Chapter 27 – Finding Evidence

Friday came and Jack stretched when the alarm when off. He rolled over and shut the alarm off. He turned back to wake Elizabeth. She was sleeping soundly, so Jack leaned over and kissed Elizabeth. It only took a couple of moments for her to respond, then she blinked her eyes. Jack pulled back and looked at her.

"Morning Bella." Jack said.

"Morning, my love." Elizabeth said her voice still rough with sleep.

Both rose and got dressed for the day. Jack headed downstairs first. He quickly put on a pot of coffee and pulled a slice of bread. He quickly ate the bread and drank a cup of coffee. As Elizabeth came downstairs, she saw Jack finish his coffee. He came over to the stairs and kissed her.

"See you later." Jack said. "I really need to get going. I haven't been on rounds in over a week, so I need to ride a full round and there are things I need to check. I will grab something from Abigail later. See you this afternoon. I will try to stop by the schoolhouse."

"Be safe." Elizabeth said.

"Always." Jack said.

Jack gave her another kiss and headed out. She knew that he wanted to get back into his regular routine, but he had to deal with Price and now Taylor. Elizabeth also knew that he was still worried about the Garrisons. She decided to put those thoughts out of her mind. She set about making herself some breakfast and then wanted to head to the school early. She also had been out of the classroom for over a week and had a lot to catch up on. She packed a larger lunch for herself, then packed one for Jack. She planned on dropping it off at the jail before heading to the schoolhouse. She also grabbed her letter and placed it in her basket. She headed to town. She quickly posted her letter and dropped off Jack's lunch at the jail.

Elizabeth then headed to the schoolhouse. She was grateful that Cat had left all the work on her desk. She looked through the notes about what Florence and Cat had done. She had papers to grade. Elizabeth quickly made a plan for the day, based on what the children had covered. They hadn't gotten through everything that she had planned. They had finished their reading and history, but didn't get through all of their math. She was glad that Florence and Cat had gotten through most of the material. Elizabeth knew that it was hard for someone step into a classroom, have control and get everything done. Elizabeth wasn't going to complain because she knew that Cat and Florence had done their best, but she also knew that the children would probably end up with homework over the weekend.

Elizabeth stood and starting writing some math problems on the board. After the math, she planned on reviewing what they were suppose to have learned while she was gone. She wanted to gauge how much they had learned and what she needed to go over again. Once she had her plan for the day, she looked at the clock and set the alarm. She wanted to try and get through the stack of papers that she had to grade. There was spelling tests, math tests and the papers that the children had written over the weekend. Elizabeth started working on the stack of papers until the alarm went off. She shut it off and then went to the back of the building and waited to greet the children. While she was waiting for the children, she saw a couple of Mounties and waved. She didn't think anything of it as Jack had said that there were a couple extra Mounties in town. She figured that they were just exercising their horses. The two Mounties waved back before heading back into town. For a moment, Elizabeth was glad that Jack and Bill had extra help. She said a quick prayer for all their safety before turning her attention to the students and their day. Elizabeth rang her cow bell and greeted the children as they entered the schoolhouse.

After Jack had left Elizabeth, he walked to the livery, Sergeant and Thor were both happy to see him. Jack spent a few minutes with Thor and promised him a ride later. He then brushed and saddled Sergeant. He stopped by the jail, grabbed a rifle and slid it into its spot on his saddle. He then double checked and grabbed additional ammo. Jack left a note for Bill who was laying in the back room. He refused to talk to either Taylor or Price. Jack then made sure that he had everything and left on his rounds. Jack took his time on his rounds. Not only was he looking for anything that was different, but he also was on the lookout for where Price was injured or possible injured himself. It didn't take Jack long to notice that someone had gone off the trail and into the thick brush. Jack knew that the people that lived in the area, wouldn't go off the trail in that area since it was very thick brush.

Jack tied Sergeant off, took off his red serge, and made his way into the brush. He saw a piece of red material. He collected it, because he remembered that there was a small tear on the sleeve of Price's serge and when he tried to pull it together, the edges didn't match with meant that there was material missing. He then found a spot where there were multiple boot impressions. Jack made note of them that at least one was a Mountie boot, sketching what they looked like and the approximate size based on his and then made his way back out of the brush. He put his serge back on and continued on his rounds. Jack noted a couple of places that had recently had a campfire. He made notes about everything he saw at each of sites, including any shoe/boot impressions. Jack was also looking for anything that looked out of place or something that he hadn't seen before. He took his time and made a ton of notes while on rounds. Jack stopped, talked to a few farmers and reminded them to keep a weapon handy and be aware of their surroundings.

When Jack got back to the jail, he pulled out the scrap of fabric. He then pulled out both of Price's red serges. He was able to make a match to the piece that was missing from Price's serge. Jack showed Bill and he agreed that it was a match. Bill repacked the second serge, but left the one with a rip out. Jack set about writing up what he had seen on his rounds. He then typed up about where he found the scrap of fabric and how it was a match. They also took a couple of photographs to show the rip and the found scrap of fabric, as well as how it was a match. Jack knew that he was going to have to finish the film and then sent it to headquarters to get developed. Jack thought about it for a moment and wondered if he could get Ned to develop the pictures like before. Jack still had his concerns about Ned, but tried his best to not them cloud his interactions with the people. Jack made a note to talk to Bill about the photographs.

When he was done, he showed the report to Bill and he agreed. Jack then proceeded to talk to Bill about the recent campfire sites that he had come across. Bill pulled out a map and asked Jack to locate where the campfire sites were and where he found the fabric. Bill then pulled out his notebook and noted where the girls had seen Jesse.

"You see what I see." Bill said.

"Yep." Jack said. "I think we have narrowed the area down, but that still is a lot of country to cover. I hope that extra manpower arrives soon."

As Jack and Bill were studying the map and the new points that they had added, Pastor Frank knocked on the door and entered just a step. Frank held up his hand, then touched his lips so they didn't identify him.

"Jack." Pastor Frank said. "I need to speak with you."

Frank knew that they were holding two people in the cells and didn't want to speak in there. He wasn't sure that they could be trusted. He also pointed at the map that Jack and Bill were looking at. Jack realized that he wanted them to bring the map.

"Sure." Jack said. "Here?"

"Meet me at Lee's office in ten minutes." Frank said. "Bill you should come also."

"Okay." Bill said.

"Any idea what is going on?" Bill said to Jack.

"Nope." Jack said. "Guess we will find out."

Pastor Frank turned and left. Jack left shortly after and headed to the mercantile before heading to Lee's office. When McGinty came back, Bill asked him to stay at the jail. Bill told him that Jack and him would be back as soon as possible, but until then no one talked either of the prisoners. McGinty nodded and Bill left. Just over fifteen minutes later Jack, Bill and Pastor Frank were sitting in Lee's office. Pastor Frank nodded to Lee.

"Pastor Frank as filled me in a little on what is going on." Lee said. "I know that the man you had asked me about is Jesse Flynn and he works for the Garrisons. I have asked my men to keep an eye out for anything unusual when heading to and from the logging sites. I also know that you both have your hands full with whatever is going on over at the jail. Anyway, when I saw Frank here I wanted to ask him a little more about Jesse and the Garrisons. I wanted to assess the danger my men could be in. Anyway while we were talking, Hickum came in and informed me that several men reported that there were recent campfires near some of the logging sites. They noticed, because it was not in the spot that they would normal make camp. Hickum asked them where and they showed him on the map. I didn't know what was going on over at the jail, so I sent Frank over to get you. I also wanted to check my records and see when I had last sent crews to those areas."

"Can you show me where the campfires were?" Jack asked.

Jack pulled out the map and compared it to the one that Lee had. They were able to mark the two additional campfire sites. Lee then talked about how he rotated his logging sites. He also let them know that unless someone had worked a full rotation or had seen the map that they wouldn't have any idea which places would be empty and when.

"I am afraid that someone I employ is working with them." Lee said.

"Let me ask you this." Bill said. "Have you hired any men for logging crews or the office in the last six weeks?"

"Both, but mostly logging crew." Lee said. "The only people that are in the office are me, Hickum and occasionally my new foreman, Christopher Blackman."

"Do you trust both of them?" Jack asked.

"Yes." Lee said. "You know Hickum, he is honest as they come. I have also known Chris for years. I brought him here from one of my other mills. He started working for me when he was sixteen. He worked his way from up from a logging crew. I took him on when he father was killed in a mine accident. He has never done anything for me to doubt him. That is part of the reason that I made him foreman. He is great with the men, but firm when needed. Since he had started on a logging crew and worked pretty much every job, he understands what needs to be done. I trust him and the men respect him."

"Alright." Jack said. "For now, we will keep an eye on things. I have requested additional unit patrols in the area. I will be sure to share that they need to keep an eye on some of your logging sites. If you see or hear anything else please let me know. We still don't know what they are planning. We all just need to be aware, especially with any new people coming and going in town."

"Lee can we use your office for a few minutes?" Bill asked.

"Sure." Lee said. "I need to run out to the mill and Hickum will be back in about twenty minutes, but take as long as you need. If Hickum comes back before your are done. Tell him to take a break at the café. That boy works to hard."

Lee stood up and left. Jack and Bill turned to Pastor Frank.

"Sorry that I haven't had a chance to talk to you until now." Jack said. "I know that Jesse made contact, what can you tell me."

"He has orders to bring me back." Frank said. "I told him that I wasn't going anywhere and to leave me alone. I reminded him what I was capable of and that he shouldn't cross me. I had no intention of hurting him, but I just wanted him to leave me alone."

"Okay." Jack said. "Anything else?"

"I have seen him in town more." Frank said. "He keeps trying to talk to me, but not where other people are. I am sure that he is making notes of who I talk to and who I am close to. Garrison is not above threatening to hurt loved ones to get what he wants. I don't want anyone to get hurt on my account, but I promise you that I am not going with Jesse or Jake. I just want this to be over."

"Okay, I trust you." Jack said. "Keep an eye open and please let us know if there is anything else that you need. I don't want anyone to get hurt either, but we still don't have enough information to make a move. Like I said, I am waiting on additional units to help. I honestly don't want to face the Garrisons until we have enough men to out gun them if it came down to that."

"I understand." Frank said.

The three men stood and left. Pastor Frank walked back toward the church. Bill and Jack stood on the porch of Lee's office for a few minutes. Suddenly, they both heard Jack's stomach growl. Jack blushed slightly.

"Go get something from Abigail." Bill said. "I will stay here until Hickum comes back. We also need to sit later and figure out what we are going to do."

Jack didn't need to be told twice to eat. He quickly went down the steps and jogged over to Abigail's. Even through it was past breakfast, she insisted on making him eggs to go with the biscuits that he wanted. She sat him down in the kitchen. She had also wanted to talk to him about what happened at the jail. Jack filled her in on what he could. She set a plate in front of him and let him know that he could stay in the kitchen to eat. Clara would down in a few minutes, but she needed to head to the mayor's office and do her other job. Abigail was glad that she had convinced Clara to stay at the café instead of staying at the saloon since she could help with the café and Cody, it also wouldn't cost Clara money unlike the saloon. Besides that, Abigail didn't like Clara at the saloon with everything going on.

Just as Abigail was leaving, Mary Graves walked in the side door. She greeted Jack as she put on an apron and picked up where Abigail had left off on getting things ready for lunch. When Jack was finished, he ordered cheese sandwiches for his two prisoners. He also ordered sandwiches and desert for him, Bill and McGinty. He let Mary know that one of them would be by to pick it up around 12:30.

Jack left the café and looked around the town that he had grown to love. He wished that there wasn't so much trouble and uncertainties at the moment, but he still loved it. He really wanted to catch the Garrison gang and get back to some sort of routine. He longed for a few weeks of quiet where all he had to worry about was rounds and maybe a fight at the saloon. Before he headed back to the jail, he walked over to the mercantile and sent another wire to headquarters and a second directly to Wynn. He checked with Ned and there were no messages for him. When Jack got back to the jail, he let Bill and McGinty know that he had ordered lunch for them and it would be ready about 12:30. Bill was showing McGinty the map and they were talking about the campfire sites. McGinty offered to ride out toward the logging sites and see if there was anything else that he could find.

"How has your horse been holding up?" Jack asked. "You have been riding quite a bit over the last week."

"Honestly he could use a new set of shoes." McGinty said. "I was going to talk to the smitty."

"Go take care of your horse." Jack said. "If you still want to ride out to the logging sites, I could let you take Thor. He hasn't been ridden in a number of days."

"I thought that your horse was Sergeant." McGinty said confused.

Jack motioned for McGinty to join him on the porch. McGinty had stood to go take care of his horse anyway. When they walked out, Jack looked at him with a very serious look on his face.

"What I am about to tell you must be held in the strictest confidence." Jack said. "In light of what Price has been saying, I really don't want this to get around."

"Okay." McGinty said. "I promise I won't say anything. You know me."

"As a wedding present, Elizabeth received a police horse." Jack said. "I didn't give it to her and didn't know that it was coming until it got here. Sergeant is my horse, but I also ride Thor once and a while. He is a great horse and fully trained with other Mountie horses."

"As long as Mrs Thornton wouldn't mind me riding her horse." McGinty said. "I would really like to head out and look at some of those logging sites."

"Take care of your horse." Jack said. "Then pack provisions and take extra ammo. Then talk with Lee before you leave. He will be able to tell you the best route to take and also what sites are occupied. Try to be back by sundown. I don't want to have to worry about you."

"Yes Sir." McGinty said and then left.

Jack shook his head at the sir comment. He still wasn't use to that, especially coming from McGinty as they were the same age and had gone through the academy together.