Chapter 98 – Rendered Speechless (long)
Abigail knocked and came into her office.
"Before you ask." Abigail said. "Jack and Elizabeth both seem to be doing better. I also talked to Jack to let him know that it wasn't his fault."
"Good." Wynn said.
"So what are you going to do about Mr Thatcher and his group?" Abigail asked.
"We don't know yet." Wynn said. "Right now they can cool their heels at the jail. I have stripped that Mountie of his badge. He will also be facing charges. He has had enough chances. I am done with his behavior. I just hate to see when other Mounties make us all look bad."
"I know what you mean." Abigail said. "But it is like when dealing with the children – make an example of one to show you are serious about consequences and the others usually fall in line."
"You are right." Wynn said.
There was a knock at the door and Dee waved Jacobs in.
"Sir." Jacobs said.
"Yes." Wynn said.
"I think you need to come over to the jail." Jacobs said. "Monclair told the other two that you were here and the older gentlemen started ranting that he wasn't going to allow you to ruin his life or destroy his daughter like you allowed others to be."
Dee saw the anger flash across his father's face. Wynn took a deep breath.
"Thank you." Wynn said. "I will be there shortly. Oh, Constable Jeremiah Jacobs, meet Abigail Stanton, mayor and cafe owner. Abigail, make sure that the ladies know to add his meals to my account."
"I will." Abigail said.
"Nice to meet you ma'am." Jacobs said.
"Nice to meet you as well." Abigail said, coming over to shake his hand.
Abigail stopped and stared at the man for a bit. Abigail shook her head after a moment.
"Sorry." Abigail said. "You remind me of my late husband."
"Sorry for your loss." Jacobs said.
"Thank you." Abigail said. "So I have to ask how tall are you?"
"Six, six without the boots." Jacobs said.
"Enjoy your stay in our town." Abigail said. "Also know that you are welcome anytime."
"We better go." Jacobs said.
"Yes." Wynn said.
Wynn and Jacobs stepped out of the mayor's office and had only gone a short way when they could hear the yelling coming from the jail. The commotion was also drawing the attention of townspeople. Before Wynn and Jacobs could reach the jail, Charlotte had stepped up on the porch. Wynn saw her pat her pocket before stepping into the jail and letting out a high pitched sharp whistle. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked to the jail. Wynn and Jacobs hurried over there. Hickum stepped out of Lee's office and saw the scene. He started encouraging people to go about their business. Wynn stepped into the office just as Charlotte was glaring at the men in the jail cell. Bill and McGinty weren't sure what to do, they both knew better than to cross Charlotte when she was upset and from what Bill could see she was beyond upset. Charlotte took a step closer and continued to glare at the three men, looking back and forth between the cells. She was in full on scary teacher mode. Bill wasn't even sure that he wanted to stop whatever was going to happen, but knew that he should at least try to talk to Charlotte. Although he also knew that it could be pointless if she was that upset. Bill also wasn't fond of getting shot and with Charlotte full on angry, it might just happen to anyone who tried to stop her.
"I don't know who taught you three manners." Charlotte said. "But you are upsetting the children of this town and disturbing those that are trying to rest and recover. This town and the surrounding area have been through enough without having to listen to you three."
"Who the hell do you think you are talking to me like that?" William Thatcher bellowed.
Charlotte looked William up and down, then met his stare. She stared at him and straightened to her full six foot. Wynn came up behind Charlotte and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Not worth it Charlotte." Wynn said. "I will handle this."
"Charlotte." William said. "Charlotte Thornton?"
"What?" Charlotte snarled.
"So it was your no good son who forced himself on my daughter." William yelled. "I will ruin you and him. I will see that he never works in this country again. Then I will ruin you and that other no good son of yours. Don't think that you can hide him forever, I will find him! I still believe that he influenced Julie."
Charlotte reached for her pocket. Both Bill and Wynn were instantly at Charlotte's side. Both knew that Charlotte was armed and the last thing that they wanted was to have to arrest her. They weren't exactly sure what she would do, but they didn't want things to get worse.
"William." Wynn said. "I thought we settled this about Julie. She was the one who took the keys and she was the one that wanted to take the car. She was the one that crashed the car and injured Mr Thornton. If you continue to press this, I will throw out the deal we made. I will then wire Hamilton and have Julie arrested and charged. I will also make sure that she is held until she can stand before a judge. I will also make sure that the press are alerted about the arrest."
William glared at Wynn. While Wynn was talking to William, Bill was trying to calm Charlotte down.
"Don't do it." Bill said. "He is not worth it. We both know that there is nothing he can do. Jack and Elizabeth are legally married. I have already been in contact with a judge. He has no legal standing. I will also do what I can if he goes after Tom. From what Jack and Wynn tell me, Thatcher again has no legal leg to stand on."
Jacobs came to stand in front of Charlotte, blocking her view of everything else.
"Mrs Thornton." Jacobs said. "Hand it over."
Jacobs put his hand out. She looked up at him, almost debating what to do.
"I promise I will give it back when you calm down." Jacobs said. "I don't want trouble. I am sure that you know how to handle it, but I would feel better if you didn't have it until you calmed down. Inspector Avery is right. If they are both adults, there is no leg to stand on. Please let us handle this. I don't know about the other situation, but from what I hear, your son didn't do anything wrong other than get involved with a spoiled brat."
Charlotte reached into her pocket and handed over her pistol. Jacobs handed it to Bill who secured it.
"I understand that you are protective of your son and daughter-in-law." Jacobs said. "I don't have a family of my own, but I have younger siblings and I am like a father to them at times. I promise I won't let anything happen to either Corporal Thornton or his family."
Charlotte's face and stance soften. Bill had never seen Charlotte back down from a fight or when she had been challenged, yet Jacobs got through to her. Jacobs had purposely used the word family and not wife to get through to Charlotte. He was glad that it worked.
"Thank you for protecting, Lizzie." Charlotte said. "I will let you handle it, but I don't want him causing more trouble for this town. The infirmary is right next door and there is a person there that still needs to rest."
"I promise." Jacobs said.
"Charlotte." Wynn said. "Please check on the children and let people know that things are okay."
Charlotte nodded, turned and left the jail. She stepped out on the porch and took a deep breath. Now she understood why Jack and Elizabeth didn't want Elizabeth's family anywhere near them. Charlotte headed back to the cafe. She knew that they still had a lot to do over there. She didn't want to talk about what happened. She also knew that she needed to calm down. So Charlotte headed for the livery for a bit. When she got there, she went to her horse, Mr Jingles, first. She then went to Sergeant. After spending time with the horses, Charlotte felt better. She still didn't want to talk about what happened, but she knew that people would have questions. Charlotte also knew that she couldn't hide with the horses all afternoon. Finally after close to thirty minutes, Charlotte headed to the cafe to help.
Back at the jail, William Thatcher was still making a fuss. McGinty stepped out the back door seeing that Wynn, Bill and Jacobs had the situation under control. He was going to stay close, but he didn't need to be inside. Wynn, Bill and Jacobs were talking about what to do when a well dressed man walked in.
"Belanger." William yelled. "Get me out of here."
Wynn, Bill and Jacobs turned to the man who walked in.
"I am demanding the release of my clients." Belanger said.
"And you are?" Jacobs said.
"André Belanger, barrister."
"Constable Jeremiah Jacobs."
"Inspector William Avery."
"Deputy Commissioner Wynn Delaney, Sr."
"For your information, Mr Belanger." Bill said. "Those three aren't going anywhere. They are all facing multiple felonies."
"Don't you realize who those two are?" Belanger asked.
"Mounties don't play favorites." Bill said. "Especially when said criminals have the means to disappear. And yes, I do know who is sitting in there. I have worked for Mr Thatcher in the past. I have also had the pleasure of having Mr Kensington as a previous guest in my jail. The other is a snot-nose brat who gives the rest of us a bad name."
Belanger knew that he was going to have to try a different tactic, because apparently the Thatcher name didn't scare them.
"My clients did nothing wrong." Belanger said. "Mr Thatcher was rescuing his daughter and Mr Kensington was helping to return his fiancee to her proper home. They brought Constable Monclair along as a proper escort for Miss Thatcher."
Wynn, Bill and Jacobs looked between each other. Wynn gave Bill a small nod that if wanted to speak he could. Wynn wanted to see this play out without him having to pull rank. He was going to let Bill and Jacobs handle this. He knew that they both could deal with this lawyer.
"For your information." Bill said. "Mr Kensington showed up here and proposed to the former Miss Thatcher after she was already legally married to Corporal Jack Thornton. Mr Kensington was warned to stay away from her at that point, after he spent a few nights in that cell. He is lucky that Jack showed restraint and didn't even punch him. Personally, I would have shot him if he had done that to my wife."
Wynn decided to step forward and back up Bill. He was still going to let Jacobs have his say if he wanted.
"Additionally." Wynn said. "Mr Thatcher knew that his daughter was legally married. Just because he doesn't approve, doesn't make the marriage any less legal. I was here to witness the wedding. The mayor was her matron of honor."
"I was the best man." Bill said. "I can tell you for a fact that no one was forced and that they deeply love one another."
"Elizabeth Thornton is an adult." Wynn said. "She has the right to choose her life. She has chosen to be a school teacher in this town and to marry Jack Thornton."
"He is lying." Charles snarled. "Everyone knows that Elizabeth Thatcher is my intended. It was a done deal that she would marry me the summer after her twenty-first birthday. She has been allowed to play teacher long enough. That Thornton boy is just after her money."
"Was Mrs Thornton in agreement with this deal?" Jacobs asked.
"It doesn't matter." William said. "I amher father. I have a right to say who she marries."
"Wrong." Jacobs said. "Mrs Thornton is an adult. She was legally allowed to choose what she wanted. Any punitive action against her because you don't agree with her choices is also illegal. I also doubt that a Mountie as highly decorated and selfless as Corporal Thornton would be after anyone's money. It would do you well to not slander a Mountie in the presents of three other Mounties. Especially one as high ranking as a Deputy Commissioner."
"Belanger?" William said.
"So you think that you know the law, Constable." Belanger said.
Wynn had to turn to hide his face as he knew Jacobs' background. As hard as he tried, Wynn couldn't hide the smirk on his face and Bill saw it. Wynn was going to let Jacobs handle things, since he was doing such a good job of it.
"Yes, actually I do know the law." Jacobs said. "I graduated near the top of my class from McGill University in Montreal, class of 1903. I then earned my barrister license while at the Mountie academy in Regina. I went to law school because my grandfather wanted it. I joined the Mounties because that is what I wanted. I realized that a law degree comes in handy when dealing with criminals. With the permission of the Commissioner himself, I have maintained my law license while being a Mountie. Also again with the permission of the Commissioner, I have argued cases for the Royal Northwest Mounted Police as well as for my uncle's firm and a few of the people that I have served. I have never lost a case and I am not about to start."
Bill just stood there looking at Jacobs slack-jawed. He was really starting to like the man and Bill didn't like a lot of people.
"I want my clients released to me." Belanger said. "You have no idea who you are dealing with. They are all upstanding members of society."
"Oh, I know exactly who I am dealing with." Jacobs said. "The older gentleman is William Connor Thatcher of Hamilton Shipping which is the largest part of Thatcher Industries which was started by his father Conrad Thatcher and his siblings. William is married to one Grace Anne Capell Thatcher. They have three daughters – Viola Beatrice, Elizabeth Grace and Julie Ann.
The other man is Charles Edward Kensington III who works for Mr Thatcher as a salesman after failing to obtain a solicitor license after attending Osgoode Law School at York University. It is well known that William has been grooming Charles to take over the company, but I believe that would be hard to do without him being married to one of the Thatcher sisters. Granted I haven't read the finer points of Conrad Thatcher's will or the papers of Thatcher Industries, but if Conrad was like other men of his era in business and wealth, there would be a clause and/or provisions that the company remain in the family and/or that all family would be taken care of if the company were to be dissolved. That is probably the reason behind William's desire to discredit Elizabeth and has objections to her marriage. I am more than positive that the last thing William Thatcher wants is to have his company turned over to someone that he has deemed less than himself. Especially since William is currently the controlling member of Thatcher Industries of which both the Kensington and Monclair families have a stake
The third man is Edward George Monclair the son of George Monclair who also happens to work for Thatcher Industries. They are all a part of the upper society circle of Hamilton. They also apparently all think that they are above the law since they attempted a kidnapping in broad daylight with many witnesses, including several Mounties. Not exactly what I would call upstanding citizens. Then there is Monclair, who has admitted he was here to take Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton and stand guard so no one could get to her. He was caught propositioning a minor by the Deputy Commissioner. Again, not what I call an upstanding citizen."
Everyone else in the jail stood there staring at Jacobs. Wynn was the first one to recover. Wynn knew that Jacobs was smart, but didn't realize exactly how smart. Jacobs didn't share much about himself and Wynn figured that was because of how he grew up. Wynn knew more than most because he had been privy to the constable's personnel record.
"Very good, Constable." Wynn said. "Anything to add Mr Belanger?"
"I guess not." Belanger said, looking over at William and Charles.
Both men had stood there slack-jawed for a moment as Jacobs had been talking. They were surprised that he knew so much about them. William was racking his brain to try and figure out who the constable in front of him was, but was coming up empty. William Thatcher was not one that liked to be caught flat-footed, but this constable had done just that and William had no idea who he was.
"How can we make this go away?" Belanger asked.
"That is a discussion for tomorrow." Jacobs said. "I need to sit down with Deputy Commissioner Delaney as well as have a conversation with Corporal Thornton and his wife. I would suggest that they (pointing at the cells) sit down, think about their situation and not cause anymore trouble tonight and I might be amenable to that discussion. However, Mr Monclair is not going anywhere. He has been stripped of his badge and will face charges."
"Fine." Belanger said. "I will return in the morning as soon as I can return from Buxton since this town doesn't seem to have proper accommodations. I will have Mr Thatcher's driver with whom he arrived return with me to Buxton tonight."
"As you wish." Wynn said.
Belanger walked over to William and Charles.
"Just sit tight." Belanger said. "Don't upset them anymore and I should be able to get you out of here tomorrow."
Belanger turned and shook his head at Monclair. Belanger then turned and walked out. McGinty walked back inside.
"I will sit here for a bit." McGinty said. "I do still have rounds to do, but I assume you need to talk."
"We will be at Abigail's office." Wynn said. "I will send someone over so you can do rounds later."
"Thank you, Sir." McGinty said. "I don't need to do full rounds, but I would definitely like to check a few things tonight, especially with all the extra people in town."
Wynn nodded. McGinty went to sit behind the desk as the other three left and headed for Abigail's office.
