Chapter 196 – Another Mess to Deal With (long)
Once Elizabeth calmed down, she finished grading the paper she was on. When she looked at the clock, she saw that there were only a few more minutes and the children would start arriving. So she grabbed her bell and went to the door. She opened it and stood just inside as she had done all week. She could see the children starting to head toward the schoolhouse. Elizabeth heard them greet Patty and Cadet Morin as they got close.
Elizabeth had a hard time getting the children to settle down. They were all chattering about things. Elizabeth took a deep breath and then addressed the children.
"Children." Elizabeth said. "Settled down. We have a lot to do this morning."
It took a few more moments and the children did settle down, but Elizabeth knew that she was going to have to address the chatter, she had heard the word baby whispered several times. She wasn't surprised that there were whispers. She had heard a few when she was at the mercantile the other day, but as far as Elizabeth was concerned, it wasn't anyone else's business. She knew that Jack was happy and would happily tell everyone if he could. Elizabeth, on the other hand, liked that it wasn't public knowledge yet. She liked that they had time to make plans and decide things without all the comments from people, no matter how well meaning that they were.
"Alright." Elizabeth said. "Grab a piece of paper and a pencil. Then I want you to spread out. We are going to start with the spelling test. Please put your name at the top of the page. I want all the students to try as many words as they can. This will show me where you are. Don't feel bad about not knowing words, especially the little ones and those that are new. All I am asking is that you try."
Elizabeth then turned to the youngest groups.
"The five youngest." Elizabeth said. "You only have to do the first five words. The next group of students, so you four (pointing to the row) you only need to do the first seven words. I want everyone else to try all the words. Any questions?"
When no students raised their hands, Elizabeth started the test. She walked around as she gave the children the words. As the younger students finished their words, Elizabeth collected their papers and pointed to their readers.
After she finally got through all the words, she collected the papers. Once she had all the papers and the students had moved back closer together, she moved on to talking about the history lessons that were on the test the next week.
The morning went along great. Elizabeth was able to keep busy and not think about what had happened that morning. She was also able to keep the students focused. She knew that she was going to have to talk to them, but she was hoping to wait until the following week. With twenty minutes before she let the children out for lunch and recess, she had them working on a writing assignment. Not only had she done the spelling test and reviewed the history lessons, but she had also done math and reading. She knew that several of the students were still struggling, but just reminded them to do what they could and she understood as they hadn't been in class in awhile.
As Elizabeth was teaching, she noticed that Becky was often bored, but also she had a few of Elizabeth's advanced textbooks and was looking/working with them. Elizabeth had also noticed Becky had gone to her sketchbook several times. There was a part of Elizabeth that felt bad for Becky, she was so smart and deserved to go on to more education if she wanted. Elizabeth also knew that Becky was practical and knew that Abigail didn't have a lot of extra money to send Becky to school. That got Elizabeth thinking. She knew that she would have to talk to Jack, but she was wondering if there was a way that she could take some of the money from her trust and set up something that would help Hope Valley students to go on to more education if they wanted.
Jacobs spoke to Dee for a moment and then told him to go send an additional wire and wait for the immediate response. When he had it to bring it back to him, but to first drop all the other messages with his father. Dee nodded and headed to the office.
Jacobs walked into the jail, just as Bill shut the cell door on the young Mr Higgins.
"Is there a problem here?" Jacobs said.
"Sergeant Jacobs." Abigail said.
Jacobs instantly knew that they were keeping things formal.
"Yes, there is." Bill said.
"This gentleman." Bill said. "I use the term loosely, was caught sneaking into the schoolhouse this morning. Given the situation around here, I felt it was warranted that he be brought back here to speak to him. Especially since he was making demands to see Miss Thatcher."
"Got it." Jacobs said.
Jacobs walked over to the cell and looked down at the little man in front of him. Higgins wasn't a tall man by any means, so compared to Jacobs, he looked even smaller. Jacobs stood to his full height and let out a low growl at the man in the cell.
"What is your full legal name?" Jacobs barked.
Both Bill and Abigail had never heard that tone from Jacobs before, so even they stood up straighter and were listening. Bill was once again grateful that Wynn was there and in his wisdom had brought Jacobs. Bill also knew that if it had been Jack that was there, he would have not been able to keep his tongue and temper and would have probably hauled off and hit Higgins, which would have only caused more problems.
As much as Bill loved Jack like a son, he knew that he had his mother's temper at times. Bill knew that he had gotten better over the years at holding his temper, but Bill had also seen when it came to Elizabeth, there was little control that Jack had. Bill knew that he could lose his temper at times as well, he had shown that when he had dealt with Gowen when he had first come to town and again after his death. There was a part of Bill that was glad that both Jacobs and McGinty would be close since they both seemed so level headed and had a calming effect on Jack and himself.
"I don't have to speak to you." Higgins sneered.
"Have it your way." Jacobs said.
Jacobs then turned and took a step toward Bill and Abigail.
"This man is to be held by order of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police." Jacobs said. "Once we know who he is and what he is up to, I will determine the charges that will be brought against him, but at this moment, I am inclined to charge him with endangering the children at the school."
"But there weren't any children there." Higgins screamed. "Besides, I am a teacher. Actually, I am supposed to be the new teacher."
Jacobs ignored him and continued to look at Bill and Abigail. They took their cue from Jacobs and ignored Higgins as well.
"I agree." Bill said. "He needs to be held until we at least figure out who he is and what he is doing here. As far as we know, there were no school officials that were coming. Because Hope Valley is considered a private school there are different rules. As far as we knew, there was no need for a new teacher so I have to question his actions. I know that there is a current contract in place and if you haven't requested a new teacher or filed a complaint, I have to wonder what is going on."
"I know that." Jacobs said. "I would also agree that there is something fishy about this. I don't know the law off the top of my head, but I would have to agree that if the school board hasn't filed a complaint or requested a new teacher that the current contract would have to be honored."
He then turned to look at Abigail.
"Do you have anything to add?" Jacobs said. "Also I am going to have to see that contract, the original if possible."
"Yes." Abigail said. "But I don't think I can speak freely here. I have the contracts at the office. There was the original that was signed when she first came here and then a new one was signed at Christmas on advice of DC Delaney."
"Understood." Jacobs said. "Let's step out front for a moment. He should be fine in the cell or we can get one of the cadets to watch him."
That was what Jacobs was wondering. He had been hoping that the contract was in Mrs Thornton's name and not still in Miss Thatcher's name. He was relieved that Abigail had the foresight to do that, as it would make things better. He was also glad that Wynn had thought to mention it with everything else going on at the time. Jacobs knew that it would be easier to enforce the current contract since it was in Mrs Thornton's name. Jacobs was glad that Delaney and Abigail had the foresight to change the contract when Elizabeth got married. Most don't think about that and it can create a problem later down the road.
Also Jacobs was wondering why Higgins would be asking for Miss Thatcher, since she got married and would have reported her name change. Then it dawned on Jacobs that they probably went over Higgins head and reported to higher ups. Jacobs also knew that most places didn't allow married teachers, but as a small town with a private school, they could make their own rules to a certain degree.
Jacobs knew that he was still going to have to have someone look into who made the complaints and then depending on who it was, their connections to other people. As Jacobs had been standing there, he had a gut feeling that somehow either Charles Kensington and/or William Thatcher were behind what was going on. If it was determined to be William Thatcher, then he was going to talk to Wynn about possibly terminating the deal that had been made and make Mr Thatcher face the consequences of his actions. If it was Kensington, then there would be additional charges added to what he was already facing.
"Let me grab one of the cadets." Bill said.
Jacobs nodded. Abigail stood there and could see that Jacobs was working things out in his mind and there was something that Abigail wanted to say, but she also wanted to wait and not let Higgins hear what she was going to say. Bill went out the back door and was back in a moment with a cadet. After salutes were exchanged, the cadet looked at Jacobs.
"Cadet Kane." Jacobs said. "Have a seat at the desk. Don't speak to the prisoner, don't engage with the prisoner. You are to watch and record only. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir." Kane said.
Kane took a seat at the desk. Bill, Abigail and Jacobs stepped outside.
Dee left Jacobs and quickly went to the office. He knocked and entered without waiting.
"Hey David, Andrew." Dee said. "Dad, I have several messages for you. I also have one for Mom."
"She is at the cafe." Wynn said. "Are you staying or were you told to do something else?"
"Jacobs needs me to send a wire and wait on the response." Dee said. "Should I take the wire to Mom?"
"No." Wynn said. "Leave it here or just tell me what it is."
"It is from a friend of hers in Ottawa." Dee said. "It just says, 'be careful, will do more checking and get back to you' so, I will continue to watch for more."
"Leave it here." Wynn said. "It can wait, I am sure that there will be others coming in. We can handle things here. Please let Ned or Katie know to bring all wires for your Mother either here or the cafe. I am sure that they are going to be busy since Abigail is going to be over here."
"Thank you." Dee said. "I will do that. Be back soon."
Wynn nodded, then Dee headed out. Dee still wasn't completely sure what was going on, but he knew that whatever was going on, it wasn't good. He knew that if his mother and Charlotte were upset as well as Bill, then someone must have said or done something to Jack and/or Elizabeth. Dee thought that it was most likely that something had happened at the schoolhouse and Elizabeth was upset. He was angry at the moment that she was again struggling. He knew that his cousin was having trouble dealing with things as it was and she didn't need one more thing to deal with.
As Dee went up the steps to the mercantile again, he stopped and took a deep breath. He looked at the message again that Jacobs wanted him to send and realized it was to Jacobs' grandfather. Dee went in and filled out the slips for the wires and then gave them to Katie. He waited while she sent them, knowing that there would be a quick reply. As Dee was waiting, he saw a couple of men in the mercantile that he hadn't seen before.
"Morning Gentlemen." Dee said. "Are you new to Hope Valley?"
"Yes." The first man replied. "We just arrived late yesterday. We are working out at the mill."
"Welcome." Dee said. "I hope you enjoy your stay here."
Dee stepped back and kept an eye on the second man as he went back to looking at something on a shelf. The first man stepped up to the counter and waited. As Dee stood back waiting, he got an uncomfortable feeling and knew that he was going to keep a close on the two men. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he was sure that they would be trouble. Dee looked at the men and made a mental note of their height, approximate weight as well as their hair color as well as anything else. Dee knew that he was going to have to sketch the two men so the others would know who he was talking about. He hoped he was wrong, but as a Mountie, he had come to rely on his instincts.
After several minutes, Katie returned, went up to Dee and handed him two messages.
"If anything else comes in." Katie said. "I can bring them over."
"Please do that." Dee said. "You can bring them to the office across the street, unless they are addressed to Bill. Charlotte and my mother are back over at the cafe, but my dad told me to handle all the wires for a bit."
"I will do that." Katie said. "Dad has been busy with wires since your mother was in half an hour ago."
Dee nodded and then headed out.
Bill, Abigail and Jacobs stepped out on the porch of the jail and moved away from the door toward the infirmary. Jacobs motioned for Abigail to speak.
"The Superintendent of Western Schools is Thomas Higgins." Abigail said. "This young man is his son, at least according to Charlotte. The problem is that Thomas Higgins doesn't like either Elizabeth or Charlotte. He has accusations of being inappropriate with both of them. Granted Charlotte's was several years ago where he attacked her in her class room when she rebuffed his sexual advances. Charlotte said she wanted to press it further, especially since her Thomas had walked in just after she punched him. Thomas arrested Higgins on the spot and filed charges against him, but his supervisor at the time didn't want to hear it.
According to Charlotte it was her word against that of a wealthy man's son. Her and Thomas weren't married, but engaged. He even pressed it, but nothing came of it. Thomas ensured that there was a record with the Mounties, but there was no other action taken. She told me that the next year that Thomas Higgins' father arranged for him to move into administration and he was out of the classroom. Charlotte wasn't happy, especially when he was named Superintendent. She said he tried to cause her further problems after he rose to a position of power, but she had been teaching long enough that she had people in her corner. But it was one of the reasons that she retired.
From what I have gathered from Elizabeth, Thomas Higgins suggested to Elizabeth that she could get a better posting by being especially friendly to him. When she refused him, he sent her out here as punishment, thinking that a 'spoiled rich girl' would never last out here. Elizabeth also has said that as much as she would have liked to teach in Hamilton right away, she had wanted a job because she earned it on her merits, not because of who she was related to or any other favors. I think that was why when the mothers approved of her here, she was happy. She earned the job after that first week when she showed the mothers that she could do the job and reach the children."
"Apparently." Bill said. "He has never dealt with a Thatcher."
"But that is the thing." Abigail said. "I think that Charlotte and Elizabeth aren't the only victims. Elizabeth Rose said something similar as far as having problems with him and Elizabeth said that several of the ladies that she went to teacher college with didn't like the man and therefore didn't even want to apply to postings where he would be overseeing them. I think that there are a lot more women out there that he has preyed upon, but are afraid to say anything because of the power that he has. If he was willing to talk to Elizabeth like that knowing who her father was, I can't see him holding back with other women who didn't come from means."
"So you think that he sent his son here to do something to Elizabeth?" Jacobs asked.
"I don't know." Abigail said. "But it just doesn't make sense to me. There has been too much going on for it to be a coincidence."
"I agree." Bill said. "From what I know Thomas Higgins is the kind of man that gives the rest of us a bad name. I also know that Elizabeth never told her father about what happened, because Thomas Higgins is still walking free."
"I would have to agree." Jacobs said. "So what do you think we should do moving forward?"
"I think that is the first thing that we need to do." Bill said. "One confirm his identity and two, what does he want with Elizabeth?"
"I agree." Abigail said.
"We all heard Elizabeth tell Charles that by him running his mouth was causing her problems." Jacobs said. "She didn't go into the problems at the time, but she said if she had problems with the board, she would come after him."
"I know." Bill said. "But I have been checking and Charles has had very limited contact with the outside."
The three stood there looking at each other trying to figure out what the next move was. Bill saw that Dee was headed their way, so he made a small motion with his head and it was quietly agreed that they would wait. As they were standing there, Dee came up and stood next to Jacobs.
"I don't know if this makes things better or worse." Dee said.
"What did you learn?" Jacobs said.
"I got a message back from one of Mom's contacts." Dee said. "It said, 'be careful, will do more checking and get back to you'. That came from her friend in Ottawa. As far as your grandfather Jacobs, it came back 'hold until further notice, things don't add up'. Also his name is Michael Higgins. He is the son of Thomas Higgins. The problem is that Thomas Higgins was relieved of his office ten days ago."
"Do you know why Higgins was relieved of his office?" Jacobs asked.
"Allegations of inappropriate behavior." Dee said.
"So this might be a way of getting back at some of the women who might have brought charges against him." Jacobs said.
"I wouldn't put it past that man." Abigail said.
"Then we will hold Michael Higgins." Jacobs said.
"I agree." Bill said.
"Then we will let you deal with him." Jacobs said. "We have other things that need to be attended to."
"Yes." Bill said. "I can handle young Mr Higgins. You go do what you need to. I can leave a cadet here. I am going to keep an eye on the guards over at the school."
"Do what you need." Jacobs said.
Bill headed back into the jail. Jacobs, Dee and Abigail headed back to the office.