Standing in the storage shed of the feed and seed, Bill watched as Constable Davor led Walter out. It was Tuesday evening and he had returned from Clearwater to find his case had changed drastically. Though standing among the bags of grain was not the most dignified place for a judge to be holding a meeting, the place did offer him privacy. Giving the limit spaces available to him in Brookfield, Bill figured he could do worse. He could have had to have his meeting in the livery with the horses.
"So, what do you think, Bill?" Gabriel asked.
"I think I agree with you," Bill told the Mountie. "There is a decent heart beating in there, but he has been in bad circumstances. By your account, as well as the other's abducted, he did make sure you had food and water before leaving. I think that should count for something. He turned himself in and is cooperating now. Trying him as an adult and tossing him in a jail cell with older, hardened men is not going to help anything."
"Then you will show clemency?"
"I will," Bill assured him. "I need to think through exactly what that might look like. The kid needs to be held accountable for what he did but he also clearly needs some good guidance." Bill paused, thinking over what Gabriel had shared about the brothers' story. "The older brother could probably use some guidance as well if he would be receptive of it. I give him credit for trying to look after a younger sibling at seventeen, but neither of them should have been on their own at that time. Charlie made bad choices and took his little brother with him. Part of me wants to throw the book at him and let him sit in jail the rest of his life and at the same time I can't help but wonder if perhaps he could still be reached."
"Those are the hard questions a judge has to answer, not a Mountie," Gabriel commented lightly.
"Well, don't rub it in," Bill muttered.
Despite the situation, Gabriel chuckled at the judge's reaction. Nathan was right. Ruffling Bill's feathers did have a sense of amusement to it.
The door to the feed and seed opened. Looking in that direction, Bill and Gabriel watched as Davor led Charlie into the storage shed. Bill stood up from his chair and motioned for Davor to lead Charlie to the chair his younger brother had been sitting in moments before. Charlie sat down obediently, first meeting Bill's gaze and then looking at Davor and Gabriel. Bill didn't miss the clear distrust in the young man's eyes as he gazed at the Mounties. Not contempt, just distrust. Giving what they had learned about the mother's death from Walter, Bill had a good idea where that feeling was coming from. He made the choice right there not to tell Charlie that he use to be a Mountie. Bill did not think that information would benefit him in this situation.
"I would really rather talk to you alone, judge," Charlie said, looking back toward Bill.
Bill took note that the man did not demand like so many criminals did. The fact that they had information that was wanted gave them the impression that they had a power that they really did not.
"All right," Bill said, looking to the two Mounties and giving them a nod as he moved to rest his hands on his hips. The motion allowed him to move back his jacket and reveal the revolver he wore. Just in case Charlie thought he was an easy mark without the Mounties, he wanted to dissuade the man of that notion.
"We will be right outside, Bill," Gabriel said as he and Richard headed for the door.
Bill nodded his consent. He waited for the door to shut behind the Mounties before addressing Charlie again.
"So, what do you want to talk to me about?" Bill asked, deciding that for now, he was going to let Charlie lead the conversation. While he had sat for his conversation with Walter, Bill remained standing for this conversation. Walter had been a scare kid, feeling like he needed to talk. Charlie wanted to talk because he felt at a disadvantage. If he felt otherwise, Bill knew that cooperation could change.
"I want to talk to you about Walter. The kid has his whole life still ahead of him. I don't want to see him in jail, where he could get hurt, just because of his loyalty to me," Charlie told Bill. "Heaven knows Randy would have gladly hurt the kid on more than one occasion if it was not for my presence. It was why I never left Walter alone with him."
"I am curious as to why Edgar and Randy even followed you? Granted, Randy seemed about your age, but Edgar is clearly older."
Bill was not sure Charlie would reply. Apparently, deciding being cooperative might help him get what he wanted, the gang leader did.
"Edgar is older, by about ten years but then he is also a follower. Always had been. He kind of drifts through life with no aims," Charlie replied. "Following me didn't cost him anything so he did."
Bill thought over the words. The description definitely fit the third man in the cell. He continued to be indifferent to the situation - as if being in jail or being free meant about the same to him.
"Randy was actually a year younger than I. His father originally ran our little gang. The old man was more interested in hitting stage coaches carrying pay rolls then anything else. He took me in, even though I had Walter tagging along, when I was nineteen. I had been struggling for two years to care for Walter, sometimes doing an odd job and sometimes lifting small items. That winter, Walter got really sick. I had him in a cabin in some woods, trying to keep him warm. We were staying alive on the canned goods that had been stocked in the cabin. I was trying to figure out how to get the money to get a doctor for him when Mack found us. Randy and Edgar were with him. If it weren't for Mack, I think Walter would have died but Mack got medicine from somewhere. I did not ask how, but I have a feeling it was stolen. He helped me nurse Walter back to health. After that, I felt I owed him. Soon after, Mack started teaching me things much to Randy's displeasure. I think even he saw that his son had a mean streak that needed someone to keep it in check. Mack was shot when a stage coach driver decided to fight back. He had a Pinkerton riding with him in the stage coach. We got away but Mack died an hour later from his wound. He said he wanted me to take over the gang and made Randy swear he would follow me. As his father was the only thing I think Randy ever cared about, Randy made the promise though sometimes I think he regretted it."
Bill nodded. The background made him understand the situation better. The original gang leader had saved his little brother in Charlie's eyes. No wonder the young man would feel a loyalty to carry on this Mack fellow's legacy.
"I know I have done a horrible job trying to look out for Walter. Maybe he would have been better at an orphanage but I was all he had. I could not see abandoning him as well. Show mercy for Walter, judge. You can send me to jail for life. I will admit to everything. Just give Walter a chance for a better life!"
The plea touched Bill. This was the type of behavior that he could work with. By showing that he could care for someone else more than himself, Charlie was proving that there was some decency in him still. Yes, he had made bad choices. He had done bad things. However, he had been young himself and dealing with his own grief. Instead of finding someone who could be a good role model for him, Charlie had fell in with the criminal element. Much like Jesse had, though the young man had definitely made something of himself now. He was a key part of Lee's operation and had a lovely wife and a baby on the way. Clara had shared that news with him only a week ago.
"You know, at seventeen, an orphanage would have taken you both when your mother died," Bill commented.
"How . . ."
Charlie was clearly surprised that Bill knew how old he was when his mother died. It made sense as Charlie had never given out ages.
"Walter has been talking already," Bill admitted. "He told Constable Kinslow his age and about your mother when you were holding Kinslow captive. Walter has a lot of loyalty for you, Charlie."
"I wish he didn't," Charlie muttered as he looked down at the ground in front of him.
Bill finally sat down in the chair in front of Charlie. "Walter has a good heart. His treatment of the captives before leaving tells me that."
Charlie looked up at him. "What do you mean?"
"Walter never told you that he offered your captives food and water while alone with them?" Bill asked.
"No," Charlie replied.
"Well, he did. That, coupled with the fact that he turned himself in and is cooperating, leads me to wanting most of his punishment to be with probation and not jail time. Walter is looking at a long probation period. I want to make sure the kid gets the guidance that he has been lacking."
"Good guidance is exactly what Walter needs. I sure did a lousy job of it."
"It is hard to guide someone else when you never received that guidance yourself, Charlie," Bill told the young man.
Charlie shrugged. He clearly cared more about Walter's future, than he did his own.
"Walter will receive clemency from me, Charlie, not because of your cooperation but because of his own actions and the recommendation of Constable Kinslow."
"The Mountie? Why would he care about Walter after what we put him through?"
"Because being a Mountie is not just about catching the bad guys. It is about helping people in need. Walter may have been a captor but Kinslow still saw a teen who needed help. I get why both you and Walter would have a distrust of Mounties. What happened to your mother was a tragic accident, but it was not on purpose. I am sure the Mountie who fired that shot regretted the outcome even though he felt justified to take that shot at the time."
Charlie looked up. "A couple of weeks ago, I would have argued with you, judge. I blamed that Mountie for my mother's death for nine years. I felt he faced no consequences for his actions. Then Randy shot that store owner in front of me. I tried to stop it. I never wanted innocent people to get hurt on our crimes. It was why I wanted law enforcement out of the way beforehand, so another innocent would not get shot by a bullet meant for one of us. Randy shot the man anyway. Seeing the blood, I did not care about getting caught. I just did not want another innocent person to die."
"The store owner lived because of your actions, Charlie," Bill told the young man, unsure if anyone had told him that information.
Charlie let out a sigh of relief and slumped back in the chair.
"You are looking at jail time, Charlie. There is no way I can justify not giving you jail time. However, you plead guilty and cooperate and I will figure out a sentence that will give you a chance at a new life when you get out as well. Are you willing to do that?"
"Yes, Judge," Charlie replied. "What do you want to know?"
It was almost an hour later when Bill led Charlie from the feed and seed. As he led the man across the road, Gabriel and Richard fell into step behind them. Once in the jail, Gabriel moved ahead to unlock the cell. As Edgar was sitting in the corner of the cell on the floor, arms crossed across his chest and staring at the ceiling, Gabriel opened the cell door not worried about Walter who was waiting for his brother's return.
Richard undid Charlie's cuffs and guided the man into the cell. Once inside, the brother's embraced.
"It is going to be all right, Walter," Charlie told his younger brother softly.
Letting the brothers have their time together, Bill glanced into the corner where Randy sat.
"Your companions are cooperating, Edgar," Bill told the man. "If you start cooperating and save me a trial, I will not go for the maximum sentence for you. It goes to trial, I promise I will give you as much time as the law says I can."
Edgar did not bother looking down from the ceiling as he shrugged his shoulders. "Doesn't much matter to me judge. Jail or freedom. Both are living. Being in jail has it perks. Free meals a roof over your head. Been there before, and I always figured I would end up there again."
"So you want a trial?"
"I don't need no trial judge. I'm guilty as sin. Some stuff I have been held accountable for, other things no one has found out about. I figured my path as a criminal was set when I was five years old and my Dad used me to distract people while he robbed them blind. Who knows, perhaps I will see the old man in prison. He's currently serving a life sentence you know."
Bill nodded. Edgar was clearly someone who has beyond help. He was content in his way of a life of crime. Apparently it was the only way of life he had known.
Turning from the jail cell, Bill motioned for the Mounties to follow him. Still sitting behind the desk, Patrick got to his feet and followed them. As Patrick pulled the door shut behind him, Bill addressed the Mounties.
"It appears as if I do not need to bother with a trial. Walter and Charlie are both pleading guilty and though he is not pleading guilty to anything in particular, Edgar appears willing to wave his right to a trial. Eye witness identification and the testimony of the other two are enough for me to convict in that case."
"So, what are we doing with them?" Patrick asked.
"I am going to Clearwater again tomorrow. Davor, I want you to ride with me and we'll move Edgar to the jail in Clearwater. I will sentence him there."
"All right," Davor agreed.
"I am going to let the other two remain here for now. I need to get creative on their sentences and I also want to talk to the others held captive by this gang. I want to know their feelings on the sentence I have planned before I make them official. I do not need any resentment coming from this. You and the others suffered the most from this gang, Gabriel. I want to make sure everyone feels that justice is being served. After talking with Charlie, I am inclined to want to try rehabilitating him rather than just throwing him in a jail cell somewhere. He'll do time, but I am leaning toward an early release for him with conditions. How do you feel about that, Gabriel?" Bill asked, already knowing how the Mountie felt about Walter.
"I trust you, Bill," Gabriel said. "If you feel that Charlie can still be reached, then do what you feel is best."
Bill nodded.
"While I am in Clearwater, could you and Gabriel work on typing up a confession from Walter and Charlie for me, Patrick. I will review it and have them sign when I return."
"Consider it done, Bill," Patrick told him.
"Then I suggest we all call it a day," Bill told them.
"I'll take first watch here at the jail," Gabriel told them. "I appreciate you two going easy on me, but I will be fine," he said glancing at his fellow Mounties.
"Fine," Patrick said, hearing the resolve in Gabriel's voice. "I'll take second watch," he declared. "Davor, you can take a short watch toward the morning. It will make for an early day for you but hopefully you can get some solid sleep before that."
Davor nodded. "Thank you, sir."
"I'll head out to the orphanage and let Lillian know your plans," Bill told Gabriel. "Perhaps I can get myself an invitation to a home cooked meal," he said, earning chuckles from all three men. "Either way, I will make sure I bring you something to eat," Bill said, clapping Gabriel on the shoulder.
"I appreciate it, Bill," Gabriel told him.
As Bill headed in the direction of the orphanage, Davor looked to Gabriel. "I'll help you get dinner for the prisoners before I eat and try to get some sleep."
Gabriel nodded and as he and Davor headed for the hotel, Patrick glanced in at the prisoners one more time before going around to the side entrance. With Anne in the apartment out back, Patrick had made sure the door between the office and the apartment had remained lock just in case.
It was late when Gabriel made his way out to the orphanage. This was the latest he had gotten home since marrying Lillian, and he was not surprised to see most of the windows dark in the big house. A light, flickering in the sitting room window, was a welcome sight though.
After settling Apollo in the barn, Gabriel made his way to the house. Opening the door, he found Lillian sitting on the couch, a lavender dress taking shape on her lap. Lillian looked up at the sound of the door opening.
"Welcome home," Lillian told him.
"Thank you," Gabriel replied. Removing his hat he hung it on a hook near the closet before carefully taking a seat next to Lillian on the side her sewing materials were not spread out on. He leaned in and sampled his wife's lips. "You did not have to wait up for me," he told her softly when he finally broke away.
"I wanted to," Lillian told him. She had already put on her nightgown and had her robe wrapped around her. "Besides, it gave me some time to work on my dress now that Grace's wedding dress is done. I am thankful Rosemary said she would make Mary Louise's flower girl dress."
Grace and Chuck had finally figured out all the attendants. Hank would be Chuck's best man. Fred was going to be the ring bearer and Mary Louise the flower girl. Vincent and Christian would be ushers, though would not stand with the wedding party as Grace would have no other attendants. She had asked Billy if he wanted to join them but he had declined. As Gabriel would be walking Grace down the aisle, it had been arranged that Billy would stay with the Grants during the ceremony.
"The boys will wear their church clothes so I don't need to worry about them," Lillian said. "Are you going to need a suit?"
Gabriel shook his head. "Grace and I talked about it, and I am just going to wear my dress uniform for the wedding. We both agreed we did not want to make more work for you."
Lillian smiled. "That was nice of you."
"Are you ready for bed?" Gabriel asked.
Lillian nodded. "Do you want coffee or anything? I left the fire in the stove going just in case."
Gabriel shook his head. "I am fine."
Lillian nodded. "Then go upstairs and get ready for bed. I will be there as soon as I put things away and bank the fire."
Gabriel nodded. He leaned in for one more kiss before heading upstairs as Lillian had instructed.
That night, sleeping with Lillian wrapped in his arms, Gabriel was not haunted by the nightmare that had been plaguing him of late.