Chapter 13
In Brookfield Gabe was worried. Nathan's call to tell him about Elizabeth's disappearance changed everything here. He and Chuck had carried out a thorough reconnaissance of the area, paying particular attention to the woods and fields surrounding the orphanage. He had never looked at it in such a defensive way before but now he realised just how vulnerable his town was.
Now looking up from his place at the front of the dining room in the hotel he was pleased to see so many familiar faces in front of him. This was what community was about, everyone rallying around to protect each other in times of need. It was hard to work out the best approach to take. Although his Mountie training had prepared him for this kind of scenario it was so much more difficult when people you loved and cared for were involved.
The unknown element was what worried him. Would someone come? More than one?
Who would they target? Was it Little Jack or Allie they would come for? Or both?
Nathan had admitted to him that it would be impossible to keep the absence of the children from Hope Valley a secret for too long, all he was doing was buying time, hoping that they would close down everything happening there before it became known. They had discussed the different factors involved so many times that it was hard to discern exactly from where the threat may come, but both knew it was a possibility if they didn't succeed soon.
Clearing his throat to gain everyone's attention, he began speaking as the room went quiet.
"Thank you for coming here today. You are all aware of the problems being faced by the good people of Hope Valley and that Nathan Grant has been brought in, along with a team of Mounties, to deal with the issues and bring normality back for our friends there."
Nodding in the direction of the Mountie standing to his right he continued, "Constable Buchanan arrived last night, bringing with him Allie Grant, Jack Thornton Jnr. and Patrick Coulter. It is believed that these three children are in possible danger of being used as bargaining tools in the ongoing issues there. I can't give you too many details but suffice to say that there are a number of very dangerous people involved in what is happening and they will stop at nothing to achieve what they want."
He appreciated how intensely everyone was listening, wondering to himself how much he could ask of these people before they resented their own town being placed in danger because of the three children. "I know it is a lot to ask of you all but…"
Before he could continue Joe Moody stood, raising his hand as he turned to scour the faces around him before speaking.
"May I just stop you there for a moment Gabe. We all know that Brookfield has seen a lot of progress in the past few years and we have been lucky to avoid the troubles that have affected so many other towns in these parts, thanks mainly to your vigilance and protection. But we also know there have been times when we have had problems of our own."
He paused as everyone around him nodded, "and Hope Valley people have been there for us, none more than Nathan Grant and The Coulters. So believe me when I speak for everyone in saying we are here to do whatever is needed without question."
Gabe was always humbled by the spirit of this town and the current situation was proving to be no different. "Thank you, Joe."
His eyes took in the seriousness of the faces in front of him before he went on, "We don't know if anything will happen here or how any attack would present itself but right now we need to make sure that we are prepared and have worked out a plan to keep everyone safe."
The room buzzed with murmurs of assent as he outlined what he was thinking, everyone in agreement that whatever Gabe and Jim had decided was needed they would do their utmost to carry out. Names were organised into teams, a means of ensuring that there was always someone on watch for strangers and unusual happenings.
All of the women, most of whom had remained silent until now, stepped forward as a plan was formulated for moving the three children around different locations so that it would never be clear exactly where they were located. Gabe's own two and the children from the orphanage were to be moved into other homes as it was decided that would be the first place to be targeted and therefore far too dangerous for anyone other than the men on watch.
Henry and Abigail stood silently at the rear of the room, waiting for the opportunity to ask what they could do to help. Finally, as things were settling they both stepped forward "We need to do something Gabe, how can we help?"
Gabe thought for a moment before replying. "I want you to return to Hope Valley, reassure them that we have the situation in hand here and try to maintain the pretence that the children are still there. Abigail you should make it known that Rosemary has succumbed to the same illness as the boys and you have come back to help."
He paused for a moment, mentally putting himself in the place of those investigating the situation in Hope Valley.
"Henry, I know how much Nathan will need your knowledge and understanding of the way things work in what we call 'the dark side of business', especially when it comes to the corruption of Mounties. You can do more there to help him than here. Jessie and Clara will manage things at the hotel. In fact, I was going to appoint Jessie as team leader for here."
Turning to the younger man he said "If you are willing to do that Jessie? This will be our headquarters and meeting place so I need someone who can organise things for me. You and Clara working together would be good at that."
"Of course I will, Gabe, if for no other reason than I still owe Nathan for his first night in Hope Valley!". A small laugh from those who understood lightened the mood momentarily before the planning resumed.
Allie sat at the top of the stairs, trying to picture in her mind what was being arranged below. She knew she had promised her dad that she would stay safe here but inside she felt as though there was more that she should be doing. She was tempted to sneak back to Hope Valley in the trunk of Henry's car but she recognised how selfish an act that would be. Once they realised she was gone then this whole operation would be put into search mode and jeopardise the safety of everyone.
But that didn't mean she couldn't be involved, keep her eyes open and watch what was happening around her. She had promised to look after Little Jack and Patrick, something she was determined to do whatever the cost to herself.
Sitting silently in her hiding place, Elizabeth could tell that it had gotten much darker outside and it was now time to move. She pulled her coat tighter around herself, clinging protectively to the satchel containing her journals as she made her way down the narrow stairwell. The past few hours had been spent thinking, working out the best way to deal with this.
Her priority was Little Jack and therefore her first stop should be at Rosemary and Lee's. They would help her arrange a meeting with Nathan, after all Rosemary had always wanted her to choose him so this would make her happy. She had been unable to explain to her why she couldn't do it then, but now was surely the right time. Why else would he have come back?
There was no doubt in her mind that once Nathan heard her story and understood what had happened in the past he would see things differently. Everything that had occurred since would no longer matter once they were together again. Suddenly it was obvious that she had to eliminate the one thing standing in their way and the sooner the better.
She knew the route to take out of the back of the building, having watched at different times as the Chinese immigrants were smuggled in and out of there, their fate being something she had asked Lucas about when the construction of The Tipperary was set to begin and she overhead him talking with the men brought in to build it.
It was then that he had explained the smuggling gangs and how the credit-ticket system worked, where the travel expenses of these people were paid by lenders who then kept them "bound" until the debt was paid. They were brought here from different ports and then moved on to other parts of the country to work. It was cruel, she could see that. But even when she saw the young girls amongst them she didn't care. All that mattered to her was that it gave her a place unknown to anyone but those involved and that could be invaluable one day.
As Nathan entered the Mountie Office he was greeted by a mug of coffee from Bill, another then handed to Greg as he followed him through the door. There was no lighthearted quip this time, the frustration on both men's faces was clear as Nathan quickly explained that although their search was fruitless he was convinced that Elizabeth had been close by. Greg was still apologising about losing her but Nathan knew that there was nothing more he could have done short of walking into the building behind her. Even then he was convinced she would have given him the slip somehow.
Bill had enlisted the help of Ned and Matthew to search around the town. When Cecilia came out of The Valley Voice office to ask what they were doing she had quickly volunteered to join in and it took a lot of persuasion from Bill to make her see that was not a good idea. They both knew that Nathan would be angry at the possibility of her being in danger and so she retreated back inside to carry on with her work.
She and Rosemary were determined to be ready to print the next issue tomorrow, realising the importance of letting the people of Hope Valley know just how much things were going to change now that the good Mounties were back in town. One Mountie in particular.
From the balcony of The Little Gem Saloon, Lucas watched the activity below, aware that something was happening but unable to figure out quite what. When he saw Nathan Grant's wife step out of the newspaper office to speak to Bill he again felt the anger and resentment build up inside him. How could one man have done so much to thwart all his plans?
From the very beginning he had stood in the way of everything Lucas was trying to achieve and the fact that others knew this undermined his position within the operation. He should have found a way to get to him before. There was a time when he considered using Allie to punish Nathan but it was at that moment that Elizabeth finally seemed to have chosen him and therefore he dismissed that idea.
Then his plan to have Nathan killed while they were in Hamilton had been foiled when the pair of them disappeared. Now perhaps there was an opportunity to cause him even greater pain.
He had been paying his bill at the Mercantile this morning when he realised that Florence and Molly were talking by the switchboard about how wonderful it was that Nathan was to be a father again. It was then that he realised just how much more painful it would be for his nemesis to lose not one, not two but all the people he loved. Yes, he would make that his parting gift to the great Nathan Grant.
For now he needed to return downstairs to the game, the desire for some fresh air having overwhelmed him as his worry that things would not go to plan got the better of him. That the Australian was willing to step in, for quite a substantial fee, was a relief. He knew that it was no coincidence that one of the players had disappeared from the train, the question was who had been instrumental in removing him.
The man from Hamilton was saying nothing but that didn't mean his people weren't involved.
Equally, Shue Moy was capable of all types of counter moves if he thought it would ensure the success of this operation.
Then, of course, with Nathan Grant in town there was always the possibility that the Mounties had something to do with it. Now was definitely the time to tie up loose ends here and move on, he just had to get through this night.
Descending the stairs he saw Gustav signalling to him from the door of the kitchen. With an imperceptible motion he indicated that he would be with him shortly, turning first to the room at the other side of the saloon where the game was in progress. A quick look told him that all was calm, the nervous tension coursing through his body releasing a little as he backed away from the room.
"What is wrong, Gustav?", he asked as the chef motioned him across to the other side of the kitchen as the man was clearly agitated about something.
"We have a problem. The Australian is not doing as instructed, he is all over the place! If he continues to act like this, the money will not be passed over and the game will be ended far too soon," he declared.
"Calm down, Gustav. We'll give them a break and I'll talk to him, explain again what we need him to do." With that Lucas walked back out of the room and headed across the saloon, entering the room as the young Australian was losing a hand this time.
"Gentlemen, it looks as though you could all do with a break here. Hopefully it is going to be a long night for you if this game lives up to all your reputations. I shall arrange for Gustav to bring out some food but while you are waiting I suggest you all take in some fresh air, it is a splendid night out there."
Motioning to Bruce to follow him he made his way back through the saloon, stopping casually to speak to other patrons as he went, his fixed smile hiding the panic that was beginning to rise within. So much was dependent on this and his other parts of the operation being a success, he couldn't fail now or who knows what would happen to him.
Reaching his office he waited, knowing that the Australian would take his time, careful not to attract any attention to the possibility of them working together. When you are juggling two separate gangster mobs, each vying for supremacy, you have to make sure that nothing gives them reason to doubt you.
So he had to know why Bruce had decided to lose rather than do as instructed. Had someone gotten to him? Had he been found out? Was he planted here for this very purpose?
Antoine Dupont sensed a heightened air of panic surrounding Lucas Bouchard and his French chef, who he suspected was responsible for more than just the cooking in this establishment. He and Bruce had discussed the best strategy for the game, the Superintendent having left them to play it how they saw fit and make any necessary adjustments as the evening wore on.
Although not in the high stakes room, Antoine was able to observe most of what was happening from a table just outside the door, where he rather nonchalantly played blackjack as he listened and observed, ready to come to the defence of his fellow Mountie should the need arise.
Watching as Bruce made his way through to Lucas Bouchard's office, Antoine knew that there was very little that his friend and colleague could not handle but still he remained alert to any indication that trouble was about to start.
Back in the newspaper office Cecilia was so focused on checking the typed pages in front of her that she did not notice the shadow of the figure making its way past the windows. She had learnt some time ago how to deal with more than one thing at once, a necessary skill when working as a war correspondent and facing so many difficult challenges, but this was all happening too fast. The speed at which everything here was changing was unexpected, more proof to Nathan that it was all linked, and as she read through what she had written from the notes Rosemary had set out her mind was also trying to put together a picture of what she knew.
Thinking back to her conversation with Elizabeth Bouchard, she tried to recall if there was anything that would cast doubt on the sincerity of what she had said, but there was nothing.
Nathan had told her of the discussions he had with, Faith, Bill and The Canfields, plus a number of other people. All agreed that Elizabeth's behaviour had sunk to the depths of hopelessness, the melancholia that they all understood to have overcome her making it impossible to see the person they had once known.
Then suddenly there would be a time when lucidity was back. A conversation that made them momentarily forget before she lapsed back into her solitude.
What confused Cecilia now was just how clear headed Elizabeth had been when they met by the pond. There was no sign of a despondent woman but instead someone who knew exactly what she was doing and saying. This was what troubled her the most.
The sound of a wagon and horses coming down the main street brought her out of her thoughts, before it was gone again, heading no doubt towards the livery to be secured for the night. Then the shadow caught her eye and she held her breath as it stopped at the door.
Her hand automatically reached into the top drawer of the desk, grasping for the small pistol that she had placed there. As her fingers wrapped around it she stepped back, hands shaking as she told herself that she was being silly before the rattle of the door handle made her jump and she looked up as it opened and the figure stepped into the light.