Chapter 73
Jack and Elizabeth were up early the next morning. They were up for the same thing, but for different reasons. In the privacy of their bedroom the night before when JJ was already in bed, Jack told her about the plan. As a season mountie, he knew the importance of keeping work just that…work. As a husband whose wife was a little worried about his job, he understood the importance of open communication. Elizabeth understood there were certain aspects of Jack's job that he couldn't share with her. She trusted him. They both learned from the misunderstandings that cause them so much grief in their relationship. Neither of them wanted to relive those moments again.
Elizabeth liked that there were more mounties that will be present, she just wished there were more. She also wished her husband wouldn't be sitting in the saddle on the horse that was in front. As much as she hated that part of her husband's life, she also loved that part of him. He loved people and wanted to protect them. That part of her husband's character was a quandary her entire life. How could she love that part of him and hate it just as much as well?
Elizabeth was nervous about the possibilities of the day with Jack. With her husband's safety foremost in mind, she only hoped it would be finished today. Jack had warned her that this would possibly be ongoing for days. She understood it, but still prayed that it would be finished quickly. She tried to hide her anxiety but knew that Jack could read her easily. If nothing else, she didn't want to make JJ anxious too.
Since becoming a husband and father, Jack took more caution during work. He always did his best to make sure he would be alright if a case or a situation went wrong. However, now he would triple check everything. He knew he couldn't let the worry affect him or he would get hurt. He just made sure he stacked the deck for him as much as possible before anything happened. As JJ's father, Elizabeth's husband, and the father of baby Thornton, he made sure every scenario was thought of and planned for the best possible outcome. He also planned for the worst case scenario the best he could too.
As the Thornton family walked toward town and the mercantile, Elizabeth held onto Jack's arm a little tighter than normal. She wanted to express her love to him.
Ned came out waving for them. "Mrs. Thornton, I have a letter for you and one for JJ."
"I received a letter?" JJ asked. He turned to glance at his mommy and daddy. Elizabeth nodded her head, and he ran toward Mr. Yost. He was eager to see who wrote to him.
Elizabeth took the sudden opportunity with no little ears around to hear and spoke to her husband. "Jack…" She moved closer to him. She looked deeply in his eyes. "…you use all that mountie training and all your smarts and you come back to me as fast as you can. We need you."
"You think I'm smart?" He gave her his dimpled, silly grin. She huffed until he pull her against him. "I will come back to you as fast as I can. I don't know when, but I will come back to you."
She knew he couldn't promise her that he would be safe, but she knew he would do everything in his power to come back to her, JJ, and the baby. She sighed at the feeling of being in his arms.
"Take care of yourself and get word to me as quickly as possible. After school, I'm going to Abagail's for a little bit and then I'll be home."
"I'll find you. Now, try your best not to worry. If everything works out perfectly, nothing will happen."
"Then I'll pray for God's protection and for everything to go perfectly."
"Mrs. Thornton, you are God's gift to me. Thank you for loving me."
"You are my greatest gift from God. Now, come back to me as quickly as possible."
"Yes, Mrs. Thornton."
He gave her a soft kiss on the lips and held a little longer than normal. When he pulled back, he had a cheesy, playful grin that she knew all too well. He would have that little smirk just before he did something he wasn't supposed to do. JJ was beginning to have that exact same grin.
Jack lowered his right hand a little until it rested on her backside. She gasped at his action in the middle of main street. As his cheesy grin grew, he patted her bottom twice.
"Jack!" She gasped without trying to get out of his grasp.
"Have yourself a good day, Mrs. Thornton." He squeezed her backside one time before releasing his hold of his precious wife. She watched him walk toward the jail. She enjoyed watching his backside as he walked down the road. Her attention wasn't diverted from Jack until she heard a little boy's angelic voice from the top of the mercantile's steps.
"Mommy, you have two letters and so do I!"
…
While Jack made his way to the jail to prepare for the morning ride out to the caves, Elizabeth walked up the steps to her smiling little boy. He was holding two letters for himself and two for her. One letter was from her father. He had written her every week. Something she was becoming very customed to. The second letter was from her mother.
"Who wrote to you?"
"Gran…Mr. Thatcher." JJ corrected himself before calling His mommy's father grandfather. William was faithful in writing to him every week too. While JJ was still a little hesitant toward him, he was beginning top open himself up to him a little bit. The letters weren't just something William had to do. They were personal in content. JJ enjoyed getting them. "And some man named Mr. Logan Gentry."
"Do you know him?"
"No. I have never heard of him." JJ looked over the letter. "It has the same return address as Mr. Thatcher."
"It is?" She reached for the letters JJ extended. She quickly realized it did have the same address. "Why don't you read Mr. Thatcher's letter first. It may reveal a connection to Mr. Logan Gentry."
"Ok mommy."
JJ waited until he was inside the mercantile before opening his letter. He found his normal seat by the counter. That had unofficially become his seat when he received a letter. He eagerly tore the envelope open and pulled out the one page letter. He smiled and laughed throughout the letter. Elizabeth could only imagine what little story from her youth her father was sharing with her son. He has taken up the custom of sharing some little story against Elizabeth's wishes. JJ found them hilarious.
"Mr. Thatcher said Mr. Gentry was the guy who sent the math question a couple of weeks ago. He asked Mr. Thatcher for permission to send me a couple more questions. Your father asked that you read the letter first."
Elizabeth nodded her head. The accepted the letter and glanced up at Mr. Yost's clock. "Alright little man, we need to get to school. I'll look at the letter later."
JJ's shoulders slumped. He enjoyed the last question the man sent through William. It was the first time he was challenged in a math question in a long time. Elizabeth remember that her father was shocked JJ was able to answer it. He was even more shocked that JJ did it all in one day.
"Ok mommy."
…
"Good morning." Jack stated as he opened and closed the jail door. All four mounties were already inside the jail sitting around the desk. No one was sitting in Jack's chair. Littleton and Collins were the only two in a red serge. Roy and Sam were in plain clothes that was common to Jack's. When Jack walked around the desk, he noticed the men were studying a crude drawing of the area of the caves. He nodded his head. He was grateful these men took their jobs seriously. It made him feel better about the undercover sting they would be part of in a couple of hours.
"Any questions?" Jack asked.
"If it's ok with you, Littleton would be hiding in this area under this large tree. There is a large shrub in front of it. It will give him excellent cover while getting him fifteen feet closer to the last cave."
"Do you feel comfortable with a quick approach from that spot?"
"I do. Better than the last hiding spot. Plus, that fifteen feet would make me closer and I can get there quicker if I need to."
"I'm good with it. You all?" Jack looked around the desk. He saw everyone nod their heads.
"Everything is ready. The wagon is set, and the firing pins are in your safe here. We have one of each set out."
"Good thinking Sam. We may get one weapon out. It may come in handy and get them excited."
"That's what I'm thinking Jack. Especially the weapons from the states. I doubt they have ever fired one of those weapons."
Jack nodded his head. "Alright men, any questions? Comments? Thoughts?"
"Jack, I like the fact of pushing for the last cave. It gives us a better way to look over you all. Plus, we are only having to watch one cave instead of two or three others. Good call."
"I agree Littleton. It keeps the field of operation small. We can concentrate on it better. Are we good?"
"Yes." He heard four voices.
"Perfect. Littleton and Collins, go get you some breakfast from Abagail's. Reed, Roy and I will be by in a few minutes after you three arrive. We'll sit away from you all just in case Silas and or Cody is there. We'll keep up the story of us two groups as being strangers."
"Good thinking. Jack."
"We'll meet at the livery at nine to saddle the horses and hook up the wagon.
…
As the students settled in to do their private reading time, Elizbeth pulled out the letter from her father. She was happy for her father and the change in his life. He was more like the father she grew up with than the father over the last few years. While he hated prison, he loved teaching the men about business. It reminded him of his love for business. He just lost his way over the years. Now, she could sense the change in him. She was excited to have her father back.
My Dearest Elizabeth –
I am so happy to hear of the baby. I know you and Jack will be great parents to that little one. Gracie tells me how great you are with JJ. I just know you will continue with the new baby. I can't wait to hear more about the little ones.
I shared it with a young guy in my class, Logan Gentry. He was the gentleman who gave me the math question for JJ. Mr. Logan was completely shocked that JJ answered the question. He honestly thought someone else answered it for him. He stated there was no way JJ should be able to answer the question at that young age. He stated that the question was from an upper level math course he took in college. He was not only shocked that he answered the question, but he was also shocked it took him less than an afternoon to do it. Even more than that, he said he only saw three places on the paper that JJ erased. He just couldn't believe it.
He asked if he could write JJ. He wanted to write him a few more questions. He just couldn't believe it. I told him to write the letter, but I would inform you about it and that you should read it first. I trust the man. He is a young man who got caught up in tax fraud. He was forced into it by some family members. He's taking my class to get some knowledge about business. He wants to begin his own business when he gets out of here in a couple of years. He understood and agreed that you should read the letter first.
I'm sorry my letter was mostly about Mr. Logan Gentry and the problems he wanted to send JJ. I just wanted you to be aware why JJ was receiving a letter from him.
Please know I miss you greatly. I can't wait to visit you, Jack, JJ, and the little baby as soon as I get out of here. I love you, my dear.
Your Father
Elizabeth smiled at her father's letter. She quickly opened her mother's letter. Over the last little while, she has become very close to her. They write often. They have also begun to talk on the phone. She smiled and cried through the whole letter. There wasn't anything important. It was just everyday life stuff. After the initial shock of her husband's arrest and some individuals in their circle turning their back on Grace, she has settled into her new routine. She was also looking forward to the women's home opening and getting going. Grace wrote this letter before the red haired young lady walked through the front door.
Elizabeth read her mother's letter twice just to read the words her mother wrote with her hand and to hear her mother's voice as Elizabeth read the words. Then she turned her attention toward the letter from Login Gentry. He just introduced himself and told JJ that he had four more math questions. A quick glance at the math problems, she immediately knew they were beyond her abilities. The note did inform JJ that the first two questions were from an advanced path in the third year of Analytic Geometry course. The last two questions were from an advanced path in the fourth year of Advanced Algebra course.
Elizabeth laughed at the P. S. portion of the letter. Logan warned JJ not to be upset or discouraged if he wasn't able to answer the questions. Logan did take the time to write the answers on a separate sheet of paper. Elizabeth was grateful for that. She had a feeling that JJ was going to answer the questions.
…
Mrs. McMahan smiled when she looked out the window and noticed Pastor Frank sitting on top of a wagon. She couldn't tell what he had in the back. She really liked the pastor. He was a kind man with a nice smile. She could easily see him as a minister.
"Well, good morning pastor. How are you today?"
"Mrs. McMahan. I am well. How are you?"
"Good…good. What has you out and busy so early today?"
"I wanted to drop off some things for the field day. I hope that's ok?"
"It is fine. My husband should be back in an hour or so. What do you have there?" She nodded toward the wagon.
"Some logs for the chopping and cutting contest. Where should I put them?"
She thought about it for a moment. "I guess by the woodshed would be best. All my husband's wood chopping stuff is in there. That may be helpful when the kids are here."
"Very true."
"Now pastor. Tell me, do you think this will really work?"
"What will work?"
"Pastor…" She gave him a knowing look. "…I have taught way too many kids over the years not to know when they were trying to get away with something. I find it comforting knowing that my pastor is a bad liar."
Frank tried to keep a stone face, but the expression on Mrs. McMahan's face told him that she knew everything. He didn't know how. Maybe it was from years teaching school or years of being married. Maybe it was everything. He broke when she gave him a knowing grin.
"Fine." He huffed. "The plan was to help with firewood for the winter. I know Mr. McMahan can do it, but I also know it is a major task for him. I just wanted to help."
"I know." A soft smile slowly took over her expression.
"When I mentioned it to Mrs. Thornton, she knew the children would enjoy a day outside of the classroom. She thought she could use your pond and or woods as teaching aids. Plus, we can help you and your husband without it being outright help."
"And how were you going to convince him to keep the wood?"
"The stacking contest. Once it was stacked, I would use the argument that it was already stacked. Why in the world would I want to move it?" He shrugged his shoulders.
"You may need to come up with something better than that, but I understand. Thank you very much, pastor."
"You're welcome, Mrs. McMahan. You and your husband have done a lot for others in this community. I think it's time that we return the favor."
"That's very kind of you to say that."
…
Littleton and Collins left the livery thirty minutes before Jack, Sam, and Roy came in to get their horses ready. They wanted to get settled in their hiding spot before Silas and Cody showed up at the appointed time to meet with Jack and Sam. Roy worked on setting the horse up to the wagon while Jack and Sam worked on brushing and saddling their horses. They were almost finished with their horses before anyone spoke.
"I think we should be a few minutes late." Jack spoke with no warning.
"Why is that?" Roy asked.
"I don't want them to think we are too eager. I would like for us to come off as nonchalant. Plus, we could blame Roy. This would make him insignificant to our group. Like he's just a flunky who is with us only because he is your family."
Reed smiled. "That would lessen him in their eyes. They wouldn't pay him much attention."
"Yes. He will be forgotten in plain sight. That could play to our benefit."
Roy nodded as Reed spoke. "I agree. That could play to our benefit."
"I'm in." Roy said. "Really let me have it. Don't hold back."
"On the way out, let's stop by Abagail's and get some coffee. That will make us late without us having to dally around."
"And a biscuit. That woman knows how to make a biscuit."
"Make sure you put some of her blackberry jam on it. Mmmm…" Jack stated closing his eyes as he moaned in delight. at the memory. He could taste her biscuits with just the thought.
"I've only had butter on it."
"You're missing out."
…
Elizabeth had all her students put away their readers and the extra book from their little corner library. It was arithmetic time. She has spent a lot of time contemplating what to do with JJ. She has been mulling over the letter from Mr. Gentry. He had four questions written on a piece of paper for JJ to work on. He stated that JJ shouldn't be upset if he couldn't answer the questions. They were advanced upper class work in university. Nothing Elizabeth had was challenging her little boy. During the reading hour, she thought about those four questions. If it wasn't for the fact that Mr. Gentry wrote the answers down on a separate piece of paper, she wouldn't know the answers. As she watched her students of different ages put their reading books away and pullingpull out their arithmetic books, she noticed the frustration on her son's face. She knew he loved math, but he was just bored with the work. She has spoken to him countless times to show his work. He didn't because the questions were just too easy. The look of frustration made up her mind.
She reached for the letter and pulled out the piece of paper with the questions on it. She intently walked toward her son. He hadn't looked up. So, he didn't know she was standing beside his desk. When she placed the paper on his desk, he looked up.
"Work on the first two questions…the first two questions only." Her voice was soft, but stern. There was no doubt that he was to work on the two questions only. No matter what he wanted. "Mr. Gentry said these were advanced and very difficult. Do not be discouraged if you get them wrong or can't do it. Understand?"
JJ bounced with excitement in his seat. His mood instantly changed at the news. "Yes mommy! I mean, Mrs. Thornton." He quickly corrected himself. He grabbed his pencil and leaned forward to work on the problems.
…
Jack and Reed rode in the direction of the caves while Roy followed on the wagon. As hard as they both tried, they couldn't see Collins or Littleton.
"They're good." Jack stated in a soft voice.
"Yeah…I know where they should be, but I don't see them." Reed stated as he looked around. This made them feel better.
Roy was on the wagon's seat with his head on a swivel. This was his first time seeing the area. He was trying to memorize everything. He memorized Reed's hand drawn map. He did a good job drawing everything. He just wanted to be prepared. For the countless time, he checked his rifle that was hidden by the foot placement. He unlatched his holster's snap. He was as ready as he could get.
"Eyes open." Jack stated as he unsnapped his holster. Reed followed suit and made sure his rifle was ready as well.
Jack and Reed stopped their horses when they reached a particular section of trees. Roy stopped the wagon a few yards behind them.
"Well, what do we have here?" Silas called out as he and Cody rode out from behind a group of trees on the right. When they noticed a third guy, they became nervous. "Who's that?!"
"There you go again…asking questions like those idiot mounties." Jack shook his head.
"He's my little brother. He brought up the crates." Reed stated with his hand on his weapon.
"You didn't mention a third guy." Cody stated with disdain.
"How else do you think we would get the crates here?" Jack stated shaking his head.
"Seriously guys…"
"This changes everything." Silas stated.
"Fine, we'll just us the cave and move the crates ourselves."
"Where do you want these crates?" Roy stated in a eager voice as if he hadn't heard the angst of the conversation.
"For crying out loud…" Jack huffed. "We brought you here because you are Sam's little brother but you are a complete screwup. You haven't been able to do anything right. Now, do what we say and just shut up. I've already told you that we will tell you what to do when we need you to do it."
"Roy…why don't you just drive the wagon." Reed stated with a frustrated tone. "Please don't screw this up like all the other things. Momma will be upset if you go home empty handed again."
Roy lowered his head. "I'm sorry guys…I just wanted to be helpful."
"Then just do as you're told." Sam stated as he turned his attention back to the two men.
"So, I guess we will use the last cave. You're on your own." Jack told Silas and Cody. He turned his attention to Reed. "Didn't you say that you maybe had a contact in Medicine Hat?"
"I do. I don't know him very well, but the two extra crates will be too much for us to handle all by ourselves. You know the group in British Columbia wants those weapons from the states real bad."
Cody's and Silas' eyes opened wide when they heard about the crates from the states. Their boss telegrammed his excitement about potential weapons from the states. Weapons from the U. S. Army brought big bucks.
"They bring in the highest price. I think your boy will come through."
"Wait." Silas stated.
"What do you want?" Jack stated with frustration.
"We had a deal."
Jack, Reed, and Roy could see the dollar signs in Silas' eyes. Cody was mirroring his partner's creed.
"We did until you got all mountie again. That's getting really old." Jack stared.
"Roy." Jack called out.
Silas and Cody forgot all about the third guy. After the chewing he received a few minutes ago by simply asking a question, they forgot all about him. Roy was playing his role perfectly.
"Follow us to the cave."
"Wait…" Cody called out. "I think we still have a plan."
Jack turned his attention toward Reed. They stared at each other for a few moments. Reed shrugged his shoulders.
"They're here…we can go ahead and move all this merchandise. We can get paid sooner if we use them."
"I still think they're mounties." Jack glared at Cody.
"If they are, then we shoot them." Reed stated in a flat tone. It was cold in how easily he said it."
Roy watched Cody flinch at the statement. With no one paying him attention, he was keeping a close eye on the two men. He was easily getting a read on them. Jack's plan was working perfectly. He still hasn't seen Collins or Littleton in the woods. He knew he was working with excellent mounties.
"Deal?" Squeaked Silas.
"Fine, but if you cross us…" Jack warned.
"I know…I know…" Silas stated. He settled his horse for a second. "While we are here in the open, why don't we try out one of the state's guns?" The hope was evident in his voice.
Jack and Reed made eye contact. The two guys were following perfectly to the game plan.
"I think we can do that." Jack stated as he reached into his saddle bag for the firing pin. Reed reached into his saddle bag for the ammunition.
"Wait…you don't have the firing pins in the weapons?"
"No. Not after that incident in New Orleans."
"That was a nightmare." Reed stated.
"What happened in New Orleans?"
"There you go again…asking too many questions." Jack warned him. "Let's just say we don't travel with the firing pins in the weapons and only limited ammunition."
"That was a blood bath." Reed stated looking down at his saddle. He was acting like he was lost in thought. "I have two bullets…"
"Perfect." Silas stated as he clapped his hands. He has heard about the weapons from the Army. They were supposed to be the leading weapons of the day. He couldn't wait to get his hands on one of them to see if all he has heard bout them to be true or not.
…
Elizabeth walked around the school room keeping one eye on the clock and another on her students. She knew enough of Jack's plan that he would be with the other mounties on horseback talking with the two whiskey runners by now. She said a quick prayer for her husband and the other mounties. She also kept an eye on her students. She walked around the school room checking on students she knew who struggled in math. She smiled when Andy pumped his fist in the air with the excitement of getting the correct answer. He has always struggled with math. To see him get it was very nice. She also noticed that her little boy was working intently on the questions on the sheet of paper. That was the first time during math class that he concentrated on any math problem for that long. She was afraid he would be crushed by the difficulty of the problems.
"How is it going?" She whispered when she tapped the top of his desk with her index finger. She was trying to capture his attention without disrupting the whole class.
"Nice." He smiled. "The first two wasn't too bad."
"You finished?"
"Yup."
"I'm sorry." She corrected.
"Yes, I did."
Elizabeth walked to her desk to retrieve the portion of the letter that had the answers. She looked at the page her little boy worked the first problem and then looked at the answer sheet. To her amazement, he had the correct answer. She also noticed that there was only one eraser mark on the paper. Elizabeth nodded her head in approval. Then she turned her attention to the second problem. She noticed there weren't any eraser marks on that problem. She also saw that he had the correct answer. She patted the top of his head.
"Very good, JJ."
"Thanks mommy." He whispered.
"When I came over you were intently looking at the paper. Why were you looking at it if you already finished?"
"You told me I could only work on the first two."
"That's correct."
"Well…" He hesitated. "…I was working on the third question in my head since I wasn't allowed to work on it on paper."
She shook her head. Her little boy was too much at times, but she loved every moment of it.
"What do you think?"
"It was harder than the first two. I can't do it in my head, but I think I can do it if I was able to write it down."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Yes." She corrected him. "You will be able to work on it tomorrow during arithmetic time."
"Perfect." He smiled big.
…
Silas loaded the cartridge in the barrel. He smiled as he felt the weapon. He had only heard about this weapon. It was a M1903 Springfield, 30 caliber U. S. rifle. The weapon was a five round magazine fed, bold action repeating rifle. He heard many stories of the soldiers calling the M1903 Springfield rifle a sniper's rifle. A good shooter had the ability to change the battlefield with this weapon.
Just by holding the weapon, Silas could feel the power the weapon held. When the bold action closed, he smiled at the sound. That even sounded powerful to him. He placed the butt of the weapon to his shoulder and hoovered his cheek beside the weapon. He looked down at the hard sights and zeroed in on the small tree that was seventy five yards away. He let out a long breath and relaxed. He gently pulled the trigger and felt the kick against his shoulder. Less than half a second later, the small tree exploded where the bullet ripped through its trunk. It fell to the right after a few seconds of suspending in midair. The weapon was devastatingly effective.
"Wow!" Silas stated loudly with a huge grin on his face. He looked directly at his brother. "Cody, I've got to get me one of these!"
"That was impressive." Cody stated. "My turn." He enthusiastically stated as he reached for the weapon. Reed handed him the ammunition.
Roy stood back about fifteen feet watching the spectacle in front of him. It took every ounce of his strength not to laugh. Jack and Reed were playing the rouse perfectly. Silas and Cody fell in love with the weapon. All they saw were collar signs. They knew they could easily move this weapon with ease and at top dollar. Cody loved shooting the weapon as much, if not more, than Silas. Everyone watched the tree Cody shot fall just like the previous one did.
Roy was grateful the two whiskey runners forgot all about him. They hadn't looked at him for the last fifteen minutes. The plan was running perfectly. He knew if he could remain invisible, this would be greatly beneficial for everyone.
"Now, since we have had fun, it's time we get these weapons in the cave."
"Yeah…" Silas and Cody stated.
"If these weapons go missing, you will only pray that the things in New Orleans would happen to you." Jack warned him.
"What happened in New Orleans?"
"They will never find those guys." Jack glared.
"There is nothing to be found." Reed added with a smirk and a chuckle.