Chapter 31 – Changing of the Guard
Jack and Wynn walked over to the cafe after they were done at the bank.
"Abigail." Jack called.
"In the kitchen Jack." Abigail called back.
Jack and Wynn walked back into the kitchen and saw Abigail and Aunt Elizabeth working on Christmas cookies.
"Mrs Stanton." Wynn said. "Can you stop, I need your full attention."
"Jack is everything okay." Abigail said wiping her hands on her apron.
"Everything is okay." Jack said. "We just have some business to take care of with you."
Jack walked over the picked up the Bible that was on the side table and then walked back to Wynn and Abigail.
"First Mrs Stanton." Wynn said. "This is a document showing that Henry Gowen's shares of this cafe have been seized and forfeited back to you. Second, Mr Gowen has been arrested and is being transferred to Benson Hills today and then on to Cape Fullerton to stand before the magistrate. Now you are the mayor and we need to do the oath of office."
Jack walked over and held the Bible.
"Raise your right hand and place your left on the Bible." Wynn said. "Do you Abigail Marie Stanton, solenmly swear that you will truly and faithfully, and to the best of your skill and knowledge, execute the powers and trusts reposed to you as Mayor of Hope Valley, Alberta, Canada. So Help you God."
"I do." Abigail said.
"Congratulations Madam Mayor." Wynn said.
"So can I, what has Henry was arrested for." Abigail asked.
"Go ahead." Wynn said.
"Wynn, Bill, Dee and I arrested Gowen." Jack said. "The charges are 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 he sent into that mine on March 21st, 1910, including your husband and son."
Abigail reached for the counter to steady herself. Jack was right there to help her, while Wynn grabbed a chair. Aunt Elizabeth when to get a glass of water and set it next to Abigail.
"You okay." Jack asked kneeling down next to her.
"Yeah." Abigail said. "Just a little overwhelmed. This is all a lot to take in at once. I knew Henry was responsible for their deaths, but to actually hear it was overwhelming.:
Everyone was silent for a few moments letting the events that had just happen sink in.
"Oh Jack, this is going to overshadow your wedding." Abigail said.
"Actually, it's not." Wynn said. "I instructed Benson Hills to wait outside of town. Dee knows to take Gowen to them and not bring the wagon into town. You won't official be named as the mayor publicly until after Christmas. It will be like Gowen was gone for the holidays as planned and arrested in Hamilton or wherever."
"If you are okay." Jack said. "We will leave you to your baking. We will be around if you need anything."
Jack and Wynn headed back to the jail to wait for Dee and Bill. They needed to write up the reports. Wynn had one more piece of business that he needed to take care of with Jack but was going to give him a few minutes. They had had a very intense past hour. Wynn let Jack sit down and wrap his head around what just happened.
"When you are ready." Wynn said. "There is one more thing that I need to do and I need you to come with."
"What do you need?" Jack said.
"Pastor Frank Hogan." Wynn said.
"He should be in his office, lets go." Jack said.
Jack stood and grabbed his hat and Wynn grabbed his shoulder bag and the two stepped out and headed toward the church. They walked up the back steps and knocked on the door. Pastor Hogan opened the door. He was surprised to see Jack standing there.
"Come in." Pastor Hogan said. "What is going on Jack."
"I am not sure." Jack said. "But this is Deputy Commissioner Wynn Delaney, Elizabeth's uncle we told you about."
"Nice to me you sir." Pastor Frank said. "What can I do for you. I think everything with the wedding is taken care of."
"I have something for both of you." Wynn said reaching into his bag and retrieved two envelopes and handed one to each Jack and Frank. "For your work in identifying and capturing Harvey Green and Christine Wells, the Rockefeller family of New York City and the Du Pont family of Philadelphia both wish to express their gratitude by giving you the reward that had been offered for the capture of the art thieves."
"Wow." Pastor Frank said.
"Yeah, Wow." Jack said. "Guess I can build Elizabeth that house that I promised."
"Any questions for me." Wynn said. "If not, I think I am going to join my wife for some tea. Jack go ahead and finish those reports and then other then rounds you are free until after Christmas."
"Yes Sir." Jack said. "And thank you."
Wynn got up and left Pastor Hogan and Jack sitting there. He made a mental note to check on Jack later. A lot had happened and he was sure that Jack's head was spinning. Jack and Pastor Frank sat there for a bit, neither of them said anything. Both were too shocked to say anything. Finally, Frank turned to Jack.
"I don't deserve this." Frank said. "I didn't do anything. It feels wrong to take this, especially this amount of money."
"I get it." Jack said. "I don't feel right taking a reward for doing my job, but like my father use to say. Be polite, take it, and then do something good with. That is part of the reason that I donated the majority of my award from catching the Tolliver gang towards the new building here. I gave enough to cover seventy-five percent of this building. Lee donated almost the entire remaining amount. The people of this town donated their time and talents. Put it in the bank tomorrow and you will know what to do with it when the time comes. I don't have to tell you this, but pray about it."
"Thanks Jack." Frank said. "Getting nervous about the wedding?"
"No." Jack said. "I just can't wait to be with Elizabeth. The way I feel when she is in my arms is amazing. Walking her home at night and then leaving, breaks my heart. We both, just want to start our lives together."
"What are you doing tomorrow." Frank asked. "I have heard that the women will be busy baking and decorating."
"My mother should be here tonight or tomorrow." Jack said. "I have morning rounds, I also will need to polish my boots and get my dress uniform in order. I also want to move my stuff over to the row house."
"Well, I will be around if you need." Frank said.
"Thank you." Jack said. "Remember what I said about that envelope."
Jack left Frank and headed back to the jail where he found Bill and Dee. Jack went into the back room and packed some of his belongings into a crate. When he had packed what he could, he went to talk to Bill. He also needed to talk to Wynn.
"Yeah Bill." Jack said. "Thanks for this morning. I also wanted to check that you have your suit and everything for Friday."
"Suit is hanging in my room." Bill said.
"Here, I am making you responsible for these." Jack said handing Bill the small pouch with the rings in.
"I will keep them safe." Bill said.
"Dee." Jack said. "I was going to ask if you wanted to ride with me on rounds in the morning."
"Sure." Dee said. "What time?"
"Well." Jack said. "Meet you at the livery at six."
"I will be there." Dee said. "I just wanted to let you know that Dad really likes you. He is not one to hand out compliments."
"Thank you." Jack said. "Good to know."
The rest of the day was uneventful for the guys. Elizabeth stopped by the cafe after she was finished at the schoolhouse. She let Aunt Elizabeth know that she was making supper at the row house and they were invited. Elizabeth then headed to the jail to let Jack know. She found him at his desk and Dee was there as well.
"Glad I found you." Elizabeth said. "I am making supper at the row house and I want you to be there."
"Who are you talking to." Dee teased.
"Both of you." Elizabeth said making her scary teacher face.
"Jack." Dee said. "Your right she does have a scary teacher face. Honestly, I think it is almost, if not equal to my mothers."
"You want scary teacher face." Jack said. "Wait until you see my mother."
"I don't have a scary teacher face." Elizabeth said.
"Sure you don't" Jack said getting up to give her a kiss.
"Speaking of your mother." Elizabeth said. "When will she get here."
"Knowing Ma." Jack said. "Anytime. I have already reserved her a room at the saloon. I left the key with Sam, so it will be there whenever she gets here. Tonight or tomorrow morning. Did you have a good day."
"Honestly." Elizabeth said. "I am glad that we are on break. Between Christmas and the wedding, it was hard to keep the children's focus. Hopefully after the holidays things will be better. So how was your day."
Jack looked at Dee wondering how much he should say. Dee saw the hesitation and spoke instead.
"Oh our day was … interesting." Dee said. "Yeah, lets go with that."
"Everything okay." Elizabeth asked cautiosly. "Please tell me that you didn't get mad at Uncle Wynn."
"No, Wynn and I as well as Dee all got along." Jack said. "Well, I am not sure how much I can share right now."
"Hit the highlights." Dee said. "She will know soon enough. I am sure mother saw or heard most of it."
"Well, the morning after rounds, I started here." Jack said. "I meet with Wynn and Dee. Then we went and arrested Gowen, seized his assets, handed full ownership of the cafe to Abigail, swore her in as the new mayor and then Wynn and I meet with Pastor Frank and learned that we had both received an award for the capture of that con artist. Gowen has already been transferred out of here, and we are keeping the arrest and Abigail's title quiet until after Christmas."
"Okay wow." Elizabeth said. "How can you say that so calmly."
"Mountie training." Jack said with a wink.
"Dad, didn't want the news to overshadow your wedding." Dee said. "The problem was that we had to arrest him today since the other people in the investigation were arrested today as well. It was planned as a sweep, so that word wouldn't get out and someone try to run or destroy paperwork. Bill Avery and I took Mr Gowen out of town to meet the guys from Benson Hills for the transfer. As far as anyone is concerned, Henry went out of town for the Christmas. Next week, there will be a town meeting and his arrest will be announced as well as the swearing in of Mrs Stanton as mayor."
"Are you sure that he won't get away with things again." Elizabeth said. "I know that Bill had told Abigail that he has escaped punishment before."
"I was a member of the team that did the investigation." Dee said. "The list of charges he is facing, he will be lucky if his doesn't hang for his crimes."
"How did Abigail take the news?" Elizabeth said. "I stopped there before coming over and she didn't look like a woman who's world had been flipped upside down."
"You know Abigail." Jack said. "She took a moment and then focused on what needed to be done."
"Well," Elizabeth said. "I am going to swing by the mercantile and get a few supplies and then head home and start supper. I expect both of you to be there on time. Dee don't forget to let Uncle Wynn know."
"See you soon." Jack said giving Elizabeth a kiss.