CHAPTER 26 UNION CITY PART 1

"Wow!" Bill said as he and Nathan sat there in shock. "Oh yes. In fact, I'm having my uncle look into Superintendent Collins as well especially if he has anything to do with the Inquiry which we know is a joke!"

"I know this won't be easy, but the memory and record of Jack Thornton needs to be fixed for no other reason than my son deserves to have a father he can look up to even though he never knew him. Jack's memory also deserves to be restored and him to be seen as the hero he was. Nathan, before we begin to go over everything there is something I want to talk to you about. I need to talk to you about Jack's death for a minute and your reason for being here in Hope Valley since it has a bearing on this matter."

"Most people would never know that you are a man of faith mainly because you aren't much of a talker. But I have seen you live it each and every day no matter what life throws at you So, you know that sometimes things happen that aren't always good and seem senseless. But Nathan, have you thought about the consequences if you had been on that mission that day? You wouldn't be here, and Allie would have had no one to care for her. Have you stopped to consider that? Maybe it was just Jack's time and that he was meant to be in that place so that you weren't. It doesn't make it hurt any less, but it makes some sense since Jack had the choice whether to be there or not. Yes, little Jack will never see his father, and Jack Sr. will never know he would have a son." Seeing the look of pain cross his face she reached out and placed her hand over his. Having drawn his attention to her she gave it a squeeze before continuing.

"But it makes it bearable to know that even though he's gone that there was a much bigger purpose for it. One that I'm reminded of every time I see Allie running with friends or the day she skipped school and said I was bossy and smelled like chalk or watching the two of you heading to your favorite fishing hole with excitement in your eyes. Suddenly I'm filled with peace and joy instead of loneliness. But I know it's why you came and have watched over us in his place for three years now. But please don't feel like you have to watch over us because of a duty you feel to Jack. In fact, right here in front of Bill and Abigail, I'm releasing you from it. I'm pretty sure Jack assigned them as well as Rosemary and Lee to look after me anyway before he left. In fact, all of Hope Valley watches out for us. I think it's safe to say we are in pretty safe hands. But don't think I want to get rid of you either. Nathan, you are everything noble, selfless, kind, and heroic, I am so sorry that it took so long for me to see all of this. But you are not responsible for what happened to Jack, and I don't blame you for it either. It's past time for you to forgive yourself and finally let go of a burden you were never meant to carry."

Nathan struggled with all the emotions that her words brought out in him. They were like a balm to his wounded heart, and he was glad he stuck it out. You don't deserve this hand you've been dealt. I think it's time we put this viper in his place where he belongs." Elizabeth said a hardness entering her voice that surprised the others.

"I suspect there will be others which saddens me." Bill added.

"I know Bill and there's one I know you wouldn't agree with me on but you won't change my mind. I hope he finds himself busy to be part of the Inquiry. Anyway, fill me in on what is already known and any suspicions." Elizabeth stated.

"Now moving on to what we know Nathan, you told me you had several run-ins with Hargraves while at Fort Clay. The most significant encounter was when he sent you off on that mission with the cattle rustlers. Your task was to track them, but you deviated from the orders. You claimed that you disobeyed the orders because, at the time, you saw that they had two women tied upon horses and that they were about to cross the border." Bill said

"But those women would never have been recovered if they had made it across with them. As for the mission and the claim that you disobeyed orders, I think you saved their lives. You should have been commended instead of reprimanded Nathan. So, what happened?" Abigail asked.

"The evidence disappeared from the file. The statements the two women provided were gone the day of the initial inquiry. Luckily, I had sent copies to Gabe because of how evidence tended to come up missing. But we also tracked down the two women for new ones too. It was how the suspension was reversed." Nathan stated.

They heard noises outside the door of the Jail and Bill walked silently over to see if someone was outside. After making a quick check Bill advised, "Considering who and what we are discussing let's move to the officer's quarters."

As they moved in the other room Elizabeth said, "I always wondered what it was like back here where he slept." Silent for a moment before she appeared to move on. But they all knew it had taken her back in time when Jack was alive.

"Was it commonplace that this kind of thing happened? I mean was it just in cases of wrongdoing or?" Elizabeth asked.

"No, it wasn't there were also commendations, awards and heroic actions that went missing Things others did that miraculously ended up in the personnel files of those close to Hargraves. Some of them that I know for a fact they hadn't done and often resulted in promotions." He replied.

"Do you remember any specific names Nathan that can be verified?" She asked.

"Unfortunately, other than his not right off. Wait there was his second in command and 2 of the board members at my Inquiry."

"It shouldn't be too hard for him to uncover them." Elizabeth said to herself.

"Nathan, is there anything else that I would need to know about your situation?" When he shook his head, she moved on.

"Now let's talk about Jack Sr." she said.

"My understanding was that it was unsafe for Jack and the recruits to go because of all the rains a few days before. But according to that article, he went anyway anxious to get home and go on the honeymoon." She said with disgust in her voice.

"You don't have to worry Nathan; I know it was false. Jack may have put himself in danger, but he would never be reckless especially if it involved other lives being risked because of it. I know that he never put anything else above the Mounties either." She said but there was pain that flashed briefly in her eyes before it was gone.

"The article that was mysteriously given to the press by Hargraves before an investigation was done?" she asked. "Tell me what really happened Nathan."

Nathan studied her for a moment silently debating when she said "Nathan, I appreciate you wanting to spare me further pain, but I have already run this stuff through my head many times over. I mean, I know he died in the landslide and was basically buried alive. I'm a teacher and I know how dangerous they are. I've already relived it since the day I found out after his death for the first year after it happened. You're not telling me anything new other than filling in some details, and I'm not looking to get into the nitty-gritty of that day. I just need the procedural stuff."

"I was serving a suspension, so I wasn't in the office, but I found evidence where Jack had spoken to a mutual friend that he wasn't sure he felt comfortable go ahead with the scheduled mission. The area had received substantial rains over a period of a few days. Hargraves ordered to proceed.

"So when Jack Sr. went on that mission, he did not know or have the correct information before going out with the recruits?" Bill asked

"No, he didn't," Nathan said. "He was told the area had been inspected and deemed safe. He was threatened with being charged with insubordination if he didn't carry through with it."

"You notified Hargraves superior of this when you realized what happened? Superintendent Collins, I believe?" Abigail asked.

"Yes."

"Nathan is there anything else that I would need to know?" Elizabeth said a hint of steel in her voice now.

"I don't think so." Nathan said.

"Bill, in your opinion, what is the best course of action? What can we do to help Nathan get out from under this man's clutches.?" Abigail asked. For the first since the nightmare of Fort Clay began Nathan realized that he wasn't alone. The irony of it was the people standing by his side were the some of those closest to Jack. That weight he was carrying was finally gone and for the first time in forever hope entered his heart.

"I think the first thing we have to do is find a way to discredit Hargraves. That would require an investigation to find out what is in his past and what he may be up to besides trying to get rid of Nathan. We have to find out who is behind making evidence disappear." Elizabeth answered before Bill had a chance.

"You hit the nail on the head with this because that's precisely what has to happen." Bill said looking at her strangely.

"Once we discredit him and whoever is working with him, we clear Jack's name in the process." Elizabeth added. "Hmmm you know if he is doing this for others, he is probably being paid so we look for ways he might do that. But for now, I need to get to Union City to my cousin Henry's house. It's where I'm staying so he will watch over me. I'm going to go and get packed and grab my train ticket. Well, now that I'm thinking about it, should I take the stage? Would that be better?"

"Nathan, what do you think?" Bill asked.

"I don't know what to think because I find it very concerning that he went all the way over to Jack's grave waiting for her to arrive. Then he deliberately told her partial truths and outright lies before showing the newspaper article. This is a deliberate act, but whether it's to further get revenge on me or he has another plan for you I 'm not sure. It could even be both Elizabeth especially since Jack was involved for a time. He was obviously trying to isolate you from your support group, so be careful. I think we also have to think about what we will say because you are going away for a few days. That way, we don't draw any suspicion and cause others to start looking around and talking." He said.

After a moment Abigail said "I think riding the train is probably going to be the safer betway for you Elizabeth. Mainly because it's going to go quick, whereas the stage could be, as you found out on your way here, easily intercepted. I think the train should be heading where you are headed as direct as possible which luckily it does."

"I've already asked Rosemary if I needed her could she get away for a few days. I have family there too, so we would have a safe place to stay. I would say we would be gone two days maybe three at the most. While none of you have said anything, I got the impression that Hargraves is someone I don't want to turn my back on. That he could harm any of us and not think twice. I'd leave Jack here, but I think it would raise suspicion, don't you?"

"It may but I really think you should leave him here with Abigail. Nathan, Lee and I can watch over him easier. I also think Allie should stay there too until he's situated."

"I have a friend that can probably get here and be on the train up and back that I trust." Bill said. "Not to mention that you and Rosemary will be together and will be carrying."

"So, we make it like we are going on a Ladies' weekend? It's easy to bring back evidence of it and not draw suspicion." Elizabeth said.

"There is one last thing," Nathan said softly. "We will have to keep our new relationship a secret until we know that Hargraves is no longer a threat."

"Why?" Elizabeth said a sadness in her eyes.

"Nathan gathered her in his arms and said "Because if he knows then he could use either one of us as a weapon against the other."

"He's right Elizabeth." Bill said.

"Alright. I guess I'll go fill Rosemary in, get packed then bring Jack to you Abigail."

"I'll start spreading about the shopping weekend." Abigail said "Bill, you should go talk with Lee and then you two have dinner and have him complain about the shopping. Meanwhile Nathan you and Bill should be heard by Lucas and few others talking as if you and Elizabeth are still fighting."

"We will give you two a chance to say goodbye." Abigail said before she and Bill closed the door and went to the outer office.

"Nathan, I hate having to sneak around."

"I do too but it's necessary. But once it's finished and he is taken care of then…..

"I'll be able to come in the jail and kiss whenever I want, stare at you as much as I want, and run my fingers through your hair as much as I want?" I'm liking this better already.

"Don't forget all the wood chopping I'm willing to do." he said laughing "I'll be outside waiting for you to walk by my office like I always do and have hoping…."

"Well, until then Constable" she said before pressing her lips to his.

"Until then Mrs. Thornton" he replied before deepening the kiss. They reluctantly stepped away from each other and turned to go each beginning their part of the greater plan.

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