Chapter 27

Cecilia had just entered the hospital again, having needed to go outside to sit down for a moment. Every time she felt the weariness of pregnancy she was even more in awe of the way Faith kept on going despite being almost full term, especially as this was not an easy situation they were dealing with. That didn't change the fact that both her back and feet had hurt, ashamed as she was to admit it when she remembered the hell these people had been through.

For now the hospital was quiet. Maggie had gone for a break, while Florence had taken the linens that needed washing to the townspeople who had volunteered to undertake this task. With Molly attending to the ongoing administration work, she and Faith were doing the rounds of the patients.

Thankfully they had lost no-one else. In fact, everyone seemed to have stabilised, although there was still a long road to recovery for these poor people. Some would possibly never recover from the horror they had endured. Shock was a major problem to look for after trauma such as this, something she had witnessed extensively in the war. It was so hard to see brave young men suffering, many of them then branded as cowards when in reality it was a reaction to what they had experienced.

Having read an article published a few years earlier in The Lancet by Charles Myers about what was being referred to as shell shock, she had written her own piece on the subject for her paper. It was even more personal to Cecilia after learning that one of the men she had spent time with at the field hospital had later been shot for desertion when he ran away from the front line, one of the many victims of battle trauma. Her editor refused to publish it as he felt it did not portray the right patriotic attitude. Piffle, she thought. They wanted her to write the truth about war and then ignored the parts they didn't like.

"Are you alright Cecilia?" Faith's voice cut through the fog of anger that had surrounded her. "You were somewhere else for a moment and from the look on your face I'm guessing it wasn't anywhere nice." Cecilia gave her a half smile and nodded. "Just memories Faith. I spent so much time helping in the hospitals when I was in France, so much I wish I hadn't seen. Usually I can keep them tucked away in my mind but this is bringing so many of them back." Reaching out Faith gave her hand a quick squeeze. "I know you have spoken with Molly about some of the things you saw and experienced in the war and she has not betrayed your trust. Just remember that I am always here to listen too, if ever you want to talk."

With no more needing to be said Faith moved on to the next patient. She knew that Nathan was anxious to begin questioning some of the Chinese people as soon as the interpreter arrived later today so they were trying to decide who was the strongest and could be interviewed first. She valued Cecilia's input, knowing that from experience she had an understanding of just how one could find strength from the depth of their soul when staring death in the face. While Molly may not have divulged any of the conversation Cecilia had shared with her, Nathan had come to her as he so often did in the past when he was dealing with troubled thoughts and wondering how to help someone he loved. He knew how much all of this was affecting his wife.

Turning back to her charts she continued to check the latest notes for each person. The women were the weaker physically, their slighter frames having suffered most from the deprivation, and yet mentally they seemed to be recovering the best. Those who were awake had spent some time talking amongst themselves, a sign that they would perhaps be ready to answering Nathan's questions.

Cecilia had told her earlier that she and Nathan had discussed at length what was the most likely reason for what they thought was the illegal transportation of these people into Canada.

"On a trip to Vancouver a few years ago, while waiting to meet my editor I watched people disembarking one of the ships in port. The immigration guards were separating out the Chinese passengers from other travellers. I don't know why it piqued my interest, I suppose I wanted to know what was happening. So I decided to do some research. I'm always conscious that any events may one day be something I want to include in a book I write so I like to keep notes on such things".

Faith had always been fascinated by how writers knew about so many different subjects and it was only after a conversation with Cecilia that she began to understand just how much research a serious author put into their work. Of course, there were always those who didn't bother as much, just skimming over things that had happened, which was probably the case in the books that least held her interest.

Cecilia continued, "As I delved deeper into how the immigration control system worked I was appalled to find out how they were treated. They were subjected to detailed questioning, often languishing in jail cells for anything from days to weeks or even months. This was unique to the Chinese immigrants and they were at the mercy of officials who wielded absolute power, all the while with little accountability. It all seemed so unfair."

By this time Molly had joined them, having been following their conversation from her desk. Cecilia gave her a welcoming look and went on. "I wrote another article and wasn't surprised when my editor turned it down too. His reasoning this time was that people were not happy with the increasing numbers of immigrants from China, especially after the war when they felt that jobs were being taken away from our own citizens. I knew there was no way of arguing with him but it did give me more of an understanding as to why they resorted to entering the country illegally, bribing immigration officers and carrying false documents. Nathan and I agree that it is likely the people here, as with many others I have read about, had paid someone to arrange for them to be slipped ashore at remote ports and then transported to the cities".

While Molly had spent most of her life here in Hope Valley and didn't have the experience of the world that the other ladies both had, she did spend a lot of time listening to Bill talk about his experiences as a Mountie in different cities in Canada. He shared the same frustration as Cecilia that people were often not being told the truth about the injustices others were facing. "I spoke with Bill yesterday," she said. "He seems certain that the government will be sending men as soon as they hear what has happened and how many people were involved. Did you know there is a $500 head tax imposed on all Chinese people? I can't blame the workers already in the country for turning to people smugglers to bring their family members to join them. $500 is more than a year's wages to them!"

Cecilia knew that some young women were brought here as concubines, a part of the culture that was brought over with them and, although abhorrent to Canadian people, it was accepted as a normal aspect of life by the Chinese. Sometimes it was the wife and family left behind who suffered the most as a new life was created here. Looking around she wondered if that was the case with any of these young women, or even worse.

At that thought she shuddered. "You do know that it is possible some of these girls were destined for a life of prostitution in the brothels. They set them up in saloons and gambling dens around the country, run by a Madam who has complete control over them. It is a life of hell from which they cannot escape, remaining so much in debt to the smugglers that they will never be free or they become so addicted to the opium they are given that they forget they ever had another life." She shook her head, trying to clear it of those thoughts. "Enough of that, we must leave it to Nathan and The Mounties to figure it out." Neither Faith nor Molly said anything, realising that she had been far deeper in her own thoughts than the words she spoke.

Cecilia moved to follow Faith, making notes when asked but mainly just giving reassurance to anyone who was awake, a smile for one or a clasp of the hand to another. The look of uncertainty and fear in their eyes was somehow helped by these small gestures. What would happen to them, she wondered?

As they reached the last two beds the telephone rang and she could hear Molly gasp as she listened to what was being said. Oh God, she thought, what now? Has this town not had enough to deal with? How many more problems will my husband have to fix? She looked up as Molly came rushing along the ward. "That was Charlotte Thornton. There has been an accident out at the rowhouses. One of the psychiatric nurses is trying to deal with it but has asked for some supplies to be brought over from the hospital."

Faith looked exhausted and Cecilia realised she was in no state to go rushing off. "Let me go", she said. "I have enough experience to be able to assess the situation and I promise I will call if I think more is needed. Hopefully if that is the case then Mathew will be back from his outpatient visits and can attend. Or Maggie could be woken."

Uncertainty crossed Faith's face, part of her feeling it was her duty to go and yet realistically she knew that this late into her pregnancy she was limited in what she could physically do for a patient. Cecilia's suggestion was the most sensible. "That is probably the best way to deal with it right now but you must promise to call immediately you think the situation is more than you can handle. Once Molly has packed up the supplies she will go and wake Maggie, just in case. I'm sure she will understand."

Cecilia nodded, already busy putting on her coat. "Did Charlotte say who was hurt and what happened?" she asked Molly. "No, but I just know it has something to do with Elizabeth."

Unaware of what was going on further down the road, Joseph and Minnie Canfield were seated at their dining table, their bible open between them, as they discussed the dilemma they were facing. Jack Thornton's funeral needed to be organised and Nathan had asked if they could make the arrangements with the family. That was not what they were talking over now. It was the decision as to whether Elizabeth would be a part of it that they had to consider. Others felt that this would be too much for her but Minnie worried that without being there Elizabeth would never find the closure that she most probably needed. Perhaps this was the very thing that would bring her back from whatever precipice she was standing on the edge of and begin the healing process for her. Joseph meanwhile believed that they had already hoped for that so many times that it was likely she was too far past reason to be helped.

The details of the funeral were to be kept simple and Joseph had already asked Charlotte and Tom Thornton to call in to discuss what they would like included. Nathan had suggested that they speak to Bill when he returned. As someone who had looked upon Jack as a son and with his experience of The Mounties he would know exactly what should be done. Although it would be a difficult task for him, there was no doubt in either Nathan's or Joseph's minds that it was something he would not only want to do but needed to do.

A telephone call to Abigail Gowan had resulted in the expected tears but also laughter as she talked through many happy memories she held of Jack, with Henry chipping in from the background as he too remembered the times when a young Mountie had held him to account for issues in Hope Valley. "In many ways", he said, "it was the qualities I saw in Jack Thornton that started to break through the hard shell I had put around myself". Turning to look at his wife he added, "That and Abigail's belief in me".

For Joseph and Minnie hearing this was a blessing. It told them that there really was good in the people of this town. To have come together after the mining disaster with faith and hope was a testament to the strength of the community that had existed here then. From the many tales they had heard over the years they knew that a part of that was because of Jack Thornton and Elizabeth Thatcher. This made times like they were experiencing now so much harder and they just hoped that that same courage could be found again.

The sound of snorting horses and the creaky rumble of a wagon made them both stop and then a loud piercing scream split the air. Joseph's chair fell to the ground as he rushed to stand, Minnie stumbling across it as she followed him to the door. "What now?" she whispered to herself, "How much more is God going to send to test us?"

The journey back from Mountie Headquarters had been long so Bill was glad to see the station of Hope Valley ahead of them as the train began to slow. It had been made more difficult by having to keep up a conversation with the two senior Mounties, who were here for the interrogations that were about to begin. They were both experienced men who Bill had come across before when he'd had dealings with the Deputy Chief Superintendent but they were lacking in any form of levity, which meant the entire journey had been taken up with talk about the situation in Hope Valley. While Bill did not want to diminish the seriousness of what was happening, there had been little chance for sleep over the past few days and being certain that the coming weeks were going to present many difficulties he had hoped to at least have some rest from it while they travelled.

It was a difficult situation that he had been placed in as there were many things he was unable to disclose to both Mounties, meaning that he had to remain alert to what was being said and carefully choose his responses to their questions. He hoped Nathan had briefed all his men on what information could be shared so that he could hand the minding of these two over to them. The security on the train had been tight. A group of Mounties who he had personally selected were placed around the carriages to ensure that nothing untoward took place. Bill was aware of the danger of anyone finding out what he knew about the corruption within the force and so remained constantly on guard throughout. The impact it would have on how they carried this investigation forward was unquestionable.

It was going to be a shock to Nathan when he found out that there was much more to the list Andrew Hargreaves had given them and the extent of the deceit that had spread through all levels of the service. To be an honest Mountie right now was not easy, with so much suspicion amongst colleagues it was important to be clear in everything you did and yet at the same time it was difficult to know who to trust. One of the main things they had discovered was that there were still men who were willing to stand up for integrity, they just needed to know who they could safely speak to. Judge Bill Avery was now becoming one of those people. Thank God he had the likes of Nathan and Gabe to watch his back.

Cecilia picked up her skirts and ran along the road to the row houses, Faith's doctors bag banging against her legs as she went. With no information on the situation she was about to face she knew it was important to keep a clear head while she assessed what was needed.

If it was indeed Elizabeth Bouchard who was hurt, as they suspected, then she would remain totally neutral and not let her thoughts on the woman interfere with what she did. She was a human being and deserved to be treated the same as everyone, something that had been impressed on her as she watched doctors and nurses fighting just as hard to save the lives of injured German soldiers as their own.

She could see the gathered crowd, an old wagon pulled to the side upon which sat a very angry looking woman. Was that the renowned Helen Bouchard, she wondered. On the ground a figure lay stretched out, one of the psychiatric nurses kneeling beside them along with Charlotte Thornton. To her horror, all she could see were the legs of a Mountie sticking out from beside them, striped breeches just visible above his boots.

Her heart started to beat faster as she tried to remember what Nathan had told her he was doing today. He was collecting Bill from the station but, before that, was he coming out this way to meet up with Gabe to bring in Helen Bouchard? She was sure he had said he wasn't going to as he felt it may lessen the impact on Elizabeth if he was there. What about Gabe? Dear God, please don't let anything have happened to him!

By now she was almost there, just passing Molly's rowhouse where Tom Thornton and Julie Thatcher stood talking to some of the residents who had come from their houses at the noise outside. She tried to keep her expression calm, not wanting anyone to know the turmoil she was feeling. "Excuse me, may I get through please?" she called out to the people at the back of the crowd gathered around the injured man. As they parted to make way she felt a mixture of emotion as she saw Greg Aldritt lying on the ground. Relieved that it wasn't Nathan but worried to see it was someone she had come to care for since their first meeting on the train when he had been so protective of her and Allie.

She addressed the nurse as she came up to where he lay. "What happened? Where is he hurt?" Looking down she could see that his eyes were closed and a nasty lump was showing on the side of his head. On the other side blood had congealed on a gash at his temple and on his cheek. He was still, not even a moan escaping his lips, but she could see his chest moving so she knew he was alive.

The nurse stood up, not trying to hide the surprise on her face at seeing Cecilia. "And who might you be? I was expecting one of the doctors to come." Cecilia understood the questioning so with a gentle tone replied. "I am sorry, of course you would be. I am Cecilia Grant. Dr Walters is on outpatient visits and Dr Carter felt that in her condition she wouldn't be able to deal with a patient out here very well. I have experience from being in France during the war and…."

Before she could finish the other woman cut in, "So you're a nurse. Wonderful. I will hand over to you as my field of expertise is very much psychiatric care and I don't really have recent practice with this type of injury."

Oh dear, Cecilia thought, this is awkward. "No, I'm actually a writer, who worked as a war correspondent in France. But I spent a lot of time in the field hospitals and helped out whenever they were short of people. I have come to assess the situation and call on the doctors or Nurse Parsons if they are needed." With that she turned to look again at Greg. "Now, can someone please tell me what happened and how long he has been unconscious?"

Nathan had just stepped out of the Mountie Office when Allie came rushing from The Mercantile. Seeing him she shouted across "Have you heard that someone has been injured at Mrs Bouchard's house?" His eyes were automatically drawn to the door of the Infirmary, wondering if he should check that Cecilia was still in the hospital. He shook his head. She would have no reason to be out at the row houses, he was just being silly. "Do you know who it is?"

Allie shook her head, "No, just that they called for assistance from the Infirmary." Knowing that Gabe was there Nathan wondered if he was needed but then decided it would be better to go and check. "I have time to head over there before I meet Bill and the others at the station. Are you still working on the switchboard?" By this time Allie was beside him, which he took to mean she was free. "No, I've just finished. Mrs Yost is back from delivering the hospital's washing to people so she has taken over. I said I would go back later this afternoon to see if I am needed. As you won't let me help in the hospital it is my way of doing my bit."

Nathan smiled as he looked down at the young woman beside him. She would willingly have been there by Cecilia's side but he felt she had already been through enough in the past few weeks and she did not need to be subjected to what they were facing. She really did have a big heart. Life had thrown her many a curve ball and yet she had come through everything without any bitterness or self pity. Once again he felt that dullness in the pit of his stomach as he thought about what it would be like when she went away to college. Even with the new baby due there would always be an emptiness at his side whenever Allie wasn't there. She had been the biggest part of his life for so long it was hard to let her go.

She touched his arm as they walked, causing him to stop. "You went somewhere for a moment there Dad. What were you thinking about?" Nathan felt a lump form in his throat as he wondered how to explain his feelings to her. "I was just thinking how happy I always am when you are here with me and how much I'm going to miss you. You have made me the proudest father and I am just so grateful that you are my daughter."

Wrinkling her face at him she took his hand. "Well, I think I got a pretty good deal having you as my dad, I couldn't think of anyone else I'd want. I love you Dad." Just as his arms drew her in for a big hug there was a shout from behind as Harold Bishop appeared. "Superintendent, we have a problem"!

Nathan ran, his heart beating so hard he thought it would burst from his chest. He had sent Allie to the infirmary to check on Cecilia with instructions to stay with her until he returned. She was to ask either Faith or Maggie to head out to the rowhouses, while Harold gathered all the available Mounties to join them there. Except one. He needed someone to stay and protect his wife and daughter.

How had this happened? His mind was going over all the possible scenarios he could think of, knowing that something must have prevented Gabe and the other men from stopping it. This should have been such a simple thing, just to bring the wagon past the rowhouses. No stopping. Only Elizabeth seeing Helen Bouchard as she passed by. That was the plan but obviously there was something they had missed.

As he approached the end row house he was glad to see Greg sitting up but then dismayed to see that it was Cecilia who was crouched down tending to him. His wife's willingness to be involved in troubled situations drove him to despair. He knew she was not as strong as she led people to think and that she carried scars and memories with her that would break many other people. Yet somehow it was what had happened in her past that made her feel compelled to always put others first, mindless of any danger to herself.

She looked up as he neared, her face a mix of concern and guilt. He shot her a glance that said he wasn't happy and then felt bad as he saw the sadness in her return look. It wasn't fair of him to criticise her. He loved all of her, everything that made up the wonderful woman that she was. Besides which, he knew that he had given her just as much, if not more, cause to be worried in their time together.

Greg still had a dazed and confused look on his face. It must mirror his own right now, Nathan thought. For one of his most experienced Mounties to be brought down meant something untoward had occurred. As he reached the space in front of Elizabeth's house the small group gathered around immediately stepped aside to let him through. Most of the others had retired into their own houses where they felt safer away from whatever was going on. He could see that Gabe had positioned men on either side of Helen Bouchard, the wagon having been drawn onto the grass away from the houses.

Barely recognisable from the woman he had met some years ago she now had a bedraggled look to her. Gone was the well coiffed hair and perfectly made up face. Her fashionable clothes had been replaced by a shabby dress and jacket. Yet somehow the defiance on her face told him that nothing had really changed, that every bit of the woman's pomposity was still there. How they would break her he did not know.

Gabe was shouting orders to the other men, his eyes searching around constantly as he scanned the distance, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Seeing Nathan approach he instructed one of the men to take over his position, before stepping forward towards him. Not bothering with greetings Nathan asked, "Tell me everything from the beginning, Gabe. I need to know exactly what happened and what is being done now."

Giving a small shrug, he ran his hand through his hair before beginning to speak. "To be honest, I'm not sure of it all. Apparently just before we arrived Elizabeth was spooked at the sight of her sister and the Thorntons on the porch next door." He paused before asking, "Did no-one bother to tell her they were here?" Nathan could feel the accusation in Gabe's question, which was understandable as this had obviously caught them all by surprise. To think you were responsible for a fellow Mountie being injured was the worst feeling. He knew his explanation wouldn't change anything but it was the truth. "We didn't want to overwhelm her but in hindsight perhaps it would have been better to at least ensure that they were not around when this was happening."

Gabe understood the dilemma they would have faced so decided to let the matter drop. He spun around then, pointing in the direction of where the road joined the front of the row houses. "Apparently she reacted by turning away and running in the opposite direction, straight into our path. The driver didn't see her until the last minute. Charlotte Thornton said that she screamed, almost like an animal, at the sight of Helen Bouchard, doubling over in anguish. Then she began to fall forward under the hooves of the horses. It was Greg's quick reaction that pulled her back but when he did that she pushed against him and sent him into the side of the wagon. He was lucky not to go under it."

Nathan could feel the anger building inside him. Gone was any sympathy he had felt for Elizabeth, replaced now with a determination to find out once and for all just what her involvement was in the whole affair that had engulfed Hope Valley and then ship her somewhere else. This town needed her gone as much as she needed to be in a place where she could do no harm to herself or others.

He waited for Gabe to go on. "As you can imagine it was chaotic, people shouting and running everywhere. The driver managed to swing the horses across so that the wheels of the wagon were pulled away from where Greg fell but that left us on the other side of it. Everyone here rushed forward to tend to him and in the midst of all of this Elizabeth managed to escape". He paused for a moment. "I'm sorry Nathan, there were so many people milling around Greg that at first we thought she was still down there on the ground. It was only when I managed to get around to this side of the wagon that I saw she was gone."

Looking around he could see the desperate expressions on all the men's faces, each one thinking they had let him down. He knew that wasn't the case. Sometimes situations evolved in such a way that there is nothing anyone can do about it. "How bad are Greg's injuries?" he asked, concern for his Mountie and friend uppermost in his mind.

Hearing that question Cecilia moved across to stand in front of her husband, the sadness in her eyes now replaced with a touch of defiance. "I think he's going to be fine, Nathan. He was knocked out for a bit so will need to be checked over by Faith or Mathew but from what I can tell there are no broken bones or serious injuries. He is going to have one hell of a headache though." He watched Greg wince as Charles Kensington and Tom Thornton helped him to his feet. Leaning on the two men he took a few faltering steps, his legs unsteady beneath him as he looked across at his boss. "I'm sorry Sir, everything happened so fast."

Nathan knew that the man would be hurting and not just in a physical sense. His professional pride would have been dented at the thought that he had anything to do with Elizabeth escaping, especially as she had disappeared once before when he was trailing her. Nathan had been there, feeling the guilt that something had happened on his watch even though he knew deep down that it wasn't his fault. "You have nothing to apologise for, Greg, what you did was exactly the right thing. I would like to think we would all have done the same."

He turned to Charles, making his voice clear with no room for argument. "Could you please make Constable Aldritt comfortable somewhere and then arrange for a car to take him to the infirmary. My wife needs to go with you and I want someone to remain with her at all times."

Cecilia tried to protest but Nathan cut her off with a harsh look, something she had never seen from him before. "This is not open to discussion CC. I cannot do my job if I am worrying about you." With that he bent and brushed his lips to hers before turning and walking away, indicating for Gabe to follow him. "Ok Gabe, now tell me the real problem. What else has happened?"

Gabe looked around, being careful to see who else could hear him. "Before she fled Elizabeth managed to take Greg's gun from his holster. She saw an opportunity and used the upheaval around her to do it. She may be a woman who is out of her mind but there is still something very calculating about Elizabeth Bouchard."

Nathan remained silent. His steely eyes took on a fresh look of determination as he saw some more of his men approaching. "Let's get this search underway Gabe. Spread it farther. Speak to her family and friends to see if they know where she may have gone. Send someone to check The Tipperary, she doesn't know that we have found her hiding place there. We need to find her quickly."

Before he could say anything more the expression on Gabe's face changed as he stared over Nathan's shoulder. Following the direction the other man was looking he turned to see his worst nightmare unfolding in front of him. Elizabeth stood at the side of the rowhouse, her face flushed, eyes large and dangerous. In her right hand a gun was pointed directly at Cecilia who was just a few feet away. Without looking away from her Elizabeth shouted out, "Tell everyone not to move Nathan or I will shoot her."

From the wagon they heard a cackle of laughter as Helen Bouchard called out. "Well, well, well! I was wondering when you were going to make your move Elizabeth!"