Chapter 95 – Fallout of the Fight
Bill entered the jail to lots of yelling, mostly from Charles and William. He could see that McGinty was trying to figure out who the other Mountie was, but it was impossible to hear. Bill could hear William and Charles threatening both McGinty and the other Mountie and saying they wouldn't have their badges long because they didn't know who they were messing with. Bill also realized that they didn't know that Wynn was in town. Bill walked over to his desk, the other Mountie seeing the uniform, snapped to a salute. Bill saluted back.
"Constable Jeremiah Jacobs." He said. "Reporting as ordered."
"Inspector Bill Avery." Bill said. "You two write up your reports. Then have Jacobs bring both of them to the mayor's office. Joe you stay here and NO talking about anything until later."
"Yes, Sir." Both said.
Joe understood what Bill was getting at, Jacobs thought he did something wrong. The last thing that he wanted was for whatever was going on to be worse. Both men sat and went to work on their reports. Bill went in the back room and changed out of his serge and into more comfortable clothing. When Bill came back out.
"Jacobs." Bill said. "The mayor's office is just down the way. Brick building across from the saloon one way and the mercantile the other. Can't miss it."
"Yes, Sir." Jacobs said. "I should care for my horse."
Bill looked out the window.
"I am sure it has been taken care of." Bill said. "Especially since I don't see Ember or Bandit outside either. What is your horse's name?"
"Star, Sir." Jacobs said.
"Well." Bill said. "I am sure that he is over at the livery. You can check after coming over to the mayor's office."
"Yes, Sir." Jacobs said.
"Joe, outside for a moment." Bill said.
Bill and McGinty walked outside.
"I take it, you know who those two are?" Bill asked.
"Yes, Sir." McGinty said. "I take it they don't know Delaney is here?"
"That would be correct." Bill said. "Let's keep it that way for a bit."
"Of course." McGinty said. "I won't say anything. I will just go about my regular duties until told otherwise. I was going to ask you about moving back here tonight since we cleared out the mining office."
"Plan on it." Bill said. "We can always set the other cot up in the back, since we moved things over to the storage shed."
"Thank you." McGinty said.
McGinty headed back inside. Bill left and headed to the mayor's office. He hadn't gone more than a few steps and Dee fell in step with him.
"I took care of the horses." Dee said.
"I figured." Bill said. "I told them to write up their reports and come over to the mayor's office. As far as I can tell neither William Thatcher or Charles Kensington know that you or your father are here."
"Good." Dee said. "But we have a problem."
"Beyond what I just left?" Bill asked.
"Yes." Dee said. "While Dad was at the cafe talking to Elizabeth, a young Mountie showed up demanding to speak to Miss Thatcher. Dad had Clara get Lee and take Elizabeth home. I saw the message that we had received that they were coming, there should be a lawyer around here somewhere as well. We need to keep our eyes open because there are a lot of people in town. I wouldn't put it past William to have other security or a back up plan beyond the young Mountie."
"Do you know that Mountie?" Bill asked. "I agree about keeping our eyes open."
"Edward Monclair." Dee said. "He is supposed to be serving a suspension for insubordination. The fact that he is here in his serge, means he is in trouble. Dad … is … not … happy."
"Is Elizabeth okay?" Bill asked.
"I don't know." Dee said. "I didn't get a chance to talk to her. I saw Dad and Lee help her into Lee's car."
"She is in good hands." Bill said. "Let's just work on paperwork until everyone's over here."
"Sounds like a plan." Dee said, walking up the steps.
"Oh." Bill said seeing Abigail in the office.
"Sorry." Dee said. "We have a situation. I am sure that Dad will be here shortly."
"I just got here." Abigail said. "But I heard. I can leave if you need."
"For now." Bill said. "You should be fine. We will see when Wynn gets here."
Bill could see Dee was anxious. He also knew that there was only one thing that would make him feel better. Bill knew that it was useless to try and stop him so might as well give him permission.
"Go check on her." Bill said.
Dee didn't need to be told twice nor did he have to ask what Bill meant. Dee wasn't sure if there was evidence left behind, but he was going to find out. He also was going to check about getting a statement from her.
Lee drove Elizabeth home. He tried to see if she was okay, but she wouldn't talk. When they got to the row house, Lee helped Elizabeth in. They weren't there long when there was a knock at the door. Lee went to it and saw two boys.
"We were told to deliver this." Wyatt said. "It is supposed to be for Mrs Thornton."
"I will take it." Lee said. "I am helping her at the moment."
"Okay." Wyatt said.
Lee took the crates and the boys left. He turned and took them to the table. Elizabeth went about putting everything away. About that time, Jack wandered downstairs. He looked between his wife and Lee.
"What happened?" Jack asked.
Elizabeth refused to speak, but slammed a cupboard door. Jack walked up and wrapped his arms around Elizabeth and she flinched. Jack was immediately taken aback. His mind was reeling as to what could have happened. Without letting go of Elizabeth, he looked at Lee.
"What happened?" Jack asked again.
"I am not sure." Lee said. "I had just gotten back to the office from the funeral when Clara came and got me. Wynn just asked me to bring her home and stay close until he or Dee arrived."
"Thank you." Jack said. "You can go, I will stay with Elizabeth."
"I will be at my house." Lee said. "I can work there as well as the office. Wynn asked me to stay close and I intend on doing that. He was upset and I don't want to make it worse."
"Whatever you want." Jack said. "Thank you for bringing her home."
Lee left, but didn't go far, just to his house. Jack led Elizabeth to the couch. As much as Jack wanted to make sure that Elizabeth was okay, he also wondered if he should lock the door.
"Bella." Jack said softly. "Tell me what happened."
Elizabeth just started shaking and crying again. Once again, Jack tried to gather her to him and she flinched. Only this time, she pulled her arms away and put them across her body like they hurt. She couldn't look Jack in the eye and he was starting to get worried.
"Bella." Jack said. "I want to help you, but I don't know how if you don't talk to me."
Elizabeth tried to pull away from Jack, but wasn't going to let her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled close to him. She was shaking and crying, so he just held her. He wished he knew how to help her, but until she told him he couldn't do anything but help her. There was a knock at the door and Elizabeth looked frightened. Jack slowly released her and made his way to the door. He grabbed his gun before opening the door a crack. He saw Dee standing there. Jack breathed a sigh of relief. He opened the door and put his gun back as Dee stepped in the house.
"What is going on?" Jack asked. "I asked Elizabeth, but she won't talk."
"I will explain." Dee said.
It was then that Jack saw the camera case that Dee was carrying. Jack didn't know what was going on, but he was really starting to get worried.
"Go upstairs and get Beth a robe." Dee said. "I will talk to her and then explain when you get back."
Jack did as Dee asked. He didn't want to leave Elizabeth, but he knew that she was in good hands.
"An bhfuil siad imithe?" Elizabeth asked. (Are they gone?)
"No, but they are in jail for now." Dee said.
"Who is in jail?" Jack asked.
"William Thatcher and Charles Kensington III." Dee said. "They ambushed Elizabeth as she was in town running errands. Constable Jacobs rode into town just in time. He stepped in. When Charles had a hold of Elizabeth's arm and made to slap her, Jacobs stopped them. Unfortunately, we believe that they hurt Elizabeth's arm and we will need pictures."
Dee could see the anger in Jack's eyes.
"Slow down, Jack." Dee said. "Everything in town is being handled. I doubt either are stupid enough to cross Jacobs. Regardless, they are sitting in a cell until this can be figured out. Dad is dealing with things. I am trying to help."
Jack went to pull Elizabeth into another hug and she recoiled again. Dee was surprised.
"I am so sorry, Elizabeth." Jack said. "I should have been there to protect you."
"Beth." Dee said. "Please let Jack take you in the other room. Please show him your arms."
Jack got up, offered his hand to Elizabeth and she took it and reluctantly followed. Jack had her remove her blouse and he could see the marks on her arm that were already turning into bruises. Jack was seething that either Charles or William would leave a mark on Elizabeth. He helped her put her robe on, then brought her back to the living room. He grabbed a ruler and Dee set up the camera. They got a number of pictures of Elizabeth's arm and the marks. Dee then quickly sketched the marks and made note of their place and color as well as the time he noted them. Jack then took Elizabeth and helped her get her blouse back on. When they came out, Dee had packed the camera up. Elizabeth just curled up on the couch.
"I will head back to town." Dee said. "Unless you need me."
"We will be okay." Jack said. "Lee is right next door, if needed."
Dee looked around as if thinking for a moment.
"Last thing." Dee said. "Don't open the door to anyone you don't know. There is a second situation that Dad is dealing with, but I want you to be careful."
"I will." Jack said. "Actually, I am going to lock the front door, but the back will be open when you guys come. Please let my mother know as well."
"I will." Dee said.
"I do have a question before you go." Jack said.
"Yes." Dee said.
"Who is Jacobs?" Jack asked.
"A mountie that dad recalled from Fort St John." Dee said. "I assume he will put him at Benson Hills eventually after he dropped Rushman to Corporal and sent him to Cross in Fort St. John."
"Wow." Jack said with a laugh. "Cross is there. I wouldn't cross that man for all the money in the world. I can assume Rushman is being punished because of his behavior toward me and Elizabeth?"
"Yes, among other things." Dee said. "You know Cross?"
"I met him when I was younger." Jack said. "He knew my father. He was scary back then. I can't imagine what he is like now. You think my mother and Elizabeth are scary when they are angry. Well, Cross makes them look like a pair of kittens. Cross is the only person that I have ever known to make my mother flinch when they went toe to toe once. As you have seen, my mother doesn't back down when pushed."
Elizabeth just looked at Jack and scrunched up her nose. Jack and Dee both laughed at the face that Elizabeth made, which only made her mad and she used her scary teacher face on them.
"Oh boy." Dee said.
"There was a story I heard back in Fort Garry." Jack said. "I don't know how true it is and how much has been embellished over the years. According to the story I heard, Cross was tracking some criminals starting way up north in the wilds. He tracked them all the way to Manitoba. When he finally caught up to them and was going to make an arrest one of the men made fun of Cross's name, so he pulled his pistol and shot the man in the foot. Cross then apparently asked him if he had anything else to say. The other man shook his head, but the injured man made a comment about getting his badge. Cross then proceeded to shoot again, hitting the man in the hand. The Mounties assumed the injuries were due to a gunfight. The man ended up losing two toes and three fingers. Cross apparently told the man he would shoot him piece by piece if he kept talking."
"Good to know." Dee said. "I should get back. Take care of Beth. We will be back when we can."
"Be safe." Jack said.
Dee left and Jack bolted the front door. He had been angry when he saw the marks on Elizabeth's arm, but he knew that the men were being dealt with and as much as he wanted to deal with William Thatcher and Charles Kensington himself, he knew that he needed to be there for Elizabeth. Jack took a couple deep breaths and went over to Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth." Jack said. "I don't want to hurt you, but do you want me to hold you or what do you want?"
"I should get supper started." Elizabeth said softly. "Especially with Wynn and Dee here, but then I don't know what time they will be back."
"What can I do to help?" Jack asked.
"You are supposed to be resting." Elizabeth said. "I got stuff for shepherd's pie and cherry cobbler, since that is your favorite."
"How about I rest down here." Jack said. "You can tell me more about your trip to town, if you want."
Jack helped Elizabeth up and they went to the kitchen. Jack sat down and Elizabeth went to work putting the rest of the food away before starting supper.
