Hello #Hearties! After an extremely long wait (Very sorry. The semester is finally over.) you finally get a new chapter! Enjoy and please review!
The entire town was gathered in the courthouse. Today, both Jack and Bill would be finishing their investigation. Judge Jedidiah Black entered the room and spoke, "You may all be seated." The townspeople took their seats and the judge spoke again, "Today, Constable Jack Thornton and Mr. Bill Avery will be presenting their findings on the explosion in the mine and the unsafe conditions causing the deaths of many in Coal Valley. Constable, you may speak."
Jack rose and began is his speech, "Your honor, on the day of the explosions, conditions in the mines were unsafe. The leaking of the gasoline was clearly what caused the explosion as Mr. Avery has concluded with several forensic tests. The question has become whether or not the unsafe conditions in the mine were previously known. Your honor, Mr. Avery and I would like to speak to Mr. Gowen."
Jedidiah nodded and said, "Mr. Henry Gowen, would you please come forward and place your right hand on the Bible?"
Henry stepped forward and did as instructed, "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
"Yes," said henry, though nervously. He took his seat at the witness stand.
Bill stood and asked, "Mr. Gowen, on the day of the explosion, there were unsafe conditions in the mine. Were you aware of these conditions?"
"No sir," said Henry.
"Really?" asked Jack, "Because some of the paper work Mr. Avery and I obtained says otherwise."
"The paperwork obtained says that Noah Stanton mentioned the leak in the mine a week before the explosion," said bill, "Is it true that Noah Stanton reported the gas leakage an d you ignored it."
"No sir, it was never reported. I obtained those papers after the explosion occurred," said Henry.
"Really?" asked Jack as he turned around to the townspeople and scanning the crowd, finding Abigail sitting next to his fiancée, "Your honor, I would also like Mrs. Stanton to give a testimony."
Abigail looked at Elizabeth surprised but stepped forward anyways. She gave her oath and took a seat on the other side, "Mrs. Stanton, did your husband ever mention the unsafe conditions in the mine?"
Abigail nodded, "Noah said he had reported it to Mr. Gowen and he kept at it though nothing was getting done about it. On the day of the explosion, he said that if something wasn't done about it soon, he would go to a higher authority, whatever it took. Mr. Gowen knew about the unsafe conditions and still let the miners in."
Jedidiah took a few moments to absorb Abigail's words. He stood and said, "I will let you all go for now. Come back after lunch and I will give my decision."
The townspeople left for lunch and came back later just as the judge had instructed. When everyone was seated once again the judge spoke, "I have reached my decision and I would like to announce that Henry Gowen is guilty for the murders of the miners killed in the town, for covering up the unsafe conditions in the mine when reported, and for perjury as of this morning. He is now sentenced Constable…"
Jack went up behind Henry with handcuffs and sated, "Mr. Gowen, you are under arrest for the charges given by the judge. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you…" After Jack had locked Henry away in the jail he went back outside to a round of applause by the townspeople.
"Thank you for Constable for doing Coal Valley justice," said Jedidiah.
"You made the ruling you honor, not me," said Jack.
"Yes, but without you and Mr. Avery, we wouldn't have had the evidence," said Jedidiah.
"Just doing my job sir," said Jack and walked over to Abigail, "Mrs. Stanton?"
Abigail turned around, "Yes Jack?"
"Thank you," said Jack, "Your testimony was that last bit of evidence Bill and I needed."
"No thank you," said Abigail," For clearing Noah's name."
Jack nodded as Abigail walked over and joined Cat in conversation. Jack felt a pair of arms around him, "Congratulations Constable!"
Jack turned around and smiled, "It's annoying Mountie for you," he chuckled and kissed Elizabeth, "And thank you Ms. Thatcher. Or should I say future Mrs. Thornton?"
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at Jack, "We haven't even set a date yet."
"Well now that the investigation's over, I can discuss more important things. Like our future together," said Jack, "Our future marriage, our future lives, our future…"
"Living arrangements considering Mr. Gowen is now where you used to sleep," commented Elizabeth.
"That too," said Jack, "Guess it's back to the saloon for now."
"Before long it'll be our own house," smiled Elizabeth and kissed Jack.
Jack kissed her back and then said, "And who knows maybe in a few years they'll be some little Thorntons running around the place."
"Jack!" said Elizabeth smacking his chest lightly.
"Kidding," said Jack and kissing her forehead once more, "I love you might sweet Elizabeth."
"I love you too, my handsome town hero Constable."