A/N Sorry for the delay, but I promise the next four Sundays will be double-chapter releases as we will see major clues dropped and the escape and, ultimately, the reunion you have been waiting for. In the meantime, enjoy this chapter, and I will be posting a new complete multichapter story that was my November Heart challenge story submission that evolved into 20 chapters and will lead to a sequel. Of course, the story is another Nathan and Elizabeth story. Look for it on Wednesday.

They were interrupted by Molly hurrying towards them. "Gabe! Faith sent me to get you. There is a problem in the Saloon," she whispered.

"Rosemary, go get Lee and have him meet me there," Gabe ordered, running back with Molly to Faith.

Faith was tending to a figure lying on the floor when he arrived. As he got close, he saw Gustav had been shot in the chest and was bleeding profusely. Gabe drew his pistol and started heading towards the stairs.

"No one is up there, Gabe; they are all gone." Faith said. I came to check on Lucas, and Gustav was lying like this when I arrived. Before he lost consciousness, he just said they left."

"I need you to help me get him to the infirmary. I have to stop this bleeding, or he won't make it." Faith said. Lee arrived moments later, and they quickly moved Gustav to the infirmary before returning to the saloon.

After setting him down on the exam table, Faith ushered them out. As they stood outside the door, Lee looked at Gabe and said, "Lucas?"

"Faith said that Lucas is gone," Gabe replied. "If someone shot Gustav, then he must have seen or heard something."

"He must be pretty desperate to shoot his own family," Rosemary said.

Gabe looked over at her in confusion. "What do you mean? Is Gustav related to Lucas? Do Bill and Nathan know that?"

"It's common knowledge that they are cousins around here. Lucas has spoken of it many times whenever asked about how he met Gustav. I can't imagine that Bill wouldn't know anything that involves our town, especially if it's well known." Then she smirked. "Can you? That man is a wealth of information on every piece of gossip there is though he doesn't share." Rosemary pouted a bit at that because she had relished telling him something only to find out he knew.

The men chuckled, rolling their eyes at that. Then Gabe said, "Rosemary, can you go check with Florence and see if Lucas received anything that might have sent him running?"

"Sure," Rosemary said. "I'll meet the two of you back here."

"Yes," Gabe said. "Come on, Lee, let's go get a look at the Saloon." Lee nodded, then told Rosie to have Jessie meet them at the infirmary as well.

As they walked through rooms upstairs, they found all Lucas' personal effects gone. Running to his office, they found they had been cleared out, and the safe was wide open.

"Lucas is definitely on the run Lee," Gabe said grimly. "We need to do rounds and see if Spurlock or Walden are hanging around," Gabe said.

"I had a feeling that we would, and that's why I had Rosie get Jessie. We could use his help when we go over to the cabin. But I would bet everything I own that they left with Lucas. If they did, it couldn't have been that long ago since I spotted them about 3 hours ago. We need to go by that cabin where he was staying. If no one is guarding it anymore, then we know he is gone." Lee said.

Gabe just nodded, and they went to meet up with Rosemary.

"Did you find out anything, Rosie?"

"Florence said that while she was there, nothing came in, but she and Ned had stepped out, and Paul briefly manned the switchboard for about 15 minutes. Paul said that there was a call that had come in for Lucas. He didn't know any details because he was unaware of our surveillance." Rosemary said.

"All right, well, we need to get over to that cabin," Gabe said. "Rosemary, will you stay here with Faith and keep watch?"

She patted her purse, letting them know she was armed, nodded, and sat down on the bench by the door. The men left to go check out the cabin, already knowing Spurlock was gone. They arrived to find that the cabin door was wide open, and it appeared as if Spurlock had made a hasty departure. There was something in the corner that immediately caught Gabe's attention. It was a set of clothes belonging to a prisoner. Looking at Lee, Gabe said, "We have to get back to town and call Bill."

When they got back to town, Faith was still working on Gustav. Gabe left Lee and Jessie with Rosemary and went to make a phone call to Bill. Jessie excused himself and went back over to the mill.

"So, did you guys find anything at the cabin?" Rosemary asked as they sat down on the bench to wait.

"The cabin door was left open, and it looked like they left in a hurry. There was also a discarded prisoner uniform from the prison where Charles Spurlock was serving his sentence."

"Oh Lee, if he is part of this, then Elizabeth is in terrible danger," Rosemary said, her fear evident.

"I know Rosie, and I think their sudden departure means that things are about to come to a head. I also can't help seeing that what happened this morning at Brookfield and the departure are related." Lee said.

"You think they were after Jack?" Rosemary asked, her eyes glistening.

Lee nodded and rasped, "Gabe and I talked about it on the way back here. It scares me to think that if we wouldn't have moved you that you and the kids would be in their hands too." Overcome with emotion, he just pulled her onto his lap and held tight, seeking comfort that his Rosie was safe. He couldn't imagine how Nathan was dealing with it all. Lee was grateful that at least Nathan had Jack and Allie with him for comfort. Lee and Rosemary knew that those two kids were his whole world next to Elizabeth and his strength.

"If they did run, I think we need to be ready to go to Union City in the next few days," Rosemary noted. "William is going to insist on going, and there's no way I can stay here just waiting for news. Charlotte and Tom are like family to me, too, and I need to help, even if it is just waiting in Union City Lee. Bill is not going to come back here to wait it out either."

MEANWHILE, IN UNION CITY

In Union City, Bill and Collins arrived at the location. Nathan, Patrick, and Jameson were hidden in the bushes. It wasn't long before the sound of another car could be heard. A few minutes later, Lansing and two other Mounties stealthily appeared in the clearing.

"William Thatcher, I need you two to put your hands where we can see them," Lansing said. "Collins, step out of the car but keep your hands where I can see them. You have caused us a lot of extra work, but that ends now."

"Who are you?" Sam asked.

"Your worst nightmare if you don't shut up," Lansing said. Once William and Sam had been tied up, Patrick sprung the trap. He stepped out along with Nathan and Jameson with guns pointed.

"I think you have it backward, Lansing," Patrick said before ordering the man to untie Sam and Bill. In the meantime, Nathan and Jameson kept the other two covered. Then Bill took off the wig and hat to reveal his identity. After that, they were quickly rounded up and taken to the headquarters. Once they had everything settled, they would be moving operations to his home office for the rest of the day.

"Sam and I will get these men settled, Bill, and then I'll be back. Why don't you guys go into my office and wait for me." Patrick said. "We can move our operations to my home office, for the time being so we are able to talk freely. From what my wife says, the children are fretful and could use some reassurance."

Nathan nodded, "I noticed that yesterday myself. After a few moments, he added, "I think that I need to be near them too."

None of the other men were surprised by that admission. It was obvious to anyone how deep his love for Allie and Jack really was."

"I'm going to turn my focus on finding all the moles until I find out who the top one is," Sam said. "I'm leaving this investigation in your hands, Patrick, since you three have already managed to get further than anyone else. We can't afford any more slip-ups. If you need me for anything, you know how to reach me."

"Thanks, Sam," Bill said, shaking the other man's hand before they walked away to deal with the prisoners. "Well, shall we?"

"I'll be back in a few moments, Bill. I just need to get some air," Nathan said, clearly trying to collect himself.

"Take your time, son," Bill said. "It will take some time for Patrick to settle everyone."

"Thanks," Nathan said and just walked away.

While Patrick was working on securing the prisoners, a call came in from Hope Valley. "Bill Lucas bolted, and all of his stuff is gone. They shot Gustav before leaving town. Faith is working on him, but it doesn't look good." Gabe said.

"What about Spurlock?" Bill asked

"He's gone too. We went by the cabin, it looked like they left in a hurry, but that's not the worst of it. We found a set of discarded prisoner clothes from Medicine Hat prison. I bet if you check, they are missing a prisoner by the name of Spurlock," Gabe said. Bill's blood froze at the realization that Elizabeth was at the mercy of Charles Spurlock.

"Let me check on that, and I'll call you back," Bill said before disconnecting the call.

Bill looked up as Patrick and Nathan entered. "Gabe just called, and Lucas left Hope Valley. Faith went to check on him and found Gustav shot and no sign of Lucas. Gabe said all his personal effects are gone, and so is Spurlock. They went to the cabin, and it was obvious Spurlock was in a hurry to leave. But they found a set of discarded prisoner clothing from Medicine Hat."

"Charles Spurlock!" Nathan exclaimed, recalling Henry had mentioned the man had a grudge against the Thorntons.

"That would certainly be my guess. Not to mention it fits with our revenge theory," Bill said. "Let me see what I can uncover about him."

A few minutes later, Jameson and another man appeared that Nathan didn't recognize. "Jameson, I wondered when you two would get here," Patrick said.

"Turning to Bill and Nathan, he said,' This is Constable Tim Johnson. He was on the train when Jack and Elizabeth boarded. Tim, this is Bill Avery and Nathan Grant."

"Oh, your Jack's Mountie!" Tim said with a chuckle. Seeing Nathan's confusion, he explained. "When the little boy got on the train, he took one look at us and went to touch. His mama explained that you let him touch your buttons."

Nathan smiled softly, "I guess you could say that I am Jack's personal Mountie then," Tim could tell that there was a strong affection between the boy and the man before him. He suspected, based on how her eyes went soft as she spoke of him, that Mrs. Thornton had feelings of affection for him too.

"He is such a wonderful boy," Tim said with fondness. "When I asked if Mrs. Thornton was his sister, he said, "No, that's Mama,' as if I should have been obvious." All the men in the room chuckled at that.

"That sounds so much like Jack, doesn't it, Nathan," Bill commented with a chuckle.

Nathan just nodded and turned back to the man in front of him. "Please call me Nathan, and may I call you Tim?"

"Absolutely." The other man said.

"Tim just got back from Brookfield with the two men that were captured. Do you remember me telling you about those extra Mounties from the train?" Jameson asked.

"I do," Patrick said. Bill and Nathan went on instant alert, dread filling their heart.

"They are the two men that were brought back. But I'll let Tim fill you in on the rest of what they found out from questioning the two men." Jameson said.

"We weren't able to get much information from them. Chuck Stewart overheard them talking about someone named Henri. He seems to be in a position of authority because these men were afraid to talk. Chuck also heard them say that the plan was definitely to get Jack. They knew that Jack was there with Rosemary and a girl. When I questioned them, they let slip that the girl was also the target for leverage. The one guy called Jake let slip that their boss was pleased to hear that she was with him." Tim said.

Nathan stiffened at hearing Allie had indeed been in danger. Once again, he was grateful to have Bill and the others who were already thinking one step ahead of this Syndicate. "I assume one of the men stayed behind to watch out for Brookfield?" Nathan asked Tim. The other man nodded solemnly.

Patrick broke in and got straight to the point. "Jamie, I want the two of you to go to Martinsville and work with the local Mounties there. My gut is telling me that wherever they are being held is not far from there. If they drugged her, then they wouldn't have wanted to carry her too far."

"Can the Constable in Martinsville be trusted, Patrick?" Bill asked, knowing that Nathan was thinking the same thing.

Jameson quickly jumped in to reassure Bill and said, "I would trust him with my life," "But there are actually two Mounties posted there. Martinsville is about the same size as Benson Hills. If Elizabeth is near there and we can find her, I promise we can keep her safe and get help if any of them need it."

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Jameson," Nathan said, the strain of the ordeal beginning to show.

Bill reached out to put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, I need a moment," Nathan said abruptly before turning and walking out the door.

"It's been a long day for all of us but especially for him. He's right about one thing, though. You can't promise anything in regard to Elizabeth or the others, especially since there have been so many failures by the Mounties already.