Chapter 28 – Making Another Plan

Jack watched McGinty jog off. He then turned and headed back inside. He didn't expect the group from Hamilton until the next day, so he still had to figure out what to do for the rest of the day and that night. He really wanted Price and Taylor gone so that he could focus on catching the Garrisons. Jack and Bill were looking at the map and talking about how they should patrol the area where the campfires were found. They agreed that if they had the manpower it would be better to go in at least two man teams. The duo were broken from their thoughts and conversation by Price.

"You will never take Jake Garrison alive." Price said. "He would rather shoot you than be caught."

"Will you shut up?" Taylor hissed.

"I would listen to Taylor there." Bill said. "Besides, how do you know so much about the inner workings of Jake Garrison?"

Neither Bill or Jack could see the look that Taylor shot Price, but Price shut up. Both Bill and Jack figured that he knew more than what he was saying. Jack was forming a plan. He had an idea to draw Garrison closer to town to trap him, but Jack had to think it through in order to keep the town safe. Jack was quiet. When Bill looked at him he knew that Jack had a plan or at least was working on one. Bill wanted to question him about it, but he knew that Jack would share when he needed or wanted to. One thing that Bill knew about Jack was that he needed to think through a plan and the possible outcomes before he was ready to share if and when time allowed. That was always one thing that Bill had admired about Jack, his ability to think things through and come up with the best plan that was the safest for those involved. McGinty stopped back at the jail to let Jack know that he had Thor. He also let him know that he stopped by the cafe and picked up some food and changed their lunch order. He had briefly talked to Lee and gotten a hand drawn map and a list of the logging sites. He just wanted to grab a rifle, extra ammo and a lantern. He saw that Jack and Bill both shot him.

"Just in case." McGinty said. "I also grabbed my tent and bedroll that were at the livery. I would rather be prepared."

"Agreed." Jack said. "Thank you for checking those sites."

"Better than sitting around." McGinty said. "Oh I have a note for you."

"From who?" Jack asked.

McGinty didn't say anything, but just handed a note to Jack before he turned to leave. Jack quickly read the note and handed it to Bill. Jack called McGinty back into the office. McGinty had barely gotten to the steps on the porch when he turned and looked at Jack.

"Everything okay?" McGinty asked.

"No, damn it." Jack said. "Joe, change of plans. Head over to the saloon and see if you can find Green and MacDonald. Quickly."

Bill looked at Jack and could see the wheels turning. He also knew that Jack was torn. Bill knew that Jack was always torn when it involved Elizabeth or the children.

"Go check out the story." Bill said. "We can't afford a diversion. I will handle things here."

Jack left the building and ran to the school. He stopped to catch his breath before he climbed the steps two at a time. He knocked on the door and waited until Elizabeth answered the door. He unsnapped his holster and waited. He heard her tell the child to continue reading quietly. When she got to the door she was surprised to see Jack. When he saw her surprise, he knew that she hadn't sent for him. He quickly checked that all of her students were there and when she assured him that they were he breathed a quick sigh. Suddenly Elizabeth was worried about what was going on. Jack said that he couldn't explain but asked Elizabeth to keep the students inside at lunch and to not release them until he sent word. He also asked her to keep both doors locked until he said otherwise. Jack pulled her close and whispered to Elizabeth.

"You will know it is from me." Jack said quietly. "Because it will say for my Bella. Don't trust anything else right now. Please."

Elizabeth nodded.

"Be safe." Elizabeth whispered.

"Always." Jack said.

Elizabeth gave Jack a quick kiss on the cheek. She turned and took a couple deep breaths before returning to her class. Jack waited until he heard the lock click. Elizabeth was worried about Jack and what was happening in town, but she trusted Jack. She said a quick prayer before walking back to the front of the room and continuing her lesson. Jack quickly went around the side of the schoolhouse to Pastor Frank's office and let him know what was happening. He promised to stay there and keep Elizabeth and the children safe.

"Do you have a weapon?" Jack asked.

"Yes." Frank said. "I know it is frowned upon, but you know me, I would only use it to defend myself or schoolhouse and that includes your wife and the children."

"I trust you." Jack said. "Just don't advertise the fact that you have one."

Frank nodded. Jack then hurried back to the jail. When he walked in, McGinty and Bill were standing there. He looked around for Green and MacDonald, upon not seeing them he shook his head. McGinty stepped forward and whispered to Jack.

"According to Sam." He said. "They checked out and left this morning. When I went to the livery, the worker said that they just took the two horses and left the wagon. Price's and Taylor's horses are still there. The guy at livery also said that they looked like they were in a hurry this morning."

"Damn!" Jack said again.

"Let's step outside." Bill said.

The three men stepped outside and looked at Jack. Jack let them know that all the children were at the school and accounted for. Pastor Frank was also in his office and promised to stay there and keep a look out for Elizabeth and the children.

"I told her to keep them in," Jack said. "I also said not to release them until she got word from me and me only."

"I am concerned about Green and MacDonald taking off." Bill said.

"I don't know much about them, but I know that they are fairly decent Mounties." Jack said. "I think that they were told by Taylor to leave, so that we would be short handed. I don't know what is going on, but I think that we will find out sooner than later. It is best that we are armed. I am going to head over to Lee's and let him know to keep an eye out."

"Jack." Bill said. "What does your gut say?"

"My gut." Jack said. "Price and/or Taylor are working with the Garrisons and the Garrisons found out that we are holding them and they can't have that. I also think that is why the Garrisons have been one step ahead of us for the last year or more. I was working on a plan, but I hadn't worked out the details yet. I just don't want people to get hurt."

"I understand." Bill said. "Let's wire Benson Hills and hope that nothing happens until we get help."

"Joe." Jack said. "Go wire Captain Rushman. Tell him need help, send all available Mounties ASAP, trouble with Buxton. Have Ned mark it the highest priority. Also remind Ned that if he breathes a word of that message I will lock him up myself. He knows that he is supposed to keep quiet about things. Try to make sure that no one is around if possible when you give him the message, it will help. I am going to go talk to Lee. Bill, keep an eye out here."

Jack and McGinty both headed off and Bill walked back into the jail. He went into the back room. He locked the back door, pulled out his other gun and checked it. He loaded it and slipped it into his boot. He walked back outside, slid the rifle from the holster on Thor and brought it back up to the porch. He sat there and finished his cup of coffee. He watched Jack leave Lee's office and head to the livery. When Jack got to the livery, he saddled Sergeant. Once his horse was ready, he turned and saddled Bill's horse, Ember. Jack wanted to be ready in case they needed it. He led the two horses from the livery and toward the jail where he secured them. He then checked his watch. He looked at Bill and motioned that he was going to talk to Abigail and then to the cafe.

Jack walked into the mayor's office. He realized that was the first time that he had been in there since he helped arrest Gowen. He quickly let Abigail know what was going on. He promised to do everything to keep the town safe. Abigail reminded him that a number of the men and women for that matter, in the town were wonderful marksmen if they needed additional help. Jack nodded and asked her to put together a list of those that she felt were the best. She promised that she would. Jack also reminded her that she needed to leave her name off that list. Abigail just looked at Jack, but then nodded in agreement.

Jack then left and headed to the cafe. When he walked in, he surprised Clara and Mary. He said that their plans had changed again and could they get their lunch ready? Clara said that it wasn't a problem, she was working on it at the moment. Mary gave Jack a concerned look, but he didn't say anything. Clara finished packing the lunch and handed the basket to Jack. She could sense that something was happening. She reminded him to be safe. He promised that he would. Without another word Jack turned and headed back to the jail. When he got back, he went inside and set the basket down, before grabbing a cup of coffee and returning to the porch. It was still chilly since it was late January, but it wasn't bad and it was better than sitting in the stuffy jail.

While Bill and Jack sat there, Bill kept his eyes on everyone moving about the town. Jack was working on a plan. Jack didn't think that the Garrisons would do anything before dark, but he wasn't taking any chances. When McGinty returned, he retrieved his lunch from his saddlebag and headed inside. Jack and Bill also headed inside. Bill poured a glass of water for each Price and Taylor then found their plain cheese sandwiches and took their lunch to them. Jack unpacked the rest of the food and saw that Clara had included dessert for McGinty as well. They poured some more coffee and sat about eating. No one was talking except Price who was voicing his displeasure about being locked up. Taylor told Price to shut up several times, but it did no good. The three at the desk just ignored the two in the cells. Jack was still working on a plan, but at the moment his thoughts turned to Elizabeth and wondered if the children were behaving being kept inside. While Jack was thinking, he ate the entire lunch from the cafe as well as the one that Elizabeth had packed and dropped off for him.

The children were not happy about being kept inside, but when Elizabeth explained that it was Mountie Jack that had requested that they stay inside, the children were a little better. They had many questions, but she had no answers for them and she wasn't sure what she would say even if she knew. The last thing that Elizabeth wanted was to scare the children, but she also knew that they knew something was going on. Elizabeth knew that the kids needed to burn off some energy if they were going to be impossible that afternoon. She ate her lunch and was trying to think of an indoor game that the children could play. As much as they needed to burn off energy, she also knew that making too much noise was also not a good thing. She quickly said a prayer for wisdom and also protection for the town.

Elizabeth was still thinking about what they could do when Nellie and Laura approached her desk. They let Elizabeth know that some of the younger children were worried. Elizabeth decided that she would call the class back together and read the younger ones a story to help get their minds off what was happening since no one had any answers. Elizabeth was also worried, but she needed to be strong and sure for the children. Elizabeth couldn't help but think of Jack's face when he had stopped at the schoolhouse. He looked so worried and Elizabeth was scared about what was going on. She wondered what had changed and then she realized that the Garrison's must have done something and Jack wasn't taking any chances with anyone's safety.

Jack wasn't expecting the Mounties from Benson Hills until later, so he jumped when there was a knock at the door. He was even more surprised to see Superintendent Collins and three other Mounties standing there. Jack knew that they needed to talk, but there really wasn't a place that they could all sit then he remembered the mining office was still empty. Not only had the office been closed, but it was probably cold there as well. Jack wanted to give Superintendent Collins a chance to warm up if he had been out riding. Jack just hoped that Abigail understood when he asked to borrow her office, not only was it warm, but it was also private. He opened his desk and grabbed a few things. He also grabbed the map that they had been looking at earlier. He put it in his messenger bag along with the folder of statements and reports about Price and Taylor. He also then grabbed all the messages that had been sent and received, with the exception of communications directly with Wynn. Jack stood and nodded to Bill. Jack just prayed that Collins would listen to him and take what Jack was saying into account when figuring out what to do.

"Superintendent Collins." Jack said. "We need to talk, but not here. I have a place where we can talk privately. I promise to let you know everything that is going on."

"I was hoping that we could get a bite to eat before we talk." Collins said.

"McGinty." Jack said. "Will you run to the cafe and let Clara or Mary know to make some more sandwiches. You can take that basket back and let them refill it. Please apologize and have Clara put it on the account."

"Where should I bring it when it is ready?" McGinty asked.

Jack stepped closer to Joe and whispered to him where he would be. McGinty nodded and then left for the cafe. Jack led Collins and the other men to the mayor's office. When Jack knocked and entered, Abigail was surprised. Jack quickly explained that he needed somewhere private to talk and this was pretty much his only option at this point that was warm. Abigail quickly put her things away and welcomed the men into her office. She let Jack know that she would head to the cafe and help get their lunch ready. Before she left, she put on a pot of coffee and showed Jack where the cups were. Collins and the men each accepted a cup of coffee and sat down at the table in Abigail's office. Once she had left, Jack quickly explained about Price and Taylor. He showed Collins the statements, reports and the information that had been gathered.

As Jack was showing Collins the information, McGinty came in with a basket of food, he set it down and quickly left. Jack also then shared his thoughts about Price and/or Taylor working with or at least giving information to the Garrisons. He told Collins about the recent campfire sites and showed him the map. He explained that he had come across a couple and also that Mr Coulter had informed him about some. Finally Jack shared about what had happened with the note and that they had wired Benson Hills for immediate help and were waiting on them. Collins checked with Jack on a couple of things and then leaned back in though as he finished his lunch. The men had eaten while Jack had been talking.

"I think that it will be okay to release the children." Collins said. "Best to explain to them to head right home and stay close to their homes that evening."

"What about Price and Taylor?" Jack asked.

"They are better where they are right now." Collins said. "It will be easier to control things if they are in jail and not out traveling with us. Go let Ms Thatcher know about the children."

"It is Mrs Thornton now." Jack said. "I will. I had told her not to let the children go until she heard from me."

"Didn't know that you had gotten married." Collins said.

"We got married at Christmas." Jack said. "Headquarters was notified."

"Fine." Collins said. "Let's let the mayor have her office back. We have plenty to do."

Jack started cleaning up the wrappers and cups from the men's lunch. He put everything back in the basket. Collins and the others stood to leave when Collins turned back to Jack.

"What happened to that other mayor – Gowen." Collins asked.

"He was killed sir." Jack said.

Jack didn't want to get into everything that had happened, but figured that Collins knew more than he was saying about the matter. Jack knew that Collins must have known about the arrests of the Pacific Northwest Mining Company. He looked at Collins and saw him just shrug. Jack wondered what he was thinking, but didn't have time to worry about it.

"I don't know how many rooms Sam has at the saloon hotel." Jack said. "But if you and your men want to check, then get settled, that would be good."

Collins just looked at his men and they nodded. They knew that Collins would be getting a room and the rest of them if there was room.