Lucas was not ready for this conversation. It was nighttime and he was sitting across from the Constable, looking into the stern eyes of a seasoned law enforcer, lit only by an oil lamp.

"Alright Mr. Bouchard, why did you attack me"?

"I thought you were coming to arrest us"?

"Why would I do that"?

Lucas could see in his eyes that he already knew the answer.

"I got into some trouble in New Orleans", he said, shifting in his seat, uncomfortable with the memory.

"What kind of trouble".

"I borrowed some money from a business man, named Frank Bishop, to get Rosemary out of the slum we were in. ".

"What happened next"?

"I got greedy. I was running this casino as part of the deal I made, I embezzled in order to give Rosemary the life she deserves".

"Let me guess, he found out"?!

"He did, he sent a couple of his goons to force me to pay back the loan in full. They threatened Rosy and I killed them both. That was a little over a year ago, we've been running ever since".

"That still doesn't tell me why you attacked me. You must have known that wouldn't help your case".

"I know, I messed up, but Rosemary doesn't deserve to be in jail, I'm willing to take the fall for her everytime".

"What then? What do you think is going to happen to her when you end up doing twenty in the pen? You've taken care of her for six years, can you take care of her from the inside"?

Lucas was seething at the thought of Rosemary on her own against Bishop.

"Then help me. Help me get Bishop off my back".

"Why"?

"Because once you do I'll leave Hope Valley. Rosy can make a good life for herself here, she doesn't deserve me".

Jack and Lucas sat in silence. Neither man said a word as they pondered the conversation. Lucas didn't want to leave. Hope Valley was a good place, not many places in the world could be so praised. and He didn't want to leave Rosemary. She had brightened his life.. she was his life. She was the reason he wanted to give her the world, but the world costs money, and that was something he didn't have.

"Lucas", Jack said, "you don't have to leave. As far as anyone knows, you and Rosemary are the new proprietors of the saloon, the three of us are the only ones who need know anything. I believe you're a good man, you're a terrible liar, but you're a good man".

"But I.."

"Save it, you told me that you would take the fall for Rosemary, which includes claiming to be the one to kill those men".

"How did you know"?

"I did a background check when you got to town. Next time you commit a crime like this, I would recommend that you change your name".

The next morning found Lucas leaving the Constabulary and heading back to the saloon. It also found Elizabeth taking steady, even breaths as she approached Mr. Yost's general store, the home of the new switchboard. She found Allison sitting at the switchboard, reading a dime novel.

"Hello", she said. Allison jumped at the voice.

"Hi".

"I'm Elizabeth Grant. I was hoping to have a conversation with you".

Allison looked down, unsure of what to say.

"What about"?

"Well, I guess to get to know you"?

"Why"?

The sudden change in tone unnerved Elizabeth. There was an unmistakable bite to the question.

"Because you're family".

"Look, I don't what you think you might be doing here, but your husband is not family, he abandoned me and my mother. So you can just forget about some mushy family reunion".

Finality punctuated the end of the conversation. But Elizabeth shook it off and left Allison a envelope.

"I found this, it's for you".

Elizabeth left quickly, not wanting to give Allison the chance to reject the note.

Allison looked down at the envelope, her name on the front.

Dear Allison

I'm not sure if you remember me, but I'm your Uncle, Nathan Grant. I left Hamilton when you were just a young girl. As a Mountie it is my job to go wherever I am transferred, but I hear that a good man replaced me. I hope that you and your mother are doing well. It grieves me to have to leave you both, but I have a duty to perform, and I hope that one day you will understand. I love you and your mother very much and I hope to one day bring you both to my home in Hope Valley soon. It is very beautiful here, a place where one can feel free. I pray this letter finds you in good faith. I love you Allison, with all my heart.

Love

Nathan Grant

25 Dec., 1913

I'm not going to lie, I'm not sure how good the interview is, but I'm happy with it. If y'all feel different please let me know and please don't be afraid to leave any suggestions about changes I could make (this would involve a rewrite of the chapter). Anyways, thanks for reading.