Chapter 35:

The Hamilton Search

Part 2

Author's Note: Yet another thrillogy coming your way. Buckle up for a fun ride. Last chapter, I introduced a new original character, Hank. We don't know much about him, except that he is good and he is fiercely protective of The Thatcher's.

One Day Earlier...

Hank had taken Mr. Thatcher to the docks to exchange the cash for Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton. Hank didn't like this plan and he wasn't sure that it was a good idea for Mr. Thatcher to come with him. Hank had wanted to go alone, but Mr. Thatcher insisted.

"Sir, I don't think you need to come. I can deliver the ransom if the man keeps his end of the bargain. If not, I can get out of any situation." Hank protested.

"Nonsense, Hank. I'm coming. She's my daughter and I need to make sure she gets here safe and sound." Mr. Thatcher insisted. "Besides, you do work for me and I will not let these men scare me from standing up for myself and my family." Mr. Thatcher spoke with conviction.

"Alright, but you stay close, sir." Hank ordered. "You may be my employer, but I know what I'm doing." Hank commanded.

"I will do as you say, Hank. Thank you for assissting me." Mr. Thatcher replied.

He had known from the start that Billy Hamilton was not a good man. Hank had spoke to Mr. Thatcher about not giving him a chance over a year ago. Mr. Thatcher insisted that Billy Hamilton just may in fact surprise them. Hank was not pleased with his employers naivety, but he had no choice. So, they gave Billy Hamilton a chance and within a matter of months, Billy blew it. He had been caught stealing from the company and Mr. Thatcher had his foreman fire him.

Hank came back from his reverie as he made his way down to the docks. He had gone back to the docks to see if Billy Hamilton would come back for any reason. Hank had a suspicion that he would have left something on the ship.

Two hours later...Hank had been right. He saw Billy duck into an alley from his vantage point behind a stack of beer barrells. Hank waited for a few moments before he followed him. He quietly and efficiently made his way to the alley and hid behind some boxes. At length he decided to approach Billy Hamilton.

Billy Hamilton heard a noise as he went about securing his plans for his departure that afternoon. He shook off the thought that someone was coming and packed what he could for his trip. He was done. Billy knew that there was no life for him here.

He suddenly heard something from outside his door.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Billy Hamilton called out.

"I'm here." Hank spoke firmly. "I wanted to make sure that you never came back. Mrs. Thornton does not need any more of your drama, Billy Hamilton." Hank growled.

"Show yourself!" Billy ignored Hank's bark. "I answer to no one. You hear me? No one!"

"We'll see about that." Hank simply stated. "Now, you're coming with me."

Billy turned just in time to see Hank lunge at him. Hank left Billy with no time to counter his move. Hank swung his fist back and connected to Billy's jaw, knocking the man out. Billy slumped down into a puddle in front of the bed. Hank easily lifted Billy and threw him over his back. He had a plan. He was going to make sure that Billy Hamilton never bothered the Thatcher's or the Thornton's again.

Hank took Billy Hamilton to an old friend. He told him that Billy was never to come back to Hamilton again. The man had nodded his agreement. The man hoisted Billy's limp body onto his ship. He was on his way to Africa. He needed a good deck hand. If Billy ended up being a poor sport, he would make him swab the decks for the rest of his life.

Hank had said good bye to his friend and went back to drive the Thatcher's to the theater. He hoped that his plan would not be discovered, but for now, Billy Hamilton would not bother Mr. Thatcher and his family. He just had to keep quiet about it. If it came down to it, he would leave his employ and start over somewhere else. Hank did not like that prospect. He loved working for the Thatcher's.

Back at the Thatcher Manor, that same night...

After delivering the Thatcher's to the theater, Hank waited with Elizabeth until she went to her room. He was about to sit on the sofa after cleaning out the car, when Constable Thornton came stumbling in.

"Hello, Constable Thornton."

"Hello, Hank. Is Mrs. Thornton here or did she go with her parents to the theater?" Jack inquired.

"She retired to your room, sir." Hank replied. "I'm glad you're back. I have to go take care of some things after I bring the Thatcher's home." Hank offered.

"Do you need help with anything?" Jack inquired, while hoping that Hank would be fine on his own.

"No need. Not yet, any way." Hank smiled. "I'll let you know."

Jack nodded and then made his way to the room he shared with his wife.

Hank was really happy for Elizabeth. He had always hoped that she would find someone worthy of her. He was infinitely impressed when he first met the constable and he knew that they would make a handsome couple. Hank left to pick up the Thatcher's from the theater.

Hank dropped off the Thatcher's and with Mr. Thatcher's permission, he took off early that night. Mr. Thatcher watched him leave, wondering why Hank had wanted to go home earlier that usual. He shrugged it off and went inside the manor.

Hank left the Thatcher's to go back to the room where Billy had been hiding. After sending Billy away, Hank had heard someone call out to him. Hank swiftly took Billy to his friend and then went back to the ship. He arrived at the house where he had seen Billy go into earlier that day. Hank had his old service pistol in the waistband of his pants. He had no intention of using it, but it paid to know how if you were ever in a jam. He took a deep breath and walked up to the door. Looking inside the window, he noticed that there was an elderly man hunched over, tied to a chair. Gazing around the room, he realized that the man was alone. Hank slowly pushed the door open. He led with his pistol, in case there was someone he didn't see in the corners of the room or in the next room over. Hank tucked his pistol in his waistband once he was sure it was clear. He swiftly moved to the man in the chair. He was covered in sweat and dirt. Hank took his pocket knife and untied his wrists. The man started to fall to the floor, but Hank caught him in his arms. He lifted him in his arms like a child and cautiously made his way out the door. There was no sign of anyone. Hank made it to his car and placed the man in the back seat.

"Hold on, sir! I'm taking you to the hospital. You need medical attention." Hank drove the man to the hospital and had him checked in. He told the nurse to put him in the Thatcher wing of the hospital. The nurse complied as she knew Hank as the Thatcher's right hand man.

Hank drove back to the manor to inform Mr. Thatcher of the man and his condition. Mr. Thatcher agreed that he needed medical attention and had told Hank that he would go see him that evening. Mr. Thatcher could always count on Hank to do the right thing. He went back to his office to finish his paperwork.

The following night, day two of the search for Billy Hamilton.

Jack had come home from the precinct dog tired. He went to his and Elizabeth's room and fell onto the bed. He didn't even hear Elizabeth come in later.

Elizabeth saw that Jack was laying on the bed still in his uniform. She removed his shoes. Once she was in her negligee, she nestled in beside him. Elizabeth smelled the faint scent of the city. 'He has been searching for two whole days, now. My poor constable.' She rubbed his arm as she pressed her body into his back.

"Sugar?" Jack questioned groggily. "Is that you?" Opening his eyes, he turned to face Elizabeth.

"Who else would it be, silly?" Elizabeth laughed good naturedly. "Faith? Rosemary, perhaps?" She teased.

"Never!" Jack bolted up and turned to wrap his arms around her, rolling her onto her back. "It's always been you. No one else, Love!" Jack pressed his lips to hers, evaporating any doubt she had in her mind.

After several kisses, Elizabeth leaned back to catch her breath.

"Oh my! Jack! That was...that was, incredible." Elizabeth smiled. "I should tease you more often." Elizabeth exhaled as she sunk into the sheets.

"I realize that you were teasing, but really, Elizabeth? Rosemary?" Jack chuckled, a bit breathless himself.

"I know, but did you have to ask if it was me?" Elizabeth smiled. "I couldn't resist teasing you."

"I'll get you for that!" Jack showed off his dimpled smile. "Two can play at that game."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes as he rolled her onto his chest and fell back onto the pillow. Elizabeth gazed down at him. He had such love in his eyes. When he looked at her like that, she would agree to do anything for him. She blushed suddenly at the thoughts she had as she gazed into Jack's eyes.

"What are you thinking about, Mrs. Thornton?" Jack smirked.

"How was your day?" Elizabeth answered slyly. 'I really wanted to climb onto your lap and kiss you passionately, Mr. Thornton.' She thought inwardly.

"Really? That's what you were thinking?" Jack quipped. 'You weren't thinking about assaulting me with kisses.' Jack thought to himself. 'I know I was wanting to do just that!'

"How was your day, Jack?" Elizabeth questioned, determined to feign interest for the moment. She did want to know, but she was really wanting to love him first.

"We still haven't found Billy Hamilton. I went into the city yesterday as you know, but last night I had this weird dream. I was climbing up the stairs to a room. When I got inside, there was a man tied up, soaked in sweat and covered in dirt. He looked like he was about dead." Jack explained.

"Oh my goodness!" Elizabeth covered her mouth.

"When I woke up early this morning, you were hovering over me and said, 'Hi!'. The dream felt so real that I had to go see if anyone had found a man from the docks. He looked so bad, Elizabeth. I went to the docks to search for him, but when I got to the room which looked like the one in my dream, there was nothing but an empty chair and rope lying in a puddle on the floor. If he was there, but I dreamed about him, never seeing him in the flesh...it's just a bit creepy." Jack exhaled.

"Or maybe it's 'Mountie intuition'?" Elizabeth questioned.

"I haven't thought of that!" Jack looked into space, contemplating the idea. "It would definitely be more believeable to my superiors." Jack sat there, pensive.

Elizabeth ran her hands up and down his shoulders. Jack was still staring into space. Elizabeth moved to sit behind Jack, she got up on her knees and pressed her body to his back. As she began massaging his shoulders, Jack broke from his reverie and let his body relax. He let his head fall backwards, leaning against her chest as her hands worked their magic, releasing the tension in his shoulders. Elizabeth leaned in and kissed his neck. She pressed her cheek to his. Jack took a deep breath, exhaling through his mouth, then with an overwhelming need for his wife, he twisted his body and pulled her into his arms. He laid her down and covered her body with his, capturing her lips. Elizabeth elicited soft moans from his throat and she too, felt the overwhelming need for her husband. Their hearts and bodies were connected and love flowed through them. Elizabeth's soul was filled with such love that it spilled over into Jack's soul as they expressed their wants and desires for each other. Jack fell back onto the bed, bringing Elizabeth with him, pressing her head to his chest. Elizabeth relished in her favorite spot. She snuggled closer still into the comfort of his body. His arms encompassed her protectively.

"I'll look for the man tomorrow. Maybe he is connected to Billy Hamilton somehow." Jack thought out loud.

"You think so?" Elizabeth shuddered. "I hope not." She pressed her face to his chest.

Jack felt her tears fall onto his chest. He held her tightly into him and rubbed her back. Elizabeth continued to cry.

"What is it, Sugar? You know that I won't let Billy Hamilton near you, ever again." Jack soothed.

"I know. It's just that...if he is connected to the man you found, then you may have to face him again." Elizabeth looked up into his eyes.

"I'll be careful, Sugar. You know I'm good at my job, right?" Jack inquired, a bit concerned that she didn't have faith in his abilities.

"Yes, I know that, it's just that, Billy Hamilton scares me. He was so dangerous. I didn't know he was capable of what he had done and when I was in the ship, I couldn't bare the thought of never seeing you again, Jack." Elizabeth melted into a puddle of fear as her tears flowed anew.

"Hey! It will be alright." Jack soothed, gathering her into his arms. "What has come over you? Why are you so afraid? I'm here, Love. I won't let you go and I will be careful when I go out there." Jack lifted her eyes to his.

"I'm sorry." Elizabeth breathed. "I'm tired of being afraid of Billy Hamilton! I want you to be done with him so I can stop worrying about your safety, Love." Elizabeth kissed his neck.

"I'll be careful. That is a promise." Jack vowed and then lifting her face to his, he covered her lips with his own and they soon drifted to their private island...then having their needs met, drifted off to sleep.

Little did they know, that one of their problems had been taken care of...who is this man that Jack can't find?

Author's Note: So, there you have it. Jack and Elizabeth are not sure who this man is or why Jack dreamed about him. We, however, know that Hank has taken care of the Billy Hamilton problem. What will come of Hank? What if he is found out and he has to answer for his involvement with shang~haiing Billy Hamilton? Good questions, all...Stay Tuned for the exciting conclusion of "The Hamilton Search".