Chapter 104 – Talking About Things (long)
Finally, Jack looked at Dee again.
"That was you?" Jack asked.
"You remember." Dee said. "Sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I didn't want you to think that we were spying on you or manipulating you."
"Okay." Jack said.
"We also weren't sure what Beth had told you yet." Wynn said. "After your speech to the superintendents, I wired Beth and asked if she wanted you to come back. Of course she had said yes. The only reason that I had to check was that the last letter from her, she had been upset with you and I wanted to make sure that she still wanted you around."
"Of course I did." Elizabeth said. "I knew that you would choose me, given the chance so I didn't hesitate to tell him yes. And I am sorry I didn't tell you about Wynn and Dee sooner. I don't usually share that with people. I wanted to make sure that you loved me for me and not what I could give you."
"I understand why you didn't tell me before." Jack said. "But why didn't you tell me when I got back and told you about the young Mountie I had met?"
"I didn't realize it was Dee you were talking about." Elizabeth said. "I had gotten a wire that he had met you, but didn't give details and you really didn't tell me about your trip to Regina. You shared a few things, but not much."
"Sorry about that." Jack said. "Things kind of got crazy when I got back here."
"So things are good?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Back in January when we were at Hamilton, I thought you, Dee, might have been the Mountie that I spent time with in Regina, but I wasn't sure. I had wanted to talk to you about it, but hadn't gotten the chance."
"Sorry, I didn't tell you back in December." Dee said. "I was hoping that you would make the connection yourself. I felt bad, but I didn't want you to think that Beth sent me to spy on you. Besides that, some of the memories from that time in Regina were still a little fuzzy. I really wanted you to be the one to say something. When you didn't say anything after that, I thought you either didn't remember or dismissed it."
"So you were there recovering from what happened in Cape Fullerton?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Dee said. "After the second attack, Dad didn't give me a choice. As soon as I left the hospital, he moved me out of Cape Fullerton. I had been in Regina for a couple of weeks relearning things when you arrived there. I had just started to get my short term memory back. I am surprised that you didn't recognize me when I arrived for the wedding."
"Well to be fair." Wynn said. "When we arrived in December for the wedding, Dee, your hair had grown back, you had put twenty-five pounds back on and your bruises had healed."
"I told you that you looked familiar, but couldn't place you." Jack said. "The hair and weight difference would have been enough to make me question where I had met you."
"So you aren't mad?" Dee asked.
"No." Jack said. "You really helped me when I was in Regina and missing Elizabeth as well as thinking about my father. Besides, everything worked out."
"Good." Wynn said. "You earned your orders back here and you earned your commendations that you have received. I should put the paperwork in for another wounded stripe medal for you."
"I don't have one." Jack said.
"You didn't get one for getting hit when you took down the Garrison gang?" Wynn asked.
"No." Jack said. "I was barely injured and neither Bill nor I thought it was worth the paperwork. I probably should have one from Fort Garry, but the captain back then didn't like paperwork, so it never happened. I also should have one for another action in Fort Garry. I helped do the paperwork for the cattle rustlers, but didn't include myself in those that were up for the wounded strip. Others had been injured worse, I had a few bruises and broken ribs."
"Well." Wynn said. "I will correct that. I am also going to do the paperwork for a commendation for your work at Silverton and the planning beforehand."
Jack closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The last thing that Jack wanted was to be the center of attention again.
"I know that you think that you were just doing your job." Wynn said. "But you have gone above and beyond more than a lot of people. You deserve to be recognized. I won't make a big deal out of it and have a full ceremony."
"I agree." Elizabeth said. "You have done more than your job since you came here. I think it is only right that you are honored. I can't wait to see your certificates and it isn't like you wear your dress uniform all the time anyway."
"She has a point." Dee said. "I don't have as many as you, but I also don't think that we should be awarded for doing our job. Yet, we are so we might as well just smile and nod."
"Okay." Jack said. "As long as I don't have to have a full ceremony and say anything. And you're right, I don't have to wear my dress uniform all that often, so it will be fine. Just more to keep track of."
"I will help you with that." Elizabeth said.
"There you go." Dee said. "Beth will help you. I am just glad that Mom takes care of both Dad's and mine. If you need help putting the ribbons in order, just talk to Mom."
"I will." Elizabeth said. "Are there more ribbons other than the medals?"
"There will be." Wynn said. "As of this year all commendations come with a service ribbon. There is also talk of giving ribbons for past commendations. Normally when you reach a certain number, you get gold cords and that will continue. Which reminds me, Jack should have gold cords."
"Great." Jack said sarcastically.
"I think it is wonderful." Elizabeth said.
"Good." Wynn said. "We have that settled. Now, it is getting late and you both should get some rest."
"I am fine." Elizabeth said.
"Me too." Jack said. "I rested earlier. It isn't like I have to get up for work or anything."
"Besides." Elizabeth said. "I have cherry or apple cobbler for dessert. Does anyone want coffee or is tea fine."
"Tea for me." Jack said.
"I will have tea as well." Wynn said.
"I will have tea." Dee said. "No point in making coffee just for me."
Elizabeth got the tea out and Jack grabbed some cups and saucers.
"So Dee." Elizabeth said as she made tea. "How did you help Jack in Regina? All you told me was that you met him."
Dee looked at Jack and got a nod. Wynn saw the look that passed between them. He wanted to say something, but chose to keep it to himself. Wynn hadn't even heard the details of what happened. Dee had only told him that he had met Jack and that they talked. Wynn also realized how similar Jack and Dee were. He was so glad that Beth had Jack in her life. They were good for each other.
"It was after I had met with the superintendents to talk about my appeal to come back here." Jack said. "I was emotional, because I was also thinking about my father. It was too late to chop wood, so I went for a run. At one point, I stopped to sit down. Dee came upon me and wanted to make sure that I was alright since I was crying. He wanted to make sure that I wasn't hurt.
If I am honest with everyone, I hadn't even realized I was crying until I stopped and sat down. Then I couldn't stop. I was angry and upset. I was missing Elizabeth. I was thinking about my father and everything that he had missed in my life. I was so emotional and I knew I wasn't thinking straight. I am glad that Dee stopped, otherwise I don't know what would have happened. I wasn't even sure where I was when I stopped and sat down. I don't know how long I had been gone or anything."
"We walked and talked." Dee said. "We talked about being the sons of Mounties and then becoming Mounties ourselves. It was nice to be able to talk to someone who understood. I could tell that something was wrong as soon as I saw him. When he introduced himself, I knew instantly who he was. Besides making sure that he was okay, I wanted to get to know him before he had a chance to judge me because of Dad. I wasn't trying to hide anything, but I have learned that it is hard to get to know people and make friends when they learn who Dad is."
"I agree it was nice to talk to someone who understood some of the feelings that I was having." Jack said. "He had a slight advantage. He knew who I was because of the Tolliver gang. All I ever got out of him was a first name, well I guess it was a nickname."
"Sorry about that." Dee said. "I have always been careful about telling my last name to people, especially with who Dad is. I never give it unless needed and at the academy with fellow Mounties a first name is usually enough. I wasn't trying to deceive you, but I was also unsure about telling you because I didn't know what Beth had told you."
"It is okay." Jack said. "I understand. For a bit though, I thought I might have dreamt you, but then when I realized that you were real, it made it harder to find you."
"I was never very far." Dee said. "Once I figured out who you were, I wanted to get to know you. Besides what we had in common as Mounties and sons of Mounties, I was intrigued about the man that had finally captured dear Beth's heart."
"So I guess I passed muster." Jack teased.
Both Dee and Elizabeth laughed.
"More than passed." Wynn said. "I was a little hesitant about sending you back, but then after talking to Dee, I felt better. He was completely convinced that you were deeply in love with Beth even if you hadn't admitted it to anyone, even yourself. Then I saw you with the recruits at the drill field and obstacle course and I knew that I was right about you."
"What is this about the obstacle course?" Elizabeth asked. "I keep hearing about it."
Dee and Jack laughed. Elizabeth just looked between them and shook her head. Wynn wasn't sure what was so funny, but he took the lead.
"Well it goes back to the academy." Wynn said. "When Dee was at the academy, he set the new course record. When Jack went through the academy, he broke Dee's record set two years before. A record Jack still holds to this day. Anyway when some of the recruits learned that the current record holder was at the academy, they put up a challenge. They wanted to run the course against Jack and see if they could better his mark of five minutes and twenty seconds."
"Out of curiosity." Elizabeth said. "What was Dee's record?"
"Five minutes and twenty-three seconds." Jack said.
Dee stuck out his tongue at Jack as Jack laughed. Wynn just shook his head.
"Anyway, Jack was a nervous wreck and just didn't want to make a fool of himself." Dee said. "I told him to focus, then to think about you being held by the Tolliver gang at the finish and he needed to rescue you."
Elizabeth looked over to Jack and shook her head.
"Well it worked." Jack said with a dimpled grin.
"There were three recruits and Jack." Dee said. "They drew straws to see what order they went in. Jack was third. The first two posted times of over six minutes each. Then it was Jack's turn and he was off like his feet were on fire. When he crossed the finish line, he had broken his own record as well as the five minute mark. The last recruit to go was feeling defeated, so Jack went alongside and cheered him on. The young man didn't beat Jack, but had set a personal record and was so happy."
"I was watching from the observation tower." Wynn said. "I was impressed that Jack would go along and cheer the young man on. I am sure that Jack was exhausted after running the course himself. I was impressed."
"Wow." Elizabeth said. "I am so happy for you Jack. That was a very nice thing to do. I am glad that you had an opportunity to meet Dee and get to know him before you knew who he was. I was hoping that you would be friends, but I wasn't going to push it. I wanted it to happen naturally. I also knew that you were so nervous when you learned about Uncle Wynn."
"I am glad we got to meet before as well." Jack said. "I was honest when I said I wouldn't mind working with you. From everything I have seen you are an excellent Mountie and I think we are a lot alike."
"I agree." Wynn said. "The more time I spend with you, Jack, the more I see both your father as well as Dee in you."
"There was something that you mentioned." Jack said. "That just reminded me of something else. You said you knew that I could handle what this town threw at me, including Gowen and his Pinkertons. Personally, I think Elizabeth did a good job of handling Gowen on her own."
"What are you talking about?" Wynn asked.
"She didn't tell you?" Jack asked.
"Tell me what?" Wynn asked.
Jack looked at Elizabeth, while she just ducked her head. Jack realized that Elizabeth wasn't going to say anything, so he decided that he was going to tell Wynn. He wasn't happy with Elizabeth, but that conversation was for another time.
"Elizabeth." Jack said. "You said you were going to write a letter, actually I saw the letter you wrote. What happened?"
"I decided not to send it." Elizabeth said. "Then the mining trail went in favor of the widows, I dropped things. I was going to talk to Wynn after Christmas, but then Gowen was arrested and then killed, so it didn't matter anymore. Especially after I talked to Bill when you guys arrested Sr. Inspector Houston."
Jack looked at Elizabeth again and a bit of a scowl on his face this time.
"I am assuming that this has to do with what happened in Cape Fullerton almost eight years ago." Wynn said.
"Yes." Jack said. "I thought that something must have happened between Elizabeth and Gowen, since he was determined to get rid of her. Elizabeth kept telling me that there was nothing. Then Pinkerton Richardson was bothering her. Again, I asked Elizabeth what was going on and she insisted that there was nothing. Things finally came to a head when we had a town meeting and Gowen accused Noah Stanton of being responsible for the mine disaster. Abigail tried to defend herself and her late husband, but Gowen kept pushing.
Abigail had gotten upset and turned to leave the saloon. Elizabeth stepped closer to Gowen and said something in a low voice. I was close enough to hear and clearly see Gowen's reaction. When she was talking, it was the only time I saw fear cross Gowen's face. Later, Elizabeth was having a nightmare. Abigail came and got me. I finally got her calmed down and she talked to me a little bit. We also let Bill know what was going on. He agreed to sit on the information and see what Gowen did. Nothing came of it. Elizabeth had said that she was going to let you know since you hadn't known before."
"Elizabeth Grace." Wynn said, his voice a steely tone.
"What?" Elizabeth said. "It doesn't matter anymore."
"I take it you know more than you ever said." Wynn said.
"Yes." Elizabeth said, ducking her head. "It wasn't Sophie who was with Teddy that night, it was me. Sophie told me not to say anything. I agreed with her. I didn't see anything, I only heard the voices and the shot. I heard what Teddy had said, but he had only used first names so I didn't know who it was. I only knew his voice. It didn't all connect until I arrived in Coal Valley and heard Gowen speak. I tried to avoid him, but then when Jack was gone, Richardson kept watching me, making me uncomfortable. I told Jack about it, but I didn't tell him everything, at least then. During the meeting when Gowen was going after Abigail, I just lost it and unleashed on him. I hadn't planned it. The last thing that I had wanted was to say anything and open that can of worms."
"I suppose you're right." Wynn said. "With Gowen dead, it doesn't make much difference. Back then, it might have. Had we known that you were there and not Sophie, we might have been able to get you to identify the men and even after Teddy had gone missing, it would have been enough to level charges. I just don't know how he mistook you for Sophie. I mean I know that you looked alike, but after the accident, it was quite obvious."
"I thought Bill said that the Mountie's didn't do anything." Jack said.
"Yes and no." Wynn said. "The ranking officer in Cape Fullerton at the time didn't do anything. The local Mounties that had taken the statements didn't file things with Cape Fullerton. They sent things to Headquarters in Hamilton, copies of statements and notes. The originals were in Cape Fullerton. They had issues with Houston and a couple of others who were ranking members there at the time.
By the time I saw everything in Hamilton, Gowen and Richardson had disappeared. I tried talking to Sophie, but there was nothing more that she could add. I filed things and hoped that at some point in the future something could be done. Shortly thereafter I became a Deputy Commissioner, until Gowen's death, that file sat in my desk. It always bothered me that I couldn't do more for Teddy's family. That situation didn't help matters with William Thatcher. I doubt he would have let Beth out of his sight if he ever would have learned she was there. It was bad enough that it happened."
"Sorry." Elizabeth said. "I was doing what Sophie told me. I wanted to talk to you, but both Teddy and Sophie were afraid of what Father would do if he knew. I guess that there is a part of me that was afraid of Father as well. As far as telling us apart, I was wearing Sophie's clothes and this was before the accident. I can easily see how he would have thought it was Sophie as she had been to the harbor a few times with Teddy before."
"What is done is done." Wynn said. "Gowen is dead, Houston is in jail and Richardson is no longer with the Pinkertons. And you're right it was before the accident."
After they were done eating, Dee volunteered to do the dishes. Wynn sent Jack and Elizabeth upstairs insisting that they rest. At that point, neither Jack or Elizabeth were willing to object. As much as they liked spending time with family, Jack and Elizabeth were looking forward to sleeping in their own bed.
