A HOPE VALLEY STORY-GO-ROUND – CHAPTER 5
Michel Patrice was a careful man. Growing up as he did meant that he had to be. There were no second chances in the life he was given into, just the expectation that you did what you were told without question or you bore the consequences of your actions. He had many a scar, both physical and mental, to show for the times he had gotten it wrong.
But that had all changed the day he met Jeanette Lecoin, when he discovered the existence of first Lucas Bouchard and then the man who had planned his betrayal even before he was born. It had taken time for him to find the right moment to confront Peter Bouchard but when he did he quickly realised that the man felt no remorse for what he had done. "I owed a debt", he explained, shrugging his shoulders, "to someone whose wife was unable to have a child and was slowly going mad because of it. So I agreed to give him the baby my wife was carrying, one that I wasn't interested in having anyway. When we found out there were going to be twins it made it seem as though this was meant to be. As though it was written in the stars."
As Michel listened more to his father's excuses and heard about the man his twin brother had become he felt that this had perhaps been a blessing in disguise. They were all men who thought along similar lines, desired the same things in life, and were driven by a willingness to get what they wanted no matter whether others were hurt in the process. But had he stayed with his birth parents then he would possibly have missed the most crucial lesson of his new life, how to use hatred as motivation. Instead he had one great advantage, thanks to his upbringing he had the skills to make anything happen without ever feeling any guilt.
So he had decided that the bitterness he carried deep inside him would stay where it was for longer. He would use this newly discovered family for his own gain as much as he needed and only when they were of no further benefit would he exact his revenge for the years of pain and loneliness that had made him who he was.
It had been easy under his father's tutelage to learn the manners and characteristics of his twin brother, especially as it quickly became clear that his younger sibling was not as bright as he thought himself to be. Which made him so easy to manipulate if you knew the right strings to pull or the right woman to control him.
He was careful to observe him from a distance, keeping himself disguised until a place and time of his choosing when he had let him know the power he now had over him. What he saw was a insignificant man, concerned more with appearance and putting money in his own pocket than anything else. At least until he had to flee from trouble and ended up in a small obscure frontier town where, by chance, he met the heiress to one of the largest shipping fortunes in Canada. And a widow no less.
This was when Michel began to take an even greater interest. This was when he began calling himself Lucas Bouchard.
As he stepped out onto the street he took a long look around this place he had been forced to endure for too long now. He had just spoken to his father who was the lynchpin around whom all of these schemes operated, for he was the man who kept all the balls in the air to make sure that nothing was overlooked. It was how he knew everything that was happening even when he and his brother were miles apart. Nothing was missed. He was also the one who made sure that the real Lucas knew only what was necessary for him to ensure the deception worked and nothing more. For some reason he could not fathom there still seemed to be a part of his brother that believed in good things, like the school teacher in Hope Valley.
Everything had been going as planned until last night when the Mountie had appeared. Thank God for the journals Lucas always insisted on writing, making notes of every interaction he had with someone, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time. It aided his memory, he insisted, and was a form of insurance. A way of making certain that no detail was ever forgotten if he crossed paths with that same person again. At least his brother shared one characteristic with him, he thought, attention to detail, and that had certainly been necessary for him to be able to answer the questions posed the previous evening.
Now as they stood waiting for the Mountie and his wife to join them he studied the expression on the face of the woman he was standing alongside. That had been the biggest test. Convincing her that he was the son raised in the Bouchard family, the one on whom they had outwardly lavished all of their affection. In the end it had proven quite easy for there was little understanding between mother and son. And much less love. Even so, he knew Helen Bouchard was a complicated woman who hid her true character well. It was inevitable that whomever married Peter Bouchard would have reasons unknown to anyone else to still be with the man. Something more than family loyalty. He guessed she knew things that she was willing to stash away until the right time came to use them and wondered if he would ever find out what they were. When the time was right he would find a way to make her tell him.
"It looks like a nice day, Mother, perfect for a train journey", he offered, feeling the need to establish a relaxed and friendly mood between them. "I am just going to check that the departure time or platform have not been changed, as I know how much you hate having to hurry." He gave her the most obsequious of smiles before turning to walk away.
He thought about the train journey ahead and had a feeling that the Mountie's wife would prove the bigger problem, for women had a way of making small talk that seemed innocuous whilst all the time garnering information that you didn't realise you were giving. And his mother loved to talk.
Then there were the children. More than one of his past plans had been abandoned because of the complications children brought. That Elizabeth Thornton had a son didn't bother him for he was young enough to be pushed to the side. But there was Nathan Grant's daughter, Allie, who had a way of finding out things that she shouldn't. He wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't something she had noticed that prompted the suspicions now being followed up. Were the two children this Mountie and his wife had with them going to be like that?
He knew he had to stick to the plan and continue to play along as though he was the real Lucas Bouchard. Keep them guessing and the only way to do that was to lead them on a little bit of a dance. His brother would have to deal with the mess of anything they discovered in Hope Valley, but that should not be difficult with Jeanette there to steer the investigation in the right direction. But first there were things he needed to do and people to be paid off to keep their mouths shut.
….
Elizabeth was feeling unsettled after her first time of facing Lucas since the planned deception had been made clear to her. Or the man who was pretending to be him. She didn't quite know anymore. There had always been something smarmy about him but now with the revelation of what he was doing she felt an even greater level of revulsion. As for the woman he claimed was his mother, it was clear that only a fool would miss the exchanges between them that spoke of a relationship far from what they claimed it to be.
Now she was hurrying back to meet the woman at the café after earlier making the sudden excuse that she had to get a message to her parents as they would be expecting her at the Coulter's. "I'll just pop into The Mercantile and call them quickly, otherwise they may worry. You go on ahead and I'll be as fast as I can. I'll get Florence to telephone and request the best table for us."
She had in fact noticed Nathan and James enter the store only a few moments earlier, unseen by either Lucas or his mother, and wanted to check with them that this was the right thing to do. They had already discussed her meeting with the woman, something everyone considered unavoidable, but she knew that she had to tread carefully. Nathan had been quite clear on what she could discuss and instructed her on how to avoid being drawn into divulging too much. And yet she needed to make "Helen Bouchard" believe that their ruse had not been discovered and that whatever their plans were there was no reason for them to stop now. Nathan and Bill were determined to catch them in the act and so put them away for a long time.
She thought about how insistent this Lucas had still been on pushing a relationship with her and now questioned whether she had ever been anything more than a pawn in the bigger game they were playing, for the timing of Jeanette's presence here to coincide with her father's visit was certainly not an accident. This was bigger than just preying on wealthy widows, their objective was something greater than that and she knew it involved her family.
For a moment she felt some sympathy for the real Lucas Bouchard. Yes he was narcissistic and unthinking at times but she wondered if deep down something had happened to make him that way. If his parents were willing to give up one child, had they used that as a threat to the remaining one to keep him under their control? She still held onto the hope that the Lucas she had come to know was merely an accidental part of what his brother and father were doing.
Now, reaching for the handle of the door to the café she paused, taking time to collect her thoughts before entering. Her concerns had been allayed by the quick plan the two Mounties had hatched and the very fact that she had Nathan's support meant the world to her right now. She thought of how sorry he had been earlier when apologising for not telling her that he was more than a town constable. A superintendent, no less, and one who clearly had considerable standing within the force as he had taken on such a big role in this investigation. Surprisingly it had not concerned her. Of course there was a lot for them to talk through but now was not the time. It didn't change how she felt about him and she knew in her heart he thought the same way.
The table directly beside the curtain to the kitchen had been kept for them and Nathan had suggested she insist on letting Helen take the seat looking out at the diners, as was the correct way for a hostess to act. It was important that she stay in control of the conversation and so she needed to put her ego aside, he had said, and not take any criticism of her manuscript to heart for the other woman would have been schooled on what to say rather than have genuinely read her work. Then he had taken her into his arms, hidden as they were in the back of the store, whispering words of love and reassurance in her ear that made all her worries disappear. As long as he was there she knew she could do anything.
For now she had her own role to play in unravelling this web of deceit that had enveloped them all, her part in making sure that nothing like the stories she had heard would ever happen to another widow nor any harm come to the people she loved. Nathan's instructions came back into her mind and she took courage from his reassurance that she would not be alone, that he would be just on the other side of the curtain, listening to every word and ready to step through should he feel she was in danger.
Taking a deep breath she opened the door, giving the room a quick scan as she entered, her eyes not pausing as she spotted James who was at the table next to where Helen Bouchard was sitting with her back to the room. The two were engaged in what seemed like quite a friendly conversation.
"This is one of my guilty secrets whenever I have to travel for work", the undercover Mountie was saying, his Quebecois accent showing just a hint of the French that would be his family's native language. If it was real. In truth the young man came from Hamilton, just like her.
"I love to sit and watch the comings and goings of people, see the similarities and differences. Guess why they are here and what secrets they are carrying with them. You know, you really should swap to this side of the table, it is a much more interesting view."
Elizabeth knew he had seen her approaching yet his eyes hadn't moved from Helen Bouchard's face. She could see why Nathan was impressed with the young man. Hurrying her pace she reached the table before the woman had a chance to reply.
"Good afternoon, Mrs Bouchard, I am sorry to have kept you waiting so long. My mother wanted to discuss dinner this evening and there was no stopping her. But this young man is right, you would enjoy the view much better from that side. Other than in The Mercantile, this café is where you find out everything that is happening in town. A veritable goldmine of gossip and enlightenment but you really do have to watch the room to see what is going on."
Elizabeth had kept her tone light and friendly, smiling in the direction of the Mountie as if to say it's good to have you close. James gave a nod in return to both of them before turning to the plate that had just been placed in front of him, "I had better eat this while it is still hot, Grand-mere would be turning in her grave at the thought of me not appreciating food at its very best."
Elizabeth stood back a moment longer, indicating to Helen Bouchard that she was waiting for her to move. Eventually the other woman took the hint and slowly rose from her chair. "Gossip is only interesting when you are familiar with the people involved but I suppose I have heard enough about everyone here to feel I know them a little. Yourself for example. And I suppose it is a slightly better view than just staring at the curtain and wondering who is on the other side.
It took all of Elizabeth's self control not panic that the woman knew that Nathan was standing there. Instead she merely broadened her smile and stepped towards the curtain, her voice slightly raised as she replied, "Well I can assure you there is nothing very interesting through there, just the kitchen staff preparing the meals."
She reached for the curtain to pull it aside for the woman to see but was stopped by a slight laugh, almost of embarrassment, as Helen Bouchard spoke. "I've seen enough kitchen staff at work in my life, I'm sure here they are just the same." She didn't catch the slow breath that the younger woman let out at her words.
Once settled, Elizabeth recommended the chocolate cake which she described as the best she had tasted outside of La Closerie des Lilas in Paris, where writers such as Emile Zola had spent many hours seeking inspiration with his peers. She watched for a reaction, knowing that the real Helen Bouchard had visited France many times and as a publisher would undoubtedly have been drawn to such a literary establishment. But there was nothing, merely a nod of agreement as their order was placed.
"I know that I have been slow with the next chapters", Elizabeth began, wondering how this was going to play out. She needed to take the lead and move the conversation in a direction that hopefully would not force the woman into showing that she didn't know what she was talking about and yet she had to discuss her book.
To her surprise Helen Bouchard brushed her comment aside with a wave of her hand. "Oh my dear, I did not come here to chastise you for not writing fast enough. Your book will be published when it is ready. I know how writers work and, truth be told, I have only read the first chapter anyway. No, I am here to find out about you, the woman behind the pen. I understand my son is quite smitten but you are more interested in a certain Mountie."
When Elizabeth didn't respond she continued, "I saw you with him at the station and I must admit he is rather handsome but do you really want to go through all that heartache again should something happen to him? These are dangerous times for our law enforcement officers, even in a quiet little town like Hope Valley. I always say that trouble has a way of finding who it is looking for."
The threat was clear and Elizabeth guessed this was the true reason for this meeting. She hoped Nathan had heard it although she knew this would not make him back away from the investigation. If anything it would fire them all up even more to put these criminals away. At that moment James made a show of knocking his spoon off the table in the direction of Helen Bouchard and as she bent to pick it up from beside her foot he gave Elizabeth a quick reassuring glance before standing. Taking the proferred spoon from Helen with all the Gallic charm he could muster, he checked his watch before announcing he was late for a meeting. Bowing to both ladies he made his way to the counter to pay.
Before he had even left the café a shadow passed by them as Bill took the newly vacated seat, muttering a brief "Elizabeth" in her direction before raising his newspaper in front of his face.
"Isn't that the judge?, Helen whispered.
Elizabeth nodded, "Yes, it is Bill Avery. He owns half of this café and when he is not on official business can usually be found hiding in here behind his newspaper. For some reason he thinks no-one notices him but of course everyone knows he is here. A bit silly of him really."
Helen was shocked at how casually and disparagingly Elizabeth spoke of the man who was sitting only a few feet away before she added, "Oh, don't worry, he won't hear a word we're saying as he is quite deaf. Not that he will ever admit it!"
Almost missing her mouth with the forkful of chocolate cake she was about to eat at the shock of just how matter of fact this society woman from Hamilton was with her words, Helen didn't notice the shake of the newspaper in Bill's hands nor the wink he gave Elizabeth from around the side of it.
Helen Bouchard immediately brought her attention back to what she had been saying and composed herself as she took a sip of her coffee before speaking again. "I hear that your family is in town, that must be wonderful for you. Do you see them often, being stuck…I mean, with you living out here so far away from them?"
Elizabeth let a little smile play on her lips for the briefest moment at the near slip from the other woman. "Not as often as I would like, I'm afraid. Only my parents are visiting though. My younger sister, Julie, is away at art school. In fact I received a letter from her just yesterday saying that there is a gallery owner who has expressed great interest in her work. She is very excited."
Helen nodded, as though she was not surprised by that, before going on, "Such a creative family it seems, and spread all over the place. And your older sister has married into the English aristocracy I hear. I believe my husband Peter met them on the boat when they were returning from here recently. He was travelling to London for business. Did Lucas not tell you?"
….
Union Station in Winnipeg was crowded and while Gabriel checked their reservations Lillian held tight to the two children. Her biggest fear on this trip had been losing one in a place that none of them knew and the presence of Lucas and his mother did nothing to allay her concern. There was something about the two Bouchards that didn't sit right with her, call it female intuition, and she had told her husband that immediately after he returned last night.
"I met him once when I was visiting Hope Valley. All I remember is an arrogance about the man, although he tries hard to appear amiable," she had declared. "I don't think you should trust him, Gabriel."
She received no argument from her husband who, despite receiving the correct answers to his questions, still felt that things were not quite as they seemed. "We have a number of days travelling to Brookfield, enough time I believe to gather more information from the pair of them. Perhaps if you concentrate on Mrs Bouchard, see if you can get her to open up a bit more about the family, specifically the circumstances surrounding the loss of the other twin, then I can see if I can detect something in this Lucas that feels different. I have the feeling he is not quite what he seems and I know there are bound to be signs that give him away."
Lillian understood her husband's frustration and knew how much he wanted to help solve this case. Mounties were fiercely protective of each other and their families so, in the same way she knew that Nathan would always look out for her and the children, she could see that Gabriel wanted to do everything he could for his friend and the woman he loved. Now as they made their way through the main station concourse she sensed the tension rising in him as he peered around, searching for the two people they were due to meet.
Gabriel certainly had mixed feelings about this journey. Mother and son, he thought, scoffing as he said the words to himself. Something about their relationship didn't fit and exactly what that was he intended to find out in the hours they would spend together on the train. But first he had to find them.
A few times he thought he spotted the man but then he would be gone, vanished into the crowd. There seemed an extraordinary level of busyness at the station, almost as though it was the beginning of a big holiday when families would be travelling, yet there also seemed an air of casualness in the way many of them were standing about as though they were not really worried about going anywhere fast. That in itself was unusual and raised his suspicions even more.
Time after time Gabriel thought he was seeing things, his mind playing tricks on him as his uneasiness continued to increase. There he is, he would think, catching a glimpse from the corner of his eye. Then he would turn around only to find an empty space in the crowd once more.
Finally Helen Bouchard came into view, the woman looking even smaller than she had last night as she stood amongst the tall men who seemed to be everywhere. She wore an anxious expression on her face and without needing to ask Gabriel guessed the reason why. Still he posed the question, "Where is your son, Mrs Bouchard?"
"I don't know. He said he needed to buy tobacco and a newspaper but that was some time ago. He asked me to wait for you here." There was something about the way she smiled at them. From her mouth there was the sign of vulnerability that you might expect from an older woman left standing alone in such a throng, but her eyes told a different story. There was something challenging in the way she looked back at him.
Gabriel could feel other eyes on them, a sensation of being watched burning deep into the back of his head. He stepped forward towards Lillian, tensing his muscles as he moved, getting his body ready. Then he spun around quickly and in that moment he saw him clearly. Lucas Bouchard was standing up on the balcony that ran high around the concourse, his demeanor calm, with an expression on his face that told him nothing.
But it was the woman walking away from him who Gabe couldn't stop looking at, her red hair familiar from a time she had visited Hope Valley when he had also been there. In that moment he felt a sickness in the pit of his stomach as he wondered what these people were up to and which of the two men was the real Lucas Bouchard.