Bill's Reaction – Chapter 29
The remainder of Nathan's train trip went by quickly and without incident. He made sure he was rested for whatever faced him once he reported for duty and soaked in the panoramic views of the Prairies as the train travelled East. He even managed to write a postcard to Allie back in Hope Valley and posted it right from the train. Never one for writing letters, he was sure she would be surprised to receive it. He hoped she was doing well with the Coulters. He would call once a telephone was accessible, but for now a postcard would have to do.
Before he knew it, it was Saturday and the three-day train trip was ending. Before reaching the final stop, he returned to his cabin and dressed in the Serge. Although he was not officially ordered to report until Monday, he needed to secure accommodations at the Mountie barracks, and that meant dressing in uniform. Once dressed, he reached into the breast pocket of the Serge jacket and confirmed the Thatcher address was still securely there. Bill was right though; he had memorized the phone number. That thought made him smile to himself.
Upon arrival at the train station in Hamilton, the two constables were the last passengers to disembark.
Nathan was just wondering about transportation to the barracks, when Stephen joined him and said, "Nathan, I don't know what your immediate plans are, but as a courtesy, the new Mountie taking over my role on the train arranged for transportation for the both of us to Mountie HQ. Unless you have made alternate arrangements…."
Nathan nodded gratefully and replied, "Thanks, Stephen. I accept your kind offer. I was just wondering how I was going to get there."
Just as Nathan spoke, he was surprised to see an official NWMP vehicle pulling up to the curb, and Sam Collins himself behind the wheel. Nathan mused to himself 'if the Chief Superintendent was picking up two Mounties on temporary assignment, especially on the weekend, this was important.'
The Chief leaned his head out the window and greeted both men, "Constables, welcome. Please stow your luggage in the trunk and join me in the car. Constable Grant, please join me up front and Constable Michaels there's a spot for you in the back."
After both men were settled in their respective positions, the chief pulled away from the depot. A short while later, the chief had driven to the service entrance of the Mountie Headquarters.
Chief Collins saw the surprised expression on both their faces and began to explain.
"I'm sure you both are wondering why we are using the service entrance. In your position, I would be wondering, too. I need to debrief you both and wish to keep it as private as possible. If I had been thinking, I would have told you both not to dress in Serge." He took a breath and continued, "You will have gathered by now this is no ordinary case."
The two constables grabbed their luggage from the trunk. They followed the chief in silence as they took the elevator up to the fifth floor and walked through the rarely used side door of the Chief's office. The chief pointed them towards an empty closet, where they could stow their luggage.
The two junior officers assumed a stance at attention, but Chief Collins invited them to be at ease and to join him at the seating area across from his desk. "Constables, I wanted privacy to confidentially inform you that Superintendent Andrew Hargraves has been relieved of duty, pending a full inquiry into his command decisions. There has been yet another incident under his command that put more Mountie lives at risk. We are here to serve and protect, not destroy."
"The details of the recent event are not to be discussed amongst the ranks, therefore, only Assistant Deputy Commissioner Edwards and myself and those above us in rank are aware of the severity of the circumstances. However, I will state it is only by the Grace of God, the outcome was not far worse than it was. As we proceed with the inquiry, we must also examine his involvement in past events which is why we have called the two of you here now."
"My apologies for all the 'cloak and dagger,' however, due to the high priority and sensitive nature of the investigation, it is critical that this remains confidential. I also don't want Hargraves' defense to know the identity of our potential witnesses. It is never easy to discipline one of our own. Regrettably, I have asked you both to come to testify of your knowledge in the Fort Clay incident, as that will be part of the investigation against Hargraves.
Turning to Stephen Michaels, Chief Collins said, "Now, Constable Michaels, I have been advised you were present at Fort Clay the day of the landslide and have firsthand knowledge of certain events. You were there as part of your recruit training and are prepared to tell us your version of events. Is that correct?"
Michaels responded solemnly, "Yes, Sir."
"Please follow me." Chief Collins excused himself from Nathan to escort the young constable to the small meeting room down the hall, where a trusted stenographer was waiting.
Speaking to Constable Michaels, he kindly told him, "If you would please tell the stenographer your story, she will have it typed up in no time, for your signature. Share all of the details you yourself witnessed on the day of the accident at Fort Clay and especially include what you saw and overheard in the office prior to departing for the field exercise."
He instructed the stenographer to bring Michaels back to his office when they were finished, and then returned to his office, where Nathan awaited.
Once Collins was settled behind his desk again, he turned to Nathan with heavy but determined eyes.
"Constable Grant, I know what happened at Fort Clay. I am sorry to make you relive those memories, however, as one of the senior officers there that day, other than Hargraves and Thornton of course, I will need your sworn testimony at the inquiry. That means telling your story – for the record – again. We need your sworn deposition and, if this goes to trial and I suspect it will, you will be required to take the stand and speak to the chain of events."
Chief Collins continued on to Nathan, "Constable Michaels' testimony will be important as corroboration to your testimony in the Fort Clay incident; however, he was not an actual participant in the events of the day. That is one reason why I escorted him out of the room. You were a direct participant and as such I need to hear your story now straight from you."
Nathan nodded. "Yes, Sir." he replied professionally. The last thing he wanted to do was participate in this inquiry, but he didn't see any other choice. It was his duty.
Chief Collins also advised Nathan, "I also wanted to advise you privately that your suspension under Hargraves is also under review. You may be called to speak to the incident that led to your suspension. I can't promise your record will be expunged, but all of Hargraves' past command decisions are being reviewed by senior officers."
Nathan was quiet for a moment, cleared his throat, and had glassy eyes as he thanked the chief. In one respect, it would be nice to have his record cleared; but even with a correction to his record, Jack Thornton was still not coming home.
Chief Collins, unaware of Nathan's internal struggle, called in another stenographer and Nathan was prompted to tell his side of the story starting with his suspension by Hargraves for arresting the cattle rustlers, to being replaced as the training officer by Jack Thornton. He continued with the condition of the area on the day of the training session, his appeal to Hargraves to cancel the training event. Nathan concluded with his formal telephone appeal to Chief Superintendent Collins, which went unanswered until it was too late. By the time his call had been returned, Constable Thornton was deceased, leaving behind a wife and child.
Chief Collins spoke directly to the stenographer. "Please strike everything from the record after the word 'deceased.' Although what Constable Grant said is true, that information was not part of his first-hand account on the day in question. The last thing we want is Hargraves to walk on a technicality!"
The stenographer made the noted correction. Upon completion of the document, she left the room to type the affidavit for Nathan's signature.
Once the two men were alone in the office, Collins seemed unsure how to approach the next subject. He was acting on his wife's assessment from her visit with Elizabeth. This could get interesting.
He cleared his throat and looked pointedly at Nathan. "Constable Grant, there is another matter of a rather delicate nature. As you may know, Constable Thornton's widow is currently in Hamilton on vacation. She is looking for answers in her husband's death – answers she should have been given years ago. Prior to the inquiry starting, I would like her to be apprised there is an inquiry taking place and given the option to attend, should she wish to do so. She has been in contact with me, however, I wonder if this news might be better received if delivered by a Mountie she has a connection with. The Mounties did her a disservice once by not disclosing all we could about her husband's death. I do not want that to happen again. Since you are the assigned Mountie for Hope Valley, will you consider reaching out to Mrs. Thornton in Hamilton and gently break this news to her?"
By Divine Providence, Nathan had met Constable Michaels on the train so he was aware Elizabeth had been asking questions about Jack's death. Still, the chief's request made him uneasy for more than one reason. Nathan swallowed twice and then cleared his throat signaling his discomfort; however, he knew an answer was required. It took all of Nathan's training to keep his eyes focussed on his superior officer. He rose to attention in front of the chief and asked, "Permission to speak freely, Sir?"
Collins was pretty sure he knew what was coming next, so he granted the request with a nod of his head.
Nathan said a quick, silent prayer for understanding, before continuing with, "If you are looking to soften the blow for Elizabeth – er, I mean Mrs. Thornton – perhaps another constable should be selected. As you are aware, Sir, her husband replaced me at Fort Clay and as a result, he never came home. I am not sure it would be beneficial to Mrs. Thornton for this announcement to come from the man who avoided the landslide that caused her husband's death."
Nathan braced himself for the rebuke that was sure to follow. He knew he could be charged with insubordination.
The chief got up and walked around his office. He could hardly contain his smile, but could not let Nathan see that. Collins thought to himself, 'Hmm – so Edna was right – she just didn't know how right she was!" Edna was sure Elizabeth was in love with Nathan Grant. What she didn't know was, he was head over heels for her, too. For an officer to turn down an official request from a superior officer took a lot of guts – something he respected. However, he couldn't let it go without some form of reproach, no matter how slight. He allowed the Constable to stew in his juices for several minutes while he pretended to weigh the matter.
When he finally returned behind his desk, he continued to stand.
Chief Collins spoke, "Very well Constable, I understand your position and in truth, it is one I had not considered. However, you must understand my position. Mrs. Thornton must be advised of this inquiry before it commences and given the opportunity to attend, if she chooses. Given your stand, do you have any recommendation on how we complete this task?"
Nathan was reluctant to get involved in this at all. He and Elizabeth could be at the start of something special between them; he knew in his heart he did not want their new beginning to be entangled with his involvement in an investigation connected with her husband's death. Once again, he felt pressed between a rock and a hard place, as he had with the aftermath of Fort Clay and his growing love for Elizabeth. Just as they had moved past that, would it rise to threaten them again?
He also knew the chief expected his assistance and was awaiting a reply.
Thankfully, an idea came to mind. He suggested notification be made by Constable Stephen Michaels. "It is my understanding, Sir, that Elizabeth connected with Constable Michaels on her trip home. I believe it was she who provided you with that information, if I am correct. I also met him on the train here, as you now know, and we spent some time together."
The chief mulled this over, "Well, this is a rather unique situation. You are correct, it was Mrs. Thornton who gave us Constable Michaels' name. Very well, I will ask him to notify Mrs. Thornton. A simple phone call will suffice."
Nathan knew he was pushing the boundaries, but still felt the need to make this suggestion. "Sir, would it be possible for Constable Michaels to simply inform Elizabeth – Mrs. Thornton – this afternoon of the place, date and time of the inquiry and no other details? Once she has had time to think things over, at her discretion, she may call you directly with any questions?"
Once again, Chief Collins realized the depth of Nathan Grant's love for this woman. He promptly agreed to Nathan's request and called Constable Michaels in to issue the order.
Chief Collins wondered how long it would take Nathan to contact Mrs. Thornton himself. He suspected, there would be a call made tonight.
Thanks to Mamabethany for her time in helping me write this story.