Chapter 58 – Waiting for News

When Wynn got to the cafe, he was glad to see Jack was still downstairs. He wanted to see how he was doing. He took it as a good sign that Jack had come downstairs, but the closer that he got, the more that he realized that Jack was struggling to stay awake and his breathing was off. Wynn could also see where Jack had been cut by the branches. They had started to heal, but there were still faint marks on his face. He also had a small bandage above one of his eyes. Wynn wondered what other injuries that Jack had. He made a note to talk to him or Abigail about the full extent of injuries.

"Hey." Wynn said. "Let's get you back upstairs. You are supposed to be resting."

Jack was too tired to argue. He allowed Wynn to help him back upstairs and into bed. More than once, Wynn saw Jack wince in pain as they were moving. Wynn knew Jack to be strong so to show that he was actually in pain, it must be bad.

"We will talk later." Wynn said. "Is there anything that you need?"

"Thank you … for … taking … care of … everything." Jack said weakly. "I am … okay. I am … going to … sleep, Elizabeth … will be … back soon."

"Slow down." Wynn said. "Take a deep breath."

Jack tried, but started coughing. Wynn was at his side and helped him sit up. Once the coughing spell passed, he gave Jack some water.

"Rest." Wynn said. "No more talking."

Jack nodded. Wynn helped Jack get comfortable, then made sure he was covered with a quilt, and had a glass of water within reach before heading downstairs. He found Abigail and Elizabeth in the dining room. They looked like they were talking, so he just went to make him some coffee. He wondered what needed to be done to help. While Wynn was thinking about things, he remembered the satchel that he had received and sent back to the jail with Bill. Wynn decided to head to the jail to get the satchel and see what was sent. When Wynn got to the jail, he found Dee.

"Hey there was a satchel that came earlier." Wynn said. "I think that Bill put it in the safe."

Dee got up and opened the safe and found what his father wanted. He got it out and closed the safe. Wynn opened the satchel and found that it was information that Jack had requested a few weeks prior from headquarters. Jack had wanted some background information on the railroad company and also on a few of the men that he was having trouble with from the mill. There wasn't much there for Wynn, so he put it all back in and would let Jack know that the information had arrived. He stood and handed it back to Dee.

"That can go back in the safe." Wynn said. "It is information that Jack requested from headquarters a few weeks back. You can let him know that it came, I am not sure what he was looking for."

He stood and placed the satchel back in the safe. Dee wanted to talk to his dad, but he wasn't sure of his mood. Dee knew that he needed to tread lightly.

"Hey Dad." Dee said. "I have some information you might need."

"I am not mad." Wynn said. "Well not at you, what did you learn?"

"The Rock Creek Mine and the Silverton Mine." Dee said. "They are owned by FootHills Mining Company out of Calgary. I also learned that FootHills are in talks with Rocky Mountain Mining Company out of Boulder, Colorado, United States or at least it looks that way."

"Did you get a hold of a rep from FootHills?" Wynn asked.

"Yes." Dee said. "He will be here tomorrow, and he will be bringing the information that I requested about ownership and safety records. He was already heading to Buxton and on toward Rock Creek, so he will stop here."

"Good." Wynn said. "Did you learn any more about housing?"

"There are three cabins near town on the south road that can be fixed up." Dee said. "Also, there are three, maybe four apartments that could be fixed up. All of the cabins are two bedrooms. The apartments are also all two bedrooms. The most promising is that the railroad would be willing to put up half the money to build a few additional row houses if they have first opportunity to rent them to their workers."

"Not going to do us a lot of good." Wynn said.

"I did order five more large tents that should be here on the supply wagon later this week." Dee said. "I also put in a request for emergency funding for the town. I know that the city officials are supposed to do it, but I did it as a Mountie on behalf of the town. I figured that Abigail and the council have their hands full right now. I also wired Buxton and let them know that we are still holding off on regular stagecoaches for a few more days. They said they would only send one if ordered or requested to head this way. They also said they would send the mail by rider or on the supply wagon until Hope Valley had regular service again."

Wynn nodded at the information and then thought for a moment.

"What do you know about FootHills?" Wynn asked. "Safety? Problems?"

"From what I could find." Dee said. "Sounds like they have a good safety record. According to Ned, they knew that the road could wash out and ordered plenty of supplies if something would happen to the road, most of those supplies were brought back down with the miners and put to use for the people rescued. So it looks like they care for their employees. They are a small company and have been looking for more investors/capital. I think that is why they are talking to the company out of the States."

"Good to know." Wynn said. "Anything else?"

"Before you ask." Dee said. "I already sent word to look into Rocky Mountain Mining Company, but haven't heard back yet. I think that we need to talk to FootHills and see what their plan is, then talk to the people and let them know what their options are."

"I agree." Wynn said. "I think that the railroad will be hiring soon, but I don't know about the mine. I think that it would have been good for the town, but I am going to trust Abigail that she had a good reason to turn the offer down. I wouldn't want Sophie or Elizabeth working with that man. I think that you need to wire the Rocky Mountain office and let them know what happened. I am not happy with the way that Mr Mullins has behaved. I think that the company would like to know. Also please wire headquarters and have them get me everything on that company and Mr Mullins. Something doesn't feel right about that man and I want to know what it is. I know that Abigail had to have a good reason for refusing to reopen the mine and I think it has more to do with the company than what happened here.

Also, I requested information on Gowen and his holdings. I am hoping that will be coming soon. Something doesn't add up. I was going to talk to you, but there has been so much going on. Apparently, Gowen owned the land that the Silverton settlement was on, but it didn't show up in the list of property that we had before his arrest. If you know anything or a way to get other information, I would gladly take the help. This town has been through enough and I don't like the idea that Gowen is still causing problems. Also go through that information that came for Jack. Maybe there is something in there that will jump out to you. I glanced through it and didn't see anything. Also I am glad that you stayed here in town to help me and didn't go to Rock Creek. I know that you wanted to, but right now, you are more valuable to me here. Besides, I don't want to risk you getting hurt again. Your mother would not be happy if you were injured again, especially on my watch."

"I will. I am going to check in with Jack before the service." Dee said. "See you there? Thank you, but at some point you are going to have to let me be a Mountie again. As much as I wanted to go to Rock Creek and help, I knew that my place was here and helping you."

"Yeah, I will be there." Wynn said. "I helped Jack upstairs. He was exhausted and was almost asleep before I even left the room. He could barely talk, he was so exhausted. I made sure that he was in bed and told him no more talking tonight. I think he pushed too hard and realized it was a bad idea. We will talk about that other stuff later."

"Maybe I will just leave him alone." Dee said. "Dad, can I ask you why you recalled Jacobs? I think that I know what you are doing, but I would like a little direction so I know what to anticipate from headquarters."

"It is okay." Wynn said. "I think that Rushman needs to be taught a lesson in humility. He has been spoiled and spent most of his time in a cushy job while being promoted. I think that because he was a captain was the only reason that he was assigned to Benson Hills. I am not sure that he will still be a captain, but time will tell. I have McGinty keeping an eye on him and reporting back. I have allowed as much as I will allow, he steps out of line and I will be removing those captain's stripes and maybe more. I was thinking of sending Rushman to Fort St John, but I don't know if that is going to cause more problems in the long run or if it might straighten him out. It is pretty remote up there and people need to learn to rely on each other."

"I think that sending him to Fort St John is good." Dee said. "I have talked to Mounties that have been up there. Either you get with the program or the people can make things difficult for them. I think that it would be good for him to be up there, also I know that Anderson was thinking of putting at least one more full-time Mountie up there. They have been having trouble with a few whiskey runners. I think that Edmonton handles most of it, but Fort St John is growing and it wouldn't be a bad thing to have a second Mountie up there. I know that Jacobs was up there learning more about the whiskey runners for Anderson and it wasn't going to be a permanent thing. It was only supposed to be for a short time and then I wasn't sure what Anderson was going to do. I also know that Anderson was moving a few Mounties from Hamilton and Cape Fullerton around, but I don't remember the details. I was thinking that would be after the current class graduates and he can put a few new Mounties in a bigger place to get some experience. I am sure that you know all that."

"Yes and no." Wynn said. "I usually leave personnel changes to Anderson and Collins as they want. Unless I want a specific Mountie in a specific area, I just sign off on what they send me. I knew that Anderson was looking into the whiskey runners up there. I wonder how bad things are and if they are going to get worse before they get better. I know that much of the Northern Territories are poorly patrolled and under staffed. I think that many of the native people up there are also leery of the law enforcement. Don't get me wrong, if something happens, they want us there, but I wonder how much they actually want us there full-time."

"No." Dee said. "I hear you. I think that there is a fine balance, but it is hard to get people to go up there. Many have no idea how rough the conditions will be and when they get there it is much more remote than they thought. It can be hard, you might be the only white man up there at some points. I think that the Mounties and government need to do a better job up there over all, because if we don't get control, then it will get worse and I think that it will be more than the occasional whiskey runner that we hear about. I think that you and the superintendents are just going to have to bite the bullet and send men up there."

"Changing topics." Wynn said. "Did you talk to Lee about the additional platforms for the tents?"

"No, I was going to do that this afternoon." Dee said.

"I think that his second in command, Hickum, is around supervising." Wynn said. "Why don't you go and talk to him and at least get the lumber ordered. I don't know what we are going to do with the tents, but the lumber will not be wasted, either way."

"Good plan." Dee said, getting up.

"I am heading to the cafe to check on Abigail." Wynn said. "Let me know if there is anything that needs my attention."

"Not a problem." Dee said. "I am going to talk to Hickum and then I think I am going to come over and grab a bite to eat."

"See you soon." Wynn said.

Wynn and Dee both straightened the office and headed out. Dee was going to talk to Hickum and Wynn was headed to the cafe. Wynn saw Mr Mullins on the saloon porch, but didn't say anything to him. Faith caught up to Wynn in the street and asked if he had a moment to talk. He indicated that he was heading to the cafe and she was free to join him. They walked to the cafe in silence. Both were in thought. Faith was worried about moving a few of the injured into tents, she didn't want to upset Wynn, but she also had to protect her patients. Wynn was thinking about all that had happened and what was still ahead of them. They entered the cafe and found a table before talking.

"So what is on your mind?" Wynn asked.

"I am concerned about moving a few of the patients." Faith said.

"Here is some coffee." Abigail said walking up. "Want some food?"

"Please." Wynn said. "Whatever you have ready. Faith?"

"Coffee is fine for now." Faith said.

"So what is your concern?" Wynn asked Faith as Abigail headed back to the kitchen.

Faith waited a moment before speaking. Wynn was patient and knew that she was thinking and wasn't going to push her to speak before she was ready.

"I don't know if a tent is the best thing for a couple of the men." Faith said. "I know that they were living in one at the mine, but I think that was part of the problem. I have three patients that were injured in the landslide that have a weakened body from exposure. Obviously not like Jack was, but long term exposure. I have seen it before in the winter time in poorer housing. I think that being in a drafty tent at this point might set them back."

"Okay." Wynn said. "I hear you. What would you say if I told you that we have been talking about putting a couple families into Gowen's old house, since the supplies have been moved to the old mining office?"

"I would feel better." Faith said. "Two of the men are single, but I know that the other one is married and has a child. I have been trying to keep couples/families together where I can."

Abigail brought Wynn a plate of food and headed back to the kitchen. She had overheard part of the conversation and was glad that Faith felt comfortable talking to Wynn and speaking up for her patients. She was also glad that Wynn was willing to listen and take what she was saying into account when planning.

"Let's see what happens with Rock Creek." Wynn said. "Then the plan is to work on getting all the injured and their families settled into either housing or tents. I will give those three priority for housing. Right now we are trying to gather more information about what is available and the best arrangements. We also are waiting on information about what the mine is going to do. Are any of the men going to be cleared to go back to work if the mine is going to open up soon?"

"I would feel comfortable releasing a number of them." Faith said. "As long as they know and understand that they might not be able to jump right back in at full force right away. Sometimes, I think these guys don't listen to me because I am a woman. Many of the men only had scraps and bruises. I think that there are only about seven in total that I would not feel comfortable releasing at this point. Give them some more time and I think that all the men will be able to return to work if that is what they want. The only one that I am really worried about returning to work is the man with a broken leg. It might be months and there might be a permanent injury."

"Well." Wynn said. "If they have a problem, point them in my direction. I will set them straight. I will let you know when I have a better plan moving forward. Keep up the good work and let me know if something changes."

"I will." Faith said. "Thank you."

Faith paused for a moment like there was something more that she wanted to say.

"Was there something else?" Wynn asked.

Faith nodded before speaking.

"I also was going to let you know that I know who you are." Faith said. "I used to live in Hamilton, but also Charlotte and Abigail talked to me. I know that you are related to Elizabeth. Like I told them, it doesn't matter to me."

"Wait." Wynn said. "You were in Hamilton when Jack and I were there to see his brother in January. I thought I recognized you, but I couldn't place it."

"Yes." Faith said. "That was my last week in Hamilton. I then moved to Union City to be with my fiance, but he turned out to be a bit of a jerk about me coming here to help. We broke up."

"Sorry." Wynn said.

"Thank you." Faith said. "But like Jack said, if he doesn't respect that I have a calling then he doesn't respect me as a person either."

"Couldn't agree more." Wynn said. "Let me know if you need anything else. I will let you know when we have a better idea about housing."

With that, Faith left Wynn to finish his meal. She wanted to head to her apartment and maybe catch a quick nap. She also had laundry to do, but figured that could wait a day. She felt that sleep was going to be more important at the moment since they may be getting more injured.