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Chapter 22

The Long Awaited Capture

Two days later Deputy Commissioner Wynn Delaney was to arrive. Jack had asked Elizabeth to keep Jarrick in the cafe until they came in. She nodded and he kissed her lips lightly and said , I love you and left.

Bill and Jack were sitting on the porch of the jail when three riders rode up. Jack and Bill went to stand but oldest gentleman motioned with a slight nod no. Jack took the hint and said, how may I be at service to you all? The older gentleman dismounted and tied his horse to the post. They walked into the jail and shut the door. The other two gentlemen dismounted and tied their horses to the post and sat in the chairs on the porch. They were steady checking their surroundings.

Elizabeth why don't you make us one of those delicious lemon cakes of yours? I have not had time since I got back but truthfully I was afraid it wouldn't live up to yours. Abigail? Are you just trying to distract me? Is it working, Abigail asked and laughed? You are the only person besides Jack that knows how to distract me to get my mind elsewhere.

They both laugh and Elizabeth gets started on making the cake. Abigail watches very carefully, writing down every step and the amount of each ingredient. Abigail, didn't I give you the recipe before you left Pine Springs? Yes but for some reason I can't remember where I put it. Ok, are you caught up yet, Elizabeth asked knowing that Abigail had not lost it but was just keeping her mind off of the situation with Jack and the town.

Over at the jail, Jack looked at the gentleman and asked, what is going on sir? We have been speculating for the past 2 days. We know it's bad but would like to know just how bad? Sit Constable and I'll explain.

A few years ago a woman was killed in the states. There was a very young child that was left behind, a boy. The murderer was never caught. They had their suspicions but couldn't prove it. They watched this person for years.

The child, eventually was adopted a couple months later. On the anniversary of the adoption the parents and a son were murdered. Again the person of interest was in the vicinity but again couldn't prove it.

Now the child goes back into the system and is adopted again. Bill says, STOP! Everyone just looks at him with curiosity. Jack asks, do you know something, Bill?

Bill looks at the gentleman and asks, the Miller's? The gentleman nods his head yes. Jack says, Roark is here for his son? The gentleman nods his head yes again.

Bill how long has the Miller's been here and how long have they had the boy? He says, almost eighteen months. They moved here just shortly after you left, Jack. They have a son? Yes, Alvin. He's five years old, Bill says. He must have been the little boy I seen at the school the other day. He was on the teeter totter with a girl. Yes that's Sarah his adopted sister, Bill says.

So if he succeeds then he'll leave 2 children without parents, Jack says. No Jack, he won't leave anyone but the boy, the gentleman says. Jack jumps up and says, you mean to tell me that this man kills children too? Yes. We don't know why he doesn't want the child to not have a home. He's slick. So what is the plan now, the gentleman asked? The plan was explained.

One of the gentlemen was sitting in a chair right outside the door, he knocks on the door three times. The gentleman inside looks out the window and says, Roark just went into the saloon. Jack says, we have three Mounties posted in the saloon, one is the bartender, one at the bar and one at a table. The three brothers (Mounties) will be in the saloon shortly. So that puts six in there with all eyes open.

The gentleman went out and joined the two gentlemen outside. They took their horses to the livery and got their horses settled. They walked back to the saloon to get a room. They carried their saddle bags up to their rooms. The older gentleman said, meet me in my room in five. They nodded and went in their room that they were sharing.

Jack looks at Bill and asks, can you believe this? No, I can't, Bill says. This is bad Jack. Jack rubs his forehead trying to make heads and tails of everything. Now we know why the secrecy. That's something that couldn't go out over the wire, he says. Jack, why are the gentlemen being so secretive about their identities? I don't know but we have to go along with it.

Want to join me at the cafe, Jack asked? Yeah. I could use a good cup of coffee right about now. They leave the jail and head to the cafe. They walk in the front door and the bells jingle. Elizabeth jumps up to see if it was Jack and her dad. It was only Bill and Jack. She had a look of confusion on her face. Jack shook his head no. She knew not to ask.

She went back to the kitchen and got 2 cups of coffee and set them on the table in the kitchen. She cut them a slice of cake as well. Bill and Jack sat at the table and asked the ladies to join them. Abigail got her and Elizabeth a cup of coffee while Elizabeth cut them a slice of cake. Jack pulled Elizabeth down on his lap. Abigail set their coffee down in front of them and took a seat.

Elizabeth wanted to know but wouldn't ask. Jack spoke first. Three more men showed up today in plain clothes. Bill speaks up and says, I don't want you or Elizabeth to go to the woods visiting. I want both of you to stay in town. Please don't ask questions. Is it understood that you both will stay in town and out of the saloon? Abigail and Elizabeth look at each other then back at their men. They both shake their head to agree.

Jack tightens his arm around Elizabeth pulling her close. They sit drinking their coffee and eating their cake. Bill asks, Abigail, you made a new cake? No that's Elizabeth's recipe. She made it. Isn't it delicious? Bill swallows and says, this has got to be the best cake I've ever had!

Elizabeth stands and takes Jack's hand and leads him upstairs to check on Jarrick. Once in their bedroom with the door closed she hugs him so tight that he could hardly breathe. He wraps his arms around her and holds her tight. They just stand there holding each other for a few moments. Neither one wanting to let go.

He whispers in her ear, it's going to be alright Bella. It's not you or Rosie. It's one of the children that came after we left. She starts thinking of all the children that she didn't know. There were only two, Sarah and Alvin she thought. She whispers while still holding him, oooh Jaaack, the Miller children isn't it? He just nods. She asks, how are you going to protect them? I'm not sure yet but don't worry, we will.

After a few minutes they hear a sound in the crib. They both look over and Jarrick is babbling dada. Jack gets the biggest grin on his face and says as he walks to the crib, did you hear that mommy! He said dada! She walks up next to him after he picked his son up hugging him. She says, Hon, he's just babbling, I don't think he's old enough to understand the meaning. I don't care! It's a word Bella and it was dada! She hugs them both. Jarrick pats his mommy's face as if to say, I love you too! They both laugh at his antics!

Downstairs Bill takes Abigail's hands and squeezes oh so slightly. She looks at him pleading. He nods and stands her up and walks her to the sofa. They sit down and he wraps his arms around her and says, I can't tell you everything but I can say that it's not Elizabeth or Rosemary. She sits up and says, then according to Jack's Suspicions it the children! Oooh Bill you can't let anything happen to them! We won't Abigail, we won't!

She leans back into his arms. They sit there in silence until Jack comes rushing down the stairs! Bill, Abigail! Guess what! Jack, what is it, Abigail asks? MY SON SAID DADA! Abigail looks at Elizabeth and then back at Jack. She knew it was just babbling but didn't want to burst his bubble. She said, that's great Jack! It won't be long till he is talking up a storm!

She lightly pinches her Godson's cheeks. I'm so proud of you little one! She takes his hands and makes them clap while saying, yay! He giggles at the clapping!

Jack twirls him around the room all excited. Elizabeth speaks up and laughs, if he's this excited now wonder how he will act when he takes his first step. Jack stops and says, Bella my excitement isn't really at what he said. It's about I didn't miss it! I know there are going to be milestones that I will miss. Elizabeth chuckles and says, Ma is going to be so upset that his first babble was dada! Jack laughs and says, we won't tell her. We'll let Jarrick tell her!

Early the next morning there was a knock on the cafe door. Jack was downstairs having coffee before Abigail and Elizabeth came down. Jack opened it expecting Bill but it wasn't. Jack opened the door wider to allow the gentleman into the kitchen. Jack nodded towards the table and got him a cup of coffee.

They set down and Jack asked, dad why all the secrets? Why were you and your escort in plain clothes and no Mountie blankets on your horses? Son we don't want Roark to get wind that he's been caught. No we haven't caught him yet but we are.

Ok. Now why did you want us to wait until you got here? We could've handled it and kept you out of harm's way. Dad Bella won't be able to handle it if something happens to you. I know son but this one is close to home.

Dad? How close? The couple that adopted him in the states moved to Vancouver. They became friends with mom. She had them over all the time. We know that little man. So I have to stay away from him until we catch his father but son, we don't have anything on Roark.

As bad as it sounds, we have to catch him in the act. No we aren't going to let him kill the couple. But…we are going to let him get close enough to attempt it. DAD! Don't you think that's to dangerous? No my boy, we will swap out the parents. We will do it while he's at work or after he go to the saloon for the night.

Dad, we don't know when he's going to try do we? Yes we do. The boys adoption anniversary is the day after tomorrow. We will swap them tomorrow. The woman that's going to play the mother came on the stage this afternoon after I arrived. So all the plain clothed Mounties will all be around the Miller cabin. Yes except for the three brothers (Mounties).

Ok. Can you stay for breakfast? Elizabeth would really like to lay eyes on you to make sure you are okay. Sure, I'm not leaving until Roark goes to work.

Elizabeth came downstairs with Jarrick on her hip. He took one look at his Papa and went to bouncing on her hip. She walked over to the table and Jarrick reached for his Papa. Papa took him and raised him above his head and said, look at you! You've gotten so big! Jarrick giggles. Papa brings him back down and blows a raspberry on Jarrick's cheek. Jarrick just keeps giggling. Papa says, oh how Nana is going to be so jealous!

How is mom, dad she asked? She's fine. I didn't tell her I was coming here on this particular case. She knows it's for a case but not this one.

He sat Jarrick on his lap. Jarrick went to babbling, saying dada, dada, dada but not look at anyone in particular. Papa says, look at you! Your first word! Jack says, yeah and Ma wanted it to be Granma!

When Abigail came downstairs Elizabeth had already started breakfast. Abigail says thank you as she gets a cup of coffee. They all sat at the table eating. Jarrick reached across to his daddy's plate and took a handful of scrambled eggs and tried to shove them in his mouth. Part of them fall on Papa's lap. Papa says as he picks them up and puts them on the table in front of Jarrick, that's what happens when you put to much in your mouth.

After breakfast and some family time Jack and Wynn go to the jail. Bill is sitting at his desk running his hands through his hair. Jack asked, Bill what's wrong? Bill looks up and says, I sure hope we catch him before he kills that family. Deputy Commissioner walks over and put his hand on his shoulder and says, we have them covered. Deputy Commissioner sits and tells him just exactly how it was going to go. Bill lets out his breath that he didn't know he was holding and said, that will work.

The next day the plan was put into action after Roark returned to the saloon. The family was moved out the back door of the cabin. The wagon was loaded down with all their personal belongings. The furniture was left behind. The family was put into the protection program. The plan was put into action. There were Mounties posted all around the cabin.

The next night on the anniversary, Roark snuck up to the front door after the lamp went out inside and quietly blocked the door from opening. As the two from inside slipped out the back door quietly without being heard or seen. They backed up, far enough away so that they would not be seen.

They watched the back door. Roark slipped around to the back door and quietly blocked it also. He had a rag with lamp oil on it. He shoved it in the bottom of the door and struck a match. He tilted it to burn brighter and lit the rag. He backed up and watched it catch.

All the Mounties stepped out and surrounded him with their guns drawn. Jack said, Roark you are under arrest for the attempted murder. He tries to run but was caught and handcuffed. Jack put the fire out and pulled the rag out and stomped it to make sure it was out.

Roark started yelling, you can't do this! I haven't done anything wrong! This is false arrest! You have no proof for attempted murder! Let me go! Jack just keeps walking him back to town and to jail.

He tells him to shut up. There were thirteen Mounties that saw you block the doors and set the cabin on fire. So yes, we have proof. I was set up, Roark yells! There are thirteen Mounties reporting what they saw, do you think the court is going to believe you over us? We took an oath to uphold the law and to tell the truth.

They all finally got him escorted to the jail. Jack pushed him into the cell and locked it. Jack put the keys back in his pocket, went around the desk and sat down. He pull out a stack of reports to be filled in by the others. He tells them to take one and that they can take them to the saloon and fill them out. They all walked up to the desk and took the form and a pencil and walked out.

Deputy Commissioner walked over to the jail cell and asked, why would you want to kill your own son? Why? Roark asks, you think that brat is my son? NO HE'S NOT MY SON, he yells! His mother (my wife) told me he was mine but I found out that he belongs to the man that used to be my best friend.

His mother got what she deserved. That brat got what he deserved. What do you mean he got what he deserves, Jack asked? That brat doesn't deserve to have a life, Roark yells! He took my wife from me. He doesn't deserve to be happy because I'm not happy! Jack walked up to the cell and says, you are a sick man. That child had nothing to do with your wife sleeping around, he was just the result of it. You don't have the right to say who lives and who dies. You don't have the right to say what someone deserves, Jack yells!

The Deputy Commissioner asked, how do you know what they deserved? I was there and watched it all, Roark says. You can't pen none of that on me. I didn't do it but know who did because I watches all of it. Well Mr. Roark you will be charged this time. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't get life for this, the Commissioner said. Him and Jack walked away to fill out their reports. The Commissioner walked to the mercantile to send a telegram. He walked in and told Ned he wanted to send a telegram. Ned handed him some paper and pencil.

Urgent

To: NWMP Headquarters, Buxton

Send prisoner wagon immediately to Coal Valley…Stop…don't need escort…stop…let me know when to expect…stop

From: Deputy Commissioner Delaney, Coal Valley

He handed the paper to Ned and asked for it to be sent immediately. Ned says, yes sir right away. I'll let you know as soon as I get a response. He said thank you and walked out.

He went back to the jail and told Jack that he sent for the wagon. Jack nodded and said, that's good. Don't want any possibility of him getting away. My thoughts exactly, the Commissioner said.

Constable I want him cuffed and shackled. Yes sir. There is a couple pair in the back room. Sir, do you want to eat here or the cafe? We'll go to the cafe when the men bring their reports back. Yes sir.

Jack was just finishing up his report when two of the Mounties walked in and handed them to Jack. He looked over them and slid them in the yellow envelope. He set it on the desk. We are going to the cafe to grab a bite. After all the reports are complete and in this envelope all but two can come get dinner, Jack said. Two needs to stay with the prisoner. When we get there I'll send you both a plate and one for him as he points to the prisoner. They solute the Commissioner, he returned it and they walked out.

The next day the prisoner wagon arrived. Jack shackled, cuffed and escorted hm out of the jail. One of the Mounties opened the door to the wagon and Roark was lead in and his ankles and hands were shackled to the floor for transport. The Mountie stepped out and padlocked the door. All but the two that came with the Commissioner is escorting the prisoner to Medicine Hat. Jack hands the envelope to the head Mountie. After they leave Jack went back into the jail cell to clean it and change the bedding.

All of them went to the cafe for lunch. Papa plays with his grandson. They were giggling and laughing. Elizabeth and Abigail set the lunch on the table. Dad said the blessing and they went to eating.

Jack grabs her hand under the table to reassure her that it was over and everyone was safe. The conversation flowed all around. It had turned out to be a good day. Dad told them that he would be leaving in the morning. Jack said they would be leaving the day after. Then be home by Saturday. Jack you are relieved of your duties here as of tomorrow, dad had said. Thank you sir.