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Part Two - Consequences
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Robert and Nathan shook the rain from their hats on the rug and approached Bill's desk.
"Tell him what you just told me." Nathan nodded at Robert and watched Bill's face as the information sunk in. "Rather interesting timing, wouldn't you say, Bill?"
"Indeed. Cunningham is suddenly absent from the race and Balfour runs unopposed. Montague is readying to pounce as soon as the election is over."
"I believe we should pay him a visit. You know, make our presence known." Nathan offered, one eyebrow raised.
"I like the way you think. Tomorrow morning it is. Now nice job, Robert, but keep this between the three of us, okay?" Bill gave a stern glare to Robert before softening his expression and smiling. "Thank you, young man."
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Arriving at Lucas's office in the Saloon at about a quarter to nine, Elizabeth knocked on the open door frame. "Hello again, Lucas. I'm a little early because I need to tell you something…"
His desk clock chimed and Lucas started nervously. "That's our signal. We need to be on our way. We don't want to be late, so we can talk on the train…" He grabbed his two suitcases and made his way through the open office door. Exasperated, Elizabeth followed in his wake, quickly adjusting her face to smile as some of the townspeople reached out to thank Lucas for running and assure him of their support.
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Later, as Elizabeth took the taxi back into town, she pondered their final conversation while standing on the station platform. Surprised that Lucas hadn't even noticed she had no luggage with her, she excused him realizing his focus had been entirely on the race before him.
'I guess that is understandable. It is a momentous decision and a brave move to challenge Governor Balfour, yet it shows me how inconsequential I would be to him now.'
Leaning her head against the window glass, Elizabeth considered their conversation, grateful that Lucas had admitted he felt there was something missing in their relationship recently. 'I told him I was sorry and I had tried, but he understood that I couldn't give him my whole heart. He told me we both deserve someone who will offer whole-hearted love. That makes me feel less guilty for my indecision and our last minute farewell.'
Elizabeth fingered her ring, suddenly realizing she hadn't handed it to Lucas. Sighing, she vowed to remove it tonight and have another 'final' conversation when she gave it to him upon his return to Hope Valley again. In spite of the important events of recent days, Elizabeth felt lighter, relieved, and suddenly very tired. She would welcome sleep tonight.
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Nathan stayed in bed although he slept fitfully again. He found it difficult to turn off his thoughts and forget that Elizabeth was determined to marry Lucas. A few times he contemplated rising and saddling up Newton just to get away, but his responsibilities to his daughter kept him sensible. He knew it would be unwise to ride at night unless absolutely necessary, so he quietly turned over and lifted his heart to God. He had no words for a prayer, just God's name. In the morning he awakened just before dawn and thanked God for the sleep he did have.
Dressed in his serge, Nathan hugged Allie goodbye, reminding her to stay with the Coulters should he not return in time to meet her at church. Bill and Nathan planned on a Sunday visit to surprise Montague and his men up on the north road. They had decided to show up at odd hours to keep the men on their toes while continuing to make contacts and investigating their options by telephone when back in their respective offices.
Proceeding slowly, Bill and Nathan conversed on their way.
Wanting to check on his friend's status, Bill questioned, "So I guess you heard that Elizabeth left for Capital City with Lucas last night? I wish there was another way to save the Valley and she didn't have to get involved."
"She told me she planned to go." Nathan stared ahead, unseeing. "It seems so soon… Capital City is eighteen hours by train…" Nathan's voice dropped as he contemplated the distance. As difficult as it had been to see Elizabeth with Lucas over these past years, not seeing her at all would be far worse.
"More like twenty-two hours," Bill's response interrupted his thoughts. "I hate to think of Elizabeth and Jack being so far away. Eh… Up ahead. Look alive!" Bill pointed to the men who had made camp beside the road.
Addressing Montague's assistant thug, Bill requested to speak to their leader. When the man hesitated, Nathan spoke up, his voice commanding, "We're here to talk to Montague. We know he's here. Go get him…"
When Montague walked up beside his assistant, Nathan could almost chuckle at his diminutive size. He guessed that Montague's authority was solely because of the man he represented and the money he had available to get his way.
With knowing looks at each other Nathan and Bill continued down the road after confirming that Montague had his workers in place to begin as soon as the election went their way. Their claims that the injunction against all water disruption only applied to private land and that eminent domain would assure their success once Balfour could declare it, only served to cause the Mountie and the Judge to hurry back to the office to continue their quest for a way to stop this threatening project.
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News of the wedding's cancellation was quickly forgotten in the activities and anxiety surrounding the election.
Mike had received a telephone call from Lucas who was on the road, making his case and his candidacy known throughout the province. Lucas reported promising progress, especially since he brought first-hand knowledge of the Governor's dealings and the dangers of Balfour's reelection to the many small towns within his jurisdiction.
When Lucas inquired if Elizabeth had informed Mike that the wedding was cancelled, Mike assured Lucas that they knew and were saving the supplies for an enormous congratulatory celebration following the election. What Lucas did not share in that telephone call was that Constable Nathan Grant was standing beside him, training a personal protection detail as they traveled.
Sworn to secrecy, Allie could only confide in Uncle Bill since no one else knew her father had been temporarily called away. Nathan's presence added import for Bill and his requests for information regarding Governor Balfour, but also allowed Nathan to protect Lucas from increasing threats. Revealing the deceit of a sitting Governor assured enemies from his loyalists. Nathan had discussed his concerns with Superintendent O'Reilly who immediately ordered Nathan to attach himself to the Bouchard campaign until Election Day.
The townspeople of Hope Valley were so distracted, constantly listening to news broadcasts and reading newspaper updates, that few noticed Nathan's absence except Rosemary and Elizabeth.
"I haven't seen Nathan around for the past couple of weeks, have you?" Rosemary inquired as she pushed Baby Goldie in her carriage.
"I think he has been avoiding me, Rosemary…"
"Do you want me to say something to him, Elizabeth?" her dear friend offered.
"No, no. Please don't. Nathan needs time to adjust to the fact that I'm not with Lucas and, to be honest, I need time to figure out what to say when I do talk with Nathan. I hurt him again, Rosemary. I just know it, and I don't know how many second chances I have with him." Elizabeth sucked in a breath and bit her lip to keep from crying in public. She was afraid people would think she was sad about parting with Lucas when that was so far from the truth.
"Well then, I will wait. You let me know if there is anything I can do though, Elizabeth. Please?" Rosemary and Elizabeth had become almost inseparable after their important conversation before Lucas departed.
"I will. Right now though, I must find a couple of books in the Library. Thanks for the walk and the Sunday dinner. I'll see you later." Elizabeth turned up the steps to the Library and opened the door with her key. Immediately upon entering her eye was drawn to the words on Nathan's hand-carved plaque. "Always do what you are afraid to do." (*1)
Elizabeth bustled about, returning a few books to their proper shelves while pondering what she was afraid of. Her current worry was that one fear had morphed into another. Now she was less afraid of the dangers of Nathan's Mountie position than that Nathan would reject her when she admitted her love. She sent an arrow prayer to heaven for help.
With a soft knock, Henry Gowen stepped inside the Library. "Excuse me, Elizabeth. I saw you enter and thought this was a nice, private place to find out how you are. I haven't spoken to you since Lucas left. Was your parting-of-ways mutual? Did you finally tell him you had to break the engagement?"
Having given no time for Elizabeth to speak, she sighed and motioned to Henry to take a seat across the table. "I did speak to Lucas and our parting was mutual. He had been feeling that something was off, something was missing, for a while. He was afraid to say anything. How much we live in fear, you know? It is quite a revelation!"
"I guess so. Did you get to talk to Nathan before he departed?" Henry hadn't spoken of Nathan's departure to anyone except Bill because it appeared that the good Constable had left town quietly for a reason. Bill had confided Nathan's assignment when Henry inquired, yet requested he keep it confidential. Bill had explained it was imperative to Lucas's victory and for the safety of everyone involved.
"Departed? Where did Nathan go?"
"Oh, if anyone knew I thought you would! I am sorry, but Bill asked me not to share with anyone what I had observed and guessed." Henry apologized and stood, ready to escape from inquiries he couldn't answer.
"Wait, Henry, please?" Elizabeth's voice sounded tearful. "Can you at least tell me when he departed?" She stood ready to hurry around the table.
"I'm not sure. I noticed sometime after Lucas left, but I don't know for sure." Henry examined his friend's stricken face, asking, "I take it you never told Nathan how you feel?"
Shaking her head and beginning to panic, Elizabeth cried, "No. I didn't get to him right away. Now… Henry! What am I to do?"
"All I can say is to talk to Bill. He and Nathan are partners in some ways, so he knows what to share and what not to share, and with whom." Henry bowed slightly, "I better leave you to your library work. Take care, Elizabeth, and when he returns, Nathan that is, when Nathan returns be ready to welcome him and make things right."
With that parting tidbit of fatherly wisdom, Henry placed his hat on his head and closed the door behind him.
Elizabeth grabbed the books she needed and hurried to find Bill Avery. A quick glance around the Saloon gave no clue to Bill's whereabouts, so Elizabeth walked briskly to the RCMP office across the street. When no one answered that locked door, she set off for Bill's office. The shades were drawn, but the door was unlatched so she knocked as she entered. "Bill?"
"Oh, hey, Elizabeth. What can I do for you? I am expecting a telephone call, but I have a minute or two." Keeping one hand on the telephone, Bill stood and motioned for Elizabeth to come in.
"I'm wondering where Nathan is? I've been thinking he's been avoiding me, and someone else said he was away but it was a secret you would be able to answer. So, where is he? Can you please tell me?" Forgetting to whom she spoke, Elizabeth questioned with her most intimidating, teacher-like voice.
"Whoa there! My goodness, Elizabeth, you are positively threatening!" Bill raised his hand and sat, all the while buying time. "Uh, about Nathan. He is on a special assignment, a security detail. But it is secretive and lives could be jeopardized if word got out, I am not at liberty to divulge his whereabouts."
With a sharp intake of her breath, Elizabeth melted as she questioned, "Is it dangerous? Can you at least tell me when he left and when you expect him to return?"
"He'll return in a week or so. He's been gone since shortly after Lucas departed and that is all the information I can divulge."
"Bill… it is so important that I know. I must speak to him as soon as possible." Elizabeth pleaded, reducing the volume of her tremulous voice.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth, but I cannot share more. When he returns I can promise to tell him you were asking for him though." The telephone rang and Bill answered quickly requesting the caller to wait a moment. "Elizabeth, I must have privacy now."
Once Elizabeth closed the door behind her, Bill spoke again, "Hello. What is the update?"
"Was that Elizabeth with you?"
"Yes, yes. She wants to know where you are. Don't worry I didn't tell her anything. You'll have to talk to her when you return. So, the update?"
"So far all is well, but there is someone I am watching closely. I'm suspicious, but I don't think he realizes he has revealed his connections and I have guessed his intentions. Tomorrow may be the day due to the scheduled events, so I have a few extra men accompanying us. Civilian clothes and good Mounties. Just pray we can protect him, Bill? Thanks."
"So have you two talked?"
"Of course we've… oh you mean about her? Not really. Too much going on and way too many people around all the time. I will need a vacation after this assignment that's for certain. I don't know how he is keeping up with it. It's exhausting!"
"Okay. Well stay alert and I'll pray for your success as well as protection. Keep in touch, Son, you hear?"
"I will. Take care of everyone there at home."
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The following afternoon Ned Yost burst into Bill's office with a telegram in hand just as Bill's telephone rang. Bill held out his hand to Ned and took the paper while he answered. "Hello? Judge Avery here."
"Bill. O'Reilly here. Nathan was right. An assassination attempt was made within the past hour. I'm so glad we listened to his suspicions. We'll be…"
Bill collapsed into his chair, interrupting, "Patrick! Are they both alright?"
"Oh, yes. Sorry. I think both of them may have a bruise or two since they both hit the floor hard, but they are fine. Nathan's men knocked the pistol out of the man's hand just as Nathan pushed Bouchard over and fell on top of him to protect him. I think another award is due to Nathan Grant after this one, only not from the Governor! Unless Bouchard wins that is!" Superintendent Patrick O'Reilly chuckled. Quietly he voiced another possibility, "Maybe even a promotion…"
Bill just listened as he was too relieved to speak.
"We have work to do though. Nathan thinks he has made the connections we can trace, so this may be a big one and change the outcome of the election. We may wait until the results are in before making the issues public as we would prefer to make arrests when our investigation is completed due to this being a public figure." O'Reilly paused, "Bill? Are you there?"
Coughing, Bill found his voice, "Yeah! I don't know how much longer I can take this, Patrick. Nathan is like a son to me and… well, he's like a son…"
"I'm aware of that, Bill, and I understand. He is a worthy son. Now, with the election so close, our capture of this assassin, and how well-trained Nathan's assistants now are, I may send him back to Hope Valley to join you in keeping an eye on Montague. I'm guessing there might be some activity soon."
"I have a few men in town deputized and making frequent rides or drives past Montague's encampment. So far no digging, but all the equipment is on site. We are staggering the timing, vehicle, horse and persons checking up on them so I only go every few days. We'll welcome Nathan's return though. Did you check out the name I gave you yet?"
Realizing Ned was still standing there dumbfounded, Bill corrected his question, "Never mind that now. Continue with the track you are following and keep me up to date. Thanks for calling now, though you nearly gave me heart failure. Greet Nathan for me?"
"Sure thing. Take a deep breath, Bill. Grant is an experienced fella! Talk again soon."
"I will. Goodbye for now." Bill hung the receiver on the hook and leaned back, inhaling deeply before addressing Ned and waving the telegram in the air. "Thank you for this, but the telephone seems to be faster nowadays. I'll make sure to tell Allie. I don't know if anything will be in the news, although the attempt happened during a campaign speech with the press in attendance and news travels fast. Just don't say anything yet, Ned?" The telephone rang again as Bill waved to Ned's retreating form.
"Judge Bill Avery here."
"Judge Avery? Union City Herald here. Can you give us a statement? Anything you know about the man who tried to assassinate Candidate Bouchard from Hope Valley?"
"The news is out already? I only just heard and no, I do not have a statement to make on open investigations except to say we are grateful that the RCMP protected the candidate so well. That's all. Good day." Bill hung up the telephone and practically ran to his door, donning his coat as he departed. Realizing that school was already out, Bill hurried to the Mercantile in search of Allie Grant. Not finding her there he hastened to the row houses.
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"Hi Uncle Bill!" Allie answered the Thornton's door as Jack looked up and hurried to his Uncle.
"Mrs. Thornton is staying in town for a bit to work on Election Day arrangements with Mrs. Coulter. Do you want to come in and visit for a while?"
"Hey there, Allie, Jack." Bill hugged each of the young ones, then motioned them towards the sofa, "I just got some news that your Dad saved Mr. Bouchard's life. Everyone is fine, "He addressed young Jack, "but someone tried a bad thing and Mountie Nathan had to protect Mr. Bouchard. The news is already out so I had to come tell you right away. Your Dad sent a telegram, Allie, and wanted you to know he is unharmed and that he loves you."
"Oh!" Allie whispered, her eyes becoming misty. "Sometimes I hate that Dad is a Mountie, but I guess I am glad in this case. He is a hero, Uncle Bill, isn't he? He's saved someone's life again." Allie wiped the tears of relief threatening to spill over and welcomed her Uncle Bill's hug.
"He is a hero. Your Dad is really good at his job, Sweetheart, so yes, he saved someone again. He also loves you very much to make sure you got the news so quickly! You are right to be proud of him. I am too!" Bill looked at Young Jack and tousled his hair. "I bet you are proud of Mountie Nathan too, right?"
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