Abigail had just finished putting scones in her basket and started out the door towards Elizabeth's when she heard Bill call out to her. She stopped waiting as he caught up catching an urgent tone in his voice.
"Abigail, I think we have a big problem because I got a wire from HQ but it's very cryptic and I don't fully understand it, but I've got a bad feeling. I think we had better talk to Elizabeth about Fort Clay."
When she mentioned that she and Rosemary were going to her home for tea he said "well then, I think you need to add that to your conversations. I don't think we should put it off any longer."
"Alright I will." Abigail said. She may have trust issues on a personal level with Bill but never questioned his Mountie instincts because they were usually spot on.
"I'm heading there right now though I was hoping to talk about something else entirely." He said a bit of sadness in his voice.
"Do you think it's going to be that bad Bill? Would you like me to come with you?"
As he thought about Abigail's offer, she asked "I thought Collins was working things out and his man there at Fort Clay was all over it."
"Oh he was all over it all right but according to some of my former Inspector friends he was working to prove that Jack and Nathan were the ones who screwed up and is determined to 'bring them to justice' so to speak. I think that's why there's still no pension that's been paid to Elizabeth yet."
"But he told us that they were not responsible for anything, and it was a horrible accident."
"Yes, he did and now he isn't responding to any of my calls or wires. I think something is about to happen and here in Hope Valley. I don't have much reason to think it, but I can't shake it. I also found out who the man is he left in charge that's running the investigation."
"Who?"
"One Superintendent Gary Thompson who is just as bad as Andrew Hargraves apparently. I don't know how I misjudged a man like I did Andrew because I mentored him at the Academy. He has to be working to help Andrew put the screws to Nathan."
"I'm going to leave it up to you Abigail if you want to come or not when I talk to Nathan."
"I think I had better just so I know what his thoughts are before going to Elizabeth's. But Bill, I think you should let me handle that one alone."
"I totally agree Abigail, but I'll still want to check on her later."
"Of course, you would, and I think you should. She will have questions that I won't be able to answer. I'll be there with Rosemary so should I tell her as well then?"
I think you should because of her close relationship to both Elizabeth and Jack. I'll go talk with Lee later after we see Nathan. I would bring him over now with us, but I think given that Nathan is a Mountie some things need to be kept private because it is an active investigation still." Abigail nodded her head in agreement. She understood that there were going to be things she couldn't discuss with any of the others even Elizabeth but that they needed to with Nathan. Since they saw Newton tied up, they knew Nathan was inside. As they walked through the door of the Mountie office, they felt a foreboding and as they looked at each other they knew they were doing the right thing.
"Good morning, Bill, Mayor Stanton? What can I do for you?" he said with a smile thinking they had come about last night. But one look at their face and seeing Abigail close and lock the door he knew something was wrong.
"What is it? What's happened? Is Allie, okay? Elizabeth and Jack?" he asked desperation creeping into his voice.
"Sit down son." Bill said before turning to draw a chair up for Abigail. He had intended to take the other one next to it leaving Nathan to have the one behind the desk. But when Nathan sat down ironically, he took the other one leaving Bill the one behind the desk.
"They are all fine Nathan" Abigail said. "We need to talk to you about Fort Clay and the latest developments." Abigail wanted to cry at seeing the smile on his face fall and a look of deep despair come over his features.
"Nathan, I received a cryptic wire this morning from HQ and though it really doesn't make sense I think we need to brace ourselves for trouble. I don't have confirmation but from what I've observed and with the information I've been told, and we already know, I believe we are going to have to reveal everything to Elizabeth."
"Oh Bill, but that could ruin everything! Do you think she will believe the truth or even more important will she even listen to everything?" Nathan said.
"There's more Nathan." Abigail said reaching and placing a hand over his. "A lot more. But before he goes on I want you to know that you're a part of Hope Valley both you and Allie. You won't be facing this alone and neither one of us believe anything that is being claimed. I knew Jack Thornton and I have gotten to know and I'm a pretty good judge of character. I know neither of you would ever do anything dishonorable and no matter what it takes we will stand behind you. I've known Bill a lot of years and the one thing I can say about his Mountie instincts is they are never wrong and should be heeded. We are here to help you and work to protect you so don't see it any other way do you hear me, Nathan?" she said giving him a firm grip and a steady eye as a mother would to her son.
In that moment Nathan could see not only the truth of her words but the love and care behind them. He then relaxed knowing for the first time in a while he wasn't alone in the fight. He just hoped Elizabeth would feel the same.
When she saw that he understood she removed her hand and then looking at Bill she nodded for him to continue.
"I feel like we are running out of time and that trouble is heading here to us. Superintendent Collins isn't answering my calls or replying to my wires. I also found out who his trusted man is working at Fort Clay. Does the name Gary Thompson sound at all familiar to you?"
"It does but honestly Bill, I can't place it why?"
"Because he is overseeing the cases made against you and Jack. He is very close with Andrew Hargraves, and they attended the Academy together."
Nathan blanched at that news and then something sparked his memory. "Wait Gabe told me about a man that was tight with Hargraves that had it out for Jack because he caught the man sleeping on duty more than once and he had been careless with ammunition once and it got into the hands of the enemy. But before jack could report it all the records where he had kept the information disappeared before he could ensure HQ got it. I think it was that man, but Gabe could tell us for sure."
"Well, we definitely need Gabe here anyway, so I already sent out a wire to Brookfield a little bit ago. But that makes it even more important since it provides a motive for Thompson to falsify records ensuring Jack's guilt."
"So tell us what happened there to make sure we aren't missing something."
Nathan went through the whole story about how Jack led the recruits on what was to be an overnight tracking exercise. Because of the rain he had wanted to either change the location or wait an extra day but he was told no and ordered to go or be suspended and remanded to the base until the case could be heard.
"Hargraves was known to be able to drag something on for up to four months. He was not someone anyone wanted to cross so he had a lot of influence on the base. It wouldn't have mattered who Jack was." Nathan explained.
"After the landslide the recovery effort took a few days." They could see that Nathan was getting choked up and knew that it had to be horrific. They also knew that it was in fact Nathan that found Jack who was the last one to be recovered. That and the guilt that Jack had taken his place because of the disciplinary action taken against him.
"Afterwards somehow before the investigation was even started word leaked to the paper that Jack Thornton recklessly against advisement insisted on doing the training because he wanted to get home to his wife and start his honeymoon."
"Oh my!" Abigail said, "I can just imagine how that went over to the families of the deceased men."
"I had found out that Hargraves had given the information to the press through a cousin. When I sent the information to Superintendent Collins, I figured it was either lost or forgotten and I was immediately transferred to Fort Simpson."
"Wow I do not like that man and he better think twice before coming here I can tell you that." Abigail said before looking at Bill and saying, "Okay Bill what's next!"
"Nathan, do you have the proof still or can you get it of Hargraves leaking the story?" Bill asked.
"Yeah, I do. It's in a special spot in my room that I keep things in. It's not where anyone would find it."
"Would you be willing to get it and we can keep it in the mayor's safe or mine." Asked Bill.
"Bill I would not hesitate to entrust it to your or Abigail. Your both taking a big chance trusting me with a lot especially with people you love dearly." They all knew he was talking about the fact they supported his feelings for Elizabeth and Jack.
"In fact, why don't I go get it and you can see it for yourself." Nathan said standing up and not waiting for answer he went to do just that. After he left Abigail and Bill stayed where they were and just looked at each other processing the information.
Abigail was the first to break the silence. "Oh, Bill to think he has been carrying all of this around for so long. What a tremendous weight it has to have been. What do you think about all that he said?"
"I'm trying to figure out whether I can trust Sam or not and what happened to the information that Nathan sent. Just as sure as you are that they wouldn't do anything wrong I know that boy would never lie even to keep himself out of trouble."
"I agree Bill, Nathan is not a liar and will admit when he is wrong. To think that man spread that Jack Thornton would knowingly and selfishly put others at risk to get home faster for personal indulgent reasons. Now as we wait for Nathan to come back what can I tell her and what do I have to withhold?"
"I'm not sure Abigail that we should say anything until I can gather information because it's worse than I thought."
"Well how about if I tell her of the connection that Nathan and Jack share about Fort Clay and leave it at that."
"That can work and that would be good for Rosemary too. It can at least open the door on discussions later."
They heard Newton returning towards the Jail and then Nathan reappeared shortly after with some papers in his hand. "Here you go Bill, this is what I sent before getting transferred to Fort Simpson."
Along with the letter from the editor and two other sworn statements of witnesses was a copy of the article about Jack. Bill put it down on the desk and focused instead on the statements. Abigail on the other hand reached over and pulled the article towards her to read it. As she read it the tears began welling up in her eyes then when she finished, she looked at the picture of a smiling Jack as well as small pictures of the other Mounties that died and they began to fall.
As a sob escaped the men suddenly looked up aware now that she had the copy of the paper in front of her quickly moved to comfort her. Nathan reached her first and just held her as she cried. His heart broke and those old feelings that article involved in him stirred and his eyes teared up too.
"OH Nathan, my sweet boy, how have you carried this inside you for so long?" she said. "Don't you worry because we are going to fix this." Her voice suddenly sounding fierce. "This is not your burden to carry anymore and none of this or his death is your fault. That all ends today, and we are going to make this right."
"Now I need to go head over to Elizabeth's for that tea and gossip about last night." She said quickly changing gears. "Nathan, Elizabeth needs to know but we will be the ones handling it so please don't worry. There may be a few rough patches as she will have to go through her own process but if I know my girl she will come around and see that you're not at fault. Please trust me?"
"Okay Mayor Stanton."
"It's just Abigail." She said with a wink. "Keep me posted." And then she walked out the door with her basket over her arm.
"She's right you know." Bill said. "None of this is your fault." With that he gathered everything up and headed over to lock up the papers for safekeeping and planned to try to see if his contacts found out anything more leaving Nathan alone in the office.
