Chapter 19

The Benson Hills saloon had been busy with the big money game being played in one of the private rooms. Any high stakes event like this always brought in watchers, ordinary gamblers who wanted to work out how the serious players got away with the cheating of which they were convinced all were guilty.

Everything was going smoothly when word had come through about the fiasco in Hope Valley and it took all of Mei Sou's persuasion to keep the saloon owner from panicking that the same might happen here.

Inwardly she was furious. Two years of her life had been spent manoeuvring the operation to where they wanted it and now as things were finally going well enough for her to move on it was all in danger of falling apart because of one person. Lucas Bouchard!

The one with whom she had been forced to maintain a relationship to make so that she could keep an eye on the operations, the thought of his visit each time to Benson Hills making her want to run and hide.

He wasn't even that good a lover, but when you're dealt such a small hand there is only so much you can do with it. She laughed at that thought, realising that at least she had been spared too much of his unwanted attention by his inadequacy, plus his love of cards and the bottle. For all his good looks and swagger, he really wasn't much of a man.

She already had her plans set out for departing Benson Hills as soon as she received notification that the shipment had been stopped by the Mounties and a full investigation was underway. With all the focus on that insignificant amount of guns and alcohol followed by the investigation into where they had come from, it would clear the way for more important shipments to proceed undetected across other parts of the border.

These card games, legitimate to a point, were needed to get the money into circulation without any questions and it was important that they were happening across the country at the same time. The Mounties knew that it was money laundering and again their focus on finding a way to break these games meant that they were not watching other things that were happening. Diversion was something that worked well for the syndicates but only if done properly.

Lucas Bouchard had at least served one good purpose. His quite substantial gambling debts, which spread from Hamilton to Vancouver, were amongst a number of others that brought the two main rival syndicates together in an attempt to find an easier way to collect on them. When threatened, he had turned tail and run back to Hope Valley where he once more made trouble for himself.

It was Helen Bouchard who stepped forward at that point, negotiating a deal with both Rocco Perri and Shue Moy to bring Thatcher Shipping into the fold, by getting her son to woo and wed the middle daughter. By that he would gain control of a share of the company and have a strong hand to persuade William Thatcher to do their bidding.

There lay their problem, expecting Lucas Bouchard to carry out any job, especially the manipulation of William Thatcher. But things could be brought back on track as long as Helen Bouchard didn't fail in her mission in the way her son had. For now she waited, a few more days were nothing after all this time when the reward was to be once again with the man she loved.

Shue Moy was everything Lucas Bouchard was not. Intelligent, ruthless and passionate. Now that she had proved herself to him by fulfilling this task she knew that she would finally be able to be with him. No other women, just her alone.

In the Hope Valley livery Walter and Patrick had done another check around the outside, although with all the goings on elsewhere and the three men locked up in the jail it was doubtful that any trouble would be coming their way tonight.

Patrick settled himself back up in the hayloft, a position that gave him a clear sight of both entrances to the yard, while Walter made his way out of the back gate and down the path to the main street, trying his best to remain undetected. Only once he was past the first of the buildings did he step out into the middle and walk quickly towards the Mountie Office.

He could smell the coffee as soon as he opened the door, surprised to see Harold sitting back reading some reports to the accompaniment of the sound of prisoners' snoring. The woodburner was blazing in the corner and it was only when he stepped into the warm building that Walter realised just how cool it had been over at the livery.

"The boss called in earlier to update us on what was happening and saddle up Newton. Guess we have missed out on a lot of the excitement, although you look as if you have too. Nothing interesting happening here, I guess". Harold laughed. "Oh my friend, this is where everything is happening, at least when it comes to putting this puzzle together. I just need you to sit here in my place for a while so that I can find the Superintendent and tell him what I have learnt."

Up in the roof space Allie watched as the boys nibbled slowly on their pieces of chocolate. She could hear more movement around the back of the cottage and wondered just what was going on out there. She was confident that her father, if not Uncle Gabe, would understand the note she had left and know exactly where she had gone.

When she had told her mother about this secret space she had asked Allie if she minded her using it in one of her children's books. So, while the readers may not realise it existed in real life, her parents would know where she meant. That was what had inspired her last night to bring the boys here, the knowledge that there was a place right under everyone's nose that only a few people actually knew about. Her note simply said "We are safe. Just like The Wolfpack. Love Allie."

Patrick and Little Jack were making the most of their snack, realising that the events happening around them meant it was possible that they could be here for some time. They were good boys, in some ways wise beyond their years because of the difficulties they had already faced in life. Being here with Allie made them feel as though they were a little bit grown up, "being responsible" as their dad always told them they should be.

Finally as the last piece of chocolate was popped into Patrick's mouth he nodded, indicating that he was ready for the story to begin.

"What are you going to tell us about, Allie?" asked Little Jack.

"I could tell you lots of things about all the time I have spent here and how I found out about this attic space."

Patrick was busy trying to wipe a smudge of chocolate off his sleeve but now joined in with the conversation. "Why did I not know about this place when I was here at the orphanage?"

"Well, you were very young and only stayed for a short time, so I guess there would never have been a reason for anyone to show you. It is a secret place that only a few ever visit."

He thought for a moment before agreeing. "I suppose so. Plus there was this older boy who used to bully me, so he certainly wouldn't have let anyone tell me about here."

Little Jack was feeling a bit left out but suddenly interrupted them as a thought popped into his head. "Have you ever been bullied Allie?"

Allie hesitated, trying to work out the best way to answer his question as simply as possible.

"Yes I have. A couple of times, actually. In fact once when I was a pupil at the same school you go to, when your mother was my teacher."

At the mention of his mother, Little Jack looked shocked. "Was she the one who bullied you?"

Allie hesitated, knowing that she couldn't tell this young boy how his mother had treated her. But had it been bullying? She didn't know but not wanting to talk about that or say anything to upset him, she quickly replied. "Oh no, she would never have done that to one of her students. It was another girl in the school. But I guess the situation sort of arose because of Mrs Thornton. I was trying to impress her."

By now the boys had moved forward under the blanket, nodding for Allie to keep talking. "You may not know it but there was a time when I really wanted Mrs Thornton to marry my dad." Looking at Jack she quickly added, "this was long after your father had passed."

Jack nodded, thinking that everything he knew about in the world was after his father had died, he wished he could learn more about before. He had heard people say that his mother was so different then, not the sad lady she had become.

Allie continued. "I really wanted to impress your mother. We suddenly had a group of new children in the school, most of their fathers having come to work for Mr Coulter in his sawmill. A lot of them found it hard to settle and make friends, especially the girls, as boys are usually happy to just throw a ball about together. I knew what it was like to feel that way as I had moved schools a lot before Hope Valley."

She paused for a moment, remembering the fear she felt each time she had to walk into a new school and how after a while she just didn't bother to make friends as she knew it would only be a matter of time until she moved on again. At least, until they moved to Hope Valley.

"So I decided to start a club for anyone who was interested. I organised all sorts of activities, played games, read books, did drawing and painting. Lots of fun things. Judge Avery even invited us for tea and cake at the café one day, which was very yummy."

She made an exaggerated motion of licking her lips which brought giggles from both the boys, before Patrick asked. "How were you bullied if it was so much fun?"

"One girl decided that she wanted to have her own club. That she should be in charge. So she started asking all the children to join hers. I didn't mind at first, believing that there was always room for more and that some people may prefer what she was organising, until I realised that she had just taken all of my ideas and done exactly the same, with a few little changes. Then she started to be mean to me, making little comments in front of my friends and even worse ones when she could get me alone."

"That sounds like William Brell at our school" whispered Little Jack.

Patrick nodded, "Yes, he thinks he knows everything and tells people off if they don't agree with what he says."

Allie smiled at the boys, "Sadly there are always bullies in life, people who feel the need to push others around or belittle them to make themselves feel good."

Both boys nodded. "So what did you do about this girl?" Little Jack asked. "Did you tell my mum?"

"Did you hit her?" Patrick added, his eyes widening at the thought.

"No, the only person I told was my dad and then I followed the advice he gave me".

Now both boys' eyes were wide, wondering what their Mountie hero had told Allie to do. "What was that?"

"He said to kill her with kindness. So I did. I smiled nicely, either ignored her comments or gave my opinion back to her and just went about the business of making my own club the best it could be".

At that moment the murmur of voices could be heard outside and then the door of the cottage opening downstairs. Putting her finger to her lips Allie indicated to the boys to lie down and stay still, as she switched off her torch and listened, the beating of her heart drowning out most of the sound from below.

As they approached the front of Elizabeth's row house Nathan put his hand out to stop Charles, uncertainty in his voice as he asked "Do you have a weapon on you?"

Charles wasn't surprised by the question, knowing that the Mountie would want to make sure he was in control of everything about the situation in which they were about to place themselves. "I have a small pistol in an ankle holster. A bit sissy, I know, but it puts me at ease having it there considering some of the places I seem to travel to these days."

Nathan nodded, thinking to himself that he liked the honesty of this man. Maybe in another time and under different circumstances they would be friends but with Elizabeth and her troubles between them it was an unlikely thing to happen. For now, however, he was glad they were on the same side.

"Well, obviously I am going to tell you not to use it unless your life is seriously threatened. Or mine, for that matter. Let me do the talking when we enter. Do not disagree with me in front of Elizabeth. If there is something that you think I have gotten wrong or that you need to tell me then ask for a quiet word. We need to be united in dealing with her as she has shown just how easy it is to think she is using guile to get people to believe her fantasies, when in actual fact she is saying exactly what she thinks in her mind is happening."

Charles knew that Nathan was right. As much as he had tried to cling on to the hope that there was some chance of salvation for the woman he had loved for so long, he was having to face the reality that she had gone past that point. Now all they could do was to try to talk her down from the precipice on which she currently stood and get her to somewhere she would be cared for properly. Perhaps once she was away from the place that held so many painful memories she would finally find peace.

Taking a deep breath Nathan raised his hand to knock on the door, having to suddenly pull it back as it opened to reveal Elizabeth standing there, a broad smile on her face.

"My two favourite gentlemen! To what do I owe the honour?" Nathan could have sworn that she fluttered her eyelashes at him but hoped he was mistaken. This was going to be difficult enough without having to contend with a flirtatious Elizabeth.

"Do you mind if we come in? I have a few concerns and questions I would like to ask you. Your friend Charles was just on his way for a visit when we met along the road."

She looked up at him, her face full of so much love that he almost stumbled back. How they were going to handle this he wasn't sure but he knew it had to be done.

"Of course, please come in and I will pour us a drink. Would you like whisky or wine?" Both men were surprised to hear her offering them alcohol as apart from occasionally having wine with dinner they had never known Elizabeth to be a big drinker.

"Water, please," they answered in unison.

As she went to get the drinks Nathan took a moment to look around her house. Gone were all the photographs and nice ornaments that had made this place a home. Now it reminded him more of some of the lawyer's offices he had visited, with stacks of paper everywhere, journals piled on all the surfaces and an overflowing bin of crumpled pages in the corner. Yet sitting there in full view on her desk was the framed photograph that Carson had taken of her and him at Jesse and Clara's wedding. Just that. Nothing of Little Jack or the husband she had lost. Nor her present husband for that matter.

Seeing his expression as he studied the room, Elizabeth quickly spoke, "It is so difficult to find someone to help in the house these days. Even Laura has stopped coming and she used to be here nearly every day." Nathan stayed silent.

At the other side of the room Charles was standing, hands behind his back, observing Elizabeth as she moved quietly around the kitchen. She hadn't looked at him and he wondered if she remembered their conversation earlier and was putting on a pretence in front of Nathan or had her mind wandered on to other things.

He brought his thoughts back to what they had to do, a softer expression returning to his face as he watched her place the tray down on the sofa table where Nathan had quickly moved some papers aside to make room. Amazed at how calm the Mountie was under the circumstances he realised the wisdom of his words outside.

They all sat and smiled courteously as glasses were handed around, before Nathan began. "Elizabeth, do you remember meeting a woman by the pond and having a conversation with her?"

At the mention of that her head shot up and her face took on a fierce expression. "Oh Nathan, I have been trying to warn you about her. She is evil and wants to hurt you." The venom in her statement shocked him but he kept his voice calm.

"It is fine Elizabeth, I have everything under control so you don't need to worry about me."

She relaxed then, before turning to Charles, "Have you come to see our Mountie, Jack Thornton? He's coming back from the Northern Territories? I'm sure he will be able to sort things out and have her arrested."

Nathan tried not to react and instead tried to bring the conversation around to what she had been doing at The Tipperary and the journals she had retrieved from the buried trunk in the garden.

"I see that you have been writing again," pointing to all the journals around them. "You must keep all the best stories somewhere safe, perhaps ready to have them published one day. Would it be possible to see them?"

Elizabeth looked at him warily, "Has that woman been talking to you? She knows about my journals and told me she knew what Jack had written in his. She's only saying that to drive a wedge between us. But she won't win, I just have to ignore all the drama and let God deal with that while I take care of us."

As she spoke both men could see that she was becoming more agitated, wringing her hands and looking around frantically to find something.

Charles leant forward, laying his hand on her shoulder, "Have you lost something Elizabeth?"

She raised her head towards him and as he looked sympathetically into the eyes of this woman he saw nothing, just a hollowness that told a story of loss and confusion. "My medicine, there must still be some of it left", she said. "I went to the Chinese man but he would only give me a little. They should be nicer to me but I think sometimes they forget just who I am and what I know"

In the living room of the Brookfield orphanage Lilian looked up at the clock on the mantelpiece again, wondering how much longer they were going to have to entertain this awful woman's ramblings.

Gabe had pointed out to her quite clearly that not only was the boy she referred to as her grandson not with them, but he was fully aware that the courts had granted guardianship of Jack Thornton Jnr to Lee and Rosemary Coulter. So Helen Bouchard had no claim nor right to take him anywhere without their permission even if he was here.

Her continuing attempts to argue her side of things had ended in frustration for everybody and Lilian was glad when Gabe stood and announced that perhaps the best solution would be for him to telephone the Mountie Office in Hope Valley and find out exactly what was going on.

At this Helen Bouchard muttered some words to herself before suggesting that it was probably way too late for anyone there to deal with this now and perhaps it would be better left until the morning. With that she rose and announced that she was going to check into the hotel for the night and get some rest, before returning tomorrow.

Gabe and Lilian looked at each other, both aware that the No Vacancy sign had been placed in the front window of the hotel and willing the other not to be foolish and offer the woman a bed here for the night. Silence hung between them all until eventually she took a step towards the front door, unable to resist having the final word before walking back to her car.

"I do hope that you are being straightforward with me Inspector Kinslow. If not, you must understand that I have connections both within the RCMP and the Children's department of the government, both of whom I would have no hesitation in contacting to voice my displeasure with the way things are run around here."

Her driver, who had remained in the car, jumped out and rushed around to open the door for her, his efforts rewarded with a backward swipe of Helen Bouchard's hand against his arm and some curt words.

Lilian hadn't realised that she had been holding her breath as the car drove off until she looked at Gabe and saw that he had been doing the same. Their relief at her departure was short lived as one of the men stationed at the orphanage came rushing in with a message for Gabe from Jim Buchanan and as he heard it his face dropped and a fear gripped his heart.

"The children are gone?" Lilian felt the tears well in her eyes. All these precautions and still someone had managed to get to them.

"All of them?" she asked.

Gabe looked questioningly at the other man who continued. "Yes all three. And two intruders captured. We don't know if they were taken or have disappeared by themselves. Superintendent Grant's daughter left a note."

Looking up Gabe waited for the man to go on. "It was something about The Wolfpack and being safe."

A smile suddenly broke across Gabe's face as he exclaimed out loud, "Oh Allie, you are the cleverest young lady I know!"

He hugged Lilian tightly, surprising her with his sudden change of mood, before turning and saying "Follow me, I know exactly where the children are!"