Chapter 13

Making A Plan

The next day after breakfast Jack and Elizabeth was sitting on the back porch. He had a pistol in his back waistband and one in his boot. They were sitting on the wicker loveseat against the wall of the house. He put his left arm around her shoulders and held her right hand in his right hand.

Her head was leaning on his shoulder. She asks, Jack? Yes Bella. What's going on? Why can't we go home? I know you're keeping something from me. I can see it in your eyes. She leans up to look in his eyes but he was looking out in the yard. She looks up and took her hand and gently turned his face to look at her. He wraps both arms around her.

She says, it's really bad isn't it? Yes Bella it is. Can you tell me or is it Mountie business? I can tell you but I can't seem to find the right words. Hon, just rip the band aide off and just tell me. The sooner you tell me, the sooner we can work to fix it.

He takes a deep breath and lets it out. While still holding her he says, we thought to begin with it was the Webster brothers but then when I showed Uncle the hair clip he called me outside. He cleared his throat and continued. He said that the clip was left by the hair clip rapist. She snickered. Bella, this is serious. She said, I know but why would someone want to be known for stealing hair clips? Bella…he…rapes…them…before…he…takes…the…hair…clip. She sits up with big tears rolling down her cheeks. She asks, so…he…came…to…rape…me? Jack couldn't say anything but just shook his head yes. Ooooh Jack, was all she could say. She fell back into his arms and held on tight as if her life depended on it. He held her as tight as he could without stopping her breathing.

Meanwhile up on the hill with his binoculars that he had painted green and black so there was nothing the sun could reflect off of. He watches her from afar. He whispers, you can't protect her forever. I have all the time in the world. When Jack lead her back inside, the man huffed and whispered, you will be mine. Mark my words, you will be mine. He just sits and watches the house until after dark. He walks back to his horse and goes home.

4 days later Deputy Commissioner rode into town to meet the 20 Mounties at the office. He was in his office when there was a knock on his office door. Yes, come in, he says. McMurphy enters and says, sir, they're waiting for you in the conference room. Thanks McMurphy. I'll be right there. He closed the door to tell his comrades that the Deputy Commissioner would be right in.

If anyone wants coffee, help yourself, there are pastries too. He takes his seat and waits with the rest of his comrades. A few minutes later the Deputy Commander came in and said, ok. McMurphy will take everyone's name then you will sign your name next to it. We need to know who is who and where you're out of. While he's doing that I have just a few things to say then you will be dismissed.

Everyone should've brought their horse. If you don't have it you can pick one up from down at the coral behind this building. Who all needs a horse? Only one man raised his hand. Okay what's your name and what office are you out of? The man said, Constable Burke sir, Vancouver. Why didn't you bring your horse Constable? I lost him in an accident last week sir. Had to put him down. They had me on desk duty until I could get another. You mean to tell me that out of 250 horses in Vancouver you couldn't find one? No sir I'm not saying that. I'm saying that I haven't found the right fit yet sir. Very well. You can still borrow one while you're here. Yes sir.

Okay, for the rest of you, I want you mounted and ready to ride at midnight. McMurphy will bring you out to the house. Plain clothes only. Am I understood? Yes sir they all said.

McMurphy you'll bring 5 at a time. I don't want a lot of commotion around the house. We are thinking he's not watching at night so we will all get set up after dark. Yes sir. It will take me about an hour round trip so you all will ride outside of town in the woods and wait for me to come back and get the next 5 and so on. The Deputy Commissioner left at 5:00 as usual. By 4:00 am the entire troop was brought out and assigned to their position.

That morning there was 2 extra mouths at the breakfast table. Jack came down early for a cup of coffee. When he walked in he noticed his 2 friends standing in the kitchen drinking coffee.

Jack stops and says, don't you have anything better to do than to stand around drinking coffee all day, with a big grin on his face. He shook O'Riley's hand and thanked him for coming. He said, you didn't think I was going to let you have all the fun did you? They both laugh. Then he shook Burke's hand but pulls him in for a hug. Man, what it takes to get you away from your cushy post. Hey man I seen your name, well not your but your wife's name come across my desk and had to volunteer. But when did you get married, bro? Back on April 23rd. She's 6 months pregnant too! Wow, you didn't waste any time! I guess not but we didn't find out she was pregnant until about 3 months later. Well congratulations bro! I'm happy for you! Thanks bro!

Wynn walks in and O'Riley says, atenhut! All 3 solutes Deputy Commissioner. He returned the solute and said, at ease men. They all relaxed and went about their conversation. Wynn got him a cup of coffee and invited them to sit. They all took a seat around the kitchen table. The plan was put into motion.

That afternoon one of the ladies from the community came knocking at the door. Lydia answered and invited her in. Everything was explained to her. She agreed and they went to work. By middle afternoon she had been made up to look like Elizabeth.

Jack kisses Elizabeth and says, this will be over hopefully by tomorrow. I love you and please stay away from the windows and don't go outside. I've moved your stuff into Lydia's room so if he's watching he won't see your light on in our room. So don't light the lamp in there. Jaaack, I'm scared that something is going to happen to you. Bella, there are 25 Mounties positioned all around here and at the house. We have to catch him before he hurts another…woman. He kisses her once more and walks the fake Elizabeth out to the buggy with Sargent by the buggy.

He snapped the reins and whistles. Sargent followed them back to the house. The fake Elizabeth snuggled up to Jack and said, sorry Constable but we've all seen you two together. It's fine Mrs. Rugby. Play the part but no kissing he said with a laugh. Never Constable and chuckles.

The man on the hill watches as they ride off. He whispered, sooo, you're going home now, are you? That makes it easier for me! I'll see you soon Dear, I'll see you soon! He waits a couple of hours and goes back to his horse and goes home to make his plan.

Back at the Thornton's, Jack helped Mrs. Rugby out of the buggy and into the house. He takes the buggy around to the side of the house and unhitches Lady and brushes her until she shines. He turns her out with Sargent and goes into the house.

Corporal Burke and Sargent O'Riley was waiting inside. The plan was that Mrs. Rugby would go about doing the daily chores around the house. They had made her look like she was 6 months pregnant. Tomorrow Jack would go on his morning rounds but would back track to the back of the house in the tree line on foot so Lady wouldn't give him away by finding Sargent.

The next morning Jack done everything according to the plan. He went on his morning rounds and back tracked on foot. Mrs. Rugby had gone back to bed after fixing breakfast. Just as Elizabeth would do sometimes. Burke was in the bedroom corner and O'Riley was in the living room behind the desk.

Mrs. Rugby wasn't scared at all. She was as tuff as they come. She was laying in bed looking at the mirror when all of a sudden a face popped up in the window. Burke put his finger to his mouth to tell her to not make a sound. Burke made a sound to alert O'Riley. He made the sound back confirming.

The Mounties and Jack spotted the man peeking in the window. The man went around to the front. The Mounties all moved in behind the house. The man had picked the lock and slowly opened the door and snuck in without making a sound. He gently shut the door. Mrs. Rugby had her back to the door watching Burke with one eye open. He had his gun cocked and ready.

The man slowly took his pants off and quietly climbed into bed next to her. She didn't even flinch. Just before he touched her Burke stood and said, hold it right there. Mrs. Rugby rolled off of bed real quick before the man could grab her. O'Riley came through the door so the man was cornered. Burke rolled the man over and cuffed him. He pulled the man up onto his feet. Burke yelled, we got him. The man says, you ain't got nothing as he tries to get away but doesn't succeed. O'Riley picks the man's pants up and checks the pockets. In the right front pocket was a fancy hair clip.

Jack came in just as one of the Mounties fired 3 shots in the air. A few moments later the Deputy Commissioner drove up in his car. He looked the man in the face and asked, how in the hell have you not been caught by now. My only mistake was going after a Mounties wife. I figured it was going to be easier out here in the middle of nowhere. I didn't count on her going out the window and who taught that horse to do that? I ain't never seen a horse turn sideways to help someone out of a window.

They all step outside. They put the man in the back of the car. Jack whistled and Sargent came running up to Jack. The man asked, man how'd you do that. Jack said, don't worry about it because it's going to be a long time before you ever get out of prison. The Deputy Commissioner and 2 other Mounties escort the man to jail in town.

Mrs. Rugby help Jack to strip the bed and remake it. She washed the sheets and hung them on the line. She told Jack that she would make sure they were dry and put away and straighten everything up before he brought Elizabeth back to the house. He said thanks. All the Mounties except for Burke and O'Riley went back to town to fill out their reports.

Burke and O'Riley followed Jack back to the Delaney's in his buggy. That evening they all had dinner just as friends and brothers.

After dinner they followed Jack and Elizabeth back to their house and sat around talking. Elizabeth offered blankets for pallets to them. They said thanks but they would head back to town. They left about midnight promising to come back tomorrow. Elizabeth thanked them for all their help and retired to the bedroom. Jack walked them out and said goodbye. He walked back in and locked the doors and windows. He turned the lamps down and went into the bedroom.

He found her sitting at her vanity just staring in the mirror. He walks up behind her and softly says, Bella? Talk to me. She just continues to stare but a silent tear slides down her cheek.

He gently touches her shoulder. She doesn't flinch or jump. He goes to his knees and turns her to face him. She lays her head on his shoulder and the tears fall. She sobs and asks, how could this happen way out here in the middle of nowhere? Oooh Bella, I wish that I could tell you that there are safe places but I can't. No place is a safe place. There is corruption and crime everywhere if you look hard enough. But I will tell you that there are more crimes in towns and cities. I just thank God that you had enough wits about you that you got yourself out of that classroom because that was where he had planned to attack you.

He stood back and watched you call Sargent over to the window and climb out onto his back. He kept asking how did we train him to do that? Of course I didn't tell him. But Sargent saved your life! Well, tomorrow he gets the biggest apple I can find, she said.

She stood and looked at the bed and asked, did he touch the bed? Jack closed his eyes and was hoping she wouldn't ask. But she did. He took a deep breath but before he could answer she knew. She whispered I don't want to sleep in here.

He helps her change into her nightgown and leads her back to the living room. He sits down and she lays her head on his lap. He says, we'll go get another mattress tomorrow Bella. She whispers as the tears fall silent, thank you hon. Anything for you Bella.