Chapter 101 – Sergeant Jacobs and Opal
Jacobs, Wynn and Dee hadn't gotten far out of town when some of the children came running up, but stopped as soon as they saw Jacobs. It wasn't so much fear as wonder in their eyes. It was only little Opal that had fear in her eyes looking at the three men. Jacobs was used to children looking at him in fear due to his size, so he always tried to show them that he wasn't scary. Jacobs could see the one that had shrunk back had tears in her eyes. He was afraid that she was hurt and needed help. He knew that he would have to gain their trust, but he also knew that it was his duty to make sure that the children were okay.
"Afternoon, children." Wynn called.
All, but three little girls ran off waving after Wynn greeted them. Jacobs knelt down and looked at Opal.
"Hi." Jacobs said. "What is your name?"
Opal just looked at him, but seemed to shrink back even more.
"That's Opal." Jolene said. "I am Jolene and that is my sister Morgan-Rose."
"Nice to meet you Opal, Jolene and Morgan-Rose." Jacobs said. "I am Sergeant Jeremiah Jacobs, but you can call me Mountie Jer if you want. Who is that with you? (pointing to her bear)"
"Brownie." Opal said softly. "Mountie Jack fixed him for me, can you do that as well?"
"What happened?" Jacobs asked.
"A couple of the boys tried to take him from me." Opal said almost in tears.
"Can I see?" Jacobs said, holding out his hand.
Slowly Opal handed Brownie over to him. Jacobs saw immediately what the problem was. There was a tear along one of the legs. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his handkerchief.
"Will you hold him a moment?" Jacobs asked.
Opal held Brownie as Jacobs wrapped his leg. He then looked at her.
"How about you come with me?" Jacobs said. "I bet Mountie Jack could help us. I was heading there anyway."
"We aren't supposed to bother Mountie Jack." Opal said. "He is sick."
"I know." Jacobs said. "But I think that it would be okay."
Opal nodded. Jacobs scooped her up into his arms. Opal smiled at Jacobs. He was glad that she trusted him enough to allow her to help.
"Thank you girls for being concerned." Jacobs said. "Do you know the boys that did this?"
"It was Will." Jolene said. "He was the one that hurt Brownie before. Paul was with him, but didn't touch us. He also didn't stop Will."
"I will talk to him." Jacobs said. "How about you girls run along and Opal will come find you when we are done."
"We will be in the field." Jolene called before taking her sister's hand and running off.
Jacobs stood up and looked at Wynn who just smiled. They continued the Thornton residence. They had only gone a few steps when Jacobs wanted to know more about Will.
"Did Will get in trouble last time he hurt Brownie?" Jacobs asked.
Opal nodded.
"Can you tell me what happened this time?" Jacobs asked.
"Will was teasing me again about having Brownie." Opal said. "Maggie and I were having a tea party with Brownie and Beary. Beary is her bear. She is new. She was living at the settlement when the water came. Then she came to live here. She is my new best friend. Will came up and tried to grab Brownie. When I grabbed him, Will pulled on his leg. That was when Jolene came over and told him to leave us alone. She said I should have Mountie Joe fix Brownie's leg since we were supposed to leave Mountie Jack alone. That was where we were headed.
Mama said that if Brownie keeps having to be fixed I might have to leave him at home, but I don't want that. I like having Brownie with me, he makes me feel better. That was why I was hoping that Mountie Joe would fix him. Then maybe Mama wouldn't make me leave Brownie at home. It wasn't my fault that he got injured again."
"Was Maggie or Beary hurt?" Jacobs asked.
"No." Opal said. "She was scared that Will would hurt Beary as well, but Jolene came over and told Will and Paul to leave us alone. I am glad that Jolene helped. Will is mean to us girls. Most of the other boys are afraid of him, even some of the bigger boys."
"I am glad that Maggie and Beary weren't hurt." Jacobs said. "We will get Brownie fixed up and then I will make sure that Will knows to leave you and Maggie alone from now on."
"Are you going to be here instead of Mountie Jack?" Opal asked.
"No." Jacobs said. "I will be here for a few days helping, but I will be in Benson Hills. Do you know where that is?"
"Yes." Opal said. "Daddy took me and Mama there in the wagon last summer to get me a new dress for school."
"Well that was nice." Jacobs said. "So you know I won't be all that far."
Wynn and Dee were smiling at the exchange between Jacobs and little Opal. Wynn thought how much he was like Jack with kids. The kids loved Jack, Joe and Dee and they were all so good with them. As they continued to walk, Opal was telling them all about what the children had been doing all week and how it was nice to have more children to play with. It didn't take long and they were at Jack and Elizabeth's house. Dee had run ahead to let them know what was going on. When Wynn knocked on the door and then walked in, Jack already had his sewing kit at the table as well as a towel. He made it look like a small operating table. Wynn knew that Jack didn't have to do that, but he did it because he cared about the children. Jacobs set Opal down by the settee.
"Stay here." Jacobs said. "Mountie Jack and I will have Brownie fixed up in no time."
Elizabeth went over to Opal and sat down with her. The men went to the kitchen table. While Elizabeth had Opal tell her what happened, the men fixed Brownie. Jack even took a few strips of cloth and made a little cast for Brownie.
"Opal." Jack called.
Elizabeth and Opal looked at the kitchen table. Jack motioned for them to come over.
"Now." Jack said. "We fixed his leg, but Brownie needs to take it easy for a few days. No jumping or running."
"Can I have a tea party with Maggie and Beary tomorrow?" Opal asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "As long as you all take it easy. Sergeant Jacobs informs me that it was Will again."
"Yes." Opal said. "He was picking on me and Maggie. Jolene stopped him, but I know that he scared Maggie."
"Well." Jack said. "Sergeant Jacobs will handle it. Now, I hear Jolene and Morgan-Rose are waiting for you."
"Yes." Opal said. "Thank you Mountie Jack. Thank you Mountie Jer."
Opal gave each of the men a hug, being careful to not hurt Jack when she was reminded he was sore. She then looked up at Elizabeth and smiled. Elizabeth walked her to the door and let her out. Wynn was smiling at the entire exchange. He also was impressed with the way that Jack handled Opal and made sure she was okay.
"See you Monday." Elizabeth said before Opal ran off to play.
Elizabeth shut the door and turned to the four men sitting at her kitchen table.
"Beth." Wynn said. "Please meet Sergeant Jeremiah Jacobs. Sergeant, Elizabeth Thornton."
"Pleased to meet you." Elizabeth said. "Thank you for stepping in earlier."
"My pleasure ma'am." Jacobs said. "How are you doing?"
"Better." Elizabeth said. "Sore, but nothing that won't heal."
"Before we get down to business." Jacobs said. "This boy, Will, who is picking on the little girls. What do I need to know? I will not allow this to continue."
"Seven year old Will Walker." Elizabeth said. "Arrived in Hope Valley in August. Older brother worked at the coal mine until it closed and has been doing odd jobs since. Two sisters, fifteen year old Gem and five year old Mary. Mary and Opal had become friends and that was really when Will started acting out. Things had been better after Jack talked to him, but things started getting bad again over the winter. I have done what I can to put a stop to things, but he continues to be disruptive. His mother and brother seemed overwhelmed. I think that they are struggling to just make ends meet. I know that Mrs Walker has also started taking in washing and sewing to help make ends meet. Since the children first came, I have always packed a larger lunch than needed, just to be able to share something with them so I knew they had at least eaten something."
"No father?" Jacobs asked.
"They did arrive with a father." Jack said. "But it didn't take long for him to fall into old ways. He ended up taking off to a poker game. Mrs Walker told him if he left to not come back. Long story short, Mr Walker was arrested for multiple charges of theft. He was convicted and sentenced to hang in Coopersville. From what I learned the family came out here to try and escape the violence and criminal acts of Mr Walker's two brothers. All have since hung for their crimes. Seventeen year old, Lucas, tries but he should be in school not having to be a father to his siblings."
"Lucas is really smart." Elizabeth said. "He used to borrow a lot of my books. I offered to try and get him a scholarship, but he refused. He said that his family needed his paycheck. After the mine closed, he started doing more odd jobs and had less time to borrow books. I think that if Lucas wanted he could be anything he wants. I also think that he feels that it is his responsibility to care for his family. I don't agree with them, but I also am willing to respect their wishes. I just wish that there was more that I could do for the family. They have been through a lot and I am sure that is part of the reason that Will is acting out, not that that is an excuse."
"Got it." Jacobs said. "I will talk to the boy and his mother. Will needs to learn that just because he doesn't like something that he can't do what he wants. I will also talk to Lucas and see if there is something that can be done to help him and the family."
"Hopefully you get through to him." Jack said. "The first time he took Opal's bear, he spent the afternoon in my jail cell. I had hoped he would have learned from that."
Wynn made a mental note to talk to Jack more about the Walker family. Wynn also knew that Jack wouldn't have put the child in a jail cell without just cause, but at the same time it is concerning. Wynn wondered if there was more to the story then what had been shared. Wynn could smell supper so he knew that they might not have a lot of time to talk and there was a lot that they needed to cover.
"Now let's get down to business." Wynn said.
"Yes." Jack said. "As important as it was that we took care of Opal and Brownie, I doubt that is why you three came out here, especially you Jacobs."
"Sorry to interrupt your rest." Jacobs said. "You're right, we met the child on the way here. They were headed into town to see if Joe could fix Brownie. We have things that need to be dealt with and I wanted to have a conversation with you before I proposed a deal with William Thatcher and Charles Kensington III."
Elizabeth let out a harsh breath at mention of her father and Charles.
"I want Charles out of my life, period." Elizabeth said. "If my father can't accept my choices, then he needs to leave me alone as well."
"Understood." Jacobs said. "Before we continue, I feel that I should tell you a few things. I know exactly who you are, Mrs Thornton. I know exactly who your family is and that we are in the presence of your uncle and cousin."
Everyone could see the shock on Elizabeth's face.
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "But you can call me Elizabeth. May I ask how you know? Also, that is not something that we have shared with many people."
"My grandfather." Jacobs said. "He knew your grandfather, Conrad Thatcher. Actually, my uncle was the one that wrote your grandfather's will and legal papers for Thatcher Industries and Hamilton Shipping. I used to spend a lot of time with my grandfather and uncle at the office when I was younger. I actually worked as a paralegal for them from the time I was fourteen until I entered university. Before you ask, I went to McGill University, class of 1903. I worked with them while I was obtaining my solicitor's license. I obtained my barrister license while I was at the Mountie academy in Regina. It was already explained to me that you are keeping that piece of information close to the vest. I felt that I needed to share. I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with you. I also feel that you deserve the respect of knowing that I knew."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "You understand why I don't share that information, so please keep it to yourself. I know that Jack has asked that it not be shared with other Mounties. Obviously Bill and Joe McGinty know, but we have not advertised it."
"Who is your uncle and grandfather?" Jack asked.
"My grandfather is Sir John MacDonald." Jacobs said. "And my uncle is the Honorable Jonathan MacDonald."
"Why isn't your uncle still a lawyer for Thatcher Industries, then." Elizabeth asked.
"Because he refused to kowtow to your father." Jacobs said. "When your father took control of the companies, he wanted to change your grandfather's will. My uncle refused since he knew and liked your grandfather. When William tried to do it, the judge ruled against him and let the wills stand as your grandfather wrote them. The judge also ruled that William had no right to question what his father wanted just because he didn't agree.
My grandfather and uncle represented your late grandfather in the matter and were very convincing to the judge. Not only did they win, but they got it in writing that your father can't change or contest the will anymore without penalty. The judge was not happy with what happened and after everything was said and done, was less than impressed with your father and his desire to try and supersede your grandfather's wishes. The judge actually reprimanded William for questioning his father's will. I was in school during that time, but helped with the case."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "So what do we do? I doubt that anything you say is going to change my father's determination to ruin my life and have his way."
"Maybe we should just have let Charlotte have her way." Dee joked.
Jack and Elizabeth both looked at Dee. Jack closed his eyes and took a deep breath, he knew how his mother could be.
"Oh, boy." Jack said. "If they upset my mother, they have more problems than they think."
"Which is why I took her pistol until she calmed down." Jacobs said.
"You got my mother to hand over her weapon?" Jack asked, surprised.
"Yes." Jacobs said. "I can be very persuasive."
"Apparently." Jack said with a chuckle. "The last time someone tried to take Ma's gun, she shot them."
"Glad that didn't happen." Jacobs said. "I have been shot a couple times, but never by a woman. I was more afraid that she would shoot Mr Thatcher or Mr Kensington. Frankly it probably would have been justified. Either way, I couldn't allow it to happen."
"Out of curiosity." Elizabeth said. "What did Father say to upset Charlotte so much?"
"Oh she was already fuming." Wynn said. "William just pushed her buttons. Also I don't think it would be appropriate to repeat what he said."
"Uncle Wynn." Elizabeth said in a harsh tone.
