"Making Amends"
Nathan and Gabe were grateful for a good night's sleep. The food in the dining hall was actually pretty good. Nathan agreed that it wasn't as good as Abigail's Café, and Gabe agreed it was not as good as Eleanor's meals at the New Hope Orphanage. Gabe even went so far as to tell Nathan that Eleanor's food was even better than what Ronnie Stewart served at the Brookfield Hotel.
Gabe was anxious to start his assignment training new recruits. It was something he always wanted to do. He felt it was important, so that the recruits could stay as safe as possible in the performance of their duties. Gabe often thought about the Mounties who trained him. At the time he wasn't very fond of any of them. Looking back on the experience, he realized that they did what they had to in order to uphold the tradition of excellence that the Mounties were known for and to keep him safe under any circumstances. Gabe wanted to do the same for a new generation of Mounties.
Nathan was not looking forward to being at Headquarters. He dreaded meeting with Superintendent Hargraves, even though he knew he had done everything by the book in both the land scheme and the armed robbery. He thought about the prisoner escape a year ago and thought he had done everything by the book then. In the end it all worked out, but at the time, he had serious doubts about his future career with the Mounties.
Allie had changed Nathan's ambitions. They shifted. He remembered that at one time, he wanted to take all the difficult assignments for the adventure and to advance his career. He thought he would eventually work towards a leadership position possibly at Headquarters. When Allie came to live with him and when he was assigned to the sleepy little town of Hope Valley, he accepted the fact that his career may not equal his ambition. He had no idea how rewarding being Allie's adopted father would be.
Hope Valley had everything Nathan wanted. The town is beautiful with kind, supportive people. His position as the town's Mountie gave him all the excitement he hoped for, and Allie was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He smiled every time he thought of the spunky little girl who was turning into a lovely young lady.
"Constable Grant. Constable Grant," prodded Constable Thornton." "I'm sorry. You seemed far away."
"Constable Thornton, good morning. I apologize."
"Superintendent Hargraves can see you now. You can go right in his office."
"Thank you."
Nathan reluctantly got up from his chair, took a deep breath and walked into Superintendent Hargraves' office. "Sir, good morning."
"Constable Grant. It's good to see you. Uh, did you have a pleasant trip from Hope Valley?"
"Yes, sir. It was fine, thank you."
"Good. Glad to hear it. We asked you here, as you know, to testify on the land scheme. The crown prosecutor is due here momentarily. He has already reviewed all the pertinent materials, but he wanted to meet with you. The case is being heard Monday. You won't need to be present the entire time. We could use your help with the new recruits."
"Certainly, sir. I'm glad to do that."
"Good. Thank you, Constable. Here's the prosecutor now. Mr. Johnson, do come in. I'd like to introduce you to Constable Nathan Grant. Constable, this is Seth Johnson, the crown prosecutor."
"Mr. Johnson, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"And you, Constable Grant. I've read your reports and all the materials I have been sent. That was quite excellent work. I'm impressed. You took a hunch and managed to expose an extensive network of criminals. You've been the subject of much admiration around my office, sir," said Mr. Johnson.
"I was just doing my job. Actually, Judge Bill Avery and Constable Gabe Kinslow were crucial to solving this case as well," responded Nathan.
"Yes, so I've heard. Constable Kinslow is here at Headquarters too, I understand."
"Yes, he is. He's training recruits. If you need him, he's nearby," said Hargraves.
"That's good. We won't need him right at the moment. I hope you'll both be able to stay for at least a week, or possibly more. You need to be here in case you're called by the defense as well."
"He'll be here; actually, they both will be," replied Hargraves.
"Good. Shall we sit and talk, gentlemen?"
The three men sat and discussed the case against Wyman Walden and his associates. Nathan was able to clarify the questions the prosecutor had as well as prepare Nathan for both his questions and potential questions from the defense.
"Walden has an excellent solicitor defending him. Money may buy him a good defense, but as the former American President James Garfield said, 'The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.' I believe we should expect that, gentlemen," said Johnson. "Constable Grant, your testimony will be critical to a successful prosecution. I know Walden and his associates are guilty. It's going to be our job to prove that."
"I welcome the chance, sir," said Nathan.
"That's what I want to hear, Constable. Thank you. Superintendent Hargraves, I believe we're finished here. I will see you both at the trial Monday morning. In the meantime, if either of you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me day or night."
"Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Good day to you, sir," said Hargraves.
Mr. Johnson took his satchel and left the office. Nathan and Hargraves were both standing, and Nathan realized that he wasn't quite sure what to do next. Hargraves seemed perplexed as well.
"Constable Grant, do you have a moment to sit and talk? I'd like to get something straight."
"Yes, sir?"
"Please sit." Nathan and Hargraves sat back down at the conference table, and Nathan realized he was clamping his jaw—a sign that he was feeling uneasy. "Can I offer you some coffee, Constable?"
"No, sir. Thank you. I'm fine."
"Very well. I'll get right to it. I need to apologize to you for the way I've treated you in the past. I'm not sure why I seemed to take things out on you so severely. At first I told myself it was because you reminded me of myself when I was a young Mountie—honest, full of ambition and willing to take a chance to get the job done. At some point, and I'm not sure when it happened, I began to resent you. I think because you reminded me of my younger self. I could imagine you advancing through the ranks and attaining greatness. I stumbled along the way and never did achieve the greatness I expected. Since your hearing in Hope Valley, my wife noticed that I hadn't been myself. She strongly encouraged me to examine my behavior towards you. Of course, I was stubborn and would not admit that I had done anything wrong. Then we were sitting in church one Sunday morning. The pastor's sermon was about forgiveness. 'Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.' Ephesians 4:31-32. Then I knew what I had done—had done to you. Nathan, I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm going to ask for it."
"Sir?"
"I'm sorry for being so hard on you and for finding fault where fault did not exist."
"Sir, you were doing your job. Nothing more. Nothing less."
"I respectfully disagree, Constable. I promised God, and my wife—in that order—that I would ask for your forgiveness."
"Well, sir, I wouldn't want to upset or disappoint either God or your wife. Yes, sir. I forgive you. I say that with a however, though. Sir, you being tough on me made me a better Mountie. It made me stronger in spirit. The hearing in Hope Valley was the lowest part of my life. I really didn't care about my future as a Mountie, and I didn't care about myself either. When Allie came into the hearing and spoke on my behalf, as eloquently as she did, I knew I had to fight—not just for myself, but for her and her future. I was grateful then, and still am now, that the charges were dropped."
"Thank you, Constable." Hargraves took a deep breath. "I guess I can face God and my wife with a clear conscience now. What do you think?"
"Yes, sir. I think so."
Superintendent Hargraves shook Nathan's hand and embraced him. It was in that moment that each man thought of the other as the son he never had and the father that he should have had.
"Well, no matter the outcome of this case, you will be properly recognized by the Mounties for your outstanding service. You deserve it, Constable."
"That's not necessary, sir. I was just doing my job."
"Somehow I knew you'd say that. Nevertheless, you will be recognized. I believe you will also be given your choice of assignments as well. Do you have a preference?"
"Sir, if it's all the same to you, I'd like to stay in Hope Valley. My niece, Allie, is settled there. She's doing extremely well in school, and I wouldn't want that to change, sir, not for any assignment. I would appreciate staying in Hope Valley."
"Most Mounties would say they'd rather be where the action is, but you prefer Hope Valley, Constable? I can see that. Your niece is a very lucky young lady to have someone care for her the way you do."
"I'm the lucky one, sir. Allie made me see what is really important in life and what isn't."
"Is there also a young lady, perhaps, keeping you in Hope Valley?"
"Maybe, sir. I mean I hope so. She's new to Hope Valley—the local librarian. She's very special. Allie says we are kindred spirits. I think she's right, or at least I hope she is."
"Well, Constable, if your desire is to remain in Hope Valley, I'm certain we can arrange that. Now, I think I've taken up enough of your time. You are welcome to spend the rest of today and tomorrow officially on leave. Take a horse if you'd like to get out and see the area. I'm sure my wife would be happy to meet you if you would consider coming to church tomorrow."
"Yes, sir. I would be honored. Thank you."
"Then I'll see you in church. Good day, Constable."
"Good day, sir, and thank you."