Chapter 4 – Seeking Information part 2
Nathan took a seat on a bench, not that far from Henry's office. He pulled out his notebook and wrote down what Henry had told him. Nathan took a moment to go over a few of his early interactions with Lucas to see if something jumped out at him with the new information. Nothing stood out, but Nathan knew there was something in there somewhere. He also realized he needed a better visual of all the information to keep it straight. Nathan got up and went to the mercantile, he got a couple packs of note cards, pins and a ball of string. He was going to lay things out on the two large bulletin boards in his office to see if things made more sense when he could see how things were connected. As he was leaving the mercantile, he saw Carson.
"Carson." Nathan called.
Carson looked up and saw Nathan. He smiled at his friend, but Nathan saw the weariness on his face.
"How are you doing, my friend?' Nathan asked, as Carson got closer.
"It has been a long few days." Carson said. "I was just heading back to the office and then planned to go get some sleep. I am sorry, I don't have the pictures done."
"Oh, understandable." Nathan said. "I wasn't worried about that. I was worried about you. I just wanted to check in with you. Let me know if I can do anything to help. I need to double check with Maggie, but maybe you would like to join Bill and I around the bonfire on Saturday. We were going to pull out the guitars."
"Let me know." Carson said. "I think a lot of it will depend on what happens over the next few days, for both of us."
"Yes." Nathan said. "I will let you know as we move forward this week. Get some sleep and we will talk later."
Carson nodded and headed to the infirmary. Nathan watched him walk away and said a quick prayer then headed to the cafe. He nodded to Gabe and Cody. He got some cookies and then headed back to the office. Then he went downstairs and pulled all the files on Lucas, Amos Dixon, Walden and grabbed a few others as well. Kinslow just looked at him, but didn't say anything because he saw the look on his friend's face. Nathan had that determined, don't talk to me unless you have information look that Gabe had seen plenty of times before. He knew that it was best to wait to talk to him about anything.
Once Nathan had everything, he stoked the fire in the stove and put some coffee on. He then pulled out some paper and started writing out everything that he knew about each of the people on his list, which included the seven names that he had given Rosemary. As he started to fill page after page with facts, he started to see a pattern with the dates, but he wasn't sure what they meant. He wasn't sure why the dates were important, but he knew that they meant more than just when Lucas left town. He had never been sure as to why he had kept track of all of those dates, but he was glad that he did. He put each set of dates on the board and a note of where Lucas said he was during that time. Something didn't make sense, but Nathan couldn't put his finger on it. He started to go over things he knew about Lucas to see if anything jumped out.
After two hours of working, Nathan was interrupted by a knock on the door. He turned both boards around and then answered the door. He found Bill and Gabe standing there. Both had files and Bill also had a basket from the cafe, which he set down before taking a seat at the table. Nathan put on some more coffee and took a seat himself. He looked at two of them, waiting for them to tell him what he needed to know.
"First of all." Gabe said. "Maggie is expecting us both at the house for supper at seven. She is making shepherd's pie."
"Thank you." Nathan said.
He then grabbed the alarm clock and set it for six thirty.
"What did you learn?" Nathan asked, getting down to business.
"Since he left here." Bill said. "Walden has been in the greater Calgary area which was where he was before. As far as I can find, he was operating legally. He and his Pinkertons are paid through something called The Rosemont Group. There doesn't seem to be much about the company. Looks like they buy a large number of properties and businesses, hold on to most for only a year or two at most before selling them off again. Before coming to Hope Valley, most of the transactions took place in the towns around Calgary. Then he moved to Union City, Benson Hills, Buxton and finally here."
"Can you request a list of all properties and businesses bought and sold, say in the last five years." Nathan said. "If possible, who they were bought from and who they were sold to."
"It might take some time." Bill said.
"Still do it." Nathan said. "Any connection to the Cotroni family?"
"Nothing obvious." Bill said. "Toronto and Montreal are doing more checking and will get back to me."
"Okay." Nathan said. Gabe, what did you find?"
"Amos Dixon is still in Granville prison." Gabe said. "I have requested a copy of his visitors. The person I spoke to didn't think that there had been any, but he would check and send anything here. Prior to his arrest here in Hope Valley, he had been in Cape Fullerton where he worked mainly as muscle for one of the local gangs. Arrested several times, but charges never really stuck. Most he did was a couple weeks behind bars."
"Anything on why he was in Hope Valley?" Nathan asked. "The story Lucas told never sat well with me."
"Nothing to hang my hat on." Gabe said. "There is speculation Dixon was here to pick up a payment from Lucas or even a shipment of money that Lucas was supposed to launder. One theory was he was angry at Lucas because he had led Dixon's sister on, slept with her and left her with child. No one will officially speak of this, but Dixon's sister did have a child shortly after Dixon was here. She is now married but according to the certificate filed in Cape Fullerton, the wedding took place six or seven months after she gave birth."
"Anything on the other two?" Nathan asked.
"Helen Bouchard had been a regular traveler between Montreal and New York City." Gabe said. "No evidence she has been west of Hamilton, Ontario in the last nine months. There is nothing much else. Her husband Peter appears to be in Europe somewhere and has been there since at least April. As far as I can find, there is no other family. The Mounties have questioned her and she swears she has not seen Lucas since she was here. She has talked to him, but assumed he was here in Hope Valley. She didn't even know that Lucas and Elizabeth had broken off the engagement until the Mounties questioned her about it. At least that is what she is saying."
"And Jeanette?" Nathan asked.
"No trace of her since you guys had the Mounties check on her." Gabe said. "She has vanished. So unless she surfaces, I have nothing."
"There must be something." Nathan said.
"She left the boarding house she had been staying at." Gabe said. "She didn't tell anyone where she was going. She closed her accounts in Cape Fullerton, taking the cash. It was close to two thousand dollars and drove away. That was three days after Amos Dixon was arrested."
"Okay." Nathan said. "I am going to assume she is using a different name and unless someone makes the connection to her past, I doubt she is going to share."
"Anything else?" Bill asked.
"Not right now." Nathan said. "Maybe tomorrow, after I think about everything. Leave the file and I will talk to you later."
"Alright." Bill said. "I am going to go spend time with my godson."
Nathan nodded, Bill put the file closer to Nathan and left, grabbing the basket he had brought before. Gabe sat there for a moment watching Nathan.
"So what is really going on?" Gabe finally asked.
"I am not sure." Nathan said. "Right now, all I have are theories and very few facts. I just need that one piece of information I think it will come together."
"So tell me what you have." Gabe said.
"Okay." Nathan said. "This company, Bellcourt, Inc, is who owns the hotel. They apparently own the saloon/hotel in several small towns. Everything about the company is dead ends. Nothing solid about who set it up, who is running it or where the money is or was going. We know Lucas is involved with Bellcourt somehow, because he was running the saloon here. No idea how he fits into the structure of Bellcourt.
Then you have this, Rosemont Group. They seem to buy and sell property and businesses left and right. They are connected to Walden. Again very little is known about who is running the company, what they are actually doing, where the money is coming from or even going. Right now the only thing to connect these two companies is the saloon/hotel in Hope Valley. Bellcourt/Lucas have it and Rosemont/Walden want it. Why? Why this little saloon/hotel in this small town? Why are they seemingly fighting over this little place?"
"Yeah." Gabe said. "We are missing something. Also how does the Cotroni family factor into this?"
"Lucas owed or owes them money." Nathan said. "He likes to frequent gambling dens in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. We believe back east as well, since he specifically owes the Cotroni family money and we have no record of them being this far west. From what I have been able to learn, Lucas was sent here to get access to Elizabeth's trust fund and maybe even her father's company in exchange for his debt being canceled. Now he has vanished and apparently so has this Jeanette woman. I know those two are connected, but unsure of exactly how. I am also not buying the story he told."
"I can see how this could be frustrating." Gabe said. "We need more information and we can work on that tomorrow. Maybe our inquiries will turn something up."
"I hope so." Nathan said. "I just have a bad feeling if we don't figure out what it is and soon, Hope Valley is going to be caught in the cross hairs. I just can't shake this feeling that danger is coming and we need to be ready."
"You know I will do everything that I can to help you." Gabe said. "But right now, you need to close up the office and walk away. You will have a clearer head tomorrow."
Nathan grabbed the two files Bill and Gabe had brought. He gathered all his notes and put everything into his messenger bag. He made sure the fire was banked and everything else was put away. He even remembered to turn off the alarm. Gabe and Nathan walked home, just having a fun conversation about something from the past. As they approached the row houses, Little Jack spotted the two of them and darted away from the nanny and right toward them. Nathan quickly scooped him up.
"Hi!" Little Jack said.
"Hey there Little Man." Nathan said.
The nanny rushed over.
"I am so sorry." She said.
"It is fine." Nathan said. "He is known to us. His father was a Mountie and he has a bit of an obsession with us. We are okay. It doesn't help that I have been gone."
"Time to go, Jack." The nanny said, holding out her hand.
"NO!" Little Jack screamed, while clinging to Nathan.
Nathan squatted down and set Jack on his feet.
"What did I say about yelling?" Nathan asked.
"Not nice." Little Jack said, his bottom lip starting to quiver.
"Right." Nathan said. "It is not nice to yell. It was nice to see you, but I need to go home. I have been gone and Allie is waiting for me. I know that she missed me as well."
"Sowree." Little Jack said.
"Now." Nathan said, glancing up at the nanny. "I bet if you go with your nanny. She can find you some apple juice and then maybe even will play with your train."
"Otay." Little Jack said. "Luv you."
Little Jack gave Nathan a big hug. Nathan hugged him back.
"Love you too, Little Man." Nathan said, the emotion in his voice thick.
Nathan stood and Little Jack took the hand of his nanny.
"Thank you." She said.
"You are welcome." Nathan said.
Jack and the nanny went back to where he had been playing to pick up his toys. Gabe and Nathan continued on to the house. Gabe didn't say anything because he knew how much his best friend loved the little guy. When they got to the house, Allie ran over and hugged her father.
"So glad that you are home." Allie said.
"Me too." Nathan said. "Now, can I please go greet my wife?"
Allie let go of her father and he stepped over to stand in front of Maggie. Nathan reached out, wrapped his arm around Maggie's tiny waist and pulled her close where he kissed her soundly.
"Missed you." Nathan whispered, when he pulled away.
Allie groaned and rolled her eyes.
"What?" Nathan said, giving Allie a mock glare.
"Do you have to do that?" Allie asked, making a face.
"Yes, so get used to it." Nathan teased.
Maggie swatted Nathan's shoulder.
"I don't want to make Allie uncomfortable." Maggie said.
"Allie-girl." Nathan said. "Please tell your mother we were teasing."
"He is teasing, Mum." Allie said. "When I was about seven, I asked Dad what he would do with a wife. He said he would hug and kiss her all day. I groaned and made a face. He did it because he knew it would be funny and I would understand."
"Oh, okay." Maggie said.
"Sorry if you got upset." Nathan said. "Allie and I like to tease back and forth."
"You will learn." Gabe said. "Nathan likes to tease, especially with Allie. He doesn't do it with everyone. Only those he really feels he can be himself with."
"Okay." Maggie said. "I don't remember my parents hugging or kissing each other in front of us kids."
"If you are not comfortable." Nathan said. "I will dial it back in front of others."
"You continue to be you." Maggie said.
Nathan gave Maggie one more kiss, then went to take his boots off. He first hung up his gun belt and serge. Nathan sat with Allie and got all the details from the last few days. She told him how a couple of the boys were fighting because they both like-liked Anna, but she like-likes Cody. Nathan just smiled and nodded as Allie went through three days of teenage drama. Gabe made them laugh when he asked if he should be taking notes. Maggie was intrigued as she listened, but didn't want to interrupt. She didn't recall her sisters ever sharing anything like that or even talking like that with an adult. She wasn't even sure she understood like-like or not. She assumed it was similar to a crush but was going to check with Nathan later.
They sat down to a nice supper. Nathan and Maggie shared about their quick trip to Union City. Allie wanted to know what they ate and where. She wanted to know what they saw and did they go to a play? Once Allie had all her details that Maggie and Nathan were going to share, Gabe shared a little more about what went on in Hope Valley. After supper, Allie excused herself to go do more homework. Nathan shared a few of his thoughts on Walden. He also shared a bit about Lucas. Gabe promised to do everything he could to help.
"I have a question." Gabe said. "Just thought of it, so hear me out. The Pinkerton with Walden, his name is Spurlock. I remember Jack talking about arresting a Pinkerton named Spurlock. Same person? Different? If it's different, any relation?"
"As far as I can tell." Nathan said. "This is Julius Spurlock. The one that Jack arrested was Charles Spurlock. After he spent eighteen months in jail, there is no record of him. There is also no record of Julius Spurlock in Canada before nineteen thirteen.
Could he have changed his name? Yes, but if it is the same guy, why didn't Henry say something. Or even one of the widows. Surely they would remember him. From the stories I have heard, it was pretty bad when the mining company ran this town."
"Maybe you should just ask Henry." Maggie said.
"Maybe I will do that tomorrow." Nathan said. "But honestly, I don't want to talk about work anymore."
"Okay." Gabe said. "You still think I should leave in the morning? I know O'Reilly was leaving it up to your judgment at this point."
"You should head back." Nathan said. "You have already been gone longer than planned and I don't trust Ronnie to behave and not cause trouble. Who did you leave in charge anyways?"
"Chuck Stewart." Gabe said.
"So, essentially Tess." Nathan said.
Gabe smiled and nodded.
"Got it." Nathan said.
"In that case." Gabe said. "I am going to head to bed. I have a long day in the saddle ahead of me."
"What time are you leaving?" Maggie asked. "I will get up and make you breakfast."
"You don't have to do that." Gabe said. "I planned to be out of Hope Valley as soon as it was light enough to see."
"I will get up and make a nice breakfast." Maggie said. "I am glad you were able to come and then stay to help. I look forward to meeting Lillian and spending more time with you as well."
"I know that Lillian is looking forward to meeting you as well." Gabe said.
"Let us get through the month." Nathan said.
"Maybe we can arrange to come spend Thanksgiving weekend in Brookfield." Maggie said.
"Let me know." Gabe said.
"We will." Nathan said. "See you in the morning."
"Good night." Gabe said.
Gabe headed upstairs and Nathan put his head in his hands on the table.