Chapter 8

Hope Valley, Alberta Canada

Wednesday, October 8, 1924

Lucas rolled over in bed and reached for his wife, but found the other side of the bed empty. He shot up with panic engulfing his heart. "MaKayla" He shouted.

"Lucas, it's ok. I'm right here." She said as she walked over to the bed. I was just working on some charting while you slept." She told him.

"What time is it?" He asked.

"It's 11:00 in the morning. I believe you were tired." She told him knowingly.

He let the breath out he was holding and laid back against the pillows. "I guess I was. Wouldn't you like to join me in bed?" He said as he patted her side of the bed.

"I need to irrigate your leg wound before I leave to go the saloon. I also made some hearty potato cheddar soup with a baguette for us to have for lunch." She told him.

"My leg is feeling much better, do we really have to do that irrigation thing?" Lucas said less than thrilled at having to go through that again as MaKayla promptly put a thermometer in his mouth.

"I'll be the judge of that governor." She told him with a smirk as she pulled the blanket off his leg and unbandaged his lower leg. The gash still looked pretty nasty but she did see improvement. She took the thermometer out of his mouth. "100, that is an improvement but you still have a fever. So, in answer to your question. Yes, I'm going to irrigate the wound, and no I'm not going to join you in bed." She said sweetly as Lucas sighed, knowing there was no arguing with her.

MaKayla irrigated the wound, and rewrapped his leg. They enjoyed the soup together and then as a treat MaKayla called Capital City to speak to the twins. Lucas didn't say anything in case Mrs. Cleveland could hear but just listening to their voices was a balm to Lucas's soul. "You both be good for Mrs. Cleveland. Mommy and Daddy love you very much and we will be home soon. Goodbye my little loves." MaKayla said to her babies.

"Bye bye Mama." The twins said loudly into the phone. MaKayla missed them so much, she couldn't help the tears that started to form in her eyes.

After she hung up, Lucas took her in his arms. 'I'm so sorry. We will be home with them soon. I promise." Lucas whispered in her ear.

She pulled away and took his face in her hands. "I love you Lucas Bouchard, don't ever forget that. What time are Declan and William coming for you?" MaKayla asked.

"We will be heading out around 3 o'clock. Nathan should be arriving back into town around that time. Everyone should be focused on Nathan." He told her with apprehension.

"Ok." MaKayla said as she handed Lucas a syringe. "Give this to Declan, he knows what to do. Any way, it's time for me to go. I have to channel my inner Corinne Griffith for the performance of my life." She said with a flair and blew him a kiss as she left. Lucas looked at her with admiration. God, I love that woman, Lucas thought with a smile on his face.

MaKayla stopped at the infirmary to see Faith. They had a nice visit but it was time for MaKayla to head over to the saloon. "Good Luck," Faith told her. "This will all be over with soon." MaKayla gave her a soft smile and hoped that Faith's words were true.

Several residents stopped MaKayla on her way to the saloon, asking if there was any news. MaKayla really hated lying to everyone as they were so concerned for her and Lucas. But sometimes you had to do things for the greater good and this was one of those times.

Once in the saloon, MaKayla made a beeline for Edwin sitting at one of the tables. She really felt bad about Edwin not being in on the ruse but it was particularly important that he be as shocked as possible since he would be the one speaking with reporters.

Finally, around 3 o'clock a young man came running into the saloon, shouting. "They found the governor and Mr. Donovan." He told everyone. Henry came out of Lucas's office when he heard the commotion. Edwin and MaKayla immediately got up from their seats and went over to the man who was telling what he knew.

"Are you sure?" Edwin asked. "Are they OK?" He asked hopefully.

"I'm not sure, they were taking them over to the hospital." The young man told them. All the while Johnny Barker stood at the bar watching this play out with a smug look on his face.

"The hospital." MaKayla said. "Then they must be injured. Edwin, can you drive me to the hospital now? Please!" MaKayla asked frantically.

"Wait a minute, how do you know this?" Henry asked.

"I saw the one man with my own eyes. He was pretty banged up." The young man said.

"So, you only saw one man, was it Governor Bouchard?" Henry asked.

"Actually, I don't think the man I saw was the governor. This man had light hair and no beard." He told them.

"Andrew." MaKayla said loudly. "I still need to go to the hospital." As they started to walk toward the door, Nathan entered the saloon.

Nathan slowly walked over to MaKayla with a very somber expression. "MaKayla, I'm so sorry."

"Nathan why are you sorry? That man over there said you found them; he saw Andrew with his own eyes. He said you brought them to the hospital. I need to see Lucas." She said dramatically.

Nathan lowered his gaze. "MaKayla, I'm very sorry. Lucas didn't make it. He died from injuries he sustained in the crash. We didn't find him in time. Andrew is alive and at the hospital. We can go get Jenny and bring you both to the hospital." He told her.

"Nathan, that can't be true. He just has to be alive. We're going to have another baby." MaKayla said as her tears started to flow. "Take it back right now, Nathan. I want to see my husband." MaKayla said more loudly as someone flashed a camera in their direction.

Nathan turned quickly and yelled at the reporter to leave. "Can't you see this woman is hurting right now." He said angrily. Nathan then turned his attention back to MaKayla. "I have a couple of men who are extricating Lucas from the wreckage and will bring his body over to the hospital. I saw him for myself MaKayla. He's dead." MaKayla then started to faint as Nathan caught her. Nathan scooped her up in his arms and put her gently in a chair. "Henry, please go get Jenny and bring her to the hospital to see Andrew. We will meet you over there shortly." Nathan told Henry.

"MaKayla, are you alright. Can you come to the hospital with us. It will probably be another hour or so before they bring Lucas to the hospital." Nathan told her.

"I won't believe you Nathan untill I see him for myself. My heart is telling me he is alive. I want to go to the hospital. I want to at least see my brother right now." MaKayla said somberly. Nathan and Edwin were on each side of her helping to walk to the car.

Barker slugged down the rest of his beer. He was happy to see that his plan had worked but before he told Balfour, like Mrs. Bouchard, he wanted to make sure things were as they seemed for himself. He headed over to the hospital, to wait for the Mounties to bring Bouchard's body there. He waited outside the hospital for over an hour when he finally saw two Mounties riding in on horseback with a third horse carrying a man thrown over the saddle. He could see the man was tall, wearing a brown leather jacket. He had dark hair and a beard. Barker chuckled with glee; it looked like Bouchard from this distance but he wasn't certain.

He watched as the two Mounties dismounted from their horses. One Mountie went into the building while the other man waited outside with the body. A few minutes later the Mountie and another man came out of the hospital with a stretcher and the Mounties placed the seemingly dead man on the stretcher and covered him with a white sheet. They then all went back inside.

Barker stubbed out his cigarette and walked in the front door of the hospital. The hallway was crowded with people and press. There in the hall was the gurney being wheeled in with the dead man. He then witnessed as Bouchard's wife ran over to the gurney and started screaming his name. She took the sheet off of his face, as she did, she started to collapse to the floor as one of the Mounties caught her. Everyone in the hall gasped at seeing the young governor dead and the overwhelming grief of his young widow.

One of the Mounties was holding her up as she started to hug Bouchard fiercely. The Mountie had to pry her off of her husband. The Mounties then quickly wheeled the gurney carrying Bouchard into a room off the hallway. Although the door to the room was now closed everyone in the hallway could still hear the woman sobbing uncontrollably. The two Mounties came back out into the hall and stood guard at the door. Barker had seen more than enough. He had confirmation that Bouchard was indeed dead. Now it was time for Balfour to pay up. He left the hospital with a satisfied grin.

Barker was anxious to get to Union City. He wanted Balfour to pay up and pay up now. The anguish he saw on Bouchard's wife face and those of the townspeople and the Mounties told him that trouble would be coming Balfour's way and he wanted no part of it. The sooner he got paid and got out of town the better.

It took an hour to disperse the crowd that had gather at the hospital. Declan and William, Lucas's two main bodyguards who had been posing as the Mounties entered the hospital room where Lucas and MaKayla were. Although they knew this was all a ruse, they were very glad to see the governor sitting up.

"Sir, I noticed a man named Johnny Barker lurking in the hallway of the hospital when we brought in your 'dead' body. Actually, I have seen him several times in the saloon over the past week while you were missing. I couldn't quite put a name to the face but it came to me today." Declan said. "I think he might be Balfour's hired gun."

Lucas smiled; "I figured whoever did this would stick around to see how everything played out. Now that he has seen for himself that I'm dead, he has probably gone to Union City to report back to Balfour." Lucas told them with excitement.

"So far so good boys. Now if you could please take us back to our house so I can change out of these filthy clothes. Then I'll call Daniel and see what he has to say."

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Under the cover of darkness, Lucas and MaKayla arrived back at their house. Lucas called Daniel Sterling. He told him how everything had gone today and who they suspected might be working with Balfour. Daniel had not heard from his agent yet but would let him know as soon as he did.

Lucas sat on the couch with MaKayla. "It's just a waiting game now. Daniel will call when he has more information. By the way, Mrs. Bouchard, you were absolutely wonderful today. Rosemary Coulter has nothing on you. I am so proud of you." He told her with a smile.

MaKayla wrinkled her nose at him. "Nonetheless Lucas Bouchard, I did not enjoy playing the bereaved widow. It is a role I never want to experience for real or have to pretend to play ever again. Do you understand?" She said a misty eyed.

Lucas took her in his arms and held her tight as her tears fell in earnest now. "I'm so sorry, doc. I promise, never again." He said as he continued to hold her tight.

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Union City, Alberta Canada

Wednesday, October 8, 1924

Barker arrived back in Union City later that evening and caught up with Balfour having a night cap at the Gideon Hotel. "Mission accomplished," Barker said happily as he took a seat at Balfour's table. "Bouchard is dead. They found his body today. I saw it with my own two eyes. Now I want to be paid." He told him firmly.

Balfour looked around. "Be quiet. We don't need anyone hearing you." A waiter came up to their table and asked if he could get them anything else.

"I'll take a whiskey neat." Barker told him. "Old Bix here and I are celebrating a victory." He said with a cocky grin.

Balfour did not want to be sitting in public with Barker now that Bouchard was supposedly dead. He looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to them. "I'll be needing some proof that Bouchard is really dead." Balfour said quietly.

"There were photographers at the saloon taking pictures of the grieving widow. Some were even at the hospital and I think got a picture of a very dead Bouchard. I have no doubt it will be on the front-page of every newspaper in Alberta tomorrow morning." Barker said as the waiter brought his drink.

"I look forward to it." Balfour said with a grin. "We will talk tomorrow about your payment. After I see the headlines." He told him.

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Hope Valley, Alberta Canada

Wednesday, October 8, 1924

At 9 o'clock that evening the telephone rang. MaKayla got up to answer it. She turned to Lucas. "It's Daniel." She said quietly.

"Hello Daniel. Do you have news?" Lucas asked hopefully.

"Yes, my boy. My agent who is working as a waiter at the Gideon has confirmed that the one doing Balfour's dirty work is indeed Johnny Barker. Barker met with Balfour at the hotel tonight looking to be paid. He told Balfour he saw your dead body himself. Balfour said he would pay him after he reads of your demise in the newspapers tomorrow." Sterling told him.

Lucas smiled. "That's great. We will leave for Union City tonight." Lucas told him.

"You know where to stay, right?" Daniel asked.

"Yes. Thank you, Daniel. I will see you tomorrow." Lucas hung up the telephone and turned to look at MaKayla. "One more night and it will be over." Lucas told her.

"Promise?" MaKayla asked.

"Promise." Lucas said sealing it with a deep kiss.

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Union City, Alberta, Canada

Thursday, October 9, 1924

Bixby Balfour was sitting in the Gideon Hotel's main dining area waiting on his breakfast when Johnny Barker entered the dining area and eyed him from across the room. He sauntered over to his table. "Isn't it a beautiful morning." Barker said as he tossed down the early morning edition of the Capital City Gazette.

Balfour looked at the headline. "Governor Bouchard Dead in Plane Crash" Balfour beamed from ear to ear. "It appears you were correct. Bouchard is finally out of the way. Good work, Johnny" Balfour said as he studied the newspaper which had a picture of a dead Bouchard and his widow on the front page.

"Seeing that picture of his pretty young widow, grief stricken, does it make you regret putting a hit out on Bouchard?" Barker asked. "Did you know she is expecting another child?"

"I hadn't heard." Balfour said. "And no, I don't regret getting rid of Bouchard. He should have known better than to have messed with me. I went to prison because of that man." Balfour said angrily.

"Well, we all know I don't have a heart, but I thought as a family man yourself you might regret it just a little. But makes no never mind to me. I just want to get my money and get out of town. Because to be honest with you Bix, I think you have just brought yourself a whole lot of trouble." He told him.

"What makes you say that?" He asked with a furrowed brow. "No one can tie me to his death. It was an unfortunate accident after all." Balfour said coldly as the waiter brought his breakfast over.

"Can I get anything for you to eat, sir?" The waiter asked turning his attention to Barker.

"Sure, I'll have the same thing old Bix here is having. Put my breakfast on his bill." Barker told the waiter.

"I saw the look on the townspeople faces and especially on those Mounties faces. Something tells me those people are going to be looking for someone to blame for what happen to the governor. Just calling it the way I see it." Barker told him.

"The election is in eleven days and then I will be governor again. No one will be able to touch me." He said with a maniacal laugh.

"What's more important to me, is when do I get my money?" Barker asked.

"I have to go to the bank and withdraw the funds. Meet me at my office on Grand St. at 6 p.m. tonight and you will get your money." Balfour said just as the waiter brought Barker his breakfast.

"Now you're talking. Eat up Bix, because it's probably the last good meal you will have for a while." Barker told him as an uneasy feeling came over him.

Once the men finished breakfast, Balfour got up to leave. As he started to make his way out of the dining area he was surrounded by a horde of reporters. Questions were coming at him fast and furious. "First, I would just like say that while the death of Governor Bouchard is unfortunate, and my sincerest condolences go out to his young family. I want to assure the people of Alberta if they elect me on October 20th, I will make sure that Alberta will once again have strong leadership going forward. Now if you will excuse me." Balfour said as he took his leave. He had to suppress his glee that everything was going exactly as planned.

Barker watched this scene and then quietly left the hotel. As he was walking down the street, a big man came up behind him. "Good morning, Johnny. I would appreciate if you would join me for a little chat." The man said in an icy tone.

"I'm not going anywhere with you." Johnny said as he tried to wretch his arm away from the big man.

"Oh, but you are." The man said as Barker felt the barrel of a gun pressing against his back.