Chapter 30 – Catching the Garrisons

Everyone grabbed some coffee before settling around the table. Bill put some more coffee on. Jack proceeded to fill the Benson Hills Mounties in on everything that was going on from the arrest of Constable Price and Captain Taylor to their possible involvement with the Garrisons. Jack let them know that the Garrisons have made contact with the local Pastor.

"All I am going to say about Pastor Frank's past." Jack said. "I also expect this to not be repeated. He has let the townspeople know that he wasn't always on the right side of the law, but he has paid his debt and changed his life. He has been nothing but a wonderful pastor. Anyway the Garrisons want Pastor Frank because of some of the skills that he obtained and used before he turned his life around. Also, Pastor Frank has made it clear that he has no intention of returning to a life of crime or going with the Garrisons. He has also said that he will help in any way to catch them. Headquarters has no problem with Pastor Frank since he has been true to his word about turning his life around, so I don't want any of you to treat him any differently. We all have things in our past that we are not proud of. This man has turned his life around and is making the most of a second chance."

"What do you need?" Carver asked.

"Well." Jack said. "I want two Constables at the jail at all times. One inside and one keeping watch from the porch. I also want at least one other armed person stationed in front of Lee Coulter's office, because it has a good view of the street. Plain clothes would be preferred. I also have a list of men in town who are trustworthy and a good shot. We can use them to help with the watch."

"How do you plan on drawing the Garrisons out?" Collins asked.

"That is where Pastor Frank comes in." Jack said. "Since the church/schoolhouse is set just outside of the town proper, it would be the place to get them. I want Frank to head to the schoolhouse and have a couple lanterns burning so that they know that he is there. I will be in the back room waiting. I want someone to be by the wood pile behind the jail, since the school is clearly visible from there. When the Garrisons enter the schoolhouse to get Pastor Frank, we move in to surround the school. We will need to watch the crossfire, but if the Garrisons don't want to give up, then we will need to do what we have to. I am hoping that the element of surprise will give us the upper hand. I am sure that they have seen the extra Mounties ride into town. So I was thinking of putting the horses in the back of the livery so that way your presence is not being advertised."

"You really think that will work?" Roberts asked.

"Unless you have a better plan." Jack said. "There is just too much ground to cover. Our best plan is to draw them into where we can control the situation. We will have them outmanned and outgunned."

"I agreed with Thornton." Collins said. "This is his town and he knows the area. He also knows the people. If he feels this is the best plan, then let's go with it. If anyone has any objections, I want to hear them now."

Collins looked around the room, but no one spoke.

"Thank you." Jack said. "Let's make this our meeting place. I will have sandwiches and stuff brought here for supper. We can run to the mercantile and get some more coffee. Bill, will you go get the people on this list and bring them here, if they have a rifle have them bring it. I want it made clear that they are to keep watch and report to us. They are not to engage the Garrisons unless threatened and/or are in immediate danger. I need to head to the cafe to ask Abigail to make sandwiches and food for everyone."

"I will go." McDillion said.

Jack nodded and then handed the list to Bill of the people that he wanted brought in. McDillion left for the cafe. Bill left to get the people listed.

"I will be right back." Jack said.

Jack left and headed to the mercantile. He picked up some coffee and two boxes of ammo. He then headed to the cafe. He wanted to get a message to Elizabeth. Much to his surprise, she was there. He quickly pulled her into the kitchen and explained that he probably wouldn't be home and if he was able to come it would be late. He told her to be safe and that he would do the same. She wrapped her arms around him and he did the same. They stood there and hugged each other tightly for a few minutes before she pulled back with tears in her eyes.

"I promise I will send word as soon as I can." Jack said.

"Be safe." Elizabeth said.

"Always." Jack said.

Before he pulled away, she leaned up and kissed him. She didn't care that Abigail and Clara were in the kitchen. She needed to have that contact with him. Jack needed the kiss as much as she did. When Jack finally pulled away, he walked into the dinning room and saw Frank sitting there. He motioned for him to follow. Frank nodded. He finished his coffee and said goodbye to Abigail before he followed Jack. Once they were outside, Jack filled Frank in on the plan. When they got to the office, Bill let Jack know of a small change. Since Jack probably wouldn't have a chance to head home to change, Bill decided that he would be the one in the back room. He wanted Jack to be in the shadows, since it would be safer. Jack knew that Bill was trying to protect him and appreciated what he was doing. Jack agreed to the change. Bill and Frank headed out. Bill stopped by the jail and grabbed a couple of things and then they headed to the schoolhouse. They didn't know how long they were going to have to wait, but it was already getting dark.

Back at the office, Jack spoke to the nine men that Bill had brought back. He made sure that each was clear on what they could do and couldn't do. They were there to keep watch. The Mounties would be the ones that would engage the Garrisons. He broke the men into three three-man teams. He told them where they would be and what their shift would be. If the Garrisons didn't make their move that night, they would regroup in the morning. Jack chose to watch from the back of the jail. The plan was put into place and everyone knew what they had to do. The hard part was going to be waiting. The men were two hours into the first watch when Jack saw four men approach the schoolhouse. He couldn't make them out, but he figured that it was Garrison and his men. Jack edged around the jail and went to get some of the Mounties from the office. They quietly made their way toward the schoolhouse.

At the schoolhouse, Jake Garrison and two of his men entered the building. He left Jesse at the top of the steps outside to keep a watch, but Jesse wasn't watching. Jesse was worried about his friend, even if he hadn't been that nice to Frank in the recent past, he was worried about what Jake was going to do to him. Jesse turned, pressed his ear to the closed door to try and hear what was being said. Bill heard the boots on the floorboards. He stood, moved to the store room door and unholstered his gun. Bill waited because he knew that he was outnumbered at the time. He also wanted to hear what the Garrisons said.

"Long time no see, Matt." Jake Garrison sneered. "Time to go."

"I ain't going anywhere." Pastor Frank said. "And the name is Frank. I don't do that stuff anymore."

"It wasn't a request." Jake said. "Now you will come or I will have to start hurting people starting with that lovely school teacher that you like or maybe you like the lady at the cafe. Either way, you don't want someone to get hurt because you don't want to help. I need your skills. We are going now."

Bill needed to control his anger when he heard Garrison talk about Elizabeth and Abigail. He also knew that if he acted too soon people would get hurt.

Jake Garrison reached for Pastor Frank and when he resisted, Jake punched him. Jake then turned to the other two.

"Get him and let's go." Jake said. "We need to get out of town tonight."

Meanwhile outside, Jack, Carver, McDillion, McGinty and Henderson had all made their way toward the schoolhouse. They stayed in the shadows because Jack wanted the upper hand. They saw Jesse wasn't watching, but still stayed in the shadows. When Jesse heard Jake coming he turned like he had been watching. When Jake Garrison and the other two exited the schoolhouse, the Mounties came out with their guns drawn. Jack ordered them to let Pastor Frank go. Then Jake Garrison pushed Frank down the stairs to try and force the Mountie to change their focus. As soon as Frank went down. Jack and Carver each fired and hit two of the men. Jack moved to check on Frank and as he did, Jake Garrison pulled his gun and went to fire. Jesse moved to keep Frank and Jack from being hit. After firing Jake Garrison fled back into the schoolhouse to head out the back door.

When Bill heard the footsteps coming back into the schoolhouse, he moved from the storeroom and raised his gun. He ordered Garrison to freeze. Instead, Garrison fired at Bill hitting him in the arm. Jack heard the gunfire and headed into the schoolhouse. McGinty headed around the side. Jack ordered Garrison to stop. He was standing in the doorway of the back door when Jack ordered him to stop. When he turned to Jack, McGinty saw the gun and fired, killing Garrison. When Jack saw Garrison fall, Jack went to check on Bill. Jack saw that Bill was injured, so he tried to help him. Jack called for help. McGinty came in and helped Jack get Bill to the infirmary. The other Mounties were already moving Frank and Jesse that way, as well as the two injured Garrison men. Several of the Mounties and men on watch came as soon as they heard the gunshots.

Once at the infirmary, Jack checked Bill better. He saw that the shot was a through and through of the upper arm, close to where he had been before. He wrapped it tightly and told Bill to rest, he would have to clean and stitch it. Jack then moved to check on Frank. There were so many thoughts running through Jack's head and he was on pure instinct.

"Jack!" Carver yelled to get his attention.

"What!" Jack said.

"Focus on Bill." Carver said. "We got these two. The other two have been moved to the jail and are being checked."

Jack turned back to Bill and cleaned his wound, but didn't stitch it. He really wanted to wait for the doctor. Once he had Bill resting comfortably, Jack left the infirmary. He went over the mercantile to wake Ned. Then he had him wire Union City to send a doctor. He also wired headquarters letting them know Jake Garrison was dead and the rest of his gang injured but in custody. He also let them know that Bill Avery had been shot but should be okay. Jack then turned and headed back to the infirmary. He wanted to check on Frank. Once he made sure that Frank was okay except for some scrapes and bruises, he checked on Jesse. Jesse had been shot in the side and arm, Jack wondered if he would be okay. Jack then went to the jail and checked on the other two from the Garrison gang. They both had minor wounds. One was shot in the hand and the other had been grazed by a bullet on his leg. Both wounds had been treated. Jack couldn't believe that they were alive, he was sure that he had shot to kill. He started to wonder what happened. He knew that he needed to sit down and let the shock of what happened wear off.

Jack sat down at his desk and pulled out a sheet of paper to start writing what had happened. He saw the blood on his hands and all over the paper. When he stood to go wash them, he collapsed. Henderson rushed to his side. When he realized that Jack was unconscious, he went to the porch and yelled for help. The men that had been on watch came running including Lee. When Lee saw that it was Jack, he sent one of the men to get Abigail and another to get Elizabeth. Lee rushed to Jack's side. Henderson was right behind him. They started checking Jack for injuries. Lee saw blood, but couldn't tell where it was coming from.

"Get some water and a towel." Lee said.

Henderson stood to get the water and that is when Abigail came in.

"Let's get him to the infirmary." Abigail said.

"It is full." Lee said. "Bill, Frank and Jesse Flynn were all injured and are there."

"The cafe then." Abigail said.

"Here let me." Henderson said.

He leaned down and picked Jack up.

"Lead the way." Henderson said.

Abigail leads the way to the cafe with Lee helping Henderson carry Jack. Abigail put the blanket down on the couch and Henderson laid Jack on it. He then turned to Lee and Abigail.

"Go back to the jail." Abigail said. "I am sure that there is plenty of paperwork and other things to do, I have Jack."

Henderson looked at her and then to Lee. He saw Lee nod, so he left. Lee turned to get some water and a towel for Abigail. They needed to see if Jack was still bleeding. Abigail got Jack out of his coat and started washing his face and hands. Lee left to make sure Elizabeth knew where Jack was. Lee found Elizabeth just as she was coming into town. He grabbed her and dismissed the other man.

"Elizabeth." Lee said. "Jack is at the cafe and Abigail is trying to help him. We don't know where or how bad he was hurt. I will let you go in there, only if you promise to listen to Abigail and help her."

"I will, I promise." Elizabeth cried. "I just need to see Jack."

"Okay." Lee said. "Take a couple deep breaths and calm yourself first. You are no good to Jack or Abigail if you can't slow down and listen."

Elizabeth took a couple deep breaths and then Lee led her into the cafe. Elizabeth went right to Jack's side.

"What is wrong?" Elizabeth asked.

"I don't know." Abigail said. "I have cleaned all the visible blood and I can't find where it is coming from. Lee, come here and help us sit him up. I want to get this shirt off and see if I am missing something."

Lee came over and helped lift Jack's shirt. Abigail checked his back, sides and chest, but couldn't find anything.

"We have to keep looking." Abigail said.

Abigail started to check his legs and found more blood. She had Elizabeth undo his pants and that was when they found that Jack had been shot in the thigh.

"Lee." Abigail said. "Please go upstairs and get a blanket and a couple of sheets. They will be in the closet at the top of the stairs."

Lee hurried up the stairs and got what Abigail needed. He came back down and set the stuff next to Abigail. She and Elizabeth had managed to get Jack's uniform pants off. Abigail opened his long johns to expose the wound. Abigail was able to see that it was just on the outside of his leg, but that it had bled. Lee excused himself and promised to be back later. Abigail helped Elizabeth clean the wound, stitched and wrapped it. After Lee left and went to check on Bill and Frank. He then let the Mounties know that Jack had been hit. Lee walked out of the jail and looked around. He felt so helpless. He decided that he had to do something.