At high-noon Nathan Grant walked into the 'Queen. of Hearts'. It was a slow day, that is to say, Lucas had closed the saloon for the day. This was a scheduled meeting between the two men. Nathan walked past the tables and the bar to Lucas's office. Nathan knocked on the door, then, upon Lucas's invitation, entered.
"Alright Bouchard", Nathan said, tossing the altered Warrant onto his desk, "what's going on"?
2 Months Ago
(italic dialogue is french)
"No, you cannot come...I don't care, I'm done with you and your life...bastard"!
Elizabeth watched with empathy as Lucas slammed the receiver down.
"Pardon my French", he said calmly, although his demeanor and aura was anything but calm.
"If you don't mind, Elizabeth, I'm going to have to decline your offer. I need to be alone right now".
Elizabeth said nothing as she pulled him down to sit next to her.
"What if i stayed with you instead".
He smiled somberly and shook his head.
Present - Nathan's Office
"That, Constable Grant, was the last time i talked to my biological father".
"Does Elizabeth know anything about this"?
"No...and for her sake, and the child's, she can't know".
"But you've already put her in danger by courting her".
"I never thought he would find me".
"You're a smart guy, Bouchard, you must have known he was looking for you"!?
Looking Nathan dead in the eye, Lucas opened his shirt to reveal a scarred chest with three bullet wounds that had scarred over.
"After putting three bullets in me and dumping me in the Seine I never expected to see him again, let alone think that he would come looking for a dead man".
"Lucas I'm..."
"Save it Grant. I'm not after your pity, Francois Dupont jr. died in the river. What I do want, however, is to find that bastard. I need your help, Nathan. If not for me, then do it for Elizabeth".
Nathan nodded. "You're right. We need to stop him. Do you know what he's coming here for"?
"Besides finishing what he started"?
Nathan stood still, his face an emotionless mask.
"I do".
Lucas grabbed his desk lamp and led Nathan through the back of the saloon. He led him into the large ice box and slid open the back wall, revealing a large sea chest.
"No one else knows about this, not even Gustave", he said, pulling on the heavy chest. Nathan reached down and pulled with Lucas. As the chest fell with a thud Lucas reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a key. The lock creaked open and Licas threw back the lid. Inside the chest was stacks upon stacks of French currency.
"After I 'died' I made my way to New York. Dupont had an operation set up where he would convert Immigrants money into U.S. dollars, keeping a healthy cut for himself of course. He was bleeding those people dry of all they had. So, one night, I snuck into the warehouse where he kept the money that was to be shipped back to France and I bagged up all the money I could and set fire to the building. I left the money with the rightful owners and I kept Dupont's own money for myself. It helped me make a new life for myself".
"So that's what all this has been about", Nathan asked, glaring at Lucas, "two years of deceit"?
"Speak for yourself", Lucas fired back, standing toe to toe with Nathan, "you kept your dirty little secret from Elizabeth for just as long".
"Who's the one who put her in danger because of it".
Lucas pulled back.
"You're right, and fight ing about it isn't going to solve anything".
"So, we give it back".
"We can't 'just' give it back. We give it back he'll kill us just the same".
"So, what do you suggest".
"Simple, we kill him".
Elizabeth and Allie stared as Nathan and Lucas both walked out of the saloon, shook hands, and parted ways. As he passed by he looked at Elizabeth and pulled her aside.
"Some businesses has come up for Lucas in Cape Fullerton, I'm going with him to make sure everything goes smoothly".
"With Lucas? Lucas Bouchard"?
"Is there another Lucas that I'm not aware of", Nathan teased, raising an eyebrow, "just how many men do you have wrapped around your fingers"?
"More than enough, Nathan Grant", she retorted, playfully punching his arm, "you'll be safe, won't you"?
"My my, Mrs. Thornton. Here I thought it was Lucas you'd be worried about".
"Nathan I'm serious. I know very well what's in Cape Fullerton".
Nathan stopped where he was, stunned.
"How do you know what's there"?
Elizabeth smiled fondly.
"When he first got here, back when this was Coal Valley, Jack wanted more than anything to be in Cape Fullerton, chasing pirates and whiskey runners".
Nathan tried his best to keep his composure as he smiled. It was a smile that was small.
"So, obviously I need to make sure that the little prince doesn't get hurt". It was a half hearted joke. Elizabeth just smiled sadly at him and place her hand on his.
"Whatever you're keeping from me, I trust that it is important".
Nathan nodded, taking her hand in his. "Lucas and I will explain when we return".
Elizabeth's heart froze in her chest as she looked deep bbn into his eyes. Finally she recognized what she had been feeling all along, a feeling so familiar, yet foreign that she thought it had died with Jack.
"Nathan..I...I Lo..."...
"NATHAN", Lucas shouted from the general store, "NATHAN"!
Nathan nudged Newton forward, moving quickly across the way.
"Nathan, it's too late, Dupont is on his way here. And he's got ten men with him".
Nathan's heart sank. With sad eyes he turned back to Elizabeth.
"How long"?
"A day or two".
Nathan thought for a moment.
"Alright, I've got a plan. We make it look like you've run, go up to the old cabin on the mountain".
"And then what, we fight them? Nathan, we're just two men. Taking him out in Cape Fullertonwas one thing, but this is suicide, and we don't have enough time to get more Mounties for back up".
"How about an old man"?
Lucas and Nathan turned to see Bill Avery walk up.
"Couldn't help but over hear that you b ou ys are I a bit of a mess".
"Bill, you don't need to get yourself mixed up in this".
"The hell I don't, if Elizabeth is in danger it's my business. Besides Nathan, I may have retired the surge, but not the oath. I've got a duty as Sherriff and judge to see that justice is done".