They had reached Brookfield but Walter had still tried to remain out of sight. There were still too many Mounties around. Perhaps tomorrow would be better. Now that Charlie and Edgar were behind bars, perhaps the others would leave. He trusted the Mountie, Constable Kinslow, that they had abducted from the town. The man had been the first person Walter had found other than Charlie who seemed to care about him. Perhaps it had all been an act. Perhaps the man had simply tried to gain his trust so that Walter would set him free. However, while the other captives had only ever spoken about how Walter would pay for what he and the others were doing, Kinslow had wanted to know why he was doing what he was doing.
Something inside him told Walter that it had been more than just an attempt at getting free. For some reason, the Mountie had actually seen him as another human being instead of just a criminal, like the others had. It had made Walter wonder if perhaps there was something decent inside him after all.
Walter's stomach growled. He had some coins in his pocket but he knew he could not risk going into town to buy something. There were too many Mounties around. However, he had passed several ranches and a few smaller homes on the way in. Perhaps he could pass himself off as a traveler passing through and get a meal for some money. Even just a loaf of bread would be welcomed.
Moving from where he was hiding in the tree line outside of town, Walter moved further into the trees. Perhaps tomorrow he would be able to find Constable Kinslow alone away from town. Or perhaps the Mountie presence in town would have dwindled and he could just turn himself in at the jail.
Walter knew that Charlie would be disappointed in him for turning himself in. He had told him that jail was no place for someone like him. His brother had always told him that if he were to be arrested that Walter should go somewhere far away from where they were and then find an orphanage door. At sixteen, he was young enough that the authorities would provide for him at least until he turned eighteen.
However, Walter knew that he was just as guilty as his brother and the other two men. He knew that if he did that his conscience would continue to eat at him. Even jail with Charlie, no matter what it was like, was better than being on his. Being alone scared him almost as much as getting shot did.
Despite Gabriel's identification of the two men for being responsible for his abduction, Charlie and Edgar refused to talk. Most of the Mounties returned to their previous assignments. Only Constable Richard Davor remained in Brookfield to help keep an eye on the prisoners.
On Monday afternoon, Bill headed for Clearwater and a telephone. He had to start preparations for a trial for the two men. Just because Charlie and Edgar did not want to talk, that did not mean that their victims could not tell him their stories. He would find a lawyer to act on behalf of the two criminals though they would not even say whether they wanted one or not. If nothing else, the lawyer would make sure the men had every opportunity to a fair trial and a defense if they chose to do so.
Though Patrick had remained at Gabriel's side while on duty and the two had talked, no further work with working through the panic attacks had been done over the last couple of days. Gabriel had a feeling his training officer did not want to push things too far with recent events and Gabriel had no real desire to subject himself to anything more right then. His sleep had been troubled by the repeating nightmare the last couple of nights. He was grateful for his wife's calming presence, whether she awoke or not, when he woke up from one.
During the day, Gabriel often found himself wondering what had become of Walter. There had been no sign of the teenager. When asked where his brother might be, Charlie simply stared back at whoever was speaking - determination and defiance in his eyes. The man may have been caught because he had stayed put to help the store owner, whom was reportedly going to make it, but he was not going to cooperate with authorities. The doctor who had treated the store owner had even said that if Charlie had not tried to stop the bleeding until help arrived the man would probably not have lived. Even the news that he probably saved the man's life did not seem to move the man.
As for Edgar, other than some comments thrown in Charlie's direction, the man was not much more talkative. The man did however tell Bill that seeing as he was going to go to jail anyway that he did not see why he should make it easy on any of them. When asked if he had any idea where Walter would have gone the man had shrugged his shoulders and walked toward the bed to sit down.
Gabriel was grateful for both Richard and Patrick's presence. More than once he had felt the urge to open the cell and demand answers from the men about Walter. Especially Charlie. Gabriel did not understand why the man would prefer that his sixteen-year-old brother be out on his own. Aware of their fellow Mountie's frustration with the situation, the other two Mounties dealt with the prisoners for the most part.
It was almost dinner time at the orphanage by the time that Gabriel rode home on Monday. As he often did, Billy came out to meet him and went to the barn with him to help care for Apollo. As if sensing that this time was special for Billy, Christian and Vincent never tried to encroach on it. Instead, they patiently waited for Gabriel to come inside to greet him.
This evening seemed like any other evening. Billy told Gabriel about his day as the two cared for Apollo. Despite it being close to dinner time, Gabriel did not try to rush through the routine. He knew Lillian and the other two ladies would hold dinner a few minutes for him. As he and Billy started across the yard to the kitchen door though, Gabriel saw a figure emerge from the tree line. As the person walked toward him with raised hands, Gabriel put himself between Billy and the figure instinctively. With his left hand on Billy's arm, Gabriel unsnapped his holster with his right hand.
"I do not mean any harm, Constable Kinslow," the figure said. Gabriel instantly recognized Walter's voice as the teenager kept walking slowly toward him, hands still raised. "I want to turn myself in."
Despite his relief that Walter seemed all right, Gabriel was still concerned for the safety of the boy with him.
"Walter, I want you to stop and stay where you are. Keep your hands up," Gabriel instructed, his revolver still in its holster. As he had told Patrick, he did not recall ever seeing Walter with a gun. He did not want to draw a gun on an unarmed teenager unless absolutely necessary.
Walter complied with the instructions.
"I am sorry to approach you here," Walter said. "I wanted to approach you when you were alone. I was scared others might overreact."
"All right," Gabriel replied. He could tell that even now the teenager was scared and uncertain. "I want you to stay there while I send my son into the house. I want you to remain just where you are while he does so. Do you understand me, Walter?"
"Yes, sir," the teenager. "Just please don't shoot me," he said his voice wavering.
"No one is going to shoot you, Walter. I just need you to follow my instructions," Gabriel assured him. He saw the teenager nod as he continued to stand in place, hands in the air and away from his body.
Without taking his eyes off Walter, Gabriel spoke to the boy behind him. "Billy, I want you to go inside. Tell your mom to keep everyone in the house for now and than includes herself."
"Yes, sir," Billy replied.
Doing as told, Billy hurried for the door leading into the kitchen. Gabriel listened for the door closing as he watched Walter. Only when he heard, the door, did Gabriel cast a quick glance in that direction to verify the boy had gone inside. Alone now, Gabriel addressed Walter again.
"Walter, this is what is going to happen," Gabriel told the teenager. "I want you to remain exactly where you are. I am going to come to you and place you under arrest. I am going to put handcuffs on you but as long as you do not resist, everything is going to be all right. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, sir."
Gabriel started forward slowly. The boy may have voluntarily turned himself in but Gabriel could tell he was still frightened. He did not want to make a sudden move that might frighten the teen into running. Though the holster was still unsnapped, Gabriel kept his own hands up in front of him and in plain sight as he advanced on Walter. As he got closer, Gabriel could see the fear in the boy's expression. It was not the reaction of a criminal, but of a young boy who was lost and did not know where to turn.
"Walter, I am going to use my left hand to reach for my handcuffs," Gabriel told him, still approaching slowly.
Walter nodded even though his gaze was fixed on Gabriel's right hand. The boy was clearly afraid of getting shot. Knowing that the boy had seen his mother shot in front of him, that reaction did not surprise Gabriel.
Finding his handcuffs by feel, Gabriel brought them out. He came to a stop within arms' length of Walter.
"Bring you left hand down slowly, Walter," Gabriel instructed.
Walter complied. He jumped slightly when Gabriel took his wrist but made no other move as Gabriel fastened the cuff around Walter's wrist.
"Now the right hand," Gabriel instructed.
Walter complied. As he fastened the cuff around his second wrist, Gabriel told him he was under arrest for suspected accessory to abduction charges. Though he knew he should take Walter right to the jail, Gabriel also knew that as soon as he was with his brother, Charlie could influence Walter's actions. He wanted to talk to the boy before that happened.
"Are you willing to talk with me for a bit, Walter?" Gabriel asked the boy, snapping his holster closed again even as he gently held onto Walter's right arm with his left hand. He was ready to grab a hold of the boy should he try to run, but until Walter gave him reason not to, Gabriel intended to be as kind as he could to the frightened teen.
"Don't I have to talk to law enforcement?" Walter asked.
Oh, if only it was that easy, Gabriel thought.
"It is in your best interest to cooperate, but we cannot make people talk to us. Charlie and Edgar are saying very little. They would not even say where you might be."
"Charlie always told me if he were arrested that I was to get as far away from the place where it happened as fast as I could."
Gabriel nodded. That instruction did not surprise him really. Despite the life they led, Charlie had seemed protective of his brother. It made sense that Charlie would want to keep Walter out of jail. Even placed with other juveniles, Walter would be an easy target for others hardened by crime. Walter was not there yet. The fact that the teen had given him water and food before leaving him at the cabin that morning, told him that.
"That may have been what Charlie wanted, but you did the right thing by turning yourself in Walter. That will help you with the judge," Gabriel told him. "Let's go sit on the porch for a bit before I take you into town," he added, giving a gentle tug on the arm he held.
Walter followed willingly. Reaching the porch, Gabriel saw Lillian watching from inside. He gave his wife a reassuring nod to let her know that everything was all right. Lillian nodded back and left the window, as Gabriel led Walter to a chair. He then moved another chair so that he could face the boy. As he sat down, the front door opened a little. Gabriel glanced in that direction to see Lillian standing there with two glasses of water.
"Would you two like some water?" Lillian asked, when she saw she had Gabriel's attention.
"Yes, thank you," Gabriel replied.
Lillian approached Gabriel, holding one glass out to him. Gabriel gave a subtle nod toward Walter. With a smile, Lillian held the glass out to the boy. Gabriel saw Walter glance at him for direction.
"Go ahead," Gabriel told him.
Walter reached out with his cuffed hands and took the glass of water from Lillian. As she went back inside, Walter lifted the glass to his lips and gulped about half of the water even as Gabriel took a drink from his own glass.
"Walter, whether any of you talk or not, all three of you are looking at jail time. I can identify you, and I am sure that other officers that were held will be able to as well. How long you all spend in jail is in the hands of the judge. With multiple charges, the law says he can send you all away for a long time. He can also charge you as an adult despite you not being of age. I don't want to see that happen, Walter. You may have done some bad things but you are not a bad person."
"How do you know I am not? I feel like a terrible person. Leaving you and all the others tied up alone could have led to your deaths. I prayed every time that it would not be the case," the boy said, staring down at his glass.
"Right there is my proof. If you were such a terrible person, you would not have given us a second thought. You would not have given me that food and water that morning. I was out of it when my fellow Mountie finally found me. That water you gave me before leaving may have been the difference between them finding me in time or not."
"I am sorry."
"I believe you," Gabriel told him. "I also want to help you. I will put in a good word with the judge, but I need you to do something for me, Walter. I need you to cooperate with the judge. Answer any question he asks of you truthfully. I will tell him to talk to you away from your brother so you do not have to say anything against him in front of him. However, the only way we can help you at this point, is for you to show real remorse and tell the truth."
"You think it will make a difference with the judge?"
"I know the judge on the case, Walter. So yes, I do."
"I will tell him anything he wants to know then," Walter told him.
"Good," Gabriel replied. "Finish your water and then I need to walk you into town. The judge should be back in town tomorrow. You will talk to him then."
"Any chance I could get something to eat?" Walter asked, the words barely a whisper.
"I will make sure we get you dinner from the hotel," Gabriel assured the boy as Walter continued to drink his water.
Leaving the boy sitting there, Gabriel made his way to the front door. Opening it, he was not surprised to find Lillian standing near by.
"Do not wait for me for dinner, Lillian," Gabriel told her. "I need to go back into town."
"I assumed as much," Lillian replied. "The others are eating. You and I can eat when you come home."
Gabriel nodded, a smile on his lips. He knew trying to convince Lillian not to wait for him would be a waste of breath. Letting the door close, Gabriel returned to Walter. When the boy had finished the water, Gabriel took the glass. Sitting it on the small table with his half full glass, Gabriel helped Walter to his feet. Side by side, the two headed back toward Brookfield.
As Gabriel led Walter into the office, O'Reilly stood up from the chair behind the desk. Before either Mountie could say anything, Charlie let out a groan before speaking.
"Walter, I told you if they ever arrested me to get as far away as you could," Charlie said walking toward the door.
"I am sorry, Charlie," Walter said looking down at the ground. "I do not know how to go on alone. Don't be mad at me."
"I am not mad," Charlie said, a regretful expression on his face.
"I take it this is our last gang member?" Patrick inquired as he retrieved the keys for the cell.
"It is," Gabriel said, leading Walter toward the door of the cell. He undid the cuffs on Walter's wrists as Patrick stepped up to the cell door.
"Both of you step back," Patrick ordered the two prisoners. He waited for the men to comply before unlocking the cell door. He held the door for Walter to go in and then locked it again.
As the cell door clicked shut, Charlie walked toward Walter and wrapped his brother in a brotherly embrace.
"I failed you. I am sorry," Charlie told his brother before glancing up at the two Mounties. "Can I talk with that judge alone?" he asked.
"He is out of town," Patrick replied. "However, I will pass the message along when he gets back in town. In the meanwhile, the three of you should just sit back and relax. You are not going anywhere any time soon."
"I need to get Walter something to eat," Gabriel told Patrick as the two stepped outside of the office.
Patrick pulled the door shut behind him. "Where did you find him?"
"He found me," Gabriel replied. "I think he followed Davor's group back but he was afraid to approach them. Even with just me, he acted scared and asked me not to shoot him."
"You said he told you he saw his mother accidently shot by a Mountie?" Patrick asked, making sure he was remembering the information correctly. Gabriel nodded in acknowledgment. "I suppose that would make a kid leery of approaching a group of Mounties, especially when you know they are looking for you because of crimes you committed. But he approached you?"
"After I got home. He said he wanted to come to me when I was alone. I guess maybe I reached the kid on some level out in that cabin. He said he would talk to Bill and I promised to see what I could do to get him a lighter sentence. Yes, he should serve time but spending ten or twenty years of his life behind bars is not going to help him any."
"In this case, I agree with you. The kid needs help and direction, not prison time," Patrick said. "Apparently, Walter is not the only one that is ready to talk now."
Gabriel nodded. "He may have not done the best job looking out for his brother, but I do think Charlie cares for him. I would not be surprise if he tries to talk Bill into going easy on Walter in exchange for his cooperation."
"And how are you doing?" Patrick asked, holding Gabriel's gaze as he waited for an answer.
"Relieved," Gabriel replied. "At least I know Walter is safe and I have a second chance at helping him."
"Good," Patrick replied. "Now, head on home to your family. I will make sure the kid gets fed."
"Thank you," Gabriel replied.
As Gabriel headed toward the orphanage once again, Patrick headed across the street to get dinner for the newest prisoner.