CHAPTER 29

It had been late by the time Nathan finally arrived at HQ, he found a bunk for the night and thought again about what Bea had "seen". She didn't even know the area around Hope Valley yet, although she was learning every day, so there was no way she could have known about "MacKenzie Pass and Basin", that's what the locals called it. He had only discovered it when tracking the gang before, the pass into the actual pasture was impossible to see if you didn't know it was there. He hadn't seen it until the gang had disappeared through it. It was a perfect holding area for stolen cattle. He had a briefing early in the morning, depending on what information he was given, MacKenzie Pass may well be worth a look first.

To say he was surprised when he walked into the briefing would be an understatement.

"Constable Grant, thank you for dropping everything and getting here as quickly as you did. How is that niece of yours, Allie wasn't it? a credit to you she is."

"Superintendent Hargreaves Sir, she is well thank you."

A couple of other officers had joined them now, and the men who would form the unit Nathan would be leading, six men. Two experienced men and four young recruits. He would need to watch them, they tended to get overeager at times.

"Right gentlemen," said the superintendent. "Allow me to introduce Constable Grant. He will be leading this investigation, having been the arresting officer previously he knows this gang and their ways better than anyone, that is why I recommended him for this mission."

He what! thought Nathan, he has changed his tune.

"So the facts as we have them, the first report of cattle going missing was almost two weeks ago. The gang seems to be hitting the herds in the early hours of the morning, one difference we have seen is they are only taking a dozen or so cattle at each hit. Previously, correct me if I am wrong, Constable Grant, they would take fifty or sixty. Now we think the logic behind this is that a dozen or so aren't as easily missed as half a herd. There doesn't seem to be any pattern to the raids, the map over there shows the raids we do know of, it could be possible there have been others."

Nathan walked over to the map and studied it.

"Thoughts Constable?"

"There is no pattern as I can see sir, however, if they are only taking 10 or so at a time they must be holding them somewhere, once they have a decent herd they will head for the border. Knowing them as I do I believe they will only attempt that once. I know some of the hiding holes but I can't see them being foolish enough to use the same ones as last time. The same goes for a route to the border, they won't use the same one as I know that one. Could I take this map Sir? I think our best bet is to try and find the holding area."

"That makes sense, I don't think there is anything else to discuss really, I will let you all get started. Happy hunting gentlemen."

With that, he left.

"OK then let's get on our way, I have an idea, if we make good going then we should hit the area I want to investigate before dark."

What Nathan hadn't said was that he did see a pattern because slap bang in the middle of all these raids was MacKenzie Pass. They looked to be hitting ranches within a few hours' ride from there. If he was right or was that if Bea was right, the cattle were being held in the basin. He would find out soon enough. Just the thought of her, made his face light up. This would be the quickest investigation on record if she was right.

Nathan had been given the use of a young horse while he was here, he would have brought Newton if he had the time, Mounties and their horses are seldom parted. This youngster seemed fine, a big lad like Newton, Nathan preferred the tall stronger horses, at 6ft 3" he needed a big lad. Merlin he was called, Bea would love him, as he walked into the stable he also thought Bea would be her element in here. She was never far away in his thoughts.

The unit had made good time, by late evening they were setting up camp a few miles from the pass. Nathan intended to take Ted, one of the older men" and head off on a scouting mission. If the gang was hitting in the early hours then chances were there would only be one man keeping watch, if that. They headed out of camp around 10 pm.

"What's the plan then Nathan.?"

"I have a gut feeling Ted, when I was tracking this lot before they came this way, I discovered something and if my gut is right we may just strike it lucky.

Nathan took to the high ground and found the perfect vantage spot, now they would wait.

"Ted, what do you see?"

"Not a thing, do you think they are going to drive them past this way?"

"Just watch Ted, I had a surprise when I saw this."

Patience was often needed on nights like this, the two men sat quietly, they were both experienced and knew how these things played out. It was almost daybreak and Nathan was beginning to think he had been wrong, maybe they should call it a night when he heard the sound of moving cattle. Ted heard it too.

"Now watch Ted" Nathan whispered.

They both watched as the gang turned the small herd, 13 in total Nathan had counted and seemed to head them into the base of the mountains, then they quickly moved them right, then left and they seemed to disappear into the mountain itself.

"What the heck?" Ted exclaimed when the gang had disappeared.

"Ted it isn't until you get right down there and know what you are actually looking that you realise that the huge boulder, where they drove them right, is not actually attached to the mountain. Probably was at some point, behind it is a narrow pass. They will only be able to drive them up there in single file, at the other end it opens up into a grassy basin. Only the locals are aware of it, MacKenzie Pass they call it. Perfect hiding hole.

"Never seen anything like it. Now, what do you plan to do?"

"Well not only is it the perfect hiding hole for them, if we can surprise them then they can't run, that is the only way in and out. Will you keep watch? I will head back and get the others, I can brief them on the way, all being well we will be heading home in a couple of hours."

"Will do Nathan, do you think they may move?"

"Knowing this lot as I do, if they are going to move it won't be until nightfall. If they have hit all the ranches the same way I reckon they will have well over 100 head in there, they won't attempt to move many more than that in one go, too risky. We may have just caught this lot in time. Right I will get away, should be back in a couple of hours, be ready to move Ted."

"Oh, I will, looking forward to this one Nathan."

Once they were clear of the direct area Nathan opened Merlin out to a full gallop, he liked this lad. He couldn't believe his luck, well no he thought, it wasn't luck at all, would he have come here first if Bea hadn't mentioned what she had seen? Being totally honest with himself he knew he wouldn't.

He got the others on the move quickly and outlined the plan as they rode. Strict instructions were given to the recruits to stick to what they had been taught, no heroics, no drama, follow Ted and Arthur's lead. Do as you are instructed and you will earn yourselves credit Nathan had told them.

Nathan made them all dismount as they neared the pass, 5 horses can create noise and in these mountains it amplified. Ted from his vantage point had seen them and climbed down to meet them.

"Nothing Nathan, in or out."

"OK you lot, do as you have been told, Arthur when we get in there you protect the end of the pass, it is the only way out for them. Remember no gunfire unless really necessary, the last thing we need is that lot to try and stampede, if they should let them run, they will know the way out. Rounding them all up will be a job for another day, catching these lot is the aim today, everyone ready?"

Nathan led the way and in single file the men crept up the pass, Arthur took the rear. When they reached the other end Nathan assessed what he saw. There were only four of them, all sleeping, it appeared, using hand gestures he told the men which one to pick off. He could not believe how easy it was. The rustlers were caught totally unaware. Not one shot fired, a few punches aimed but no one hurt. It was all over in minutes.

"Nathan lad, said Ted, today has been a good day, you keep following your gut" he was laughing.

Nathan laughed back but only because he was thinking my gut has a name, Bea it's called.

The rustlers were handcuffed and tied to their horses, then led out of the basin. Arthur had volunteered to stay with the cattle until others came to move the herd. The recruits were all full of themselves, Nathan did think not everyone will be as easy as this lads.

If they got a move on they should be back by late Thursday morning, sooner if they chose to ride through the night.

It was in fact just before noon when they all rode into the yard at HQ. Ted and Nathan would hand the prisoners over while the recruits were ordered to tend to the horses then file their reports.

"You OK to head back out there Ted when they organise what they are going to do with that herd?"

"Yes, you get your reports written and do what you have to do then get yourself away home."

Nathan opted to stay late, if he did all the paperwork tonight he could be back home late tomorrow, just thinking about that made his heart do that missing beat thing, he would never tire of that.

All done and filed he went to see if the canteen was still open, he was lucky. As he sat and ate, Superintendent Hargreaves came looking for him.

"Don't let me stop you Constable, carry on you have earned that. I wanted to see you if I could, just to say what a catch you made. Well done. We have organised for the cattle to be collected and taken to a ranch nearby, from there the owners will go and collect them. Over a hundred head you reckon?"

"There or thereabouts, we were lucky I think they would have been on the move either that night or the one after."

"I may even head out there with them, just to see this place."

"Well Constable Evans can find it now, no disrespect Sir but you never would on your own."

"Indeed, well in that case I shall have a word and take a look."

"Were you planning on returning to Hope Valley in the morning? I only ask as Superintendent Brookes contacted me yesterday, heard you were here and said he had some news for you, has he been looking into something for you?

"He has, yes, a bit of a mystery back home about some abandoned building work."

"Well, he did ask if I could pass the message on and if you could go in and see him before you left."

"In that case I will do that in the morning, hopefully, there will be a stage on Saturday."

"I shall let you eat in peace Constable and well done again, job well done."

While the thought of some discovery about the factories was welcome, the one of being away another day tugged at his heartstrings. If there was a stage on Saturday he may just make it back for that promised last dance.

The meeting wasn't as informative as Nathan had hoped. The investigation had managed to uncover the fact that work had stopped due to funds running out. The company doing the actual building work hadn't been paid so they had downed tools and had no intention of starting again. As to who their client was, very little had been found out. It appeared the company name registered was a new one, the director's names seemed to be false. Investigations were continuing and they would keep Nathan informed.

With all his duties done Nathan wanted to check in on Merlin before he left then he thought he would have a look around the town while he had a chance. Check the stage times.

Word of the arrests had spread like wildfire, no doubt the recruits telling the tale when he entered the stables Victor Spencer, who Nathan had met many times and had been in charge of the stables for years came from nowhere and slapped his back. "Nathan lad, a good one yesterday I hear?

"If only they were all like that Vic, how are you, not retired yet I see."

"Me no, I would miss coming in here every day, seeing this lot. How is that handsome lad of yours doing? He was a grand horse."

"Getting older like the rest of us still enjoys his work as much as me. I wanted to call in to see that mount I have just had, Merlin, he is a good one Vic."

"You reckon? He behaved alright for you?"

"Steady as a rock, why do you ask?"

"A bit temperamental that one, he knows who he likes and who he doesn't. I won't lie Nathan when I saw who they wanted a mount for I thought I would give him to you, see what you made of him. I trust your judgment and as riders go you are one of the best. He actually should have been paired up long ago, I can't keep him much longer. The young ones these days don't seem to appreciate these creatures, none seem to be able to master him."

"What happens to them Vic if they don't make the grade?"

"Well I try and sell them on, find them a good home, they go for a pittance really considering all the work that goes into them."

Nathan didn't even think, he knew from the moment he heard his name who would handle him and love him to pieces.

"Vic do me a favour if you have to make that decision let me know, you can get hold of me at the Jail-house in Hope Valley, I know exactly the right person for him. She will love him."

"Nathan she? Really you have seen him, he isn't really a lady's horse."

Nathan laughed " Vic this is no ordinary lady, believe me, she is extraordinary, a lady veterinarian, he will have a good home with us."

"Oh," said Vic, "with us is it" he was chuckling.

"Us" Nathan grinned.

"I will do that then, you may end up with him yet, going to give him a few more weeks, then I will let you know."

As he approached the stall Merlin came to the gate, "Well young man I think we may just meet again soon and just you wait, you will have the best owner you could ever dream of."

He had checked the stage times, there was one but it was a late one, if it was running on time he should be back around 8 pm. That would give him time to get home, change and make the end of the festivities.

He wandered around the shops for a while, he was really looking for a gift for Allie. Maybe something for his Mum too, just to say thank you for looking after his princess. As he was on his way back to HQ he walked past a jewellers and a tray of charms in the window caught his eye. That would be perfect a new charm or two for her bracelet.

He left the shop with two, a horse and a scroll, just like the adoption papers they had received when everything had finally been made official. He had also noticed a beautiful locket while he was paying, he remembered his Mum having one when he was younger, like so many other things that had been sold by his Dad. He would get her that, he would see if he could find some photos to put in it.

Something else had caught his eye, but no he thought. However, he walked a few paces and returned to buy it.

He called in at the hunting shop and bought a few bits of fishing stuff, hooks, and line he needed.

Mentally going over his purchases he had everything he needed, he was more than satisfied, those for Alllie, that for Mum, fishing tackle for me, and a horse for Bea. He laughed, he had no doubt Merlin would end up in Hope Valley, "Now how do I wrap that?" he thought.