Chapter 77 – Questions Abound (short)
After Dee, McGinty and Jack left, Wynn turned to Andy.
"Thank you for your honesty." Wynn said. "But this is not over. I am not going to stop the sale of the mine, but there will be an audit and like I said I will be talking to authorities in the States. I would suggest that you look into things much closer and if you come across any other business dealing that Mr Mullins had a part of, I would highly suggest that you inform Mountie headquarters in Hamilton or Regina right away. You may also contact a regional office and they can send the information on. Just make sure that you are clear that you have talked to me, so it gets to me and I can make sure it gets to the right person. If I find that you are withholding anything, I will come after you. I have no time for people that think that they are above the law.
All that said, I do believe that you are being honest with us and have gotten caught up in the dealings of Mullins as much as the rest of us. I am not happy that you didn't go to the Mounties about Crownsnest before, but I will overlook that at this point. I understand that you are used to fixing things, but this is over your head. Like Dee said, criminal charges against Mullins will not be up to you or your Uncle even as potential victims of his actions. Mullins made the choice to get involved with Gowen who had a long history with the Mounties. You were right to not get involved with him as it would have been much worse for you then it is right now."
"I understand." Andy said. "I promise that anything I learn about Chris and his dealings I will turn over to the Mounties. I will also let Uncle know to turn over anything that he finds to the proper authorities in the States. For now, can I head back to my room?"
"Yes." Wynn said. "If you want to talk to Mr Mullins, I would suggest that you do it now before the other Mounties arrive, because once that happens, I can't allow it anymore. Also be careful what you tell him since we don't know how deeply involved he is in certain things."
"I just need to get some information about Crownsnest." Andy said. "I won't say anything else. If he asked when he is getting out, I will tell him when he has learned his lesson."
Wynn made a slight nod to Bill.
"Good enough." Wynn said. "I will talk to you tomorrow."
"Thank you." Andy said. "Have a good night everyone."
Andy left the mayor's office and headed over to the jail to talk to Chris. He wasn't happy with him, but he needed to control his temper for a moment.
"I will head over there." Bill said. "Just in case."
"Good idea." Wynn said.
With that, Bill also left, leaving Wynn and Abigail in the office. It was only a moment and Dee was back there to see if there was anything else.
"I am sorry Abigail." Wynn said. "I know that this is not what you wanted to hear."
"It is okay." Abigail said. "I knew that Henry was dirty, but I thought that we were past the worst of things. I was going to try and contact you about Wilder, but things have been crazy. Hopefully there won't be anything else. I know almost all the other names listed in the ledger, with the exception of two. I have also personally talked to the vendors and others. All contracts are in the process of being re-negotiated because of Gowen. I just didn't expect that he would actually steal town money. My concern is now going to be Mr Jenkins. If he was a part of it, what will happen to the bank? When nothing really came of the audit in January, I thought we were in the clear. It was only as I was looking more into the books that I realized about Wilder. I am also worried about what people are going to say. There have already been questions if I can do this job. I have been trying, but I don't have the advantage of having someone to help me learn the job.
Florence wasn't happy at the council meeting and I have a feeling that she is not going to let things be and is going to stir up trouble. She wanted to know where the money for Faith was coming from. Jack explained that it was from a charity and that he had contacted headquarters about it when he was developing the disaster plan. She wasn't happy with the explanation, but didn't press it at the meeting. She and another widow, Christine Fremont, both voted against the reopening of the mine. They didn't explain why, but I have a feeling that they are going to try and turn people against Andy.
Florence and I have had issues going back years. I don't know what I ever did to her, but she has never liked me. I know that she wasn't happy when Noah was named superintendent of the mine. I think that she felt that her late husband, Paul, should have had the job. The thing was that Noah had more experience and a better rapport with the men. Because Noah was named superintendent, by default I was the leader of the wives club. Then after the disaster, I was pushed to the front of the widows group. You must know that I have always tried to have what is best for everyone in mind."
"I know you have always wanted what was best for everyone." Wynn said. "Dee and I will be around for a while yet. We will deal with Florence if it comes to it. I am used to dealing with nosy busy-bodies. Don't let her bother you, she is probably just jealous that you have what you do. Focus your energy where it is needed. I am sorry that people are questioning your leadership. I will do what I can to support you, all you have to do is ask."
"Thank you." Abigail said. "I know that part of what she was looking for was a piece of gossip. She hasn't liked Elizabeth from the day she arrived. Florence was the one that spread that she was nothing but a 'princess' who had no business being out here. Every time that Elizabeth has had an issue, Florence is somewhere in there causing trouble."
"Don't worry about Beth." Wynn said. "She can handle herself. She will have no problem putting Florence in her place if needed be. IF not, I am sure Charlotte will."
Abigail nodded.
"Did you find the names?" Dee asked. "We will help you any way that we can. Dad and I can also talk to the people, let them know that you have done nothing wrong and only as more information was found were connections made."
"Yes." Abigail said. "Here AJ Foster and Ted Logan. Thank you for that, but I don't know how much of a difference that would make."
Dee started flipping through some paperwork that he pulled from his messenger bag. He thought he knew one of the names that Abigail had told him, but he didn't want to make a mistake and was taking his time to refer to his notes.
"Abigail." Wynn said. "Take a deep breath. We will help you through this. I know that some people may not be happy, but there is nothing that you could have done to change it. We all know that Gowen was dirty, we just didn't realize how much damage he had done. Again, I promise to be here to help you weather the storm. I know that Jack and Bill will stand with you as well. Deep breath, one step at a time. That is all any of us can do. I know that it feels overwhelming, but if we break it down into manageable steps it will be easier. We have already started that by figuring out what some of the next things that we need to do.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We know about Wilder, but you don't have concerns about anything else in the ledger. That is a good thing. The biggest thing right now is figuring out how far back payments to Wilder go back and continue to look for anything else that is concerning. I have a good feeling that everything is going to work out. Before you protest about me and Dee being here, I will argue that there is nowhere else that we would want to be. I am working and if there is a problem headquarters knows that I am here. Just because I am working without some of the things I want, doesn't mean that I am in any hurry to leave."
"Thank you." Abigail said. "I feel a little better. I am still worried about you being gone so long. I am sure that your Elizabeth misses you."
Wynn just nodded. He knew that there was no point in arguing. He also knew that if push came to shove, Elizabeth would come out here with the excuse that she wanted to see Jack and Beth.
"Dad." Dee said. "We have a problem."
"Now what?" Wynn sighed. "They are government sanctioned auditors."
"AJ Foster." Dee said. "There is an active arrest warrant out for her as part of the task force. We found that she was one of the accountants that was working with Pacific Northwest. She was good at covering her tracks, it took us a while to piece together her part. I didn't realize that she was also a part of the pool of auditors that the provincial government used. Part of the problem was when she was working with Pacific Northwest, she used her given name and her initials when she was working with the government. Also she was working with Pacific in British Columbia and the provincial government here in Albert. I think that is why things didn't click right away. It appeared to be two people with similar names.
Not to blow my own horn, but I was the one that made the connection when I saw the two ledgers next to each other. I thought that the signatures looked similar and so I started looking into both. It was only as I looked deeper that I realized that it was one person. I immediately wired Vancouver and had them seek an arrest warrant."
"So there is a warrant." Wynn said. "Why wasn't she arrested?"
"By the time that they went to get her, she was gone." Dee said. "Vancouver was able to get the warrant, but when they went to her last known address, she was gone. They have been looking for her for three weeks. Several Mounties in Vancouver as well as across the country are working to talk to contacts and anyone that might know anything about Ms Foster. Wanted posters went out across the country last week. I am surprised that there isn't one in the office here."
"Now what?" Abigail asked.
"Well." Wynn said. "I am sure that they will want to look at the bank's books as well, but the town accounts could only be authorized by the mayor, so it will depend on what Jenkins knew and when. I will do what I can to help the bank, but he may have to step down and/or allow someone else to be in control for a time. It will depend on what the audit shows. I am sure that Elizabeth will do what she can to help out as well. Her aunt and uncle have been more than generous, I am sure if the need came, she would ask them to help or find someone that could. Let's not worry about that at the moment. We will have to wait and see what the audit shows. I hate to put the town through this again, but given this I don't have a choice."
"How long do you think that it will take?" Abigail asked.
"I will get things going tomorrow." Wynn said. "But I don't think that they will be here sooner than a week. For now, continue as usual. You will have to let the council know that there was an audit, but until then, I think that the fewer people that know anything the better. I know that people have a concern about things being done behind closed doors, but this is different. I will address the town, but I need to take care of some things first. What did you tell Jack – let's not borrow trouble."
"Thank you Wynn." Abigail said. "I don't know what I am going to do. Becky is coming home, there are going to be new people and businesses in Hope Valley and I still have the cafe to run. There is so much going on with town business right now, I don't know how I am going to run the cafe. I know that we are going to be busy once the temp workers come in if they are going to be staying in a tent city."
"You will do what you have always done." Wynn said. "You will have faith. Don't forget that you have a partner in Bill, he may have to step things up. I will see that he helps more, especially with a couple extra Mounties in town for the foreseeable future. He wanted to be part of the cafe, he can pull his weight as well. Also, if you need an investor to hire a person, you know that I am here for you, even if it is just short term to get some capital."
"I can't ask that of you." Abigail said.
"You didn't ask." Wynn said. "I offered. I am not worried about you paying me back. You will do what you have to. You were there for Elizabeth when she needed someone, so if anything my wife and I owe you for all you have done for her and Jack. If I have to, I will order Bill to help more and I am not above just giving you cash to get things done. I am worried about you, but also know that there are people that are more than willing to help. You just have to learn to ask."
"As long as Dad doesn't need me." Dee said. "I would be more than willing to help as well. I may not be that great of a cook, but I can wash dishes and do laundry. I am also pretty good at chopping wood. I know that is usually Jack's job, but until his ribs heal, I can do it. Hell, you can ask any of the Mounties to chop wood for you. We are all pretty good at it."
"He is right, you know." Wynn said. "You do so much for everyone else, let people help you where we can and you focus on the things that only you can do."
Abigail shook her head at Wynn and Dee. Dee smiled because he knew that his father wasn't kidding about the cash or ordering Bill around.
"Let me look at the books." Abigail said. "Maybe we can work out a deal before you leave."
"Alright." Wynn said. "Just let me know what you need. Now, I am going to stay here and work on things until the two from Buxton get here. That should be soon. If you have things to do, I will leave you alone. I just have all my paperwork here."
"No." Abigail said. "You stay here and work. I want to go tuck Cody in and then I think I will try to get some things ready for tomorrow. Since I need to address the town. There was something that I wanted to talk to you about, but it can wait. I am tired and want to see Cody. Besides, I need to think about things for a bit."
"Sounds good." Wynn said. "See you tomorrow and try not to worry. There are people here that will help you. You are not alone. From everything I have seen about Hope Valley, they will pull together to help each other. You have done a lot for this town, so I am sure that people will be willing to help you. I will be ready to talk whenever you are ready. Just let me know."
"Thank you Wynn." Abigail said. "I don't know what we would do without you and Dee here right now."
After Abigail left, Wynn and Dee both went back to their paperwork. There were things that Dee wanted to talk to his father about, but he knew that they could wait. He knew that his dad had calmed down, but was still upset that Gowen was still causing trouble for this town.
