Chapter 68 – Making Another Plan
Jack watched McGinty jog off. He then turned and headed back inside. He didn't expect the group from Hamilton until the next day, so he still had to figure out what to do for the rest of the day and that night. He really wanted Price and Taylor gone so that he could focus on catching the Garrisons. Jack and Bill were looking at the map and talking about how they should patrol the area that the campfires were found. They agreed that if they had the manpower it would be better to go in at least two man teams. The duo were broke from their thoughts and conversation by Price.
"You will never take Jake Garrison alive." Price said. "He would rather shot you then be caught."
"Will you shut up." Taylor hissed.
"I would listen to Taylor there." Bill said. " Besides how do you know so much about the inner workings of Jake Garrison."
Neither Bill or Jack could see the look that Taylor shot Price, but Price shut up. Both Bill and Jack figured that he knew more then what he was saying. Jack was forming a plan. He had an idea to draw Garrison closer town to trap him, but Jack had to think it through in order to keep the town safe. Jack was quite. When Bill looked at him he knew that Jack had a plan or at least was working on one. Bill wanted to question him about it, but he knew that Jack would share when he needed or wanted to. One thing that Bill knew about Jack was that he needed to think through a plan and the possible outcomes before he was ready to share if and when time allowed. That was always one thing that Bill had admired about Jack, he ability to think things through and come up with the best plan that was the safest for those involved. McGinty stopped back at the jail to let Jack know that he had Thor. He also let him know that he stopped by the cafe and picked up some food and changed their lunch order. He had briefly talked to Lee and gotten a hand drawn map and a list of the logging sights. He just wanted to grab a rifle, extra ammo and a lantern. He saw the look that Jack and Bill both shot him.
"Just in case." McGinty said. "I also grabbed my tent and bedroll that were at the livery. I would rather be prepared."
"Agreed." Jack said. "Thank you for checking those sights."
"Better then sitting around." McGinty said. "Oh I have a note for you."
"From who." Jack asked.
McGinty didn't say anything, but just handed a note to Jack before he turned to leave. Jack quickly read the note and handed to Bill. Jack called McGinty back into the office. McGinty had barely gotten to the steps on the porch when he turned and looked at Jack.
"Everything okay." McGinty asked.
"No damn it." Jack said. "Joe change of plans. Head over to the saloon and see if you can find Green and MacDonald. Quickly."
Bill looked at Jack and could see the wheels turning. He also knew that Jack was torn. Bill knew that Jack was always torn when it involved Elizabeth or the children.
"Go check out the story." Bill said. "We can't afford a diversion. I will handle things here."
Jack left the building and ran to the school. He stopped to catch is breath before he climbed the steps two at a time. He knocked on the door and waited until Elizabeth answered the door. He unsnapped his holster and waited. He heard her tell the child to continue reading quietly. When she got to the door she was surprised to see Jack. When he saw her surprise, he knew that she hadn't sent for him. He quickly checked that all of her students were there and when she assured him that they were he breathed a quick sigh. Suddenly Elizabeth was worried about what was going on. Jack said that he couldn't explain but asked Elizabeth to keep the students inside at lunch and to not release them until he sent word. Jack pulled her close and whispered to Elizabeth.
"You will know it is from me." Jack said quietly. "Because it will say for my Bella."
Elizabeth nodded and gave Jack a quick kiss on the cheek. She turned and took a couple deep breaths before returning to her class. She was worried about Jack and what was happening in town, but she trusted Jack. She said a quick prayer before walking back to the front of the room and continuing her lesson. Jack quickly went around the side of the schoolhouse to Pastor Frank's office and let him know what was happening. He promised to say there and keep Elizabeth and the children safe. Jack then hurried back to the jail. When he walked in, McGinty and Bill were standing there. He looked around for Green and MacDonald, upon not seeing them he shook his head. McGinty stepped forward and whispered to Jack.
"According to Sam." He said. "They checked out and left this morning. When I went to the livery, the worker said that they just took the wagon with the two horses. Price's and Taylor's horses are still there. The guy at livery also said that they looked like that they were in a hurry this morning."
"Damn!" Jack said again.
"Let's step outside." Bill said.
The three men stepped outside and looked at Jack. Jack let them know that all the children were at the school and accounted for. Pastor Frank was also in his office and promised to stay there and keep a look out for the Elizabeth and the children. I told her to keep them in and not release them until she got word from me.
"I am concerned about Green and MacDonald taking off." Bill said.
"I don't know much about them, but I know that they are fairly decent Mounties." Jack said. "I think that they were told by Taylor to leave, so that we would be short handed. I don't know what is going on, but I think that we will find out sooner then later. It is best that we are armed. I am going to head over to Lee's and let him know to keep and eye out."
"Jack." Bill said. "What does your gut say."
"My gut." Jack said. "Price and/or Taylor are working with the Garrisons and that the Garrisons found out that we are holding them and they can't have that. I also think that is why the Garrisons have been one step ahead of us for the last year or more. I was working on a plan, but I hadn't worked out the details yet. I just don't want people to get hurt."
"I understand." Bill said. "Let's wire Benson Hills and hope that nothing happens until we get help."
"Joe." Jack said. "Go wire Captain Rushman. Tell him need help, send all available Mounties ASAP, trouble with Buxton. Have Ned mark it the highest priority. Also remind Ned that if he breaths a word of that message I will lock him up myself. He knows that he is suppose to keep quiet about things. Try to make sure that no one is around if possible when you give him the message, it will help. I am going to go talk to Lee. Bill keep an eye out here."
Jack and McGinty both headed off and Bill walked back into the jail. He went into the back room. He locked the back door and pulled out his other gun and checked it. He loaded it and slipped it into his boot. He walked back outside and slide the rifle from the holster on Thor and brought it back up to the porch. He sat there and finished his cup of coffee. He watched Jack leave Lee's office and head to the livery. When Jack got to the livery, he saddled Sergeant. Once his horse was ready, he turned and saddled Bill's horse. Jack wanted to be ready in case they needed it. He lead the the two horses from the livery and toward the jail where he secured them. He then checked his watch. He looked at Bill and motioned that he was going to talk to Abigail and then to the cafe.
Jack walked into the mayor's office. He realized that was the first time that he had been in there since he helped arrest Gowen. He quickly let Abigail know what was going on. He promised to do everything to keep the town safe. Abigail reminded him that a number of the men and women for that matter, in the town were wonderful marksmen if they needed additional help. Jack nodded and asked her to put together a list of those that she felt were the best. She promised that she would.
Jack then left and headed to the cafe. When he walked in, he surprised Clara and Mary. He said that their plans had changed again and could they get their lunch ready. Clara said that it wasn't a problem, she was working on it at the moment. Mary gave Jack a concerned look, but he didn't say anything. Clara finished packing the lunch and handed the basket to Jack. She could sense that something was happening. She reminded him to be safe. He promised that he would. Without another word Jack turned and headed back to the jail. When he got back, he went inside and set the basket down, before grabbing a cup of coffee and returning to the porch. It was still chilly since it was late January, but it wasn't bad and it was better then sitting in the stuffy jail.
While Bill and Jack sat there, Bill kept his eyes on everyone moving about the town. Jack was working on a plan. Jack didn't think that the Garrisons would so anything before dark, but he wasn't taking any changes. When McGinty returned, he retrieved his lunch from his saddlebag and headed inside. Jack and Bill also headed inside. Bill poured a glass of water for each Price and Taylor then found their plain cheese sandwiches and took their lunch to them. Jack unpacked the rest of the food and saw that Clara had included dessert for McGinty as well. They poured some more coffee and sat about eating. Jack was still working on a plan, but at the moment his thoughts turned to Elizabeth and wondered if the children were behaving being kept inside.
The children were not happy about being kept inside, but when Elizabeth explained that it was Mountie Jack that has requested that they stay inside, the children were a little better. They had many questions, but she had no answers for them. Elizabeth knew that the kids needed to burn off some energy of they were going to be impossible that afternoon. She ate her lunch and was trying to think of an indoor game that the children could play. Elizabeth was still thinking about what they could do when Nellie and Laura approached her desk. They let Elizabeth know that some of the younger
children were worried. Elizabeth decided that she would call the class back together and read the younger ones a story to help get their minds off what was happening since no one had any answers.
Jack wasn't expecting the Mounties from Benson Hills until later, so he jumped when there was a knock at the door. He was even more surprised to see Superintendent Collins and three other Mounties standing there. Jack knew that they needed to talk, but there really wasn't a place that they could all sit then he remembered the mining office was still empty, but he didn't want to go there. Jack just hoped that Abigail understood when he asked to borrow her office. He opened his desk and grabbed a few things. He also grabbed the map that they had been looking at earlier. He put it in is messenger bag along with the folder of statements and reports about Price and Taylor. He also then grabbed all the messages that had been sent and received, with the exception of communications directly with Wynn. Jack stood and nodded to Bill.
"Superintendent Collins." Jack said. "We need to talk, but not here. I have a place that we can talk privately. I promise to let you know everything that is going on."
"I was hoping that we could get a bite to eat before we talk." Collins said.
"McGinty." Jack said. "Will you run to the cafe and let Clara or Mary know to make some more sandwiches. You can take that basket back and let them refill it. Please apologize and have Clara put it on my account."
"Where should I bring it when it is ready?" McGinty asked.
Jack stepped closer to Joe and whispered to him where he would be. McGinty nodded and then left for the cafe. Jack lead Collins and the other men to the mayor's office. When Jack knocked and entered, Abigail was surprised. Jack quickly explained that he needed somewhere private to talk and this was pretty much his only option at this point. Abigail quickly put her things away and welcomed the men into her office. She let Jack know that she would head to the cafe and help get their lunch ready. Before she left, she put on a pot of coffee and showed Jack where the cups were.
Collins and the men each accepted a cup of coffee and sat down at the table in Abigail's office. Once she had left, Jack quickly explained about Price and Taylor. He showed Collins the statements, reports and the information that had been gathered.
As Jack was showing Collins the information, McGinty came in with a basket of food, he set it down and quickly left. Jack also then shared his thoughts about Price and/or Taylor working with or at least giving information to the Garrisons. He told Collins about the recent campfire sights and showed him the map. He explained that he had come across a couple and also that Mr Coulter had informed him about some. Finally Jack shared about what had happened with the note and that they had wired Benson Hills for immediate help and were waiting on them. Collins checked with Jack on a couple of things and then leaned back in though as he finished his lunch. The men had ate while Jack had been talking.
"I think that it will be okay to release the children." Collins said. "Best to explain to them to head right home and stay close to their homes that evening."
"What about Price and Taylor?" Jack asked.
"They are better where they are right now." Collins said. "It will be easier to control things if they are in the jail and not out traveling with us. Go let Ms Thatcher know about the children."
"It is Mrs Thornton now." Jack said. "I will. I had told her not to let the children go until she heard from me."
"Didn't know that you had gotten married." Collins said.
"We got married at Christmas." Jack said. "Headquarters was notified."
"Fine." Collins said. "Let's let the mayor have her office back."
Jack started cleaning up the wrappers and cups from the men's lunch. He put everything back in the basket. Collins and the others stood to leave when Collins turned back to Jack.
"What happened to that other mayor – Gowen." Collins asked.
"He was killed sir." Jack said.
Jack didn't want to get into everything had happened, but figured that Collins knew more then he was saying about the matter. He looked at Collins and saw him just shrug.
"I don't know how many rooms Sam has at the saloon hotel." Jack said. "But if you and your men want to check, then get settled that would good."
Collins just looked at his men and they nodded. They knew that Collins would be getting a room and the rest of them if there was room. Jack finished picking up the table and headed to the cafe to let Abigail know that they were done. He watched Collins and the other three Mounties head to the saloon.
