Chapter 6 – Bill Tries to Make Headway

Bill was in his office early Thursday morning as well. His first call was to Sam Collins. Bill had a litany of questions and wanted some answers. The problem was that Sam didn't have a lot of answers for Bill. There was little more information that Sam was able to provide. He didn't however promise to continue to have people look into things and provide whatever resources that Bill and Nathan thought were needed. Bill hung up the phone frustrated and thought for a moment. He sat back in his chair and debated his next move.

Bill knew that he probably shouldn't do what he was thinking about, but he really needed answers. He knew that he was taking a huge risk, especially with Florence at the switchboard. After debating for several minutes, Bill picked up the phone and asked Florence to connect him to a number near Toronto, but not to announce where the call was coming from. When she questioned why, it was because Bill snapped at her because he said so. Bill sat back and made some notes while he waited. He then pulled out a folder so he could refer to it if needed.

("Luck Duck Tavern." The man said. "How can I help you?")

"Morning." Bill said. "I need to speak to John"

Bill heard Florence hang up and he breathed a sigh of relief, because the last thing that he needed was Florence prying.

("Who is asking?" The man asked.)

"It is Spencer." Bill said. "Look, I just need some information."

"Spencer." The man said. "You disappear and I don't hear from you in over five years. Then you call out of the blue like nothing has changed.")

"Hey sorry about that." Bill said. "I needed to get out of town because it was getting too hot in town. I needed to disappear for a time to let things die down. I don't want any problems. I was just hoping for some information."

("What do you want?" John asked.)

"Lucas Bouchard." Bill said.

("What do you want with that piece of scum?" John asked.)

"He hurt someone important to me." Bill said. "All I want is some information to use against him. I want to make him suffer like he made my friend suffer."

("There is nothing you can do to him that has not already happened." John said. "Sorry your friend was hurt, but rest assured the situation has been handled.")

"Are you sure?" Bill asked.

("Like you have to ask." John said.)

"Okay." Bill said. "Then can I run one more name by you?"

("Shoot." John said.)

"Wyman Walden." Bill said.

("Never heard of him." John said. "There was grifter named Wes Walden who use to date Bouchard's sister.")

"Didn't know Bouchard had a sister." Bill said. "He told us he was an only child."

("Different mothers." John said. "They were about five years apart. She was older. Peter Bouchard tried to deny it but the mother swore the child was his. He had enough doubt that he paid the mother to disappear, which she did for about fifteen years.")

"You wouldn't happen to know the sister's name?" Bill asked.

("She went by many names over the years." John said. "Just like Bouchard and like him it was usually predictable. She always used Jeanette or Janet with a last name starting with an A. Bouchard always used the same initials LB. Not exactly the smartest, but neither could be accused of that now.")

"Thank you." Bill said.

("You owe me." John said.)

"I will arrange something." Bill said. "I am currently stuck in the middle of nowhere in the middle of Saskatchewan."

("Don't make me wait." John said. "Also don't disappear again.")

"I will try." Bill said.

Bill hung up the phone and sat back. He thought about what he had learned and made a few notes. He then made a call to Union City and requested any files on men with the initials LB and also any files for women named Jeanette or Janet with a last name starting with an A. He wanted them sent to Hope Valley as soon as possible. Bill didn't say anything else, but hung up and called Sam Collins back to make the same request.

When Sam questioned Bill, he just said he was testing a theory and when he had proof he would share. Sam sighed and let Bill know that he would do what he could. Sam realized that Bill was off on one of his wild tangents and it was easier to just let him do it then to try to reason with him. Sam had seen Bill off on those tangents before and he had tried to reason him before to no avail. He would just send Bill what he needed and when he realized that he was so far off base, he would stop and get back on track. Sam shook his head and picked up the phone to make the requests to send the files to Hope Valley for Bill. Sam wondered if he should call Nathan and let him know what Bill was up to, but then Sam reasoned that Nathan probably already knew. Sam knew that little got by Nathan Grant.

… … … …

After his phone calls, Bill made some more notes and then locked everything in his safe. He didn't trust people at the moment. He wanted to be out and watching what was going on. He knew there wasn't much more that he could do until he had gotten the files he had requested. Bill grabbed his gunbelt and put it on as he walked across his office. As much as he wanted answers, Bill knew there was so much going on that he needed to be out with people.

Bill stepped out of his office, making sure the door was locked behind him. At that moment, he didn't trust anyone. He stood at the top of his steps and surveyed the town. He saw Walden and his Pinkertons talking to what looked like a businessman in front of the saloon. Bill took a deep breath and headed that way, but as Bill was walking over, he saw Gabe Montgomery approach the group.

As Bill got closer, he heard Gabe tell Walden to move along as he was blocking the flow of traffic. Walden and Spurlock were both glaring at Gabe when Bill stepped up beside him.

"I suggest that you both listen to the Constable." Bill said. "We will arrest you and impound that automobile until a judge can rule on everything."

"You can't do that." Spurlock sneered.

"Try me and see what happens." Bill said. "Especially since there is no record of a Julius Spurlock prior to 1913. Also there seems to be a warrant out for a W Walden I have enough to have the Constable arrest you and hold you until my inquiries are satisfied. That could take quite some time with how slow things move. I have been giving you the benefit of the doubt, but that can change quickly."

"Spurlock." Walden said. "Move the car and wait for me."

Spurlock glared at Bill and Gabe but went to move the car. Bill then turned to the unknown businessman standing there.

"You, Sir." Bill said. "I would be more careful with whom you do business with, especially if you want to do business in this town."

"Who do you think that you are talking to me like that?" The businessman said.

"Judge Avery." Bill said. "So drop the attitude. Besides you are you?"

"Jerome Smith." He said. "I was looking for Lucas Bouchard because I was interested in the oil company."

"Mr Bouchard no longer owns the oil company." Bill said. "Nor does he reside in this town anymore. So since you both seem to be looking for someone that is no longer here, I would suggest that you both move along before you really upset me."

"Do you happen to know where Lucas went?" Jerome asked.

"Nope." Bill said. "He didn't even inform anyone that he was leaving. He just snuck out of town in the middle of the night like the slime he is. He signed over the oil company and left without speaking to anyone."

Bill then turned to Gabe.

"Make sure they stay out of trouble and/or leave." Bill said.

"Yes, Sir." Gabe said.

Bill nodded and then headed to the cafe. The other three men stood there for a moment before Jerome and Walden turned and headed into the saloon. Gabe continued to walk along the boardwalk and keep an eye on things. Bill had turned and watched from the safety of the cafe. He saw the two go into the saloon and Gabe continue to walk along the boardwalk.

… … … …

Nathan and Maggie woke with the alarm. Nathan quickly redressed while Maggie laid there and watched him.

"Hurry back." Maggie said, coyly.

Nathan walked over.

"I want to stay." Nathan said. "But Allie is coming home and I need to go on rounds. I need to check in with Bill. I should have been working this afternoon."

Maggie sat up with the sheet wrapped around her. She reached up and pulled on Nathan's suspenders and he leaned down to her. She kissed him and just when it was getting intense, she pulled back. She then looked at her husband.

"Allie has a sleepover with Emily and Opal tomorrow." Maggie whispered.

Nathan smiled.

"I really should go or I am going to get in trouble and we are going to get caught." Nathan said.

Maggie gave Nathan a pout as she slipped from the bed and gave her husband a quick kiss and pushed him toward the door. Nathan smiled and then left. He grabbed a quick bite to eat and left to go on rounds.

As Nathan walked to the livery, he had a smile on his face. He politely greeted people. Just as he passed the cafe, William Thatcher came out.

"Corporal Grant." William called.

Nathan stopped and looked at the man.

"I was hoping that we could sit down and talk." William said.

"I have to leave on rounds right now." Nathan said. "But I will be in the office tomorrow morning."

"I will come then." William said.

"Thank you." Nathan said. "Stop downstairs at the jail and they will let me know you are there. I have an office above the building."

"I will do that." William said.

William headed toward that row houses and Nathan continued on toward the livery. He got Newton saddled, made sure he had everything, including stopping to grab a rifle before he left to check things out. He knew that it was going to take longer as it was the first time he was going on rounds in over a week. Nathan said a quick prayer as he left town like he normally did.

As much as Nathan wanted to spend all of his time with his new wife, he knew he had a job to do and he was serious about protecting the valley. He was going to take his time to make sure that Walden and his goons hadn't caused trouble. He was also going to make sure that all of the settlers were doing okay. It wasn't that he didn't trust Gabe and James, but he preferred to see it for himself. He also knew that he had the weekend off if he wanted, but thought he might work some depending on how much he was able to accomplish on Friday.

… … … …

It was close to eight that night when Nathan rode back into town. It had taken longer than he normally did because people had wanted to stop and talk to him. There were also several that wanted to talk to him about Walden and his goons poking around. Several people also mentioned something about another group of Pinkertons poking around with different a businessman. Nathan got a description of the men and any other information he could. He said he would look into and to let him or one of the other Constables know if they see anything else. Nathan was tired and overwhelmed with information when he came back into town to hear the saloon hopping and loud music spilling out into the street. Nathan groaned. He went to the livery and took care of Newton. He then went back to the office. He stopped downstairs and saw Bill sitting there. Nathan groaned again. He had his hands full with a second group of Pinkertons and the last thing that he wanted was to deal with Bill. Nathan wondered why Bill just couldn't be a judge and leave the investigations to him.

As much as Nathan liked working with Bill, it was annoying at times when he would butt into an investigation and try to take over. Then Bill would get mad when Nathan wouldn't share information. It would have been different if he would have still been a Mountie. Nathan just wasn't sure if Bill butting it was always helpful. He liked him when he needed backup, but he didn't need him to be constantly looking over his shoulder whenever he did anything. Nathan glared at Bill and pointed to the desk. Bill reluctantly got up and moved to the other side of the desk. Nathan sat down and looked at Bill.

"We need to talk." Bill said.

"I need to make notes about rounds." Nathan said. "Can it wait until morning? I have been gone for close to five hours. Walden and another group of Pinkertons are causing trouble out near the settlements. I need to make notes so I can figure it out tomorrow."

"Who has rounds in the morning?" Bill asked.

"Gabe." Nathan said. "I will be in the office early. William Thatcher is coming mid-morning, but otherwise we can sit down and talk."

"Okay." Bill said. "I have information, but hopefully I will have more in the morning."

"Thank you." Nathan said.

Bill left and Nathan made the notes he needed. He then went up to his office and grabbed a few things. He closed up the office and stopped at the saloon to remind Mike that he needed to be respectful to others. Mike explained that some of the men were just having fun, but he was shutting it down soon. Nathan nodded and then headed back to his own house.

When Nathan walked into his house, he was greeted with his wife and daughter playing chess. He slowly took his boots off and hung up his serge. He then walked over and dropped a kiss on the heads of both of his girls before he went to grab some food.

"I can get that for you." Maggie said.

"No, sit." Nathan said. "I am just going to grab a sandwich. I ate while I rode. I just need a bit more."

Nathan made himself a meatloaf sandwich and sat with his girls.

"How was rounds?" Allie asked.

"Long." Nathan said. "I am going to have to leave for the office early. I have to meet with Bill and also Mr Thatcher. I also have several calls to headquarters that need to be returned."

"Is it okay that I made plans with Emily and Opal?" Allie asked.

"Yes, Allie-girl." Nathan said. "Your Mum said she gave you permission."

"Thank you, Dad." Allie said.

"Just remember we have PJ and Louie's baptisms this weekend." Nathan said. "So homework needs to be done."

Allie nodded.

… … … …