Chapter 12

The silence of their walk back to town weighted heavy on Elizabeth. While the distance wasn't as great as before, there was still a distinct space between them. She would steal glances at Jack to see if she could discern his thoughts. She was beginning to worry that she was too late. That Jack was past the point of forgiveness. She took a deep breath trying to gain control of her emotions. She kept forcing herself to remember Jack's nod. While it wasn't a crystal clear sign, she took it as a positive sign. She could easily see Jack's confusion and hurt on his face, but the simple nod gave her hope they were moving forward. No matter how slowly.

Jack was silent because he was trying to process the entire conversation. It did not go as the thought it would. He just knew she would tell him that she was engaged to Mr. Jaw. Jack pictured her holding babies and reading to her children. He dreamed it several times, but in his dreams, she would have been with him, not that other guy. Now Elizabeth was telling him that she wasn't engaged to Mr. Kensington, but she loved him and wanted to be married to him. None of this was making sense to him. For the countless time today, Jack shook his head.

The whole conversation confused him. Of all the things that frustrated and confused him, it was the fact that she didn't think she was courting Mr. Kensington. He didn't understand how she could spend so much time with him and not be courting him. Elizabeth saw the confusion and hurt on his face, and it saddened her.

Their silence continued until they walked back into town. He told her goodbye as he turned to go to the infirmary. That was his only word spoken during their walk back to town. He needed to talk with Lee. Elizabeth gave him a smile and turned to go to the café. Both of them were exhausted from the emotional talk they just had.

…

"How did it go?" Abagail asked as Elizabeth stepped into the café.

"Well, I'm not sure. We talked. Jack exploded a little and we walked back together. That's a positive step."

"Ok…?"

"It didn't end the way I wanted it too. I asked him to give me an opportunity to prove to him that my heart is true only to him."

"What did he say to that?"

"Nothing, but he did nod his head in agreement."

"That's all?"

Elizabeth nodded her head. "Yes, but he did agree to it. I was just hoping for more."

"Elizabeth, you can't push it or him."

"I know, that's the most difficult aspect of this. I want us…now!" She stated forcefully as she flopped down in the chair with a sigh. "Abagail, I can't explain it. It's driving me crazy having him beside me and not wrapping my arms around him and kissing him senseless."

Abagail chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Asked an irritated Elizabeth.

"Your impatience and stubbornness." Smirked Abagail as she took Elizabeth's hand and squeezed it. "You have to give him time to process everything. He is trying to work it out in his mind."

"I know." Elizabeth sighed. "I just wish he would hurry!" Both ladies laughed at Elizabeth's expense.

"What are you going to do?" Asked Abagail.

"The only thing I know to do…show him how much I love him each opportunity he gives me."

"That's a good idea. Be patient with him."

"Sis, patience isn't a huge characteristic of mine. But for Jack, I will do the best I can."

…

"Good afternoon, Faith. How are you?"

"Hey Jack. I'm fine. You?" Said a smiling Faith.

"Good. Is Lee up for talking?"

"Sure, I just changed his bandage. So, he maybe a little grumpy. His foot is still a little tender and changing the bandage hurts him a little. He is doing fine. He will probably go home today if he follows the rules."

"Good luck with that."

"Hey, don't tell her things like that or she won't let me go home." Lee spoke from the corner bed that was partially behind a curtain.

"I believe she already knows that." Teased Jack. "You up for a discussion?"

"Sure."

"I'll head to the café for lunch. That will give you two time to talk. Lee, I'll bring something back for you."

"Thanks, Faith."

"Hey Jack, are you sure you're ok?" Asked Faith in a whisper so only he could hear her.

"Yeah. I'm ok."

Faith nodded her head as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "If you need to talk, let me know."

"Thanks Faith."

…

Jack walked over to his friend with a smile on his face. He moved the chair to be a little closer to Lee. "How are you doing Lee?"

"I'm doing well. Tired of being in here. I'm ready to go home."

"Even with the restrictions?" Jack laughed. He knew his friend and knew the guidelines laid out by Faith would be challenging for him.

"If it means I can get out of here, I'm good with them."

"I'll arrest you if I see you at work before Monday." Jack smirked at his friend.

"No problem. Hickam will just bring my work to me at home." Lee laugh thinking he beat the system. "Faith didn't say anything about me working from home." Lee's smile only grew.

Jack shook his head at his friend. Since Lee arrived in Hope Valley, him and Jack became good friends immediately. Jack was happy with the friendship. Lee quickly became his best friend.

"Ok. Tell me about yesterday. Anything out of the ordinary?"

"No. It was a normal day. Work was steady and the men were productive."

"Have you had to fire anyone lately?"

"It's been over two months since I fired anyone. The men are grateful for the work. I pay pretty well, and the work is steady. So, the men are happy."

"Anyone quit recently?"

"Just one. Joe quit about a month ago to move back home. His father took ill, and he moved back to work the farm."

Jack nodded as he took notes. "So, has anyone else had trouble with you?"

Lee thought about it for a moment. "No. You've had more trouble out of a couple of them than I have. They work hard and I pay well. We are both happy. Sometime this type of work doesn't bring in the best quality of people, but I have a good crew."

"Have you had any trouble with competitors?"

"Wait…are you thinking this was deliberate?"

"I don't know Lee. I am trying to find out everything I can."

"I don't have any trouble with competitors. My closest one is too far away to be an issue. He has helped me in the past and I have helped him. I wouldn't call us good friends, but he respects me and I respect him."

"How did he help you in the past?"

"He sent me a mechanic when I couldn't find one and I was having some troubles. I've loaned him a couple of trailers and a couple of men when he was short on labor."

Jack nodded. He couldn't get the gut feeling that this was intentional, but he just wasn't finding any proof of that theory.

Jack took a few minutes to explain to Lee exactly what happened to the wagon. He shared everything with Lee hoping he would think of something or remember something that would help in the investigation.

After the explanation from Jack, Lee was beginning to question if this was an accident. "Jack, this type of business is hard. I keep my equipment in the best of shape. You really have too. If you don't, you have too many breakdowns and that costs you money and jobs. When that saw blade isn't turning, you're not making money. So, I know it wasn't due to bad equipment. Do you think this was personal?"

"I'm not sure, but I don't think so. You don't sound like you have enemies."

"The only person that has caused me trouble is Gowan. He would find new fees or taxes to charge me. I still think he was just pocketing most, if not all, the money."

"Was it that bad?"

"He about broke me before I even opened the mill."

"I don't think it's him. If you're gone, then he wouldn't be able to tax you."

"If it's not personal, then that would mean that someone is trying to destroy the mill?" Lee asked.

"I don't know Lee. Let's not jump to conclusions too fast here, ok? We simply don't know enough yet. It could be an accident. It could be against you or the mill."

"I'll leave that up to you. I trust you."

"Thank you."

"Now, what's going on with you and Elizabeth?"

…

JJ and Robert were playing by the old camp area near the sawmill. There was a huge oak tree that the boys liked to play around. Its limbs were close enough to the ground that they could climb up the trunk of the tree just enough to get to the first limb. Once on that limb, it was easy climbing as high as you were brave enough to venture. Not only was the view from the top of the tree impressive, but the knowledge that they weren't exactly allowed to be playing in the area made it more enticing. The boys' parents forbid them from playing there. Playing there knowing they wasn't supposed to be there only added to the thrill of the old camp. The boys just thought it was a cool place to play.

The camp was mostly used by people just passing through. They would camp there for a night or two before moving on to the next town. A few of the sawmill men who didn't want to pay for a room would camp there. Most of the people were just loners and wanted to be left alone. However, there were a couple of the less desirable people would come through. That's why parents wanted their boys to stay away.

JJ and Robert were half way up the oak tree when they heard the rustling sound of someone walking by.

"Hey, who is that?" JJ asked.

"I don't know his name. He works at the sawmill. He hasn't been here long." Robert whispered.

"I need to get back to Abagail's soon, but let's wait until he leaves. There's just something weird about that guy."

Robert nodded his head in agreement. They watched the man walk to a tent at the edge of the camp. He stayed for only a few minutes, and then he stuffed something in his pocket and left toward town.

…

Jack shook his head. "I'm not sure, Lee."

"What do you mean? I thought she moved back to Hamilton with that Kensington fella?"

"Me too. Then all of a sudden, she just appears. When I went to Abagail's yesterday to pick up JJ, she was there with him in the kitchen."

"That's odd. She been gone a few weeks. It doesn't make sense that she would come back here."

"It doesn't. I'm more confused than ever before."

"Why?"

"Elizabeth says she isn't engaged to Mr. Kensington. She said that she never was."

"Really?" Asked a very confused Lee.

As the contact person with Thatcher Shipping, Mr. Kensington had relayed to Lee through correspondence that him and Elizabeth was indeed engaged, and that Lee should be receiving a wedding invitation at some point. This was just as confusing to Lee as it was to Jack.

"What are you going to do?"

Jack rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm not sure, Lee. She was strong in her conviction that she wasn't engaged. She said that she wanted to be with me. That she wanted to regain the lost faith I had in her." Jack gave Lee a small grin because of his open mouth and confused expression. "Today was the first day we spoke. I don't know if I can trust her."

"I still have business with Thatcher Shipping. Mr. Kensington is my contact with the company. If he ever says anything or does anything…"

"Lee, you can't say anything. You shouldn't lose business because of me."

"If he would have done that to Rosemary, I would have punched him."

"He's like a bad penny. He is always going to be around, no matter what. Elizabeth has this massive blind spot concerning him." Jack shook his head. "He just always around."

"What are you doing to do?"

"Lee…I honestly don't know."

…

Jack tucked JJ into bed that night. The little boy plays hard, and he sleeps hard. Jack was beginning to understand and read JJ pretty well. He was learning his moods and facial expressions. He knew something was on JJ's mind.

"We're getting along pretty well, wouldn't you say?"

"Sure, Mr. Jack."

"Then out with it. Something is on that mind of yours."

"I'm ok."

"Would you like to try to answer that question again?"

JJ smiled knowing that Jack was correct. "Mr. Jack…" He hesitated. "Are you and Ms. Elizabeth courting?"

Jack sighed. He wasn't ready to have this conversation with JJ. To be honest, he didn't know the answer to that question.

"We were before she went back to Hamilton."

"Yeah, I heard she left with a friend."

"Yes." Jack smirked correcting the little boy.

The little boy gave Jack a knowing grin. Jack wasn't sure if the boy realized what he was doing and only did it for fun now or if it was just a habit.

"She left with a friend who wanted to be much more than friends. I didn't know he was in town or that she left with him. I guess you can say it's complicated." Jack moaned lightly.

"My mommy always said, 'it's complicated' when she didn't want to talk about it."

"I think you are smarter than you should be." Jack lightly tickled his sides. Once the laughter died down, Jack continued. "JJ, I just don't know. We were courting and I wanted to marry her. Now, I just don't know. A lot has happened and I'm not sure what to do about it. I'm very confused."

"Ms. Elizabeth is nice."

"She is."

"I know what she did, and I think it was a major mistake."

"You know…how do you know?"

"Yes. We talked about it today. I believe she did wrong and made a mistake. I also think she regrets it and wants to do the right thing."

"Maybe, time will tell, but I'm not sure what the right thing is."

"True. I like her and I would like for her to be around."

"If she stays in Hope Valley, you are always able to be with her. She will be your teacher if she is here. I will never keep her from you. Even if we aren't courting."

"Are you courting now?"

"No."

"Ms. Elizabeth said you two were courting and she hopes you still are."

Jack offered JJ a smile. While he was frustrated with Elizabeth, he wasn't going to talk bad about her to JJ. If Elizabeth was truly back and staying in Hope Valley, she would be JJ's teacher. He didn't want to ruin that relationship.

"We'll see, I guess."

JJ nodded his head. He gave Jack a smile. "Alright…three stories."

"Two and you pick the stories."

"Deal."

…

After JJ fell asleep, Jack quickly picked up the downstairs and washed the few dishes that were left in the sink. He took a couple of minutes to put JJ's toys and books away. He never thought kids would have so much stuff.

When that was all finished, he stepped outside with a hot cup of tea to enjoy the evening air. It was a perfect night, not too hot or too cold. He wanted to think. His time was split between the case with the sawmill and Elizabeth.

Jack knew without a doubt that the incident at the sawmill wasn't an accident. The thing with the wagon's brakes just didn't happen. Someone was behind it. He just didn't know who. The most confusing thing to Jack was the why. Why was someone intentionally after Lee or the sawmill. Jack didn't think it was personal. Lee was a good guy and a good boss. He was a little demanding, but his men respected him. He wasn't overbearing but did expect a full days work for a full days pay. He paid well. So, the men were happy with that. Plus, he never missed a pay day.

Jack couldn't understand why someone would be after the sawmill. While it was profitable, it wasn't a huge money maker. It was hard work and Lee certainly put in long hours. There was not another sawmill that was close enough to justify putting Lee out of business. It wouldn't benefit anyone to close the mill for good.

Then Jack's mind traveled back to his conversation with Elizabeth. None of it made sense to him. After hearing her and Charles' discussion in the schoolhouse, was it really possible that she didn't accept his proposal? If she didn't, why did she leave with him the next morning after lying to him in the letter? The major issue for Jack was all the time she spent with Charles after returning to Hamilton. If she didn't accept the proposal, why did she spend so much time with him and in intimate settings?

Jack shook his head. He was tired of being confused. He was tired of the whole situation. The half truths were weighting on him. During their whole conversation, Jack was ready to just walk away. He was over Elizabeth and the whole saga of Charles. However, her last statement pulled at his heart. He remembered his plea for her to allow him to regain her trust. He desperately wanted to win her over and for her to regain faith in him after the Rosemary disaster.

The major difference was that he wanted to be with Elizabeth and not Rosemary. He wasn't certain that was truly the case with Elizabeth. He was almost convinced that her and Charles must have had an argument and she just came running back to him as a second option until Charles apologized for whatever he did wrong. He felt like it was a game for Elizabeth. Maybe Jack was her way of making Charles jealous and forcing him to ask for forgiveness first? But then she seemed sincere in her asking to regain his faith. She sounded hopeful in asking to prove her heart to him. As much as he wanted to just walk away and only think of Elizabeth in memories, his heart wouldn't release him. She still had a hold on his heart, and he cursed that fact.

Jack stood after taking his last sip of his tea. He stretched his tired muscles and turned to go to bed. He sighed in the fact that he nodded his head at her plea of proving her heart. He didn't vocalize the agreement, but he did nod. Again, he cursed himself for cracking the door for her. He couldn't believe he did that. "I'm just setting myself up to be hurt again…" He voiced trailed off as he spoke to himself.

…

JJ walked into the café just before lunch. He was playing in the pond and looked like he enjoyed himself way too much. When Abagail look up, she shook her head and called for him to stop.

"JJ…stop exactly where you are! Don't you dare take another step!"

JJ immediately stopped and looked up.

"What in the world…?" She asked stunned. She couldn't help but laugh at his facial expression.

"What?" He asked absolutely confused and clueless that he was dripping pond water everywhere.

"Where in the world where you and what were you doing?"

"What?" He asked confused again.

"What…" She asked shocked. "You're all muddy and you are soaked from head to toe."

"Oh, that…we were down at the pond playing."

"Were you at the pond or in the pond?" Abagail asked tilting her head to the side.

"Both." He grinned.

"Please go to the kitchen and get yourself a basin of water. Go upstairs to the room you stayed in. Wash yourself off and change clothes. I believe there are a pair of your pants and a shirt you left behind."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Please make sure you empty your pockets in the kitchen before going upstairs. I better not find a frog or tadpole in this house." She stated in a stern voice, but she couldn't hide the grin forming on the corner of her mouth. She remembered her son, Noah, always bringing animals in the house in his pockets.

"The frog already jumped out on the way here." JJ stated in a matter of fact tone.

Through her smile, she pointed to the kitchen. "Get going young man. I'll wash your clothes before Jack comes by later. Please bring them down here with your towel when you're done."

"Thank you, Auntie Abagail."

She shook her head and smiled at the little boy running pasts her and then up the stairs. She loved to hear his little footsteps in her café and home. She turned to face Frank who was laughing at the scene in front of him. During the whole exchange, he didn't say a word.

"What?"

"Boys will be boys." Frank laughed.

"If there's a frog in this café, he will not get chocolate chip cookies when he's finished." She huffed at Frank's continued laughing.

"I don't think it's possible for you to tell that boy no."

The only thing Abagail could do was huff as she threw a dish towel at him. She knew he was right, but it made her feel better by saying it.

…

"Sir, there is a gentleman in the front reception area wanting to see you."

"Does he have an appointment?"

"No sir, he doesn't, but he did tell me to give you this note."

She handed the note over. Once opened he read, Will be done soon.

"Please show him in."

"Good morning, sir."

"Good morning."

"I received a telegram thirty minutes ago telling me it will be done in an hour. Everything is a go."

"Perfect."

"He stressed that he is paying close attention so no one else will be injured."

"Perfect. Please let me know when it's finished."

The man nodded his head as he turned to walk out of the office.

…

Jack stepped out of the jail hoping to see JJ. He hasn't seen him all morning. He looked up to see Faith stepping out of the infirmary. After a small wave, Jack walked across the street.

"Hey, Faith. How are you today?"

"I'm good."

"How is Lee doing?"

"He's good. He is ready to go home."

"I say he is ready to go home."

"To be honest, he's driving me crazy." She laughed. "He's asking me every three minutes if he can go home."

Jack joined in her laughter. "I can easily see that."

"To let you know, I turned in my official answer to Buxton hospital."

"You did?" He asked hopeful.

"I did. I've accepted the position."

"Oh Faith, that's great news. Hope Valley is blessed to have you here."

"That's very kind of you to say that Jack. I'm excited about staying here. I have fallen in love with it."

"This town has a way of doing that. It draws you in and captures you before you know it."

"It does that." She smiled. "I can see why you wanted to stay here."

"Yeah." He offered her a smile. Before he could continue, they heard an explosion. Both Faith and Jack turned to the direction where they heard the explosion.

"What was that?" Faith asked.

When she looked toward Jack, he was already jumping off the top step running toward the sound. He yelled back to Faith without turning his head around. "Be ready in case someone is hurt."

As Jack made his way down main street toward the café, Frank stepped out of the café. When he saw Jack running, he jumped off the porch and met up with Jack on main street.

"What was that?" Frank asked as he matched Jack's pace.

"Sawmill." Jack stated. That was when they began to see a pillar of smoke.

They didn't speak as they continued toward the sawmill. When they turned the corner, they saw several men working on placing the fire out at the second engine. They ran to the group of men working with them to gain control of the fire. Before too long, the fire was out.

Jack and Frank checked on two men with minor burns and told them to go to the infirmary to be check out by Faith.

"She's already waiting for people to show up." Jack stated.

As the men walked away, Jack took a few moments to look around. "Hey Frank…" Jack whispered just enough for only Frank to hear. "Make a mental note of all the men that are here." Frank nodded his head in agreement.

While the shed and engine were still smoldering, everyone realized it was safe and they began to relax. Jack turned his attention to the group of men. They were standing around in small pockets of men about two or three in each group.

"Alright men, you half go with Pastor Frank." Jack stated as he pointed to four groups. "The rest, please come with me. We will speak with each of you. Before we do, there is no talking. We want your version of what happened. Understood?"

All the men nodded their heads in agreement.

"Frank, just ask them what happened. Make notes. We want to see what they all say. We'll compare them once we're done."

"Got it."

Frank took his group of men to the small group of trees that was located to the left of the shed. The men sat down under the trees for shade as Frank spoke privately with each man. Jack took his to the right side of the shed and did the same.

…

Elizabeth walked into the side door of the café into the kitchen. She inhaled sharply and scrunched her nose.

"What's that smell?" She waved her hand in front of her face.

"Oh…" Laughed Abagail. "That's a little boy's clothes after he was in the pond playing."

Elizabeth looked at the pile of wet and muddy clothes on the side of the sink where Abagail was pointing. "JJ was playing at the pond?"

"Not at the pond…in the pond."

"What was he doing in the pond?" Asked a confused Elizabeth.

"Being a boy." Abagail laughed, quickly joined by Elizabeth.

"I'll wash them if you want me too." Elizabeth walked toward the sink.

Abagail couldn't help but smile. Elizabeth was just as eager to take care of that little boy as she was. The more Abagail saw Elizabeth and JJ together, she could very easily see them together as a family. Elizabeth was already stepping into the mother role in some respects.

"You better check the pockets first." Abagail snickered knowing how little boys could be with hiding things in their pockets.

"Why?" Elizabeth stated as she picked up the pair of pants reaching into the front pocket. When she felt something in the front pocket, Elizabeth immediately jumped back while throwing the pants back on the counter beside the sink. Abagail busted out laughing at the shocked expression on Elizabeth's face. Elizabeth was shaking her hand as if there was something on it. She knew there wasn't, but she couldn't keep from shaking it.

"What in the world?" She let out in a sharp voice.

"Boys have a tendency to stuff things in their pockets that scares their moms." Abagail remembered all the things that Noah left in his pockets.

Elizabeth froze at Abagail's words. Even though she wasn't over the shock of feeling something in JJ's pocket, the meaning behind Abagail's words stunned her.

"JJ's mother…" Elizabeth said to herself.

"Noah left tadpoles, frogs, spiders, rocks, acorns, and a snake one time." She shook her head. She did not see Elizabeth's reaction. "Boys just tend to do things like that. You always want to check their pockets." Abagail looked up and saw Elizabeth's face. "Are you ok? Was there something in his pockets? He said there wasn't anything in them."

"No…no…it's fine. There is something in them…" Her voice trialed off as she spoke.

Elizabeth took as step forward to the sink and slowly reached down and reached back into JJ's pant's pocket. She pulled out four small tadpoles. She scrunched her nose when she opened her hand a saw what was in her palm.

"You'll get use to it." Abagail chuckled as she stepped beside Elizabeth to look to see what Elizabeth had in her hands.

Elizabeth could only nod her head. Yes, she hated reaching into JJ's pocket and feeling something she had no idea what it was. She didn't like holding four dead tadpoles in the palm of her hand. Washing clothes was never her favorite chore. This was JJ's clothes, so she didn't mind at all. Abagail's comment about boys scaring their moms made Elizabeth's mind soar with the idea of becoming JJ's mother.

Before coming back to Hope Valley, all she concentrated on was marrying Jack. That thought consumed her whole mind and grew in intensity each day. Now, along with marrying Jack, she frantically wanted to be JJ's mother. She wanted that family and wanted it now. The want was so strong that she could physically feel it.

"I've got to talk to Jack." Elizabeth whispered.

"About what?" Abagail asked. "I wouldn't worry about the tadpole thing. JJ will learn."

"That's fine." Elizabeth smiled at her best friend's confusion on what she was talking about.

Elizabeth took a few minutes while washing JJ's clothes and told Abagail what her little statement meant. She shared her desire to not only be Jack's wife, but JJ's mother. As real as those feeling was, they became even more so when she spoke them. Somehow speaking them made them even more real.

…

After speaking with all the men separately and then comparing notes with Frank, every man basically told the same story. They were all sitting under the trees around saw blade number one or the main office. It was lunch time, and everyone was just sitting around each other eating their lunch and sharing stories. There was nothing that was different or stood out as odd. Everyone was at work and things were going smoothly. To every man working at the mill, they were happy. Things were busy and going well.

"What do you think?" Frank asked once they finished with comparing notes.

'These are not accidents. I just don't know why?"

"I think I tend to agree with you."

"Let's look around and see what we notice. Let's ask one of the guys to walk with us."

"Do you want Gabe and Jess to walk with us again?"

"No. Let's find the person who runs the saw blade every day. They would know if anything were amiss."

Jack came back with Chris. "Pastor, this is Chris. He runs the number two engine. He agreed to walking with us."

"Thanks, Chris."

"Constable, what exactly are we looking for?"

"Anything that stands out as odd. You run this machine all the time, Chris. You would know if something were out of place."

Chris nodded his head. He led Jack and Frank to the shed that held the second saw blade and engine. All three men walked around the area looking for anything that just seemed off. Jack and Frank each brought Chris three different items they found. They were charred by the fire, but Chris instantly knew what they were. The engine wasn't completely destroyed, but it was damaged and would take several days for an experienced mechanic to repair. The shed was damaged but could be easily fixed. The major concern was the down time of the engine. Orders were full and they needed both blades to be running to fulfill all the orders on time.

"Hey Chris…what's this?" Jack held up a small black object. Jack didn't know what the small object was.

Chris took the item from Jack and examined it. He spat on his finger and tried to wipe off the grime, but it didn't clean off. Chris turned the object over several times trying to figure it out. He just didn't know what it was.

"I'm not sure, Constable. I've never seen anything like this before. It didn't come from the engine or the blade."

Jack nodded his head. He was grateful he had a piece of evidence. However, he wished he knew what it was. Frank came over with a small piece of metal he wanted to show Chris, but Jack's object caught his eye first.

"What do you have there?"

"We don't know."

Frank took it from Jack and examined it for a few moments. "It's a blasting cap." Frank stated as he continued to turn it in his hand. However, I don't know what this part is." He pointed to one side of it.

"Are you sure?" Jack asked.

"Yes, before I found God, I was the powder man for a crew. It's a blasting cap, but this piece doesn't make sense to me." Frank took a moment to explain to Jack what they were looking at.

"Could another piece of something fused to it during the fire."

"No Jack. Look at this." He pointed. "It was already attached. I just don't know what that part is."

After Jack thanked Chris, the men began to clean up the mess and see what damage was caused to the engine. Frank and Jack began walking back to the jail.

"I'm going to speak with Lee. He needs to know what is happening. I also want to check in with him to see if anything else came to mind."

"Mind if I tag along?"

"No problem. It will help having another pair of ears to listen."