Chapter 21 – Catching Up

The next morning, Jack and Elizabeth were up early. They quickly changed and enjoyed their breakfast, before they arrived in Union City. Once they were off the train in Union City, Elizabeth stayed with the luggage on the platform while Jack went in and checked for any messages. He had received two and quickly sent off a response to one. He also picked up the stagecoach tickets back to Hope Valley. They were on the 8am stage, which meant that they had about twenty minutes before the stage left. Jack came back out, gathered their belongings and led Elizabeth over to where the stagecoach would load. There was another couple riding with them, but they made Jack uneasy. Jack tried to talk to the other young man, but he pretended to be too busy with the lady he was with. Jack took a deep breath and focused on the couple without showing that he was focusing on them. Jack couldn't place his finger on it, but the two looked familiar to Jack. He was grateful to be wearing his Mountie uniform. He also kept Elizabeth a little closer than usual. When the other couple saw that they would be traveling with a Mountie, they were visibly nervous. Jack wasn't sure what it was about them, but most people enjoyed traveling with a Mountie since it was considered much safer.

Jack had planned to see if he could get a little more sleep before they returned to Hope Valley, but now with this other couple traveling with them he wasn't sure. Just before the driver pulled up, Jack thought he figured out where he knew the couple from, but would have to talk to the driver to help him. He didn't want to tip the couple off. When the driver pulled up, Jack talked to him for a second and said that he had to return to the station and send an urgent message. The driver assured him that he would wait, since he would prefer traveling with the Mountie. Jack dashed back into the building and approached the telegram booth. There was a line, but when the clerk saw the Mountie, he waved him forward since the Mounties only used their booth if it was urgent. Jack could tell that other people were visibly annoyed that he didn't have to wait. Jack quickly wrote the message and handed it to the clerk. When he saw that it was marked urgent Mountie business, he promised that it would be the next wire to go out. Jack then hurried back to the stagecoach and nodded to the driver. Jack helped Elizabeth into the stage and climbed in himself. The driver jumped up to his spot and they were off.

The ride to Buxton was uneventful. Elizabeth leaned on Jack's shoulder and tried to close her eyes. Jack figured that she was still feeling the effects of their travels, plus the turmoil from dealing with her family. The other couple, both dressed in pants, shirts, long overcoats and cowboy hats, quickly pulled their hats down and pretended to be asleep. Jack was on high alert. He knew something wasn't right, but he hoped that he was wrong. As they were pulling into Buxton, the driver leaned down and announced that there would be a twenty minute break to stretch their legs and water the horse before they continued. Jack prayed that the Mountie station in Buxton received his message.

Jack was relieved that when they pulled up to the platform, he saw a Mountie in his red serge and recognized two other men standing there as Mounties as well. Once the stage stopped he suggested that Elizabeth go see if they could find something they would be able to eat on the stage ride to Hope Valley. She wondered why he would ask that when they had stuff from her aunt and the train. Elizabeth turned to look at Jack, then she saw Jack's eyes and realized that he wanted her off the stagecoach. She then agreed, but promised to not be long. She didn't know what was going on, but she realized that Jack wanted her out of the way and some place safe. Jack stepped down and helped Elizabeth off. Once she had stepped away from the stagecoach, she saw Jack nod and the other Mountie step forward. Quickly, there were two other Mounties on the other side of the stagecoach. The couple that had been pretending to be asleep were ordered off the stage. As much as Elizabeth knew that Jack didn't want her to see, she was frozen to her spot, her eyes fixed on the stagecoach.

When they didn't listen, the other Mountie reached in, pulled the woman out and handed her off to another Mountie and then grabbed the man and also pulled him out. The duo were loudly protesting their removal from the stagecoach. When Jack slapped a pair of cuffs on the man, the man took a swing at Jack and he was able to block the man's blow and land one of his own. Once both were safely in custody, Jack looked at Elizabeth and realized that she had seen the whole thing. He had hoped that she would take the opportunity to step away and not watch, but who was he kidding.

As some of the other Mounties led the couple away to the applause of the crowd, the Mountie in uniform stayed to talk to Jack for a few minutes. Even though it was longer than the twenty minute break that had been announced, the driver didn't make any move to leave. He knew that he was going to wait. While the driver was waiting, he took down the couple's bags and handed them to a waiting Mountie.

"Good job, Thornton." Captain Taylor said. "We have been looking for those two for some time. I am surprised that you would even recognize them."

"It was luck." Jack said. "The way that they were so nervous when they realized that I would be on the stagecoach with them, along with their refusal to even talk to me. It was only a few minutes and then I remembered that poster that I had seen in Hamilton when I was there. I hadn't looked at it long, but it stuck in my head. I convinced the driver to give me a minute and went back into the train depot in Union City and sent the wire. I just hoped that you would get it. I am glad that you did and we were able to take them into custody without a problem."

"I will be sure to include in my report that you were the one that recognized them." Captain Taylor said. "Do you think that you will be able to write up your part when you get back to Hope Valley tonight and post it in the mail to me tomorrow?"

"Absolutely." Jack said. "Thanks again for your help, but I think that we have held this driver up long enough."

Jack saluted Captain Taylor and he turned to leave. As soon as Elizabeth saw Captain Taylor turn to leave, she ran to Jack's arms. She was shaking. Jack wrapped his arms around her to calm her. He then helped her to the stagecoach. He didn't want to talk there. As soon as Jack was in the stagecoach and the door was secured, the driver jumped up to his spot and they were off on their last leg of their journey home. As soon as they were clear of the buildings in Buxton, Jack turned and kissed Elizabeth.

"Sorry." Jack said. "I didn't know how to warn you and I didn't want you to be in danger."

"Who were they and why did you arrest them?" Elizabeth cried.

"That was a pair of outlaws." Jack said. "They probably didn't think that I recognized them since they were wanted in Toronto at minimum, but I had seen their wanted poster in Hamilton. Again, I am sorry. I wanted you to walk away and not be there. I didn't know if they were armed, but I had to assume that they were. I wouldn't have been able to handle it if you were injured."

"I am just so glad that you are okay." Elizabeth said. "I guess that you are not going to tell me anymore about them."

"Let's just say that your father should be happy that they were captured." Jack said.

With that, Elizabeth's head popped up and just looked at Jack. She gave him her scary teacher face as best as she could.

"Fine I will tell you." Jack said. "Like I said they were wanted in Toronto and I assume other places. Anyway they have been robbing offices at shipping ports. They were believed to have fled the country. I just happened to see an old wanted poster at Mountie Headquarters in Hamilton. You know how I have a knack for remembering faces and details. It just took me a little bit to put it together, especially since it was believed that they hadn't traveled inward much from the ports if they were in the country at all. When I realized that the Union City Mounties would not be able to get there in time, I wired ahead to Buxton. That was why I went back into the station and the driver waited for me. I also figured that it was safer to take them in Buxton when there would not also be a busy train station. Anyway there was a reward for their capture and some of that money was put up by your father. Apparently, two of his offices at the ports had been hit and they not only got away with money but some important documents. Again, sorry that you had to see that. I am just glad that no one got hurt."

"I wonder if my father will actually give you the reward?" Elizabeth mused.

"Doesn't matter." Jack said. "I have something better."

He then leaned back over and placed another kiss on Elizabeth's lips. They leaned back and she snuggled into his side. They were glad to have the relaxing ride from Buxton. Jack was able to lean back and relax a little as well. They both woke up when the driver called that they were close to Hope Valley. Between the two delays that occurred that day, Jack and Elizabeth pulled into Hope Valley over an hour later than usual. Bill was there to greet them. As Elizabeth stepped down, she saw that the cafe was busy. She had hoped to see Abigail, but that would have to wait. Jack and Bill shook hands and then reached for the luggage that the driver had sat on the platform. Jack led Elizabeth to the side door of the cafe and Bill followed helping to carry the luggage. Jack knocked and then went in. Jack and Bill set the luggage down out of the way. Bill went and got them all a cup of coffee and they sat at the table in the kitchen. It was a few moments before Abigail saw them. She quickly wiped her hands and gave Elizabeth a quick hug.

"Sorry." Abigail said. "Really busy. Welcome home."

As Abigail was busy with customers, Bill stood up and made both Jack and Elizabeth a plate of food. When he sat back down with them to finish his coffee, he looked at Jack.

"Can you come into the office tonight?" Bill asked. "I would like to catch you up."

"Yeah." Jack said. "I have paperwork that needs to be done tonight as well. Where is Constable Price?"

"Resting at your house." Bill said. "He was hit in the leg, but will be okay. Cat might still be sitting with him."

"Elizabeth." Jack said. "Do you want to stay here for a bit or do you want to head home? If you stay here, I don't know when I will be able to walk you home. I really have to do that paperwork for Captain Taylor and also see what has been going on around here."

"I wouldn't mind staying here." Elizabeth said. "I can always walk home myself. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. It is not like we are in Hamilton."

"Okay, I am not going to argue." Jack said. "Just come to the jail and let me know when you are headed home. I will get the wagon and deal with the luggage later."

"Captain Taylor?" Bill questioned.

"Later." Jack said.

Jack finished his food and Bill finished his coffee, then they left for the jail after Jack grabbed his messenger bag. As Jack and Bill were leaving, Abigail came into the kitchen and nodded to them. Elizabeth finished eating and then went to see what she could do to help Abigail. She really didn't want to go home and Abigail was too busy to talk at that point. Elizabeth was just glad that she had something to do. She didn't want to be in the house with Price if Jack wasn't there. She wasn't sure why, but she felt better waiting for Jack.

Bill couldn't wait until they got to the jail to find out why Jack had to do paperwork for Captain Taylor. Bill knew that Captain Taylor was in Buxton. As soon as the duo were off the steps of the cafe, Bill started firing questions at Jack.

"Bill, slow down." Jack said. "I will explain everything."

Jack waited until they were at the jail before he said anything else, then he explained what happened in Union City and how he waited until Buxton to arrest them. Bill sat there and listened to Jack and didn't say anything. When Jack was finished, Bill stood up and started pacing.

"You mean that you caught the Swenson twins." Bill said. "I heard about them when I was in Hamilton, but everyone thought that they fled to the States. How on earth did you even know about them? I don't think that the wanted posters went out to the interior of the country."

"Saw the poster when I was in Wynn's office." Jack said. "You know how I am with faces. It took me a little bit to place where I had seen them, but then when I figured it out, it knew that I had to act. What can I say?"

"Sounds like you had an adventure on your trip." Bill said. "By the way, how is your brother and Elizabeth's sister?"

"Tom is fine." Jack said. "Turns out that it was Julie that was the one that convinced Tom to take the car and then said that she would say that she was kidnapped if he didn't let her drive. When he did, she crashed the car injuring Tom. William Thatcher refused to believe that Julie would do that, but between the physical evidence and the witness that said Julie was driving, he had no choice but to drop the idea of throwing Tom in jail. The Mounties refused to charge him and were prepared to level charges against Julie if Mr Thatcher didn't back off. We were able to strike a deal with him that he backs off Tom and Julie will not have charges, but she needs to stay out of trouble for a year, can't get a license to drive until she is twenty-five and proven that she can be responsible.

From what Elizabeth said, Julie is fine physically, maybe a little sore with a bruise on her arm. Julie however is acting like a spoiled brat and refuses to accept responsibility. I did what I could and left it to Wynn and Dee to handle. We arranged for a job out of town for Tom, but I don't know if he took it. He was still in the hospital when we left. I will probably hear from Wynn in the next day or two as to what he decided to do. I think that he understands that if he doesn't leave Hamilton that I can't help him anymore. So we will see. Then there is this."

Jack took out the newspaper and showed it to Bill.

"Elizabeth's aunt and uncle arranged so that we could go out Monday night." Jack said. "After Elizabeth talked to her mother and Aunt Agatha, they agreed to support her and gave her the jewelry that had been bought for her birthday. They also insisted on a new dress for her and a suit for me so that we could go out. I didn't know that there was a photographer in the restaurant. But it is what it is and there is nothing that I can do about it. Honestly neither Elizabeth and I actually care that it was in the paper, we aren't hiding our marriage. So what has been going on here?"

"Well." Bill said. "You got the telegram about Silas Ramsey and that Jesse made contact with Frank."

Jack nodded but didn't say anything.

"We increased patrols." Bill said. "Somehow, Price still got injured. I don't know. He was shot in the upper leg. It wasn't deep and he was able to get the bullet out, but he needs to stay off his feet and we need to watch for infection. I just don't understand how he wasn't injured more. The only way that the bullet didn't do more damage was if it had already hit something. He wrapped a cloth and his belt around the wound before he slumped over on his horse. We found him when his horse wandered into town. We don't even know where he was injured. He doesn't remember."

"You're right." Jack said. "It doesn't sound right."

"I wired Buxton to let them know." Bill said. "They sent Dr Stone and he treated him. Even he didn't think that it looked right. I am willing to believe that man, he has been a doctor for over thirty-five years and has seen his share of gunshot wounds. What should we do?"

"For now." Jack said. "What we are. I will wire Wynn in the morning and have him look into Price and see if we can't get some patrol units assigned to this area. It may take a couple of days, but we still don't know more about what they have planned do we. I mean Wynn shared something with me in Hamilton, but I am not at liberty to speak about it and even that was a remote possibility. Mountie brass has gone as far as changing the details of what Wynn told me about."

"You were right." Bill said. "They need the manpower. Jesse is trying to convince Frank to go with them. I have also made sure that Frank doesn't head to the settlement alone. He didn't like it, but I insisted that he have an escort and also be armed."

"Good plan." Jack said. "Is he still going out on Tuesday and Thursday?"

"Yeah." Bill said. "But he just took supplies yesterday and told the ladies that he wouldn't be out until next week. He explained that he had something going on in town that he needed to attend to. He also reminded them that if they needed anything, they could come into town. We added the settlement to patrol on Friday. I know that it takes longer, but I think that we need to keep an eye on them. Since it is mostly women and children."

"I am worried about them too." Jack said. "From everything that I have learned, the Garrisons may be ruthless, but they haven't killed women or children. They are more than likely to just frighten them, but not kill them. Has Jesse been in town since first contact?"

"From what I hear, yes." Bill said. "He spent a couple nights at the saloon when it rained, but he hasn't bothered anyone else."

"I think that it is best to just watch him." Jack said. "If he is around, Garrison can't be far. If they really want Frank that bad, then Jesse is going to be working to convince him. I am afraid that they will try to use his past to drive him from town. What they don't know is that although he wasn't specific, Pastor Frank has been honest with people that he had a past, but has changed. I have a plan, but I don't know if we want to go to that just yet. Let's see what happens over the next day or so."

"Okay." Bill said. "I will leave you to do your paperwork. McGinty should be back soon and he will be tired. We have been taking turns at the saloon in the evenings. Apparently, Sam is having trouble with some of the men. It is usually better if one of us is there."

Bill left and headed to the saloon. Jack worked on his report for Captain Taylor. He also composed a letter to Wynn about everything that had happened. He then wrote out three telegrams that he would send in the morning. The first was Wynn requesting him to look at Price. The second was to headquarters requesting the extra unit patrols and manpower. The third to his mother. He also wrote a long letter to his mother. When Jack looked at the time, he realized that it was getting late and Elizabeth hadn't come to let him know that she was heading home. He quickly put his coat back on and went to get a wagon to take their luggage home.

While Jack was at the jail, Elizabeth helped Abigail at the cafe. She was working on dishes as Abigail took care of customers. Once it started to slow down and Abigail was working on putting things away and cleaning up the kitchen, they talked about what had happened over the week. Elizabeth shared about all that had happened in Hamilton. Abigail felt bad for Elizabeth about how her father and sisters were acting. Abigail shared that not much had happened in town. School had been going well. Bill and the other Constables had broken up a few fights at the saloon. Pastor Frank had been going out to the settlement. Abigail also shared how Pastor Frank and her had shared a few more suppers together, but nothing more than that.