Author's Note: Thank you for your reading and reviewing! Every review is special to me! I'm sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up. I really had to make it stand out…as I believe I am nearing the end of this story…only time will tell. But, I have to get my characters to a safe and happy ending…

Previously in Valentine's Vignette: Be Mine~ Elizabeth is finally back in Jack's arms. Denny Lissing offered them his apartment so they could rest. While there, Elizabeth finally tells Jack what she has been dealing with regarding the night before.

Constables Denny Lissing and Patrick O'Reilly transport Nate Tolliver and Beau Montgomery to Medicine Hat Prison.

Meanwhile, the gang's lawyer, Marcus Fredericks takes it upon himself to kidnap the presiding Judge's niece, Felicity Krakow.

Denny enlists Jack's help, but not before, Jack makes sure that Elizabeth is alright to stay a few more days so he can escort her back home, himself.`

This chapter is dedicated to my son, Micah, who I lost in 2012. He is the new Mountie who plays a part in this storyline.

Chapter 10

Ransom

Marcus Fredericks had procured a room at the Lion's Head Inn at Main and Water St. He had been pacing his room for several hours. He had to send a ransom note to the Judge, but he admitted that this was his first time resorting to such drastic measures. Marcus Fredericks had always upheld the law, but due to his recent dealings with Nate Tolliver and the promise to get his gang free in exchange for part of his share of their loot Marcus was way over his head. He had to follow through with his plan regarding Felicity Krakow. He didn't want to give in now, however, he couldn't help but feel that this would be a grave error in judgment.

Elizabeth was sitting in the Mountie station as Jack and Denny were in his office discussing their plan of action. They had divided the other Mountie's into four groups to canvas the city. Denny appointed Constable Micah to escort her back to his apartment. Constable Micah was standing to one side of Elizabeth, ready to go. Elizabeth was hesitant to leave. She wanted to make sure that Jack and Denny were going to be safe in their plan. She had hoped that Jack would share just a small detail of his plan so she wouldn't be too in the dark.

Jack came out of the office and glanced at Elizabeth, concern etched across his face.

"Elizabeth. What are you still doing here? I told Micah to escort you back to Denny's twenty minutes ago." Jack turned his questioning stare at Micah.

"I'm sorry, sir. Miss Thatcher insisted that she speak with you before you leave." Micah stammered.

"Constable Micah. You are in charge of Miss Thatcher, not the other way around. You have your orders to serve and protect. She has her orders to listen to you as you know how to keep her safe."

"Elizabeth." Jack turned to her. "Might I have a word with you?" He asked not waiting for her reply, as he led her to Denny's office and shut the door.

"Jack. I just want to know what you are planning to do. I deserve to know what you are doing. I want to be certain that you will take every precaution." She began.

Jack held his hand up to stop her. He sighed heavily, knowing that she would not rest until she knew something. He held her by her shoulders and looked her in the eyes.

"Elizabeth, we have to search for any sign of where Miss Krakow might have been taken. Denny and I have separated the others into smaller groups. That is all I am willing to tell you. You'll just have to accept that." Jack explained.

"Jack, I need to know that you will be safe. Please promise me that you will not do anything foolish. I know you are brave and are good at your job, but we are…." Elizabeth paused, taking a deep breath as a tear threatened to spill out onto her cheek.

Jack pulled her closer to him in his strong, comforting embrace. She rested her head on his shoulder. Her eyes were shining with the tears that she had been holding back. Her voice shook as she spoke.

"We are engaged. I'm going to be your wife. I hope to say 'I do', before I have to say 'good bye'." She exhaled nervously.

"Elizabeth, I will be safe. As you are well aware, I am good at what I do. You know I will take every precaution. I really must go now, Denny and the others are already out there." Jack held her close for a few more minutes.

"You listen to Constable Micah. Please don't make his job any harder than it has to be, Elizabeth." Jack's gaze softened. "I love you. I'll be back as soon as I can." He pressed his lips to hers.

"Do not let her tell you what to do. You are in charge. Take care of her. I'm counting on you." Jack ordered.

Elizabeth huffed, but Jack smiled and kissed her again, deeper than before. Willing her to be at ease and not worry about him so much.

Constable Micah had stepped away towards the door to wait for Miss Thatcher. He blushed as he glanced over at the couple as they were kissing. He looked away and fiddled with his hat staring down at his feet.

Jack clapped Micah's back and left the station telling them to go to the apartment and wait there. Micah and Elizabeth made their way back to the apartment. Elizabeth kept looking back in the direction that Jack and Denny were heading on foot. She sighed nervously and said a silent prayer. Ten minutes later, Micah opened the apartment and let Elizabeth step in first. He looked on either side of the door as Jack had instructed and then closed and locked the door. Micah settled in to a chair by the window so he could keep watch. Elizabeth was in the little parlor. She took out her journal to keep her mind distracted.

I am finally away from the terrible Tolliver gang, and yet my fears have not been quieted. Jack is out with Constable Denny Lissing searching for Miss Felicity Krakow. Nate Tolliver's lawyer has taken her hostage to coerce Judge Harper to release the Tolliver gang. I desperately want to go home. I miss my students and my friends. I pray that God will lead Jack and the others to Miss Felicity Krakow as soon as possible.

Elizabeth set her journal aside and laid her head down on the sofa. She had a fairly restful sleep, but with the news of the Judge's niece being taken, she suddenly felt overwhelmed and fatigued with worry. She looked over at Constable Micah who seemed to be completely oblivious to her presence. The constable stood at the window, watching the street diligently.

The next morning, Judge Harper was pacing his office floor. He had not heard from the kidnapper for a ransom, but he knew the call would be made soon. Constables Jack Thornton and Denny Lissing had come by the office earlier that day to let him know that they had not found his niece. Every last member of the RNWMP Cape Fullerton division were searching for Miss Felicity Krakow. Judge Harper had every confidence that they would find his niece.

Jack Thornton came into the office and told the judge that he and Denny Lissing would appoint a two man detail at his office for his safety. The two Mounties would go with him everywhere. Judge Harper had to admit that this provided him with some comfort in knowing that he would be protected. He however, had wished that he had the forethought to appoint a detail for his niece. It couldn't be helped now.

The Mounties had a second phone set up which tapped into the Judges direct line. They needed to hear what the kidnapper demanded so they could come up with the best course of action.

Just then the phone rang. Jack motioned for Judge Harper to answer. Jack and Denny waited quietly as they listened to the judge's side of the conversation.

"Hello, Judge Harper." The man's voice was muffled on the other end.

"Hello." The judge replied, his voice tight. "What do you want?"

"It's simple, judge. I want the Tolliver gang to be released. If you can do that for me, then I see no reason for any harm to come to your precious niece." He replied.

"I can't do that. They are guilty of the charges laid at their door. We don't negotiate with criminals." The judge was nervous as he tried to convince the man that he was wasting his time.

"Yes, you can do that. You will do that if you want to see your niece again." The man shouted and hung up the phone.

"Oh no. What have I done?" Judge Harper exclaimed. "I don't know if he will call back." He looked at Jack and Denny for answers.

Constables Denny and Jack exchanged glances. They knew that the kidnapper would call back. In the mean time they had to come up with a plan as to how they were going to proceed.

Several minutes went by as they waited for the call. The phone suddenly rang. Judge Harper picked up the phone and was determined to do what the kidnapper wanted.

"Hello?" He asked.

"Hello, Judge. Are we ready to do business? Have you calmed down?" The man on the other end inquired.

"Yes. I am ready to listen to what you want to happen." Judge Harper sighed resignedly.

"Good. Now, I need you to listen carefully." The man paused. "I am sending someone to your office this afternoon to give you papers exonerating the Tolliver gang. When the trial reconvenes on Monday, then you will present the findings to the prosecutor and he will take it from there."

The man hung up and left the judge lost in his thoughts.

Judge Harper was speechless. He didn't know what to think. He needed to get his niece back, but this was a tall order, even for him to fill. He could lose everything. However, if he didn't do what this man asked, then he would lose his everything, his family. Felicity was the only family he had left. His duty as a judge always came first, but he had never been in this situation before. He looked to the constables for a solution.

Jack and Denny both took the information into consideration. The man on the phone had confirmed that he would harm or worse, kill Felicity if the judge did not do what he was told to do. They had to wait until the man came with the papers the judge needed to get the Tolliver gang free.

It was half past four when a man carrying a manila envelope had knocked on the door of the Judge's office. Jack had answered the door and took the manila envelope and closed the door behind him.

He offered the envelope to the judge. Judge Harper quickly yet carefully opened and pulled the contents out. He read the first few pages.

"Judge Harper,

As you know, I have your niece and all I want in return is the release of the Tolliver gang. If you do not comply, there will be consequences. I have given you the documents you need to hand over to the defense attorney. You will tell him that they were given anonymously and that you cannot divulge that information. If you do as you are told, then no harm will come to Miss Felicity Krakow. Do not disappoint your niece. Do not disappoint me! I'll be at the trial to make sure you comply with my demands.

Sincerely,

F."

Judge Harper looked through the papers. There were documents exonerating the Tolliver gang. He knew these had to be forged. There was no way that the Tolliver gang could be released with such fake evidence. This infuriated the judge to no end. He had to find a way to get his niece home safely and to not let the Tolliver gang go free. He handed the papers to the constables who looked over the contents and began to plan their course of action. They agreed that the Tolliver gang should not be set free.