Chapter 241 – David and Andrew's Findings
As Jack suspected, Charlotte had left early the next morning. Joe had seen her leave, she had even stopped and said goodbye before handing him an envelope before she rode off into the sunrise. Joe stood there watching her until she was outta sight. He then tucked the envelope in his serge and headed to get Bandit. He had plans to ride full rounds that morning since with the cadets, they had only been doing spot checks.
Five minutes after Charlotte left, Joe left for rounds. Ten minutes after that Jacobs walked out of the hotel to get the cadets going. He knew it was going to be a busy weekend. Some more of Lee's men had arrived the evening before, a few days early. When they had come into the saloon, several of them looked pretty rough and a couple had Jacobs wondering if they were even old enough. Apparently they had been grumbling about staying in tents and wondered why they couldn't get rooms in the hotel upstairs.
The night before, Jacobs was getting frustrated after a half hour of listening to two tables of men grumbling, he had McGinty and Captain Cook make an appearance in uniform. The men quickly quieted down because even though he hadn't planned it, less than two minutes after McGinty and Cook came in, five of the Cadets came in as well. Jacobs sat back and smiled as he watched the men's faces fall. It sounded like many of them hadn't planned on being in a town full of Mounties.
So Saturday morning when Joe left on rounds, he was going to make a point of stopping at the sawmill and checking things out. He didn't want any trouble from anyone.
Jacobs got the cadets going and by the time he had been to the cafe for some coffee, they were ready to run. After their run they had breakfast and then were assigned chores. Just as the cadets were leaving, the lumberjacks started coming in. Jacobs decided to stick around. Frank grabbed a cup of coffee and joined him. They were having a nice conversation when Frank caught sight of Abigail and stopped mid-sentence. Jacobs laughed and that brought Frank back to the present.
"You have it bad, my friend." Jacobs said.
Frank just ducked his head. After a moment he recovered and went back to the conversation.
"I want to ask you something." Frank said. "But I don't want to reveal the confidence I said I would keep. Yet, I need another opinion."
"Like my father would say." Jacobs said. "Tell me a story and I will give you my opinion on the characters in the story."
Frank nodded.
"There is a young man." Frank said. "He went through something horrible and now from time to time he has these times where he feels like he is reliving that experience. He has described it as watching it happen and powerless to stop it. He has even experienced similar pain as was inflicted on him. I would like to help the young man, but feel very ill equipped."
"I have heard of similar situations." Jacobs said. "There is a thought that something, a word or sound or even smell, can trigger a memory. If it happens to trigger a traumatic memory, the person can experience a form of panic like when the original event happened. Not much you can do for the person. Talk to them, let them tell you their story to share the burden. Reminding them they are safe in the moment, is about all you can do. The biggest thing would be making sure the person is in a safe location and not left alone during those times."
"Thank you." Frank said, the disappointment clear in his voice.
"Sorry I don't have something better." Jacobs said. "There is just so much about things like that that we don't know. All I know is that talking about things seems to help most people. It is like if they keep it inside, to themselves, it is worse than actually talking about it."
"Thank you again." Frank said. "I will try talking to him some more. I just don't think he is ready to really open up about what actually happened."
"Good luck." Jacobs said.
Frank nodded, picked up their dishes and headed into the kitchen. Jacobs sat there finishing his coffee wondering who Frank could be talking about. Jacobs himself hadn't heard of anything happening like that and he was sure Faith would have mentioned something if she would have seen it. So Jacobs concluded that Faith probably didn't know. They had spent a lot of time talking and Faith felt comfortable sharing things with him, especially when it came to figuring out what was going on with patients. She had been surprised at the depth of his medical knowledge. She wondered why had chosen the Mounties and not medical school. She had tried to ask him, but he skirted the question saying he had always been better at law then medicine. Faith smiled and shook her head. She was going to miss him when he left. She knew he would be close in Benson Hills, but he wouldn't be close enough for their talks, at least until the telephone came to Hope Valley.
Jack and Elizabeth slept in a bit on Saturday morning. It was the weekend, Jack was still recovering and with Elizabeth pregnant, they deserved it.
While they slept in, Doug and Dee got breakfast for themselves before Dee headed into town since his Dad, Andrew and David were meeting with Abigail to go over what they had found.
After Dee left, Doug cleaned up the kitchen and set about going through another stack of paperwork, looking for answers for Dee. More paperwork had arrived and Wynn, Dee and Jacobs were getting overwhelmed looking for information, because it seemed with every answer it just brought a new round of questions and having to go back through the paperwork. Dee had found Doug was good at getting through the information and making a quick summary of the facts so it was easier to figure out what was useful and what was just a waste to spend time combing through.
While he was working, Doug kept the water on and hot so it would be ready for Jack when he came down. He also had coffee on the stove because he liked hot, fresh coffee while working, so frequently refilled his small mug.
Finally an hour after Dee had left, Jack came downstairs. Doug looked up and nodded.
"Elizabeth is still sleeping." Jack said. "She was so tired, I figured I would just let her sleep. We have no real plans today."
"Coffee? Breakfast?" Doug asked.
"You doing my breathing treatment?" Jack asked.
Doug nodded.
"Medicated tea and some toast." Jack said. "Then we will go from there."
Doug nodded, stood up and got it ready for Jack. Jack was just finishing his tea when Elizabeth came downstairs.
"Morning." Doug said.
"Morning, sleepyhead." Jack said with a grin. "I hope we didn't wake you."
"No." Elizabeth said. "Your child is demanding food, so that is why I am up. Besides, I was missing my personal heater."
Doug just smiled and ducked his head. Elizabeth got herself some breakfast while Doug got Jack started on his breathing treatment.
"Dee already head into town?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes." Doug said. "He had a meeting with his dad, Mrs Stanton and the two auditors. Sounds like they are done and going over what they found."
"I am glad Andrew and David are finished." Elizabeth said. "As much as I hate to see them leave, I know Andrew is ready to get back to his wife and son."
"I am sure." Doug said. "It can't be easy being away for so long."
"This one isn't even born yet." Elizabeth said, rubbing her tummy. "And I can't even imagine going to school every day and leaving them."
Elizabeth enjoyed her breakfast and Jack finished up his breathing treatment, including Doug cupping his back like Jacobs had done. Then Doug insisted on checking his dressing before letting him relax for a bit. Jack settled on the couch with his sketchbook to relax for a bit. Doug went back to the paperwork.
Once Elizabeth was done eating, she checked a few things and then got some soup stock going for lunch. She then went to her writing desk and started working on some more stories.
Wynn, Dee, David, Andrew and Abigail had gathered in her office with instructions to others that they weren't to be interrupted unless it was an emergency. Once they were seated, David looked at Andrew, who looked at Abigail, who looked at Wynn.
"Just start." Wynn said. "Tell what we need to know. What steps need to be taken and how bad it is. This isn't Abigail's first time. It can't be that bad and if it is, we will deal with it. None of us are afraid of a little hard work."
David took a deep breath and opened the folder he had in front of him.
"Coal Valley began making payments in varying amounts from fifty dollars up to three hundred dollars a month starting in January 1904." David said. "They continued until the mine was closed in October 1910. They really started to shift money in 1907. We thought that the earlier payments might have been legitimate, but upon further investigation, we believe they were all illegal from the start. Coal Valley and then Hope Valley made payments to Wilder started in July 1909 and continued until December 1910."
"You are sure about July 1909." Abigail interrupted.
"Yes, absolutely." David said.
"Does that mean something to you?" Wynn asked.
"It was one of the first times that Noah and Gowen really butted heads about safety and equipment." Abigail said. "Noah threatened to go over Gowen's head at that time."
"I don't see the connection to why he would start paying this company." David said. "I had trouble verifying the company to begin with. And the only thing I could learn was that all assets were frozen and it is under investigation."
"That is my fault." Wynn said. "I purposely withheld information, so as not to influence you. I know that you know about the Pacific Northwest investigation, but just not how it relates to this audit and why it was requested.
"Explain." Andrew said, a tinge of anger in his voice.
"We discovered Wilder was a shell company connected to Gowen." Wynn said. "It was by my word the assets were frozen and the company investigated. I didn't say anything, wanting to see what you found."
"Okay." David said. "I understand. We were just told there were some irregularities and the integrity of a previous auditor was in question, also there was a connection to Pacific Northwest since they used to run this town."
"Not knowing who they would send." Dee said. "We wanted to give as little information as possible. We wanted to see what your conclusions were. I am sorry we weren't up front about everything."
"Given what this town has been through." Andrew said. "It is understandable."
"Other than Wilder and the payments to Pacific Northwest." Abigail said. "Anything else questionable?"
"We found a few minor things." David said. "Between 1903 and the end of 1910, they totaled less than one hundred dollars. Something like that could be attributed to inverting numbers, forgetting to account for petty cash transactions or poor math. Over seven years we expect a little variation. Less than two percent is acceptable in the industry. Not me personally, but in general."
"Okay." Abigail said.
"What are your recommendations going to be?" Wynn asked.
"From a legal standpoint." Andrew said. "We are recommending that Pacific Northwest pay back Hope Valley the amount of twelve thousand dollars as restitution since the payments have no documented legal reason. The same with Wilder, paying a total of seven thousand dollars. We will also be recommending that each payment be a count if fraud on any charges brought."
"Okay." Wynn said.
"And on the accounting side." David said. "Given the extensive audit I have done, I will be recommending standard three to five year audits moving forward. I will also be recommending that there be more oversight on the bank and that they seek new backers/investors other than Pacific Northwest or related companies."
"So people without ties to Pacific Northwest?" Dee asked. "Not all mining companies."
"Correct." David said. "I will also be recommending yearly bank audits until new investors are found and they have no irregularities or questionable transactions for two years straight. I know it sounds harsh, but this is giving them a chance to get in front of things and not let it get worse. I haven't personally looked at all of the bank's books but if they are anything like their copy of the city books, you will need to get ahead of this before there are major problems."
"I understand." Abigail said. "Jasper Jenkins is a nice enough man, but I think easily influenced by others and more worried about looking good versus actually being good."
"I gathered that." Andrew said. "He seemed really concerned about this second audit so soon after the last."
"Would you be coming back to do the full bank audit?" Abigail asked.
"If we were asked by the government officials." David said. "But Andrew and I will probably be taking on a new adventure this fall, so it will depend on that."
"Can I ask what?" Abigail said.
"We are not at liberty to disclose that right now." Andrew said. "But I am sure you will know if it happens."
Andrew winked and Abigail just smiled and nodded. She was sure it had something to do with Elizabeth and her father. So yes, she was sure she would know, even if Elizabeth didn't come right out and say it.
After he finished rounds, Joe headed to see Jack. He felt bad that he hadn't been out sooner, but he wanted to give him time to rest and given the amount of family they had around it was better that Joe kept his distance for a bit.
When Joe knocked and then came in, Jack was a little surprised. He immediately got to his feet and greeted his friend.
"About time you come see me again." Jack teased.
"Sorry for the interruption." Joe said, looking at Elizabeth.
"No interruption." Elizabeth said. "You are like family. Please come sit, I can put some tea on. Doug might still have some coffee on."
Joe smiled.
"I don't have a lot of time. I am supposed to meet the supply wagons and a stagecoach." Joe said. "But I need to give you this. (He pulled the envelope from his pocket.) I promise I will come back when. I can sit and visit."
"What supply wagons are coming in?" Doug said. "Do you need help?"
"The new mine owner sent a message that there would be stuff arriving this morning for his office and the mine. We need to unload it all into his office and the building next door, since he contacted Abigail about getting that one as well for storage. He also said the new mine superintendent might be coming on the stagecoach today and he is to move into the apartment above the mine office. So I assume he will have stuff on the wagons as well since that apartment was pretty sparsely furnished. If you want to come help, I won't turn it down. It will just be me and the cadets not pulling guard duty. Lee already said he can't spare any men, they want to maximize daylight and get things moving forward as fast as possible. So there is a lot going on in town. Lee has had two and half new crews arrive as well. So there are lots of new faces and we have been busy watching the saloon in the evenings. No major problems, but I think that is because we had a presence from the start. Also that new barkeep that Tom hired doesn't tolerate anything. He shuts the men down pretty quick. I wouldn't want to cross his Irish temper."
Jack and Doug laughed.
"Let me quickly change." Doug said.
"What is this?" Jack asked, taking the envelope from Joe."
"Your Ma gave it to me before riding off really early this morning." Joe said.
"Did she say anything?" Jack asked.
"Just to take care." Joe said. "I was getting Bandit ready to leave on rounds."
Jack opened the note and looked at it. His face kind of twisted a bit.
"Everything okay?" Elizabeth asked, getting up.
"Maybe." Jack said. "Ma said she would be in contact and would think about what Wynn said, but she needs space and to get back to the ranch."
"Take it as a good thing." Joe said. "At least you got a note this time and she didn't just take off."
"You are right." Jack said. "I was just hoping that we would work things out before she left."
"And you know that isn't Charlotte's way." Doug said, coming out of the bedroom.
"I guess." Jack said, the disappointment on his face.
Joe put his hands on Jack's shoulders and forced him to look at him.
"You didn't do anything wrong." Joe said. "You are an adult, married and starting a family. Your choices and decisions need to put them first, not your mother's feelings. She is a big girl and will realize she is wrong. She is just stubborn and would rather leave than admit she might be wrong."
"I guess you are right." Jack said. "This is what she does. When she realizes I was right, she will send a note and then show up when I least expect it."
"Good." Doug said. "Now, you going to be okay with just the cadets outside?"
"We will be fine." Jack said. "Take your time, enjoy being in town. Joe, take him to Abigail's for lunch."
"Yes, Sir." Joe said, with a smile and little salute.
Jack just shook his head and pushed his two friends towards the door.
"Don't overdo it." Doug admonished.
"He will behave." Elizabeth said.
"My wife has spoken." Jack said. "Now go."
Doug and Joe were laughing as they left the house. Joe grabbed Bandit's reins and the duo walked toward town joking and laughing.