Chapter 80 – More Mullins Drama
When Wynn was finished writing out a second copy of the charges, he walked over to the jail. He walked in and sat the papers down at the desk. He made sure that his serge was buttoned and then he walked over to Mullins. As soon as Mullins saw him, he stood up.
"Let me out of here right now!" Mullins demanded.
"You aren't going anywhere, yet." Wynn said. "I have some questions for you."
"Go to hell." Mullins sneered.
"Okay, fine then." Wynn said. "Christopher Mullins by order of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police you are under arrest for embezzlement and fraud, assault on a public official and causing a public disturbance. Anything that you say can and may be used in evidence against you. You will be taken to stand formal charges and held until trial."
"You can't do that." Mullins hissed. "I am a citizen of the United States."
"I have notified the proper authorities in the States." Wynn said. "And yes, I have the authority to arrest you and make you stand for charges here. Do you have anything to say before you are taken by the transport team?"
"You will not get away with this?" Mullins huffed. "I am a wealthy man and work for an even wealthier man."
Wynn didn't say anything back to Mullins. Wynn had heard the door, but he thought it was Bill or one of the other Mounties so he continued to stare at Mullins while he paced in the cell, muttering about how they wouldn't get away with treating him like that.
"No you don't." Andy said. "As of this morning, you are fired. I have wired Uncle and he knows. Sorry, I was looking for you Sir."
Wynn turned at the sound of Andy's voice.
"No problem." Wynn said. "What did you need?"
"I think that you need to see this." Andy said, stepping forward and handing Wynn something.
Mullins couldn't see exactly what Andy had, but he thought he recognized the portfolio that they were looking at.
"Hey that is mine." Mullins bellowed. "I didn't give you permission to go through my stuff."
Wynn walked over to the desk and took the portfolio from Andy. About that time Bill walked in from the back room.
"Did you need something?" Bill asked.
"I have this Bill." Wynn said. "But I think you need to stay here."
"What do you need?" Bill asked.
"Andy, where did you find this?" Wynn asked.
"I was going through Chris' things to see if there was anything else." Andy said. "I also wasn't sure what he would be allowed to take with him. There were some personal items in his suitcase. I thought he might be allowed to take them. Anyway, there was a hidden compartment in his suitcase and when it slipped off the bed, it popped open. I found this inside."
"When?" Bill asked.
"Just a few minutes ago." Andy said. "I saw that you hadn't sent him yet, so I came right over. I told you that I didn't approve of what he was doing and I would help in any way that I could. Here is the rest of his stuff including the seven hundred dollars cash that he had on him. I didn't find anything else and you have his briefcase. If there is anything else, please let me know. I told you I would help and I mean it."
"You are a coward, Andy." Mullins yelled. "All I have ever done is help you make more money and this is how you repay me. You better watch your back, I will get you one day."
Before anyone could respond, there was a sharp whistle from the doorway. Everyone turned to see McGinty standing there.
"I thought I asked you to ride a full round." Bill said. "What are you doing back here?"
"Sorry." McGinty said. "I started out on the south road and came back into town because I think there is something that you need to see. I heard hollering and didn't know what was going on, so I pulled Thornton's trick out of my pocket to get everyone's attention."
"What is going on?" Wynn asked.
"I think that you need to come outside and see, Sir." McGinty said. "Sorry about the whistle."
"Secure this in the safe." Wynn said, handing the portfolio to Bill.
"Okay." Bill said.
"McGinty." Wynn said. "It is fine. I didn't want to listen to him anymore anyway. Now what is going on?"
McGinty stepped aside and allowed Wynn and Andy to step outside. About that time, they saw Lee step out on his porch as well. They heard the sound of horses and wagons, but couldn't see anything. After a moment, a large group of men with wagons came into view from the south road.
About this time, a number of townspeople had also gathered outside to see what was going on. As the group came into town, they could see that there were at least seven wagons loaded with supplies and what looked to be thirty or more men. They were carrying rucksacks with bedrolls.
Abigail had come out of the mayor's office and was looking toward the group coming into town. She looked down at Wynn and wondered what was going on. Dee came out of the cafe and headed to his dad after seeing the group. Abigail joined him as he passed her.
"Do you know what is going on?" Abigail asked as she approached the group in front of the jail.
"No." Wynn said. "Dee, do you know anything about this?"
"No, Sir." Dee said.
About that time, Lee and Hickum had jogged over to join Wynn and his group. A few moments later what appeared to be the leader of the group coming into town motioned for men to stop. He then made his way over to the group standing in front of the jail.
"Sir." The man said. "Are you Deputy Commissioner Delaney?"
"Yes." Wynn said. "Who are you and what can I do to help you?"
"My name is Kenneth Johnson and this is for you."
Kenneth handed Wynn an envelope.
"Hello." Abigail said. "I am Mayor Abigail Stanton. Welcome to Hope Valley. Is there something that we can do for you?"
"Thank you." Kenneth said. "But I am looking for D.C. Delaney and then I need to talk to Leeland Coulter."
"I am Lee Coulter." Lee said. "What can I do to help you? I haven't hired any men yet."
"Lee." Wynn said. "I think that you need to see this."
Lee took the papers from Wynn and quickly scanned over the information on the top page. Then he looked up at Wynn and back to the man who called himself Kenneth.
"Is this for real, Mr Johnson?" Lee asked.
"Very much so." Kenneth said. "Tell us what needs to be done. There will be a few more wagons coming in later, they were waiting for the train to unload this morning in Union City. They should be underway soon, if they aren't already."
"What is going on?" Abigail asked.
"Ma'am." Kenneth said. "If I may, we have been sent here to help. We have brought lumber, supplies, provisions and were told we would be sleeping outside or in tents that were being sent. We were told that there were landslides and flooding in the area and you needed help in this town. I am just doing what I am told. What needs to be done?"
"Lee." Wynn said. "Please get these men organized. I want everyone's name and then get them settled in the field over by the schoolhouse for now. Also see what they have brought."
"Here is the list of men and supplies." Kenneth said. "I have carpenters, woodworkers and men who can swing an ax. No one in this group is afraid of hard work."
"Okay." Lee said. "Give me a moment. I didn't know that you were coming. How about you and your men, take and set up by the schoolhouse? I will come talk to you in a moment about what needs to be done. There is one tent that is not being used over there at the moment. But the other three have injured miners in them."
"Okay." Kenneth said. "Is there room for us to set up our tents?"
"Yes." Abigail said. "Just on the other side of the buildings here. Try to stay on the road side of the schoolhouse or behind it."
Kenneth turned, motioned to his men and they started toward the schoolhouse. Wynn turned to the group standing with him.
"Did any of you know anything about this?" Wynn said.
"After I got here and learned about Rock Creek." Andy said. "I wired a friend in Union City who I am a partner with in a hotel, but I didn't say anything other than due to slides at both mines, it would be longer than planned before returning to Union City."
"Would he have done this?" Wynn asked. "Because all this note says that the men have been sent here to help. Their wages are being paid for two weeks worth of work in Hope Valley. They have brought building supplies and provisions for themselves and the town. There are a total of forty-five coming."
"I don't think so." Andy said. "I could check if he knows anything."
"Excuse me." Dee said.
Without waiting for a reply, Dee jogged off toward the cafe. Wynn and Abigail just watched him for a moment. They looked at each other and knew exactly where he was headed. Wynn knew that the most likely possibility was from Elizabeth's uncle. At least Dee was going to deal with that while he dealt with other things.
"Sir?" McGinty said.
"Yes." Wynn said.
"Do you still want me to ride rounds or stay here?" McGinty asked.
"Please ride rounds." Wynn said. "Hopefully, by the time that you get back, we have some answers. There isn't much that you can do here. Riding rounds will help. I assume that Bill asked you to check certain things. Please make sure you do."
"Yes, Sir." McGinty said.
With a quick salute, McGinty was off to finish what he started that morning.
"Abigail." Wynn said. "Will you please give me a moment to deal with something and then I will come over to the office and we will figure this all out."
Abigail nodded.
"No problem." Abigail said. "I will be there. Mary Graves and Clara have the cafe until lunch. I think supply wagons were supposed to come into the mercantile today or tomorrow as well. I know that I have stuff on there for the cafe, but right now, I am not sure what is going on. I just don't know what we are going to do with forty-five extra men in town. We have enough to worry about."
"Abigail." Bill said. "We will deal, we always do. Besides, they are here to work. Also there are a number of miners leaving on Friday. Slow down, we will figure this all out. One thing at a time."
Abigail just looked at Bill. She knew that Frank and Wynn had told her the exact same thing.
"Lee." Wynn said. "Do you know what needs to be done?"
"I think so." Lee said.
"I have a list, Sir." Hickum said. "We were looking at the four apartments here in town, cabins on the north and south roads. I have a list of what needs to be done at each."
"Thank you, Hickum." Lee said. "I guess I will get them started on that."
"If they have the ability and supplies." Wynn said. "Might as well start on those row houses as well. I assume that we are going to need them all, plus. Don't forget that there are graves that need to be dug and coffins made ready."
"Good idea." Lee said. "Andy, I have the contract ready. If I use some of those men, I will deduct that amount from the total."
"It is fine." Andy said. "We agreed to a price for sixteen houses and I will stick to the contract as written. Use the extra money for whatever, maybe beds in the houses or something. I will be over in a few minutes. I assume that the Mounties here have a few questions for me. Don't forget that there are the beds, tables and chairs, iceboxes and stoves that I ordered that are coming by Friday. Those are for the four apartments and two row houses that we had figured out for some of the Silverton settlers. We need to get the families settled. I don't know what these men have brought, but just know that stuff is coming on Friday, probably after I leave."
"Hickum or I will be there." Lee said. "And thank you. That is very generous of you."
"I remember." Wynn said. "We will deal. All else fails, we will be able to furnish a few more houses or cabins. I am not worried about items getting used."
"Good point." Andy said. "I wasn't worried, I know that the items will get used. I just wanted to make sure that people knew they were coming. I am not sure what time they will be here or what time my stagecoach is arriving. I was told that there was one coming in on Friday about lunchtime and he will take me and my passenger back to Buxton, then on to Union City on Saturday."
Lee and Hickum headed back to their office.
"Let's go back inside." Wynn said. "Captain Taylor, please join us."
"Yes, Sir." Taylor said. "MacDonald, stay out here with the horses please."
