Chapter 56 – Arrival of Mr Mullins

After Wynn had left the cafe, he spent the rest of the morning gathering information. A number of wire messages had come that morning. He also was looking at the land maps that he had gotten from the Mountie office as well as Lee's office. He wanted a clear idea of who owned what land. He also knew that Bill would be able to help fill in some of the information that he needed. Wynn was also able to learn where the spur line to the saw mill was going and where Lee was suggesting the main line go through if it was approved. He had more questions than answers at the moment and that didn't sit well with him. He wanted to help the town move forward, but he also knew that it was their choice to do what they felt best. He knew that he could advise, but it would be the people of Hope Valley that had to make the choices.

Wynn had also dispatched the Mounties to dig the two graves that would be needed and also make sure that the bodies were transported out to the little cemetery. Wynn was still upset with Rushman and wanted to keep him away from the townspeople as much as possible. He still wanted to ship him somewhere else to teach him a lesson, but wondered if Rushman would just cause more trouble. He was going to give him a couple of days. Constable Jacobs was set to arrive sometime late Wednesday or early Thursday and that would help make things clearer. He was supposed to catch a train from Edmonton down and then ride the rest of the way. He changed the order slightly and had him checking in at Benson Hills, then continuing on to Hope Valley, taking the train as far as he could.

It was mid-morning when Dee and Bill joined Wynn. They talked about available housing and what each family would need if they chose to stay. Wynn was also able to fill in the map a little better after talking to Bill. Bill could tell that Wynn was planning, but he wasn't sharing much. Bill wondered if that was a Mountie trait, since it was so much like Jack and himself. He wanted to ask Wynn what he was thinking, but didn't want to push him. Bill figured that he would share when he was ready. Bill was also thinking about what else the town could do. There were a limited number of jobs at the moment, but also knew that the railroad would be hiring within a few weeks. Bill also knew that Lee was talking about expanding the sawmill. He was already in need of making it bigger and it wasn't even a year old.

At one point around lunch, Bill had gone to the jail to get some paperwork and as he was returning to Abigail's office, he was surprised to see a stagecoach pulling into town. He changed course and headed to meet the stagecoach. As far as Bill knew the stagecoach wasn't running a regular route to Hope Valley at the moment since many of the roads were wet and at least one bridge had been washed out forcing others to go around. When the driver pulled up to the platform, he jumped down when he saw Bill, knowing he was the sheriff in town, as well as a former Mountie. He handed Bill a satchel with the Mountie seal on it. The driver also helped a gentleman out of the stagecoach and got his bag down. Bill approached the gentleman. Bill watched the driver take the mailbag and head toward the mercantile.

"Welcome to Hope Valley." Bill said. "Can I help you?"

"I am looking for Mayor Gowen." The man said gruffly.

Bill was instantly on alert, he didn't know why this man would be looking for Gowen. He wanted help, but he also didn't want to leave the man there by himself. Bill got lucky and Abigail heard the stage and came out to see what was happening. Bill and Abigail exchanged looks before Bill spoke to the gentleman again. Bill didn't want Abigail to say that she was the mayor, because they didn't know what the man wanted. He also didn't want a confrontation in the middle of town. He didn't have his badge or gun on him. There were a number of people around town and Bill wasn't sure what was going to happen. He hoped that they wouldn't get a crowd of people to check out the newcomer.

"I am sorry, I didn't catch your name." Bill said. "Gowen is not here, maybe there is something that I can help you with?"

"Why the hell isn't the mayor here?" The man huffed. "We have had this meeting on the books for over six months! I have traveled a very long way."

"Sir." Abigail said. "You have been told that Henry Gowen is not here, now if you tell us your name, maybe we can help you with something."

"Who the hell do you think you are?" The man said. "I wasn't speaking to you."

"Sir." Bill said. "Please lower your voice and don't talk to people here like that."

By this point, Dee and Wynn had heard the raised voices along with many other townspeople. Wynn stepped out of Abigail's office and saw the stagecoach and that was where people were looking. Wynn buttoned his red serge and headed to the platform across the street. Dee encouraged the gathered crowd to disperse and then headed after his father, buttoning his own serge. When Wynn reached the platform, he looked between Bill, Abigail and the man. Bill handed Wynn the satchel from the stagecoach driver. He gave Wynn a confused look and shrugged his shoulders. Wynn understood enough from Bill that he knew that he needed to step in. As the people started to leave, the driver came back. He looked at Wynn, shook his head before jumping up to his seat and leaving. Both Dee and Wynn caught the look the driver gave them.

"Hello, I am Wynn Delaney Sr, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police." He said. "Is there something that I can help you with?"

"Finally a man in charge." The man said. "I have a meeting with Mayor Gowen and this person (waving his fingers at Bill) here said that the mayor wasn't here."

Wynn saw Bill react and before Bill could say anything, he touched his arm to indicate to him not to do what he was thinking. Wynn looked at Abigail and caught her slightly shaking her head. Wynn wanted to diffuse the situation, but he also wasn't sure what the man was up to or what he was looking for. He wasn't sure how this man was going to react to hearing Gowen was dead or the fact that Abigail was the mayor.

"The Constable here will show you to the office and I will be right behind you." Wynn said. "Then we will figure things out."

"Hey sweetheart." The man said, turning to Abigail. "How about you rustle up some food and find me a good bourbon."

Dee was the first to see the look on Abigail's face.

"Sorry sir." Dee said. "There is currently a dry order in effect."

"Well." He said. "Maybe for these backwater people, but not me right. Do you know who I am?"

"Sir." Wynn said. "There was a disaster in this area less than a week ago, the dry order stands and if you have a problem with that, you can leave."

"Fine." He huffed. "Bring me some coffee, sweetcheeks."

The man reached around and swatted Abigail on the butt, smiling. Wynn looked at Abigail and implored her to not react. She just turned back toward the cafe without a word. Dee led the man toward the mayor's office. Bill and Wynn just looked at each other. As soon as Dee and the man had left the platform, Wynn handed the satchel back to Bill and whispered to him.

"Put this in the safe at the jail." Wynn said. "Grab McGinty and get back here, fast."

Bill nodded and then left. Wynn turned to the cafe, but chose to let Abigail calm down. He had seen the anger in her eyes. If she was anything like his wife, she needed a moment to clear her head and calm down. If she wasn't over at the office shortly, he would send Dee for her. He then took a deep breath and headed to the mayor's office. Wynn entered the office and motioned for Dee to stay. Dee immediately sat down at the table where they had been working

"Now sir." Wynn said. "What is your name and how can I help you?"

"You can get me Mayor Gowen." The man huffed. "I have a meeting with him. It has been on the books for months and I have traveled a long way."

"Yes, you have established that." Wynn said. "Now, Gowen is not here. Who are you and what business do you have?"

Getting frustrated, the man realized that he wasn't going to get anywhere until he talked to this Mountie. He was afraid that Gowen was going to be mad at him. Gowen had told him not to talk to the Mounties anymore than needed. The man let out a sigh, set down his briefcase and suitcase.

"Fine." He said. "My name is Christopher Mullins and I am here on behalf of the Rocky Mountain Mining Company. That is all I am at liberty to say. Now can I speak with Mayor Gowen?"

"I told you Gowen is not here." Wynn said.

"Why is he gone?" Mr Mullins huffed. "I have been corresponding with him. Is his secretary, Miss Stanton here? Maybe she knows where he is and when he will be back."

Abigail entered the office just as she heard the man refer to her as the mayor's secretary. She set the tray of coffee and sandwiches down on the table. She then went to stand next to Wynn and Dee. Abigail was followed by Bill and McGinty.

"You must be mistaken." Wynn said. "Sheriff Avery, have you heard of Christopher Mullins or a Rocky Mountain Mining Company."

Mr Mullins turned to see who Wynn was talking to and saw the man that he saw when he first got off the stagecoach and another constable. Only this time the man was wearing a badge and a gun belt with two guns.

"That is that big mining company out of the States." McGinty said. "I heard that they were looking to buy up a number of Canadian mines."

It was at that moment that it dawned on Abigail who it was that was standing there. Bill and Dee both saw the recognition cross Abigail's face. Bill decided to try one more stall with the man to get more information.

"Abigail." Bill said. "Do you know anything about this?"

"Mr Mullins, is it?" Abigail said. "I thought it was clear that Hope Valley was not interested in reopening the mine. I thought that the last message made that very clear."

"Well." Mr Mullins said. "I thought that I could come out here and talk to Old Henry in person and get him to change his mind. When I told him that I was going to be in this area in April he scheduled a meeting to talk about things. He has a long history with mining and I thought he would jump at the chance to get back into things after he got railroaded by a bunch of whiny women."

Bill, Dee, McGinty and Wynn all saw Abigail visibly react. None of them were sure what she was going to do, but all were ready to act if things took a bad turn.

"Sweetheart." Mr Mullins said. "Why don't you run back to the kitchen and let us men talk. I will just head over to Gowen's house and wait for him. He told me that I was welcome to stay at his house anytime."

"I can't do that." Abigail said. "I don't know who you are and you have been told that Gowen is not here. I can't allow you to stay in his house."

"Well." Mr Mullins said. "It is none of your business. I have a few days. I will just wait for Henry to get back. He should be here soon. He knew about this meeting. So just point me to his house and somewhere that I can get a good drink."

"Now you see here." Abigail said, squaring her shoulders. "You have been informed that there is a dry order in effect in this town by order of the mayor. Again, you will not be allowed into Gowen's house since he is not here. You push the issue and I am sure that Sheriff Avery would be willing to accommodate you at the jail."

"Well Henry wouldn't mind if I was allowed to drink." Mr Mullins said. "Like I said Henry and I got way back. I am sure that he would waive the order for me."

Wynn could see that Abigail was seething and he didn't want her to explode.

"Abigail." Wynn said, stepping forward. "I will handle this."

"You heard the man, Abby." Mr Mullins said. "Run back to the kitchen and let us men talk."

Bill and McGinty stepped closer as well, Bill saw the anger in Abigail's eyes and she clench her fists. Bill wasn't sure that she would hit this Mullins guy, but he wasn't taking any chances. McGinty also wasn't sure that she would hit him, but wanted to be able to step in if she raised her fist. He knew that he was stronger than Mrs Stanton and could easily physically remove her if needed.

"My name is Abigail Stanton and I want you out of my office right now." Abigail said firmly.

Mr Mullins laughed.

"Sweetheart." Mr Mullins said. "This is the mayor's office. Just because you work here as a secretary doesn't make it your office. Now when will Henry be back."

Just then Ned walked in, looked around, and handed a message to each Wynn and Abigail.

"Sorry." Ned said. "I wouldn't interrupt, but it was marked urgent. I also sent Cody to get the other Mounties and Lee. He was the first of the boys that I had seen."

"Thank you, Ned." Wynn said. "Tell them to meet at Lee's office. We will be there in a moment."

"Yes, Sir." Ned said.

Ned turned and left. Wynn and Abigail each looked at the message they had been handed. They looked at each other and then around the room. Bill could see it on Abigail's face that it wasn't good. Likewise, Dee could read his father's face. They all wondered what had happened. It didn't matter, Dee and Joe knew that they would do what had to be done. Dee was momentarily worried about Jack. Without hesitation, Abigail jumped into gear. She snapped her fingers then clapped her hands to get everyone's attention.

"Joe." Abigail said. "Go to the livery and get the wagons ready, I want at least three. Also get all available horses, minus Thornton's two. Also leave Delaney's two. Then find Faith and get medical supplies ready. Tell Lee that we need to activate phase two and need every available man that he can spare. Bill let Pastor Frank know and also tell him to go ahead with the service this evening and then he can ride out if he choses. Dee go get Charlotte and the older boys – I want Gabe, James R, James F and that new boy, …Wyatt. Go, all three of you, now."

Joe, Bill, and Dee all took off. Wynn and Abigail looked at each other and then back at Mr Mullins.

"Wynn." Abigail said. "Deal with this idiot. I don't have time. I need to get the citizens of Hope Valley going. Talk to you later."

With that, Abigail left the office and headed toward the row houses. Abigail needed to talk to the women and get things moving before she went back to town. She also knew that she needed to talk to Jack.