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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love
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Chapter Thirty
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Celebrations
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Part I
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After lunch Hal and Bill took the Chief Inspector to see his new office located on the second floor above Bill's Offices.
Having seen the empty space previously, Nathan was astounded by what fresh paint and brand-new furniture had accomplished.
"Pretty luxurious, isn't it," bragged Bill.
"This is amazing. We'll be more than fine here, Bill!"
"Well, Son! Just remember, this is temporary," reminded Hal. "But for now, let me give you the grand tour!"
"The front staircase, which we just used, will be used by the public. The two small offices at the front of the building will belong to your three corporals. Your Personal Assistant will be housed in the first office nearest the staircase so that he can monitor who comes in and out. The remaining two corporals will share the office next to him. Next is the conference room, which can be used for group meetings, training, or whatever you need. At first, I was concerned that your office wasn't positioned at the front of the building like Bill's but when I saw that beautiful view of nature out the back, I could see that being perfect as the main office. Have I left anything out, Bill?"
"I'll give you a key to that second staircase that will take you straight up to your suite in case you want to slip in or out incognito. Also, Hal was kind enough to pay for a plumber to fix those extra bathrooms. The smaller being upfront by the boys, and of course, the larger being part of your suite."
"I had them add a shower, too, in case you get stuck like today and need to get cleaned up without having to go home!"
"Thank you both! All of that is very helpful."
"Do you see anything we've left out of the Conference Room?"
"The only thing I can think of that might be helpful, is not commonly done, but I read about it being used in Europe."
"What's that, Son?" asked Hal.
"A glass panel is placed on the wall in addition to or in place of a chalkboard, and grease pencils are used to write on it." (*75)
"But how do you get it off?"
"Generally soapy water and a rag, but if there are stubborn stains, they say you can remove them with acetone or most other cleaning agents." (*76)
"Get what you need, and if it works, Bill and I want to do the same for our offices!"
"Thank you, Sir! I'll keep you posted!"
"Let's go to the back and take a look at your Private Office," smiled Hal.
The men walked down the hall together, excited to show off their masterpiece.
"If you think everything else has been great, wait till you see this, Son!"
Bill opened the double doors, and Nathan couldn't believe what he was seeing through the window.
"Bill, this might just be the best view in all of Hope Valley!" exclaimed Nathan.
"Are you kidding? It IS the best view in all of Hope Valley, and I, for one, am glad that you're the one who finally gets to enjoy it!"
"I love it. How could you not look at that and feel inspired – the lush green, the hills in the distance? It's amazing!"
"The view sort of takes over with all that glass, but stand back and look at the actual room. What do you think, Son?"
"It's all lovely and looks very serviceable, too," agreed Nathan, fairly overcome. "I also like the masculine feel of the entire floor, though with a bit of elegance. It's a great balance."
The huge wooden desk was made of a dark Brazilian Mahogany. Behind the desk was a matching credenza that sat under the massive window. There was a leather wingback chair behind his desk in the most beautiful deep sea-blue leather. Across from his desk, there were two matching leather wingback chairs for guests.
"Bill, you can visit anytime, but you're not getting that chair! I am claiming it as mine right now!"
Hal laughed, having heard a little about Bill's antics over Nathan's office, desk, and chair, not to mention the typewriter.
"As you work and become more comfortable working here, if we've missed anything you need, just let us know. Wait, I can't believe I forgot. The entire phone system on this floor is as high-end as they come. But with the high-profile cases you will be working on, we've placed two secure phones, the one on the right of your desk and the one at the end of the Conference Table where you will most likely be sitting, given the placement of the boards, etc. I know it's not ideal, as we would much prefer to have soundproof rooms for both privacy and security, but we had to work with what we have. And I couldn't see giving up that half bath. I do however believe this is a tight group, and I don't think you'll ever have a problem with confidentiality."
"I'll monitor to see if it becomes an issue, but I agree. I think it will be fine. Thank you for putting one in each area, though, as I'm sure that will be very helpful."
"Oh, and Nathan, knowing your sister was a professional artist, and you might prefer to use something of hers instead of these that are hanging, we just wanted to let you know you have that option. Whatever you don't wish to use here, feel free to use elsewhere, even at home. I'm afraid transport would cost us more than it makes sense to pay!"
"Thank you, Sir, that's very kind of you!"
"Glad to do it! Bill, we need to check on the stand in the square to make sure everything is ready for our 2:30 announcements and introductions, and also leave our Chief Inspector to his interviews. Nathan, if you can, just catch up with us when you're through."
"Will do, Sir! Sir, I'd be remiss not to ask this, though, as you know these men better than me. Do you have a preference for which one would do best as my personal assistant?"
"I do, but I've learned the hard way, that has to be left up to the Officer. You see, the two of you have to connect like no other, as you will literally be glued at the hip. I tell you what, ask me again after you decide," winked Hal. "Bill, our Chief Inspector has work to do…"
Before Nathan began his interviews, he had one very important thing to do.
And so he sat down in his leather chair.
"Allie! You're the first person I've spoken to from my new office on my new phone!"
Allie giggled.
"That's great, Papa, I am honored!"
"Allie, how would you feel about us having Deputy Commissioner Blevins and your Uncle Bill over for dinner tonight? Thanks to you, the house looks pretty spectacular! I thought we could get the food from Minnie at the Café so we wouldn't have to cook."
"Can we ask Mama and Jack to come too?"
"Is that what you want?"
"Yes! We really should because this is very important!"
"Yes, wise daughter of mine! Then I suppose you'd better patch me through to your Mama!"
"Will do, Papa! Let me know if I need to pick up the food."
Allie patched the call through to ring Elizabeth's rowhouse.
"Mama, Papa is on the line. I'm putting him through if that's okay."
"Please! Thank you, Sweetie!"
They both heard the click on the line, which meant their daughter had hung up.
"Hello, Beautiful! First, I love you! Second: Thank you for being there this morning and bringing the kids. Third: Will you and Jack come to dinner at the Grant Rowhouse tonight at 7 PM for dinner with Bill and Hal?"
"Oh, goodie! We were thinking alike. I was trying to figure out how I could get a message to you about doing that very thing. Would you like me to cook?"
"Darling, that's too much, but if you and Allie could be in charge of selecting the food a la Minnie and the Café, that would be a huge help!"
"Of course. We'll have that table set looking as good as last night! And that was pretty good, Chief Inspector. You know, when will I ever be able to work in a proper kiss?"
He chuckled.
"Not sure, but I promise we'll figure it out!"
"I'm holding you to that, you know! And it better be figured out soon, as the matter is of paramount importance!"
"Yes, Ma'am!" he chuckled and hung up.
Still smiling, he got up from his desk and walked to the front offices.
"I'm ready for the dreaded interviews if you three are. We'll start alphabetically! So, Peyton, that means you're first! Would you like to walk back to my office with me?"
"Yes, Sir…"
Inside Nathan's office, he first offered Peyton a seat across from his desk.
"Would you like a glass of water?"
"That would be nice, Sir, but I'll be happy to get it."
"No need, you're my guest!"
Nathan handed the glass of water to Peyton and sat down behind his new desk.
"Peyton, tell me what you want to accomplish as a Mountie more than anything else."
"The truth? I want to solve cases. I love figuring out the ins and outs of a crime. Believe me, I've read crime books since I was old enough to read."
"Do you like administrative work?"
"I can do it, but truthfully, it's not my first choice!"
"Like greeting people, answering the phone, tracking appointments, organizing and filing data points, working out schedules, etc, etc."
"I'm sure I could, and I would be happy to do that for you, but…well, my preference is working with you on cases!"
"Understood! Thank you, Peyton. Really glad to have you here…"
Jacques's interview, though a likable guy, went much like Peyton's.
He was willing, but Nathan could clearly see that being a personal assistant and taking the initiative by thinking ahead wasn't at all his passion or strong suit.
Nathan knew it would take a mind that was fast-paced, always thinking ahead, planning, deciphering, putting two and two together, while more importantly, being able to link things together that didn't routinely go together!
At this point, he was hoping his interview with Alex would go very differently, and he was relieved when it started out with an entirely different tone, with Alex answering his questions succinctly while asking his own as well.
"Sir, may I ask you a question? What is it you are wanting in your Special Sergeant?"
Nathan was impressed not only by the question but by the fact this was the only one of his men to use the proper title of the position, and he was interested enough to know how Nathan saw the position being optimally carried out.
"I see the two of us as being a team like no other. There will no secrets, because in order for this to work, we have to have complete trust in each other. We have to do everything in our power to lift up each other. I see it being what I know and learn, you will know and learn, and vice versa. I see it including the two of us being brutally honest with each other, and learning from our mistakes, while magnifying our strengths, and strengthening our weaker areas of development. It's an excellent question, Alex, and I could go on and on, because this is going to be a new learning experience for the both of us. Now let me ask you this: what iis it you desire in your Chief Commander?"
"Please don't take this into consideration for this job because I have spent my entire training fighting to accomplish everything on my own, not wanting to be known as my father's son as far as being given any preferences related to the Mounties. I can't believe I'm saying this. But I want a Chief Inspector who is much like my father."
"And your father is?" asked Nathan, knowing the answer full well.
"Chief Superintendent Patrick O'Reilly, Sir!"
"And what qualities do you see in him that you hope I also will have?"
"I want to work under a Chief Inspector who is honorable, and I know that you are. I want to work under a Chief Inspector who is proud of the work he does, and will stop at nothing, just like my father, always doing the right thing, which is also you. I want to work with a Chief Inspector who isn't afraid to try new, innovative ways to get the job done, perhaps better than it has ever been done before! I want to work with a Chief Inspector who loves his job, also like my Dad, since I believe you have to have an inner drive and commitment to your profession or you can't possibly be good at it. You see, Sir, that's why I am my father's son in every way personally. Professionally, as a Mountie, I highly respect my father and his position, as well as the way he carries out his responsibilities. But as a Mountie, I refuse to be my father's son because I won't accept favors, and in order to be a great Mountie one day, I have to be me, not him."
"That's highly commendable, and I know exactly what you are talking about, Alex, because your father is the salt of the earth and a great Chief Superintendent. I understand needing to pave your own way. But I do have one last question?"
"Yes, Sir?"
"I'm new at this job, and you would be new at yours. What happens if one of us makes a mistake?"
"We own it, learn from it, and do better the next time by knocking the ball out of the park!"
"Corporal O'Reilly, will you please stand?"
Alex stood at attention.
"By the authority vested in me as your Chief Inspector, it is my distinct privilege and personal honor to hereby commission and promote you to Special Sergeant Alex O'Reilly! Congratulations, Special Sergeant O'Reilly, and welcome to this inner team of two!"
"I am so honored, Sir! So deeply honored! Thank you!"
"The honor and the pleasure are all mine, Special Sergeant. You have inspired me, and I hope I always challenge and inspire you to constantly learn more as you become the best you can be, and I do the same right along with you!"
"Absolutely, you do already challenge and inspire us, Sir. I feel like I have finally found my place, my Mountie home!"
"That's all we can ask of each other! We're going to make a dynamite team of two, Alex! Each day is going to be beyond exciting, and no two days will ever be alike, an environment I believe we both will excel and thrive in!"
Alex saluted his Chief Inspector, just as appropriately had he been standing on a Mountie stage in front of hundreds of people, showing a deep respect, but with a smile he couldn't contain creeping across his face.
Nathan returned his salute proudly.
"At ease, Special Sergeant O'Reilly…"
As promised, the Chief Inspector walked down the hall and then on down the stairs to the Judge's Office.
The Deputy Commissioner, who was sitting with Bill, attempting to drink his coffee while profoundly choking, had asked that the promotion be announced at the presentation for the town.
"Sir, be careful there! Bill's coffee is known far and wide to be rather lethal!"
"Nathan Grant, you know it's the best coffee in town!" interjected Bill.
Nathan just rolled his eyes.
The choking Deputy Commissioner was trying his best to chuckle, though it was an impossible combination.
When he finally was able to speak again, Hal asked an all-knowing question, tongue in cheek.
"Are you satisfied with Special Sergeant O'Reilly?"
Nathan chuckled.
"I would ask how you know that to be fact, but I think I already have my answer!"
"See, you're getting how things work. There was never a question, Son! But for now, we've got a whole half-hour, and I thought you might drive us out to see the land Bill showed me yesterday evening…"
The three men were in a jovial mood as the Deputy Commissioner walked out onto the boardwalk and toward The Queen of Hearts. When they reached where the dreamy car was parked, Nathan, who hadn't really gotten to give it a close look before, was overwhelmed, never once having thought he'd be driving a car like this.
But he was going to be doing exactly that, as evidenced by Hal handing Nathan the key to his new vehicle.
"Son, you don't know how badly I want to take this baby back to Regina. But if I have to give it up, I'd rather it be to you than anyone else I know. However, don't be surprised if Conrad and I get two just like this one! Let's take her for a ride, what do you say?"
"I say yes! You are right, Sir, this is a real beauty. Like nothing else I've seen before!"
Bill jumped in the back seat, and Hal got in the front passenger seat while Nathan took the driver's seat for the first time.
"My goodness, this is pure luxury! What special things do I need to know to drive this baby?"
"Brake there, gas pedal there, clutch there. All your gauges are straight in front of you, and because this thing is rather large, you have larger mirrors on each side. And I think that's the gist of it, though there's a manual in that glove compartment that's six inches thick, so you might want to study that at your leisure. Of course, you'll have that thing memorized in no time, unlike me, who just gave it a skim, hopped in, and hoped it worked. And guess what? It did!"
"Sounds easy enough. Here's to hoping!"
The three colleagues and friends relaxed and just enjoyed having the windows down with the wind hitting them from all sides.
No one could say it wasn't a very good day in Hope Valley…
Promptly at 2:30, Judge Avery led the procession from his office to the Gazebo/Stand Structure that the Mounties had built and were donating to the town in a show of their appreciation.
They had spared no expense in this gift, and it was one that the town's citizens had long desired, though there had never seemed enough money available to build it. But now, it was a reality that could be used for local purposes or for visiting dignitaries.
The townspeople had all gathered and the unveiling had taken place promptly at 2:20 to many oohs and aahs from all ages.
Though frustrated she couldn't report till the weekend edition of The Valley Voice, Rosemary was pleased as punch she was getting an exclusive, and because of that, had hired the best professional photographer she could find!
Yet as the daughter of a Mountie, she not only had the man sign a non-disclosure agreement, she was also withholding his pay till after the information and photographs were printed, meaning he got nothing if he didn't hold up his end of the bargain.
Needless to say, flashes were already exploding everywhere, giving the event the additional import it deserved!
"Lee, look how huge it is! I can think of all sorts of marvelous plans for our new gazebo!"
"I'm sure you can, Rosie. And like no other!" he chuckled.
"It's so beautiful! Just magnificent! This is exactly what we've needed all along! Why, it's large enough to serve as a stage for outdoor plays!"
"There you go, Sweetheart! There's your outdoor theater!"
"Isn't that positively magnificent, Lee!"
Behind Judge Avery was Deputy Commissioner Hal Blevins and the newly appointed Chief Inspector Nathan Grant. Behind them, the six new men followed in a double-row pattern.
All were in Military formation, marching to their destination.
Elizabeth was at the very front with Allie and Jack. Angela was standing with Allie, and Rosemary was still standing by her husband, the mayor, who was holding Goldie.
The entire town had come out desperate to know what was going on in their little town, which was seemingly turned upside down from their limited view.
Collectively, they had decided they simply weren't going to let their Mountie go, and that was that.
As the men marched to the Gazebo stage, which had been specially built, raised above the crowd surrounding it, and decorated patriotically with both the Canadian flag and the Mountie Standard, Jack was mesmerized and, to Elizabeth's embarrassment, was calling out.
"Papa! Papa!"
"Well, Allie, I suppose the entire town knows now," whispered Elizabeth with a wink.
"After that? Definitely, but hey, Jack's happy, and so am I!"
Elizabeth reached for and kissed her daughter's cheek while giving her a hug.
"And that's all that counts…"
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75. "Grease Pencils," non-toxic writing instrument, also known as China markers can be used to write on glass; originated by the Listo Pencil Company in 1921 (who still manufacture this product) and used to mark the Sykes-Picot Agreement Map; they can be used to write on glass and later be cleaned off with soapy water, acetone, or cleaning solutions. Public Domain Information.
76. "Acetone," a cleaning solvent found naturally in plants, trees, volcanic gases, forest fires, and many fruits and vegetables. It was first produced by Andreas Libavius in 1606 by distillation of lead (II) acetate. In 1832, French chemist Jean-Baptiste Dumas and German chemist Justus von Liebig determined the empirical formula for acetone. Public Domain Information.