Chapter 29 – Help is on the Way

Jack finished picking up the table and headed to the cafe to let Abigail know that they were done. He watched Collins and the other three Mounties head to the saloon. After he stopped at the cafe and talked to Abigail, Jack headed to the schoolhouse. He knocked and waited for Elizabeth to let him in. Elizabeth told the children to keep working on their math problems. She walked to the back of the room and let Jack in. She was relieved that he was there. She noticed that he still looked worried, but not as bad as he had been before. Jack wanted so bad to pull her into a hug and comfort her, but he knew that he couldn't. He needed to deliver the message and get back to work. He quickly explained what was going on. He told her she could release the children, but they were to head straight home and stay close. Elizabeth encouraged Jack to talk to the children since they had many questions earlier. Jack took a deep breath and nodded. Jack and Elizabeth walked to the front of the room and she got the children's attention.

"Mountie Jack has a couple of things that he needs to talk to you about." Elizabeth said.

The children sat up and were quiet as they looked at Jack and Elizabeth. Once all the children were looking at them, Elizabeth turned and nodded to Jack.

"First of all," Jack said. "How many of you live out of town and I mean beyond the row houses?"

Jack watched a bunch of the children raise their hands.

"Those of you who live outside town." Jack said. "Who walks home alone?"

A few hands went down, but most remained up. He looked at Elizabeth and shook his head.

"Okay." Jack said. "Here is what I want you to do after school. I want you all to go straight home. I want all the children who live in the row houses to walk together. Those of you who live out of town, I would like just this once for you to walk together. If you are headed the same way, please walk together. Then when everyone gets home, I want you all to stay close to your homes tonight."

Jack could see the scared looks on some of the children's faces, but he didn't want to scare them.

"Why Mountie Jack?" Opal asked.

"Children." Jack said. "I don't want to scare you, but a bad man has been seen in the area. There are lots of Mounties out looking for that man, but I also need to keep you all safe. That is why I had Mrs Thornton keep you in at lunch today. Will you all please just do what I am asking? I don't want to have to worry about you. I need to focus on catching the bad man."

Jack turned to Elizabeth, he didn't know what else to say. He didn't want to share specifics, but how could he get them to understand that this was important and they needed to listen. She read his face and thoughts. She stepped forward.

"Children." Elizabeth said. "Do you understand what Mountie Jack is asking? He knows that it is not fun to head right home, but it is better that you are all safe. We don't know if the bad man is still around, but we all need to be careful. Now please get in groups so Mountie Jack can see that no one will be walking home alone."

The children quickly did what Elizabeth asked. When Jack was satisfied that no child would be walking alone for long, he nodded to Elizabeth. He walked to the back of the schoolhouse as Elizabeth had the class sit down and finish their math. He heard her promise that if they finished their math, she would release them a few minutes early. Jack smiled to himself and left the schoolhouse. He headed back to the jail. Jack was alert to his surroundings as he headed back to the jail. He was still working on a plan to try and draw the Garrisons out. Jack realized that he hadn't let Frank know about the children, so he turned back and went to knock on his door. He quickly related to Frank that Collins and three other Mounties were in town and that he had talked to Elizabeth about releasing the children. Frank let him know that he was heading to Abigail's for supper and to work on his sermon. Jack was pleased that Frank would be in town for a while.

After talking to Frank, Jack headed back to town to see what was going on. When he walked past the mercantile, Ned came out and handed Jack a message. Jack thanked him and Ned returned to the mercantile. Jack read the message before heading to the jail. It was from Captain Rushman letting him know that he dispatched four Mounties as soon as he got the message since they had a couple there waiting on a transfer. Jack had worked out part of a plan but he wanted to talk to Bill about it. Jack also realized with Collins in town, he would probably call the shots. Jack wasn't sure how he felt about that, since he knew the area better then Collins. He hoped that Collins would listen to him and let him put his plan into effect. Jack didn't like using people as bait, but if that is what it took to keep people safe, then he would. Jack walked back into the jail and handed the message to Bill. He let out a sigh of relief knowing that backup was on the way. He just wished he knew what the play was. Bill hated not having a plan of attack and sitting around waiting for something to happen. With the extra Mounties, Jack wanted to have an armed presence in the streets all night, but he would have to talk to Collins about things.

Before Jack had a chance to talk to Bill about his plan, Collins walked in. The other Mounties stayed on the porch. Jack suggested that they take the horses to the livery to at least get them watered. Jack was always concerned about their horses, he never wanted to see one injured because of lack of care. There were many that would ride their horses hard and then when it wasn't able to service them anymore, they would just get another. Jack on the other hand was always concerned for his horses. Jack always made sure that Mounties around him took care of their horses. The other Mounties looked at Collins and he nodded to them and they left to care for their horses. After the Mounties left, Jack let Collins know that Captain Rushman had dispatched four Mounties to help.

"Do you have a plan?" Collins asked.

"Been working on one, but having had a chance to work out the details." Jack said.

"Well." Collins said. "Let's hear what you do have and see if we can work things out. I don't want anyone to get hurt if it is possible. You know this area better than I do. You also know this town better, so let's hear it. We had to take a prisoner to Medicine Hat when we got word that you need help here."

Just as Jack was going to lay out his plan to Bill and Collins, there was a knock at the door. Jack went to answer the door and saw that it was Frank and he didn't look happy. Frank stopped when he saw Collins.

"What's going on?" Jack asked.

Frank motioned to step outside. Jack and Bill stepped outside. Frank handed them a note that had been left at the schoolhouse. Jack read it and looked at Frank. Bill reached for the note and when Jack handed it to him, he had to read through it twice before looking at Jack. Bill could see the wheels in Jack's head turning. He knew that he was formulating a new plan. Bill just hoped that it would put an end to what was going on. Bill also didn't like using people as bait, but they really didn't have a choice at that time. They had to do what they needed to catch the Garrisons.

"Frank." Jack said. "I hate to ask, but I was thinking about a way to draw out the Garrisons. I just don't want to put you in danger. I will think of something else if you don't agree."

"I want this to be over." Frank said. "I will do whatever you want. This needs to end before more people are hurt."

"Let me talk to Collins." Jack said. "I will let you know the plan. I think for right now that you will be safer if you stay at the cafe for a while. Besides, I don't think that the Garrisons will do anything before nightfall."

"I agree." Bill said.

"Jake wants me alive." Frank said. "Actually from this and what Jesse said, he not only wants me but needs me. I don't think that I will be in danger until he gets what he wants. Oh, Abigail asked me to give you this."

Frank handed Jack another sheet of paper. Jack looked at it and then put it in his pocket.

"Talk to you soon." Jack said. "Be safe and tell Abigail thank you."

Frank nodded then headed down the steps and toward the cafe. Bill looked at Jack and was going to ask him what the paper was but the other three Mounties walked up.

"Bill." Jack said. "Go get the keys and open up Gowen's old office. Get the stove going and coffee on. We need a place to meet and the jail is too cramped. I also don't want to use Abigail's office anymore then we have. I have a plan, but we need to talk it out. Someone also needs to stay here with Taylor and Price."

Jack and Bill went into the jail. Bill grabbed the keys and headed to Gowen's old office. Jack explained to Collins that they were setting up a meeting place, but it would take a few minutes. Collins sent two of the Mounties that came with him to go help Bill.

"What else do you need?" Collins asked.

"I would like one of your guys to stay here with McGinty." Jack said. "I don't trust Taylor or Price. They can take turns watching the street from the porch. I want to try and get this plan in place and hopefully with the four coming from Benson Hills it will be easy to keep people safe. I just don't want to talk here."

"Henderson." Collins said. "Stay here and keep an eye on the two prisoners."

"Yes, Sir." Henderson said.

Jack gathered some papers and maps and put them in his messenger bag.

"Joe." Jack said. "I will be at the old Pacific Northwest Mining office. Brick building end of the street, when the Mounties from Benson Hills get here, send them over. I want one person inside and one person on the porch keeping an eye on the street. I don't think anything will happen before nightfall, but we better keep an eye out just in case. I will send relief for you once we have the plan in place. Then you will be filled in. Sorry about the way that things are. Bill also has the back door locked."

"It is fine Jack." McGinty said. "I understand. This is yours and Bill's town, so I understand that you both need to make the plan with Collins."

Jack and Collins left and headed down the street to Gowen's old office. When they got there, everyone settled around the large desk. Jack was a little surprised when Collins turned things over to him despite what he had said earlier.

"Thank you, Superintendent Collins." Jack said. "I have been working on a plan to draw the Garrisons out, I really don't want the town to be in danger. I now think that we are past that point. I was given this note earlier, by Pastor Frank. It says that the Garrisons aren't leaving without him and that it would be in his best interest to come with them, so people don't start getting hurt."

"Why are the Garrisons after your pastor?" One Constable asked.

"Sorry, I didn't catch your name." Jack said.

"Constable John White." He said.

"It doesn't matter why the Garrisons made contact with Pastor Frank." Bill said. "He is a trustworthy man and I know he just wants to help. He has helped us with a major break in this case. If you have a problem with things then you can go to the jail and send the other guy over."

Constable White looked at Collins and he shook his head, but didn't say anything else.

"As I was saying." Jack said. "Pastor Frank and I agreed that the Garrisons will try to come get him tonight. Jake Garrison knows that he needs to get out of the area, with the increase in Mounties. Besides that, we have uncovered many of their campsites. They know that the longer that they stay the higher the chance that they will be caught. Pastor Frank has agreed to do whatever we need to help."

As Jack was explaining things, there was a knock at the door and four Mounties walked in. Jack recognized Constables Carver and McDillion, but not the other two. All four saw Superintendent Collins and snapped to salute. He stood and saluted back. Bill and Jack both breathed a sigh of relief that Benson Hills had arrived. For some reason, Jack was also glad that Rushman was not among the group.

"White." Collins said. "Go make sure that their horses are watered, then go to the jail and send Henderson over here. You can take a watch at the jail, since you have a problem with Corporal Thornton leading this meeting."

White didn't say anything but saluted Collins and left. Jack pointed at the coffee and motioned for everyone to sit.

"Carver, who is with you?" Jack asked.

"You know McDillion." Constable Carver said. "These are Constables James Roberts and Andrew Evans."

"Nice to meet you." Jack said. "I am Corporal Jack Thornton, this is Sheriff Bill Avery and that is Constable Peter Fisher. Constable McGinty is at the jail with Constable Mark Henderson. And that was Constable John White who just left. Evans, would that be any relation to a Constable Joshua Evans?"

"Yes Sir." Evans said. "My little brother. Where did you see him? He said that he was assigned to headquarters in Hamilton for the time being."

"I was just in Hamilton on business." Jack said.

"Captain Rushman didn't say much." Carver asked. "He only told us to get here as fast and safely as possible. But is it safe to say this about the Garrison gang."

"Yes." Jack said. "But there is so much more going on. Grab some coffee and I will fill you in."