Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. All rights go to the actors, writers and creators of the show "When Calls The Heart".

Note: I hope this isn't going too slow. It will start speeding up now!

(1/07/2018)

CHAPTER 10

For Jack, the next day in Hope Valley followed much the same as the first. He asked lots of questions, got lots of vague answers and was no closer to finding Miss Thatcher.

The following day, a Sunday, there was the weekly church service held and a picnic lunch followed. Abigail had mentioned it was to encourage all the new families in town to get to know one another. Jack wasn't going to go but when he heard almost everyone from the town was going he thought it might be a good chance to finally find Miss Thatcher. He sat in the back corner of the school that was now acting as a church in a borrowed navy suit. He had only brought basic clothes with him and his Sunday best was not a priority before now. Thankfully Shane's spare suit fit him surprisingly well.

Jack watched as the locals came in, most of them familiar now. Just before the service Abigail entered with Miss Austen by her side. Miss Austen looked so different today than how she had appeared in the few days that Jack had known her. Today she had a delicate white blouse on with lace detail and a soft pink skirt on. Her auburn hair curled down her back and she had pearl clips pulling it back. She was even more beautiful than he had seen her. She smiled at everyone, giving a few people little waves before she took her seat in the front row between Abigail and Miss Carter. Mrs Montgomery began the service and Jack tore his eyes away from Miss Austen, noticing that there was no Miss Thatcher in the church.

After the service, Jack waited outside before approaching Abigail who stood talking to Miss Carter while Miss Austen was talking to some children.

"Hi Abigail."

"Jack! You came. Would you mind helping me bring some food over from the café?"

"Certainly."

The two of them walked back toward the café.

"How's your investigation going, Jack?"

"I was hoping it would be a quick and simple case and I would be on my way by tomorrow at the latest, but I have found that I underestimated Miss Thatcher."

Abigail laughed. "Nothing with Elizabeth is quick and simple, especially if you are trying to catch her off guard. That woman has learnt the hard way that she needs to protect herself."

"What do you mean?"

"Let me ask you. Of the people you have spoken to, which ones do you think actually know Miss Thatcher?"

"I suppose its just the women and the men from the mill office" Jack spoke slowly.

"Right. I will give you another hint. Shane and Bill are loyal to Thatcher Shipping. Bill has known Elizabeth since she was born. They have both watched her grow up. Mr Blakely and Mr Smith lost their fathers in the mine explosion and were still in school when Elizabeth arrived here."

"So why do only the women know who Miss Thatcher is?" Jack posed the question, speaking more to himself.

"You're close. Think about that."

"Why can't you just tell me Abigail?" Jack felt like he was almost whining the way the question came out.

"Its not my secret to tell."

"All I need is a statement from her with as many details as possible regarding what happened the night of July 12. Then I will be on my way." Normally Jack was such a patient man, but this town was driving him crazy with all the distrust and secrets. The fact that people in this town didn't trust a Mountie really bothered him. "Why doesn't she trust anyone? Even a Mountie?"

"This town was basically unprotected. A bunch of widows and young children were all that remained. Then a well-known heiress arrives in town. What do you think happened? Billy Hamilton was just one of a long string of men that arrived with the objective of taking advantage of the people here. One of them even included a Mountie. Elizabeth only trusts the women in this town. Elizabeth started the mill to save them and this town. They would do anything for her, just as she did for them, myself included." They had reached the café now and Abigail opened the door leading Jack into the kitchen.

Jack thought about what Abigail had said. It had been a town full of women with no men here to protect them. Jack finally understood Elizabeth Thatcher's disappearing act.

"How do I get her to trust me?"

"Be yourself. I trust you Jack, otherwise I wouldn't be telling you all this." Abigail loaded his arms with plates of sandwiches while she grabbed a few baskets and they headed back to the church.

Elizabeth watched as Jack helped Abigail spread out the food on the tables. He helped hand out plates and helped the children reach the sandwiches and biscuits. He waited until everyone had eaten before he helped himself. He came and sat with her, Faith and Shane. They talked about the church service and the school. Some of the children came up to talk to her and she noticed Jack listening as she answered their questions. Some of the children started playing baseball and Jack eagerly went and played with them. When it came time to pack up, Jack was there helping and was beside her as she walked home. Jack appeared to be genuine with everything he did and something about him was tugging at Elizabeth, telling her he was a good man.

Jake awoke the next morning to the sound of something sliding under his door. He pulled himself out of bed and walked over to see an envelope sitting on the floor. He picked it up and pulled a letter out. The handwriting was elegant and the cursive indicated it belonged to someone from high society. Glancing down at the bottom of the letter, his breath caught when he saw who it was from: Elizabeth Thatcher.

To Constable Jack Thornton.

This is an honest account of the events that occurred at Thatcher's Mill, Hope Valley on 12th July 1912.

I was alone in the mill office about 7pm when I heard a noise in the stables. I knew no one should be there so I grabbed my pistol from the safe and headed to investigate. I tied a tripwire at the stable entrance and went around the back in an attempt to catch the intruder. Two of the horses had already been let out of their pens. I noticed a male figure in one of the remaining. I warned the man to leave, which they did but tripped over during their rushed exit. I attempted to apprehend the man but was pushed away. At this point I recognised the man as Billy Hamilton, who was most likely disgruntled because I was unable to offer him work or my attention for a dinner invitation. I was subsequently backhanded across the face. I still had my pistol in my hand, so I shot him in the right arm in order to scare him away. I did threaten him with further injury if he did not leave town immediately. I never saw him again.

I was shooting Billy Hamilton in self-defence. He would have gotten away with stealing my horses if I had not intervened.

Since this incident, I have hired two Pinkertons to remain on site for security. We also have two male site managers and I no longer remain in the office on my own.

I hope this account can assist you in your enquiries. Mayor Abigail Stanton and Nurse Faith Carter can corroborate my story as I had a black eye for a week. There were no other witnesses.

Faithfully yours,

Elizabeth Thatcher

Jack re-read the letter again. If he could confirm that this was Elizabeth's handwriting this would be sufficient, along with Abigail's statement, to close the investigation. Jack felt somewhat relief that the case would be closed. Leaving Hope Valley was something else though. He had begun to feel comfortable here over a few short days and the people here were something else.

Elizabeth was sitting in the kitchen of the café. She had done it. She had written the letter and now Jack would leave. She wasn't sure how she felt about it. It was good that she wouldn't have a Mountie around who could be close to ruining her secret, but she was beginning to like Jack. He's a man. He can't be trusted. Pull your head out of the clouds. He's leaving. Elizabeth got ready for school.

Jack walked to the mercantile and sent a telegram to his superiors. He was advising them of the progress of the case and was waiting for his new orders, otherwise he would leave for Cape Fullerton as originally planned. Jack walked over to the café to find Abigail. He found her hands deep in the soapy water surrounded by dirty dishes.

"Abigail, I have had progress this morning. Miss Thatcher wrote me a letter of her account. I was wondering, do you have a copy of her teaching contract in the mayor's office?"

"Of course. As soon as I'm done here we can go over."

"Let me help then." Jack picked up a dishcloth and began to dry the dishes.

"Jack you really don't need to do that."

"Sure I do. You helped me out, Abigail. You spoke to Miss Thatcher."

"Yes, well she's very head strong but obviously she came around."

They finished the dishes before Abigail and Jack walked over to the Mayor's office. Abigail unlocked the door and went straight to the file drawer. She sorted through until she found the relevant papers.

"Here you go." Abigail went over to her desk, her back to Jack.

Jack looked down at the papers to see Elizabeth Thatcher's signature at the bottom. He pulled out her letter and compared it to the signature. It was a perfect match.

"Great. Thank you."

Jack glanced down at the contract momentarily and noticed that Miss Thatcher's contract was for two years.

"Abigail? This indicates that Miss Thatcher should still be teaching. Her contract is still active."

Abigail turned around slowly.

"Yes, that's right."

"Well how does Miss Austen fit into this? Can I see her contract?"

"That is an arrangement that Miss Thatcher made. She doesn't have a contract."

"How is that possible? Miss Thatcher is in breach of her contract."

"Yes, but some things happened with the mill. Elizabeth approached the town council regarding the current arrangement, which we all agreed to. Miss Austen is fulfilling the contract."

"None of the mothers objected?"

"Sure, some of them objected, but they came around to the reasoning. That is the whole point of discussing things at the town meeting. Is that all you need Jack?"

"Aaah yeah. I just need a statement from you indicating that you witnessed Miss Thatcher with a black eye on 12th July and I am finished. I can be on my way."

"So that's it? You're leaving?" Abigail sounded disappointed.

"Yes. Unless I hear otherwise from my superiors. I am waiting on a return telegram."

"Of course. Right, well, I need to get back to the café now. Can I give you the written statement this afternoon? I will write it after lunch."

"Sure. Thanks Abigail."

Jack nodded to Abigail before leaving her alone in the Mayor's office.

Abigail stood there thinking. She had quite liked having a Mountie in town. It was good having Shane and Bill around too but Abigail really thought a Sheriff was becoming more and more important. After all they still had a jail but no one occupied it. The Hope Valley population had also reached over 100 citizens now and was still growing.

Abigail sat down and began penning a letter to the Royal North West Mounted Police. She hoped that she was doing this for the town and not for other reasons. Right now, she couldn't separate the two in her mind.