ear, "Do you have any idea how I feel when you look at me with those beautiful blue eyes?" Jack leaned back, looking into those beautiful eyes. He wanted so much to kiss her, right then, right there, but they weren't alone, and he didn't want to embarrass her.

Elizabeth laughed, "I guess the same way I feel when you smile at me with those dimples."

Jack had a soft look in his eyes, but he was concerned when he said, "I never question your motives. However, I will continue to be neighborly, as you call it, to Andrew, until he gives me reason to not trust him."

Jack and Elizabeth continued dancing, and as they looked into each other's eyes, it was evident that they saw no one else in the room. At the end of the song, Jack, forgetting that they were not alone, leaned in and kissed her lips so softly…so gently! "I love you, Elizabeth." He whispered.

The dance was attended by many of the townsfolk, including DeWitt and Mary Graves, Cat Montgomery, Florence Blakeley, Carla Noonan, James and Charlotte Charles, Landon and Margaret Harper, as well as, the Pinkertons, and many of the single miners.

Jack and Elizabeth went back to sit at the table. Although Andrew was sitting at the same table, Jack did his best to put as much space between him and Elizabeth as possible. Jack and Elizabeth were content to sit at the table, holding hands all the while, and simply enjoying each other's company.

Andrew walked around the table to Elizabeth and said, "May I…"

Before he could get the words out, Jack jumped in, "Let's dance some more."

"Of course, Jack. I always love dancing with you." Elizabeth happily obliged. "Andrew, I'm sorry. May we talk when I get back to the table?"

"Certainly, Elizabeth," Andrew frowned, but his thoughts continued, "I have to think of a way to get her alone. Getting her away from the Constable may be more difficult than I imagined."

Elizabeth and Jack danced the night away. Jack was doing all he could to keep her away from the doctor. When they returned to the table, Elizabeth and Abigail excused themselves to go talk with the other new members of the town, James and Charlotte Charles, and Landon and Margaret Harper.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Charles." Elizabeth said politely to the two couples who were sitting at the same table. "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Harper."

"Please call us James and Charlotte," Mr. Charles asked.

"Yes, and by all means, please call us Landon and Meg," Mr. Harper requested.

"Thank you very much," Elizabeth responded, "and please call me Elizabeth."

Abigail also responded, "Please call me Abigail."

Elizabeth and Abigail sat at the table and chatted with the two couples. They found out that Meg Harper actually attended the Prince of Wales College, and had dreams of becoming a teacher. She comes from a well to do family, but disappointed her parents when she chose to marry "a man of modest means," spoken with sadness in her voice.

James and Landon talked together, as the four women left the table to get some punch, and check out the desert table.

Andrew had previously excused himself to step outside for some air, and Jack used this time to talk privately with Bill, but kept his eyes on Elizabeth. Jack and Bill became involved in plans for their pending investigation, and when he looked up from the table, observed that Andrew was back, and carrying on a conversation with Elizabeth and Meg. They were all laughing, and appeared to be having a grand time. Jack excused himself, and went over to Elizabeth.

"Would you like to dance, Elizabeth?" Jack asked, wanting to dance, but mainly trying to get her away from Andrew.

"I always want to dance with you, Jack." She said smiling brightly. He took her hand and led her to the middle of the dance floor.

"I am so proud of you, Jack." She said happily.

"Why? What did I do?" Jack asked.

"You have put your bad feelings toward Andrew aside, and you are being so nice. You are a wonderful man, Jack, and I love you." Elizabeth smiled warmly.

"I know you love me, and there is no reason to be concerned about Andrew," is what Jack said. However, what he thought was, "I will do whatever I have to do to keep you safe, and away from the good doctor. I don't trust him, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he has more than a passing interest in you."

Jack and Elizabeth returned to the table following their dance. Soon after, a loud noise was heard outside, which drew Jack and Bill to the front door of the Saloon. Out on the Saloon steps, two miners (Edward Johnson, and Martin Becker) had started a fight, and fists were flying. They were intoxicated and yelling, but their words were indiscernible. Jack and Bill rushed outside to break it up. Once separated, the men settled down, apologized, and shook hands. Given that this was a celebration, Jack and Bill decided not to lock up either man, but simply sent them on their way back home.

Jack laughed at the impact alcohol can have on some people, and was thankful that he never had a taste for it. Jack stood outside with Bill for a few minutes to make sure that everything went back to normal. He and Bill were talking…

"I hate not being totally honest with Elizabeth," Jack confessed, "She thinks that I have put my bad feeling for the good doctor aside. Which we both know isn't happening."

"Well," Bill replied, "Tomorrow, I think I will head out to Lethbridge, and see if I can get more information on these murders. I know you will anyway, but I am simply going to ask…Will you keep an eye on Abigail while I am gone?"

"Of course I will," Jack said firmly. "You don't even have to ask!"

The two men stepped back inside, and Jack's heart sank as he saw Elizabeth whispering in Andrew's ear. He knew in his heart that there was nothing more to it than her having to be close to him in order to hear what was being said, but he had to admit that he didn't like it…He didn't like it one bit!

Jack walked back to Elizabeth, and Bill returned to Abigail.

"What happened, Jack?" Elizabeth asked.

"Mr. Johnson and Mr. Becker got into a fight. Everything is alright now," Jack replied. "They shook hands, and we sent them on their way back home."

"When I came back inside, you looked to be in a very important conversation with Andrew. What was that all about?" Jack inquired.

"Nothing, really. He was asking me about my schooling, and where I was from…just small talk." She replied. Elizabeth looked out on the dance floor and saw Bill and Abigail waltzing. "They look great together. Abigail is beginning to care for Bill. What do you think?"

"Think about what?" Jack asked, ashamed because he wasn't paying attention.

"Bill and Abigail…"She replied.

"What about Bill and Abigail?" Jack seemed confused, because he had a few other things on his mind.

Elizabeth joked, "Maybe I need to go back to talking with Andrew. At least he seems interested in what I have to say."

"That's not funny, Elizabeth." Jack frowned causing his dimples to disappear, and his forehead to wrinkle. "I'm sorry; I had something work related that I was thinking about. You have my undivided attention. Oh, and Bill and Abigail? I think they are wonderful together. Bill does care for her."

"Well then, would you like to dance some more?" Elizabeth asked, and hoping that he wasn't getting too tired.

"I am always ready to dance with the most beautiful woman in the place." Jack said as he took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor. Jack and Elizabeth smiled and looked lovingly into each other's eyes as they danced and twirled around the floor. They headed back to the table as the dance started to wind down.

"Jack?" Elizabeth inquired, I want to go say good night to Landon, Meg, Charlotte and James, would you like to come with me, or do you want to stay here and talk with Andrew?

As much as Jack did not care for Andrew, he considered this an opportunity to ascertain some previously unknown information about him.

"I will stay here with Andrew." Jack said. "I would like to get to know you better." The last comment was directed to Andrew.

Andrew seemed a bit nervous, but agreed to sit and talk with Jack.

"So, Andrew, where did you go to school?" Jack asked.

Andrew sat straight in his chair and said, "I was educated in the States."

"Where is your family from?" Jack continued with his interrogation.

"All around, but mostly in North Dakota. I spent some time in St Louis." Andrew responded.

Jack's questions did not cease, "Why did you come to Coal Valley? I mean, I would think that a young man like you would want to settle down, get married and have a family. There are not a lot of women here that would be open to courting."

"Well, Constable, there is always, Elizabeth." Andrew said with a determination in his voice.

Jack started to say something, but simply could not find the words to use without appearing jealous. Then he stood up and said, "Dr. Stapleton, Elizabeth and I are committed to each other. Your actions will never separate us."

"I wouldn't be so sure, Constable." Andrew stated as he stood up to face Jack. "Just know that I am a man who is very much taken by Elizabeth. I come from a well established family, and I have the means to provide for her. She is with you right now, because you are something new. It isn't going to last. I have seen it over and over again in my travels. I will be around waiting for her to realize that she will have a better life with me. Just know, Constable, when Elizabeth leaves you, and she will, I'll be there to provide that shoulder to cry on and the strong arms to wrap around her."

Jack could not believe what he was hearing. He knew that Elizabeth loved him, but part of him also felt that some of what Andrew said was true…He couldn't provide the material things for her like Andrew could, but he also knew in his heart that those material things were not important to Elizabeth anymore.

Before Jack could say anything, Elizabeth walked back to the table. Seeing Jack and Andrew talking, Elizabeth walked up to Jack and put her arm through his.

"I am so glad to see that you both have put your differences aside." Elizabeth said as she looked back and forth between the two men. "I think we are going to be good friends, and I know the town is lucky to have you, Andrew."

Elizabeth turned to Jack and said, "Now all we need to do is help Andrew find a wonderful lady to court."

Andrew spoke up and said, "I have already found her."

"That is wonderful," Elizabeth said joyfully. "Is she someone from here in town? Maybe someone I know? Maybe someone from your hometown? Please tell me about her."

Jack jumped into the conversation and said, "Elizabeth, Andrew doesn't want to discuss this woman yet."

"Oh, Jack," Andrew said with a sly grin, "I don't mind telling Elizabeth about her. She is breathtakingly beautiful. Her hair is long and brown and falls into soft curls down her back."

Jack was beginning to feel like a third wheel while listening to Andrew talk about Elizabeth, "My Elizabeth," he thought. His jaw tightened, and his hands were clenched. As Andrew spoke, the more nauseous Jack became.

Andrew continued, "She has the deepest blue eyes that you have ever seen, and the softest complexion."

Elizabeth was mesmerized, and trying to figure out who this woman might be. "What is her name? Does she live here in town?"

Andrew smiled at Elizabeth and said, "Beth…Her name is Beth."

"Really?" Elizabeth gasped. "That's strange. I look forward to meeting your Beth sometime."

Andrew smiled warmly at Elizabeth, and then looked at Jack and said, "You know her quite well, Elizabeth. You will be the first to know once I make my intentions known. Please excuse me. I need to get home and into bed. I have early morning appointments tomorrow." Andrew headed out the Saloon door.

"This has been a wonderful night, Jack." Elizabeth said as she held his arm tighter in hers and leaned on his shoulder. "I am so happy to see that you and Andrew are getting along so well. I knew that once you realized that he has no romantic feeling towards me that you would accept him and be happy that he is here."

"Oh, yes, Elizabeth," Jack said as he shook his head back and forth, "I feel so much better about him being here!"

Elizabeth put the back of her hand on Jack's forehead. "You look a little pale, Jack. Are you feeling alright?"

"I've felt better," Jack admitted, "but I always feel better when you're around."

Bill and Abigail decided to take a walk, and Jack and Elizabeth went back to the café following the dance. Jack sat on the swing and waited as Elizabeth walked inside to grab a shawl.

Jack was deep in thought trying to take in everything that had happened during the evening. He wanted to tell Elizabeth that the good doctor's intentions are by no means honorable. However, with everyone thinking that he was such a good man, he felt that his ranting would be blamed on jealousy. "I am jealous, but I think I may have a reason to be," he thought.

Andrew headed home before the dance ended. It was dark, and although the moon was providing some light, he was surprised when he stepped on his porch.

"OK, Doc, we did what you asked. Now we want our money," Mr. Johnson said as Mr. Becker stood close by.

"Well, gentlemen, you did not keep the Constables occupied long enough, but there will be a time when I will need your services again, so here is your money. Say nothing to anyone or you both will be very sorry."

Both men walked down the steps laughing. Mr. Becker said to Mr. Johnson, "What's he going to do? He's not going to kill us!" They continued laughing as they headed home.

"Don't assume anything!" Andrew whispered under his breath!

To be continued…