Chapter 30 – Major Development
After Abigail excused herself, the two sat there and talked for awhile. Wynn and Dee joined them first and then Jack came in. Wynn and Dee had both changed out of their uniforms and into something more comfortable. Aunt Elizabeth shared about the Christmas dinner. Both Wynn and Dee sounded excited.
"Jack." Wynn said. "If there is anything that you need help with, please don't hesitate to ask Dee or myself. If you show Dee here your patrol, I can leave him here if you and Beth want to get away for a night or two next week. You guys talk and we will talk more tomorrow, just need to let me know your plan."
"Thank you sir." Jack said. "Bill Avery is still around as well. I know he has left the Mounties but he knows the area, but I may take you up on that offer. Bill's shoulder is still hurting after getting shot by those counterfeiters just over a month ago."
"Can we dispense with the sir." Wynn said. "If it is just family, please call me Wynn."
"I will try to remember." Jack said. "It is hard. I had protocol drilled into me from the time that I could walk and talk."
"Your father was a good man." Aunt Elizabeth said. "Wynn and him served together. I meet him a number of time. I also met you a very long time ago, but I doubt that you remember. You probably meet so many people that day."
"You knew my father." Jack said. "Wait, you guys were at the funeral. Your right, I don't remember. Honestly, I don't remember much about that day. I remember seeing lots of men in red serges and I remember the gun salute, but not much else."
"Well." Wynn said. "You were young. I hope you know how much that you were loved by your father. He talked about you and you could hear the pride in his voice. It was a great loss to the Mounties and me personally when your father was injured and later died."
"Why would you take it personally?" Jack asked. "As far you knowing him, it makes sense, I guess I didn't think that you could have served together. I had a hard enough time wrapping my brain around you being related to Elizabeth here. I understand that Mounties have families, but the odds."
"You don't know." Aunt Elizabeth asked. "Right, you were young and you probably wouldn't remember and I doubt that your mother would have told you."
"Told me what." Jack said.
"I was your father's superior officer." Wynn said. "The bullet that he took that led to him being thrown from his horse causing the head trauma, was because he moved to save me. We were chasing a gang of outlaws and they fired upon us. I was in a vulnerable position and your father moved on horseback to cover me. When he did that, they shot again and hit your father in the leg, which caused the horse to rear up and he was unable to hold on. He was thrown into a tree."
"No I didn't know." Jack said. "Dad never talked about his work and I am sure that if my mother knew, she would have never told me anyway."
"So Beth here told you everything." Wynn asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Elizabeth told me how her father tried to get me transferred away from her. Then I questioned my promotion and award, she assured me that she knew that it was real and not something that her father had done. When I asked how she was sure, she told me that she talked to her uncle and then used the actual promotion letter to let me make the connection. We talked about things. I told her that I wasn't mad at her or you for that matter. I was mad at her father, but that is a different issue. Superintendent Collins couldn't believe that I would willing chose to stay here."
"Yeah. Well my brother-in-law can be pretty close minded." Wynn said. "And Superintendent Collins, well you know. He grew up in the city, joined the Mounties after being in the military. Dee and I do need to sit down with you tomorrow and take care of some Mountie business and then we can focus on the wedding."
They enjoyed a lovely meal. Jack enjoyed the more relaxed things were and found that he really liked Wynn and Dee. He also enjoyed hearing some stories about Wynn and his dad. He couldn't wait to introduce Wynn and Elizabeth to his mother. He wondered if she would remember them. All told everyone had a very enjoyable evening. They made a plan for the next day. Aunt Elizabeth would come and help Abigail at the cafe. Wynn and Dee would meet Jack at the jail after breakfast. Elizabeth had school in the morning and then she would be cleaning the schoolhouse and taking down the maps and such so that they could decorate for the wedding.
After supper, they thanked Abigail and then Jack walked Elizabeth home. He wanted a few quiet moments with her because he knew that the next few days would be busy and that he wouldn't see her Friday until the wedding. Elizabeth invited Jack in for a few minutes. As soon as the door was shut, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her for a kiss.
"I can't wait to make to make you Mrs Jack Thornton." Jack said.
"Well, I can't wait to be Mrs Jack Thornton." Elizabeth said. "I am so glad that you got along with Uncle Wynn, Aunt Elizabeth and Dee. I knew that you were worried. He loves you, so don't worry."
"I was able to relax some over dinner." Jack said. "It is hard because of who he is, but I will continue to make an effort. I was going to surprise you, but would you like to get away for a couple nights next week. We could go to the hotel in Buxton."
"I would love to get away with you." Elizabeth said. "Talk to Uncle Wynn a little more tomorrow and get a better idea of the plans, but maybe leave on Tuesday and come back on Thursday or something."
Jack walked back to the jail that night and couldn't wait until he wouldn't have to leave Elizabeth at night. He couldn't wait to me married, he thought about it more then he probably should. He tried hard not to think about what it would be like to wake up next Elizabeth, what it would be like to have her in his arms. He knew that it wasn't proper, but it was so hard.
The next morning, Jack was up early and went on rounds. Elizabeth got to school early and started a little cleaning after she got everything ready. She had a special Christmas math lesson for the children and then she wanted to run through that Christmas play one more time, as well as go over the things for New Year's. After she let the children out for the day, she spent the next two hours cleaning the school and taking stuff down off the walls so that it would be easier to decorate.
Jack had a productive, all be it an interesting, day as well. When he got back from rounds, he met with Wynn and Dee. He had been curious as to what they wanted to talk to him about. He didn't think that it would be anything bad, but Jack was running through a couple dozen things and couldn't figure out anything that he had been involved with that was still pending. Dee arrived first and Wynn stepped in a few minutes later with a leather shoulder bag. Jack offered both some coffee before they got down to business.
"Jack." Wynn said. "First I want to say what an amazing job that you are doing out here. I know that I didn't drop you in the most ideal situation. A lot had happened here before you arrived and apparently a lot has happened in the last eight months. You have shown real leadership. I am giving you an indefinite posting here to Hope Valley. You can stay as long as you and Beth want. If you two ever chose to or want to go somewhere else, just let me know.
Second, Dee here has been working with the team that is dealing with all the Pacific Northwest Mining Company fallout. My wife mentioned last night that Mrs Stanton said something about the company dragging their feet in paying what is owed the widows. I will make sure that they get what they are owed and soon. Why didn't you wire Headquarters or the circuit judge."
"Sorry Sir." Jack said. "Abigail never said anything. One thing that I have learned is that these are a proud people and they just make due and help each other. Most of them figured that they would never see the money anyway. I know that Abigail was point on that and was helping disturb the funds. We all know that the judge ordered that the money be split evenly among the widows, but the widows voted and decided that the money would go into one account and those with children would be allowed more then the widows without kids. Forty-seven men died that day, leaving twenty-two widows fourteen of them with at least one child."
"Thank you for explaining." Wynn said. "If that is what the widows want to do, they have that right. Judge Parker ruled that the company would be fined the maximum for each death that day and then the money given to the widows. I think that it is great that the women are willing to put the needs of the children over their own."
"Sir." Jack said. "You are going to need to fill me in a little. I remember Captain Rushman saying that there was an on going investigation into Pacific Northwest Mining and some of its former employees, but he couldn't or wouldn't say anything else. One of those former employees is now the mayor here and I know he is dirty, but I have nothing on him. From what Bill Avery tells me is that he as had charges dropped against him before. Bill says he covers his tracks and the Mounties can never make anything stick."
"That would be Henry Gowen, right." Dee said.
"Like I said, he is dirty, but I have nothing." Jack said.
"Well then you are going to like this." Wynn said reaching into his bag and handing Jack a sealed envelope.
"What is this?" Jack said.
"It is an arrest warrant from a closed door investigation." Wynn said. "If I had known that he was mayor I would have personally pulled part of the investigation into the public sphere."
"What are you arresting him for." Jack said.
"Correction, you are arresting him." Dee said. "Read it."
Jack opened the seal and started scanning the documents enclosed. The more that he read, the bigger his eyes got.
"Benson Hills are already on their way to take him." Wynn said.
"Can we please bring Bill Avery in." Jack said. "Gowen escaped justice in three different investigations that Bill lead. He has wanted to put the cuffs on him for a very long time."
"If you want to deputize Avery go ahead." Wynn said. "Gowen just needs to be arrested and transferred to Benson Hills today. I also have an order seizing his assets. I know that he is part owner in Abigail's cafe, and there is a document forfeiting his shares back to her. Find Avery and bring him back here and then the four of us will go to get Gowen."
Jack got up and left the jail and knew exactly where Bill would be. He went to get him and bring him back to the jail.
"Bill." Jack said. "I need you to come over to the jail. I need your help with something."
"What's up Jack." Bill said.
"I can't talk here." Jack said. "Just come on, you are going to like this."
"Alright." Bill said downing the last of his coffee.
Bill and Jack walked back to the jail quickly. Bill was visible surprised when he saw Deputy Commissioner Delaney sitting in the office.
Wynn stood up and stood in front of Bill.
"Mr Avery raise your right hand." Wynn said. "Do you promise to faithfully discharge the duties assigned to you while assisting Corporal Thornton today."
"Yes sir." Bill said. "Now what is going on."
Jack handed him the arrest warrant for Gowen. "Thought you would like to put the cuffs on him." Jack said. "Benson Hills will be here soon. Lets go."
Bill quickly scanned the documents and his eyes got about as big as Jack's had. Then Bill handed the documents back to Jack, who handed them to Wynn.
Bill, Jack, Wynn and Dee walked over to the mayor's office and walked in without knocking.
"What the hell do you think you are doing." Gowen huffed.
"Step away from the desk and put the papers down." Bill ordered.
"Last time that I checked you don't have any authority here Bill." Gowen sneared.
"See that is where you are wrong." Jack said. "You were ordered to step away and put the papers down."
Bill stepped forward and grabbed Gowen's arm and pulled him away from the desk.
"Now you are done Bill." Gowen huffed. "I am a public official, so get your damn hands off of me."
"Mr Gowen." Wynn said.
"It is Mayor Gowen." He sneared.
"Not anymore. I am Deputy Commissioner Wynn Delaney." Wynn said. "I have a arrest warrant for you, effectively ending you career as mayor. I also have a document seizing and/or forfeiting all of your assets. You are being transferred to Benson Hills and then will me moved to Cape Fullerton to stand before the magistrate."
"What I am being charged with." Gowen demanded.
"Henry Gowen." Jack said "You are under arrest for bribery, intimidation, falsifying official documents, unsafe work conditions leading to serious bodily injury, conspiracy to commit murder and forty-seven counts of murder for the deaths of the men you sent into that mine on March 21st, 1910."
Dee handed Bill a set of cuffs while Jack read the charges. Bill was able to easily secure them on Gowen's wrists. Gowen stood there dumbstruck.
"You will not get away with this Thornton." Gowen sneared. "You are no better then that no good father of yours."
"Enough!" Wynn bellowed. "I would shut up if you know what is good for you."
"Bill, Dee." Jack said. "Got this."
"We are good." Bill said.
Jack and Wynn turned and walked over to the bank and handing the document to Jenkins seizing all of Gowen's assets.