Chapter 6 – Change in Plans
Jack was lost in his thoughts and didn't notice the rider that approached the jail. It was only after he was right in front of him did Jack notice McGinty.
"Hey Thornton." McGinty called as he came up the steps.
"Hey." Jack said.
"Want to fill me in?" McGinty said.
"Waiting for Price from Buxton." Jack said. "Then I will fill both of you in before I leave."
"I thought that we were going to be working with you." McGinty said.
"The original plan was for that." Jack said. "But something happened and I have been ordered to report to Hamilton as soon as possible."
"Everything okay?" McGinty asked.
"Drop your bag inside and then we will talk." Jack said.
McGinty stepped inside and dropped his bag. He greeted Bill and grabbed a cup of coffee before returning to the porch to sit with Jack.
"Is that who I think it is sitting in your jail?" McGinty asked when he sat down.
"Yes, that is Charles Kensington III from Hamilton." Jack said. "No one talks to him until I say so, you included."
"Okay." McGinty said. "So, want to share."
Jack started to tell McGinty about everything, Elizabeth walked over to join the guys and stopped when she saw Jack and the other Constable talking. Jack had felt bad about not telling McGinty about getting married as he was one of his best friends, but Jack also knew why he had not shared things. After learning about Wynn, the last thing that he wanted was to get out before he had a chance to get to know him. Jack felt bad about not telling McGinty and hoped that he would understand. Elizabeth waited until Jack saw her before moving any closer.
"I thought we were meeting later." Jack said.
"I wanted to talk to you." Elizabeth said.
"Oh Elizabeth." Jack said. "You remember Constable McGinty."
"Good to see you again." Elizabeth said.
"Good to see you as well Ms Thatcher." McGinty said.
"It is Thornton now." Elizabeth said, showing him her ring.
"Well congratulations." McGinty said. "When did that happen?"
"Just before Christmas." Jack said beaming. "We had a small wedding here in town. Other than those present, we didn't tell people. My brother doesn't know and neither does Elizabeth's family. Sorry for not telling you. So Elizabeth, what was it you wanted to talk about?"
"That is okay." McGinty said. "I understand. I was busy working over Christmas. Lots of transfers as you know."
Jack nodded. That got Jack thinking, was McGinty there when Gowen was shot. He made a note to talk to him about it at another time. Jack turned and looked at Elizabeth again.
"I was thinking." Elizabeth said. "While we are gone, would you mind if one or both of the Constables stayed at our house. I know that we only have one guest bed, but we have that extra room upstairs. We could set up a cot. It would be quieter than the saloon."
"I was thinking the same thing." Jack said. "I was going to talk to you about it at supper."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I have made up the guest bed downstairs and set a pillow and blanket in the extra room upstairs. I just need to get a cot from Abigail."
"That is okay Jack." McGinty said. "We can stay at the saloon. We don't want to put you out."
"Actually." Jack said. "I would feel better if you actually stayed at our house. Not only would it be quieter, then I wouldn't have to worry about the house being empty."
"If that is what you want." McGinty said.
Jack walked Elizabeth down a little and then pulled her into a warm embrace. Since they were married, he didn't actually care what townspeople thought. He wanted to make sure that she was okay. He was still worried about what had happened with Charles. Elizabeth assured Jack that she was fine and that she would be at the cafe with Abigail until supper. Jack walked her to the cafe and kissed her before heading back to the jail. By the time that he got there, Constable Price was just riding into town. He secured his horse next to McGinty's and joined them on the porch.
"Thanks." Jack said, shaking his hand. "Just to let you know. There is a person in one of the jail cells and no one is to talk to him until I say so, that includes both of you. I will be leaving right away in the morning and heading to Hamilton. I have been ordered to come and deal with a personal situation."
"Can I ask what he did?" Price asked.
"Sure." Jack said. "He put his hands on my wife."
"He is lucky then." McGinty said. "I would have probably shot him or at minimum punched him."
"Believe me." Jack said. "The thought crossed my mind."
Jack looked at McGinty and gave him a little nod.
"Let's head inside." Jack said. "You both will be working with Sheriff Avery. He is a former Inspector with the Mounties. He knows the area well. Use his knowledge and expertise. There are also a few other people in town that you can trust and share some information with as long as Bill agrees."
The group headed inside and set to work. Everyone ignored Charles, which only added to his level of frustration which he voiced – loudly. Jack showed them the sketches that Laura had made. Along with the map of where he was spotted. Jack also let them know that Pastor Frank could be a good person to go to for information. Jack also relayed that if Jesse made contact with Frank, that he would let them know. Jack tried to answer their questions but since he had limited information, there wasn't much that he could tell them.
Just before 6:30, Jack excused himself. He let them know that he was having supper with his wife. Bill thought it was a good idea for all of them to take a break. The four men walked to the cafe. When they entered, Bill directed the two Constables to a separate table to let Jack and Elizabeth have some time together. When Abigail came out, Bill introduced her to the two Constables and she let them know that she was also the new mayor and that they needed to keep her in the loop. Everyone had a great supper. When they left, Bill took a plate of supper back to Charles. Elizabeth walked back to the jail with the guys. They grabbed their bags and then walked to the row house with Jack and Elizabeth.
When they got to the house, Jack pointed out the guest room downstairs. When McGinty went to check out the room, he noticed that it had a twin bed in the large room. Jack had brought a cot back with them from Abigail's. McGinty convinced Price to set the cot up downstairs to give Jack and Elizabeth a little more privacy that night and then if he wanted, they could move it upstairs later. Elizabeth let the guys know that there wasn't much in the icebox, but they were welcome to whatever was in the house. Jack brought the extra pillow and blanket down for Price. He also explained that there was a trunk upstairs that had extra blankets in it. He made sure that they knew where things were, before he said he was heading up for the night. He still had to pack.
Before Jack went upstairs, he grabbed his portfolio and extra sketchbook. Everyone had agreed to head to the cafe for breakfast before Jack and Elizabeth took off. Jack and Elizabeth went upstairs. Jack packed a bag with a few things. Elizabeth finished with both of her suitcases. They left everything by the door to their room for the morning. Jack also got the laundry ready to drop off with Mrs Miller before they left. Elizabeth was quiet that night and Jack was worried about her. When they had crawled under the covers, he pulled her close.
"I know that I have asked already." Jack said. "But I want to make sure that you are okay. I know that your birthday didn't turn out like you wanted and that you are concerned about your family."
"I think I'm okay." Elizabeth said. "So much has happened today and I still am trying to process all the emotions."
"I understand." Jack said. "Just to let you know that we will be staying with your aunt and uncle. I figured that you wouldn't mind. I didn't see any point in having someone spend money on a hotel room. Wynn also let me know that there would be a car at the train station to get us."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I still don't know what I am going to do. I think the best plan would be for us to head to Uncle Wynn's and get some more information. Then maybe you could go to the hospital and see how your brother is doing before heading to deal with Julie."
"Bella." Jack said. "I don't want to upset you, but you have to think about the possibility that Julie may be at fault for some of this. I am not saying that Tom doesn't have some responsibility, but this type of behavior just doesn't sound like Tom. I know that he has gotten into trouble before, but this is completely out of character for him. I am worried. I had told Tom to leave Julie alone. It isn't that I don't trust your sister, it is that I don't trust your father. I am sure that he is going to try and blame this all on Tom."
"I have thought about that." Elizabeth said. "I don't know what part she played, but I know that she had something to do with the situation. She wouldn't be so upset otherwise. She has never had to face the consequences of her actions, except when she was here. I love you, but I also told Julie to stay away from Tom. I know that you said he had been in a little trouble, and I figured that the two of them together was not a great idea."
"Let's not talk about this any more tonight." Jack said. "I just wanted to let you know. Neither of us have enough information to know what happened."
"I love you." Elizabeth said.
"Love you too, Bella." Jack said.
Jack leaned over and gave Elizabeth a kiss on her temple. Elizabeth turned in Jack's arms and started playing with the hem of Jack's shirt. She slipped her hand under the edge and was tracing Jack's muscles on his stomach. Not worried about their guests downstairs, Jack deepened his kisses. After being together, Jack had his arms wrapped around Elizabeth as she was drifting off to sleep. He knew that they had a hard couple of days ahead, but was glad that they could be together before leaving. Once Jack was sure that Elizabeth was asleep, he closed his eyes and held her close. He knew that morning would come sooner than anyone wanted.
The alarm went off just after 5am. Jack woke up and quickly silenced the alarm. He then turned to Elizabeth and kissed her temple and gently spoke to her hoping to wake her. When she barely stirred. Jack changed tactics. He leaned over and kissed Elizabeth, she quickly responded. She opened her eyes and blinked a couple of times. Jack pulled back.
"Morning Bella." Jack said.
"Morning." Elizabeth said.
Jack and Elizabeth both got ready for the day. Elizabeth put on one of her traveling dresses and Jack dressed in his uniform. Before they left the room, he slipped his portfolio and extra sketchbook in his messenger bag. He had packed his leather satchel with two of his extra uniforms and a few extra henleys. He also packed two sets of casual clothes and his suit without Elizabeth seeing. He had learned that he and Dee were about the same size so if he needed something more he could borrow. The last thing that Jack did before leaving their room was to open the small safe that was hidden in the room and take out some cash. He put some in his wallet and put his wallet in his inside pocket of his serge. He also put some in his messenger bag and also gave a small amount to Elizabeth. What Jack didn't know was that Elizabeth had included some cash in her journal that was in her carpetbag. Elizabeth took one last look around the room to make sure that everything was put away and things were picked up. Once satisfied that everything was picked up and put away Elizabeth helped Jack finish making the bed.
Jack and Elizabeth carried their bags downstairs, then Jack went back and grabbed their laundry and stopping briefly downstairs, he took it to Mrs Miller just a few doors down. He let her know that they were leaving town, but that there were two Constables staying at their house and if she wanted, she could set it inside the back door. She said that she would do just that. Jack returned to his house and made sure everyone was ready to head into town. McGinty and Price walked with Jack and Elizabeth. Jack quickly dropped their bags at the stagecoach office, except Elizabeth's carpetbag and Jack's messenger bag, both of which they kept with them. He double checked that everything was still set for the 7am stage.
Jack returned to the cafe, then joined Elizabeth and the Mounties for breakfast. They kept the conversation light. Elizabeth wanted to leave a note at the school for the children and had to drop off the lesson plans for Florence. Jack said that he needed to stop at the mercantile before they left. After breakfast, Elizabeth headed to the school and left what was needed for Florence, she also left a letter that was to be read to the children. She didn't want them to worry about her. Jack headed to the mercantile, letting Ned know that there were two Mounties visiting and that they were allowed to charge supplies to his account. Jack also let Ned know that they were staying at his house in case anyone said anything. After he left the mercantile, Jack quickly went over to the jail to check it with Bill before he left. He also let Bill know about McGinty and Price staying at the house and they could charge supplies to his account. Bill promised to let Jack know if there were any developments.
Jack left the jail and headed back toward the cafe to wait. When he got back there, Elizabeth was already back. She was having a cup of coffee. Jack could see the nervousness on her face. He wished that there was more that he could do to help her relax. He knew that they were going to have to face her family eventually, but given the situation that Tom and Julie created. Jack just felt that it wouldn't end well for Elizabeth. Jack didn't approve of the way that they were treating her, but he also wanted her to feel comfortable talking to and seeing her family when she wanted. He just couldn't help but feel that if her father was angry before, he was going to be furious when they arrived. Jack was also worried about leaving the area with the Garrison gang around. He knew that there wasn't much that he could do about that, but he knew that he could talk to Wynn about his concerns. Jack also knew that Wynn wouldn't have ordered him to come to Hamilton if he didn't need to. Jack was also worried. Abigail came over and touched Jack's arm.
"It will be alright." Abigail said. "Go deal with your family and we will take care of things around here. I promise to let you know if anything happens."
"Thank you." Jack said. "I just feel bad leaving."
"I know you do." Abigail said. "But you have to deal with other things. Bill and the other Mounties will handle things here. Heck I will handle things if I have to."
Jack smiled because he knew exactly what Abigail was talking about and he had no doubt that she would if push came to shove.
"I will let you know when we are heading back." Jack said. "I will try to wire you, but if I don't please don't hesitate to ask Bill. He promised to keep me informed as well."
Abigail, Rosemary and Lee had joined Jack and Elizabeth on the platform while they waited for the stage. Jack and Lee had retrieved their luggage. Just a few minutes to seven, the stagecoach pulled up to the platform. Lee helped Jack load the suitcases. Jack took his messenger bag and Elizabeth's carpetbag into the stage with them. At five minutes after seven that morning, the stagecoach pulled out and headed toward Buxton. They would have a ten minute stop in Buxton and then they would be on to Union City. The stage would take them right to the train. Jack and Elizabeth would get on the 4pm train and travel overnight to Hamilton. Jack wasn't sure if her family had made arrangements, but if they hadn't, Jack had planned on getting a compartment so that they could rest. Abigail had sent a basket of muffins, fresh bread, cheese and jerky. Jack had also grabbed two canteens and filled both with water before they left that morning. It would be enough to get them through until they were on the train.
