Chapter 117 – More Information Revealed (short)

When Wynn walked back into Abigail's office, Dee was the only one there.

"They went to the bank." Dee said without looking up.

"Okay." Wynn said. "What was in the message for Jack?"

"Look for yourself." Dee said, pointing to the spot where his father had been sitting before.

Wynn picked up the message and looked at it:

Constable Jack Thornton, Hope Valley, Alberta

Information about Tom Thornton

Port McNeil Mountie office

Tom was involved in a fight, but don't worry he is not in jail anymore. After speaking with witnesses, it was determined that he was defending himself. He has been released without charges. We still felt that it was important to inform you in case others try to claim otherwise. Tom is back at work and his boss was understanding about things.

Constable David Shaw

Wynn looked at Dee.

"Should we be worried?" Wynn asked.

"Nope." Dee said. "I know Shaw. He is a straight arrow. If there was a problem he would let us know. He doesn't take kindly to people who break the law. I wired him before when you put Tom on the train. He promised me as long as he was in Port McNeil that he would keep an eye on Tom and not let others judge him because of his past. Especially after I explained that this was a chance for Tom to start over."

"Thank you." Wynn said. "Then I won't worry about it, but we will give the message to Jack so he has a record of it."

"Just what I was thinking." Dee said. "I will also let Jack know that Shaw is a good guy and that he is trying to help Tom."

Wynn nodded and sat back down in his spot. He picked up the papers that he had set down when he grabbed the message.

"Those from Mom?" Dee asked.

"Yes." Wynn said. "From Inspector Williams."

"Good." Dee said. "It might be some of the papers that we need."

"I don't know." Wynn said. "They are dated as leaving the Mountie office on Tuesday."

"Okay." Dee said. "It still must be important if he sent them with Mom."

"True." Wynn said. "Mom was going to sort a few things and then head to the cafe to talk to Abigail."

"Good." Dee said. "I know that Mom is looking forward to helping in the kitchen again. I did send her wires in Union City to let her know what was going on here in town so she wasn't completely surprised."

"Thank you." Wynn said. "I think Abigail will welcome the help as well until things calm down a little. I just hope that we can all find a routine. I mean it is great that we got some of the families settled, but we need to get everyone else moving forward."

"I agree." Dee said. "One step at a time. Most of the men that have been released back to work have gone. We have figured out things for the children staying and Andy is leaving to get things moving on his end. The men will still be here for a time. I know that Lee has been talking to several that want to stay on and finish the row houses. I said I can send for a background check on any of the men that he has questions about."

"As long as he feels comfortable hiring them." Wynn said. "Even on a temporary basis. Thank you for helping him with that, just make sure that you are getting your stuff done. Otherwise how have things been in town?"

"Okay and not bad around town." Dee said. "McGinty hasn't reported any problems. I know that people are excited about Easter services. The children are going back to school on Monday. I think that the real test will be tonight when the dry order is lifted at four o'clock. The women are working on cleaning the saloon and schoolhouse. I know Sam was happy to have his saloon back."

"I bet." Wynn said. "I saw a few of the women when I went over with your mother."

Jacobs and Bill walked back in.

"All good?" Wynn asked.

"Yes." Jacobs said. "We got an account set up. Jenkins said it would be no problem to add someone else. McGinty is out looking for the families and the men that I need to talk to. I think I might do that at the jail, if you are okay being here. Jenkins also said he would deal with the other accounts on Monday. He put the checks in the safe at the moment."

"I am good." Wynn said. "My wife brought me papers from Hamilton, so I am going to go through them and see if we have more answers."

"I am going to go check the mail and messages." Bill said. "Then I am going to help Jacobs."

"We will be here." Wynn said. "I promise that we will be safe. Just remember you need to keep your eyes open as well. Bill, please have your sidearm on you."

"It is at the jail." Bill said.

"Wear it." Wynn said sternly.

"Okay." Bill said.

Bill and Jacobs left to head over to the jail and mercantile. Wynn and Dee went back to the paperwork that they were working on. Dee looked up at his father.

"Dad." Dee said. "You know it isn't your fault. Things happen and you can't protect everyone all the time. You put the man behind bars where he belonged. It is not your fault that he escaped. That is on the prison guards. The good thing is that he will probably head to Hamilton or Cape Fullerton first. That will give us additional time to put things in place to keep everyone safe."

"I know." Wynn said. "But it is my job to keep people safe. I am however glad that your mother is here and not back in Hamilton. She said the same thing."

"Me too." Dee said. "I am glad that Mom is here and I am glad that we were able to surprise you. I wasn't sure that I would be able to keep it a secret after everything that happened."

Over the next hour or so, Jacobs was able to talk to everyone of the families that were taking the children as well as the fathers that were leaving their children in Hope Valley. With all the paperwork signed, Bill arranged for one of Lee's men to take the four released back to work to Rock Creek the next day. With their paperwork and tasks complete, Jacobs and Bill headed back over to Abigail's office. Bill made a stop at the mercantile and talked to Ned as well as picked up a few more wires.

Wynn and Dee had also had a productive hour. Wynn had gotten through the paperwork that Inspector Williams had sent. Most of it was things that Wynn already knew, but there were a few things about Pacific Northwest in there. Wynn still didn't have the answers that he needed, but he felt that at least that they were making headway. Dee had also been able to go through all the reports about William Thatcher, Charles Kensington and Edward Monclair. He was able to put everything together that needed to be filed with headquarters and the courts. He got it ready to send off as soon as his father reviewed it. Dee also went through the reports from Silverton again. He had drawn up a sketch as well as added things he knew about the man. He planned on showing it to some of the women before sending it out on Monday.

Shortly after Jacobs and Bill had joined Wynn and Dee, Lee knocked on the door and came in. He looked around and wondered what had happened. He had seen Wynn's wife get off the stagecoach, yet Wynn looked worried.

"Was there something that you needed, Lee?" Dee asked without looking up.

"I wanted to let you know that everything for the apartments and row houses arrived." Lee said. "If it hasn't already been unloaded, it is in the process of being done. The jacks also arrived to move the cabin. Kenneth said that they will do that starting mid-morning tomorrow. It will take a few hours to move it."

"Okay." Wynn said. "We will be ready. How are other things going?"

"Good." Lee said. "The men are working on the cabins on the north road. They are building furniture for them. Kevin is fixing two of the stoves that were left. We are still short three stoves and two ice boxes as far as I know. Adam Miller and Andrew Palmer are helping with the furniture. The cabins should be done Monday. Since it is going to take most of the men to move the cabin, they won't finish this weekend. I have also talked to Kenneth about the men getting a break on Sunday. He was going to talk to them about it. He said that they normally worked, but given that it is Easter, he was going to let them decide as a group. If they don't work, they would stay an extra day so we get two full weeks of work. I think I am missing something, but I can't remember what else."

"Thank you Lee." Wynn said. "Do you have a moment to talk?"

"Sure." Lee said. "What is up?"

"Have a seat." Jacobs said.

"Thanks." Lee said.

Lee sat down and looked at Wynn, Jacobs and Bill. Wynn looked at Bill and nodded.

"We wanted to let you know." Bill said. "There will be a protection detail arriving sometime this weekend for Wynn and his family. A prisoner has escaped from Stony Mountain who has made direct threats to Wynn."

Bill picked up a piece of paper.

"Here is his current description." Bill said. "I am working on getting a photo or drawing. If you see anyone that looks like this, please let one of the Mounties know."

"Is this man dangerous?" Lee asked.

"Could be." Wynn said. "He has been behind bars for several years, but he has an extreme dislike of me."

"What could you have done to warrant that?" Lee asked.

"I arrested his brother and shot his father after he fired upon a group of Mounties." Wynn said flatly.

"That would do it." Lee said. "I will keep my eyes open. Mind if I share this with my foreman?"

"Just the description." Bill said. "We are not sharing that he is after Wynn."

"Got it." Lee said. "Want me armed, Bill?"

Bill looked at Jacobs and Wynn.

"If you feel comfortable doing so." Wynn said. "It wouldn't hurt."

"Got it." Lee said. "I might also suggest that Christopher wear his as well. He spends most of his days out at the mill and is staying out there. His sidearm is currently in my office for safe keeping."

Bill looked at Wynn who nodded

"Then yes." Bill said. "I would recommend that he wear his. Don't engage this man if you see him. If you are in danger, do what you have to, but otherwise just let us know."

"I will." Lee said. "Can I keep this description?"

"Let me make some copies." Bill said. "I will get one for you and Chris."

"Thank you." Lee said. "Wynn, glad to see your wife again. Looking forward to some of her cooking."

"You and I both." Wynn said. "I love Abigail's, but I also love my wife's."

"I understand." Lee said. "Rosie said something to me and I was going to talk to you about it, but if you are busy it can wait."

Wynn tried to stop from rolling his eyes at the mention of Rosemary's name, but didn't quite manage it. Thankfully, from where Lee was he couldn't see, but Bill did.