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And the Heart is Home

Chapter 13

"Do you know how long this case has dragged on?" Bill Avery was barking frustratedly into his telephone as he sat at his office desk. "Since...since..." he faltered, waving his head and trying to remember dates. Suddenly Molly Sullivan appeared at his side and placed an open folder in front of him. She reached down and pointed at a specific spot. Bill's eyes followed her hand, her gesture supplying the information he needed. "Since February 19th!" he barked into the phone. "Now I want this resolved and soon! You get your act together and be in court on Friday!" he ordered, then briskly hung up the phone, his eyes glancing up at Molly as she stooped to retrieve the folder, closing it, then neatly refiling it in the cabinet near the wall.

Bill didn't know why he was surprised anymore. Surprised at the way Molly anticipated his every need, sometimes even before he did. Like now, when he'd been speaking with the district attorney about a case and he'd suddenly needed the date, and she'd been right there to hand it to him. In mid-conversation even.

It was almost eerie how well she knew him, how smoothly they had settled into their working relationship. Like a well-oiled machine, Bill thought wryly. And in all honesty, he didn't know how he'd managed before her. Well, maybe he did. And that was...not very well. Not very well at all.

"Elizabeth!" Bill Avery stood as Elizabeth Thornton entered his office, an enveloped clasped to her chest.

"Good morning, Bill. Good morning, Molly," Elizabeth acknowledged them both. Her voice dropped just a tad as she asked, "Bill, I wonder if I might speak with you about something."

"Of course!" Bill replied, as almost immediately Molly reached for a stack of letters on her desk.

"Bill, I think I'll just take these letters to the post office. If you'll excuse me?" she asked, as Bill nodded and Molly moved away, giving a slight smile to Elizabeth as she passed.

So, she was perceptive too, that Molly, Bill thought, realizing Molly had vacated herself because she sensed Elizabeth had something important to discuss with him.

"Now, what is it Elizabeth? Do you want to sit down?" he asked, indicating a nearby chair, but Elizabeth shook her head, wanting to get right to it now that she'd decided to ask Bill for his help. She didn't like this...falling out with Nathan, didn't like it at all. She wanted to move past it, but to do that she needed answers and if Nathan wouldn't give them to her she would try somewhere else. She would try Bill.

"Bill, I want to show you something," she began, pulling out the photograph of Jack and Nathan's graduating class and handing it to him. "It's something Superintendent O'Reilly gave me."

Bill studied the photograph Elizabeth handed him then let out a low whistle. He looked over at Elizabeth for explanation.

"It's Jack's graduating class, from the academy," she told him. "Nathan's too," she added, already knowing Bill had recognized both men. "Bill, did you know they graduated together? That they knew each other?"

Bill was shaking his head, this was all news to him.

"And Jack never mentioned Nathan to you? You never heard him speak of him?" Elizabeth continued. Again, Bill shook his head no.

"No, Elizabeth, I had no idea they knew each other. Did you show this to Nathan? What did he say?" Bill asked.

"He admitted he and Jack had attended the academy together, but he wouldn't tell me more. He wouldn't tell me why he'd never mentioned it or the fact he'd known Jack. He said they lost touch after graduating and he'd never seen him in the ten years after. I just don't understand it Bill, why he wouldn't tell me he knew him?" Elizabeth said.

But Bill was wondering too. It was like the old detective in him was awakened, with a mystery to solve, clues given and facts to be found. "Elizabeth, I'm going to look into this. Can you leave this with me?" he indicated the photograph in his hands.

Elizabeth breathed in relief, she had hoped he'd offer his help. She nodded yes to him about keeping the photo. "Thank you, Bill," she said, then turned to go.

Bill Avery studied the photograph in his hands a moment longer. He still had a few connections at Mountie headquarters. He could make a few calls. Ask a few questions. And the photograph. If what Elizabeth said was true and Jack and Nathan had had no contact since their days at the academy then whatever this was about had happened there. At the academy. Bill looked down at the photograph. There were 12 of them in the picture, their names conveniently printed below. One was dead and one wasn't speaking. That left 10 others. Ten others he could question for information.

All he had to do was find them.