Chapter 130 – Early Morning Drama

When Jacobs and Bill got back to the jail, McGinty had moved the two men into one cell and they put the other in the empty cell, still handcuffed. When they stepped over by the desk, Jacobs looked around and didn't see Lee.

"Lee went to his office." McGinty said. "He said that he would write up what happened and bring it over. I was going to go on rounds, but I can wait. Everything was fine last night, so it should be okay if I don't ride this morning."

"Okay." Jacobs said. "Then at least make sure that you check things tonight."

"I will." McGinty said.

"So what is the plan?" Bill asked.

Before anyone else could speak, the men in the cells started yelling at each other. The three stopped and listened to the men, not understanding what they were saying as they were speaking a different language. Jacobs could pick out a word or two here and there, but he wasn't sure what was being said. He had enough. Jacobs took a couple steps closer to the cells.

"Shut up!" Jacobs bellowed. "I don't want another word out of any of you. You are all under arrest and unless you want additional charges, I would sit quietly."

All three men shut up and looked at Jacobs.

"I have to get to work." One man yelled.

"You are no longer employed in this town." Jacobs said. "You had been warned to stay out of trouble and you couldn't manage that, so you have been fired and are going to be held for a judge. Actually, you will probably be moved to Buxton to stand before the judge."

"Coulter is going to be sorry." The man yelled.

"Actually." Jacobs said. "He had just cause to fire you and if you try to cause him trouble, I will stop you."

Jacobs then turned around and went back to Bill and McGinty.

"Bill." Jacobs said. "I need you to stop at that saloon and then go open the other office."

Jacobs held out the keys to Bill. Bill nodded in understanding, took the keys and left.

"McGinty, stay here." Jacobs said. "Work on reports. I will be at the other office after I stop at the mercantile. We will get these guys breakfast later."

"Yes, Sir." McGinty said.

Jacobs looked at the three in the cell, then back at McGinty.

"Record anything they say, if you can." Jacobs said.

McGinty nodded and then sat down behind the desk. Jacobs left and headed to the mercantile. He sent a message to Buxton to come and get two prisoners as soon as possible to be held for the judge. He also sent out a request for information about the other man. He included a description and marked it the highest priority. Jacobs also sent a wire to his grandfather, also marked urgent Mountie business. Ned looked at him.

"Don't say a word about anything." Jacobs said. "You are supposed to keep quiet about what you see and hear in regards to communications. Don't cause me trouble or you will regret it. I am the new Sergeant in Benson Hills and I will be here for the time being. I also know that you have been warned in the past about talking about things. I mean it when I say I will have you replaced as a telegraph operator. Don't think I have the power, double check where that last wire is going and then think again about crossing me."

Ned nodded. The last thing that Ned wanted was to lose the telegraph from his mercantile. He knew that it brought in a lot of business and to not have it would be hard. As Jacobs left, Ned went to get the messages out. After Jacobs left the mercantile, he stopped back by the jail, grabbed the man's pack and then headed to the other office. When he got there, he saw the lights so went up the steps. Bill was there getting coffee on. Jacobs put the pack down and then looked at Bill.

"I am going to run to the cafe." Jacobs said.

"Wynn will be here in a few moments." Bill said. "Can you grab breakfast for all three of us while you are there?"

"I will." Jacobs said. "I wired Buxton to come move the two troublemakers and then headquarters looking to identify the other."

Bill shook his head.

"What?" Jacobs asked.

"What I wouldn't give for a quiet day." Bill said. "That was part of the reason that I wanted to be here, things were quieter."

"And they will be again." Jacobs said. "I know that it seems like a lot is going on, but if you need a few moments, take it. We should have additional help later today."

"I know." Bill said. "But I know that Jack is counting on me to keep an eye on things."

Jacobs stopped and went over to Bill. He turned Bill to look him directly in the eyes.

"And you are." Jacobs said. "But you also need to take care of yourself. You have been through a lot in the last week or so. If you don't take care of yourself, you are no good to any of us. Don't make me lock you in a cell to slow you down. Because you know that I will."

Bill just grunted. Jacobs shook his head and left to get them breakfast. Bill knew enough to know that Jacobs would lock him in a cell too. Bill knew that he needed to step back, but there was so much going on. He also knew that Jacobs was right, there would be more help arriving later in the day. Bill decided that he would talk to McGinty and see if he could go on rounds with him. A nice ride sounded good to Bill. He just hoped that McGinty didn't mind, because mind or not, Bill decided that he was going to ride rounds.

It was as Elizabeth was coming back down the stairs after changing when Charlotte walked in the back door. She set her rifle by the door, went to wash up before finally grabbing a cup of coffee and sitting down. Elizabeth noticed the rifle and also that Jack's gun belt was hanging from his chair. Jack knew that Elizabeth didn't particularly like guns. He also knew that she was emotional after what happened that morning. He knew that he needed to do something to comfort her. When Elizabeth got to the stove, Jack wrapped his arm around her and kissed her temple.

"It is okay." Jack whispered. "Just being cautious."

Elizabeth nodded and then finished getting their breakfast ready. As much as Jack was hoping that Elizabeth would be open to learning to shoot, he wasn't going to press the issue. If she wasn't going to learn, he realized that it would be a lot more important to have security.

"So what happened, Ma?" Jack asked.

"We found someone hiding in the grove." Charlotte said. "Dee arrested him and then he and Lee took him into town."

"So what was that other shot?" Jack asked.

"A warning." Charlotte said.

Charlotte gave Jack a look and he knew better than to ask any more questions. Not only did Charlotte not want to talk about it, she had picked up on how Elizabeth was feeling. Charlotte didn't want to make her any more uncomfortable then she already was.

"Glad you were here." Jack said.

"Me too." Elizabeth said.

Jack set the table as Elizabeth finished breakfast. It was only a few minutes and a nice breakfast of eggs, ham and toast was on the table.

"Heavenly Father." Jack prayed. "Thank you for keeping everyone safe this morning. Please be with us today as we move forward. Please keep everyone safe as we go about our day. Bless this food to our bodies and bless the hands that prepared it. Amen."

"Amen." Elizabeth said.

"Amen." Charlotte said. "Thank you for making it."

"No problem." Elizabeth said.

They group had just started eating when Dee came in the back door.

"Everything alright?" Jack asked.

"Yes." Dee said. "I turned the guy over to Jacobs and Bill. They wanted me to check on you and then also get Charlotte's report. I have to head back in."

"Do we know who the man is?" Jack asked.

"No." Dee said. "I am sure that Bill and Jacobs are working on it. Let's eat and we can talk later."

Jack knew that there was something that Dee wasn't saying so he was going to drop it for the moment, but he would talk to him later. Dee quickly ate the food that Elizabeth had set in front of him.

"What is the plan?" Jack asked.

"Charlotte is going to write out what happened." Dee said. "I am going to head into town, because I am sure that they have woken Dad by now. I am going to do my report and try to figure things out. I will be back to get you later to watch them move the cabin."

"I think I will stay here." Charlotte said. "Not only do I have the report to write, but I also want to talk to Lizzie about the lesson plans for the week."

"Sounds good." Dee said.

"Guess I am staying here." Jack said. "I wish that there was more that I could do."

"You need to rest." Charlotte said. "Especially if you want to go out later."

The look that Charlotte gave Jack, he knew better than to argue.

"Yes, Ma." Jack said.

Dee patted Jack on the shoulder as he walked past, stopping between Jack and Charlotte.

"I will be back as soon as I can." Dee said. "Jack, I know that it is not easy, but please take it easy. Take the time to rest. You have books to read, an amazing guitar to play and I know that you also like to draw. I know that you want to do more, but you will soon."

"You are right." Jack said. "It is just hard."

"I know." Dee said. "Been there."

"I guess you are right." Jack said.

Dee stopped like he was thinking. After a moment, he knelt down by Jack.

"If you want to help." Dee finally said. "I could use some help in making a couple copies of that map I showed you. Dad keeps taking mine when I am trying to work on it."

"Thank you." Jack said. "I will do that. Please leave it on the desk."

"We will be here." Charlotte said. "I will make sure that he also rests this morning."

Jack shook his head. Dee left the map on the desk, then left and the rest finished their breakfast. Jack went to sit on the couch with his sketchbook and the map. Charlotte and Elizabeth cleaned up the kitchen while they talked about school. When they were done in the kitchen, Elizabeth gave Charlotte her lesson plans to look over and a couple of her science books. It didn't take Charlotte long to know that she was going to need more science books. She wondered what else Elizabeth had in the classroom.

Elizabeth went to her desk to read her letters from the previous day as well as read through the paperwork from Andrew Russell's lawyer. She knew that she was going to have to read through that paperwork carefully. She knew that Jack and her still had to talk about things, but she was sure that they were meant to take the girls in. Elizabeth wanted to read the papers and then make a list of questions that she thought her and Jack would need to answer before they decided anything. She was also thinking about what everyone else was going to say and how they were going to react if they did decide to take the girls. Elizabeth had a feeling that if they decided to take the girls, they would be getting them sooner rather than later. She didn't know how she knew that, but she knew it in her heart as much as she knew that they needed to agree. Elizabeth wasn't sure how Jack felt about it, but she did know that he loved those girls.

Elizabeth wasn't sure how it all would work out, but she figured that the paperwork and the list of questions was a good place to start. She also knew that they wouldn't be able to take the girls until they were in the new house. Elizabeth stopped what she was doing and said a quick prayer that everything would work out.

When Jacobs got to the cafe, he found Abigail and Ann in the kitchen.

"Morning." Abigail said. "I have a favor to ask if possible."

"Sure." Jacobs said. "I need breakfast for Bill, Wynn and myself. In a separate basket, I also need breakfast for McGinty and three prisoners."

"I can get that going." Ann said.

"I was wondering if you can bring Becky down?" Abigail asked. "She is dressed and ready, but she can't do the stairs. She had a bit of an attitude this morning when I suggested that she try the stairs and I would help her."

"Lead that way." Jacobs said.

Abigail and Jacobs headed upstairs while Ann got breakfast going. When Abigail got upstairs, she knocked on Becky's door before going in. Jacobs waited a moment before entering.

"Morning Becky." Jacobs said. "Your mom said you wanted to go downstairs."

"She isn't my mom." Becky said.

Jacobs looked at Abigail and nodded.

"I will go help Ann with breakfast." Abigail said.

Jacobs waited until Abigail was out the door and he heard her head down. He then sat on the bed and looked at Becky.

"She can be if you want." Jacobs said. "I know that she loves you like a daughter and she loves Cody like a son. I have only been here a few days and I can see that. So what is with the attitude?"

"I hate not being able to do things." Becky said.

"And from what I hear." Jacobs said. "You can, but don't want to try."

Becky rolled her eyes.

"Like you know what it is like to not be able to do something." Becky said.