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Chapter Thirty-three

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Providential Timing

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Returning from town, Gabe shed his outer coat, sighed and sat across from Nathan as he removed his boots. "Faith went home? Allie in bed?"

"Yes to both questions. What's the latest at the jail?" Nathan closed his book, observing his colleague's annoyance. "You stayed longer than I expected."

"I had some calls to make. You ready for this? You know the receipts we found? Looks like we caught Bouchard just in time, that is if Elizabeth had agreed to go with him to Union City." Gabe placed his boots beside his chair, stretched his legs towards the coffee table, and tried to roll the tension from his neck.

Gabe continued, "Bouchard had reserved a room for three nights and ordered a fancy meal with champagne in the room. There was also a note with directions to the Judge's chambers in City Hall. He planned for them to marry this weekend, Nathan. This weekend!"

Shaking his head, Nathan responded, "God surely protected Elizabeth and Jack… I wonder if she even knew anything about his plans? Add an elopement to his noseying around at the banks, it is clear he intended to get at her money just as we suspected."

Gabe sighed, "How can men treat women like that? Using them for financial gain? Are they heartless?"

Nathan stared at the fire in the woodstove, pondering before responding, "There is a verse in Jeremiah that says that '…man is going to follow his own plans and act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart…' (*7) In another verse, the prophet describes the heart as 'desperately wicked.' (*8) I think that is our answer right there."

"I guess so…" Gabe's voice trailed off briefly. "How's Elizabeth?"

"I don't know, but Faith was going to stop at home and see if Fiona could go with her to check on Elizabeth. Bill called when Lee drove him back to his apartment and said she had calmed, but was still embarrassed and ashamed. She's also taking the remainder of the week off so I'll send Allie back to school tomorrow. Can you drive us into town in time?"

"Sure. So Allie knows?"

"I told her the basics of what's happened. I figure she can keep the students' versions closer to the truth that way."

Nathan explained before suddenly remembering something Gabe needed to know. "When Bill called he said Jack will stay with the Coulters overnight and also that he would contact William Thatcher with the update, so that's taken care of. How was Bouchard?"

"As defiant as ever and justifying his every action, loudly. Honestly, I never heard a man so convinced of his own innocence. I told him he better get some sleep because when transport comes there is no guarantee of the length of his ride. I think I shut him up mentioning he'd be jostled around on the hard wooden seat!" Gabe snickered. "I imagine he has ever wanted for the comforts of cushions!"

"You're probably right. Anything else we need to discuss?" Nathan leaned forward readying himself to stand, explaining, "I'm weary and ready to head upstairs."

"What can I do to help you, Nathan?"

"Could you carry a glass of water for me?" As both men stood, Nathan added, "Thanks."

"Sure thing. Is Prince out back?"

"Yeah, I'm sure he's ready to come in now. I just didn't have the energy to get up until I would be going upstairs. Thanks, Gabe."

"No problem, Nathan. You go ahead and I'll close up down here then bring your water. Got your pills?"

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"Good morning, Rosemary. How are you? Did you get some sleep?" Nathan sat in his desk chair to better answer the telephone in the row house.

"I slept some. How about you?"

Nathan responded, "The same. How is Jack this morning?"

"He was worried about his mama, but reassured that I will take him to her after breakfast." She watched Lee and Jack at the dining table. "Lee is eating with him now. I'm calling because I forgot to ask, but may I meet you at the office or at home today to get some facts for the newspaper? From what Bill said, Lucas is accused of a lot!"

"I'll say. How about I come to the newspaper office? With Lucas in the cell, there is no privacy. I can fill you in, maybe at eleven? That gives me time to get updated by Cal, Gabe and Bill," Nathan shared. "Is that okay or do you plan to spend time with Elizabeth?"

"I thought I would have a cup of tea with her when I take Jack over, so eleven is fine. I'll see you then, Nathan." Ready to hang up the telephone, Rosemary stopped, exclaiming, "Oh! I forgot to mention that Fiona stayed overnight at Elizabeth's just so someone was there for her."

"Good to know. That was kind." Nathan marveled at the citizens of Hope Valley, thinking to himself what a blessing it was to be a part of this loving community.

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"Are you ready for school, Allie-girl? Uncle Gabe is here for us." Nathan called up the stairs as he adjusted his sling over his belt and strap.

"Coming!" Allie's sing-song voice carried down the stairs, "I don't want to forget anything."

"Don't you look pretty, Honey! Sometimes your resemblance to your mother takes my breath away. You are both beauties!"

Blushing Allie, smiled, quietly stating, "You have to say that. You're my Dad."

"On the contrary, Honey. I say it because it is true." Nathan handed her coat to her while he held one side with his free hand. "I can't wait to be free of this sling. Sorry I can't help more."

"It's okay, Dad." Allie placed her hand on her father's forearm. "I hope you have a more relaxing day today than yesterday. I love you, Dad."

Bending to kiss her cheek, Nathan added his own endearment as he whispered, "Don't worry about me, I'll be okay. I love you too! Now let's try to avoid being late!"

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"Hey, Cal! How are you this morning? Did you enjoy sleeping in your own bed again?" Nathan shed his coat as Gabe reached out to prevent it from hitting the floor of the RCMP office.

"Amazingly, I did. Mr. Bouchard conked out early, so we both enjoyed beds for a change," Cal replied with a grin, "he said he'd been sleeping in his car for a few nights. Our prisoner has eaten, but needs a cup of tea. Gabe brought him coffee which evidently he doesn't touch."

"I can head over to the Café before I write up my report. Anyone else want coffee?" A quick glance told him his fellow Mounties both wanted a fresh cup, so Gabe waved and headed back onto the street.

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Out on the street, Gabe was stopped by a question, "Hello, Constable. Is Corporal Grant in the office?"

"He is, Sir. Let me introduce myself? I am Constable Gabriel Kinslow, and you are?"

"James Ogden. I met Corporal Grant a couple of days ago and it seems as though you gentlemen have been busy as I stopped in to see him a couple times before."

"We've been involved in a complicated case, but he is in the office if you want to see him now." Gabe nodded in the direction of the RCMP office.

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"Hello, is Corporal Grant here?" Mr. Ogden inquired as he stepped into the office.

"Yes, he is in my apartment reading over reports. Just a moment, and excuse our method of communication. I am not very mobile." Cal turned to face the inner door which was ajar, calling, "Nathan you have a visitor. May I send him back?"

"Sure. Thank you." As the businessman entered the apartment, Nathan lifted the pillow from his lap and stated his welcome.

"Hello, Corporal, please stay seated. Your arm is a challenge for you and the other Mountie's leg is a handicap for him. Was your mission successful to have two injured Mounties at one time?" James Ogden motioned towards the desk chair asking, "May I?"

"Please. I wondered where you disappeared to!" Nathan smiled, though still reserved with the man. "Both our injuries were sustained in the fire when the Saloon burned down. Tell me, where are you staying and did you ever meet with Lee Coulter?"

"Your kind Mayor offered his spare room and it was probably quieter at his place than if I had been staying above a Saloon. Plus, your Mayor has been very helpful. To answer your other question though, I did have a profitable meeting with Lee and, although delayed due to the lack of hotel rooms, I believe my project will move ahead."

Glancing at the open door, Mr. Ogden lowered his voice, "I met with your Judge at breakfast just now at the Café and he informed me of the status of the Saloon property and a few short explanations of what has recently transpired. I have some ideas, but will depart this afternoon to draw up papers with my attorney so that the Mayor can submit my proposals to the Town Council. Your Judge told me about possible properties available and agreed to drive towards Brookfield with me so I can get the lay of the land before I depart."

"Oh? Well, I guess it will all be public soon enough. You lose your right to privacy when you break the law." Nathan shook his head, continuing regretfully, "I wish I could accompany you when Bill takes you around, but I am tied up here. I'll get the information from Bill. He's the judge by the way."

Chuckling, James Ogden confessed. "In business I don't usually use given names, but Bill, Lee, and Mike have informed me that this is how Hope Valley operates! By the way, you may call me James or Jim, whichever you prefer."

"Okay, James, I am Nathan. When you stopped in on your first day, you mentioned the paper mill. Can you share your vision and how that will impact our town?" Nathan listened attentively.

"Of course. Assuming the Town Council approves, first I would need a working hotel and to acquire the land, then procure the lumber from Lee's enterprise. It may take at least a year from now, before I might be ready to hire and train employees. I own a couple of mills so can easily move employees here temporarily to get us operating." James explained excitedly.

"I am also submitting an offer to purchase the Saloon property and build a three-story hotel there. Any input from you would be welcome as I believe you have served here for a few years now?" James inquired.

"That I have. I don't know your plans regarding the first floor, but if you could consider a large room that can serve as a venue for community gatherings, that would meet a need. It would also endear you to the townspeople since we have to limit our receptions and dinners to outdoors in good weather for the foreseeable future. The Saloon was transformed into a banqueting hall for our events." Nathan paused, realizing this was an opportunity to make suggestions early in the planning stages, before continuing, "With that in mind I would also suggest that, if you intend to make plans for after prohibition, you locate a bar area separate from the main banqueting hall area as we have family-oriented events that include young children."

"Spoken like a man with a family, but a good point. I am a grandfather so I understand." Holding Nathan's gaze he inquired, "Do you have a family, Nathan?"

"I have a teenaged daughter, but I am thinking ahead. If you bring in a younger workforce, children will naturally be included."

"Very true. I like your forethought, Corporal. It sounds like you serve your town with their best interests at heart." James Ogden glanced at his wrist watch and shifted in his seat, ready to conclude the conversation, "I look forward to hearing more, but I must make some notes before I meet the Judge, ah Bill, for my tour. Oh, by the way, your recommendation of the Café was much appreciated. Everything was delicious and I will be collecting my lunch for the trip as well. Nice town you have here, Corporal, and I will be seeing you again."

James Ogden stood and went to shake Nathan's hand.

"Good day, James. Safe travels."

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"Hey, Cal. Is Nathan still in the apartment?" Gabe set a basket on the edge of the desk and began to pour cups of coffee from a carafe. He then lifted out a second carafe of tea and a mug, taking it to hand through the cell to their prisoner.

"I'll place this carafe on the floor here, Bouchard, so you can help yourself to your tea throughout the day."

Grateful, Lucas nevertheless only grunted.

"Thanks. He is," replied Cal, nodding to the coffee. "Nathan just had a visitor of the businessman variety, but he is alone now."

Returning to collect mugs for Nathan and himself, Gabe checked for an update, "Any news regarding transport yet?"

As Cal shook his head, Gabe nodded and explained, "Okay. I'm going to talk to Nathan before I tackle the paperwork."

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Nathan looked at Rosemary as she tried to adjust the pillows to help support his arm, quietly explaining, "I'm sorry, Rosemary. Maybe we can make this short? It is highly awkward, but I thought I remembered you had pillow cushions on your chairs!"

Laughing, Rosemary readjusted one of said pillows as she commented, "Well, that's the difference between a man decorating and a woman. Women will always have pillows! There, is that better?"

"That's fine. Thank you. So, I will try to answer your questions. Fire away," Nathan grinned.

"First, can you tell me if Lucas's crimes are sufficient to keep him jailed, or better yet send him away? Then we'll get to the details."

"Yes, some are serious crimes, others self-serving decisions, and others poor business practices. And to reassure you, they will take him away from Hope Valley."

"Oh… I am sorry to say this, but for Elizabeth's sake I am glad to hear that. Now I need to get out my objective newspaper woman's questions…"

"Can you please confirm or explain what I gleaned from the Commissioner's description of the RCMP withdrawal and the plans for Provincial Policing?" Rosemary read what she had prepared thus far and made corrections and additional notes as Nathan commented before they changed topics.

Next, after hearing a litany of Lucas Bouchard's offences, Rosemary leaned back in her chair and stared at Nathan. "So you know you were just in time as he intended to spirit Elizabeth away and elope this weekend?"

"Yes, we know. God protected her even though she brought some of this on herself by her choices." Nathan stared at the floor before confessing to his friend, "I told Faith last night that I tried to protect Elizabeth, but I failed…" Nathan raised pain-filled eyes to Rosemary.

Quickly moving to kneel by his side, Rosemary placed her hand on the hand gripping the arm of the chair, forcing Nathan to release his grip and relax. She whispered gently, "Many of us tried, Nathan. She rejected all her friends' efforts on her behalf. But you? You were hurt the most, I'm afraid. You sacrificed to move here for her and Jack, and have always taken your responsibilities seriously. Even so, my friend, you did NOT fail. Elizabeth is an adult, though she hasn't been acting like one recently, nevertheless she is old enough to make her own life choices. I think we must let her go and turn her over to God. Only He can speak into Elizabeth's heart, convict her and awaken her conscience. What we are doing is caring for Jack while his mother isn't mothering."

Rosemary patted Nathan's arm as she stood. "You are not responsible for her decisions and as far as I'm concerned, you did a lot to protect Jack. His father would be very grateful, Nathan, very grateful. Now her family will take over… Oh! Did you know? Elizabeth's parents are on the way here. Lee got the call earlier that they were bringing the Thatcher's private railcar and leaving this morning!"

"I didn't. Yesterday, Mr. Thatcher told me he would let Lee or Bill or me know, but I haven't heard until now. I am relieved to hear this as Jack needs them as much as Elizabeth does. Amidst all the bad news, this is good. Really good." Nathan straightened in the chair, addressing his friend again, "So do you have all your questions answered for your article? Oh, and do you need to mention my name or can it just be the RCMP representative or something like that? I would rather remove myself from being the authority on this particular case. Elizabeth already accused me of taking the competition with Lucas too far by accusing him..."

"She what? You are doing your job! Honestly, that is just too much..."

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"Is Constab…er…Corporal Grant here?" Mr. Jenkins quickly glanced around the office, noticing Lucas in the jail cell. Surprised, he added, "I need to see him... in private if possible?"

Lucas gave him a sneer, not aware of why the banker was here.

"Sure, sir. Pardon me for not getting to my feet and for our unsophisticated method of communication!" Cal called into the back room, "Nathan? May I send in another visitor?"

Gabe was immediately at the inner door, "Sure. I just need to grab my paperwork. Come in Mr. Jenkins."

Gabe cleared the apartment's desk and vacated, closing the door behind himself.

"Hello, Mr. Jenkins. I'm sorry that our seating is limited in here. How may I help you?" Nathan shook the banker's proffered hand before the man took the chair Gabe had just vacated and moved it closer to Nathan.

"I came to report that Mr. Bouchard's loan was actually due yesterday. Since he put the Saloon up as collateral and has reneged on the loan, the bank now takes ownership of the property. Alas, there is not much to recoup, but hopefully we can sell the property for someone to build. I am on my way to inform Mayor Hickam now, but thought law enforcement would like to know. I am thankful to see the man is already in jail, so I assume this news just adds to whatever crimes and poor business practices he has already made?"

"It does. Thank you for informing me, Mr. Jenkins. We may already have someone interested in purchasing and rebuilding, so the Mayor will be thrilled to learn this update. We may not have to wait long for a replacement." Nathan paused, "I don't know how much of a church man you are, Sir, but there is a Bible verse that speaks of God taking the difficulties we have and turning them for good for those who love Him. I think it applies in this situation…"

Mr. Jenkins gulped and with widened eyes, responded, "I haven't thought of that verse since my youth. My grandmother used to tell us that! When she told us she was praying for us she said she was holding God to the promise that He would use everything in our lives for His purposes and for good..."

The banker hesitated and stared at Nathan, wondering, "Do you really believe that? I mean here you sit, injured. How can that be 'for good?'

"I do, in many ways, Mr. Jenkins." Nathan leaned forward and responded calmly, "God allowed the fire to set things in motion to preserve the town, to offer a new opportunity that doesn't include gambling, which due to the fights that resulted means we Mounties won't have to regularly break up the altercations. God protected our schoolteacher and her son from disaster. God deepened my relationship with the dear woman I am courting because of a misunderstanding regarding our rsponsibilities during the fire and through that we've learned to better communicate. I could go on, but on many levels, God is turning the destructive fire into good. So, in spite of the pain of my injury, I see God's hand at work."

After listening carefully, Mr. Jenkins responded, "You have given me some things to think about, Corporal. Thank you for that."

"Sure. You are welcome to talk with me again, or I would encourage you to talk to Pastor Joseph if you want to discuss this in the coming days. Either of us will be glad to talk it through more thoroughly."

"I may do that. For now though, I need to see Mayor Hickam." Mr. Jenkins rose and returned the chair to the desk before moving towards Nathan with his outstretched hand, "Good afternoon and thank you again."

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Answering the telephone, Cal soon straightened in his chair.

"Constable? Superintendent O'Reilly here. I have news regarding your prisoner, Lucas Bouchard. If transport comes tomorrow morning at eight, do you have the papers in order?"

"Yes, Sir. We are prepared and will be ready. And where is he headed?" Cal coughed, "Excuse me, but I'm sure Corporal Grant will want to know."

"Of course. Burns? This is your posting too, remember. You have a right to know as well." O'Reilly chuckled all too familiar with those who respected their superiors yet with a hefty dose of fear. In the future, he would have to work on connecting better with this Constable, but for now, the Superintendent just answered the question, "We've decided to start here in Union City to prepare for the local charges, but he'll be heading to Victoria eventually. I'm sending the wagon and two additional Constables as I'm aware that neither you nor Grant can ride out with them. How is your leg?"

"It is healing, but not fast enough for me. I am used to the crutches now, though, so I'm gradually getting around though slowly. I'm sure grateful that Gabriel is here. He's been driving for us when he isn't on rounds."

"Good. It was Providential that Gabe was still in town when the Saloon caught fire. Can you tell me? How is Nathan?"

"Gradually improving. Ah, Sir, you do know he has been working from home? He orchestrated the arrest and has overseen the paperwork and more. He really hasn't rested or taken medical leave. I hope I don't get my senior officer in trouble, but just want you to know he takes his responsibilities to heart, in spite of his getting injured while saving me."

Chuckling, O'Reilly admitted, "I know Nathan Grant well and I would expect this. However, I will make note and make sure he takes leave over the holidays or if a vacation is coming we'll add some extra days. Thank you for letting me know."

"You're welcome. Oh, one moment, Sir?" Cal's voice could be heard over the line although he held the receiver away from his face momentarily. "Ned? May I help you?"

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(*7) Paraphrase of Jeremiah 18: 12

(*8) Jeremiah 17: 9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" King James Version, Public Domain

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