Chapter 107 – Transport Arrives (long)

Dee got up to see who it was and was surprised to see Andy Yeager as well as a Mountie. Dee snapped a salute when he saw the captain's bars.

"Captain, Mr Yeager." Dee said. "Please come in. What can we do for you?"

The men stepped into the office and salutes were exchanged.

"Sir." Captain Anderson said. "I was informed that you have prisoners to move."

"Yes, Captain Anderson." Wynn said. "Right now, we are not sure if you will be taking just one or up to three. We have to talk to them. There may be a deal with two of them."

"Just let us know, Sir." Anderson said. "I sent the men to water the horses and grab a bite to eat at the cafe. We left Buxton really early. I also have a message from Dr Stone."

"Yes." Wynn said.

"Actually the message is for Mrs Stanton." Anderson said.

"I am Mrs Stanton." Abigail said, stepping forward. "What is the message?"

"I was asked to let you know that Becky would be arriving shortly after lunch." Anderson said. "The plan was for her to be here by one this afternoon. The roads are good so travel should be easy and I don't see them having any problems."

"I thought Dr Stone had moved to Calgary?" Wynn said.

"I believe that is true, Sir." Anderson said. "It sounded like he was back to handle some personal business and finish closing up the house. It sounds like he is leaving the house to the Mounties to use as needed for those traveling through or visiting the area."

"Yes, I saw something about that." Wynn said. "Thank you for letting us know. Unless you need something else, why don't you grab a bite as well. We will let you know when we are ready."

"Thank you, Sir." Anderson said. "I will be at the cafe, then I will make sure that the wagon is ready. Is Bill Avery still around?"

"He should be around." Dee said. "I haven't personally seen him this morning, but he has been reported to be around."

"Thank you." Anderson said. "See you soon."

Anderson left after saluting the group. Dee turned to Andy, but his father beat him to the punch.

"Was there something that you needed, Mr Yeager?" Wynn asked.

"Yes." Andy said. "I wanted to let you know that all the men who were released back to work left this morning. The exceptions being Wyatt Weaver and the four men from Rock Creek who were widowed with children. The men from Silverton who had a wife and children also left, knowing that their families would be taken care of here in Hope Valley. I have made arrangements to have a transport wagon to bring the men back here on their days off and then get them back to Rock Creek. I am going to have them working in rotation – seven days on, four days off or five days on and two days off. Those staying in Rock Creek without families will have a different rotation that will be able to cover when men are gone."

"Thank you for letting us know." Wynn said.

"I also have paperwork for Mrs Stanton." Andy said. "I also wanted to let you know that I have been out to check out the mine and know that there is work to do. I will get on that when I get back to Union City. I have ordered a full inspection. I let the Bureau of Mines know to ask for Mrs Stanton or Mr Avery if I am not here.

Finally, I have arranged for a stagecoach for myself and Mrs Albertson. We will be leaving this afternoon and staying in Buxton tonight. All the other men have been paid. Death benefits have been paid out, including checks for the three orphaned children. I have left the checks with Mr Jenkins at the bank. Once it is decided what will happen with the children, he can open the accounts. You will need the signature of the guardian or Sheriff Avery to open the accounts. Please let me know if there is anything else that you need. Abigail, you and I will settle up about the care of my men when I get back. I have some questions, but those can wait until later or if needed when I get back."

"Not a problem." Abigail said. "I will try to find time to sit down with you. We have some things that need to be dealt with first."

"Wynn, Sir." Andy said. "Any more on what we talked about for the children? If you figure something out before I leave, I can leave a check for that as well."

"No." Wynn said. "I was hoping to have answers, but things have happened that have needed my attention. Thank you for having the death benefits ready for the children. I will make sure that it is taken care of as soon as we know more."

"No, I understand." Andy said. "Hopefully we can sit down before I leave this afternoon. If not, I know how to get a hold of you. If I don't see you, please have safe travels back to your home. Mrs Thornton, I am sorry about what happened. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you."

"Sorry, do I know you?" Elizabeth asked.

"Sorry, Beth." Wynn said. "This is Andy Yeager. He is the owner of the Silverton, Rock Creek and Hope Valley mines."

"Nice to meet you." Elizabeth said. "Thank you for your offer, I look forward to getting to know you when you come back. I am also glad that the children will be staying here. I look forward to them in my classroom."

"Likewise." Andy said.

"Since we are doing introductions." Wynn said. "Andy Yeager, this is Sergeant Jeremiah Jacobs. He will be in charge of the Mountie station in Benson Hills. They oversee Rock Creek."

"Nice to meet you." Andy said.

"The same here." Jacobs said. "I look forward to working with you. Do you mind me asking what you were talking about in regards to the children?"

"Because of the landslide in Rock Creek as well as the flash flood through the settlement." Andy said. "We have three orphaned children and six children who lost their mother. Four of the men could have returned to work today, but we are waiting to figure out what will happen to the children. The other man needs more time to recover. Wynn was working on a plan to keep the children here in Hope Valley. We were all worried about sending the children to an orphanage since most of the children are of Russian descent."

"How old are the children?" Jacobs asked.

"Let me check here." Dee said.

Dee shuffled through some paperwork.

"The three orphans are eight and a set of four year old twins." Dee said. "The other children are one, two, three, five, six and twelve."

"Okay." Jacobs said. "I am assuming that there are families here willing to take the children in?"

"I believe so." Dee said. "I think the biggest thing was financial."

"I want to set up a fund to help." Andy said. "But we were more worried about legally keeping the children here and the fathers retaining their rights if they wanted."

"Understood." Jacobs said. "We have some time. If it hasn't happened, Mayor Stanton or Sheriff Avery can apply for temporary guardianship of the children on behalf of the town until things are figured out. That usually will grant about thirty days."

"We will talk about it after we deal with things at the jail." Wynn said.

"Yes, Sir." Jacobs said.

"I will leave you to your work." Andy said. "Let me know what you need. Abigail will know how to get a hold of me in Union City if we don't get a chance to talk before I leave."

Jacobs nodded.

"Thank you." Wynn said.

Andy left his paperwork with Abigail and then left the group.

"I will let you do what is needed." Abigail said. "I however would like to sit in on the conversation about the children."

"We will get you when we are ready." Wynn said.

"I will be at the cafe." Abigail said. "I have books that need to be done there. I also have work from here that I can take."

"Okay." Wynn said. "We need to talk here and then we are going to jail. Do you want us to let you know when we leave?"

"No." Abigail said. "I will stay at the cafe until you come get me. Don't forget, I need to be ready to greet Becky after lunch."

"We won't." Dee said. "I am sure that Dad and I want to be there as well."

"Thank you." Abigail said.

Abigail gathered her paperwork and left the office, heading to the cafe to work there. She didn't mind sharing her office while Wynn and Dee were in town. She knew that they needed the space and with the extra Mounties around, Abigail knew that the jail would be too crowded. After Abigail left, Wynn turned to Jacobs.

"Okay." Wynn said. "Are we ready?"

"Yes, Sir." Jacobs said. "I didn't say anything about Elizabeth taking over the company, but did say that they aren't allowed to alter the papers. I also didn't mention anything about the baby, but I still think that would be a good bargaining chip."

"No." Elizabeth said. "I don't want my child to be a bargaining chip. If I do that, I am no better than what he has done with me."

"Understood." Wynn said. "We won't say anything."

"Let's go to the jail." Jacobs said. "I want to get them out of here before things get crazy this afternoon. I still think we should send all three and let them deal with the judge."

"I won't do that to my mother." Elizabeth said. "If he doesn't want to back off, then it will be his choice. I don't want to be the one to make that decision."

"It wouldn't be you." Jacobs said. "As the arresting officer, it would be me."

"I don't want to do that to you either." Elizabeth said. "I know that you don't think that there will be some blow back, but there will be."

"And I have big shoulders." Jacobs said. "I can handle it. Besides, I am a Mountie and have their backing."

"Still." Elizabeth said.

"It is because you are one of the kindest people I know." Dee said. "You hate to see anyone get hurt, but sometimes people need to face the consequences of their actions."

"I agree." Wynn said. "We still have time, your choice."

"I wish I could just talk to them before you present the deal." Elizabeth said.

"I didn't say that they had to make a decision on the deal." Wynn said. "I just said that we were going to inform them of the potential deal before you talked to them."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Like I said, I need to stand up for myself. I appreciate you being there for me and always supporting me, but I need to do this for my own well being. I have never allowed others to bully me, but I realize I have allowed my own father and Charles to do it for years."

"Okay." Wynn said. "But remember, I want you to stay calm. I know how your father can get you worked up and I don't want a repeat of January in Hamilton."

"I promise." Elizabeth said. "The difference being I have eaten and I haven't been traveling. Also I don't have the stress of telling them about getting married."

Wynn nodded.

"Let's go." Dee said. "I will bring Beth in the back door and she can wait in the back room while we talk to them. After Jacobs presents them with the deal, I will bring Beth out."

"Sounds good to me." Jacobs said. "I haven't seen that lawyer yet, but that doesn't matter. We need to get them going and want Monclair out of here as soon as possible. I don't have a good feeling about him."

"Agreed." Wynn said. "We will need to check him very carefully before we put him in the transport wagon."

"Knowing my father." Elizabeth said. "I am sure he has a bag somewhere. Did anyone check the car?"

"No." Jacobs said. "It was taken by the driver to transport the lawyer."

"Ask Monclair where his bag is." Elizabeth said. "I would bet that it is either in the car or with the lawyer. It could also be in Union City, but I am betting that it is closer."

"We will check." Jacobs said. "Thank you for the information."

Without saying anything else, the four of them walked over to the jail. Jacobs and Wynn walked in the front door and Dee took Elizabeth around the back. Bill was sitting there working on something. Without saying anything, Jacobs went to the back door and let Dee and Elizabeth in. Dee and Jacobs then walked back into the main room. Dee gave Bill a look and he didn't say anything.

"McGinty around?" Wynn asked.

"Let me out of here." Monclair hollered when he heard Wynn.

The four men looked at each other, but didn't say anything. Bill shrugged at the unspoken question. Wynn nodded and they ignored the men in the cells. Bill looked to the back room, but Wynn gave him a very small shake of his head.

"He left on rounds this morning." Bill said. "I expect him back soon. Did Captain Anderson find you? I saw him come in, but haven't talked to him."

"Yes." Wynn said. "I sent him to get something to eat and make sure the horses were watered."

"Good." Bill said. "What is the plan? I would like my jail back soon."

"You will have it back one way or another today." Wynn said.

As the four were talking, McGinty walked in with Belanger. McGinty looked to his superiors for what to do.

"McGinty." Wynn said. "Have a seat. I may need you to take notes as well."

McGinty took a seat, then pulled out his notebook and pencil. Dee also sat at the desk and pulled out a notebook and pencil.

"I have contacted the bank and have money to post whatever bail is needed." Belanger said. "I demand the release of all three. They are upstanding members of society and shouldn't be treated like common criminals. I have also contacted Mr Kensington and Mr Monclair's fathers. They are also demanding the release of their sons. They are willing to put up the money for their release. I have been given verbal permission to speak on their behalf and represent their respective children."

"Monclair is not going anywhere other than to stand before a magistrate." Wynn said. "He is facing serious charges. Not only is he being dishonorable discharged from the Mounties, but he is facing jail time. We have a sworn statement from the victim he propositioned and also several witnesses, including myself. We also have him admitting that he was in town to remove Mrs Thornton. By his own words he is guilty.

Besides that, both Mr Kensington and Mr Monclair are adults and can speak for themselves. You had no right to contact their parents. I don't care who they are, they are all facing several felonies. They also all have the means to disappear, so until I say, they aren't going anywhere."

"First things first." Jacobs said. "We know that Monclair has a bag. Where is it?"

"Don't look at me?" Belanger said.

"Monclair?" Wynn said.

"I ain't telling you anything." Monclair hissed.

"Fine." Wynn said. "When we find it, any items in it will be forfeited."

"Tell them where it is." William said. "There are some of Elizabeth's things I gave you to give her."

"Fine." Monclair said. "It is over at the livery. I left it with my saddle and things. I planned on pitching a tent so I didn't have to spend money on a room."

"Is that your Mountie horse at the livery?" Wynn asked.

"Yes." Monclair said. "He was shipped on the train with us."

Wynn turned around and looked at Dee and McGinty.

"I will get it, Sir." McGinty said. "What would you like me to do with the horse?"

"Have it ready to go back with the transport wagon." Wynn said. "I will have Captain Anderson ship it to Regina for someone else to use."

"Do you want me to get Captain Anderson?" McGinty asked.

"Not yet." Wynn said. "Get the bag and horse, then come back."

"Yes, Sir." McGinty said.

McGinty left to do as he had been told.