Rosemary dropped the letter from Elizabeth on the drawers next to her bed. She wasn't sure how many times she had read it, but the shocking contents didnt change. Could Abigail Stantion, the Coal Valley woman who took Elizabeth under her wing, be Clara's mother-in-law. Surely it was too much of a coincidence, she thought. How many towns have mining disasters? How many men named Peter Stanton died in mining disasters along with their fathers. It had to be her.

Should she tell Elizabeth about Clara? Should she tell Clara about her connection to Coal Valley? As she lay against the pillows, her mind swirling, an idea came to her. Of course! She knew someone else in Coal Valley; someone trained to investigate matters. She would send a letter to Nathan first thing in the morning; he would know what to do. Smiling at the easy solution, Rosemary rolled over and drifted off to sleep.


Nathan lay awake in his bed in the Mountie office. Abigail still hadn't come to see him, and he was determined to catch up with her the following day. He hadn't been lying when he said the townspeople needed him to resolve the mystery of who owned the Plank. People needed to know; several townsfolk had stopped to look through the window of the mountie office, staring at the Plank resting on his desk. Nathan had become so concerned for its security that he had locked it in the jail cell for the night,

Nathan's thoughts drifted to Gabe Montgomery; the young boy was obsessed with the Plank. He had come into the office daily to look at it, to check Nathan's progress on confirming ownership, wondering when he could take it home. Nathan had reached out to his mother, Cat, yesterday, letting her know about Gabe and his fixation on the Plank. Cat had promised to speak to Gabe about it, admitting she knew the Plank did not belong to her family; the writing was not even close to being similar to her late husband's.

Nathan had watched Gabe during the church service that day. Cat Montgomery ran the service, so she wasn't in a position to keep a close watch on her son, but he was. Whenever Gabe and Nathan made eye contact, Gabe quickly looked away. When the service ended, and Nathan stood talking to the townspeople, looking for an excuse to speak to Elizabeth, he noticed Gabe staring at him and wondered what he was thinking. Nathan broke away from the group he was with and headed toward Gabe, who took off running when he realised Nathan's intent.

Nathan's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the Mountie door opening; he didnt lock it when he was there. He lay still, silent, listening to the footsteps creeping inside. He slid his hand beneath the bed covers, reaching for his weapon, the slow movement not making a sound. He held his breath as he focused on the doorway between the Mountie office and the room where he slept. If the footsteps continued into the building, he would get a glimpse through the opening of who was inside.

As he waited, the footsteps stopped, and he could hear the person rummaging around on the desk. They were looking for the Plank. He listened to the sound of drawers being pulled roughly open. The Plank would never fit inside, but it appeared the intruder didnt know or care about that. If they realised the Plank was locked in the cell, it wouldn't do them any good; he had the key on a leather string around his neck.

He knew he had to act but halted, his hand on the gun, waiting. When the door to his room was pushed open, he could see Gabe, who stood silhouetted in the doorway. The moonlight gave enough light that Gabe could see Nathan, and he paused, shocked at his presence.

"It's locked up, Gabe," he said quietly, not wanting to startle the boy. He didnt appear to have a weapon, but Nathan wanted to be sure. He heard the sharp intake of breath from the person before him, shocked at finding Nathan inside and being recognised.

"I thought you slept at the Saloon; all the other Mounties do," Gabe said, not denying it was him.

"They weren't here permanently; I am and wanted a place to call my own," Nathan explained. Even as he answered, he wondered at the absurdity of the situation. Gabe Kinslow wouldn't believe it when he told the story of the trained Mountie lying in bed chatting about sleeping arrangements with a teenager with the same name who had just broken into the jail.

"I am taking it with me," Gabe said defiantly, "tell me where it is."

"I can't let you do that, Gabe; it isn't yours." Nathan's heart broke for Gabe, knowing he was only doing this because of his grief. He was so young to be without his father, as were all the children in Town, just as their mothers were too young to be widows. "It has to go to the person who truly owns it. I am sorry, Gabe."

As Nathan spoke, he slowly sat up in the bed, lifting the covers back while hiding the gun he had hidden in his bed. He swung his legs over the side and stood, waiting to see what Gabe would do next.

The boy watched Nathan warily, not sure what the Mountie would do. He was angry with Nathan, his mother, and everyone. He wanted the Plank to be from his father, to know that his father had been thinking of them when he died. "I want that plank; I will take it home, and then I will go and see Henry Gowan."

"What do you want with Mr Gowen?" Nathan asked, confused, the statement temporarily distracting him.

"It's all his fault my father and those other men died," Gabe exclaimed angrily. "He knew they shouldn't be down there, and he didn't care. He killed them."

Nathan and Gabe were both startled by Cat Montgomery calling Gabe's name. "Gabe, you had me scared to death; what were you thinking leaving in the middle of the night?" Cat strode toward her son, and although her voice was angry, she wrapped him in her arms and clutched him to her chest, kissing the top of his head.

Gabe's tears started flowing the moment his mother embraced him. His anger dissolved the moment he felt her touch.

Nathan stood watching the two of them, his eyes filling with tears. He looked toward the door, sensing movement and saw Abigail and Elizabeth standing there, watching Cat with her son.

"Cat asked us to help her look for Gabe," Abigail explained succinctly.

"He was looking for the plank; he wanted to take it home," Nathan replied. He looked at Elizabeth as he spoke, knowing she was probably still angry with him about discussing the Plank with Abigail, but he needed to resolve this matter. He hoped Abigail seeing the pain it was causing Gabe, would help him do that.

Stepping inside, Abigail walked to Gabe and Cat, placing her hand on Gabe's back. "Gabe, I need to tell you something," she said quietly. Looking at Nathan, her face strained, she said, "the plank belongs to me."

Elizabeth gasped, shocked at the admission; she watched Nathan's reaction and saw he was not surprised. He had been right; Abigail did know who owned the Plank.

Without leaving his mothers embrace, Gabe wiped his eyes and looked at Abigail, "how do you know?"

Abigail looked at Nathan, who walked toward the jail cell, pulling the string with the cell key from beneath the white long-sleeved Henley. He retrieved the Plank and handed it to Abigail.

Abigail caressed the words etched into the Plank, 'Forgive me, Pa', tears welling in her eyes. "My husband Noah had a unique way of writing the letters M and N. This is it," she said, tracing the letter. "I always knew he wrote it, Gabe, but I didnt want to be the only one in Town to have something special. I believe any one of the men trapped down there could have written this message. Maybe my Noah wrote it on behalf of them all."

Abigail handed the Plank back to Nathan, "I want to find a way to make sure everyone in town can see this plank, not just me."

"I am not sure Mr Gowan would like that, Abigail," Nathan responded; he knew Gowan would hate it. He would hate the Town to have a reminder of what occurred.

"Who cares," Gabe exploded, "I told you this was all his fault."

Cat looked around at the others, her face bewildered, wondering if they could explain her son's accusation to her. "Do you know what he is talking about, Constable?"

"I do," Abigail replied before Nathan could. "Cat, I am not sure if you knew, but Noah had been looking into safety breaches in the mine; he had talked to Henry about them and brought in an outside investigator. The mine collapse happened not long after, and I never found the safety report, so I am not sure if Noah was right." Squeezing Gabe's shoulder gently, she asked, "how did you know Gabe?"

Wiping his tears, Gabe said, "I heard Mr Stanton talking to my Dad. My Dad said he knew Mr Gowan was guilty. Mr Stanton told him to wait for the report before doing anything, and now it's too late."

They stood without speaking, Cat hugging her son again, whispering something the others couldn't hear. Elizabeth stepped forward and placed her arm around Abigail, whose tears fell silently.

Nathan cleared his throat, "Gabe, I know you're disappointed that the plank doesn't belong to your family, and I will help Mrs Stanton think of a way to share it with everyone." Nathan caught Gabe's eye and held it, his face serious, "I need you to promise me something. Do not go and see Mr Gowan. Leave him to me."

Gabe protested, and his mother and Abigail began speaking, trying to convince him Nathan was right. Nathan could tell Gabe wasn't listening; he was staring at Nathan instead, waiting for more.

"You have my word Gabe; I will get justice for your father and the rest of the men in this town," Nathan stated firmly, his voice hard with conviction and his eyes intense as he looked at the young man.

Gabe was satisfied with Nathan's promise and held out his hand for him to shake. "Agreed."

Nathan shook Gabe's hand, trusting he wouldn't do anything stupid. Unlike Abigail, Nathan didn't need the safety report; his gut told him Noah Stanton was correct. The mine was unsafe, there had been breaches in the mine, and Henry Gowan knew it. Nathan repeated the promise to himself he would investigate the mine disaster and get justice for his Town.

"Can I take him home, Constable," asked Cat, mirroring the question she had asked Elizabeth the day the Plank was discovered, her words giving authority to Nathan.

"Of course, Cat, why don't I walk you all home? It's late." Without waiting for an answer, he stepped back into the room where he kept his things and quickly slipped on a pair of boots. Nathan grabbed his coat off the rack near the door and held the doors for the others. As Gabe walked past him, he saw him smile, and Nathan knew they would be okay.

Cat kept her arm around Gabe as they walked toward home, Abigail keeping pace with them, allowing Elizabeth and Nathan to fall behind, walking behind them.

"I owe you an apology, Nathan," Elizabeth said quietly. "You were right about Abigail knowing who owned the Plank and the Town needing closure about it. I'm sorry."

"Never apologise for caring about your friends, Elizabeth. I understood you were protecting her, and I ...admire that about you." Nathan hesitated; he had almost said, 'I love that about you.' He needed to slow down; Elizabeth was clear she only wanted to be friends with him, nothing more. Besides, could you fall in love with someone in such a short time?

"Thank you, Nathan. Do you know what you will do with the Plank now?" she asked.

"Not really," he said, looking down at her, shrugging. "It needs to be somewhere Henry Gowan doesn't control, somewhere he has no authority; he would make it disappear if he could."

"What about the Saloon," she suggested. "I know Tom doesn't really like Henry Gowan. I have heard how they speak to each other. Tom might display it out of spite. If he does, the children could see it every day at school and the townspeople when they visit the Saloon."

"That's a great suggestion Elizabeth; I will talk to Tom in the morning and arrange for it to be hung up if he agrees, of course." Nathan knew it was the perfect solution; sure he could talk Tom into it.

"Were you serious when you said you would look into the mine accident?" Elizabeth asked hesitantly, wondering if he would talk to her about it.

"I gave him my word," Nathan replied, "I always keep my promises Elizabeth." Nathan was shocked that she had asked what kind of people did she associate with that she would doubt he would?"

"I'm sorry," Elizabeth said hastily, "I seem to be apologising to you a lot tonight. I didnt mean to imply you weren't a man of your word; it's just some people would have said anything to Gabe, to a child, to resolve the situation."

"Not me, Elizabeth. I am a man of my word; I pride myself on it." Nathan said earnestly, stopping her so she could look at him. " Honesty and integrity set us apart from criminals, from those without honour. 'Maintain the right' means everything to me." he said, quoting the Mountie code.

Elizabeth nodded, and they continued walking; she had hit a nerve and was sorry if she had upset him. Now wasn't the time to ask him about it, but she would, one day. She didnt want to pry, but she didn't want to hurt him again either. She hadn't imagined the pain in his eyes, the anger that flashed across his face. There was much more to Nathan Grant than what you saw on the surface.

They walked the rest of the way home in silence; Elizabeth could tell by the distant look on his face that he was caught up in remembering something. Whatever he remembered didnt appear to bring him joy.

Their little group paused when they reached the verandah of Abigail's home. Abigail spoke softly, "Elizabeth, I think I need to go with Cat, she has questions about the safety inspection, and I haven't finished answering them. She needs answers tonight."

"Of course, Abigail, I will see you when you get back. I will see you tomorrow Gabe," Elizabeth said, smiling kindly and him and his mother. She watched as the trio walked to Cat's home, conscious Nathan waited with her. She paused to speak until she was sure the others wouldn't overhear them.

"Thank you for walking us home, Nathan; I appreciate your care for us." Looking down at her feet, then back up at Nathan, Elizabeth said, "I would like to make you a promise, Nathan. You can trust me. If you want to talk about anything, you can count on me to keep our conversations private. I will never betray your trust."

"Thank you, Elizabeth, that means the world to me, and I promise to do the same for you," he said, touched by her words. "I may need to take you up on that when I start this investigation, almost everyone else lost someone in the tragedy, so it will be harder for them to be objective."

"Do you know where you are going to start with the investigation? I don't believe Henry Gowan will voluntarily give you a copy of the report." Elizabeth's brow wrinkled, "you will be careful of him, won't you, Nathan."

Nathan hesitated, knowing who he wanted to reach out to but not knowing if the name Bill Avery would mean anything to Elizabeth. Nathan kept hearing Bill Avery's name. He first heard of Bill when he changed his and Gabe's travel arrangements, and then he met him at his graduation. When he introduced himself to Bill Avery, standing with the Mounties' top brass, he knew all about Coal Valley and the mining tragedy.

"I am hoping to reach out to a man I met in Hamilton, an Inspector with the Mounties; his name is Bill Avery." Nathan initially thought Bill worked for William Thatcher, Elizabeth's father, but since arriving in Coal Valley, he had seen his name on several Mountie documents and correspondence. As he spoke Bill's name, he observed Elizabeth; there was no recognition on her face or in her eyes. He planned to raise the reason for his posting to Coal Valley with Bill Avery, and when he knew the truth, whatever it was, he would tell Elizabeth.

"I hope he can come quickly, Nathan; I get the feeling something is building now the Town has finally buried the last of the miners." Elizabeth shuddered when she remembered the funeral. The widows and their families stood together as the coffins holding the bodies of their loved ones were finally lowered, laying them to rest. Abigail sobbed quietly throughout the service, Elizabeth supporting her as best she could. She and Nathan hadn't talked about it, but Elizabeth knew he was standing at the back of the crowd, watching over them.

"I feel it too, Elizabeth," Nathan answered solemnly, "I intend to reach out to Inspector Avery tomorrow; I will send a Telegram first thing in the morning. I will also let Gabe Kinslow know; he is the closest Mountie posted to Hope Valley. I hope I never have to call on him, but I will if the Town needs me to."

"Well, it's late, and I should get inside and let you get back home. Thank you again, Nathan," Elizabeth said, smiling at him.

"Goodnight, Elizabeth, sweet dreams," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I will see you soon."


The following morning Elizabeth arrived at the Saloon early as usual; she liked to have time to set up the classroom and prepare lessons before the children came. As she placed her key in the lock, the door moved, and she realised it was unlocked. Tom had gotten used to her coming in early and ensured the room was ready for her, but he never left it unlocked.

"Tom, what are you still doing here? Is everything alright?" Elizabeth was concerned something had gone wrong, and school couldn't go ahead.

"Nothing is wrong; the Constable wanted to hang the Plank this morning, so it was here when the children arrived. I offered to help me hang it up," he explained.

Elizabeth stifled her laughter; Tom wasn't usually the type to volunteer to help anyone, and she was sure Nathan had to work hard to get him to volunteer.

Tom shrugged, "when the Constable explained that Mr Gowan probably wouldn't like it mounted in the Saloon, I was happy to help."

"Well, I think it's wonderful, Tom. The Children will love it," she said, standing beside him, looking up at where it was mounted, high on the wall.

Tom grunted and went back behind the bar, collecting the ledgers he usually kept locked away in his office. Elizabeth spent the next few minutes setting up her lesson, eager to see the children's reactions, especially Gabe.

Elizabeth held her breath as Gabe entered the classroom and walked toward his seat. She walked over, bent down and whispered in his ear. Stepping back, she smiled as he spun his head in the direction she had told him, a smile spreading across his face when he saw the Plank.

"What do you think, Gabe?" Elizabeth asked him softly.

"It's perfect," he whispered back.

Nathan finished writing the Telegram he intended to send to Bill Avery and read over it. He was frustrated at trying to include everything without being able to elaborate, having to keep it short and still get his point across:

'Coal Valley mine no accident

Info Henry Gowan

Need Joseph Sweeney safety report.'

He hoped Bill understood what he was asking and would quickly send the information to him. His cable to Gabe was shorter; he would follow that up in the letter he'd write:

'Alert

Investigating mine tragedy

Will reach out if needed

details to come in letter.

Nathan walked into the Mercantile, glad to see it was empty except for Ned. He handed over the information for his Telegrams, saying, "these need to be sent as soon as possible, please, Ned, and then the notes destroyed."

Ned read the contents, his eyes flicking to Nathan's as he read the one for Bill Avery. "Of course, Nathan. It goes without saying that these things are confidential."


AN: Thank you as always for reading. I have been asked whether Jack will make an appearance in this story, and I can confirm he won't be - sorry if that disappoints. I hope you don't mind me changing things around from the way it happened in Season 1 of WCTH