Chapter 6

Jack hurried down the sidewalk toward the jail. Chief Avery was waiting by his car. "Are you ready?"

"Yes. Let's go."

"Where were you? I thought you were going home to rest. You are here too fast to be at the apartment."

"I went to Abagail's to eat dinner and saw Elizabeth there. We ate together and talked."

"You left like five hours ago. How long did you two talk? And you know Elizabeth is Ms. Thatcher now?"

"For almost five hours and yes." Jack answered wondering how much longer Bill will interrogate him.

"Interesting." Bill said. "Is there anything you want to tell me?" He asked with a smirk.

"Nope." Was Jack's simple response.

…

"Abagail, would you mind if we walk home? I know it's a little bit of a walk, but I think the fresh air would be good."

"Great with me. I'll text Frank and let him know. Is there a reason you want to walk this evening?'

"You know too much." Smirked Elizabeth with a smile. "I just want to walk, maybe we can talk too."

"Perfect. Let me lock up and we will go."

…

Jack and Bill pulled onto a parking lot close to the foreclosed house. "I received a tip tonight that someone involved with the robberies is staying here. If we can, I just want to see who comes and goes here."

"Was it a good lead?"

"Yes. The informant has been helpful in the past. "

"Did you bring a camera?"

"Jack, who do you think you are talking too?" Sassed Bill.

"At your age, who knows what you will forget." Jack sassed as he cut his eyes toward Bill.

"Just watch yourself whippersnapper." Bill laughed as he stared at Jack.

…

Abagail and Elizabeth slowly walked down the sidewalk toward her apartment. Elizabeth was trying to slow down her heart and mind. Her toes still have a slight tingle, and she couldn't get over how much fun she had just talking with Jack. After a few minutes of silence, Abagail looked toward her younger friend with an expectant look.

"I enjoyed talking with him, Abagail. It flowed so easily. I have never had that with any other guy before."

"Yeah, Charlie wasn't that type of guy was he?"

"No he wasn't. Jack is so friendly, and we had so much in common."

"How far did you fall for him tonight?" Prodded Abagail.

"Abagail!" Exclaimed Elizabeth. "Why would you ask such a thing? You know I don't fall for a man that fast."

"Elizabeth, my dear Elizabeth. I don't think Jack is some man. He seems very special. I also think you have fallen for him."

"Why would you say that?" Elizabeth knew she was protesting too much but she just couldn't stop herself.

"Well, if I remember correctly, you blushed three times at him during dinner."

"Four times." Elizabeth corrected.

"Pardon me." Sassed her sister. "Four times. You didn't even notice when I brought refills or took your plates. You two were lost in each other. And if I may say so, I think you both enjoyed it too."

"I did. Honestly, did you really take our plates?"

"Yes. Neither one of you look our way or noticed when we talked to you."

Elizabeth blushed knowing she was caught. "He's just so easy to talk too. We have a lot in common but enough differences too, so we aren't exactly the same. His younger brother is just like Julie. His father died when he was a young teenager. Did I tell you his mother is a retired school teacher?"

"Wow. That is a lot in common. Hey, do you know you talk fast when you are excited?"

"Abagail." She said with a sigh. "

If I'm being honest, that was the best time I spent with an individual."

"I thought it was bold of him to ask you if he could walk you home."

"Why would you say that?"

"He told me when he came to the register that he never really dated."

"Really?" Elizabeth was a little surprised at that statement. She knew he said that he was waiting, but never really dated? Someone as good as Jack is, he surely dated.

"He did tell me that he wanted what his father and mother had."

"What is that?"

"His father always told him that he couldn't wait to come home to his mother. That was his greatest place to be. His mom was always excited to hear the garage door open. She would always wait for him at the door." She paused for a moment hoping Abagail wouldn't remember the next part. "Jack said he wanted a love that made his toes."

"Tingle." Abagail stated with disbelief. "Wow! You two are chasing after the same thing."

"I know. That's scary and very exciting."

"Just allow it to come at its own pace. No pushing away or forcing it to happen."

As they continued their walk home, Elizabeth couldn't keep her mind from thinking about Jack. He had moved into her thought process and held firm onto the spot he took over. She smiled at just thinking of him.

…

Jack and Bill sat in the car for a couple of hours with no one coming or going. "How much longer are you wanting to stay?" Jack asked.

"The informant said people come and go throughout the night. Let's give it another hour or two before we call it a day."

Jack was wishing he asked for her number. He could at least text her goodnight. He had thought the evening went well, very well. He didn't understand why she wouldn't want him to escort her home. Unless she was about to tell him that she had a boyfriend. Even with that uncertainty, Elizabeth had moved into his heart. He thought of her constantly. Her smile, her laugh, and her deep blue eyes held him captive. He wanted to talk to her.

Jack noticed a car pull up about fifty feet from the abandoned house. "Hey Bill. Check out that car."

Bill looked over at the car and thought something was off. After taking a few pictures of the car and the gentleman when he walked toward the house, both men thought something was wrong about the man.

"My gut tells me something is wrong with that man."

"Same here Jack. I'm not sure what, but my gut agrees with yours."

After another couple of hours, no one else came to the house and both men agreed to call it a day.

"Tomorrow I will run the pictures to see if anything comes up on that man."

"Sounds great chief. I'm ready to go home. It's been a long day."

…

Early the next morning, Tom entered the airport looking for his special friend. He was ready to get out of town for a couple of days. Things were going well for a change. He has been in this town for several months now. That is the longest he has stayed in one place in a long time. He was happy and it was because of his beautiful red headed girlfriend.

"Hey good looking." She stated as she walked up and kissed him on his cheek. "Are you ready to head to your brothers?"

"Absolutely. I haven't seen him in a long time."

"By the way, where are we going?"

"Hope Valley." Tom answered.

"Really! Hope Valley. Wow. Who would have guessed."

"Sweetheart, do you know the place?"

"Yes, my older sister lives there. Your brother lives there?"

"No. He is there on special assignment for a little while. Once done, he will move on to the next city."

"Maybe I can see Bethie if I have time."

"We will make that happen. Now let's go or we will miss our plane."

…

Elizabeth walked into the café early hoping to see a special someone. She looked around until she heard a cup hit the floor. She looked up and saw Abagail's shocked face. "What?"

"Do you know what time it is? Did you have trouble sleeping?"

"No. I slept well, thank you."

"Oh, now I understand. You are hoping to see someone special this morning."

"Um…no. I'm just hungry." Said an embarrassed Elizabeth.

"Sure. In three years, you have never been here this early for breakfast. I'm almost certain you have never been awake this early before." Sassed Abagail.

"Sure, I have been here at this time before."

"Elizabeth…" Abagail warned.

"Abagail…" Elizabeth returned her attitude with a smile.

Both ladies looked at each other with the attitude of sisters.

"You keep telling yourself that and you will feel better. By the way, he always sits at the counter on the left."

"Whatever." Elizabeth said dismissively shaking her head. Before she knew what she was doing, she walked over to the left side of the counter and took a seat. She waited for about three minutes before she heard the door open and saw Jack walk in. When Jack saw her, his smile grew until his dimples overtook his face. "Oh…my…word…how can anyone look so good this early in the morning." Elizabeth stated under her breath.

Jack noticed her and immediately forgot where he was and why he was there. He stood staring at this beautiful woman. Her eyes, her smile, she was perfect. "How can anyone be so gorgeous this early?" He mentioned a little too loud for his taste.

He walked up and asked if he could sit next to her. She patted the seat and offered a smile that he knew stopped his heart for a moment.

"I didn't know you were such a morning person, Elizabeth."

"Yeah, that makes both of us." Interjected a smiling Abagail.

Elizabeth shot her a glaring look. Abagail smile grew more at her stare.

"Jack, would you like your usual?"

"Yes, Abagail. Thank you so much."

"Elizabeth, I haven't seen you here this early before. What would you like?" Sassed an amused Abagail.

Elizabeth gave her a death stare and swatted at her, but Abagail jumped back enough to avoid the hit. "I'll take the same as Jack."

Jack laughed until Elizabeth looked in his direction and gave him a scary teacher face with one hand on her hip. He wasn't sure if she was being funny, serious, or flirting, but she had no idea how adorable she looked to him at that moment. Jack could swear she stole his heart at that moment. "I am in so much trouble." He mentioned under his breath.

"I'm sorry, Jack. What did you say?" He didn't know she heard what he said and thought it was one of the sweetest things she has heard in a long time.

"Oh…um…What?" His brain wasn't engaging, and he couldn't think of anything to say.

She decided to have pity on him since he looked adorable all flustered. "Hey, do you have a busy day today?"

"Yes. I am going to work for a bit this morning then I am meeting my brother at the airport later this morning."

"Your brother, Tom?"

"Yes."

"Why is he coming here?"

"I'm not sure. He said he has something to talk to me about. To be honest, I am a little worried. This doesn't sound like him."

She reached and placed her hand on top of his to give him comfort. However, the opposite happened. There's that silly tingling in my toes again. They both thought when the tingling happened to them both. Jack was so lost in the contact of Elizabeth's hand that he wrapped his fingers around hers without knowing he did so.

She had no idea why she did that, but she wasn't questioning her hand on his at all. It felt natural. It was like her hand belonged in his. She was lost in the contact that she didn't notice Abagail dropped off their plates until the noise of the cups when they were placed on the counter. She closed her eyes for a moment hoping against hope it wasn't Abagail and she didn't see their hands. She looked up directly into Abagail's eyes and knew instantly what she was thinking. However, she did not let go of his hand and he did not let go of her hand.

After praying for their meal, they released their grip on each other and smiled doing so. He instantly missed the feeling of her hand in his.

"So, you don't know why Tom is coming to talk to you?"

"No. He didn't say nor did my mom. He is a good guy, but I bet he has done something stupid like he usually does. He normally doesn't do anything too bad, but he does things without thinking sometimes."

…

Jack worked for a couple of hours at the jail waiting for information on the pictures from the previous night's stakeout. "Any thoughts from last night?" Asked Bill as he walked up to Jack's desk.

"It has to be connected. We think the robberies are drug related, right?"

Bill nodded in agreement following Jack's line of thinking.

"Most drug addicts who commit robberies usually progresses into bigger robberies when the smaller burglaries no longer produce enough money to get their fix. Correct?"

Again, Bill nodded.

"Those robberies turn violent when they get too big for the person or persons to control. And the run-down abandoned house is a perfect housing for drug addicts. I believe the two are connected. Bill, what do you honestly think?"

Bill thought for a moment and then answered, "I agree completely. If we look at the evidence and its progression, that is the trajectory we have here. Jack, we haven't gotten to the violent stage yet, but we are quickly approaching it."

Jack nodded in agreement. "We need that information on the pictures from last night. I think they are connected. Somehow, they are related. We just need to figure it out."

"Hey, what time do you need to leave to pick up Tom?"

"His plane lands at 11:30. I should head out to pick him up. Need anything while I'm out?"

"No. I'm good. I have my cell if you need anything."

…

Jack drove down toward the airport. He is beginning to fall in love with the town. It's nice and small enough that people know each other but big enough to have options. It's a beautiful town. Driving, he is thinking about the case, it's possible connections. However, Elizabeth controls most of his mind. Her laugh, her smile, her eyes, well, basically everything about her intrigues him. He is still processing their five-hour dinner. The conversation flowed so freely. He has never experienced anything like that, except with his parents. Is she the one? The one I have been waiting on? These two questions are on a loop running through his mind. He realized she has captured him. To be honest, he is excited about that. He laughed thinking about the first time they met.

Jack looks up and sees that his brother's plane has landed. After about fifteen minutes, he makes his way to the luggage carousel. He quickly spots his brother pulling two pieces of luggage off the carousel. He mentioned under his breath, "That's odd. Tom always travels light." Tom recognizes him from a distance and waves him over.

Jack embraces his brother in a brotherly hug. After pleasantries, Tom clears his throat. "Jack, I would like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Julie. Julie, this is my older brother, Jack."

Jack smiles and extends his hand to shake her hand. He looks at her for a few more minutes and asks, "Uh, Julie, have we meet before? You look familiar."

Julie looks him over and says, "I don't think so. I would remember someone as handsome as you. It's my pleasure to meet you." Her forwardness makes Jack's face red with embarrassment.

"Are you two hungry? I know a great café in town."

"Sure" Both Tom and Julie stated.

As they walk to the car, Tom and Jack allow Julie to lead the way. He leans over to whisper to Tom, "Tom, I didn't know you were bringing your girlfriend."

"I wasn't planning too, but she had a few days off work. Before I knew it, we bought her ticket and here we are. I hope that isn't a problem?"

"No problem. Let's eat. I'm the white car on the right."

…

After arriving at the café, they take a table close to the door. Abagail steps up and takes their orders after Jack introduces her to Tom and Julie. Before their food arrives, Bill sends him a text asking for him to come back to the jail.

"Sorry guys, but I have to go back to work. I'll let Abagail know to cancel my order. She will take great care of you. She can also get you to the hotel. I'll talk to you later." Jack smiles at them as he walks out the door. She does look familiar, but I don't know where I know her he wonders.

"Tom, how do you think it went?"

"He didn't know you were coming but Jack is really a nice guy. He was just surprised."

"I hope he likes me."

"Well, he better. It's not every day I bring home my fiancé to meet my brother."

"He doesn't know yet?"

"No. Like you I wanted to tell my family in person, not through a phone call or a text. Does you sisters know?"

"No. Maybe I'll see my sister while I'm here. I probably should call her and let her know I'm here."

Elizabeth notices she has a text message and picks up her phone. She was hoping it was Jack but remembered she hasn't given him her cell number yet.

Julie – Hey sis. Guess where I'm at?

Elizabeth – Hey younger sister. Where?

Julie – At a café called Abagail's

Elizabeth – seriously?

Julie – Yes. When can you get here?

Eilzabeth – I'm almost off work. Give me thirty to forty five minutes.

Julie – Perfect see you then

…

Almost an hour later, Elizabeth walked into the café and immediately sees her sister. "Hey sis. What are you doing here?"

"Bethie!" Julie exclaims loudly. She hugged Elizabeth and turned her to introduce her to her new boyfriend. "Elizabeth, this is my boyfriend, Tom. Tom, this is my middle sister Elizabeth." She smiled at the both of them.

"Elizabeth, it is great to meet you. I hope you are well."

"Tom. I'm great. Julie, what are you doing here?"

"Tom is here to meet his brother and I wanted to come with him. I didn't realize he was coming to Hope Valley until after we bought my plane ticket. I wanted to surprise you."

"Well, I am shocked. I wasn't expecting you, but it is great to see you."

…

Jack walks into the jail and notices Bill by the coffee maker. "What's up boss?"

"We got the information back from the gentleman last night. His name is Mr. James Harvey. He has a long list of arrests. Nothing too violent, but they have been increasing over the last few years. He fits into what we are thinking with the robberies."

"Harvey…Harvey, hey, isn't that Henry's last name? Elizabeth's student."

"Yes. He is Harvey's paternal uncle. He lives part time with his brother."

"Interesting. That explains why Harvey's homework paper was at the crime scene."

"I agree."

Jack thinks for a few minutes. "Hey Bill, look at the list of places where the robberies happened."

"What are you thinking?"

"The first few robberies were on the outskirts of town. Look at the map here." Jack points to the large wall map on the wall. "As the robberies continued, they come closer to town. It's a slow progress, but I believe it is a progression. What do you think?"

"Looks that way doesn't it. What do you make of it?"

"I think they are becoming more complacent. They're becoming more comfortable. So, they are not being as guarded. Now look at this, the last three burglaries are closer to the abandoned house."

"It is. It's closer to the center of town too."

"Right. I think we can use this to narrow down our search and maybe know where they will hit next."

"Sounds like a good plan."

Jack nodded. "I want to look over this again and see how this new information will help us come up with a game plan to take them down. I believe this is the key that opens the door for us."

The Chief nodded in agreement. "Hey Jack. If you have a couple of minutes, can I have a word with you?"

"Sure Chief. What's up?"

"Can we have that word in my office, privately?"

…

Tom, Julie, and Elizabeth are enjoying their conversation. Elizabeth is sharing stories from their youth and all the mischievous things they did as kids and teens. Tom spends the time listening and laughing along with the two sisters. He is enjoying getting background information on Julie and learning more about her. He loves her. This is his first true love in his life. He always dated girls, many girls, but would never consider them serious. He just wasn't that guy.

"Elizabeth, we need to share something with you." Started Julie.

This got Elizabeth's attention. She was instantly worried. The conversation and time together were going well, but now she was worried what the news would bring. She nodded for Julie to continue.

"Tom and I have been dating for a couple of months now. We get along well, and both have settled down a lot since we started dating." Tom was nodding in agreement as Julie was speaking. "He asked me to marry him, and I said yes."

Elizabeth sat stunned. Of all the things her younger sister could have told her; this wouldn't even make the list. Julie was bouncing in her seat waiting for her reaction.

Elizabeth looked between Tom and Julie. She did notice her sister's excitement. She seemed to be more composed and a little more mature. She was different, but marriage? "Are you sure, Julie?"

"Yes, sister. I am certain. I know my past says this is a huge problem, but I have grown over the last few months. Tom has been a catalyst in that growth, but it started before he came into my life."

Elizabeth continued to nod.

"I know this is a shock for you. You are the first person I have told."

"You haven't told our family yet?"

Julie's relationship with her family was different than Elizabeth's. Their sister Viola's relationship was the same. She moved away and Julie haven't spoken to her in a long time. Julie's relationship with her parents were more strained than Elizabeth's. Elizabeth went to college immediately following high school. She knew what she always wanted to do with her life and pursued it with an intense focus. Julie, however, was the opposite. She never knew what her life's calling was. She bounced from one thought to another and from one relationship to another. She didn't understand her parents and her parents didn't understand her. They did love each other. They just didn't understand each other.

"I haven't spoken to Viola in a long time. Our parents know I am dating Tom. They don't know we are engaged. They have meet Tom once."

Elizabeth was digesting all this new information. She knew Julie more than anyone else. She looked her sister up and down thinking everything through. "You do seem happy."

"I am. I know this is shocking information, but please give us an opportunity to show you that we are truly in love."

Ellizabeth smiled. "Of course, my little tumbleweed."

Tom laughed at that statement. Both Thatcher sisters looked in his direction. "I'm sorry. My family has always called me a tumbleweed."

"Then you two may be perfect for each other."

…

Jack sat down in front of Bill's desk. After Bill sat down, he looked in Jack's direction but didn't say anything at first.

Jack looked at Bill as if they were in a staring contest.

"Bill. Say what you need to say. You are talking to a friend."

"Jack, I have been hoping to retire soon. Actually, I wanted to retire a year ago, but there wasn't a suitable replacement to follow me. The two cops I have now are good cops, they are just very young, and they don't have enough experience."

Jack nodded wondering where he was going with all of this.

"I don't think I'm irreplaceable, I just want to make sure my town is in good hands."

"I understand. Do you want me to give you a few recommendations?"

"Well, I have already received a few recommendations. One from your superior and your mother."

"My mother. Why would you ask her for a recommendation?" Jack was thoroughly confused.

"I wanted her permission to ask the person I wanted. I also wanted her thoughts on the matter."

Jack sat there looking at him. Bill saw that he wasn't connecting the dots.

"Jack, I want you to replace me. Would you pray about it and think it over?"

"You want me to take over the police department?"

"When I retire, yes. I have the opportunity to name my replacement. You would come here as a detective until I retire. I figure about two to three months. Just long enough to get you comfortable with the job. Once you are comfortable, I will step down."

Jack remained silent. He was still processing.

"It's a great life, Jack. Slow enough so you can enjoy your life, but busy enough that you are not bored. The town is growing, but not too fast. I think you would enjoy the life you could carve out here. Your mother agrees."

"You spoke to her about this?"

"Yes I did. I wanted to get her opinion."

"When do I have to decide?"

"Take your time. I'm not going anywhere. Just ask me if you have any questions. I'll answer them the best I can. I think you would excel at this job." Bill stood to shake Jack's hand. "Go to your brother Jack and enjoy his visit. Don't stress out over the job offer. Think it through and keep me informed."

"Thanks, Bill. I'll think it over and I will let you know when I know."

"Perfect. Enjoy your evening, Jack. We will get started on this case first thing in the morning."

…

With that, Jack walked out of Bill's office and left the jail. He slowly walked down the sidewalk towards the café. While thinking this offer through, his greatest desire was to talk to Elizabeth. He wanted to share the news with her and get her opinion. He wasn't sure why he did, he just knew he did.

He opened the door hoping to see Elizabeth there. It was about the time she was usually there after school. He looked up shocked what he saw. Tom, Julie, and Elizabeth sitting together at the same table laughing.