Park paced the train platform as passengers boarded the final train out of Capital City that evening. His special transfer was nearly twenty minutes late and he feared that she would not get there in time. Watching from the entrance as the porter checked that the doors were secure, he glanced toward the ticket booth, dreading the phone call to Hope Valley that he would have to make to inform Lucas that she had not made it. But then, at the last possible minute, a passenger van pulled up, and four burly men in navy-colored uniforms stepped out of the vehicle, the last extending his hand toward a fifth passenger inside.

Two slender hands bound in handcuffs extended through the door, followed by her raven hair, loosely pulled in a bun with tendrils falling at the temples. She looked like a beautiful wreck. Park involuntarily smiled when he saw her but quickly regained decorum when her blue-green eyes met his own, and a smirk appeared on her face. Raising one eyebrow, he pointed to his watch and motioned with his head for her to board the train. With a grin, she sashayed past him, making her way to the door.

"Patience, Mr. Scott. I'm like fine wine, better the longer you wait," she winked.

Parker's eyes widened, and he stared as Jeanette sauntered up the train stairs and entered the locomotive. He now knew what Bouchard was warning him about.

"Last call, Mister," the Porter's voice hearkened, inviting him to join the adventure which lay ahead.

Once on board, Scott, the Pinkertons, and Aucoin quickly went to a private cabin at the front of the car near where the baggage was stored. They were shown to their sleeping quarters, where they waited until the train started rolling, and then Aucoin's handcuffs were taken off. The guards took positions at both the inside and outside entrances to the compartment, and for the next 22 hours, the detective and the prisoner were captive companions, at times reluctant, but increasingly not. They sat together, ate together, and even slept in the same compartment, with him on the bottom bunk and her on the top. All the while, a Pinkerton Guard was stationed silently nearby, ensuring Aucoin would not escape.

After cleaning up, the detective and prisoner sat down for dinner.

"Would you like me to ask them for more of the canapés?" Parker asked as he looked at the plate in front of his beautiful cabin mate.

Jeanette smiled demurely. "No, thank you. I'm watching my figure," she said, skimming her hand down her side. Scott's eyes followed. "Apparently, you are too?"

Parker chuckled, then smirked. "Bouchard warned me about you, so don't think I'm going to fall prey to you so easily."

"I'm happy to hear it. The chase is half the fun," Jeanette pursed her lips and lifted a napkin to her mouth. "So, how did you meet Lucas? He never mentioned you in New Orleans."

"I don't expect he would have. We didn't part on good terms – which was all my fault. He was trying to help me, but I pushed him away. We had a massive argument, and I told him to leave. I guess that's when he went to New Orleans."

"What did you quarrel over?"

"My wife, Abby."

Jeanette leaned away from him slightly. "Oh. You're married."

The movement didn't go unnoticed. "Was," Scott replied. "She died."

Jeanette's expression shifted, genuine for the first time. "I'm sorry," she said empathetically.

Parker shook his head. "Thank you. It was twelve years ago. She died giving birth to our child – a little girl. And, as I said, I didn't handle things too well, and Lucas was a real friend at the time, but after I sent him away, things just got worse. I started drinking heavily, lost my job…a real mess."

"How did you recover?"

"Well, when I lost my job, I had to move in with my grandmother, who was a religious woman – the real kind. She believed the good book and never gave up on me because she knew that nobody was beyond Christ's redemption. As part of the deal of my living with her, I'd take her to church on Sunday to this church in the country where the people were kind, and well, I suppose I found my strength in God when it most mattered."

"I see."

Parker laughed, sensing her discomfort. "Don't worry. I'm not some Bible thumper going to preach repentance into you. But you asked, so…"

Jeanette nodded, then got a faraway look. "I knew a woman who would visit the establishment my mother worked in once. She would do the laundry for the brothel – oh….did Lucas tell you?"

"Lucas has made me aware of your history."

Jeanette nodded, somehow comforted by the fact that he was not bothered by it at all. "Well, anyway, her name was Gladys, and we would see her every Monday. The girls would ask about the news outside, and she'd always tell stories she'd heard at church on Sunday, along with a little message. She was kind, like your grandmother."

"I'm glad you knew someone like her growing up."

"So am I," she said pensively, then her masked expression reappeared. "But enough about me. What about you and Lucas? How did you reconnect?"

"We connected again several years later when he wound up in Hope Valley. Out of the blue, he gave me a call to check on how I was doing. I asked if he'd found anyone, and he said that there was someone that he held hope for. I guess that was Elizabeth?"

"She's been the only one since me."

Parker shook his head. "So, anyway, we had a frank discussion about that happened with Abby and I'm not ashamed to say I cried a little. I was ashamed, but of course, he was nothing but kind. I think that's when I was finally able to start letting go and restart my life."

"And, no woman since?" she asked.

Parker shook his head. "No. Have you gone out with anyone but Lucas since Mr. Aucoin passed away?"

Jeanette looked down. "No. Not really. It's not as easy as it sounds."

"You don't have to tell me, but I would think a woman as beautiful as you are would have many suitors lining up."

"A shortage of suitors was not my problem. I just wasn't interested in anyone after Lucas."

"He is a hard act to follow," Park chuckled, looking away. "And, I would think you are, too. Look at Bouchard. He went from Gangster Girlfriend to School Marm. Playing it safe after his Merry Adventures in Paris on the Bayou, I suppose."

"Don't make fun of me," she said, coyly. "At least I made it out of Storyville."

"And… into the hoosegow."

She leaned her head back and forth. "Yes, well, that wasn't in the plans."

"What were your plans, Jeanette? You had broken free, but then you slipped? What happened?"

Aucoin looked down as the moving train rocked them back and forth, then looked at him with flirty eyes. "Maybe I would like some more of those canapés, Mon Bon."

"Edwin Mitchell."

"Why is Lucas Bouchard using a private investigator to poke into my business?"

"What? I told you not to call here."

"Tell me what he wants, Edwin. You're supposed to keep me aware of everything."

"And I do."

"Apparently not. My source says a detective hired by Bouchard named Parker Scott was poking around into Jeanette Aucoin's treasury records."

"Yes, well, we know he's investigating."

"Investigating?! You need to stop him! The last thing we need is for Bouchard to discover that I paid her to come see him."

Edwin looked out the window of his hotel room. How he wished he were back in Capital City among the action and not in this dusty forsaken town dealing with yet another call from yet another whining person who did not recognize him for the treasure he was. "Well, I don't know what you expect me to do."

"Do your job! What have I been paying you for?"

"I thought you paid me to keep an eye on Lucas – at least, that was our original agreement."

"And have you been?"

"Yes, but things have been progressing rapidly, and Lucas is not informing me of decisions before he makes them. So, alright. I understand your concern. Especially now that he is bringing Aucoin to Hope Valley…"

"He's what?! Why wasn't I informed of this?"

"I thought you knew everything," Edwin gave a smug chuckle. "Since you and the warden are so friendly."

"Careful, Mr. Mitchell. I know you pride yourself on always being able to stay on top, but your career is not the only thing on the line here."

"Are you threatening me?" he stated, reaching up to adjust his tie.

"I am stating a fact. Now get in there and put a stop to all of this 'investigating'…and get Aucoin away from him, or else I will have to step in. And you know, with the history of my trust and whose involved, this is not something that any of us want to see happen."

"What if they won't listen?"

"You know who you're dealing with, Mr. Mitchell. We have a way of making people listen, one way or the other. I'm setting up the future, and if Mr. Bouchard or anyone else wants to get in the way of that, then, as you know better than most - bigger men than him have fallen at my hand. I'd like to avoid any nastiness, but I'll do whatever it takes to retain what's mine."

"I understand. I will try."

"So, tell me about Wyman Walden," Park said as he and Jeanette sat side by side on a bench seat after dinner. A Pinkerton Guard sat by the door.

Aucoin pursed her lips. "My, my…cute and enterprising."

"Your records say you met him in Cape Fullerton. What were you doing for him?"

Jeanette looked down toward the table, playing with her fork. "Not much to say. I kept his books."

"That's all?"

She reached for a glass of water. "Got anything stronger?"

"Maybe. Tell me about Walden first," Park replied.

Aucoin nodded. "I supplied him with information."

"About?"

"Vulnerable business - those on the verge of bankruptcy. With my role at the tax office, I saw many clients who had overextended themselves and were about to lose their property, and I passed the information about those properties over to Wyman…for a fee, of course. I suppose you could say we became business partners for a time."

"And then?"

"And then, he went back to Union City – invited me to follow – but we didn't stay connected long. We had a bit of a falling out."

"Over?"

"Over me getting in on his grift. You see, I knew that he was storing bootlegged liquor in some of those buildings he owned near the Cascade River. So, I set up shop in one of the warehouses and started selling his stock for myself."

"You stole from him?"

Jeanette grinned. "A girl's got to make a living somehow."

"Alright. What next?"

"Well, I expected to get enough money to replace what I stole before I was found out, but he caught on and fired me. He did leave me with two crates of very fine liquor when doing so since he didn't have the cash flow to pay me for my last day's wages."

"So, that's when Casimir Shaw was born?"

Jeanette shook her head. "You figure it out."

"I don't want to figure it out. I want you to tell me."

She turned away. A coy grin appeared on her face. "Should they have left these knives here, seeing that I'm a dangerous criminal?"

Parker looked at the cutlery on the desk. "I don't think you're a dangerous criminal."

"No?"

"No. I think you're scared."

Jeanette's smile slowly faded, but she didn't look up. "I am scared, Mr. Scott - as should you be – as should Lucas be. Drop this case, please. Nothing good can come from it."

Nathan sat at his desk at the Mountie office, staring at the same report he'd been looking at for the past ten minutes and making no headway. Jeanette Aucoin was coming to Hope Valley. How could his day get any worse? Setting down his ink pen, he pushed out his seat and picked up the tin cup he'd drunk from since he was a cadet in Mountie training, moving toward the coffee pot for a refill. Just as he did, he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye, traveling quickly toward the Queen of Hearts Saloon. Stepping to the doorway, he saw Elizabeth approaching Lucas with what appeared to be a large suitcase. Grant stepped out onto the porch, viewing the pair with curiosity. Bouchard grabbed the item from her quickly and set it on the ground, and then Nathan watched as the two conversed, at first serious but then smiling, and then as Elizabeth touched Bouchard's arm. His muscles tensed.

Across the street, Lucas was thanking Elizabeth for her thoughtfulness.

"I didn't even consider this. I'm sure the prison didn't send her much to wear."

"Well, I know her style is not my style, but there are a couple of dresses in there, as well as two nightgowns and some undergarments that have never been worn."

Lucas blushed slightly. "This is very kind of you. Thank you."

"You're welcome," she replied as he reached for the suitcase to go inside. She didn't want him to leave. "You know Jack was asking about you the other day."

"Was he?"

"Yes. He was wondering when we might see you again. He said that he missed you pulling him in the wagon through town."

Lucas looked down, smiling wistfully. "I am sure he's grown far too big for a ride in the wagon, but I miss him as well. When things settle down, tell him that I'll stop by, and we can go on one of Robin's Merry Adventures – that is if it is okay with you and Nathan."

"It is okay with me. I will tell him."

Lucas leaned down and picked up the suitcase, nodding his head toward his former fiancée once. "If you don't mind. Jeanette will be here soon, and I have a few more preparations to make…"

"Oh. Of course," Elizabeth said. "Don't let me keep you."

She stepped back, watching Bouchard as he entered the saloon, and then she turned around, immediately catching the red of Nathan's serge in her peripheral and looking toward him. A nervous look appeared on her face as she nodded toward him and smiled, raising her hand slightly to wave.

Grant lifted his coffee cup to his lips and, without smiling, nodded her way as well. He then turned around and went back into his office.

It was nighttime when Jeanette's caravan rolled into town, having taken the last train from Capital City and then arriving on the last train to the Hope Valley Depot, where they were greeted by Henry Gowen to take them to town. Lucas had been waiting and watching out the window for the last hour and immediately launched into action when he saw Aucoin's shackled hands reaching out of the car for help. He grabbed Elizabeth's suitcase and made his way across the street, ignoring the few nighttime snoops that had gathered to watch the transfer.

"Park. Jeanette. I trust your trip was uneventful?"

"Smooth as silk, my friend," Park replied. "Jeanette and I had a very nice time, I think."

"Jeanette?" Lucas asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Now, don't get jealous, Chéri. We were just having a little fun."

Lucas twisted his mouth. "No jealousy here, Ms. Aucoin. Just looking out for my friend."

Park smirked. "We did fine. Let's get her inside."

Stepping into the Mountie Office, they were met by Nathan, who was dressed in street clothes given the time of day she'd arrived. He looked at her and, without any greeting at all, motioned with his head toward an open cell. Jeanette sauntered past him and entered the barred room.

Lucas followed, carrying Elizabeth's suitcase with him, but Nathan stopped him.

"What's that?"

"Just some clothing that Elizabeth brought for her to wear while she's here."

"Really?" Aucoin asked with surprise.

Nathan shook his head. "Leave it out here. She's a dangerous criminal."

"It's just clothes. She's not going to use it to break out or anything."

"Listen, Lucas. You may have taken over the jail, but I run it. The clothes stay outside."

Bouchard became irritated. "What about a blanket?"

"There's one in the cell."

"That's scratchy and uncomfortable, and who knows when it's been washed."

Nathan laughed. "Well, this isn't the Waldorf-Astoria."

Lucas glared at him for several seconds.

"Fine. She can have the blanket and some sleep things. Now, get out of here. It's late and I left Allie at home alone."

Bouchard nodded, then turned to Park. "The guards have their marching orders?"

"Yes, sir, Governor."

"Good. Let's get you settled in across the street and you can fill me in on all that you've found," he said, turning toward Aucoin. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Lucas turned back toward his friend and had to elbow Scott to get his attention.

Jeanette nodded and took a seat while Grant opened the suitcase that Elizabeth had sent, pulling out a soft blanket and cotton night dress.

"Here," he said, not looking up at the beautiful brunette as he passed the clothing through the bars."

"Thank you, Nathan," she said, taking the items.

"Constable," Grant replied.

Jeanette grinned. "Okay, Constable Nathan. No sense acting like strangers."

Grant's gaze met hers. "We are strangers. Don't forget it."

Aucoin pursed her lips. "Oh, I won't forget."

###

"So, she basically told you nothing," Lucas said as he carried Park's luggage into his room at the Queen of Hearts.

"She said she helped him with his land grift, and that she was basically fired when she started stealing from his stock for her own gain."

"And took on the name Casimir Shaw?"

"That…she didn't say. She got vague after that. I get the feeling she's scared."

"Concerning Walden?"

"No. But she is hiding something. We hit it off pretty well. Maybe between the two of us, we can get her to talk."

"Perhaps," Lucas responded.

The next morning, Nathan Grant arrived at the jailhouse and barely grunted at Aucoin, who stood at the bars with her arms dangling outside of them, watching his every move.

"Not very hospitable, Constable," she said as Nathan sat down at his desk and began sorting through papers, ignoring her comment. "Do I at least get to eat?"

"Joseph or Minnie should be here by eight."

"Ah. Well, good. At least someone will show a little manners," she said, moving back to her bed and taking a seat. "You think you're better than me."

"I am better than you."

"Are you, now?" she said. Grant continued looking through papers. "So, how's that little schoolteacher of yours? Did you come clean with her yet?"

"Leave Elizabeth out of this."

"I'm sure you would like that. After all, that's what you did. You wouldn't dare let her know that the whole reason I showed up was because of you – because you conspired with Lucas's enemies."

"There was no conspiring. I gave them your name. I figured he could talk his way out of it."

"In the middle of a tight election – that would seal the fate of your little town? Pretty risky, Constable – so risky, in fact, that it almost cost Lucas his life. You know, Malory acted on his own, and I saved Lucas's life, but where were you? Moving in on his fiancée just days after she broke up with him? Didn't even allow her ring finger to grow cold before you'd swooped in to take his place. Now, that wasn't very sporting of you, was it? Not sporting of you at all."

Grant looked down at his desk.

"No, Nathan. You're no better than me. No better at all."

At that moment, the phone in Nathan's office rang giving Grant a reason to extract himself from this conversation.

"I'll be right there," he said, standing up.

"Gotta run?" Jeanette said with a smirk.

"Someone reported a theft on the northern side of town."

"Oh, how exciting!" she gushed, disingenuously.

Grant turned toward her with a flash of anger in his eyes. "Be careful, Jeanette. Bouchard may control this jailhouse, but he doesn't control the Mounties. Forget what happened. Forget it all," he said before walking out the door.

As Grant exited the building, a man and woman dressed in normal street clothing stopped and watched him leave. When at last his figure turned right on the main street out of town, the man stood. The woman joined him and together they rode on the opposite road, past a delivery truck with two people visible inside. The woman nodded toward them and the delivery truck driver started his engine.

In Hope Valley, Lucas had just arrived at his office and was escorting Park to the Café for a proper breakfast and to scope out their plans. They crossed the street and were almost at the door when the delivery truck passed behind them. They paid it no mind.

"Joseph or Minnie should be ready to deliver Jeanette's breakfast. They always had it ready at eight o'clock sharp," Lucas said. "Maybe we can take it to her ourselves."

"You think Grant will allow it?"

"He's not in charge of her welfare. We are," Lucas replied.

He reached for the door handle and, at that moment, heard a loud ruckus from the far end of the street. Turning, he and Park noted Pinkerton guards with drawn guns shooting at the delivery truck and smoke billowing out of the jail.

"Jeanette!" both Lucas and Park said simultaneously. Rushing down the street, the two men immediately launched into action, with Bouchard ordering the Pinkertons to help put out the fire while Parker ran inside. Before long, Mike Hickam had brought the fire wagon to the area, and several Hope Valley men formed a line, each holding the hose as water was pumped into the jail. Parker Scott had a difficult time finding the keys to the cell and by the time he did, Aucoin was overcome with smoke. Unlocking the cell, he lifted her into his arms."

Rushing outside, Park was greeted by Lucas, who led him away from the chaos.

"Jeanette! Speak to me!" Lucas said as Park laid her on the ground. Bouchard held her hand and was rubbing it just as Elizabeth walked up from the other end of the street. Thornton was both horrified and strangely jealous over the sight.

Elizabeth's jaw tightened, but she said nothing, watching as Lucas picked his former girlfriend up in his arms and rushed with her and Scott down to the infirmary. Around this time, Nathan rode up, first seeing Elizabeth standing there but then noticing the disturbance around the jail. He dismounted Newton and ran to help.

A short while after, the fire was out and the jail was saved, having suffered some internal damage but otherwise being physically sound. Grant turned to Lee to find out what happened.

"I don't know," Coulter said. "Ask the guards. They were here."

Nathan turned to the Pinkertons. "Well?"

"A truck drove by and threw some sort of incendiary device at the jail. It looked like a bottle."

"And you didn't go after it?"

"No, sir," the young Pinkerton explained. "The Governor told us to stand down."

"I beg your pardon?!"

"What on earth is happening?!" Molly Sullivan said as she and Florence made their way to the scene.

"Someone set fire to the jail," Mike replied.

"It's that Aucoin woman!" Florence said. "The governor has brought nothing but trouble to town."

"Where is she?" Nathan said.

Elizabeth moved toward him. "Lucas and his friend took her to the infirmary. Come on, I'll join you."

"No! You're staying here!" Nathan said. "You don't need to involve yourself in this case."

"But I might be able to…"

"I said no, Elizabeth!" he nearly shouted. "Go home. This doesn't involve you."

Thornton took a step back, clinching her jaw in defiance over his tone. She opened her mouth to speak but, seeing his look, retreated. Why was he acting this way? she thought. And what was Lucas into? Turning without a word, she walked back to her row house.

At the infirmary, Lucas and Park sat outside on the visitor's bench while Dr. Faith Carter worked with Jeanette inside. Aucoin had already regained consciousness and Carter's assessment was that she would be fine, but that didn't alleviate the concern over the situation. There was an active attempt to assassinate this witness.

"We need to get her to talk," Lucas said adamantly. "We can't protect her if we don't know what she knows."

"I'm afraid this attack is going to cause her to clam up further."

Lucas shook his head. "Ever since I've known her, I've been helping her clean up after her mistakes. I guess I was thinking when she went to jail that, maybe for once in her life, she would understand that her decisions have consequences and that she should think before she acts. Little did I know…"

"She's been messing around with someone quite dangerous – and bold. I'm not sure she knew what she was getting into."

"No, I don't suppose she did."

"Why did you tell your Pinkerton's to stop pursuing the attackers?"

Nathan Grant's angry voice reverberated throughout the area as he approached Bouchard and Scott.

Lucas looked over at him. "Because your jailhouse was on fire, and a woman was inside perishing. I felt it more important to put out the fire."

"There were others to do that. You have four Pinkertons out there. You should have sent two. Now we have dangerous criminals on the loose…"

"Who were already on the loose," Lucas replied. "Listen, Nathan…"

"Constable."

Bouchard paused, then chuckled. "Oh, we're back to this."

Park stood. "There was an imminent danger to the young woman's life, and the way this town is constructed, that jailhouse catching fire could have spread and taken out half of the town. His priorities were right."

"His priorities are shaded by his own personal relationship with Aucoin."

"So, you'd rather I leave her to burn?" Lucas asked, standing.

"No, I'd rather you get her out of my town."

"It's my town, too, Nathan. And contrary to your opinion, I do have a say in what happens in it, not just as Governor but as a citizen of Hope Valley."

"Well, she can't stay now," Nathan replied. "The jailhouse is unusable until further notice. I hope you're satisfied."

Bouchard narrowed his eyes at Grant and shook his head. "If you think this is something I want to be involved in, you are mistaken. I would think you, of all people, would take up the mantle of pursuing this case so that I wouldn't have to."

"There is no case. Malory hung himself."

"A burnt-out jailhouse says you're wrong, Constable," Lucas replied. "Clearly, someone doesn't want Jeanette saying what she knows, and I'd be willing to bet money it's the same someone that killed James Malory. Now drop your animosity toward me and toward Jeanette and THINK for a minute. This is a lot bigger than Jeanette Aucoin or James Malory, and I intend to get to the bottom of it."

On the way back to her house, Elizabeth decided she couldn't just stand around and do nothing, and so she decided she would do something. If Nathan was forbidding her involvement in the case, she would obey his command as law enforcement. But this did not keep her from being hospitable to the injured visitor in their town. Reaching her house, she immediately donned an apron and pulled out her mixing bowls to make some muffins. Once the batter was almost done, Elizabeth checked the oven to ensure it was ready and was about to pour the mixture into her tins when a knock came on her door. She turned to answer but didn't have to when Rosemary let herself in.

"Someone tried to kill Jeanette Aucoin?" her friend said with alarm.

Elizabeth nodded and continued her work. "Yes. By setting the jail on fire."

"Elizabeth! They could have burned down the entire town! And not only that, I heard there were shots fired by those Pinkertons – right in the middle of town. One of the bullets hit the Library, and there were children inside!"

"What? I didn't know," Elizabeth replied with concern. "Nobody was injured."

"No. But they could have been. You need to talk to him! Talk to Lucas and get him to leave here. This woman does not belong around us. This is a peaceful community, but if he's going to keep bringing trouble into it, then maybe it's not a bad idea that Lee, Goldie, and I move to Benson Hills."

"Rosemary. This isn't Lucas's fault."

"It's his fault that she's here. Why are you defending him? Is there something you're not telling me?"

Thornton stumbled with embarrassment over the accusation, or was it guilt? "Of course not. She was being abused in jail, and he believes that Malory's killers were involved."

"Malory's killers? Wait a minute? James Malory didn't hang himself?"

Elizabeth looked down, then shook her head. "Lucas doesn't believe so."

"So, someone killed him, and he thinks that they're after Jeanette now? Elizabeth! This is scandalous! The people need to know!" Coulter said as she turned toward the door.

"Rosemary, No! Not this time!" Elizabeth said firmly.

"What do you mean not this time. Don't you understand what this means? Lucas Bouchard has drawn a team of assassins to our fair little town. We need to think about the people of Hope Valley. Jeanette Aucoin may not deserve what she is getting, but the people of this town don't deserve to inherit her mess! I need to do a broadcast right away."

"If you ever hope to speak to me again or to retain our friendship, you will not."

"What?"

"I am very serious about this. I want you to stop and think about what you're doing. Every time you have gotten an urgency to spill the beans because 'the people deserve to know' something bad has happened. Every single time. Lucas is dealing with dangerous criminals, and it is his judgment that it's best to keep Jeanette close. He has increased security, and after today, I would imagine it will be increased even more."

"That's not a way for this town to live."

"No. It's not a way for anyone to live. But he didn't ask for it, nor did Jeanette."

"Elizabeth, she needs to go."

"And she will, soon."

"This week! Talk to Lucas. Tell him the risk is too great. Tell him that if he doesn't do anything to warn the citizens or protect them, I will have to go public with the information."

"You would still do that."

"If I felt lives were on the line, which I do. But I don't want to. Talk to him. He will listen to you. He always does."

Sometime later, inside the infirmary, Lucas sat by Jeanette's bedside, stroking Jeanette's forehead and watching over her as Park stood next to him. It was an interesting dynamic for Scott to observe because even though he knew Bouchard was not in love with Aucoin, the tenderness with which he treated her might give others the idea he was.

"It appears your accommodations are no longer usable, so I need to find you other housing," Lucas said as Aucoin looked up at him.

She took a deep breath and sighed. "Chére, I appreciate what you're doing here, but at some point you need to realize, I'm a lost cause."

"I don't believe in lost causes," Bouchard replied. "We'll get them, and we'll stop them, and until then, we'll do everything possible to keep you safe."

The door to the infirmary quietly opened, and Faith nodded, allowing Elizabeth to enter. She carried with her a fresh basket of muffins. Stepping into the main room, she stopped when she saw Lucas sitting next to Jeanette, tenderly caressing her. Her heart sank.

Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and walked forward, determined to do what she had come to do. Walking up beside Parker, she cleared her throat.

Bouchard turned. "Elizabeth!"

"Hello," she said. "I thought you might be hungry, so I made some muffins."

Lucas smiled and rose to accept them. He turned toward Jeanette with the offering. "Still warm."

"How sweet," Aucoin stated. "I'm surprised."

"Elizabeth has been very kind since you arrived," Lucas replied. "You should be grateful."

"Merci, Madame Thornton," she responded. "That was very kind."

"Yes, it was. So where will you take her?" Elizabeth asked, looking toward Bouchard.

Lucas leaned back in his seat. "I suppose she will have to stay with me for now."

"In your house? Alone?" Elizabeth asked.

Lucas shrugged. "There is no place else for her to go."

"Send her back to the prison. Her presence here is endangering lives. Do you know your Pinkertons fired off their pistols in the middle of town, and one of the bullets hit the library? There were children inside."

Bouchard furrowed his brow. "I wasn't aware."

"Why would you be? Lucas, while you may be used to all of this danger, nothing says we need to be."

"I agree," Bouchard nodded then stood. "I'll try to make the arrangements. I'm not sure yet where she can stay, but I will try and remedy it as quickly as I can."

"Please do," she responded.

Lucas looked at her with sadness in his eyes, believing he'd let her down, but also with a determination to make it right. "Park, would you follow me, please?"

The two men exited the room, and Thornton turned to go as well but stopped when Aucoin confronted her. "Must you keep crushing him?"

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and turned toward the convict. "What?"

"You know he's still in love with you…despite the fact that you stabbed him in the heart."

"Our paths diverged."

"Baloney. You got scared and let a wonderful man who loved you more than anything out to dry. He put his life in danger because of you, and why else do you think he sticks around this forsaken town other than he wants to make sure you're taken care of and are happy."

"Jeanette, I don't think you're the right one to be commenting upon our relationship."

"You're wrong, Elizabeth. I'm exactly the right one, because you know I still love him. But I know he doesn't love me, at least not like that, nor can I blame him. He never looked at me the way he looks at you – even still. He would give the world for you. I know Lucas. He blames himself for your breakup, and every time you speak to him in a way that highlights his faults, it's just more confirmation. You need to stop and think before you speak. He takes your words to heart."

Elizabeth stiffened, the words reached her own heart, and yet she dared not acknowledge this to Aucoin. She had long been plagued by the look in his eyes when she left him that evening at the depot. She knew she had crushed him then, and yet she suppressed the thought. Lucas is strong, she told herself. She had freed him for his destiny. But she knew it was a lie, and in truth, she missed him. And now, hearing herself confronted with some of the very thoughts she'd pushed away for so long, it hit her even harder. "Well, thank you for the advice. But, I think it's best you worry about your own life, and I'll worry about mine."

"Suit yourself," Jeanette replied as Thornton turned to leave. "But as you're deciding what to worry about, might I offer up one other word of advice?"

"If you must," Elizabeth said without turning around.

"I'd watch that Mountie of yours. He may seem like a straight shooter, but he's anything but. Don't ask me how I know, but I do know. You need to be careful."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and angrily shook her head, no. Now she was trying to taunt her. She left the infirmary without saying another word.

Walking to the Queen of Hearts, Bouchard and Scott sat at a table to plan out what they needed to do next. Bill Avery was nearby and joined them.

"So, what's the plan," Bill said, taking a sip of his draft.

Avery and Bouchard had had their struggles, but Lucas knew he could trust him and valued his input. "I need to find another facility that will house her – something outside of the Capital City prison system," Lucas said.

"Perhaps I can help in that?" Avery said.

"I would appreciate that. But for tonight, she'll stay in my cabin with me," he responded.

"She'll what?!" Edwin Mitchell's shrill voice came from behind.

"Hello, Edwin."

"What is this I hear about someone staying with you? Surely you do not mean Miss Aucoin?!"

"Jeanette will be staying with me, just until I can arrange for other accommodations."

"Put her up in the hotel!" he barked. "There are plenty of rooms here."

"No, she is not staying in the hotel. It will endanger others. I brought her here. I will take the risk."

"Lucas, if the press gets hold of this, your career…"

"Is the least of my concerns right now," Lucas said, his voice firm. "Edwin, You need to understand there are things more important than politics – her life being one of them. Now, in normal times I value your feedback but having you lecture me on things that at this point do not matter…."

Mitchell straightened his spine. "Well! Fine. But if this causes a scandal…"

"I'll deal with it," Bouchard replied. "Parker, Bill, and I have some things to discuss now. Enjoy your evening."

"Lucas…"

"Please go," Lucas responded. We have work to do.

Mitchell left as he was requested to, making his way up to his suite and picking up the line. "Yes, Florence. Please connect me to Union City 450."

While the men discussed the case, Elizabeth made her way down the street, looking into the saloon. She saw Bouchard deep in conversation, a concerned look on his face, but she resisted the urge to join him. This was his battle to fight. So, she made her way to the jail. The door was open, but no light was on, and she could hear a racket in the back. Walking around the corner, she stopped when she saw Grant wrestling with the mattress, which, from the blanket that was on it, she could tell was the one Jeanette had used – Elizabeth's quilt now being stained with smoke.

"Is it salvageable?" she asked.

Grant startled at her voice but then turned to look at her and nodded. "Should be. A few boards, a lot of smoke."

"I'm thankful nobody was hurt."

"Yeah," Grant replied, wiping his hand. "Hey. I'm sorry if I seemed a bit harsh earlier today."

"No. You were right. There was a lot going on, and I didn't need to be in the way."

"But, still."

"It's okay. It was very stressful for everyone. I, um, visited with Jeanette."

"You what? Elizabeth, I asked you to stay out of this."

"You asked me to stay away from the case. I'm not involving myself in it. But I am curious about something."

"Yeah? What?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Aside from when she was here before…did the two of you know each other…I mean, before?"

Nathan's expression changed to one of almost exaggerated incredulity, and he raised his hand to the back of his neck. "No! Why would you wonder about that?"

"Oh, nothing," Elizabeth said, noting his 'tell' she'd picked up on for when he was being less than honest. It seemed being with Lucas for so many years had taught her to be a better read of people, something she was proud of. "I was just curious. I'm not sure she likes you."

"She's a criminal. Of course, she doesn't like me," he said. "Look. I think I'm done here for today, so let me lock up, and I'll walk you home. I definitely need to go home myself and take a bath."

Elizabeth smirked. "Thank you for that image," she said.

Nathan grinned. "Well…it's the truth."

Elizabeth looked at him. "I don't disagree. Go ahead and lock up, and I'll be waiting out front."

Later that evening, Lucas sat inside his living room on the couch that would be his bed for as long as Aucoin would stay there. The two of them, along with the four guards, had been back from the infirmary for about an hour and he was glad to know that Jeanette was sound asleep, safe in his room with a Pinkerton stationed inside. His cabin was remote, so he had a sense of security. Leafing through some documents that he'd brought home to read from a spending proposal being presented in Parliament the next week, the exhausted Bouchard had just begun to nod off himself when his telephone rang. He jumped up to answer it, hoping not to wake his guest, and his papers flew onto the floor. With a receiver to his ear, he simultaneously requested the operator, at this time of evening being Molly, to patch the call through while he bent up to pick up the documents. When he heard who it was, the papers were forgotten.

"Lucas?"

Lucas inhaled. "Elizabeth. Is everything alright?"

"Yes," she said, nodding even though he couldn't see her. "I wanted to continue our earlier conversation at the infirmary."

"Okay."

"I need to get you to focus and consider what your presence here with Jeanette is doing to this town. I was talking with Rosemary, and she brought up some very good points about all the danger – she wants to warn the people, but I told her no."

"Thank you," he said, relieved.

"Still, I think I agree with her. It was wrong of you to come here. There's been nothing but trouble, and I think…well, you need to go."

Bouchard's heart sank. Was Elizabeth forcing him to leave her forever? How would he survive? Before he could respond, she continued.

"Your presence here with Jeanette, it's just too dangerous for everyone in town. One of the children could have gotten hurt or killed…and it's just not the place…"

Recovering slightly, Lucas tried to disguise the hurt in his voice, though Elizabeth could still hear it.

"We are going," he responded. "Arrangements have been made."

"Oh?"

"Yes. We've managed to get Eagle Creek to take her in. It's not part of the same jail system, and Bill knows the superintendent there, and that's he's a trustworthy man, so…we'll be gone very soon."

"Oh, that's good," Elizabeth said. "I'm glad to hear it."

There was an awkward silence as Lucas thought about all of the inconvenience he'd brought into her life. Clearly, he had been in the wrong…or such was his thinking.

"Elizabeth, I'm sorry about this. I know that bringing her here wasn't an optimal choice, but it was the only thing I could do. Unfortunately, it had some repercussions I hadn't counted on - so I'm very sorry if I hurt you. I guess it's better if I stay away."

"I…" Elizabeth opened her mouth, her heart yearning at that moment to tell him no, that it wasn't better. That she wanted him here. That life wasn't the same without him in it. But when she recalled what she'd done and why she had done it, she backed away. "…I just want to keep the town safe," was her only response.

Bouchard closed his eyes. Fears confirmed.

"Then I…" He cleared his voice. "I thank you for being honest with me, Elizabeth. I'm again sorry for any trouble. Give Jack my love, and goodnight."

"Goodnight," she responded, slowly lowering the phone to her heart after hearing the click and then closing her eyes in heartbreak. Was Jeanette right?

It took less than forty-eight hours for the press to get wind of Governor Lucas Bouchard absconding with his Gangster Girlfriend to a love nest in the woods. The attack on her at the jail was amplified to such a degree that it made Lucas appear just another pawn in a gangland turf war, and leaders of the opposition were calling for his impeachment.

"Parliamentary minority leader Sam Jurgensen stated, 'It has come to our attention that the governor, while living in Louisiana, may have made certain promises to Miss Jeanette Aucoin, a widow, of marriage – and that the two may have been carrying on an illicit affair.' Following this astounding revelation, the leader added, 'The Criminal Code of 1892 states that Everyone above the age of twenty-one years is guilty of an indictable offense and liable to two years' imprisonment who, under the promise of marriage, seduces and has illicit connection with any unmarried female of previously chaste character. Now, while the specifics of their case do not completely match our statutes, nor those in the United States, the principle still stands. And now, with him removing Ms. Aucoin from prison to hole up with him in his own private residence…I ask you, citizens, are we to tolerate such immorality within our Province? Contact your representatives and tell them to support the impeachment of Governor Lucas Bouchard. Such Vagrancy is not what this province is about, and if we do not fight it now, the infection will only spread.' We at the Capital City Chronicle stand with Leader Jurgensen in calling for an investigation into Bouchard's activities with Aucoin and possibly for his resignation or impeachment if it comes to that."

Lucas sat still in his office as Edwin read the words to him with Henry and Parker present, but he did not react.

"Well, what do you have to say for yourself?" Edwin asked.

"What can I say, Edwin. The newspapers will print whatever sells for them."

"Lucas, you do not understand the gravity of this situation."

"No, Edwin, I do. My focus is on Jeanette. Now, the Mounties at Eagle Creek have agreed to take her in. The Constable up there is no friend of the Prison Superintendent in Capital City, so for now, I think she's safe."

"You need to drop this case, Lucas," Mitchell stated. "For your safety as well as everyone else's."

"I'll be out of it soon enough."

Mitchell frowned then shook his head, slapping the paper down on the table in front of Bouchard as he went upstairs to make a call.

Park smirked. "You're getting quite a reputation as a bad boy."

Lucas remained expressionless. "I tried to maintain my reputation, but it looks like they'll get that too."

"Lucas, anyone who knows you knows."

Bouchard looked at him with saddened eyes. "I appreciate your words. I guess I've given up on trying to understand."

"Understand?"

"Why, no matter how pure my motives or whatever effort I take, it always seems to turn against me. But such is life, I suppose. It's fine. I can only do what I can do and then let the chips fall where they may. Have you found out anything more concerning Jeanette and Walden?"

"Yes. As a matter of fact, I have."

"Lay it on me."

"The building that Ms. Aucoin was pulling her supply from was the Southern Hardrock Warehouse for one of Walden's Businesses called Cascadian Mineral Resources. It is on the Cascade River on the edge of Union City."

"Hardrock?" Lucas said.

"Yes, things like Gold, Silver, Copper…"

"Iron? Such as Iron ore?" Lucas asked.

"Yes. That would apply as well."

"So that ties to his work with the Foundry. But how did this building become a place for running rum?"

"Well, from what I gathered, it was just a front. Looking at Jeanette's information to the Treasury he was linked up with all sorts of things. She was taking in money from both him and them up until the Summer of nineteen."

"Which is when she disappeared on my end. I contacted her, knowing she had mentioned that she had been working with the Treasury investigating Walden at some point. But when I called her that summer, she stonewalled me and then I didn't hear another word. Guess she didn't want me to know she hadn't gone clean."

"It would appear not."

"Anything else?"

"No. Nothing until the next year – October, to be precise."

"Interesting timing."

"It is. A check was deposited in her account from a Hagerty Trust out of New York City. Signed for by a James Hagerty, Jr."

"New York? That's strange."

"I reached out to some of my staff to find out more about it but they said it's private, but they'll keep digging. Seems it was set in place in 1871."

Bouchard looked perplexed. "Well, it seems we have more to speak with our friend Jeanette over, before she heads to Eagle Creek."

"It seems we do."

In the Mountie office, Nathan Grant and Robert Wolfe had just finished mopping the soot out of the jail, glad that even though the fire started on a completely wooden structure, it had spread only minimally. Assessing the damage, Grant opened his wallet and handed money to Wolfe.

"I need you to run down to the sawmill and get six two-by-fours. I think we can patch that area in the floorboard and get the jail up and running by tomorrow."

"Sure thing," Robert stated before leaving to complete the assignment.

Grant shook his head. Things were such a mess, but it appeared that his worries would soon be at an end. With Bouchard's name splashed across all of the local newspapers, he knew he'd be gone along with Aucoin, and then things could return to normal. Or so he thought until his phone rang.

"Grant speaking."

"Call from Union City 450 for you, Nathan," Florence said, her mind curious as to what connection Edwin's earlier call had to do with Nathan. She became even more curious after his next words.

"Union City 450?"

"Hello, Constable."

Nathan furrowed his brow, immediately recognizing the voice. "You can hang up, Florence."

Florence didn't want to comply, but regulations were regulations, and so he did as she was required – making a note to herself of when the call happened. Something just didn't feel right with all of this phone traffic.

After hearing the click, Nathan spoke. "What do you want?"

"The fire was just a warning."

"A warning? You almost killed her. Other people could have died."

"If I had wanted to kill her or anyone else, I could have done so. The people of Hope Valley are nice people and I do not wish harm on any of them, not even her. I just need to get Aucoin out of the way."

"Yeah, well, Jeanette went to the infirmary, and Lucas's guards started spraying bullets. One of the bullets hit the library. There were children inside."

"That is not my fault."

"Isn't it?"

"You know me, Constable. I would never hurt a child. I mean no harm to the town, but this underscores the danger, and sadly, sometimes streets must run red before progress is made."

"What?"

"Just a saying my father used to say, or so I was told. It means violence, while it is hateful, is sometimes a means to an end. I prefer not to use it. Heaven knows my life has been affected by it directly enough. But I will if I have to, which is what the warning was about and why I called."

"I'm waiting."

"I want to discuss what you're going to do about Bouchard and Aucoin. I heard he's taking her to the jail at Eagle Creek."

"What? I hadn't heard. Well, that's good. Isn't it? You want her out of here and away from him."

"No. That's not good. My family has a history in Eagle Creek, and if Bouchard and the Superintendent who runs the system up there get their heads together, it would be a disaster. I could lose everything. I need you to intervene."

"So, let me get this straight. First, you lean on me to get them separated and to get her out of here, and now you want me to stop her from being transferred?"

"That's right."

"You're nuts."

"I'm anything but, and I can assure you, I am not going to allow the governor to destroy everything I've worked for."

"None of this was part of the deal. You manipulated me into giving you information, and I got it for you. Okay? I did my part. Leave me alone."

"You are in no position to make demands, Constable Grant. I can make your life quite miserable, you know. I have the support, and I have the means."

"If you mean by exposing what you have on me to begin with, I'll take my chances."

"Will you really?"

"Listen. Our business is over."

"You're making a big mistake."

"I doubt that."

"Don't doubt me, Constable. I want them stopped. Bouchard's investigation must stop – one way or another."

"Then that's up to you. Goodbye."

As he hung up the phone, the mysterious caller turned toward a second person in the room, who was sipping on a glass of Bushmills.

"He says he won't help me. He's not going to try to stop them."

"Is that so? Well, we'll just have to see about that."

"What are you going to do?"

"The only thing I can do at this point. Make sure that Bouchard never makes it to Eagle Creek."

"You don't mean…?"

"It's the only way."

"That's going too far. Can't we just wait until they part at Eagle Creek?"

"No. We must stop them….correction…he must stop them."

"Who?"

"Constable Nathan Grant, of course."