Chapter 115 – Making Sense of the Trouble

Wynn looked at the two men at the table, they were looking at him to explain what was going on. Wynn closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths.

"That bad, Sir?" Jacobs asked.

"Yes." Wynn said.

"What do you need?" Dee asked.

"There is a protection detail coming in." Wynn said.

"For who?" Jacobs asked.

"Us." Wynn said. "Well, Dee and I specifically."

"Dad." Dee said. "What is going on? Is it you or me?"

"Me." Wynn said. "Before I get into it, I need a few things."

"Anything." Jacobs said.

"Bill is gathering more information." Wynn said. "But I need a couple of wires sent out."

"What and who?" Dee asked.

"I need you to send a wire to the Ottawa Mountie station." Wynn said. "They need to add Sophie to their protection. I don't think that she is at risk, but I am not taking any chances, especially with my grandson. I also need you to wire your sister and let her know without alarming her."

"English?" Dee asked.

"French to the Mountie station." Wynn said. "Anything but French or English to your sister."

Dee looked at his father for a moment and then nodded in understanding. Wynn knew that Sophie and Dee understood several languages and he would send it in a different language to calm her fear. It also meant that Wynn didn't trust a lot of people at the moment and didn't want Sophie's location falling into the wrong hands. Dee set about writing out the messages.

"Dad." Dee said. "Who should I have Ottawa contact for more information?"

"Superintendent Anderson in Hamilton." Wynn said. "Have all communications go through the Mountie office there, so as not to give our location away. Not many people outside of the Mounties need to know where I am at the moment and I want to keep it that way."

"Got it." Dee said. "All official communications through the Hamilton office."

"What are we dealing with?" Jacobs asked.

As Dee was finishing the wires, he was also listening to what his dad was saying to Jacobs.

"Several years ago." Wynn said. "I was the lead of a team that broke up and arrested a gang of bandits. Well, I was the senior member of the group, but it was actually my second in command that had done most of the leg work and had tracked the group. This group of outlaws was loosely associated with several other larger gangs, but had taken to robbing banks and stagecoaches themselves, instead of just providing muscle and bodies to the other gangs. I led the group to arrest them, when we went to get them after their last robbery, it ended in a gunfight. Three of us were shot, leading to two Mounties losing their lives. The rest of us were able to arrest the members of the gang that survived the shot out. Four of the seven men were dead and the other three were sentenced to long prison terms.

Unknown at the time, was that one of the men had a younger brother that was also loosely associated with the gang that we arrested. That young man blamed us for taking his brother away. He turned into a full blown criminal himself, causing several families much heartbreak. He had a special hatred for law enforcement, especially the Mounties. He injured several who attempted to arrest him. He was eventually arrested and tried for his crimes. He was sentenced to over thirty years at Stony Mountain. About five years ago, the older brother was also moved to Stony Mountain, because they could deal with his medical needs. Both brothers have made several direct threats toward me over the years. I just received a wire that the younger brother has escaped. Sr Deputy Commissioner Connor has suggested a protection team for me and I am including my family in that as well. I am not sure who these men are associated with at this time and I am worried that they will go after my family to try and get back at me."

"When was this group arrested?" Jacobs asked. "Just trying to gauge an age range of the men and I might know the criminal element that they might be with."

"The older brother was arrested in November 1889." Wynn said. "The younger brother was arrested in 1903."

At that, Dee's head shot up.

"Dad." Dee said. "Does this have to do with …."

"Yes." Wynn said, cutting him off.

"Do we need to notify the other members of that team?" Jacobs asked. "They may not need a protection detail, but they should be aware."

"Of the three surviving members." Wynn said. "They all know or will shortly."

"Can I ask the names of the other men and the prisoners?" Jacobs said.

"The other men of the team were now Superintendent Charles Armstrong and retired Inspector Bill Avery." Wynn said. "The prisoner that escaped was one Clyde Younger."

"Armstrong in Regina?" Jacobs asked.

"Yes." Wynn said.

"Did the other Mounties that died have families?" Jacobs asked.

"One of them did." Wynn said.

"Should we notify them?" Jacobs asked. "I am just trying to cover our bases."

Wynn looked over at Jacobs, then over at Dee. Wynn closed his eyes a moment thinking what he should do.

"Sir." Jacobs said. "A widow and her children could be at risk, we need to talk to them."

"This is no widow that you want to mess with." Wynn said. "She can take care of herself and the children are grown."

"Still." Jacobs said.

"Jacobs!" Wynn said firmly.

Jacobs shut up and looked at Wynn.

"What I am going to tell you can't be repeated." Wynn said. "I will decide when and how much to tell them."

"Understood, Sir." Jacobs said.

"The older brother of this Clyde is Earl Younger." Wynn said. "Earl Younger is the man that shot Thomas Thornton. Thomas's horse reared and he was thrown into a tree, causing head trauma that eventually led to his death. We weren't able to get Earl on Thomas' death, only shooting a Mountie. Jack doesn't know the names of the men that were part of the gang that led to his father's death. That isn't completely true, he knows the name of two of the men who died, but that related to other situations and I personally told him about it. Jack does know a few details about the day of his father's accident, but he doesn't know who was all there other than me. I don't want Jack to know about the team that was part of his father's death. The less that he knows right now, the better. I don't want him to think differently of the men that were there when his father was injured. The other Mountie that passed away didn't have any family before you ask."

"I won't say anything." Jacobs said. "But I am also not leaving until this Clyde is caught. I am here to help. Feel free to send another Mountie to Benson Hills for a little bit, but I am not leaving you Sir. I have been on protection details before and I know the drill."

"Fine." Wynn said. "I won't argue for now."

About that time, Abigail and Bill came back. Dee was just finishing his wires and got up to leave. Dee looked at Bill and whispered something as he walked by. Bill just looked at him and nodded. Abigail went to the table and sat down. Bill poured some coffee before sitting down. Abigail looked around and tried to read the faces of the men in front of her.

"So what is going on?" Abigail asked.

"A prisoner escaped." Wynn said. "He has made direct threats against me and I have a protection detail arriving at some point. I don't want people to worry, it is more a precaution than anything."

"Sir." Jacobs said.

"No." Wynn said. "I am not going to let some low life ruin my life. I have had threats before and I have protection details before. We carry on as normal. As far as this criminal knows, I have no connection to Hope Valley and even if he found out I was here, it would take some time to get here. What did you learn, Bill?"

"He escaped yesterday." Bill said. "Well, last night. He was discovered missing this morning and after a thorough search of the grounds didn't turn up anything, the alert went out. I have a current description and every Mountie station between here and Stony Mountain is on alert. The protection detail should be here tomorrow or Sunday. Until then, you have McGinty and Jacobs. I have also been ordered to keep a low profile."

"Fine then." Wynn said. "McGinty can ride rounds. You can keep an eye on things here in town. Jacobs and I will continue to work on paperwork as there are plenty of things for us to do."

"I think that we should alert a few key people here in town." Abigail said.

"Who?" Wynn asked.

"Lee Coulter for one." Abigail said. "He has helped Jack and Bill and is very trustworthy. Besides, he has lots of interaction with people coming and going from town, he would be able to help keep a lookout."

"Fine." Wynn said. "Who else?"

"I think that we also need to let Ned know of the description of the man." Bill said. "I will talk to him about keeping it quiet. But he also has a lot of interaction with people coming into town."

"Fine." Wynn said. "As long as he can keep his mouth shut."

"I also think that Kevin over at the livery." Bill said. "Again for the same reasons. Maybe Sam at the saloon. They don't need to know the details, but just to let us know if they see a man matching the description of Younger. I have also sent his updated details to the rail line in Union City to be on the lookout. I am waiting on other wires from contacts. As far as I know right now, the Younger brothers have no current association with any of the major criminal gangs."

"At least that is good news." Abigail said.

"What about Jack?" Bill asked. "We need to tell him. He may not be on active duty, but this is still his station."

"I know." Wynn said. "But I am not sure I want to answer all the questions. He is going to want to know why this man is after me, then is going to try and push himself so he can help."

"I will talk to him." Bill said. "I will keep it as general as I can."

"No." Wynn said sharply. "I will talk to him tonight at supper."

"That reminds me." Abigail said. "Elizabeth is making a roast and you are expected."

"I think I will stay in town." Jacobs said. "I will help McGinty. Especially if the saloon is going to be open tonight. I also think that you need to spend some time with your niece and her husband. Besides, you need to fill them in on what happened this morning with her father."

"You are right." Wynn said. "Besides, I will have Dee with me."

"I will also stay in town." Bill said. "McGinty and I are at the jail."

"And I am at the saloon." Jacobs said.

"Bill when you talk to Sam." Wynn said. "Make sure we get a couple more rooms."

"If we need." Jacobs said. "I can always move to the jail."

"We will figure it out." Abigail said. "I have an extra room as well."

"Don't forget about the tents." Jacobs said.

"True." Wynn said. "We will figure it out, but I would still like a couple rooms at the saloon if possible."

Abigail looked at the clock.

"Now." Abigail said. "While we wait for more information, let's go welcome my daughter back home."

"Can I come?" Jacobs said.

"Yes, you are more than welcome to join us." Abigail said.

"We will go as well." Dee said. "There is a surprise coming for Dad on the stagecoach."

"Is Pastor Frank back?" Wynn asked.

"I haven't seen him." Abigail said. "But he was going to try and get back. He took the men to Rock Creek this morning. I think that we need to let him know as well."

"That is right." Wynn said. "Good idea. Bill, talk to him as well."

"Let's head to the cafe while we wait." Abigail said. "I need to get Cody. He knew that he was supposed to be at the cafe for lunch."

The group moved to leave the office.

"Want me to lock it up?" Abigail asked.

Wynn looked at Jacobs, who shook his head.

"It should be fine for now." Wynn said. "We won't be gone long."

Abigail pulled the door shut and headed to the cafe as the men stood there for a moment. Dee came up and joined the group at the bottom of the stairs.

"What are you up to?" Wynn asked Dee.

"I was trying to get more information about the man that was collecting the rent out at the Silverton settlement." Dee said. "The boys were very helpful and I think I might have a good sketch going. I was going to show it to some of the women and see."

"Good idea." Wynn said. "If we have a good description, we can put it out on the wire and see if something pops up."

"I will do that later." Dee said. "I wanted to talk to the women first."

"Don't forget." Jacobs said. "We have to talk to the families and there is that wire for Constable Thornton."

"Thank you, I forgot about that." Wynn said. "I didn't even read it yet. I got involved with my other wires. We have to set that account up, but that can be done tomorrow. We will just need to talk to Jenkins at the bank."

"I can do that with Bill." Jacobs said. "We can add the pastor later if we have to. I want to get that done."

"Then do that after we are done at the stagecoach." Wynn said. "Then we can have Bill and/or McGinty start rounding up the families."

"Sounds good." Jacobs said.