Chapter 100 – Bring Jacobs Up to Speed (short)

Wynn waited until Bill had closed the door and headed down the steps before he turned his full attention to Jacobs.

"Now." Wynn said. "Before the three of us head over to talk to Jack and Beth, there are a few things that we need to address. You said you have a few days worth of clothing?"

"Yes, Sir." Jacobs said.

"Good." Wynn said. "I will need you here until at least Saturday. After that we will play it by ear. You are correct that you will be in Benson Hills. Constable Joe McGinty is also stationed in Benson Hills, but he will be here to help while Corporal Thornton recovers. I don't know how much you know about this area, but a lot has happened in the past couple of weeks or so."

"I know a little." Jacobs said. "But a quick rundown wouldn't hurt."

"Over this past winter." Wynn said. "Jack realized that the surrounding area could be in danger if we had a wet spring. He created an emergency plan if there was a slide at the Silverton Mine or a flashflood at the settlement that housed the families. He also planned on if there was a slide at Rock Creek even though Rock Creek is technically in the Benson Hills area. Jack had been sent there once or twice since he had been stationed here.

There was a slide at Silverton. Jack and the other men from Hope Valley responded. There were two fatalities. When they sent a rider back to let the women know to expect wounded, he noticed a log jam that could take out the settlement if it broke. Early the next morning, some of the women from Hope Valley, including Corporal Thornton's wife and mother went to the settlement to evacuate it. Jack sent the men down the mountain and headed to the settlement. When he got there, it was discovered a small child was missing. He had his mother get the wagons out and Jack went after the child. Just as he found her, the log jam broke, his horse reared and Jack was thrown. He was washed two hundred yards downstream.

When a hunter found the child wandering along the trail, he brought her here. It was then that people learned that Jack was missing. Beth led the men in a rescue effort. Jack was found unconscious and suffering from exposure. He was brought back here where Nurse Faith Carter determined that Jack had the beginning stages of pneumonia. Jack was unconscious for at least a full day or more. Dee and I arrived here after Jack regained consciousness. We were relieved, but knew that he still wasn't out of the woods. He had a minor setback and we were worried that we would have to send him to the hospital in Union City, but he rallied and turned a corner.

The town was dealing with everything from Silverton when they got word that there had been a slide at Rock Creek. Abigail put it to a vote and people decided to head over to help. Charlotte Thornton, Jack's mother, went as well. When she learned of a settlement nearby, she and Bill went to check it out. All they found were five small children clinging to some trees. All in all, there were six men, fifteen women and seven children dead as a result of the slide at Rock Creek. They were all brought here and that was the funeral we were returning from when you arrived. Some of the men have been released back to work and will be leaving tomorrow for Rock Creek, since that mine is closer to being operational. The owner of the two mines has been in town. He also has bought the old mine here in Hope Valley and plans to reopen it over the next few months.

Jack and Beth have returned to the house that they rent, which is also where Dee and I have been staying. It is going to take some time for Jack to recover. Faith says he is out of danger as long as he continues to rest and take it easy. I doubt he will be back at work more than half time until at least the end of the month. There are several other things that have happened, that I will get into later, as I need your help with a few of them. Any questions?"

"No." Jacobs said. "That is more than I thought. When I stopped in Benson Hills, a Constable Andrew Evans said it had been a busy few weeks with multiple natural disasters, but didn't go into detail."

"Probably because he didn't know." Dee said. "Or they were afraid to say anything. Scott Rushman had been in Benson Hills. He had been a captain and was dropped to corporal for various reasons."

"He is also part of the reason that you were recalled." Wynn said. "I sent him to Cross in Fort St John because he needed to learn to keep his mouth shut. Not only did he turn a blind eye to some things, he said unkind things about Jack and his father. On top of accusing Jack of receiving stolen goods that had been sent as part of the emergency plan that Jack had put together. I felt that Rushman needed to learn what it meant to be a part of a team. He has had cushy jobs since getting out of the academy, while being promoted. He crossed the line one too many times and I felt that he needed to be taught a hard lesson."

"Let me guess." Jacobs said. "Corporal Thornton's in-laws had something to do with the supplies, but it was meant to be kept quiet."

"Yes, something like that." Dee said.

"Well." Jacobs said. "Rushman should have fun in Fort St John. When I left Cross he was in a bad mood and the last thing that he would want to deal with is a spoiled brat. He hates them worse than I do."

"Should I be worried?" Wynn asked.

"Oh, Cross won't kill him." Jacobs said. "At least not outright. Cross will just make Rushman wish he was dead. The people up there either love Cross or hate him and there are many more that love him then hate him, so no one dares say anything."

Wynn and Dee both looked at Jacobs.

"One of the first stories that I heard when I got there." Jacobs said. "One of the older boys, who was about fifteen at the time, was caught stealing something from the mercantile. It wasn't anything big, but not only did Cross make the boy return it and apologize. As punishment, he had to split a cord of wood every day for a month. Needless to say, nothing has ever been stolen from the mercantile again, well at least by the children in town."

Dee looked at Jacobs and tried to hide his smile as he thought about Rushman splitting wood, but wasn't all that successful. Neither Wynn or Jacobs said anything as they were thinking similar thoughts.

"Up there." Wynn said. "I am sure that the wood didn't go to waste either."

"Oh no." Jacobs said. "I learned it was given to the school and a couple of widows up there."

"Well." Wynn said. "Maybe Cross can get through to Rushman."

"So who is going to be in charge of Benson Hills now?" Jacobs asked. "From what I could see, it was more than a one man station."

"Correct." Wynn said. "Benson Hills has five Mounties, but could have up to a full regiment of ten. Buxton currently has six full-time Mounties and six visiting. Union City has ten full- time Mounties and a dozen visiting Mounties. Benson Hills and Buxton handle all of the transfers for the area. The closest rail station right now is Union City. Although track is being laid to Buxton soon. When that happens, both Buxton and Union City will have a regiment of full-time Mounties as long as we have the manpower. Things could always change, but this is a very important part of the region and there is a lot of industry in this area. This area is also expected to grow over the next five years and there is talk of laying more rail through the mountains in the coming years. I know that Hope Valley is one of the few places that could happen."

"You didn't answer my question." Jacobs said. "Who is in charge in Benson Hills?"

"You will be, Sergeant." Wynn said.

Jacobs just looked at Wynn. He then looked to Dee who just nodded.

"But …." Jacobs said.

"No buts." Wynn said. "You are more than deserving of the promotion. I need someone else that I can trust in this area. This town used to be Coal Valley and until Jack arrived last May, there wasn't a full-time Mountie. This town had been run roughshod by Pacific Northwest Mining Company, Henry Gowen and his Pinkertons. There were other things, but I don't want to get into that at the moment. From what Jack told me, a lot of people in this area still don't trust the Mounties because many of them turned a blind eye to what Gowen and the Pinkertons were doing. That is why I have made a number of personnel changes in the last number of months. There is a new captain in Buxton and many of the constables in both Buxton and Benson Hills have been at those posts less than a year. Jack and McGinty have worked hard to gain the trust of people, but it still has a long way to go. I was hoping that things would improve more with you around. I also wouldn't mind another set of eyes looking out for my niece."

"Understood." Jacobs said. "Thank you, Sir."

"Good." Wynn said. "We will get you your stripes and plan a promotion ceremony if you want one."

"No need for a ceremony." Jacobs said. "I am not one for pomp and circumstance if it can be helped."

"As you wish." Wynn said. "I have requested your stripes and once they arrive you can attach them. But as of this moment, you are Sergeant Jacobs."

"Thank you." Jacobs said.

"I have wired about the stripes." Dee said. "They should be here tomorrow or Saturday."

"I think we should go talk to Jack." Wynn said. "Then you will be free tonight."

"I have some questions, but they can wait." Jacobs said.

"If we can walk and talk, it is about a fifteen to twenty minute walk to Jack and Beth's." Wynn said.

"Sure." Jacobs said.

Jacobs got up and Dee gave his father a look that didn't go unnoticed.

"Want to come with?" Wynn asked.

"Yes." Dee said.

The three men left the office. They made quite the sight walking down the street, even without their serges. Both Wynn and Dee stood about six feet tall, but both were what could be described as lanky. Dee actually appeared underweight for his height. Both Wynn and Dee, had sandy blonde hair that was cut quite short and piercing blue eyes. In reality, Wynn's hair was more white than blond, but still. Both of them also had a medium skin complexion, but also a more weathered look. Even Dee had his young age, had lines around his eyes and mouth and a crinkle in his brow if one looked closely. They were a striking pair anywhere they went, given their height and classic good looks. Add the serge and they most definitely turned heads when they walked down the street.

In contrast, Jacobs was taller than either of them. He had broad shoulders and a broad chest. Jacobs also had dark wavy hair. It wasn't exactly black, but almost. He also had green eyes, much more so than Jack. Jacobs eyes could be described as emeralds whereas Jack's were more hazel most of the time. Jacobs had fairly fair skin in contrast to his dark hair and it was striking, especially when he was in his serge. Despite being older than Dee, his skin was still fairly smooth and had almost a soft look. Without his height or mustache, Jacobs would look several years younger than his almost thirty years. Jacobs was one that had turned heads most of his life given his height, but with the muscle that he added even more so. When he wore his serge, he could be seen from a distance and people always turned to watch him. So when he was walking down the street with two other men that also turned heads, every person stopped to watch them as they went by.