Chapter 117

The following three days Adam was healing well. The first night was a little difficult when the injection wore off and the pain returned, but the cut was healing like it should. He went to the couple's home with Charlette, but she wouldn't let him do anything too strenuous. He did help Charlette when she needed it, but she took to this work well and completed the floor mostly by herself.

They both found this work satisfying and fulfilling. Everyone was grateful for their work. However, most people enjoyed the conversation. Charlette and Adam realized most people were lonely. They always made time to spend with the people when the project was completed.

The church was coming to realize the importance of the work Adam and Charlette was doing for its members and the community of Hope Valley. Frank and the church board were in discussions of Charlette and Adam working with some teens who would like to learn this craft. Frank had already spoken with Jack about adding this to the school projects he already started. The church was happy to give them a place to do the work. They had a building on the back of the property that would work perfectly. Now, they just needed to speak with Charlette and Adam about doing this. The church was also planning on doing something for the couple too.

…

Elizabeth was struggling to get out of bed on this Wednesday morning. She was tired and just didn't have the energy to get up. Then there were the Braxton Hick contractions. They woke her up three times during the night. The first one and the last one wasn't too bad, but the middle one at two in the morning was horrible. She moved so much that she woke Jack. He was worried that the Braxton Hicks was becoming more frequent and growing Elizabeth's discomfort. There was nothing he could do to help her and that was frustrating to him.

"Sweetheart, why don't you call in today and have a sub cover for you?"

"I'm fine, Jack."

She looked up and saw his facial expression. She knew he didn't buy her statement.

"I love the fact that you are a terrible liar." He gave her a grin. "Please call Ms. Florence. Maybe you should really think about taking maternity leave now?" He knew his question wouldn't go over very well with his wife. She wanted all the time she could have with her babies. She didn't want to take maternity leave too early.

"Jack, please help me up."

"If I don't help you." He stated as she offered her his hand. "Then you can't go to work?"

She smirked at him. "Maybe…"

"You'll just figure out another way, won't you?"

She smiled at him and gave him a sweet kiss on his lips. "I love you."

He looked at her closely. Elizabeth was a strong, independent woman. He loved that about her, but sometimes he didn't like it. This was one of the days he didn't like it. In her beautiful blue eyes, he could see how tired she was.

While still holding his wife. "I half expect Ms. Florence to call me one day to tell me to come and pick up my babies because you just delivered them in your classroom."

She gasped at his statement and the dimpled grin. "What a thing to say to your wife." She playfully smacked him on his chest. "And it's our babies." She smirked.

"Elizabeth, I'm not the type of guy who will order his wife around. Even if I was, you wouldn't listen to me anyways."

He smiled at her smirk. She knew he was true with both statements.

"But I'm asking you as your husband, would you please take today off?"

Elizabeth's breath was caught in her chest at the gentleness in his voice. She instantly knew he loved her. When she looked into his eyes, she knew her answer. His eyes told her that he was deeply concerned for her. His eyes expressed love. They spoke to her like nothing and no one else ever could. Her determination quickly faded at his love and concern for her.

"Ok. I'll call Ms. Florence and have a sub cover for me today."

"Thank you."

"I'll take the day to rest since I didn't rest well last night."

Jack leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose. "Thank you." He hovered a little longer than normal. He wanted to be in her space. "Why don't you lay down and I'll make breakfast?"

"That sounds good. Something light. I'm not too hungry."

"Eggs?"

"Perfect. Maybe some toast with blackberry jam and a…"

"Extra large pickle?"

She smiled. "Excellent." She gave him another kiss and turned him by his shoulders. She lightly pushed him with her right hand and swatted his bottom with her left hand.

…

Jack looked up when Emma walked into his office. His smile faded when he noticed her look.

"What's up?"

"Jacob wants to see you."

"Jacob…he has a lawyer. He can't speak to me unless he or she is here."

"She was here a few minutes ago. He fired her. He wants to speak to you." She paused for a moment. "Jack, you can't talk to him unless he waves his rights."

"Thank you for the reminder."

"Here."

"What's this?"

"It's a piece of paper that states that Jacob has waved his rights to an attorney and is personally requesting to speak to you."

"Very smart, Boss Lady." You are awesome!"

"He must sign this paper before speaking to you. Go, chief. You have a job to perform."

Jack walked into room two to a Jacob sitting at the table. He didn't smile or moan when Jack walked in. He just sat their stone faced.

"Mr. Jacob Palmer, what may I do for you?"

"I would like to speak with you."

"Mr. Palmer, you have requested to speak to an attorney, and you have a lawyer. By law I am not able to talk to you."

"I fired her. I would like to talk to you."

"If you wish to speak with me, you will need to sign and date this piece of paper." Jack stated placing the piece of paper on the desk in front of Jacob.

Jacob read over it quickly. "Fine, on one condition."

"What's that?"

"Call me Jacob."

Jack thought about it for a moment. "Fine Jacob."

After signing the piece of paper, Jacob pushed it toward Jack. Emma immediately stepped in and took the paper from the desk. She left without saying a word.

"Now, Jacob. What would you like to talk about?"

"My lawyer showed me the pieces of evidence you have against me."

Jack nodded his head but didn't say anything.

"Is that all of it?"

"No. Most of it, but not all. That is enough to have a grand jury push for a trial."

"Yes, and a guilty verdict."

"I would assume so, yes."

"So, can you help me?"

"I don't think so, Jacob. There is enough evidence to convict you exclusively on the evidence. I don't need your help."

"Maybe so…but I can give you other people. Someone gave me up. Who was it?"

"I'm not sharing that piece of information with you."

"Fine, but if I give you some people, can you cut me a deal?"

"Honestly, that's not up to me. The DA will make that decision. I can make a suggestion, but they are not obligated to follow it."

"I can give you the biggest supplier of narcotics this side of the US."

Jack thought about it for a few minutes. "Maybe."

"On one condition."

"You're pushing your luck." Jack warned.

"I can give you all the information you need to catch the biggest drug dealer from here to California. All you have to do is to tell me something."

Jack leaned back in his seat. He was studying this man. "The biggest dealer just to tell you something?" Jack asked questioningly.

"Yes. Deal?"

"Maybe."

The two men stared at each other trying to figure each other out. Jacob knew about Jack and all he has heard seemed to be true. Jack has learned a lot about Jacob over the last couple of days.

"It depends on what you want to know, and you give me everything on this person."

"Absolutely. You will have enough to put him into prison for ever. You just can't use my name."

"I will speak with the DA and highly recommend a deal. That's all I can do."

"I trust you."

"Ok. What is it you want to know?"

"The Toliver case. How did you catch Nat with those stupid red table clothes?"

…

Viola was in deep with her new job and the new home project. Her work at the bank was going well and she was loving it. Her evenings were spent with James, and she always found some time to work on the house. They haven't broken ground just yet, but that should be in a few days. James was excited about the new house too. Everything they wanted was coming to fruition. There was something James wanted to speak to Viola about, but wasn't sure how to bring it up.

He stood at the doorway watching his wife look over some color swatches. She was deep in thought examining a few colors. She looked up and smiled at her husband.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm watching my wife look over some colors. You are beautiful when you concentrate on something."

"Hummm." Would you like to sit with me and look over these?"

"Sure, but you do realize I'm not good at picking out paint colors."

"I know." She smiled at him. "I like having you around."

"That's great. I like being around you."

They spent a few minutes looking at different colors and she smiled at the ones he picked out. There was no way she was choosing those colors.

"V, may I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"How do you like your new job?"

"I like it. It's a lot to learn, but I'm learning it quickly."

He nodded his head. She could tell there was something on his mind.

"James, just say it."

"Would you ever think about leaving that job?"

"Not at the moment. I was just promoted. I like the work and I find that I'm good at it."

He nodded his head. "You are very good at it."

"What are you trying to ask that you are not asking?"

"Have you given any thought about working with me?"

"With you?"

"Yeah." He hesitated. "You could come along side me and run the company with me."

"Doing what?"

"Well…first of all, we would run the construction company. You would help me with the books, and turning in bids for jobs. We would order materials and oversee the workers. Things that it takes to run a business."

Viola placed the color swatches down. She wasn't expecting this conversation.

"I haven't thought of this. What made you think of it?"

"Well, a couple of reasons. First, you're very good at running a business. You have the mind for it. Your ideas are good, and you know how to decorate the rooms very well. We could offer that in our bids as well. You have already saved us money with the limited number of ideas you gave."

He has certainly captured her attention.

"Secondly, hopefully at some point, we will have a baby. If we work together, we can always arrange our schedule around our baby. If you need to be on a job site, I could be here working from the home office or if you need to be here for the baby, you could work out of the home office when you can."

"That would make it easier for sure." She thought. She did like her job and the promotion, but the new idea of working within the construction company made sense and it intrigued her initially. Especially if they did have a child. "I would work for you?"

"No, you would work with me."

"May I have some time to think about it?"

"Absolutely. We don't have to make that decision today or even next week. I just wanted to share the thought with you."

"I would like time to think about it. It sounds interesting, but I do like my job."

"No pressure either way. I was just thinking since we work so well together, this might work well."

She leaned in kissing his cheek.

…

Elizabeth woke up after a two hour nap. It was much needed. She ate her light breakfast Jack made and laid down after placing her plate on her side table. She woke up to a big kick from one of her babies. Before she woke up completely, another Braxton Hick contraction hit. It was intense, but not the worst one she has had over the last four days.

She took a deep breath once the contraction ended. She rubbed her belly. "Ok Peanuts. That was a big one. Take care of yourselves in here. I want to see you two, but we do this on your terms." She laughed when she felt another kick. "Alright you two, don't make me get daddy after you two." She laughed when she didn't feel anything.

…

"Are you serious?"

"Absolutely. I told you Nat wouldn't talk about it. He's a smart man, a little emotional at times, but he is no one's fool. Plus, you were an investigator in Oklahoma City, not in Coal Valley near Robb, Alberta."

Jack laughed at the statement. "Ok, you first."

"His name is Mason Madison. His nick name is M&M. He lives in Culiacan in northwest Mexico. He travels to the states by private airplane once a month. It's always at a private landing strip. Keep my arrest quiet, and I can find out exactly when and where he will be back in the states. It should be next week or the following week."

Does M&M bring drugs with him when he flies in?"

"Yes, not a lot of them, but he would never pass on an opportunity to make money. That's what he is all about."

Jack thought about it for a few minutes. "What type of evidence do you have?"

"Well, you can catch him red handed. He always travels with a large sum of money. You can catch him with a decent amount of drugs and a large sum of cash. He will also have a black suitcase that has all of his contacts in it. He doesn't have a cell phone. He thinks it's too easy to tap and track him. In his suitcase, he has all the names of the people he deals with and their cell numbers. He also has the amount of drugs for each name and how much they owe him. He is old school with that type of stuff."

"How large is his entourage?"

"He travels with three armed men. He trusts them completely and they will never turn on him. You will need a large sum of men when you arrest him. Those three men will not be arrest."

Jack nodded his head.

"M&M will not be involved in a gun fight. That's what his three men are for. You will have to kill the three men. Once they are dead, M&M will surrender. He's afraid of death."

"There is no chance in this turning out different?"

"No. Not a chance. Those three men are nasty killers. They will die before they allow you to arrest M&M."

They two men stared at each other over the table. There was a strange feeling of respect between the two. Jacob was a harden criminal. Jack had a sense that he was being honest and telling the truth. For Jacob, everything he has heard about Jack was true.

"So…" Jacob elongated the word. "Your turn."

…

James stood to walk into the kitchen. Viola watched him walk away. The only thought in her head at the time was the recent conversation with her husband. The discussion was very intriguing to her. On one hand, she loved her new job. She was in her element and enjoyed the job. On the other hand, she did love working with James and helping him. They did work well together. And with them trying for a baby, the flexibility with her schedule when a baby comes to her family was very interesting. This was something she would have to put a lot of thought into.

…

"Well, what do you want to know?"

"First, why were you in Coal Valley? Isn't that outside of your jurisdiction?"

"I was on his case in Oklahoma. He robbed a couple of banks and that was my start with him. We would get close, but we were always a step behind. We did raid his hotel one time and just missed him. His coffee was still hot and there was a cigarette in the ashtray that was still burning."

"Yeah, he said he heard you coming down the hall. He just stepped out of window when the door opened. He was so mad that you interrupted his evening."

"He went north of the border. I lost track of him since he was out of my area. The Royal Mounties picked up his trail but never got close. After his fourth bank robbery, they found my report when they requested his file from the states. They read my report that I was close a couple of times. They called and requested my help. My boss finally relented, and I went up north to Calgary."

"Why Calgary and how long were you there?"

"Just over three weeks. Calgary was the last two banks he robbed."

"How do you get from Calgary to Coal Valley?"

Jacob was very interested in the story. He knew Nat very well and was shocked that he was captured. His intrigue only grew when Nat would never answer any questions when he would call him in prison. Jacob read all the reports and news articles about the case, but there were rarely any insights mentioned.

"His last bank he robbed, there was a small clue left behind. There was a small torn portion of a pamphlet that was a horse sale in Alberta."

"He did like horses. It reminded him of criminals in the late 1800's and early 1900's."

"A small bank about twenty miles from Coal Valley was robbed. The security guard fired his gun and injured Nat. All the other Mounties thought he would go east, but I had a feeling that he went west. I made a quick trip out to the closest town and that happened to be Coal Valley. It was a small town, but it was very nice. They were a coal town. When I arrived, I found a small café that was owned and operated by a widow."

"That was a lucky guess going west."

"Not really lucky. It was more of an educated guess. I walked into the restaurant and found it empty of people, but it was still opened. I thought I heard noises from upstairs. When I went upstairs, the owner was tied to the bed post. She was fine but scared to death. She mentioned that her best friend and her little sister was kidnapped. Some man who her sister found in a cabin took them a couple of hours earlier."

"Wow. He never kidnapped anyone before. He wasn't into taking hostages. He always said they slowed you down and was more trouble than they were worth."

"The younger sister was a little naïve and the older sister was a schoolteacher that was dating a Mountie. The Mountie was just transferred a week earlier."

"Ok, so why the tablecloths?"

"The café owner told me about the schoolteacher and her sister. They were from a rich family. Nat didn't know that. He met the younger sister, and he played her. She always had her head in the clouds, and everything was a romance novel. The café owner told me that the younger sister told Nat that her older sister was dating a Mountie.

"When I walked downstairs, I noticed the tablecloths were all red. With Nat knowing the teacher was dating a Mountie and Mounties wear a red serge, I put two and two together. I thought the red tablecloths would cause enough of a distraction."

Where did you get all of those horses."

"At the end of the street, there was a man who owned a stable. He rented horses for trial rides. He allowed me to borrow ten horses. I knew I couldn't take on Nat by myself with him in a secluded cabin in the woods."

"The Mountie boyfriend, the red serge, and the red tablecloths…Nat thought he was surrounded. That would have been an easy sale since the boyfriend was a Mountie." Jacob thought out loud.

"Yes."

"So…the horses gave Nat the thought that he was surrounded by mounties, and he had no way out?"

"Basically. He didn't want to give up because he had his two other gang members with him and the two hostages. When I spoke to him as he stood on the front porch. I distracted him and a Mountie shot the gun out of one of the man's hands. With everyone's attention toward the gun shot, I rushed and tackled Nat on the front porch. The schoolteacher got out of his arms as soon as I hit him."

"Wow! That's an incredible story. No wonder Nat never would say anything."

"I guess."

"Why wasn't your name ever in the papers?"

"I wasn't the story."

"So, Nat was embarrassed he was bested by you?"

"I think he's embarrassed he was bested by the schoolteacher. When I first made contact, she was helpful."

"Helpful?"

"Yes, she yelled how many people there were and that they were all armed. Things like that. Her information was very helpful in forming the plan to help."

Jacob let out a loud laugh. "No wonder he won't talk about it. He would find it particularly embarrassing to be caught because of a schoolteacher and a spoiled sister. He always took pride in his ability to avoid cops."

"I suppose. That's the whole story, nothing too grandiose."

"Maybe from your point of view, but it is major from my point of view."

Jack nodded at this man. While Jack was disgusted by who he was, he did have an infectious laugh. Jack just didn't understand how he could have done this horrible crime.

"So, you'll talk to the DA?"

"Yes. I will do my best."

"If I can get a deal, I may be able to help on other cases."

"Maybe."

…

Elizabeth was in the kitchen making herself a grilled cheese. She had already eaten one pickle and she had another one on the plate waiting for the grilled cheese to finish cooking. She reached for the counter when the next wave of pain hit. She still thought it was Braxton Hicks contractions. She had no desire to be sent home from the hospital again. She was so embarrassed that she caused so much trouble for nothing. However, these pains were a little different and they seemed to continue to change.

"Alright you two…I'm certainly telling your father that you two are not playing well with each other." She stated as she rubbed her belly.

As the morning progressed, she realized the pains were not only different from the previous days, but they were becoming regular. The pain only grew worse over the morning. She leaned on the couch to try and calm things down. When the next pain hit, she took note of the time. The pain lasted a little over a minute. She placed her hand on her tummy and slowly rubbed her hand up and down. "Alright you two…what are you up too?" She was hoping this was the beginning of labor but was too nervous to believe in it. "Is today the day I get to see you two?" She felt both babies kick her hand at the same time. When she felt the pressure of the kick, her fingers tingled. She jerked her hand back and shook it, trying to relieve the tingling feeling. When she realized what had happened, she leaned forward to grab her cell phone.

…

"Hey, beautiful." Jack stated as he stood up from his chair. He nodded at Jacob and began to walk out of the interrogation room.

"Hey Jack. I need you to do something for me."

"Certainly. What can I do?"

"Well, first, I need you not to panic."

"Elizabeth, I'm a trained cop. I don't panic."

"Sure you don't officer."

"That's chief, ma'am."

"I need you to come and pick me up."

"Ok. Do you need to go somewhere?"

"Yes, the hospital. It's time."

"Are you in labor?"

"Yes. I'm having a contraction right now."

"But how can it be labor? You're talking to me through the pain. The nurse said not to come in until you can't talk through the contraction."

"True, the contractions are getting worse each time. They are fifteen to twenty minutes apart and has been for the last couple of hours."

"I'll come home, but do you think we should wait until you can't talk through the pain? You said you didn't want to be sent home again."

"I did say that, but it's time."

"Ok…" Jack drew out the word.

Elizabeth sensed the doubt in Jack's voice. She had that same doubt until she felt the two babies kick and then the fingers tingling.

"I told the babies that I was telling their father that they weren't playing well with each other."

This made Jack laugh.

"I asked them if today was going to be the day I will meet them. I rubbed my tummy and both of them kicked me at the same time. And then…" She paused for a moment. "And then my fingers tingled."

"I'm on my way now!" Stated Jack. "It's go time!"

"You're not going to the hospital without me this time are you?" She sassed.

"I'm never going to live that down, am I?"

"It's a pretty good guess you won't."

"I'll be there in a couple of minutes."

Jack kept Elizabeth on the phone as he sprinted out of his office.

"Boss Lady…" Emma looked up as Jack ran by. "It's go time!"

…

Julie walked into her husband's small office with a smirk on her face. She was excited with the news she had. As she stepped into his office, Tom was on a call. He looked up and smiled at his bubbly wife. He knew that look. He knew she has something to tell him, and she was about to burst any minute if she didn't tell him soon. She was bouncing from foot to foot. He shook his head as he listened to the customer on the phone.

She huffed waiting. Patience wasn't Julie's strongest characteristic. The more she had to wait, the more she bounced. Seeing his smile only made her impatience grow more intense. She knew that smirk. Once he placed the phone down, she ran around his desk and jumped into his arms. He barely had time to reach for her.

"Why are you so excited?" He finally stated after their kiss.

"Oh, Tom. Read this." She handed him an envelope.

Tom took it and opened the letter within the envelope. After reading it, he looked up at his wife and then back down at the letter. He read it the second time just to make sure he read it correctly.

"Julie, is that even possible?"

"I guess it is. I went by my advisor's office just to make sure it was real."

"And he said it was?"

"Yes. I start my student teaching assignment in January when school starts back."

"How is that possible. You should have another semester or two before your student teaching assignment began."

"I know. Four of my other classes transferred. Evidently, there was a mistake in the admission office. They caught it last week. Plus, with my good grades, one of my professors suggested I test on the other courses to see if I could test out of them."

"What does that mean?"

"If I passed the test, I wouldn't have to take the class. I would test out of them. I would just have to pay a fee for not taking them. I tested out of them all. When I pass these classes I'm taking now, I will have enough to graduate except for my student teaching."

"Julie Thorton, you better not be playing with me." Tom shook his finger at her.

"Oh Tom…do you know what this means?"

"Absolutely. It means we celebrate tonight, but first…" He paused.

"But first…?"

"We need to throw away your birth control pills."

She smirked at him and reached into her purse. "I ran home first." She pulled out her birth control pills. Tom took them from her hand and tossed them into his garbage can. "Let's go woman. We need to celebrate!"

…

Jack pulled into his driveway. He left the truck door open as he ran toward the home. He sprinted after opening the door with his head on a swivel looking for his wife. He found her standing in the kitchen bent over a little holding onto the kitchen island.

"Sweetheart are you ok?"

She put her hand up as if she was motioning for a moment. The pain has progressed to where she couldn't talk or even move very much during the contraction. Jack rushed to her side and placed his hand on her lower back and began to gently message it. He read in a book that a woman's lower back always hurt during labor.

After a couple of moments, she slowly began to stand up. "Wow…that was a big one."

He gave her a gentle smile. "How far apart are the contractions?"

"About fifteen minutes." She answered as she looked at the clock on the microwave.

"Are you ready to go to the hospital? I'll call the doctor and our families on the way."

"Yes, but I need to do something for me before we go. Actually, two things."

"Sure." He stated anxiously. He was ready to get her into his truck.

"First, would you please pray for our family?"

He smiled at her. He stepped beside her and placed his hand on her tummy. Once he did, the babies kicked him, and his finger immediately tingled. He shook his hand. Elizabeth smiled at her husband knowing exactly what had just happened. Jack placed his hand on her belly again and began praying.

"Father, we come before you today with praise. Thank you for all you have done for us. Please protect my family and be with our babies. Amen."

Elizabeth kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you."

"Ok…so, what's the second thing?"

"Whatever I say to you until I get my epidural, please don't hold it against me."

He wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her on the tip of her nose. "I promise."