"The Arraignment"
Friday in Hope Valley was cold and windy. The warm days may be over until spring, or it could be that the weather just seemed to mimic the mood in town. It wasn't long before word got around Hope Valley that four men had been arrested after the Town Council meeting the night before. No one knew what had happened or why, other than the fact that the Council was discussing a confidential economic development proposal. Rosemary remembered her deal with Bill, but she couldn't get a word out of Lee when he returned home from the meeting. Rosemary also tried talking to Elizabeth, her dearest friend, who also would not tell her a single thing.
"Lee Coulter, are you going to tell me what's going on this morning? Elizabeth wouldn't say anything either. I went looking for Bill last night, and I couldn't find him," said Rosemary.
Under his breath Lee muttered, "He was probably hiding."
"What was that, Lee? Did you say something? Well, I'm sorry I won't have time to make your breakfast this morning. I need to go see Bill. He promised me an exclusive for the Valley Voice, and I'm going to make sure he keeps his word." With that, Rosemary put on her coat and hat and headed off to Bill's Office. It was early, and no one had been out in town yet. "It just figures. Why is no one around for me to find out what is going on in my own town?" Rosemary was out of breath when she knocked on Bill's office door and walked in without waiting for an invitation.
"Rosemary, come on in. I figured you'd be here first thing this morning. Here, sit down. I have coffee and muffins from the café. We'll talk," said Bill.
Rosemary and Bill sat at his conference table. "Bill, you remember you promised me an exclusive. I don't know what happened at the Town Council meeting last night. Lee won't tell me and neither will Elizabeth. Are you going to keep your promise and fill me in?" asked Rosemary.
"Yes, I will keep my promise. I always do. However," Rosemary interrupted Bill.
"However, what? Just tell me what happened, Bill."
"However, Rosemary, I can't say anything yet. The four men that Nathan and Gabe arrested," Rosemary interrupted again.
"Four men? Gabe is in town? Why did I not know about this, Bill?"
"I'll tell you if you just stop interrupting me." Rosemary cleared her throat and motioned for Bill to continue. "There was a Town Council meeting last night. They met in Executive Session on a matter regarding economic development. The Council can meet in Executive Session Rosemary. Check Robert's Rules of Order," said Bill.
"Never mind Robert's Rules, Bill. Well, what happened?"
"I'm getting to that. All I can tell you right now is that four men were arrested last night after the Council meeting. They are being held at the jail here in Hope Valley. They will be arraigned at 1 o'clock in my office. Their legal counsel is expected here this morning. Until they are officially charged and arraigned, I'm afraid I can't say anything. You are welcome to come to the arraignment. In the meantime, I'm going to ask you to be patient. Don't go to the jail. Don't go to the saloon and question Lucas, and please don't ask anyone on the Town Council. No one can talk to you yet. I promise you will learn about everything at the arraignment, and I will speak to you after that. There will be more to come after the arraignment. Remember I told you this could be big? Well, it is. I spoke to Mountie Headquarters and my contact in the Canadian government last night. It wasn't easy, but I got through. The Mounties will be here for the arraignment as will a legal representative of the government. Bring plenty of paper and pencils, Rosemary. You'll need them. Now here, try a muffin. I got them at the café just for you."
"I don't know what to say, Bill. The muffin is good. Not as good as my muffins, mind you. That's a matter for me to take up with Clara another time. However, I do appreciate you keeping your promise, and I'll keep mine. If it's as big as you say, I'm sure all the major newspapers in the province, and maybe the entire country, will be calling me. This will put the Valley Voice on the map. Thank you, Bill for the information and the breakfast. I'll be back at 1 o'clock." With that, Rosemary got up from her seat, with a flourish as only Rosemary can, and proudly walked down the street.
"Rosemary, yoo hoo, Rosemary," yelled Florence. "What is going on in this town? There's been a lot of telephone calls made and received, and everyone is whispering. I saw Hickam this morning, and he ran off when I tried to call him. What is going on?"
"Florence, I promise you'll read about everything in the Valley Voice. I can't say anything right now, but Bill is going to give me an exclusive when he can speak about it. The residents of Hope Valley will hear about it first. That I can promise you," and Rosemary turned and continued walking to Lee's office, leaving a bewildered Florence behind.
"Lee, I'm glad you're here. No, don't say anything. Just listen, please. I'm very sorry I was abrupt with you this morning. I've been to see Bill. He promised me an exclusive for the Valley Voice this afternoon. I know you couldn't say anything, and I respect you for that. Will you forgive me?" asked Rosemary.
"Of course I forgive you, sweetheart. I'm glad you understand why I couldn't say anything."
"I do, and I'm sorry for being so persistent about it. Bill has invited me to the arraignment this afternoon. Then I'll need to come back here and write everything up for the Valley Voice. I need to get the newspaper out by morning. Do you think you could get dinner for us from the café, and we can at least eat together tonight? I'll be here most of the night. Oh, I have to contact Robert so he can get the papers out in the morning when he delivers the mail. Thank you, Lee. You are a dear, and I love you." Lee just smiled. Rosemary could be a handful, but Lee loved her.
The morning flew by. Rosemary couldn't eat lunch, even though Lee brought her a chicken salad sandwich from the café. It was always her favorite. She packed up her pad of paper and plenty of sharp pencils, put everything in her bag and off she went to Bill's office. She waved to people she saw on the street, but did not stop and talk. She wanted to arrive in plenty of time to get a seat and get organized.
"Rosemary, you're early," said Bill.
"I am. I wanted to be sure I had a good place to sit so I could see and hear everything clearly. I think I'll sit right here. Thank you, Bill."
Precisely at 1 o'clock, the door to Bill's office opened. Nathan and Gabe brought in four handcuffed men. One of the men looked like the man Elizabeth spoke to at Lee's lumber camp. Rosemary also recognized Walden and Spurlock, and there was a fourth man she didn't know. There were several other gentlemen, including two high-ranking Mounties in uniform. The four handcuffed men and four men in suits sat in front of Bill's desk, facing him. Nathan and Gabe stood on either side of Bill's desk. The two high-ranking Mounties and possibly the man from the government sat behind them. Nathan asked everyone to be quiet, so Judge Avery could begin the proceedings.
"Good afternoon. I'm Judge Bill Avery, and we are here to officially charge and arraign these four men. Do you all have legal representation, gentlemen?" Each nodded. "Very well. We'll begin." Bill gave a verbal narrative of what had transpired over the past two days. "Mr. Cathcutter, would you please stand. You are being charged today with six counts of bribery of a public official and conspiracy. How do you plead?"
Cathcutter's attorney said, "Not guilty, Your Honor." Blackmore and Walden were each charged with conspiracy and aiding and abetting and also pled not guilty.
"Mr. Spurlock, I find it especially difficult to charge a Pinkerton of a crime, but even you are not above the law. You are charged with conspiracy, aiding and abetting and two counts of intimidation. I'm appalled that you would threaten two minor children. How do you plead?" asked Bill.
"Not guilty, Your Honor," stated Spurlock.
"We take corruption very seriously here, gentlemen. This is a good town with good people. We'd like it to stay that way. The two officers from Mountie Headquarters and Constable Kinslow will be escorting you to Mountie Headquarters in furtherance of this investigation. You can be sure that they will be looking at other land deals you have made as well as paying a visit to your facilitator, so to speak, in the provincial government. The land that you are holding and own, Mr. Walden, cannot be sold or transferred until this investigation and trial has been completed. You will be held at Headquarters without bail on these and potentially additional charges." Bill banged his new gavel, a gift from Nathan and Allie, and the defendants were led out into the waiting wagon.
"Nathan, great job. Thank you for all your help. I'll be writing a letter to Mountie Headquarters about both you and Gabe and your actions in this case." Nathan shook Bill's hand and left. "OK, Rosemary. It's your turn. Let's go sit down at the table, and I'll give you your exclusive. I'm afraid you may be up most of the night getting your story ready for the morning paper."
"Bill, this is an opportunity of a lifetime. OK, I'm ready. Tell me everything."