Nathan held the door open for Elizabeth as they walked into the jail. He shut the door behind him, then placed a hand on her back, gently guiding her into the room. Bill rose from his place behind the desk. Nathan appreciated his presence. It would provide further support to Elizabeth in this crucial moment.

Spurlock looked toward them as they entered. Nathan felt Elizabeth's back tense under his hand as the man looked at her. A leering smile crossed his face. He walked to the bars, wrapping his hands around them and smirking at the new arrivals. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Thornton, Constable Grant. Lovely day, isn't it?"

Bill stood beside the jail cell. "Shut up," he commanded. Nathan felt anger rising inside once more. Spurlock looked entirely too comfortable for a man behind bars. The sooner he could get Elizabeth out of there, the better.

Her face was white and her body was trembling. Nathan leaned closer, keeping his voice even. "Is this the man who assaulted you?" he asked, following protocol for the identification of an assailant.

Elizabeth nodded. "Yes." Her voice was small but her words were clear.

Spurlock sneered. "I think not. Your memory must be hazy, Mrs. Thornton. Suffering a trauma such as you did must have addled your mind. Are you sure it wasn't that spiffy suitor of yours who assailed you? Or maybe even the constable here? After all, he was out late last night. I saw him myself as I was coming home from a meeting."

"What?!" Nathan stared at the man in fury. Elizabeth's trembling increased, a small cry escaping her lips.

Spurlock gave a laugh that sent chills down Nathan's spine. "This is a classic case of he said, she said." He grinned. "As far as I can tell, it's her word against mine. There's no evidence. And I can assure you my associates will provide me with an alibi."

Elizabeth swayed on her feet, looking as if she might pass out. Nathan wrapped an arm around her, guiding her back to the door. "Come on," he said quietly. "It's over." He led her to the bench outside the Mountie office, carefully seating her. Before he could sit beside her, a yelp sounded from the jail. Nathan hurried back to the door, looking inside.

Spurlock was holding his nose, glaring at Bill. "He punched me!" he exclaimed. "Aren't you going to arrest him for unprovoked assault?"

The irony of Spurlock's words was not lost on Nathan. Bill was leaning against the wall, a satisfied look on his face. "He simply had a run-in with the jail door," he said, trying not to let a smile break free. "I'll get him a cloth to stop the bleeding once you leave."

Spurlock glared between Bill and Nathan. "Well?" he growled.

Nathan crossed his arms, feet planted firmly as he threw Spurlock's words back at him. "As far as I can tell, it's your word against his. I saw nothing." Anger glinted in the man's eyes, but Nathan was done engaging him. He turned to Bill. "I'm going to take care of a few things outside."

Bill understood immediately. "You do that. I'll be here."

Nathan nodded, ignoring Spurlock's curses and threats. He shut the door firmly behind him, blocking out the sounds. Elizabeth was still sitting on the bench, eyes staring vacantly ahead of her. Nathan wondered if she had even realized he went to the door. Sitting beside her, he took her hand. "Elizabeth?"

She slowly looked at him, tears swimming in her eyes. "How can someone be so cruel?" she asked, her voice barely audible. "What drives a person to acts of remorseless evil?"

It was a question people had asked for millennia. Nathan had no answer for her. "I don't know," he said. "But I do know that justice will prevail. We'll put him away permanently, Elizabeth."

Her throat worked. "How can you be sure? He's right - there's no true evidence, Nathan. It's my word against his."

Nathan closed his eyes, his own throat tightening. "We'll find something," he said. "I won't rest until he's brought to justice."

"I know you won't," Elizabeth said softly. She leaned her head against his shoulder. "You've always been so protective. I appreciate that."

They sat in silence for a few moments. Elizabeth let out a sigh. "I feel like this is partly my fault."

Nathan frowned. "How is any of this your fault?" he asked. "You didn't ask for this, Elizabeth. What Spurlock did was all of his own accord. You are not at fault."

She shook her head. "I feel like I should have fought him, cried out...something." A tear rolled down her cheek. "But I didn't. He threatened to kill Jack if I drew attention to myself or struggled. I couldn't take that chance. And yet...I still feel like I should have fought back. Maybe it wouldn't have changed anything, but...but…" Words failed her. Quiet sobs shook her body. "I feel like I share in the blame."

Nathan turned, taking her by the shoulders. When she wouldn't look at him, he placed his index finger under her chin and gently pushed upwards until her eyes lifted to his. "Listen to me," he said, his voice firm but kind. It shook him to know that she was blaming herself. "This was not your fault. None of it. That's exactly what perpetrators want their victims to think, Elizabeth. They want you to think you deserved it somehow, to deflect some of the blame from themselves. But this was not on you. Nothing you did caused this crime to happen." More tears splashed from her eyes. Nathan wiped them away with the pad of this thumb. "You did what you had to do to protect yourself and your son as best you could. If you had fought Spurlock, both you and Jack might be dead now." Elizabeth let out a cry, Nathan's words piercing through her fog. She buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking into his serge. Nathan held her, ignoring the curious glances from passers-by on the street. His focus was solely on Elizabeth.

After a while, her crying stopped. She pulled back, once more looking numb. "I want to go back to Rosemary's house."

The jail door opened as she said the words, and Bill stepped out. He crouched in front of Elizabeth. "Will you let me escort you?" he asked, taking one of her hands in his.

Elizabeth nodded. Nathan wanted to protest, but he knew that wouldn't be a prudent course of action. He would be there for Elizabeth, but others would be too. It might be better for his heart if he let Bill and the Coulters care for her wellbeing more than he did. He relinquished Elizabeth to Bill, then stood with them. "I'll go talk to Lucas now," he said, placing a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. "You'll probably get a visit from him later today."

"Alright," Elizabeth said quietly. Her voice sounded detached from her body, as if her response was automated. "Thank you, Nathan." She let Bill lead her down the boardwalk. Nathan watched them go, then grimly turned to his next task.

Talking to Lucas.

He strode toward the saloon, dreading the conversation ahead. Not just because of the content, but because it would require him to talk to the man Elizabeth was falling for, the man who had been his rival for the past few years. There was no love lost between the two men. They only interacted when they had to. This was one of those times.

Entering the saloon, Nathan looked around. He spotted Lucas chatting with Florence and Molly at a corner table. He walked toward them. Lucas glanced up, seeing him coming. His eyes darkened, but he excused himself politely from the women and met Nathan halfway. "What can I help you with?" he asked, one hand in his pocket and the other on his hip.

Nathan nodded toward the back. "Can we talk in your office?"

Lucas studied him. He must have sensed the importance of this visit, because his expression softened slightly. "Sure. Follow me."

The two men made their way to the office. Lucas stepped back for Nathan to enter. They sat on opposite sides of the desk. Lucas steepled his fingers, regarding Nathan with a wary expression. "What did you need to tell me?"

Nathan didn't beat around the bush. "It's about Elizabeth," he said, making sure to keep his tone even. As much as it hurt to be the one delivering the news to Elizabeth's suitor, Nathan knew Lucas would be hurt by it too. He needed to keep that in mind.

"The assault?" Lucas asked, his throat visibly tightening.

Nathan nodded. "Yes." He drew in a deep breath. "There's no easy way to say this, Lucas. Elizabeth was raped last night by Julius Spurlock."

Lucas looked as if he had been sucker punched. "What?" he gasped. He slumped against his desk, his face in his hands. "I should have insisted on driving her home," he groaned. "Maybe I could have prevented that…" He trailed off, dropping his hands and looking at Nathan with a haggard expression.

Nathan felt empathy for Lucas. He'd had much the same thoughts throughout the day, wondering what would have happened if he'd gotten to Elizabeth's house sooner. "There was nothing you could have done," he said, his tone intentionally gentle. "Spurlock was waiting for her in her room. You never would have known he was there."

Lucas closed his eyes. "You arrested him?" he asked. "When we met in the street you said Elizabeth was about to identify him."

Nathan nodded. "We arrested him. We have enough to hold him until it can go to trial." He paused. "Elizabeth doesn't want anyone to know, Lucas. Not beyond the people who already do."

"Of course," Lucas said, understanding in his eyes. "I don't blame her." Pain flashed across his face. "Why are you telling me this instead of Elizabeth? Doesn't she trust me?"

Nathan bit his lip unconsciously. The situation was delicate. He understood Lucas's question, but he wasn't sure how to answer it. He took a little time to think it over before speaking. "Lucas, Elizabeth has been through an extreme trauma. A man hurt her in ways that will take time to heal, both physically and emotionally. That could create trust issues with other men, even with one she does trust. She couldn't bring herself to tell you, which is why she asked me to do so." He hesitated. "She just needs some time." He looked directly at Lucas. "She's going to need you more than ever. You will need to be her rock."

Lucas fidgeted in his chair, quiet for a long time. "She seems to have no problem trusting you," he said, his voice low, hurt evident in his tone. "Why is that, Nathan?"

"I don't know," Nathan said honestly. "I want you to know that I will be there for Elizabeth in whatever way I can. But I recognize that you're the one she chose. That means you'll have to be the one providing her with emotional support, no matter what that looks like. That might mean being a shoulder to lean on for a time." He paused, knowing he had to say the next words but unsure how Lucas would take them. "It might also mean no physical contact between you and Elizabeth for a while."

Lucas eyed him. "Why do you say that?"

Nathan frowned. Did he really need to spell it out? "Isn't that obvious?"

With a sigh, Lucas nodded. "Yes, I suppose it is." He stood, signaling an end of the discussion. Nathan got the sense he needed to process everything. "Thank you for telling me, Nathan," Lucas said, holding out his hand. "That couldn't have been easy."

Nathan shook his hand, accepting the olive branch. "It wasn't."

Lucas paused, putting both hands in his pockets and looking much like a lost little boy. When he finally spoke, his voice was unsteady. "Thank you for taking care of Elizabeth. I know you'll see that justice is done."

Nathan nodded firmly. "I most certainly will. One way or another, we'll be sure to keep Spurlock in jail."

"Good," Lucas replied. He sank into his chair again, looking tired. "Thanks again."

Nathan nodded with a polite goodbye, then made his way back to the jail. He didn't want to spend any more time there than necessary, not with Spurlock there to taunt him. Maybe he would do afternoon rounds now. With a nod, he headed for the stables to saddle Newton. After his rounds he would stop by Bill's office to see how Elizabeth was doing.

Anything to avoid being in the jail with a man he despised.

The phone rang in the Office of the Judge as Bill was coming through the door. He had spent the past hour with Elizabeth at the Coulters', and he was officially worried about her state of mind. He'd never seen her this numb, not even after Jack died. He made a mental note to check on her regularly over the next few weeks. His first order of business had been to ask Rosemary if she could sub for Elizabeth at the school for a week, just to allow her time to heal and let the bruises fade so her students wouldn't ask questions. Rosemary had agreed willingly. Elizabeth had stared at the wall, a single nod the only indication that she was on board with the plan.

He grabbed the phone on its final ring. "Judge Avery," he barked, hoping the call was important. He was in no mood for frivolous cases today.

Florence's voice came over the line. "Judge Avery, please hold for Inspector Madden in Ottawa."

"Ottawa?" Bill muttered. "What would they want?"

He didn't have to wait long to find out. Inspector Madden came on the line. "Judge Avery?"

"Yes," Bill said, sitting behind his desk. "How can I help you?"

Madden got right to the point. "I heard from Mountie headquarters in Alberta that you are looking for information regarding a Pinkerton named Julius Spurlock and a man named Wyman Walden."

Bill sat up straighter. "Yes, I am. Do you have anything on them?"

"Indeed," Madden affirmed. "Walden is a puppet of Spurlock's. He is the face of an operation they have going on, trying to buy up small towns and turn them into factory towns that crank out profits from their heavy machinery. It inevitably ends up destroying the town. But that's not the half of it." His voice hardened. "They get the money from these enterprises by robbing banks and hiding in small towns far from the robbery. The local law enforcement would never make the connection since the robbery wouldn't be on their radar. They had stuck to robbery and flipping towns until Spurlock began a murdering spree. He got it in his head that anyone who had tried to stop him needed to be eliminated. He killed five Mounties over the last year, and he raped their widows in revenge. He's one of the worst men I've ever encountered. We arrested him about four months ago. He stood trial and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. He was only there for a few days before Walden orchestrated his escape. He's been impersonating a Pinkerton ever since. Apparently he had a brother who was in the force, a brother who is now in jail, and he's been wearing his uniform." He sighed. "We need to get these men in prison again, Judge Avery. I heard yesterday about your inquiry into them, but I was wrapped up in another case, so I had to wait until today to call."

Bill couldn't breathe. "You knew yesterday?" he rasped. The ramifications of that delayed phone call hit him immediately, causing pain to radiate through his body.

Madden was unaware of Bill's emotional turmoil. "Yes. I apologize for the delay. I assume Spurlock and Walden are still in your town?"

"Yes," Bill said, forcing the words past his throat. "We already have Spurlock in custody for a crime committed here. We'll arrest Walden next." He coughed, trying to regain a sense of composure. "So no trial will be needed? We can transport them to Ottawa and they will be put in prison?"

"Basically," Madden said. "Walden never stood trial, so he will need one, but Spurlock has already been sentenced. This escape will add time onto his sentence, though it is only a technically since he already has life in prison."

"Thank you, Inspector," Bill said, his lips pressed in a tight line. "I will personally deliver these men to you as soon as possible."

Madden let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Judge Avery," he said. "It galled to know Spurlock got away. We'll take measures to ensure that doesn't happen again."

After saying goodbye, Bill hung up the phone. He slumped in his chair in shock.

Nathan found him like that several minutes later. "Hey Bill," he said. "I wanted to see how Elizabeth…" He froze, taking in his friend's appearance. "What's wrong?"

"One day," Bill said, rare tears stinging his eyes. "One day's delay ruined Elizabeth's life."

"What?" Nathan's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Bill stood, ramming his fists against his desk in frustration. The unfairness of the situation threatened to overwhelm him. "I just got off the phone with an Inspector Madden from Ottawa. Spurlock and Walden have been trying to turn small towns into lucrative factory towns, but it always failed. They get their money for the projects by robbing banks and then going to towns where no one would think to look for them. Madden said Spurlock's mind recently turned to revenge against anyone who tried to stop him. He was arrested and charged with serial murder and rape, and he was sentenced to prison for life. But he escaped thanks to his crony Walden. Apparently he's continuing his revenge spree. I'm guessing he came to Hope Valley to get revenge on Jack for putting his brother Charles in jail. But when he realized Jack was dead, his mind turned to Elizabeth." He let out a harsh laugh. "The man isn't even a Pinkerton, but he has everyone thinking he's involved with law enforcement."

Nathan swallowed hard. He couldn't speak for several moments. When he did, his voice was low and gravelly. "So he's done this before? Elizabeth wasn't his first victim?"

Bill shook his head. "No."

The single word lingered between them. Nathan was clearly working to keep his composure. Bill had a feeling his friend hadn't yet had time to fully process what happened. He was so busy being strong for everyone else, he had pushed down his own feelings to care for those around him. Especially Elizabeth.

Bill continued. "I am going to arrest Walden immediately, and then I am personally going to deliver him and Spurlock to Inspector Madden in Ottawa."

Nathan looked up. "That's a long trip, Bill. Ottawa is several days away even by train."

"I know," Bill said. "But it needs to be done. I'm going to call headquarters and request a Mountie escort to ensure neither man escapes. We're not taking any chances."

"I'm coming with you," Nathan said, his jaw set.

Having suspected him saying exactly that, Bill nodded. "I wouldn't dream of telling you no," he said, giving his friend a wry smile.

Nathan frowned. "Now, what's the one day delay you were talking about? Shouldn't we be relieved that Spurlock is going back to prison without any need for a trial?"

"Yes," Bill said. "That is a relief. He'll be put away for good." He sighed. "But the inspector said he heard yesterday about our inquiry into Spurlock and Walden, but he was working a case and couldn't get around to calling. So he put it off until today."

Nathan gasped. He staggered back, sinking into a chair. His eyes never left Bill's. "If he had called yesterday, we would have arrested Spurlock immediately. He never would have had the chance to assault Elizabeth…" Anger filled his eyes. His fist slammed against the desk. The sudden display of emotion surprised Bill. That was unlike Nathan. Then again, seeing a loved one in pain and knowing it could have been prevented was a powerful trigger. Tears filled Nathan's eyes as he spoke in a choked voice. "Why? Why Elizabeth, Bill? She didn't deserve this."

Nathan's words ended in a cry. The tears fell from his eyes, but he made no move to wipe them away. Though he was strong and rarely showed his pain, what had happened to Elizabeth clearly overwhelmed him. Rivers of tears fell down his cheeks, though no sound left his lips.

There was no answer to Nathan's question. Bill knew it was a cry from the pain in his heart, looking for logic in a situation without any. There was no sense to the senseless actions that had caused pain and upheaval to the woman Nathan loved.

Bill had known for a long time that Nathan was deeply in love with Elizabeth. It was as plain as the nose on his face. It was also plain to Bill that Elizabeth had made the wrong choice. Secretly, he had been planning on having a talk with her about it, but then last night happened. Now was not the time to talk to her about Bouchard. That would have to wait until she had healed. Bill didn't want to see her living a life of unhappiness and regret, especially now.

He stood, rounding the desk and placing a hand on Nathan's shoulder. Bill's voice softened. "I was rooting for you the whole time," he said quietly. "I want you to know that."

Nathan looked up sharply, his eyes red and his cheeks wet. He didn't have to ask what Bill meant. He knew. His throat convulsed several times before he could speak. "Thank you," he said, his voice hoarse. He stood on shaky legs. "I appreciate that."

Bill pulled the younger man into a hug. "It's okay to fall apart, Nathan," he said quietly. "There's no shame in that."

A broken sob came from his friend at those words. Though he wasn't an overly demonstrative man, Bill pulled Nathan a little closer, soothing him the way he'd soothed his own son years before. "Let it out, my friend. You deserve to have people care for you too."

His words opened the floodgates. Nathan broke down in a way Bill had never seen before, proving to him that Nathan Grant felt deeply but generally kept his emotions in check. All Bill could do was be there for him.

Eventually Nathan pulled back, wiping his face and desperately trying to regain control of himself. Bill had him sit in the chair once more, handing him a handkerchief. "I'll be outside," he said, wanting to give Nathan some time to himself. He sensed his friend needed that now.

"Thanks, Bill," Nathan rasped.

Bill nodded and stepped out of the office. The late September sun was warm and inviting. He sat on the steps, face lifted to the light, a prayer on his lips for Elizabeth, Nathan, and the whole devastating situation they found themselves in.

Five minutes later, Nathan joined him. If Bill hadn't witnessed his emotional turmoil moments before, he never would have known Nathan had broken down. His serge was straightened and spotless, his eyes dry, his face set. "Let's go inform Spurlock that he's about to head back to Ottawa."

Bill stood with a grim smile. "Gladly."

They walked to the jail. Opening the door, they found Walden inside talking to Spurlock. Bill grinned and looked at Nathan. "Isn't this convenient?"

Nathan chuckled. "It most certainly is."

Walden looked between the two men nervously, while Spurlock had his arrogant smile firmly in place. "My associate here has something to tell you," he said. "Go on, Wyman."

Walden stepped forward, clearing his throat. "I can provide an alibi for Mr. Spurlock's whereabouts last night," he said. "You see, we were walking near the rowhouses after a meeting…"

Nathan interrupted. "That won't be necessary, Mr. Walden. Mr. Spurlock doesn't need an alibi."

Spurlock smirked. "What, you don't need it because you know there's nothing to hold me here? Excellent." He shook the bars mockingly. "It's only a matter of time until you have to let me go."

Nathan glared at him. "I think you're in for a shock, Mr. Spurlock," he said. Bill could hear the anger simmering in his voice, but he admired the fact that Nathan was able to keep himself in check. There was a glint to his blue eyes, a steel that should have put fear into any criminal. Walden certainly felt the heat. He stepped back quickly when Nathan turned his steely gaze on him. "Wyman Walden, you're under arrest."

"What?" Walden squeaked, eyes darting between Nathan and Bill. "On what charges?"

"For helping a felon escape federal prison," Nathan said through his teeth. He gripped Walden's arm, placing him in the cell opposite Spurlock. "You will face trial for that, and for anything else Inspector Madden charges you with once we get you to Ottawa."

"Ottawa?" Walden's face blanched. Bill smirked, a justified sense of satisfaction filling him. He glanced at Spurlock, whose face had become white. Gone was the cocky smile, the arrogant demeanor. Bill stepped closer, his own eyes full of flint. "Looks like you're headed back to life in prison, Spurlock. Enjoy the next day or two in this cell. This will seem like the Queen's palace compared to where you're going."

Spurlock seemed stunned. Bill knew the mind of criminals like him. They thought they were invincible and untouchable. When they were caught, they were revealed to be the cowards they always were.

He turned from the cell, looking at Nathan. "Come on," he said, jerking his head toward the door.

Nathan nodded, following Bill's lead. They left the jail without another word. Once outside, Nathan let out a sigh. "I'll be relieved when we see those two locked up in Ottawa. That moment can't come soon enough."

Bill nodded. "I understand. I'll go back to my office and make some phone calls, arranging transport for the prisoners. Hopefully we can leave in the next couple of days." He placed a hand on Nathan's shoulder. "Why don't you go tell Elizabeth the news?"

Nathan drew in a breath. "Sounds like a plan." He paused, his eyes shadowed. "I wonder how she'll take it."

"She'll probably have mixed emotions," Bill said. "Just love her through it, Nathan. The way you already have been."

Nathan gave him a little smile. "Thanks for being there for me, Bill. It means a lot."

Bill patted his back. "My pleasure, son." The word just slipped out, but Bill realized how appropriate it was. Nathan's smile became genuine. He pulled Bill into a quick hug, squeezing once before letting go and turning to walk toward the rowhouses.

There were many ways Bill saw Nathan. Son. Friend. Brother in arms. As he watched him walk away, another word came to mind, a word that encapsulated Nathan's love for Elizabeth, for his daughter, for the town.

Protector.

That might be the most applicable title of all.