A/N DATE: AUGUST 7,1918
Elizabeth smiled as she disconnected the call after talking with Abigail. She had called Elizabeth to confirm when her travel arrangements. She stood up to take her cup to the sink when the phone rang again, but this time it was her father. "Beth, I got some information back, although not everything. However, just the little I have received leads me to think that these men are not to be trusted. I'm coming to stay with you until this is sorted out. I have also contacted Ms. Madison to make her aware of the information I do have. I will be meeting up with her and Patrick O'Reilly in Union City because there is a potential for criminal charges. I don't have time to get into it now, unfortunately. For the next few days, please avoid these men and let Bill know. Under no circumstances should you approach Lucas or go anywhere alone with him or anyone working for him. Will you promise me that you will do as I ask?" William asked. Something in his tone made her realize that he was very worried, and she quickly agreed. "I love you, my sweet Beth," he said before disconnecting the call.
Elizabeth sat there for a moment, worried about her father. His concern for her safety and his use of the endearment before hanging up said a lot. He only called referred to her that way when he was feeling deeply about something. Looking at the time, she realized that Nathan would be back from rounds and Bill would probably be in his office. Just as she finished her thought, Laura arrived to watch Jack and Elizabeth wasted no time going into town. Thankfully she spotted Nathan just dismounting and tying Newton to the rail.
"Nathan! Nathan! Can I talk to you about something?" Elizabeth asked.
He turned and smiled. It quickly changed to a look of concern as he realized that something was wrong.
"Lizbeth, what's wrong? Is Jack, okay?" Nathan asked.
With a smile, she said, "Yes, he is fine, Nathan." It touched her each time that proof of how much he loved her son was revealed. Nathan never let an opportunity go by without speaking to him, bringing him something he carved, or just the other day, he stopped by to take him for a ride with him and Allie. Of course, she could never come into town with him without Jack wanting to see Mountie Nathan or Allie. "Can we go see Bill? I had a call from my father, and I'm worried. I would feel better knowing what the two of you make of what he said,"
"Sure, Elizabeth," Nathan said happily. It moved him greatly that she was reaching out to him to share her concerns. But even more that she entrusted her son to him without a qualm knowing that Jack would be safe. Having been in situations before with Allie, he knew that was not an easy thing to do. "I happen to know that Bill is there," Elizabeth just nodded, and they walked over to see him.
Hearing his door open, Bill looked up to see Elizabeth and Nathan enter. "Hey, you two, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I asked Nathan to come with me because I just got a call from my father that has me disturbed," Elizabeth said flatly, trying to keep her emotions in check.
"Tell me!" Bill said indicated the two chairs in front of his desk. "Is it about the investigations?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact. He called as he was getting ready to go to the train station. He is boarding a train to come and stay with me until this mess is sorted out."
Bill's eyes widened a bit before he said, "He must be very concerned about something he found and your safety. Am I right?"
"Yes, you are. He said that the little he found said the men were not to be trusted. He made me promise to avoid engaging them, and he stressed avoiding Lucas and not going anywhere alone with him or his men." Elizabeth said.
"What Are his concerns about Lucas, Lizbeth?" Nathan said, going into full Mountie protection mode.
"He couldn't elaborate because he was in a hurry. But he said he had spoken with Samantha, so I thought I could call her from here, and we could see what she knew. He also mentioned that he would meet up with her and Patrick in Union City because there is the potential for criminal charges." Elizabeth said.
Bill didn't say a word but pushed the phone in her direction. After speaking for a few minutes with Sam, Elizabeth hung the phone up. The phone had done nothing to alleviate her concerns, and Nathan saw the worry had increased.
"What did she say, Elizabeth?" Nathan asked, reaching over and taking one of her hands in comfort.
My father's investigation shows that only one of the three investors appears clean. It looks like he may be the victim of possible fraud regarding this deal. But there is a link between Jerome Smith and Joshua Baxter. Samantha thinks Arthur Gilchrist is actually a representative for Joshua Baxter.
"What about Lucas?" Nathan asked. "Did she say anything specific?"
Elizabeth chuckled mirthlessly before answering. "Apparently, Lucas is deep in debt and desperate for the deal to be made. In New Orleans, he has been known for shady business deals and fled under scandal. It's no wonder he is so worried about me going anywhere alone with Lucas or approaching these investors."
"What do you mean?" Nathan asked.
"I have a large trust fund from my family that I have never touched, preferring to make my own way. It's something that was important to me and was to Jack as well. Jack also has one that will be his upon him reaching the age of majority. For now, my father and I are the only ones who could access it. If I should remarry, my husband would have a right to access it as well as those of any children that we may have. However, my husband can't touch Jack's unless the man adopts him, which I would never agree to because of his father."
"It would be a father's worst nightmare, that is for sure, and I wouldn't put it past Lucas," Bill muttered.
Elizabeth shuddered as the ramifications of what her father had uncovered ran through her mind. Once again, remorse filled her as she looked over at Nathan and then thought of her son. "It happened to a close friend of my sister Julie's. We were so worried about it happening to Julie, and I practically served myself up on a platter."
Nathan wanted to gather Elizabeth to him in an embrace, but they weren't in a place he felt comfortable doing it. Thankfully Bill seemed to realize his struggle and offered his own to her. As his arms closed around her, Elizabeth's tears fell in earnest as her control slipped. Nathan stood and silently held out his handkerchief to her. After a few minutes, Bill put a finger under her chin and gently raised her eyes to his, and said, "Somehow, dear girl, I don't think you would have let it get that far."
Giving a tremulous smile, Elizabeth said, Thanks, Bill." Then she turned to Nathan, and he could see the anguish in their depths as she said, "Thank you too, Nathan,"
As they settled back down in their chairs, Nathan asked. "So, what happens now?"
Elizabeth had regained her composure and was once again in control of the conversation. "The train will get into Union City in 3 days. Patrick and Samantha will meet up with Father at the station, and then Father and Samantha will arrive on the first stage after. In the meantime, she has already begun preparing motions to file before she leaves. I also heard from Abigail that they will be here around the same time. "Jessie and Clara will arrive at her home tomorrow sometime to load her things up. Then he and Cody will drive the wagon, while Clara and Abigail will ride the train."
"It will be nice to have all my girls in the same place again," Bill said wistfully.
Elizabeth and Nathan looked at each other and smiled. While Nathan knew that Bill thought of Elizabeth and Clara as his girls, only Elizabeth knew that he was also referring to Abigail. She wondered if there was any possibility for a second chance between them. Abigail had told her that she and Henry had been in close contact and that Henry had gone to see her once. At one time, she wondered whether they might someday even court. But looking at Bill and recalling how it was between him and Abigail before Nora came to town, she couldn't help hoping that there was a chance. Maybe because, in looking at Bill and Abigail's situation, she saw the resemblance between her and Nathan.
Later that evening, she was sitting outside the café talking to Rosemary when Florence and Molly came running over to her carrying something in her hand. "Elizabeth, Rosemary, you won't believe it."
"Florence, what's wrong?" Elizabeth asked.
"This is what's wrong," Molly said, handing what appeared to be a poster of some kind. Elizabeth felt the blood rush from her body as she looked at a help-wanted sign asking for Miners. The threat had gone from a possibility to become a stark reality.
"I don't know what this will do to Cat," Florence said. "She's already so upset from getting a letter from Gabe earlier today."
"Poor thing, I have been researching for an article, and they say the fighting is getting bad. A few days ago, on the 5th, a U-156 boat sunk a tanker off the coast of Halifax. They aren't sure, but it managed to escape. Now there's talk about forces joining to launch a series of offensives hoping to push the Central Powers back from the western front." Rosemary said. "Lee said it will increase the tensions and increase the fighting."
"Poor Cat! Gabe, I guess, mentioned that things were getting worse. She said his letters have a feel to them that has her really worried. Almost like he is telling her goodbye or something. His unit has taken a lot of losses lately, too. A couple of places on the paper, it looks smeared as if water dripped on it." Florence said.
"I remember getting a few like from Jack when he was in the Northern Territories. From what I've heard about the atrocities the people are suffering, I imagine they aren't sleeping much." Elizabeth said, thinking of what she had read lately and what Jack had described. She would reach out to her former student and see if she could help. She would also try reaching out to Gabe, Nathan, and Bill and see if they had ideas. As she went to bed that night, she couldn't help but think of everything that had happened since she returned from Hamilton and what she had learned today.
The next day she was walking into the library when she was startled to see that Lucas was there. She couldn't shake the feeling that he had been waiting for her.
"Elizabeth, I wanted to talk to you about something," Lucas said.
"Oh, I can't imagine what we would have to discuss but what is on your mind?" Elizabeth replied, trying to keep her fear from taking over as her father's words came to her.
"Can we go to my office? A public library is not conducive for talking about our relationship." Lucas said, giving his most charming smile.
"Our relationship? Lucas, we don't have a relationship, so I don't see any reason to talk about it." Elizabeth said, becoming irritated.
"Oh, Elizabeth, I know that you spoke in haste, and I am willing to forgive and forget," Lucas said, approaching her and placing his hands on her shoulders.
Instantly her anger rose. "I suggest, Mr. Bouchard, that you remove your hands from me immediately and refrain from ever touching me again," Elizabeth said, giving him a blistering stare.
"Elizabeth, stop being so ridiculous and stubborn because it doesn't become you," Lucas said, drawing closer and trying to move her to the door.
They were so engrossed in the conversation that they hadn't heard Bill open the door. Elizabeth struggled to put some space between them and said, "Firstly, it's Mrs. Thornton to you, Mr. Bouchard. Second, if you don't drop your hands immediately, I will consider your actions an assault on me and seek legal action. You have until the count of three."
"What is going to be Bouchard?" Bill said, revealing his presence for the first time. Startled, the pair looked at Bill. Lucas' eyes showed irritation, but Bill could see the fear in Elizabeth's. Before Lucas could answer, Nathan appeared in the doorway, utterly oblivious to what had happened.
"Bill, Rosemary said you were…." Nathan started but then stopped as he could feel the tension in the air. "Something going on here I should know about?" A note of steel entered his voice seeing Lucas with his hands on Elizabeth.
"Well, Bouchard?" Bill pressed and raised a brow in challenge.
Lucas gave Elizabeth one last look, silently saying their conversation wasn't over, and then left. Bill immediately went over and gathered her in his arms as she began to shake. Nathan went to ask what happened, but Bill shook his head, indicating it wasn't the time to discuss it.
"Nathan," Elizabeth said, "Could you please get Rosemary or Lee?"
"Sure," Nathan said, turning quickly to find the Coulters.
He didn't have to go far because they were in the Valley Voice office talking about a letter they had received. A man named Webster Gabriel wanted to add the Valley Voice to his syndication of newspapers. It would increase their circulation and would be a dream come true for Rosemary.
They looked up as he entered and smiled. "Hello, Nathan. What brings you by?" Lee asked.
"Elizabeth asked me to come to get one of you, but I think you both should come," Nathan asked, trying to calm his warring thoughts. As they walked back to the library, his mind was torn between wanting to comfort and protect Elizabeth but also wanting to deal with Lucas. Stepping back in, he could see that Elizabeth was still visibly shaken and pale.
Upon seeing them, Bill said, "Rosemary can you escort Elizabeth home and stay with her until I come? I need to take care of some things and need Nathan and Lee's help. Elizabeth can explain when you get home."
"Why don't you take the car, sweetheart," Lee said, picking up on the gravity of the situation.
"That's not a problem," Rosemary said as she went to embrace Elizabeth. "Are you ready to go?"
Elizabeth just sighed and nodded. The men walked the ladies to the car. Bill whispered something to Elizabeth before kissing her on the cheek tenderly. After they drove off, Nathan turned to Bill and said, "What happened?"
"Let's go to my office, Nathan, because we have official business to take care of. I'll explain it to both of you there."
After Bill explained what he observed, William Thatcher's concerns from earlier began to resonate. "I'll be glad when William gets here, and we can get started working on the mine situation. If we are lucky, Lucas will decide to leave town," Lee said.
"What is your plan, Bill?" Nathan asked.
"I'm going to issue a restraining order against Lucas coming anywhere near Elizabeth. You will arrest him if he attempts to contact her in any way, shape, or form. I'm going to draft it now, but I was hoping you could take a formal report as the town Constable and get her to sign the request for a restraining order. When I am finished, we will notify Bouchard and keep watch over her." Bill then handed the paperwork to Nathan. With a nod, Nathan and Lee headed toward Elizabeth's house.
Once they reached her home, Elizabeth had calmed down and could give Nathan a report and readily signed the required paperwork for the restraining orders. Nathan couldn't wait to serve Lucas, and a smile appeared as he imagined the other man's reaction.
Back at Elizabeth's, she filled them in on what her father had told her and the concerns that he had raised. "It appears that it is probably a real threat, given how he was behaving," Elizabeth said.
"Well, you are not going anywhere without Lee or me, Elizabeth. He will not get a chance to violate that order though I'm sure Nathan and Bill would be happy to enforce it if he did." Rosemary said with a giggle.
Elizabeth laughed. "Oh, I have no doubt, and I'm sure people would pay money to see it!"
I know I would," Lee agreed. Then he recalled what Elizabeth said about Joshua Baxter.
"You know, I'm thinking that this Baxter guy is trying to get involved in Hope Valley again," Lee said.
"After all this time, it certainly raises suspicions considering his reputation in the towns he's involved in. Elizabeth said.
"Sweetheart, do you think the offer we receive for syndication could be part of their scheme?" Rosemary asked.
"It certainly wouldn't be a stretch, Rosie. Taking over a town newspaper would help maintain control." Lee said.
"What letter?" Elizabeth asked. Lee had the letter in his possession and showed it to Elizabeth.
"Hmmm," Elizabeth said after reading it. Father gave me the number to call if we needed someone investigated. They are the ones that are already working on the others. I also think adding this person's name to the list would be a good idea. Plus, I will call Samantha and Patrick to let them know about what happened with Lucas today and this new development.
At Bill's office, he and Nathan were grinning as they prepared to serve the restraining order to Lucas. To say that Lucas hadn't been happy would have been an understatement. When they arrived, Jerome Smith and Arthur Gilchrist were with him. Lucas refused to send him away, so Nathan presented the order.
"What's this?" Lucas asked.
"Open it," Nathan replied. As Lucas read over the order, he scowled.
"What is the meaning of this, Nathan?" Lucas said.
"It's Constable Grant," Nathan said, correcting the form of address before continuing. "Though I think it's pretty clear, it says that You are to stay away from Elizabeth and her son Jack. You are not to attempt to contact her in any way." Then Nathan smirked and said, "If you violate that order, you will be subject to arrest.
"Any questions Bouchard?" Bill added with a smirk. Lucas just shook his head, so Nathan and Bill left, trying to keep their professional demeanors until they could get back to Bill's office. Things were beginning to look up, and they couldn't wait until the other surprises were revealed.
A/N The event on 8/5/1918 was the first time the war affected their homeland. It was the first of two known U Boat attacks on tankers. Without the strong defenses, the coastline could have suffered a lot of damage. Luckily the war ended before too much destruction could be caused. It is thought that this event sparked what would be known as The Hundred Days. It was a series of battles that lasted from August 8, 1918, until November 11, 1918. Canada played a major role in these battles, and it successfully drove back the German armies and led to the end of the war.
