"Are you sure you want to go home?" Lee asked Rosemary. "I thought you had a whole shopping spree planned after the wedding?"
"I did, but I have a bad feeling, Lee, and I just can't shake it," Rosemary explained. She couldn't explain her feeling; she just knew she wanted to return to Coal Valley.
"Is it because Mr Arthur mentioned Lucas Bouchard to you?" Lee had seen Rosemary's face tighten at the mention of him. Rosemary hadn't finished her lunch, insisting they leave the Hill's Cafe immediately.
"Yes and no; I can't stand hearing that man's name and knowing he has left on some mysterious trip worries me. I know it's silly to worry, I know he wouldn't go to Coal Valley. There is nothing there to interest him." Rosemary was wringing her hands as she spoke, her stomach churning with nerves. "Shopping isn't important; I need to go home."
"Okay, you finish packing, and I will go and get my things and meet you back here." Lee rushed out of Rosemary's hotel, he would pack as quickly as possible, but he needed to call into the Mountie office on his way. He couldn't leave Benson Hills without checking if there was a response to the letter Nathan asked him to deliver.
Lee frowned as he spoke to Mountie Pyne; apparently, Rosie was wrong. Lucas Bouchard had a solid connection to Coal Valley; his sister was Lisa Burke, working in the Saloon. Like Nathan and Bill, the Mounties struggled to pin anything on Bouchard or his sister due to people's reluctance to report their crimes. They were very interested to see what the investigation in Coal Valley turned up, offering to send reinforcements if needed.
Lee had hurried back to Rosemary's hotel after promising Nathan would contact Mountie Pyne as soon as possible. In his absence, Rosemary had finished packing and arranged for her many suitcases to be waiting in the foyer. They were on the road within minutes of his return, driving as fast as he felt comfortable.
Lucas had been busy the few days he had been in Coal Valley. He had presented himself to the Townspeople as an investor interested in seeing what development opportunities there were in the Town. Many of the Townspeople were willing to talk to him, giving him lots of information on the Town and specific individuals. Lucas always seemed to know the right people to speak to and targeted them. Lucas knew which people to avoid and had managed to evade the Mayor, Abigail Stanton, the Investigator Bill Avery and most importantly, the Mountie Nathan Grant. Other than brief introductions to the three of them, he had yet to spend any time with them.
The one person he had managed to build a relationship with was the lovely Elizabeth Thatcher, the schoolteacher and Lisa's rival for the Mountie's love. He had approached Ms Thatcher as a successful businessman who wanted to add value to the towns he visited and believed the best way to do that was by investing in the children. Ms Thatcher had been intrigued by his idea of a library for the Town. He and the lovely Miss Thatcher had discussed it over dinner at the Saloon. She had suggested the Cafe, but he wanted to avoid Mayor Stanton. His heart had skipped a beat when she mentioned her housemate, Rosemary Leveaux, and he was pleased to hear she was out of Town for the week. Rosemary Leveaux's return to Town in several days spurred Lucas to action; he couldn't still be around when she got home. Lucas wasn't worried about Lisa; once again, she was under his control and following his instructions. Rosemary was the only person who could blow his cover now.
Lucas remembered the conversation with his sister on his second night in Coal Valley. She had come to his room at his request to discuss their deal. When his sister arrived, she had been belligerent, adamant that she wouldn't continue working with him. She had accused him of manipulating her for years. By the end of the conversation, after he outlined his plans, she was back on his side. Unfortunately, Lisa was right; he was the master of manipulating her. Once again, Lisa believed she needed Lucas, and without him, she would lose her chance with Constable Grant.
Lucas smiled to himself; he would enjoy destroying Constable Grant. Despite what he had told Lisa, there was no way he would allow her to stop working with him and live happily ever after with her Mountie. Initially, he hoped he could bring Constable Grant on board with his schemes; having a Mountie on their side would have made convincing of their legitimacy easier. After his first few discussions with the Townspeople, he realised there was no point. Constable Nathan Grant was known for honesty, integrity, fairness, and ethics. Lucas realised it would be easier to destroy the Mountie than corrupt the Mountie.
Lucas stood before the mirror in his room at the Saloon. He knew he had to dress carefully for his outing with Ms Elizabeth Thatcher. He wanted to impress her but not appear too much of a dandy. Ms Thatcher had agreed to take him on a tour of the Town and surrounding areas. This was his opportunity to take control of the situation and get his plan back on track.
Elizabeth stood in the kitchen at Abigail's, discussing her plans with John Anderson. "We will walk around Coal Valley looking for suitable places for a library," Elizabeth said excitedly. "He wants to donate the money to purchase the building and books. I can't believe it!"
"You know what they say about something that sounds too good to be true," Abigail commented. She wasn't filled with the same excitement as Elizabeth. She didn't know much about Mr Anderson; she had the feeling that was deliberate on his part, which made her suspicious. Abigail had seen him talking to Lisa on the Verandah of the Saloon and believed there to be a much greater connection than between guest and Saloon worker, but she had no proof. She had raised her concerns with Bill, and he said he would keep an eye on the two of them. "I think you should be careful about spending time alone with him, Elizabeth. After all, he is a stranger, and we know nothing about him."
"Oh, Abigail. That's unkind. You should give him the benefit of the doubt," Elizabeth said, surprised at her; Abigail was usually much kinder than that. John Anderson reminded her of many of her father's associates, but he was younger and more attractive. He seemed genuine in his desire to support a library for the Town and said he would follow through with it even if his business development didn't eventuate. Elizabeth wouldn't admit it to Abigail, but she caught Mr Anderson staring at her on a few occasions, but she had made sure to mention Nathan, her Mountie fiancé, several times, so he was aware she was spoken for.
"When you finish the tour, come back and tell me how it went. I'm interested to hear Mr Anderson's thoughts on suitable buildings for a library." Abigail said. She hoped she was wrong, but she got a horrible feeling about Mr Anderson. In the meantime, she would let Nathan and Bill know to keep an eye out for them around Town.
Elizabeth agreed to come back and let her know. She felt guilty that she hadn't mentioned the drive she had agreed to go on with him after their walking tour. John Anderson had asked if she would accompany him to look at the land surrounding Hope Valley so he could assess its suitability for his development. It made sense for them to continue their tour instead of him finding someone else. It wouldn't take long, and she would be back to report to Abigail before anyone missed her.
"I'm sorry you aren't feeling well, Lisa. Is there something you can take for it?" Colleen said. "Would you like to lay down here for a little while and see if your migraine goes away?"
"Oh, no, the only thing which helps is to sleep it off; I would feel more comfortable in my own room."
"Of course, please go and lie down; I'll be fine here." Collen felt relieved that Lisa was going, she didn't want her around, but Nathan insisted they pretend everything was normal for now. Lisa was jumpy, and her movements were jerky; her demeanour seemed slightly erratic. Lisa did look different, her cheeks were flushed, and she had a strange gleam in her eye, feverish almost, but Colleen wasn't convinced it was to do with her illness.
"Thank you, Colleen. I will be back tomorrow," she said and smiled widely, "I'm sure I will feel much better tomorrow," Lisa giggled softly before quickly stifling it.
Colleen frowned, wondering what that strange laugh meant and why it gave her chills to hear it.
"Did you know Elizabeth was wandering around Town with John Anderson?" Bill said to Nathan as he walked into his office.
"No," Nathan replied, throwing the papers he held onto the desk. He stood and started pacing. "How do you know?"
"Abigail told me. She wasn't happy, but Elizabeth seemed fine," Bill explained. "She never told you?" he queried, concerned about why not.
"I didn't see her last night; if I had, she would have told me about it. Instead, I am having dinner with Lisa and walking her home" Nathan looked out the window before turning back to Bill, "have you seen them out there together?"
"No, I haven't. Abigail had said that Elizabeth would call in to see her afterwards, and she assumed she wouldn't be too long. That was several hours ago."
"It doesn't take hours to tour the empty buildings in Coal Valley!" Nathan said. He was sure Elizabeth would have told him about her meeting with John Anderson if she had the chance. Grabbing his hat, he strode to the door; looking over his shoulder, he said to Bill, "I am going to do my rounds, starting on foot, through the Town."
Bill watched Nathan go, and knowing he was in no mood for company, he decided to leave him be. Bill would wait for him at Abigail's; he knew Nathan would call in there last to see if she had heard from Elizabeth.
Elizabeth smiled at John Anderson, "What type of investment deal are you making? I can't imagine there would be too much call for this rough terrain." She had assumed he was interested in land for farming or housing, not somewhere remote. She had become concerned when John drove out of the Township of Coal Valley and took an overgrown track off to the right.
They had spent several minutes bouncing along the uneven track, the trees on either side encroaching further and further into their path. Elizabeth wondered how long Mr Anderson could keep travelling by car without getting stuck.
Lucas looked at Elizabeth, noting the beginning of concern bordering on panic in her eyes. Good. If she started to panic, she wouldn't be thinking clearly, making what came next much easier for him and Lisa. Smiling, he said, "oh, don't worry, Miss Thatcher, I am involved in many deals and have many different needs for each."
Elizabeth wasn't reassured by his smile or that he slowed the car to turn into another small side lane. This lane was a dead end; the road was long enough that the car would not be seen from the main road or side-track unless someone ventured down it. At the end of the tiny lane, Elizabeth could see a cottage; it was run down and appeared abandoned. As she studied it further, cottage seemed a rather generous description. It was tiny and desolate, and she knew that whatever happened, she should not go inside with John Anderson.
"What do you mean she hasn't come back?" Bill shouted.
"Why did you let her get into a car with that man? Nathan demanded.
Abigail held her hands for silence, "Bill, Nathan, let us speak, please."
Abigail stepped closer to Clara and said, "Clara tell us what you saw."
Taking a deep breath, Clara said, "I was outside sweeping off the Verandah, and I saw Elizabeth and Mr Anderson get into his car and drive South down the road."
"Elizabeth never came to tell you about the change to her plan Abigail?" Nathan asked urgently. "Did she seem happy to go with him, Clara?"
Clara shrugged, "I think so, Nathan. He held the door open for her, and she smiled at him, pointing in the direction they ended up going."
"I'm not sure it was a change of plan, Nathan," Abigail said quietly. "I was quite blunt that I didn't think Elizabeth showing Mr Anderson around was a good idea; maybe if I hadn't been, she would have told me all her plans."
Nathan shook his head, "Why would she go off in a car with a stranger like Mr Anderson? Elizabeth knows better."
"He told Elizabeth he wanted to invest in a library, and we know how much she's wanted something like that. Of course, she would be accommodating."
"Who knew about Elizabeth and the Library, not many of us. How could he know about it? She had only discussed it with Colleen, Allie, and me."
Nathan knew Elizabeth had worried people would think it was favouritism if the Mayor supported her idea of a Library; that's why she was working on it quietly. When she put the proposal to the Town Council, she wanted to make sure there were a lot of others supporting the idea, so it wasn't just hers. Nathan thought about it; no one would have mentioned it to an outsider.
Lisa! Allie may have told Lisa about it. Nathan knew she used her relationship with his niece to get information about them. Allie wouldn't have understood this was not to be shared; no one had ever said it was a secret.
"I need to go and see Colleen and Allie, find out if they told anyone about Elizabeth's Library dream. This is too much of a coincidence." Nathan started to walk away but stopped as Abigail called his name.
"Nathan, do you think Elizabeth is in real danger from Mr Anderson?"
"I do," Nathan said. "And I don't think he is Mr Anderson, but I have no proof yet." Nathan couldn't remember being so angry with himself. He thought he was making progress investigating Lisa, but he had been wrong, and Elizabeth was the one who was caught up in it all.
Shock froze Abigail to the spot; she couldn't believe this was happening. She felt Clara's arms around her as she guided her to a seat. Bill placed a steaming cup of tea next to her.
"Let's not borrow trouble. Let Nathan and I do some more investigating," Bill said. He tried to keep his voice calm and soothing, but he knew his attempt had fallen flat. They had been investigating and had yet to get anywhere.
Lisa watched the young boy as he tidied up the stables, wishing he would hurry up, cursing his attention to detail. She needed to get into the livery, get a horse and ride to the cabin where Lucas would be waiting with the princess. Her face contorted into a vicious, ugly grin, her eyes shining wildly. She was glad she had decided to let Lucas help; he always had the best ideas and had never let her down. She sneered; he thought she was back under his control and doing his bidding. She couldn't wait to see the surprise on his face when he realised, she had outsmarted him.
Lisa hoped no one would miss one of the horses the livery loaned out, at least not straight away, and if they did, they wouldn't connect it to her. Why would they? She was ill, lying in the darkness, trying to recover from her migraine. She had been careful, ensuring everyone knew she was unwell and begging not to be disturbed. It was simple to sneak out the back of the Saloon and onto the stable.
Being shunned by the women in Town had served her well. Instead of friendly lunches, Lisa had a lot of time to explore on her own and discovered the cabin and the overgrown, winding path leading to it from Town. She had asked at the Saloon about vacant cabins, and no one mentioned the one she had discovered; it was like it didn't exist. They would not be interrupted. One day, if someone came across the cabin they would find Miss Elizabeth Thatcher and her companion John Anderson, but it would be too late to do anything but bury them.
"Nathan!" Lee called as he burst into the Mountie office, "Nathan, are you here?"
Lee was met with silence. Cursing, he turned, rushing out of the office to find him. Lee looked around, wondering where to start and was elated to see Nathan riding toward him. Although, by the look on his face, he wasn't having a good day, and Lee was about to make it worse.
"Hi Lee, what are you doing back?" he asked curtly as he dismounted, tying Newton up to the railing outside the Mountie office.
"Rosemary had a 'feeling' and wanted to get back to Town, and when I got a response from the Mountie office, I didn't argue with her." Lee took a breath and handed Nathan the note from Constable Pyne. "Lisa is connected to the conman, Lucas Bouchard. He's her brother."
Nathan scanned the note, his jaw tight. When he finished reading it, he scrunched it in his hand and threw it on his desk.
"What is it, Nathan?" Lee asked, sensing this information, while a surprise, had come too late.
"Elizabeth is with him now; he convinced her to spend the day with him scouting locations for a library. When they finished, she got in his car and left Town with him, going who knows where."
"A library?" Lee asked, confused; it was the first time he had heard the Town needed a library.
"A dream of Elizabeth's, one very few people knew." Nathan blew out a frustrated breath, "it all makes sense now; Lisa overheard Colleen and Allie talking about the Library Elizabeth wanted and told her brother. They are working together."
"Where is Lisa now? Is she with them?"
"She told Colleen she was sick and going to her room in the Saloon to lie down. I have just come from there; her room is empty." Nathan looked at Lee, his jaw clenched and said, "I need to go and find her, I have no idea where they went, but I know they headed South."
"Why don't we go together? I will follow you in a few minutes, so I don't disturb any tyre tracks they might have left."
"Can you tell Bill what Mountie Pyne told you? I want to save time. He was in the Cafe when I saw him last."
"Of course you go, and Nathan. Look after yourself. You are no help to her if you are injured or ..." Lee trailed off, not wanting to finish that sentence.
Nathan clapped Lee on the shoulder and left him in the Mountie office; Lee watched as he leapt onto Newton's back and galloped out of Town. Nathan attracted a few curious glances, and Lee knew word would get around quickly that something was wrong. He grabbed the crumpled note from Nathan's desk, smoothing it out; Bill would want to see it.
Nathan knew he had to slow down; he couldn't afford to miss something. Reigning Newton in, he steadied him and looked around. The road Elizabeth and John, no Lucas Bouchard, had travelled saw quite a bit of traffic, so his tyre tracks would be difficult to find. What he needed to find was something out of the ordinary. Something out of place.
Elizabeth had refused John Anderson when he suggested she get out of the car. He tried several times to cajole her before giving up. The smile he gave her was cruel; she knew she didn't have a choice but was hoping to at least delay the inevitable.
"My dear Miss Thatcher, why do you continue to be so stubborn? You will be coming inside with me. There is someone who wants to talk to you."
"Who?" Elizabeth asked simply. She was convinced she knew but wanted to hear it from him. The longer she spent with him, the more the resemblance to Lisa Burke from the Saloon became evident. It was their smile, she realised, their mouths turned up in the same way. It wasn't immediately apparent because of John Anderson's beard, but being so close to him, she had finally noticed. Although she had seen it too late. She had been a fool, believing he was going to build a library for the town…thinking he had found her attractive.
Lucas opened the car door, ready to drag Elizabeth from the passenger seat. He felt the pain in his shin moments after he saw her move and realised she had spun her legs out and kicked him. Hard. He stumbled back out of her reach and watched, stunned, as she took off running back toward the road they had come. He was surprised by her agility and speed. He hadn't expected her to run in her long skirts.
Elizabeth's heart was racing, and not only from exertion. Adrenaline was coursing through her veins, she was alone with someone who wanted to hurt her, and if she went into the cabin with him to meet whoever was waiting there, she would not come out. There was no way Lisa would beat her, nor have Nathan. She would not let this man ruin her life or take her away from Nathan, Colleen and Allie.
Elizabeth could hear the man gaining on her, she had always been fast, but his long legs gave him an advantage. He was going to catch her. With a sudden burst of speed, Elizabeth turned into the narrow lane and threw herself against the bushes lining the road. If she couldn't get away from him, she would make her presence obvious. If Nathan were the tracker he claimed to be, he would look for a disturbance like the one she was making.
Her eyes filled with tears, a combination of anger and fear. A sob escaped her as she felt John Anderson grab her hair, his hand tangling in it and dragging her head back. Before she could scream, he wrapped an arm around her waist; removing the other from her hair, he covered her mouth. He was too strong for her. She was powerless to stop him as he dragged her back to the cabin; although she made as much disturbance on the ground as she could, she was pleased he didn't seem to notice what she was doing.
"Where have you been?" her captor snarled as he dragged her past the motor vehicle.
Elizabeth looked up and saw Lisa standing on the Verandah, waiting for them. Her heart sank. Lisa's presence made everything worse. "What are you doing here?" she asked as John dropped his hand from her mouth.
"I am here to make sure you aren't able to cause any more trouble for Nathan and me." Smiling down at her, Lisa said, "once you are out of the picture, we will be together." Lisa turned to her brother and demanded, "get her inside, now. You have taken far too long already."
Elizabeth glared at Lisa as John Anderson manhandled her roughly up the steps toward the cabin door. Elizabeth tried calling for help, but she knew it was useless. She continued to struggle to free herself before John Anderson could take her inside the cabin, but he was too strong. She could see through the open door; inside was dark and ominous, and her stomach churned with nerves and fear. Lisa stepped toward her and shoved a piece of cloth roughly into her mouth, muffling her scream.
"I said to get her inside, Lucas."
Lucas? Elizabeth thought, confused. Why was she calling him Lucas?