Chapter 110 – William's Choice

Back at the jail, Wynn and Jacobs waited a moment while Belanger and William were whispering back and forth, then Jacobs stepped forward.

"Let's get this done." Jacobs said. "I mean I don't care if you sit in that cell forever, but I have other things that need to get done."

Belanger turned and glared at Jacobs. He didn't like the man and the feeling seemed to be mutual. Before Belanger could say anything, Wynn stepped forward with the keys.

"William." Wynn said. "This is how it is going to work. You will step back and not exit until I say. Then you will sit and we will go over the agreement."

"What if he doesn't agree to the conditions?" Belanger asked.

"Then he can sit in that cell until we can get another transport." Wynn said. "Which probably won't be until at least tomorrow and then he can take his chances with a judge."

"But know if he does that." Jacobs said. "I will be there to argue that he faces the maximum. And he is facing jail time if this goes before a judge, no question about it."

"I can't run my company from a jail cell." William said.

"Something to think about then." Wynn said.

"So are we ready?" Jacobs asked.

William nodded and stepped back. Belanger didn't move.

"Go sit by the desk." Jacobs said glaring at Belanger.

Belanger didn't move, so Jacobs stepped forward, grabbed his arm and moved him to a chair. Jacobs wasn't gentle as he physically moved the man.

"Don't move." Jacobs growled.

Jacobs' patience was wearing thin, so after releasing Belanger, Jacobs took a deep breath. If Jacobs could find a reason, he would like nothing more than to put the man behind bars. Jacobs made a mental note to have his grandfather and uncle look at this Belanger person, something didn't sit right with him and it was more than just the man challenging him at every turn.

"You aren't going to get away with this." Belanger said.

"I already have." Jacobs said in a low voice. "You have no idea who I am and what I can do to you. Don't push your luck. If I had my way, you would have been in that transport wagon with the others. The only reason that I accepted the deal with Mr Thatcher was because Mrs Thornton didn't want her father to go to prison. Don't get me wrong, I don't care if he sits in a prison cell. I am respecting the wishes of Mrs Thornton and that is the only reason he is getting a chance."

Wynn opened the cell and led William over to the chair next to Belanger, then stood behind him as Jacobs went around the desk and took a seat. He opened his messenger bag and pulled out a folder. He opened the folder and then pulled out four copies of the agreement. He then got some paper and a pen out. He quickly wrote out the additional stipulations and added it to each copy. He then turned and looked at William. Jacobs handed a set of the papers to William and then picked up another copy.

"Where is my copy?" Belanger asked.

"This doesn't involve you." Jacobs said. "This is an agreement between me, Deputy Commissioner Delaney and Mr Thatcher. Just so we are all clear – this is a one time offer. If it is violated there will be no room for negotiation. I will go to a judge without delay."

Belanger huffed. William just sat there still trying to figure out who this Mountie was and if there was a way that he could make this all go away.

"William Thatcher." Jacobs said. "As you can see I have spelled out what charges you could be facing. In exchange for letting you go at this time, you must agree to the stipulations that are listed as well as the two additional ones that I added. Failure to follow this or get in trouble with the Mounties anytime in the next three years, will result in this coming back on you in full force. As you can see the stipulations listed are as follows:

1) You will not contest Elizabeth's marriage to Jack Thornton. It is legal and binding.

2) You will not alter any papers when it comes to Hamilton Shipping or Thatcher Industries in reference to Elizabeth and what she is entitled to inherit.

3) You will not be allowed to contact Elizabeth unless it is an emergency, unless she has made contact first.

4) No making demands of Elizabeth or for her life. She is to be allowed to live her life as she sees fit.

5) No making up emergencies as an excuse to contact Elizabeth to try to get her to Hamilton as that would be a violation.

Now I have thought about what happened here this morning, as well as my conversation with Corporal and Mrs Thornton and with those things in mind, I have added two additional stipulations. They are on the very last page.

6) You will not be allowed to show up unannounced to Hope Valley. You will need to send word first and then allow Elizabeth to decide if she wants to see you. I understand that you have business here, but it still stands that you must announce your intent to visit. That can be done by giving Mr Coulter permission to let the Thorntons know about your meeting.

7) Any future children of Jack and Elizabeth Thornton need to be treated as any other grandchildren of William and Grace Thatcher without prejudice, including but not limited to gifts, visits and inheritance.

If you agree with these as they have been written, please sign the bottom of the next to last page as well as the last page, also initializing each stipulation that you have read and understand it. I will sign as well as Deputy Commissioner Delaney. Then you will be given a copy, Deputy Commissioner Delaney will keep one, I will keep one and the fourth will go to Jack and Elizabeth."

"Give me a pen." William said.

"I suggest that you don't sign those." Belanger said.

"I have to." William said. "Like I said, I can't run my company from jail. Also I don't need the press, especially the bad press that this will bring."

William and Jacobs signed each copy of the papers where needed. As they finished, Wynn stepped forward and signed where he needed. Jacobs then pulled an envelope out and folded William's copy and put it in there.

"Now, before you leave." Jacobs said. "A couple pieces of advice. I suggest that you leave town for now and give Jack and Elizabeth some space. I also suggest that if you want to try and repair the relationship with your daughter that you write a letter of apology. You can send it to me in Benson Hills and I will see that it gets to Jack or you can send it to Bill Avery here in Hope Valley, but do not send it directly to Jack and Elizabeth. Neither of us will read it, but we will make sure that Jack and Elizabeth are in a place where they can read it when and if they want. Other than that, I would leave them alone and let them make contact with you. After that, you can be free to write to them if you want. I will be checking in on them frequently and I will also trust Bill Avery if he tells me anything. I will also know if you violate any of the other conditions you agreed to. Don't cross me, because I will make sure that you face the maximum if you do."

"What is going to happen to Charles and Edward?" William asked. "Will you keep my name out of it?"

"We will do what we can to do that." Wynn said. "Edward is going to face a disciplinary board as well as a judge. He is facing considerable time behind bars for his actions. Because of the trust that had been placed in him to uphold the law, the Commissioner and I will both be pushing for the maximum penalty. It will include significant prison time as well as monetary compensation I am sure. This is not Monclair's first transgression and apparently he failed to learn from being suspended for lesser things. I intend to make a public example of him to make it clear that any behavior unbecoming of a Mountie will no longer be tolerated.

As far as Charles, you heard what he is facing and he will have to deal with a judge, but I will be pushing that he be held until trial. I don't trust him or his father to have him show up. What he says, I can't control. We will be letting the prosecutor know about the deal that was struck with you as well as all the reports from the last couple of days."

"Just know that if I am not the one to prosecute." Jacobs said. "I will be speaking to the prosecutor. Mr Kensington needs to learn from his actions because apparently sitting in a jail cell before did nothing."

William thought about things for a second and then looked at Belanger who was shaking his head as if he knew what William was thinking.

"Belanger." William said. "Go get the car and bring it over here. I need a word with my brother-in-law alone."

"I don't advise this." Belanger said.

"Well." William said. "If you still want a job with me, you will do what you are told."

Jacobs stood as if to escort Belanger out. Belanger shook his head before getting up and heading to get the car and driver. William waited a moment to make sure that Belanger was not on the porch.

"I can go." Jacobs said.

"No stay." William said. "I am sure that Wynn would tell you anyway."

"Okay." Jacobs said, sitting back down.

"I know I shouldn't be saying this." William said. "But coming here was Charles's idea. He was the one that convinced me that Jack had forced himself on Elizabeth and taken advantage of her. Charles has been obsessed with her for years. I thought that he loved her, but I am realizing that he just wanted other things. I am sorry for my behavior and I shouldn't have let him talk me into this. I have always wanted what was best for my Beth, and I thought that was a life with Charles in Hamilton."

"Thank you for telling us." Wynn said. "Maybe when you write that letter of apology, you might want to mention that. I would also rethink your relationship with the Kensingtons and Monclairs moving forward."

William paused for a moment and looked at the two men before him.

"I will." William said. "Now, I need to get home. I am sure that Grace has gotten wind of what is happening and is going to be furious with me."

"Make it right." Wynn said. "I will tell you that Jack and Beth are very happy here and the community loves them."

"I can see that." William said. "Please also pass on my apologies to Charlotte Thornton as well. I should have never said what I did."

"I suggest that you write her a letter as well." Jacobs said. "She will be here for a while yet and if not, I am sure that Jack will see that she gets it. I will however let her know that you did apologize."

"Thank you." William said.

"Fix things with Grace and then work on things with Beth." Wynn said. "She really is happy and doing very well. I would also suggest that you make contact with your sister. She knows that you were here and caused trouble. I am sure that she isn't happy. Like I said, make it right."

William nodded before picking up the envelope that Jacobs had laid in front of him. Without another word, William Thatcher left the jail, got in his car and left Hope Valley. He had a lot to think about on his ride back. Wynn and Jacobs had followed him out on the porch and watched the car disappear. When they couldn't see it anymore, Jacobs turned to Wynn.

"Do you think he really is going to change?" Jacobs asked.

"I don't know." Wynn said. "For his sake I pray that he does. I guess for Jack and Beth's sake as well. I know how much it hurt Beth to have her father speak to her the way he did this morning."

"So they speak Irish." Jacobs said.

"Yep." Wynn said. "William only uses it when he thinks no one else will understand him or he is upset and wants to say something to someone in a more private matter."

"But you understood." Jacobs said.

"Yes." Wynn said. "But he doesn't know that. Dee also speaks Irish, as you saw when he translated what was said."

"I won't say anything." Jacobs said. "Good to know. I guess I should brush up on my Irish."

Wynn looked at him and shook his head.

"You understood as well." Wynn said.

"Mostly." Jacobs said. "I haven't spoken it in years."

"Beth will help if you want." Wynn said with a smile. "Now, let's head over to Abigail's office and deal with all this other stuff. I also have a stagecoach to meet some time this afternoon. I know that I want you here through tomorrow, but I would also like you to have a chance to relax a little bit. I am sorry that you had to jump right into things."

"No problem, Sir." Jacobs said. "I am not really one to relax when there is work to do. I would rather stay busy."

"Understood." Wynn said.

As soon as Elizabeth laid down with Jack, he pulled her close to himself.

"Everything okay?" Jack asked quietly.

"I thought you were sleeping." Elizabeth said.

"Sort of." Jack said. "You didn't answer my question."

"No." Elizabeth said. "Everything didn't go okay. Both Father and Charles got mad. I had my say and then I had McGinty bring me home. We stopped and checked the mail, but there wasn't anything. Ned promised to have it delivered or send it with Dee."

"Sorry about your father." Jack said. "I know that you had hoped that he would listen. What is going to happen now?"

"I don't know." Elizabeth said. "Both of them really upset Wynn and Jacobs. They wouldn't even let Jacobs tell them about the deal. So I don't know what is going to happen. McGinty said he would let me know as soon as he could. I am sure that Dee or Wynn will stop by later. Don't forget that Aunt Elizabeth is coming in later today."

"I didn't forget." Jack said. "Do you want to go meet the stagecoach?"

"No." Elizabeth said. "I am tired and really am not in the mood to deal with people."

"Okay." Jack said. "I am sure that Aunt Elizabeth will understand."

"Can you just hold me for a little while?" Elizabeth asked.

"Always." Jack said.

Jack leaned up and gave Elizabeth a kiss on the temple. He then wrapped his arm around her and held her tight to himself. He placed his hand on her stomach. Elizabeth looked down at Jack's hand and smiled. She then took a deep breath and relaxed into Jack's hold. Elizabeth closed her eyes and tried to push the emotions of the morning away. She just wanted to feel loved by her husband and not all the turmoil that her family brought. Jack just held her and tried to show her that he was there for her. They fell asleep in each other's arms, which is what they both needed.