Chapter 164 – End of a Long Easter

Dee and Jacobs headed over to the office to see what Wynn was up to. Dee was sure that his dad wanted to see what he had found and used the excuse of them taking Jack and Elizabeth home to go see. When they walked into the office, they found Wynn going over the notes that Dee had made earlier. Wynn looked up when he heard the door.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Wynn asked.

"It wouldn't change anything." Dee said. "The orders from headquarters are the same – observe only."

Wynn let out a groan.

"I know." Wynn said. "But you would think that this changes things."

"I thought so as well." Dee said. "But because the information can't be confirmed yet, they don't want to risk losing the chance to find the real Captain Campbell."

"I know." Wynn said. "I understand, but that doesn't mean that I have to like it."

"No you don't." Jacobs said. "But until we have confirmation of what happened to the real Captain Campbell, we can't show our hand."

"So you think that the Bernardi family have him and he is not dead?" Wynn asked.

"I have to think that until we know otherwise." Jacobs said. "Otherwise, I might just lose it on that imposter."

"It is one of those times." Wynn said. "One of those times I wish I wasn't bound by certain rules."

"We could always …." Dee said.

"Don't even say it." Wynn said, cutting him off. "I have thought about it, but you know we can't do that."

"I agree with your dad." Jacobs said. "We can't allow ourselves to go there. We are officers of the law and we will act like it, no matter how much we wish otherwise."

"We have over an hour and half until supper." Wynn said. "Let's see if we can make some headway on all this information. We are still missing something and I want to go over everything and see if we can't figure it out. I know that there is more information coming and should be here Tuesday or Wednesday, but I want to see if we can't figure some things out before then."

The three sat down and started with what they knew. They went through the files that Jacobs had pulled from the jail. They then made a list of questions that they needed answers for and set about looking for those answers in the piles of information in front of them.

As Elizabeth settled in next to Jack, she knew that she had to ask.

"Jack." Elizabeth said. "I want you to be honest with me."

"Okay." Jack said softly.

"Is it as bad or worse then Jacobs is saying?" Elizabeth asked.

"Probably worse." Jack said. "But like he probably told you, he is doing everything that he can to help me and I trust him. I also trust Wynn. If he honestly felt that I would be better in the hospital he would take me there."

Jack coughed a few times after speaking and then gasped for air.

"No more talking." Elizabeth said. "I want you to get better. No only for me, but for this little one, Little Beth and Sarah.

Jack nodded his head and leaned down to kiss Elizabeth.

"I promise I will do everything I can." Jack said.

"Good." Elizabeth said. "I am going to hold you to that."

Jack just nodded. Elizabeth sat up like Jack was, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. He knew that they couldn't be together, but he still wanted to hold her. Elizabeth started humming and that was how they fell asleep. Both were physically tired and emotionally spent.

It was just over an hour after Jacobs and Dee had left to go be with Wynn across the road, that the ladies put their needlepoint away and went to the kitchen to start heating up supper. Frank had helped the kids put the games away and set the tables. Glasses and silverware were set on the table, as plates would be made in the kitchen. Once they had most everything ready, Patty headed across the road to get the guys. She then walked back with Wynn and Dee as Jacobs went to get the Mounties and Cadets. As they were getting ready to head to the cafe, Frank came over with a plate for Bill and the prisoner. Jacobs took the plates inside as Frank walked the rest back.

When the Cadets got back to the cafe, they started for the tables that were set and the other Mounties followed.

"Halt." Wynn said.

Everyone stopped and looked at him.

"If you want to eat." Wynn said. "This is what is going to happen. You are going to line up and get your plates from the kitchen after you have introduced yourselves to the ladies in there and thanked them for feeding you. I could make you eat rations, but I so far have allowed you to eat here at the cafe. Also Abigail is not usually open on Sundays or holidays so she is doing this for me and I can change my mind very quickly. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Sir." The Mounties and Cadets answered.

They quickly lined up and as they stepped into the kitchen under the watchful eye of Wynn, they introduced themselves to the ladies and then were handed a plate by Becky. They went through the line, got their food and then went to the table. Jacobs came in during this time and waited until they had all been seated. Wynn, Jacobs and Dee went to the kitchen where Frank led a prayer before they made their plates and also took a seat in the dining room. Jacobs helped Becky as Frank helped Cody.

Once they were all seated, everyone had a nice conversation and it was an enjoyable supper. The Cadets quickly realized that they weren't going to get away with anything and those that tried were punished. As the Cadets started to finish, Jacobs stood up.

"You will remain seated and share this table until you are excused." Jacobs said. "The rest of us are still eating. The exception will be two of you who are going to switch with the two on guard duty so they can eat."

"Cadets Morin and Kane." Dee said. "If you are done, you can switch with the two."

"Just so that it is clear." Wynn said. "Unless you are on guard duty or have been assigned chores, you are restricted to your quarters for the evening. The three that did dishes earlier are still on dishes tonight and will be helping here at the cafe all week when not assigned other chores."

All the cadets nodded, knowing that they didn't want to get in trouble and be assigned extra chores. Morin and Kane stood up, picked up their plates and took them to the kitchen. On their way back they thanked the ladies for the wonderful meal and then headed out to switch with the other two. Wynn just nodded to Jacobs and Dee.

"Thank you." Abigail said. "I know that it is going to be a busy week without Mary, but hopefully we can find some kind of routine."

"We will all help." Becky said. "I know that Cody and I have school, but we can help as well."

"Thank you." Elizabeth Rose said. "We all have to help a little more until things get a little more settled. We have lots going on and lots of extra people around."

It wasn't long and Jones and Lewis were back to eat. Patty got up and helped them make a plate. They took a seat and started eating. About five minutes later, Jacobs stood up.

"Those not on dishes are excused." Jacobs said. "The cadets and those who want to join them will be going running at six thirty in the morning. Those that have already been here know the route. You will make three loops before you dare come over for breakfast."

"Before you go." Elizabeth Rose said. "Mrs Thornton leaves for school at seven thirty."

"In that case." Jacobs said. "The two who are assigned to the schoolhouse will be at the house before seven thirty to walk with her. You will be at the schoolhouse as long as she is."

"Yes, Sir." Cadet Edwards said. "I have a schedule at the jail."

"Good." Jacobs said. "Keep it flexible, but I will get a copy of it later. We may have to adjust as we go later in the week, but for now we will go with it. Corporal Thornton will be at home and there needs to be at least one guard there while he is there as well."

The cadets nodded.

"Then you are dismissed for the evening." Wynn said.

The cadets and Mounties stood and saluted. Once their salute had been returned, they picked up their dishes and took them to the kitchen. As the others left, the three started on the dishes. After making sure that everyone had enough food to eat, Abigail and Patty started to put everything away. Wynn, Jacobs and Dee sat for a moment. Frank excused himself for the night after saying goodbye to Abigail. Elizabeth Rose looked at the children.

"Do you have everything ready for tomorrow?" Elizabeth Rose asked.

"Yes." Cody said.

"I think so." Becky said. "I am just not sure how I will get up the steps."

"The cadets and/or the older boys can help." Wynn said.

"I can come over and help as well." Jacobs said.

Becky smiled at him.

"Is there anything else that you need tonight?" Jacobs asked. "Otherwise, I would like to head out. I want to write a letter to my mother."

"We can help Becky up." Wynn said. "I will knock on your door in the morning."

"I might already be up." Jacobs said. "I want to make sure those cadets stay in line."

"Either way." Wynn said.

"Are we going to check on Jack?" Dee asked.

"I think he might be okay tonight." Jacobs said. "If you go back and find otherwise, please come and get me."

Dee nodded. Jacobs excused himself and headed out. After Jacobs left, everyone else went to sit in the sitting area off the kitchen. Patty made Abigail sit and relax for a bit. Once the cadets were done with the dishes and the kitchen was clean enough for her, she made them get the dining room ready for the next morning before letting them go. When Patty finally sat down, Abigail just looked at her.

"Thank you." Abigail said. "That makes it so much easier."

"No problem." Patty said. "Like I said, I am used to handling unruly boys. It is something different and they wanted to push the boundaries, but quickly realized we all mean business."

"Cody." Abigail said.

"Okay." Cody said.

Cody made the rounds saying goodnight and then headed upstairs.

"I will be up in ten minutes." Abigail said.

Cody went up the steps.

"I think I should head up as well." Becky said. "I am getting tired and I know that tomorrow is going to be long with school."

"Do you want to walk up the steps or in the hallway once up the steps?" Dee asked.

"Maybe I could walk in the hallway." Becky said. "Steps are still pretty hard."

"Then the hallway it is." Dee said.

Wynn and Dee stood up and walked over to Becky.

"Is there anything that you need down here?" Dee asked.

"Can someone bring my sketchbook up?" Becky asked.

"I will bring it up in a minute." Abigail said.

Wynn reached down and scooped Becky up. Dee was right behind him. When they got to the top of the steps, Wynn set Becky on her feet and made sure she was steady before letting her go. Wynn and Dee walked alongside her, but didn't hold her. Becky almost got to her room before she faltered. Wynn was right there. They got her to her room and made sure she had what she needed within reach before heading back down. When they got back down, they took a seat again.

"I am just going to check on them." Abigail said. "Feel free to sit for a moment and wait."

Abigail headed up. Elizabeth Rose looked at her husband.

"So what is really going on?" Elizabeth Rose asked.

Wynn started explaining what had happened with Cody and then with Jack. Patty made them all some tea. Wynn was just finishing telling them about Jack when Abigail came back down.

"I thought he was a lot more injured than he was saying." Abigail said. "You know that he is going to try and push to get back to work."

"I know." Wynn said. "There is a part of me that is tempted to leave Dee and Jacobs here longer. I promised that I will be here as long as needed, but I have to go back to Hamilton at some point."

"I know." Abigail said.

"We are here at least this week and part of next." Elizabeth Rose said. "I doubt that everything will be wrapped up before then. We can sit down next weekend and work out a longer term plan. Let's just take this one day at a time. We have enough to do this week without thinking about longer term plans."

"I know." Wynn said. "But I can't help thinking about things."

"I know." Elizabeth Rose said.

"Dad." Dee said. "It is not like you aren't still working. Mom is right, let's get through this week. You said you are staying until the auditors get here. Also I think Connor's will agree that you are safer here than traveling with a protection detail."

"You know he is right." Patty said.

Wynn nodded his head.

"I just feel so torn." Wynn said. "I want to be here to help, but I feel like all I have done is make things worse."

"Nonsense." Abigail said. "I don't know what we would have done without all of you here."

"We all have a long week coming." Patty said. "I think we should all call it a night."

"I agree." Elizabeth Rose said.

They stood and exchanged goodnights. Abigail saw them out and made sure that the doors were locked and the lights turned down before heading up. Patty walked the group to the saloon and then insisted on walking Dee back to the house. Dee thought he could walk back by himself, but he also knew that it was pointless to argue with either Patty or his parents.

Once back at the house, Dee checked with the two on guard duty and then headed inside. He stoked the fire in the corner and then went to the kitchen. He put a large pot of water on the back to heat. He hoped that they wouldn't need it until morning, but he wanted to be ready. Once he had all of that done, he went upstairs to check on Jack and Elizabeth. He knocked on their door, but there was no answer, so he cracked the door just a bit and saw that they were both sleeping. Knowing that they were sleeping, Dee went back downstairs. He bolted both doors and then pulled out his sketchbook and sat on the settee. He wasn't tired and decided to draw for a bit.