Chapter 4 – Mounties in Action
The other Mounties started to unload the wagon. Bill stepped forward to help the lady down.
"The hotel is currently closed." Bill said. "But if you head to the cafe, they will have hot coffee and I believe the pastor should be able to help you."
"And you are?" Carol asked.
"Judge Bill Avery." He said.
"You are on my list of people to speak to." Carol said.
"Bill." Nathan said. "Let me introduce you to Carol Jean Lockland, Pinkerton. She is here to speak to Mr Bouchard."
"So you are the one they sent." Bill said with a smile.
"Bill." Nathan said, a hint of irritation in his voice. 'Did I miss something?"
"Yes." Bill said. "After you left for the train station, Chief Superintendent Collins called. I was ordered to seize all of Bouchard's property, including the hotel. I was to wake the guests and have them gather their stuff and wait. Once we search their belongings, they are free to leave. The staff have been sent home. Collins also mentioned that a Pinkerton was coming to question Bouchard about activities in San Francisco and New Orleans, but we retain custody at this point.
Once the hotel has been searched by the team that has arrived, they are free to stay there along with the Pinkerton. I think once we search, we are going to have to recall some of the staff to clean the rooms as all but one was occupied."
"Very well." Nathan said. "What about those men? (Pointing to the group beyond the barricade.)"
"The one in charge told me he was hired to pack all the belongings of Mr and Mrs Lucas Bouchard so they can be shipped to Hamilton." Bill said. "I put up signs that say 'property of the NWMP, do not cross'. They want to pack up all of Bouchard's stuff and apparently Elizabeth's house as well, but they don't know exactly where it is."
Nathan let out a harsh breath. About that time, Inspector Delaney stepped up.
"Judge Avery?" Inspector Delaney asked.
"Yes." Bill said, turning to see the Inspector.
Bill took a step forward and pulled Henry into a quick brotherly hug. Nathan was momentarily relieved that Bill knew the man, but something was still telling Nathan to be on alert because something was off. It was an instinct or gut feeling that had served him well over the years so he listened to it.
"Henry." Bill said. "So glad it is you I am handing this case off to."
"You, Grant and Thornton are going to have to help us." Delaney said. "This case has blown up overnight and we are going to need everyone. I have already requested three additional Mounties who should be here tonight or tomorrow some time. They are coming from Calgary to help."
"I think we all need to sit down and get everyone on the same page." Bill said.
"I agree." Delaney said. 'Can we set up in your office for now?"
"Sure." Bill said. "Let me call Jack and also someone to sit with Bouchard."
"Sounds good." Delaney said. "We will deal with the horses and then be back."
Bill headed into the jail, while Nathan led the group toward the livery. Carol went toward the cafe, having seen her stuff moved to the inside of the jailhouse. One of the younger Mounties was going to give Nathan some ribbing about the beautiful woman until he saw the look Inspector Delaney shot him. He just put his head down and followed the group.
…. …. …. ….
Jack got up to answer the phone. He didn't say anything, but just listened to Bill. He let out a sigh and rubbed his face. After he hung up, he walked over to Elizabeth.
"It was Bill." Jack said. "I need to go. You need to stay here and keep an eye on Jack. Don't leave the house without locking up and letting someone know where you are?"
"Everything alright?" Elizabeth asked.
"It will be." Jack said. "I don't know much. I will talk to you when I can."
"Be safe." Elizabeth said, giving Jack a kiss.
Jack quickly went upstairs and changed into his uniform. He took a moment to gather his thoughts. When he got back downstairs, Little Jack ran to him.
"No, Daddy, stay!" Little Jack cried.
Jack picked up his son.
"I have to go to work with Mountie Nathan and Uncle Bill." Jack said. "Can you be a good boy and stay with Mama?"
"You come back?" Little Jack asked, his lip quivering.
"I promise." Jack said. "I will just be in town. Maybe we can get ice cream tomorrow when the shop is open."
"Pomise." Little Jack said.
"Yes." Jack said.
Jack kissed his son's head and then handed him to Elizabeth. Jack then grabbed his hat and left. It only took a couple minutes and Lee caught up to Jack.
"Bill called." Lee said.
"I know." Jack said. "You still okay doing this?"
"Sure." Lee said. "You guys will be doing the hard stuff."
Jack just smiled.
"Just don't let your guard down." Jack said.
"Understood." Lee said.
The two walked the rest of the way into town in silence.
…. …. …. ….
Once they got the horses settled, Nathan, Inspector Delaney and the others headed back to Bill's office.
"I need to call my daughter." Nathan said. "She is expecting me to meet her at services. Also I have only had a short nap so I am going to need some sleep. Bill has had about the same."
"Once we talk." Delaney said. "I will excuse you to get a few hours of sleep or to attend services. I am sorry. There is just too much to do and it is time sensitive."
"Understood." Nathan said. "Sleep it is. I will have Allie go spend the day with the neighbor girl and she can stay there again tonight if needed."
"Good." Delaney said. "I am not insensitive to things, but it will be clearer in a little bit what we are up against."
Nathan just nodded. He had a feeling this was one of those cases that didn't come along often.
Once Lee was settled at the jail, the rest of the men went over to Bill's office. Introductions were made and then Inspector Delaney took charge. Henry took his time and laid out the allegations against Bouchard. There was money laundering, bootlegging, illegal land dealings, possible art theft or at least the receiving of stolen goods for resale and that was the stuff that they knew about. Delaney then paused and looked around the room.
"This next part is not to be shared." Delaney said. "Bouchard is wanted for questioning for immoral acts with a minor. Bill, Nathan and Jack may be questioned by the Pinkerton. She might also question other members of the community, including Elizabeth Thatcher."
"She is not questioning my wife without my presence." Jack said. "Elizabeth hasn't been Miss Thatcher in over five years. We renewed our vows yesterday and I will protect her from Lucas since one of the children he is charged with injuring is my son, Jack Thornton Jr."
"But according to my notes." Delaney said. "She was engaged to Bouchard."
"That is because she believed I was dead." Jack said. "I have been working undercover since a month after my wedding five years ago. If you have a problem with that, you can talk to Chief Superintendent Collins, since he was the one that authorized the operation. If that isn't good enough, you can call your father, because he was one of the few other people who knew about my undercover assignment.
The wedding never would have happened. If I hadn't shown up, Bill would have gotten a telegram telling him that he was to arrest Elizabeth and immediately transport her to Union City. That would have come from Collins and that would have been where I would have revealed myself. Depending on what happened, we might have had to go into hiding for a while. From what Elizabeth has told me, she didn't know much about anything Bouchard did, even though she tried many times to get him to open up, so I repeat, no one is going to question my wife without me being there. She has been through enough and you have a problem with it, I will make one call and turn in my badge and then go public with what the Mounties have put a good woman through."
"Jack." Bill said.
"No." Jack said. "I know more about what is going on than they think. They want to ship Bouchard to the States and wash their hands of him, because he knows some of their secrets. See it wasn't until I saw his face that I made the connection. Then hearing what I did about his family and it suddenly all clicked sitting in front of the hotel on Friday. See Bill, one of the calls I made on Friday when you left me alone with Elizabeth was to one of my contacts to confirm things.
Lucas Bouchard's mother is one, Helen Hargraves Bouchard. We knew that Hargraves had his hand in several things and was connected to several members of the public that were of interest to the Mounties. They are trying to keep it quiet that Hargraves sent Bouchard here to get his hands on Thatcher Shipping, by any means necessary. When O'Reilly approved Nathan's transfer here, he wasn't aware of the investigation into Hargraves. Hargraves took it as a chance to smear, humiliate and ruin not only a decorated, highly respected Mountie, but to leave the widow of a Mountie with nothing, including her reputation.
We aren't talking about any Mountie widow, but the widow of a legacy Mountie and the daughter of one of the largest donors. Bouchard was sent here to destroy Elizabeth and everything that she loved. I told Collins and Delaney that if they tried to screw me I would make everything public. See I kept copies of all of my research and they are safely in the hands of two people I trust. If they receive a specific telegram those sealed packets of information were to be given to two members of the press."
It dawned on Bill what the sealed envelope in his safe was and who had sent it. He was confused as to why Charlotte Thornton would send him a sealed package with instructions to await for a certain phrase to be sent to him from her.
"Jack." Bill said. "Say the word and I will call Rosemary and she will have it on the wire in less than an hour."
"So Inspector Delaney." Jack said. "Unless you want to tarnish your name, your father's legacy and the entire NWMP, tell us who sent you here. Because Collins said you volunteered to come and head the investigation into Bouchard when I called on Friday. He said you wanted to hand pick your team, but he refused and assigned local Mounties from Union City and not Calgary. I know that what happened last night changed things a little, but the fact remains the same – who are you working for?"
Bill and Nathan sat there slack-jawed looking at Jack. The other three Mounties stood up and walked over to Jack, who was still standing.
"I am Corporal James White." He said. "I was told to come help in Hope Valley because a drunk individual injured some children, including the child of the local Mountie. I swear on a stack of Bibles that I am not working for anyone. I would never dishonor the uniform that I have the privilege of wearing."
Jack looked at Bill and Nathan.
"He is good." Nathan said. "I have worked with him before."
"Thank you." White said. "I wasn't sure you remembered me."
The other three Mounties basically said the same things and all got the okay from Bill or Nathan. So it was Inspector Delaney that was left standing alone.
"Tell me the truth." Jack said. "Or my next call is to your father."
"Fine." Delaney huffed. "I received a call from someone in Hope Valley on Friday and all it said was that operation swift needed to be implemented. It was Bouchard's code if he needed someone to come in and clean up his mess. I knew what operation swift was, but I wasn't going to let him go. He faces a firing squad in the States. Let them deal with him. No harm no foul."
Jack was seething.
"He almost killed my son!" Jack bellowed. "Nathan, take him into custody."
Nathan moved to unarm and handcuff Delaney, while Jack went to the phone. It took both Nathan and White to get Delaney into handcuffs and his serge removed. Jack was first connected to Rosemary and he said two words – close ranks. She knew exactly what that was and immediately sprung into action. Jack then had Florence connect him with a number in Hamilton.