Chapter 59: Confessions
After Friday Night Dinner dishes were done, Millicent kissed Nathan, and followed Allie upstairs, leaving him and Bill to chat in the living room.
Unable to turn away, Bill watched as Nathan's eyes followed Millicent walking up the stairs.
"Boy, Grant, you've got it bad!"
"I heard that!" called Millicent without turning around. "And he'd better have it bad, Bill Avery!"
Nathan gave Bill an amused look.
"She's got your number, Bill! But, how in the world could I not be a goner where that stunning woman's concerned? I can barely think when she's around. Much less breathe…"
The plan was for Millicent to help Allie get ready for her sleepover with Opal and Emily, which had been planned to celebrate their long weekend, as Monday's school session had been dismissed for a Teachers' meeting in Union City.
"Momma, thanks for making the Lemon Cupcakes! Opal and Emily were begging me to ask you. How did you know to already have them ready?"
"Just a hunch and it's my pleasure, Allie! Why every Sleepover requires Lemon Cupcakes! Or at least something equally delectable!"
Allie smiled at her Momma, so happy to feel so loved.
"The Girls remember us making them all together that Sunday when you visited the first time. Emily says that was the most fun she's ever had in the kitchen! And Opal just likes eating them!"
"That's great. I'm glad you all like them so much! We'll have to all cook together again, after the Wedding."
"That would be great! Did you tell Dad about our Mother-Daughter Nights?"
"I did!"
"Is he okay with them?"
"Well, he's going to miss us, but he loves that we're doing them! In fact, he suggested Tuesday nights because that's the night he has to work late, anyway. Something about conferencing with the Commissioner so they can update each other. Does that night work for you?"
"It's the best! Homework is always light on Tuesdays and Fridays. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays seem to always be heavy! So, Tuesday is actually perfect! Although Mrs. Nelson gave us a homework-free weekend for this weekend since we get three whole days off! Can I tell the Girls, Momma about our special nights we're going to have?"
"Of course, you 'may' tell them if you wish! Or…" and Millicent's eyes were dancing. "You could let it be our little Mother-Daughter secret!"
"I think I like that even better!" smiled Allie, happily scrunching up her nose at the thought of a secret with her Momma. "Let's let it be our little secret!"
Allie and Millicent then sealed their secret in that ancient time-honored manner of interlacing their pinkies, both laughing and ending in a hug!
"Now, let's see, Sweetie, do we have everything you need?"
"Pajamas, robe, slippers, toothbrush, hairbrush, books, my jigsaw puzzle, and oh…this!"
Millicent smiled as Allie placed a framed Engagement photo of Nathan and Millicent into her bag.
"It's just that I've not really had two parents together before and I guess… I guess, I just need both my parents with me. Is that being a baby?"
"That's my favorite Engagement Photo of your Father and me, and it's not being a baby at all; it's lovely! We're Family, Allie. Your Father and I are always with you in our hearts. Because you're always in our hearts! Don't ever forget that!"
"I promise I won't forget. That makes me so happy!"
Millicent smiled and tucked a strand of hair back into Allie's braid.
"Oh, did you think to add your brushes and paints?"
"Oh, no, was I supposed to bring them? What else was I supposed to take?"
"Yes, brushes, paints, and your three new canvases! Remember, you Girls said you wanted to paint. The canvases are waiting for you downstairs by the front door! One for each of you! And I think that's it!"
"You're the best! I love you, Momma!"
"I love you, too, Angel. You girls have lots of fun tonight! And I want to hear all about it tomorrow! Ready to go downstairs and get bundled up for your trip to Opal's?"
"Yes, Ma'am!"
"Allie, are you okay that Kyle will be staying with you, tonight?"
"Sure. He's a lot of fun! He's bringing books to read and Opal's Mother is fixing him a place to rest in their living room."
"Good! That's awfully nice of her. Be sure and tell her thank you for me!"
As Millicent picked up Allie's satchel, a decorated envelope fell out.
"What's this?"
"Oh, that's a present I made for you and Dad and me, sort of!"
"I say we go downstairs and open it…"
Downstairs, Nathan looked up at Allie unsure as to exactly what he was looking at, turning it this way and that…
"What exactly is this, Allie?"
The large unfolded sheet of paper had been decorated and marked off into lots of connected circles that looked an awful lot like rings.
"Are these rings?"
"Dad, don't you see?"
Allie looked from Millicent to Nathan and then giving up, rolled her eyes heavenward.
"They're Wedding Rings! This is our Wedding Calendar Countdown! Every day that passes, we put an "X" in the round rings of the chain and see, if you look real closely, I fixed the next one so it shows us how many more days we have left in the chain, but it's really how many days we have till our Wedding! And the circles are platinum and gold Wedding Rings! I didn't know which you would choose. We had to do a calendar for our art project, but we had to make it seem different than a regular calendar, so I asked Mrs. Nelson if I could do a Wedding Calendar Countdown. And she loved the idea!"
"Oh, I see! This is perfect, Allie! I think we'd better hang that right by our front door as a wonderful reminder that we're quickly moving toward our most special day!" smiled her Dad.
"I love this! I'm going to have to copy it to take to Montreal with me!" enthused Millicent.
"Momma, I already thought of that. And I made one for you too!"
Allie dug back into the envelope and pulled out a more feminine version of the same Calendar for her Momma, which she had meticulously painted in Millicent's favorite teal and lavender colors, along with a beautiful border of multi-colored flowers with a different flower in each ringed circle.
"This one's yours, Momma, for our home in Montreal!"
"I love it! This is truly beautiful, Allie! Thank you! I'll hang it by our front door in the city!"
"Really?"
"Really. Exactly like yours is placed here! Oh, Allie, I think I hear your ride!"
Millicent peaked out the window.
"They're here! Let's get you bundled up!"
"Allie, behave and be sure to tell Mr. and Mrs. Weiss thank you," reminded her Father.
"I will, Dad! I promise!"
"Do you need any help?"
"You relax!" ordered Millicent as her Daughter hugged and kissed her Father and her Uncle Bill. "I've got everything covered, Love!"
When Allie had completed her kisses and hugs, Millicent finished helping her with her coat, mittens, and scarf.
When Allie was all snug and warm, Nathan helped Millicent into the coat Rosemary had loaned her and handed her scarf and gloves to her.
"Bag or canvases, Allie?"
"I'll take the Bag, Momma! Don't want to mess up the Cupcakes! Love you, Dad! Love you, Uncle Bill!"
"Love you, too, Princess!"
"Love you, Little Mountie!"
"And I love you, too, Angel!"
Allie beamed.
"Love you, Momma! Thanks for all the help!"
"My pleasure, Allie! Just have a good time!"
And Allie reached up to kiss and hug Millicent too.
Millicent grabbed the canvases, along with the Lemon Cupcakes, and followed her Daughter outside, transferring them to Mr. Weiss's care, while waving the happy group off for a night of Slumber Party fun...
As they pulled away, Millicent chatted with Matt for a bit, who was covering the front this evening while Tom had his dinner.
"He's at the Café, Miss!"
"Alone?"
"Afraid so!"
"We're going to have to do something about that, Matt, but don't you dare tell him I told you so!"
"Yes, Miss. I agree! I'll even help if you'd like!"
"It's a deal, Matt, and I've got a really great idea. It might involve you and a certain pretty Doctor I know, as well…"
Nathan was waiting just inside the door to help Millicent out of her coat.
"You're so cold, Babe!" he said, touching her flushed cheeks.
"It's a bit brutal out there, Love! The men are going to remain inside tonight, but we're so close, that shouldn't be a problem."
"Not at all! Here, let me take your scarf and gloves!"
He sat them on the Hall Tree Bench and led her to the Settee, where he had his Mother's afghan ready for her, that he had warmed by the fireplace.
"Oh, Nathan, this feels so toasty and wonderful. So very thoughtful! Thank you, Love!"
"You are most welcome! Did you hear our Daughter say 'This one's for our home in Montreal'?"
"That was really sweet. And she's right. It is already our home! Her home and your home! I love that!"
"Just wait till she sees it! She's going to fall in love with the Townhouse, as well as Essie and Hendrix!"
Nathan nestled his arm around Millicent and bent to kiss her.
"I'm just so happy she already feels that way! Because I do too, Mil!"
"Now, that makes me very happy!"
The couple couldn't help but kiss once more, a kiss that was quickly interrupted.
"I've got the Coffee, as it looks like we're gonna need lots of it!" announced Bill as he entered from the kitchen with a piping 'hot pot of black gold,' as he called it!
Millicent started to reach and pour.
"No, Millicent, I've got it! You just relax for once," insisted Bill. "What have you got to tell us?"
"Lots actually! Because on Antoinette's behalf, John Henry has given me free rein to share anything and everything related to Nettie's case with both of you. Naturally, he is very upset about Nettie's Auntie Charlotte leaving her unattended, resulting in Nettie's subsequent journey with two criminals to Hope Valley. I must admit I'm most grateful for him releasing me from any confidentiality because now I can fill in the story in a way that hopefully will make some semblance of sense! It's certainly unusual, to say the least!"
"How did John Henry make it so quickly to Hope Valley?" asked Nathan.
"Well, it's been several days, but he was already close to Jasper, having planned to stop and see Nettie before all this happened. As soon as he heard about Nettie being here, he immediately went to her Auntie's on his way here by train. Lucky for us, he was able to find out some information via a couple of private investigators he hired. Information I think will prove most useful. As it turns out, he and Lucas hadn't had any contact for some time, and until Nettie found him here, John Henry didn't even know where he was living. For whatever reasons, they have been pretty much estranged since Lucas came to Hope Valley. Of course, he came as soon as he possibly could. As you know Helen knew Lucas was here, but apparently, she had refused to share her Son's whereabouts to John Henry."
"Well, I can think of a few reasons! None of 'em good! Sure don't envy John Henry bein' married to that woman! But I'm dyin' to hear about their family situation. Sounds really strange to me!"
"Oh, it's beyond strange, Bill! Just as I thought, John Henry did have two families, but consecutively, not at the same time. When Lucas was three, Helen demanded a divorce as she had fallen in love with a man named Harold, and was in the throes of a torrid romance with him. Not only did she demand the divorce from John Henry to remain secret, in order to save face re her professional career and social standing, she also demanded that John Henry keep the divorce a secret, even from Lucas."
"Now that's just crazy, to say nothin' about bein' impossible!" interjected Bill.
"Crazy, yes, but not really impossible. Just tricky, maybe! You see, John Henry had always traveled a lot, so he still spent Holidays and important events with Lucas at the Family home. Much the same as before. He also traveled with him as much as possible. Sometimes Helen would join them, with separate suites, of course."
"But wait a minute. How did Helen explain her new Husband to Lucas?" asked a perplexed Nathan. "And why would John Henry agree to the Condition, knowing Helen wanted to remarry? I mean it sounds like she's the one that wanted out of the marriage, which should have given him the leverage."
"As for Helen explaining, she didn't. As it turns out Harold was already married and didn't want to divorce his sick wife, so they continued their affair over the years. Which also answers your second question, Love. Helen knew by this time that Harold wasn't going to marry her any time soon, so she was willing to bide her time even if it meant staying married to John Henry in name only. But by that time, John Henry simply wanted the divorce over with as he knew Helen was still having the affair and it was inevitable. There was no marriage. John Henry also wanted Lucas to remain a part of his life. And that's where Helen had him. I have to say she played her cards well and got exactly what she wanted. Her freedom and her standing in both the Business World and High Society, as well as an unsuspecting Son, who would have most likely blamed her for the breakup. A couple of years ago, Harold's Wife died, and he and Helen immediately married. But she never told Lucas. Not about their divorce or her new marriage! I have verified everything: there was a sealed Divorce Certificate between John Henry and Helen, which I was able to access via an emergency measure, as well as a new Marriage Certificate between Helen and Harold. John Henry intends to correct Helen's omission of those disclosures in a discussion with Lucas today."
"But what about the condition? Havin' had dinner with that woman once, I know I sure wouldn't want to cross Helen!" insisted Bill. "I mean John Henry is riskin' a lot in my opinion!"
"That's just it. In my research, I found out that the Condition is no longer legally valid, although it was set in stone at the time of the Bouchard divorce. As it turns out, Louisiana's statute of limitations on all conditions has long since expired. They're no longer even allowed in the State."
"Great work, Millicent!" nodded the Judge.
"So proud of you, Mil!"
"Thanks to a little digging, John Henry is finally free!"
"When did Antoinette's Mother enter the picture?" asked Nathan.
"Well, I should preface that answer by first clarifying the last thing John Henry wanted was another woman in his life after his devastating marriage with Helen. But when Lucas was fourteen, John Henry went on one of his many business trips to Paris. And I must say, it's really romantic how they met. He happened to come across a beautiful young woman who walked out into the street when a carriage thundered by and almost ran over her. John lifted the woman from danger, their eyes met, and just like a storybook, it was instant love! They were inseparable from that moment on and were married six months later. A year and a half after that, Antoinette, Nettie, was born! It's a solid marriage based solely on a real deep love and respect for each other. His wife, Juliette, is coming to Canada, accompanied by her new bodyguard, to be with John Henry and her Daughter so they can all travel together as a Family. Although I'm not sure she'll still need a bodyguard now that everything is out in the open about Helen."
"So, we were right in our assumption that Helen paid the Security Person off?" asked Nathan.
"Yes, I can freely say now, that is indeed the case! John Henry just found out about it. Sadly, there definitely was a bribe involved, and apparently, several threats as well to both Juliette and Nettie, as well as the former bodyguard."
"Wonders never cease! It's amazing how tiny things tend to fall together in a case…" mused Nathan. "Even typically unrelated things. Every single minute detail eventually matters!"
"When you know what to look for, Nathan. Which you always seem to do. You also know what questions to ask," proclaimed Bill. "Hmph! I suppose that's why you're now the Chief! And I'm just the Judge!"
"Just the Judge? Bill, you're not such a bad interrogator yourself! I've learned from the best! Am I allowed to now ask about this Auntie Charlotte, Mil? She's the one I'm really interested in!"
"You and Bill both may ask anything, now that I have John Henry's full approval to release any and all information. And that's in writing with witnesses, thanks to our Judge and Gabe."
"Happy to oblige!"
"As I mentioned, John Henry is furious about what happened with Antoinette coming to Hope Valley, especially that she was accompanied by two men who have proven to be criminals. Although, he is quite happy his Daughter found his Son. John immediately hired a couple of private investigators as soon as I called his emergency contact number that the Housekeepers had, and I do believe Lucas called him as well. But it's interesting that John Henry's Investigators found some confounding information."
"Can you elaborate?" asked Nathan.
"Yes, Love! It appears Auntie Charlotte, otherwise known as Desmona Deschenes, is quite a busy lady. The local Mountie Office of Jasper has had her under surveillance for quite some time, but they haven't been able to nail her on anything. Although they suspect her of high crimes. Just no proof."
"Do you know why they suspect her?" asked Nathan.
"Because she has no known income and her comings and goings for long periods of time are suspect, as they are always to western ports. There also appears to be a procession of Russian Gentlemen who frequent her home. And although she is of French descent, she is known to speak fluent Russian. None of which is a crime, but all of it together is rather suspect. When I asked, John Henry verified she doesn't come from a wealthy family. Which means she has to derive her income from somewhere to maintain her very high lifestyle. As it turns out, she is an Auntie to John Henry's wife, Juliette, via marriage. 'Auntie Charlotte' is actually her Mother's Sister-in-law. The family was well off enough, but not at all wealthy. It's Juliette's Father who had all the real money that her Mother married into. Apparently, Charlotte, aka Desmona, married into Juliette's Mother's family by marrying an adopted brother, who happened to be Russian. The family never like her, and only accepted her out of courtesy to their brother, Vladislav, who has since passed. Juliette would have never sent Nettie to her, except she knew of no wrongdoing, and was desperate to remove her Daughter from Paris and Helen's clutches. As it turns out, Helen had threatened Juliette that she would literally destroy her Daughter's life, making it impossible for Nettie to ever make an acceptable marriage. John Henry is now very suspicious of this Desmona, given what the local Mountie Office shared with him, coupled with what happened to Antoinette. He intends for the case against Desmona to be brought to fruition and will help it along in any way he can. You two included!"
"Mil, that's great detective work! I can tell you right now, her name was at the top of my list! I'm calling the Jasper Mounted Police Office first thing in the morning. It's a lesser Port City on the Athabasca River, and now, thanks to Nettie, we know Desmona Dechenes' home. I know that area well! Actually, it's not that terribly far from Swan Hills!"
"But, Darling, you're not supposed to be working."
"No, you're not, Nathan! Gabe and I will take care of it first thing tomorrow mornin' after rounds and report back as soon as we hear anything! I might even call Winston."
"Bill, thanks to Millicent, this is our missing piece. I can feel it, Bill!"
"You said at the very beginnin', you wouldn't be surprised if the Mastermind was a Woman. And you also said it would be a Port City. How in the world did you know that?"
"Well, the location was easy, as they need a Port to conduct their business. But as for it being a Woman, nothing fit, Bill. Which meant the Mastermind had to be thinking differently than the typical criminal, and as most criminals in big operations are Men, that simply left a Woman as the alternative! Another latter clue was the fancy dress of her henchmen. This is a high stakes operation, run by someone who is very savvy and rather sophisticated."
"Remind me never to do anything devious around you! I'll admit, I laughed back then, but I'm sure not laughin' now…"
Meanwhile, at John and Nettie's Suite in The Queen of Hearts, Lucas had just arrived to escort John Henry and Antoinette to Dinner.
"Thank you, Son, for having Dinner with us."
"After a lot of thought, it seems the right thing to do. I can't have my Family visiting Hope Valley and having Dinner without me on a Friday night! And so, Gustav has prepared a Gourmet Dinner for us to be served in my private quarters. Antoinette, may I escort you to our Dinner?"
"I would be delighted Monsieur Bou…" but as Antoinette took her brother's arm, and both looked into each other's eyes, they were unsure just how to proceed.
Lucas smirked but with a gleam of humor in his eyes this time around!
"One obviously can't call a Family member, Monsieur or Mademoiselle. It's Lucas, Antoinette," smiled Lucas. "And I must say, I'm sorry for the way I treated you when we first met. Will you please forgive me?"
"You were forgiven when it happened. I just wanted Father, and when I learned you were my Brother, well, I wanted...I want my Brother, too!"
"We might have to wait a bit for that, but I am trying, Antoinette. I truly am. If you'll be patient with me, that is."
"Oui, Lucas. I will be very patient! I promise."
"That's all I can ask, then! Merci beaucoup!"
As John Henry closed their suite's door behind them, he offered a silent prayer.
'Thank you, Dear God! This is the start we've prayed for. And this is the start my Son needs. More than he knows. Lead him further to where he needs to be. And guide me to help him get there…"
"Good to see you, Bill! It's been a slow Saturday!"
"Well, don't you get too comfortable, Gabe! That's not gonna last! Gotta call Winston," and Bill perfunctorily moved Gabriel aside, just like he had always done Nathan, and Jack before him, taking what the Judge considered his rightful place in the big chair behind the desk.
"Anything up?"
"Got a feelin' and some news. Listen in on the conversation…"
"Will do," and Gabe pulled up one of the visitor's chairs.
"Florence, I need the Commissioner, please!"
The two men waited as Florence finally made the connection.
"Judge, I have Commissioner Anderson on the line!"
"Winston, Bill, here! Sorry to interrupt your Saturday, but Gabe and I have some very interestin' news to give you from your Chief Inspector. It also looks like we need your assistance…"
"Of course, what is it you need Bill? Or should I ask you first what you've uncovered?"
"Honestly, Nathan was on the right track from the beginning, and I'll admit I laughed. But he was right and I was wrong. You see, Nathan has suspected a woman as the Mastermind almost from the beginning of this case, and he knew their headquarters was in a Port City. As it turns out, it appears that he's right on both counts. He even had the right name! We got some intel from Millicent Bradford, actually, who was responsible for a case involvin' the run-away child we discussed. She somehow convinced her client's Father to give her free rein to share this information in its entirety! And it looks like it's gonna be a huge help to our case."
"A brilliant young lady from what my sources are saying! In fact, the thing I hear most often is 'as brilliant as she is beautiful!'"
"Yep, that's Millicent! I've had the opportunity to see her in action. And I can tell you she's some Barrister! Probably the best I've worked with! Totally thinks out of the box. The woman in question for our case turns out to be none other than our Auntie Charlotte aka Desmona Deschenes, the person Nathan had tapped all along. She lives in Jasper, right on the Athabasca River. Shes' French, obviously, but speaks fluent Russian, and has a bevy of Russian men in and out of her house; doesn't come from a wealthy family, but lives the high life. She has been under surveillance by the Jasper Mounted Police for some time, but aside from frequent trips to the major western port cities, they haven't been able to nail her on anything. Apparently, her name appeared on a list of suspects and because she lived in a Port City and frequented other Port Cities, she became Nathan's top suspect, even before this connection."
"Fascinating. That's paying attention to detail! The man has a memory like a hawk. Does he have a photographic memory? I digress. Go on…"
"Millicent's client hired private investigators that confirm she is currently in the Port City of Prince Rupert."
"Smart, they're choosing the smaller port to dump their goods, where customs aren't nearly as stringent, compared to Vancouver!"
"Exactly. Although it is thought she's dabbled a bit there as well, although by courier or goons, whichever the case may be, but not personally."
"You know, Bill, this coincides nicely with the case brought against the two upper-crust men you arrested."
"Yes, it does indeed. It's all startin' to make sense. The other development is the art pieces we talked about yesterday. Any news on that front, Winston?"
"Not finalized yet, but I am going to send you a coded telegram today related to that. Don't want to say much on our line."
"Got it! You'll have a complete coded report wired by day's end from Gabe and me. Do you want us to have Nathan sign off on it?"
"I'd prefer that if he is able?"
"Yes, he's itchin' to get back to work, but is gonna' have to do it in bits and pieces at first."
"Then brief him and get his input. And perhaps Millicent's too if she doesn't mind."
"Of course, Winston. Do I have clearance to contact the Jasper Authorities?"
"I'll handle that personally, as soon as we hang up. I'll see that they contact you and cooperate in full with Nathan, Gabe, and you. Let me know if you need anything else. Hey, Bill, I don't want to push Nathan, but I do need him as much as he is able to contribute."
"Agree. I'll run it by his Doctor to see how much she's comfortable with, and I'll also brief him on our report and get his input tonight."
"Thanks, Bill, and thank both Millicent and Nathan for me. Gabe too! Great work! Oh, are you still biding your time on the local end?"
"Yep. Still haven't had a direct lead to the Mastermind. But sort of looks like we no longer need it!"
"Keep in touch!"
"Will do!"
And with that, the two men hung up and Bill turned to Gabe.
"The Commissioner says thanks, Gabe, which, I'm afraid means we've got a boatload of work to do…"
"Well, Miss Bradford, ready for another quiet day at the rowhouse?"
"As long as you're here, absolutely!"
"I'm sorry I can't plan to take you anywhere quite yet!"
"No worries! I'm totally content right here with you, Love!"
She snuggled more closely into him, with both of them squished into his big Club Chair.
"This is the perfect fit…" and he reached to kiss her. "Who would have thought? You know, this is where I was sitting when I first called you…"
But there was a knock at the door, with lots of chatter behind it!
"Who could that be at this time of day?"
"I'd better go see! You rest!"
Millicent kissed him quickly and hurriedly went to the door.
"Rosemary, Elizabeth, please come in!" invited Millicent.
"Good afternoon, Ladies!" called Nathan from his club chair.
"Laura's with the children and since they are all napping, I thought I'd pop over! Nathan, we weren't expecting to see you up and about!" exclaimed Rosemary.
"Faith says it's good for him to help gain his full strength back," explained Millicent. "And besides he's bored to tears with bed! Nathan, are you up for visitors?"
"I most certainly am. How's Charles, Elizabeth?"
"He's doing well. Thank you! He's actually working on a big project for my Father."
"I saw Lee earlier this morning, Rosemary!"
"Yes, I must say those two have been in cahoots quite often with the two big building projects!" laughed Millicent. "May I offer you both some Tea?"
"That would be lovely," smiled Rosemary. "Elizabeth, if you don't mind helping Millicent, I'd like to speak with Nathan alone for a minute or two."
Elizabeth was surprised and didn't even try to hide it, as she would have much preferred to stay and speak with Nathan, but she reluctantly did as Rosemary asked and followed Millicent into the kitchen.
"What can I help you with, Rosemary?"
"First, I'm sorry about Elizabeth tagging along with me. She caught me coming out my door and insisted on coming too!"
"Rosemary, it's not a problem. The three of us are bound to run into each other from time to time. What did you need to speak with me about?"
"The real problem is I'm worried about Lee! Do you think he's alright, Nathan? Does he seem to be adjusting to everything from your perspective? Man to man?"
"Rosemary, Lee couldn't be happier! He's tired. But deliriously happy, with both you and the Children!"
"Oh, that's a relief!"
"What's got you worried?"
"He's taking on building us a house, which I'm thrilled we'll be neighbors of sorts. Although with all that land you have, it's going to be a stretch! It's just that I'm concerned Lee's taking on too much with us adjusting to our new Family. And don't forget he's also got the Mill to worry about!"
"He's handling it all beautifully. You know what I think you need?"
"What?"
"A night out! Just the two of you! Bring the Children over here tonight. Allie will be home from her slumber party, soon, and Bill, our resident Chaperone will be here along with Millicent and me! You and Lee go out for a nice Saturday Night Dinner, our treat!"
"Nathan, that's so generous, but I can't do that. You're recovering from a bullet wound!"
"Yes, and I need to start living normally again. You would be doing us a favor. Besides, we've missed our Godchildren!"
"Are you sure you're up for it? They're quite the handful!"
"I'll admit, the majority of my experience is with one child only, but with the four of us, I'm sure we can handle it. Allie's itching to have them over! Millicent is golden with Children. And Bill is a whole lot better than you think! If I tire, there is one person for each Child. I'll be the extra. Come on, what do you say?"
"When you put it that way, it sounds absolutely heavenly! You know, Lee and I love you and Millicent and we want the Children to feel comfortable with you and love you too. Thanks for offering. But you must ask your sweet Fiancee first before I'll even consider the idea!"
"Will do…"
"Will do what, Darling?" asked Millicent as she and Elizabeth walked into the room, with the Tea.
"I suggested that Rosemary and Lee go to Dinner on us tonight, and bring the Children over for us all to take care of. Are you game?"
"Oh, I'd love that! I miss those Little Ones! All three! Count me in and I know Allie's all in! She's been dying to get to hold the Twins."
"Then it's settled! Rosemary!" declared Nathan. "Lee might not know it yet, but the two of you have a date tonight! Which do you prefer The Café or The Queen of Hearts?"
"I think The Café. I'm longing for some quiet!"
"I'll call Minnie and make reservations for say, seven?" offered Millicent.
"That's perfect! Thank you. Thank you both so very much!"
Even Elizabeth noticed that Rosemary looked like a weight was removed from her shoulders, and she felt a pang of guilt that she hadn't thought to offer the same.
After all, she had a Nanny, and Laura anytime she needed her.
"Charles and I will make the same offer for next Saturday night, Rosemary. Nathan and Millicent are right. You and Lee deserve a break. My goodness, how many times have you and Lee done the exact same thing for me?"
"But there are three children to consider instead of one!"
"Doesn't matter. You still need a break, even more so! We have a Nanny, plus Laura, anytime we need her! Don't be silly. We can handle this, as well!"
Nathan smiled at Millicent, and the four changed the subject from Date night to focusing solely on Rosemary's three Children and Elizabeth's two Children, with each Mother telling escapade after escapade, till suddenly, Rosemary glanced at Nathan and stopped Elizabeth…
Both Millicent and Nathan were glad Elizabeth was including Eliza Jade in her sweet anecdotes.
It was a first.
"Nathan, Millicent, this has been delightful, but we've taken quite enough of your time! You, Nathan Grant, need to get some rest! Elizabeth, I think we should go…"
"But I haven't finished my Tea…"
"Elizabeth, now!"
"Of course. Nathan, it's great to see you looking so well. We didn't mean to tire you."
"Thank you. I do still tire easily, but I guess that's to be expected. Thank you, Ladies, for the visit. Rosemary we'll expect the Children by six to give you plenty of time to get ready for your date!"
"Oh, that truly does sound heavenly. Thank you, both, so very much! I think I now can face the day!"
Millicent reached to hug and kiss both women, and although it was the most natural thing in the world with Rosemary, Millicent noticed Elizabeth hesitated but did finally return her offer, opting for a high society European air kiss instead!
As Millicent closed the door, she turned with a smile to face Nathan.
"I saw that, Love. And I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay, Nathan. It's a start. Elizabeth and I are gradually getting there. Just give her time. I'm perfectly fine."
"I'm still sorry to put you through this. I understand it's because of me, and I hate that. You don't deserve any of this!"
"Well, neither did you. Love, this is just part of life. Don't you know, I'd go through anything to be with you? Absolutely anything, Nathan Grant! This is very small in the scheme of things. I promise."
Nathan, although tired, got up and without realizing slipped his arm out of his sling, enfolding Millicent into both his arms.
"Oh, that feels so good, Nathan! I've longed for both of your arms around me, again! Wait! Where's your sling!"
"Sh! It's okay. Faith said I could use my arm a bit more. That it would be good for me. And I can't think of a better way to use it than this!"
He cupped her chin and tilted her face toward him, as he bent down to enmesh his warm lips with her soft ones, breathing his breath into hers…
As his kiss deepened, Millicent wrapped her arms around his neck, stretching on her tiptoes, fitting perfectly into his embrace, in the exact spot he had been longing to hold her.
They stood as one, tenderly showing each other their great love one for the other in this sweet, tender moment of privacy.
When they finally drew their lips apart, Millicent laid her head on his chest.
But soon realized how tired he had looked, so she quickly helped him slip his wounded arm back into his sling.
Then with her arm wrapped around his waist and his good arm around her shoulders, they walked up the stairs together, and into his bedroom, where Millicent helped him out of his robe and into his bed, fluffing his pillows, and pulling his quilt up about him.
"You need to rest up for tonight! Sleep, my Love…" and she hummed a favorite song of his, while she gently caressed his cheek and jawline until he fell deeply and soundly asleep…
As it was almost time for the Coulters to arrive, Millicent emptied Nathan's two big Laundry Baskets to use as beds for the Twins and fitted them with two soft pillows.
"We now have two of the sweetest beds for the Girls!"
"That's perfect, Babe! The Coulters should be arriving in about ten minutes. Are you ready?"
"Yes, I am! I'm so glad you thought of this! It's exactly what both Rosemary and Lee need. She was thrilled you offered. I should have thought of it!"
"You, my Darling, have had your hands full with me! I am excited to see our Godchildren, though! Do we have everything?" asked Nathan.
"Biscuits and Milk for Oliver and Beds for the Twins!"
"And I've got my old Children's Stories stacked up on your desk, Dad, so I can read them to Oliver. But do you think I can hold Sadie and Sophie, too?"
Millicent smiled and put her arm around her Daughter.
"I think that most certainly can be arranged!"
"Wonder where Bill is? Hope nothing has come up!"
"I'm sure he'll be here soon, Darling! Ah, there's the door!"
It wasn't Bill, however, but the Coulter Family instead.
"Good evening to our favorite neighbors!"
"Hi, Oliver, want to come with me?" asked Allie.
Oliver smiled and took Allie's hand as she helped him pull his coat off, along with his mittens and the extra-long muffler Rosemary had wrapped around him.
"Are you all sure you haven't backed out? I brought lots of toys, in case they're extra rowdy. And in case Nathan needs to rest!"
"Rosemary, I'm sure the Children will do fine! We're so excited to have them. Here, give me Sophie!"
"How did you know that was Sophie, Millicent?" asked Lee, stunned. "I still can't tell them apart! I never know which one I have!"
"It's a female thing, Sweetheart!" laughed Rosemary.
"Obviously, so, Rosie!"
"Come, Lee, hand me Sadie!"
"You know, too?" asked a non-plussed Lee.
"Well, I think so. But this was a process of deduction!" admitted Nathan. "Are you two excited for your night out?"
"Are we ever! Thanks, tons, for doing this. We didn't realize how much we needed it!"
Lee placed a sleeping Sadie in the curve of Nathan's good arm and placed his own arm around Rosemary.
"Oliver's had an early Dinner. And here are extra bottles done up for the Girls, but I just fed them, so they're really only for emergencies. They've also been burped, and changed! But I can't promise you that you won't need this stack of diapers!"
"Oh, I can make you a promise! You will definitely need this stack of diapers!" exclaimed Lee, drolly.
Nathan chuckled.
"You two head out. You've got a reservation to make!" teased Millicent.
"Wait. Thought you might like to take a new car for this big date!" and Nathan threw Lee the keys to his car.
"Are you serious? I've been dying to drive this baby! Rosie, we're going in style, tonight!"
"You two go and get dressed! I hate for you to leave, but your dinner is waiting!" urged Nathan.
"Rosie, everyone's fine except you! Come on, I'm ready for my date!"
"Oh, no, you aren't, Lee Coulter. I expect a suit and tie for this dinner date! Back to home you go! Kisses for Sophie and Sadie!" and Rosemary kissed both of her Daughters then called for Oliver.
"Oliver, Sweetie, come kiss your Mommy and Daddy goodbye!"
Oliver came running, offering huge hugs and sloppy wet kisses to both.
"Love you, Mommy! Love you, Daddy!"
Rosemary looked as though she was going to cry.
"Love you, Son. Mommy and Daddy will be right back after Dinner! You be a good boy for Uncle Nathan and Auntie Millicent and Allie!"
"Rosemary, I promise we'll take the very best care of them!"
"I know…it's just…I'm sorry! Let's go Lee before I back out!"
"Thank you, Nathan. Thank you, Millicent! And thank you, Allie! Call the Café if you need us!"
"We most certainly will. Now, go, and forget about us. Go have a good time!" insisted Nathan. "And enjoy that car!"
"We'll sure try!"
"No, Rosie, no trying about it! This is me you're having a date with. And it's going to be splendiferous!"
"Then Splendiferous, it is, Sweetheart…"
When Bill finished his Saturday workday, he came back to the Grant home to controlled chaos…
Baby and Toddler stuff strewn everywhere, with two Baby Girls both crying, while Oliver was running to and fro.
"What's this, we have here?" asked Bill with wide eyes.
"We're babysitting, Uncle Bill!" explained Allie, stating the obvious, as she sat bouncing a crying Sadie, while Millicent held her ever-competitive sister, Sophie, next to her.
"Hmph! Now I know what Lee means…"
Nathan was playing with Oliver and his humongous bag of toys that had been spread out over what seemed like the entire living room floor!
Oliver was bringing them one by one to Nathan's chair, demanding that each toy undergo a Mountie inspection!
And of course, Nathan had to wear his Campaign Hat!
But with one look from Millicent, Bill was deemed as Mountie replacement for a tiring Nathan.
"Darling, you've done your due. Goodnight kisses for Oliver and to bed for you for some rest!"
"Oliver, I think it's time for the Judge to take over Mountie duties! And time for me to take a nap!"
"Nap, too!"
Nathan looked at Millicent and shrugged.
"Want to take a nap, Buddy? I think we can manage that. Bill, can you help the Girls?"
"Got it, Nathan. Are you sure you two are alright?"
"Positive. Off to bed, this Little Guy goes!"
And with that Nathan tucked a laughing Oliver under his good arm, and took off up the stairs, for what would hopefully, but not assuredly, be some rest!
Surprisingly, the Little Guy was tuckered out and with an old bedtime story Nathan used to tell Allie, Oliver quickly drifted off to sleep.
An exhausted Nathan followed not long after…
"Lee, the Café looks more beautiful than I've ever seen it!"
"Afraid I can't take the credit, but it really does!"
Millicent had arranged for the Café to set a gorgeous table with candles and roses from the Mercantile.
And as a special favor, Minnie had seated the remaining guests toward the front of the Café, leaving the most private corner for the Coulters.
As Lee held Rosemary's chair, he caught a whiff of her perfume and realized it was the first time his Rosie had had a chance to put any on since they had gotten the children.
It took him back to the first time he had smelled that delicious rose scent.
He had been intoxicated by it back then, and he was intoxicated by it even more now.
"You look amazing, Rosie! Absolutely amazing! The most beautiful mother I've ever seen," declared Lee as he sat down across from Rosemary and took her hands.
"We really are parents, Lee!"
"And it's more wonderful than I ever imagined it could be! Thank you for nudging me in the right direction. But tonight is all about you and me. And I want this special night to start off as special for you, as you are special to me."
Lee reached inside his suit coat pocket and removed a deep blue velvet jewelry box tied with a silky white ribbon.
"Lee! What is this?"
"This, Mrs. Coulter, is something I ordered for you from Union City, to celebrate you, Rosie. The person I love more than life itself, the Best Friend I ever had, the Mother to my Children, and the Wife I adore. You, Rosemary LeVeaux Coulter, are my everything, and I wanted you to have this to commemorate our Parenthood, and more specifically your Motherhood. Aren't you going to open it?"
Rosemary's hands were shaking.
"I never dreamed…"
"You make me dream, Rosie. Only you. I love you with everything that I am."
Rosemary gasped as she opened the box.
"Sapphires! Lee, my favorite!"
"One Sapphire for each child. Oliver is older, so the larger stone set in the necklace is for him. The smaller two stones in the earrings are for our twin girls!"
"But they certainly aren't small! Lee, they are exquisite!"
"Don't cry, Sweetheart!"
"Happy tears, Lee! All happy tears."
Millicent had also gone to the trouble to order their meal for them, and it was perfection.
The most romantic of meals for two with a main of Filet topped with Mushroom Sauce, served on a Bed of Mashed Potatoes, accompanied by a Green Salad, and followed by a Dessert of Hot Chocolate Mousse!
Each moment of the entire evening just kept getting better than the last, till, finally, Lee and Rosemary were back in perfect sync as a couple in love, who had become parents in love.
And this most special time together, given by true friends, meant the world to both Husband and Wife…
Millicent opened the front door with a smile, still holding Sophie in her arms, who was now sleeping peacefully.
"It's impossible to tell which of you looks happier! I take it dinner was a success?"
"Oh, Millicent, it was perfection! Absolute perfection. How did you and Nathan know that was just what we needed?"
"You simply needed a moment for each other. We could tell you were worn out, and that's what was missing! That's all!"
"Thank you," said Lee. "From the bottom of my heart! And that car of yours, wow. I'll be happy to take that off your hands any day of the week!"
"From my heart, too! Millicent, look at what Lee gave me!"
"Oh, Rosemary. Sapphires! And they are truly exquisite! Excellent taste, Lee!"
"Were the Children too much trouble?"
"No, not at all. Bill's gone upstairs to get Oliver. He took a nap with Nathan! The girls had one little crying spell after you first left but then all was well. Allie stepped right in amidst the crying and was a total natural! And the Children have been perfect little Angels for the rest of the night!"
Nathan followed Bill, who was carrying Oliver, down the stairs.
"We got in a pretty good nap. But I think our Little Guy is ready for bed!"
"And I think our Big Guy better be ready for bed too!" suggested Bill.
"Soon, Bill. I want to say goodnight to Rosemary and Lee! How was dinner, you two?"
"Couldn't have been better! We owe all of you big time!" answered Lee, grinning from ear to ear. "And if you ever need a driver for that car, I'm for hire!"
Nathan chuckled. Lee had a way of doing that. Always lightening the mood.
"It sure drives like a dream, doesn't it?"
It took all the adults, along with Allie, to gather up all the toys, bottles, and diapers.
"Momma showed me how to hold the Girls, Auntie Rosie, and I loved it! They're so adorable!"
"You obviously did a great job, Allie. Thank you, Sweetie!" smiled Rosemary. "We're going to have to talk to you about some serious babysitting real soon! Now, are we all bundled up and ready to go?"
"Just about! The Girls are ready. We've just got to get our Little Guy all bundled up and we're good!" answered Millicent.
When that not-so-easy task was completed with the Little Guy seeming to have a fit of the wiggles, everyone hugged, kissed, and said their goodnights.
"Thanks again, from the bottom of our hearts for a spectacular night!" grinned Lee. "It was perfect! I think you might have just saved us."
But just as the Coulters were about to go out the door, there was a knock.
A loud knock…
And there, stood, John Henry and Lucas Bouchard in front of the opened door.
Instantly, by the look on their faces, Nathan, Millicent, and Bill knew this was a most serious visit.
"Rosemary, would it be alright if Allie went with you and Lee to help with the Children for a bit?" asked Nathan.
"Of course!"
And as each Parent had one of the Twins, Kyle came in and picked up Oliver to carry over to the Coulter's and watch over Allie.
"Goodnight!" called Nathan. "Lucas and Monsieur Bouchard, I take it. It's a pleasure, I'm Nathan Grant. Please do come in…"
All five adults were seated in the Grant living room, all unsure as exactly how they should proceed.
Yet there was a most official feel in the air, as though they could have been in a courtroom.
Mixed with an even ominous feeling of dread on all parts.
"Lucas, perhaps you'd prefer to speak with Nathan and Bill in private. I'll be happy to go next door…"
"No, please stay, Millicent," answered Lucas nervously.
"If you'll be so kind, Millicent, do please stay. I'm afraid my Son is in need of legal counsel, and we would like to retain you to fill that capacity."
Millicent glanced at Nathan and Bill, not wanting to make anything more difficult for them, but both nodded.
"Then, so be it. I will do my best for you, Lucas. I must inform you that it is customary for an Attorney and Client to speak privately prior to talking with Law Enforcement. And in order to protect my new Client as much as possible, I'm afraid that's exactly what I'm recommending to take place now."
"We appreciate that, but after much discussion, my Son and I feel it is best to be totally frank with all concerned."
"Alright, but I must say, I am bound by Law to intervene if my Client is incriminating himself…"
"Understood, Millicent. But please allow me to tell my story, while I have the courage to do so. This burden is too heavy to continue to carry. After talking today with my Father, at length, he has agreed to stand beside me, whatever comes of this. With him, I now have the strength I didn't have alone. And I am now ready to face the consequences of my actions."
"I must ask, John, is Antoinette alright?"
"Thank you for your concern, Millicent. She's with Mrs. Yost, who was kind enough to step in, as Lucas and I have had much to discuss in private today."
Millicent breathed a sigh of relief.
"Of course. I still would be remiss to not urge that the three of us should have a private discussion prior to this open one. As your Attorney, I must reiterate that."
"We understand and are waiving that right. Because when all is said and done, these circumstances are what they are, and being completely upfront is the only way for my Son to muddle through them."
"Millicent is right, Lucas. You must know that whatever you tell us can be held against you. And that doesn't go away," noted Bill most seriously.
"I understand, Judge Avery."
But Nathan, although quietly observing, instinctively knew that perhaps, after all, this was the best way, even though he was finding himself to feel almost protective of Lucas, something he had not at all expected.
But truly, there had never been any vindictiveness on Nathan's part where this man was concerned, just a feeling of uneasiness and deep frustration at his not being open and forthright, especially with the duplicity that existed when their dreaded triangle had been going on.
On top of everything else, there had been genuine fear for Elizabeth, and even Little Jack.
Not that Lucas would intentionally harm them. Nathan knew he would not. It was those around him, he didn't trust.
When Nathan finally spoke, he did so in a low clear voice, one without emotion, in an authoritative, matter-of-fact manner that left no doubt he knew exactly what was going on.
And it was Nathan's iron-clad gentleness that sent chills throughout Lucas's entire body.
For the Constable's, now Chief Inspector's, words were chosen most carefully with their full implication understood by both Father and Son.
"I would suggest if you are going to tell a story, that you tell the whole story, with the whole truth. Because I must advise you that Bill and I know much more than you think we do. It took me three years, Lucas. But just before I left for Montreal, I finally figured it out, and since Bill and I have already overseen the arrests of key players, your colleagues, throughout Canada, we've just been biding our time where you're concerned, taking care of other related business, shall we say? Allowing you to complete your tasks as it were, involving the six crates behind your Office before we approached you."
"Before you arrested me, you mean."
Nathan did not deny the accusation, for it was true.
"Full disclosure, we already have more than enough to arrest you. Which is the action that generally follows broken laws. You see activities outside the law rarely slide forever. Someone pays. Who is going to pay in these instances, Lucas? For there are many charges, all of which are most serious."
The color drained from Lucas's face.
"What I'm trying to say, Lucas, is that you will be held responsible for both what you say and what you leave out. Choose your words most carefully, and honestly, for they will determine your destiny."
"Is it true you are now a Chief Inspector?"
"He is The Chief Inspector, Lucas! Not 'a' Chief Inspector," corrected Bill. "There is only one in all the Mounties, Nathan is over all the Inspectors, and is in charge of all major cases in all of Canada. He now works directly under the Commissioner."
Nathan's countenance didn't change, he simply remained looking into Lucas's eyes, without any emotion.
But there was a deep sadness within Nathan over what was to come.
He took no pleasure in Lucas's predicament.
It was Lucas's countenance that changed, and it changed considerably, into massive uncertainty and even fear.
"Yes, Lucas, I am Chief Inspector Nathan Grant. But you should know I realized your circumstances when I was what you have always considered a lowly Constable. Merely Constable Nathan Grant, the Man you somehow felt to be beneath you."
Lucas's face contorted in pain.
"I deserve that. Because it's true. I underestimated you from the beginning. I looked down on you. And I am most sorry for the way I have both mocked you and treated you. Especially with…Please forgive me."
"The personal I can forgive; the illegal activity, I cannot. What is your story, Lucas? I'm willing to listen."
"Before I came to Hope Valley, I gambled. I gambled a lot. And I mostly won. Until suddenly, I didn't. Unknown to my Father, I lost everything I had in one last final bet prior to coming here. Part of my required payment was to take over the Saloon, here in Hope Valley, now The Queen of Hearts, and run it so that it started making money, which I quickly did. The problem was, I didn't know that 'running' it involved much more than the day-to-day business of a Saloon. The Syndicate I lost to, owned it all this time, until just a year ago when I had made back enough money to buy it outright. I made the purchase, thinking I would be released from being under their control. But it didn't work that way."
"Back up. We need you to say exactly what it is this 'Syndicate' required you to do prior to your purchase," instructed Nathan.
"Tread carefully, Lucas," warned Millicent. "I would prefer…"
"It's okay, Millicent. I want to come clean. I need to come clean. About all of it."
She nodded, albeit reluctantly.
"The Syndicate insisted I pass illegal liquor through from the very beginning. But I refused. My only hope of a future was to turn this Saloon around in this ridiculous place and get out from under them. I made them see that would be foolish, that it would cost them their license, their entire business, the one I was trying so desperately to salvage. It took a lot of convincing, but I was firm in my refusal. They made it clear at the very near cost of my life. You, yourself, were privy to my being held at gunpoint by a Syndicate member…"
"He saved your sorry life from that Syndicate member if I remember correctly, and the life of the woman who is like a daughter to me!" interjected Bill angrily. "You almost cost my Godson, his only surviving parent! And would have, had it not been for Nathan intervening. That, Lucas, is not forgivable."
"I deserve that, too. I did almost cause Little Jack to lose his only surviving Parent, his Mother. And yes, Nathan did save my life. He saved Elizabeth's life that night, too. I regret deeply that I put Elizabeth in that predicament, and that I took the credit Nathan deserved."
"And never thanked him, I presume."
Lucas hung his head, in shame.
Millicent noticed also the pained, fathomless look on John Henry's face.
This was a Father in agony hearing these awful words from people in authority and even his own Son's mouth.
And that agony could be felt by all five people sitting in the Grant living room.
"No Father should have to go through this. I'm so terribly sorry, Father."
"I'll manage. Just continue on, Son."
"Because I refused to traffic the bootlegged alcohol, they threatened my life repeatedly, and the lives of my Parents. I had pretty much cut off all contact with my Father, as well as my Mother, trying to protect them, hoping at least the Syndicate wouldn't be able to implicate them. When my Mother came here, I panicked. She was falling right into their ploy."
"What did they demand you do?"
"They insisted I launder large sums of money for them. The money came in the routine shipments to the Saloon, in trunks and crates with faux bottoms that were filled to the brim with cold hard cash. Sometimes the money was disguised by dead fish, sometimes meat, sometimes spices, sometimes vegetables, sometimes liquor, etc. Whatever they could think of we could use at the Saloon. One time unknown to me, I had ordered new mattresses, which they intercepted, and by mistake, because of a tear in my own new mattress, I found each and every single one of them was filled to the brim with cold hard cash. Huge bills. More money than I had ever seen. I tried to recoup it and ship it back to them. But they refused to allow it to be moved at that time. They started watching me more closely than ever, requiring me to check in six to eight times a day via phone, even on the weekends. They also sent periodic visitors to the Saloon to make sure I was doing everything they wished. Their threats got worse and worse. Their threats were no longer idle threats. They found my Mother back in New Orleans thanks to her ill-advised visit, and from that point on they knew her every move. They threatened they'd kill her if I didn't do exactly as they said. And so, I did. I did exactly as they said. I'm not proud of it. The money came through more frequently and in even larger sums. Then it progressed to very expensive art to be sold on the black market in Europe. My office is a veritable museum of their moving collections."
"As is the Saloon," offered Nathan.
"How did you know?"
"Continue, Lucas."
"There are six crates that are supposed to go out sometime two weeks from now. They never give me an exact date. I only know approximates. And even then, they change all the time. My office, as well as my living quarters, is in a constant state of chaos, with very expensive pieces going in and out. Nothing is mine. Nothing has ever been mine."
"Why are you coming to us now, after we've figured all this out for ourselves?" asked Bill. "You haven't told us anything we don't already know."
"Because my Father knew I was in trouble and offered to stand by me no matter what. I've had nothing these last three years. And no, Nathan, not that it matters now, but not even Elizabeth. It wasn't at all what it looked like. I wanted it to be so desperately, and I tried hard to make it so, but it just wasn't. She is innocent in all this. She must have somehow instinctively known. I don't know. But my Father made me see, tonight, that all this has to stop."
You could have heard a pin drop in the room.
There was dead silence.
Bill was furious at the mention of Elizabeth's name.
Nathan and Millicent were personally unimpacted except to feel sorrow for what Elizabeth had gone through.
In addition, Millicent was feeling additional sorrow for all the pain Nathan had gone through. And Allie. Pain to a large degree caused by this Man.
But Bill was right. So far, Lucas hadn't really told them anything they didn't already know. So far, he had given them nothing helpful.
After several minutes, Nathan spoke up in the same low tone he had used all evening.
He was however most thankful for his nap earlier with Oliver because it had left him able to think more clearly, especially since Faith had finally weaned him from his morphine.
"There must be more you haven't told us, Lucas."
"I have detailed records in my private safe that I keep in the Oil Office. Detailed records of every shipment, dates, what, how much. I did it as insurance. So that I would have a personal record of everything that had been done for them. What am I looking at, Millicent?"
"Money Laundering and Art Theft, even the handling of Stolen Art carry up to thirty years. From what you've stated as to the duration of time and the amounts, I'm sure this will equate to the maximums. These are just the crimes you have mentioned tonight, Lucas, if you had not been coerced."
"But I was coerced."
"Coercion could have been understood and even waived had you come to us immediately, but you chose not to trust us, Lucas," noted Nathan.
Nathan stood and slowly took off his robe.
Then he unbuttoned the top of his pajamas, one by one, and slid the entire top from his shoulders.
His voice didn't change.
It was calm, a constant.
"This warning, you knew about Lucas. And yet, what you are seeing is not the open ugly gaping wound Millicent has had to nurse since the shooting. This is the healed version. You allowed me to be shot, Lucas. You knew they were coming for me. You allowed them to shoot me. You could have warned me, but again, you chose not to trust me. Not to even help me. Not to warn me."
Nathan ripped the blood-stained bandage from his arm, allowing it to drop onto his shirt that was already on the floor.
The look of shock and sickness on Lucas's face was more than anyone could have ever expected.
Not only was Nathan showing him the partially healed wound Lucas himself had caused, but he was also letting the man before him know he had proof that Lucas knew.
"I'm so ashamed. I'm so very sorry. I'm so deeply sorry."
"Yes, you are. You are sorry. Millicent didn't deserve this. Allie didn't deserve this. I didn't deserve this. And yet because of your criminal activity and inability to stand up and be a Man, here we are…"
Lucas hung his head.
"You could have cost me my life, Lucas. Even worse, you could have cost Millicent her life. Do you know the sentence that endangering the life of an Officer carries? And I might add, in addition to me, Millicent is also an Officer of the Court."
Millicent knew, but the words wouldn't come out.
Bill also knew, but he simply couldn't speak the penalty.
Both looked straight ahead.
But then Bill spoke, with a calm in his voice that belied the heaviness in his heart.
"They were both endangered, Lucas. They are both living this nightmare."
"I fought for this not to happen," declared Lucas.
"Yet you didn't warn me," replied Nathan, simply.
"No, I did not. And I will forever regret that."
"Let's regroup," and Nathan sat down, without his shirt and the bandage still with its seepage of blood, leaving them crumpled on the floor in front of Lucas.
Millicent handed Nathan his robe and helped him back into it, so he wouldn't catch his death of cold.
"What can I do to make this right?" asked Lucas weakly.
"You have only two choices moving forward. First, guaranteed Prison for a very long time. Or second, you turn over everything and lead us to the Syndicate Mastermind. We already have the others, Lucas. It's only the Woman at the top we need proof against."
Lucas was truly startled and terrified all at once.
How could Nathan possibly know the Syndicate Head was a Woman?
"Allow me to be more specific. We need Desmona Deschenes aka Auntie Charlotte," spoke Nathan in very measured words.
"How could you possibly know she's a Woman, much less her name?"
And there it was…
"Now is not the time to ask questions, Lucas. Now is the time for action on your part. The first choice comes with immediate arrest and prison. These are the conditions of the second choice: house arrest and give us Mademoiselle Deschenes. Then I'll put in the best word for you and back up your story of coercion. Make the right choice for once."
"Do you have that kind of power?"
"As I said, I am Chief Inspector Nathan Alexander Grant, and I do not offer what I don't have the power to do. I am nothing if not a Man of my Word, and my words are never empty. If you don't know that about me by now, you never will."
"I do know that. But, she'll have me killed."
"That's a chance you'll have to take if you hope to escape prison. We'll protect you as much as is possible. That's all I can offer. And it's only because it's you, that the offer exists. In spite of all this, I do believe you were coerced, and I still believe you have good inside. It's now up to you to prove it."
"It's a deal better than you deserve, Son! You owe this Man as well as yourself that much. Be the Man I taught you to be, Lucas. I'm with you wherever this sordid path leads us. But choose wisely."
Lucas glanced at Millicent.
"Given the circumstances, it's a better deal than any Barrister could ever negotiate. Nathan is not saying there won't be a prison sentence. He is saying he will do his best to minimize a prison stay and even do his best to preclude that if it is at all possible. I don't see that you really have a choice, Lucas. This deal is your only chance for a normal, productive life. But might I speak as a civilian for a moment, and not your Attorney?"
"Of course, given my regrettable actions, all of you have that right," admitted Lucas. "Especially you and Nathan."
"I love this man before you more than life itself. I was there, Lucas. Standing right beside him. You shot me when you allowed him to be shot. You shot my very heart. It felt like my very soul had been ripped into a million pieces. My very being. The time since that dreadful night has been pure agony, watching Nathan suffer from your wound. And make no mistake, you put the wound there as surely as the criminal who shot the gun. We, his Family, have watched his suffering, day and night, followed by nightmare after nightmare. Don't ever think your actions don't have consequences, Lucas, because they do. Very, very painful ones, to people who are trying their best to do the right thing. To be decent people. Nathan and I are living your consequences. And so is our Child, Allie. Having experienced this assault, the three of us will never be the same. Yes, we will eventually be stronger, but we will also be scarred our whole lives through."
"Make that four of us," spoke up Bill.
"I am so terribly sorry. I don't know why…I was just so afraid. And I suppose I thought I was smarter. That it wouldn't happen and I wouldn't be found out."
There was silence in the room once more.
A very long silence.
One man full of fear speaking to three other men and one woman who were fearless, when the need be.
At least Lucas was being honest.
"I would give anything to have what you have, Nathan: Millicent, Allie, the entire town's love, the entire town's respect. You have it all. That Sunday you sang in Church:
'Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven,
My treasure thou art' (*41)
"The words of that song. I looked them up and memorized them. They are the reason you are grounded. I am not. I've always heeded the riches, the empty praise. You have not. But I give you my word tonight, such as it is, no, more, Nathan. No more."
"I am humbly most grateful for your generously kind and magnanimous offer. And I will do what you are asking. I will give you Mademoiselle Deschenes. Even if it means my own life. Because it's the right thing to do. For once in my empty life, I'm committed to doing the right thing…"
(*41) Be Thou My Vision, Irish Fold Melody & 6th Century Hymn, Translated by Mary Elizabeth Byrne, 1905; Verses by Eleanor Hull, 1912, Public Domain