AN: You have K8eSunbug to thank for this drabble. This is sort of a "missing scene" to her story "A Long (Gone) Engagement". It was written wtih her okay and she has read it before I posted it. Thanks for letting me write this Katie! Also, thank you Melissa for a certain suggestion about the ring which made it's way into the drabble. I don't want to give anything away so I won't say more. Hope you enjoy!
Reaching Mountie Headquarters in Union City, Nathan turned his prisoner over to one of the officers, Constable McNally, who posted there. He gave his fellow Mountie all of the information they currently had. Bill turned over the papers William's private investigator had gathered as evidence against Bouchard. Elizabeth's father had hastily gathered and thrust them at Bill as they were leaving the hotel room. McNally processed Bouchard under the charges Mr. Thatcher had stated to Nathan, and said he would follow up with both Mr. Thatcher and Mrs. Thornton the following day.
"They will probably head back to Hope Valley," Bill offered.
"I will call the Hope Valley operator and inquire after them," Constable McNally stated.
"I want a lawyer," Bouchard interjected.
"You may want someone other than Duppen," Bill muttered, receiving a quick elbow in his side from Nathan who was standing next to him.
"We will get you a lawyer, but first we need to empty your pockets and get you in your accommodations," McNally said. He looked to Nathan. "Do you mind serving as witness for cataloguing the possessions he has on him?"
"Of course," Nathan replied, reaching for the log book and pen as Constable McNally began to empty the prisoner's pockets.
The process was straight forward at first. Constable McNally removed things from Bouchard's pockets, stated what they were, Nathan wrote it down in the log book, and the item was placed in a box to be locked in the safe until Lucas was released.
"An ostentatious diamond ring," McNally said, holding it a moment as he looked at it. "What woman would actually like this thing?" he asked, the question more rhetorical than anything else.
"That was on the table in the hotel," Bill stated. "How did it get back in your pocket?"
Despite his situation Lucas gave a smug smile and replied, "a magician never reveals his secrets. Besides, it is mine. I gave it to Elizabeth with the promise that she would marry me. She broke off the engagement therefore the ring is rightfully mine. I already had to go to court to get it back from the last woman who betrayed me, so I know that is one fight I will win."
"You gave that ring to someone before Elizabeth?" Bill asked, incredulously.
Nathan meanwhile had simply logged the ring into the book. "I doubt Elizabeth would want it back. Besides, Mr. Bouchard might need the money to slink off to some other town after he has served his time," he said, leveling a steely, glare at Lucas. "Hope Valley is not a good fit for him."
Lucas muttered something under his breath and though Nathan thought he caught his name and a few colorful terms, he did not take the bait. Instead he simply looked at Constable McNally and asked, "anything else?"