Chapter 33 An Unexpected Predicament

"Lucas darling, Today you get your stitches out and we can put all of this behind us and begin to put our plans in motion."

"I don't want to delay that." He eagerly put on his clothes, and they headed into town.

"Lucas, your eye looks much better. "Faith said. "Remarkably it doesn't look like there will be a big scar. How are you feeling?"

"I feel fine Faith. I am ready to return to my everyday life."

"Have you had any headaches lately?" Faith asked concern in her voice.

"No."

"How about dizziness?"

"Nope, I feel great. Ready to get back to work."

"Well, I see no reason you can't. Your eye looks really good."

"Faith, any change in our mystery man?"

"See for yourself." She pulled back the curtain, his eyes now open.

"Hello! I'm Lucas Bouchard and this is my wife, Elizabeth. We are glad to see you are awake."

"I suppose you are the ones who brought me here. I should thank you."

"Only happy to do it sir. You gave us quite a scare."

"Do you have a name?"

"My name is Tom Chamberlain."

"It is nice to meet you, Tom. Why don't you get some rest and when you get feeling up to it you can meet us for dinner."

Lucas and Elizabeth left the infirmary and stopped by the jail to visit Henry. Bill and Nathan were also in the jail.

"Look what the cat drug in? How are the two newlyweds? Lucas your eye looks better." Bill acknowledged as he shook his hand.

"I suppose I owe a thank you to the both of you for helping to get me back here. Thank you both."

"Think nothing of it, Lucas. I am sure you would do the same for us." Nathan remarked.

"Henry how are you? Elizabeth asked.

"I am fine. Bill is trying to get me out of this mess. Lucas I hear that Jerome and Arthur have been looking for you. Watch your back."

"Thanks for the warning, Henry. I will do just that."

"Henry should I be worried about him?" Elizabeth asked as Lucas walked over to talk to Bill and Nathan.

"I don't know. Jerome is a shady character, Elizabeth. I would bet he is up to something."

"Why is Lucas always involved with these shady characters?" She asked Henry.

"You can blame Fiona for this one. Lucas is a powerful and smart business man, Elizabeth. He is bound to attract all kinds of characters."

"I just don't want him involved in all this." She said all emotional.

"It is too late for all that Elizabeth."

"So how is married life treating you Bouchard?" Bill asked.

"It is great! I have never been happier. I was born to have a family."

"Well, watch out Bouchard. Something tells me Jerome is out to get all of us for the mine explosion. Let me know once you talk to him."

"I will do just that Bill. In the meantime, you have a wonderful afternoon." Lucas advised as he took his wife by the arm and escorted her to the Queen of Hearts where they made their rounds hoping to avoid Jerome Smith.

Jerome must have been watching because they had no more than sat down with Gustave and Martin when Jerome came into the saloon.

"Oh boy! Elizabeth, please wait here."

"Lucas, I think you should have someone with you when you talk to Jerome." She recommended.

"Elizabeth, I really do not want to involve anyone else in this mess than is already involved. It will all be okay."

Lucas walked over to the bar where Jerome was. "Mr. Smith? Rumor has it you have been looking for me."

"Indeed. Shall we go to your office." Jerome suggested.

They walked into the office and closed the door.

"I am not going to beat around the bush here Lucas. You are going to be the new manager of the mine or face prison time for being an accomplice to Henry's scheme."

"Jerome, I do not respond well to threats. Nor will I ever be willing to oversee the mines. I know nothing of mining."

"If you are not willing to oversee the mines than be prepared to be brought up on charges for conspiracy." Jerome said seriously.

"You will have a hard time making that stick Jerome, but you do what you feel is necessary. Might I warn you that I am still on the board for another fiscal year, and you do not want to mess with me." He said as he opened the door for Jerome to leave.

This was not the first time Lucas had been blackmailed. He knew how to play this game.

Lucas walked over to where his family was sitting. "Are you ready Elizabeth? It has been a long morning and I am ready to get back to our boys."

"Lucas what did he say?" She asked concerned.

"Don't you worry about it. I will manage this."

"Like you managed Walden?" She said aggravated.

"Elizabeth that is not fair of you to say. Father, will you take Elizabeth home. I believe I will stay here for a while longer."

"Lucas, son Elizabeth is right. You need to stop trying to manage everything on your own and let the town help you."

"Please father, take Elizabeth home."

"Lucas Bouchard I am not going anywhere. If you are staying than I am as well."

"Elizabeth, I don't want you caught up in all this for the sake of the boys please go home."

Elizabeth huffed as she stormed out of the saloon realizing Lucas was right and they had the boys to think about. Martin followed her out to the car and took her home.

Lucas made his way over to Bill's office. "Judge? Jerome has decided to blackmail me into managing the mines by threatening to file charges of conspiracy if I don't agree. Do you think he could win? I will not agree to manage the mines, Bill."

"Lucas I don't know. Jerome seems to have deep pockets."

"I also have deep pockets Bill. What should I do?"

"Blackmail is a federal offense, Lucas." If you can openly get him to have the same conversation and record it, we could use it against him. It could also ruin his credibility and possibly get Henry out of jail."