"I'm sorry…what did you say?" Bill asked calmly, sure that he had misheard what Nathan had said.

The Mountie sniffed, cleared his throat, and continued to stare at the floor. "I killed Lucas. I murdered him in cold blood."

Parker Scott looked at Avery, who was positively befuddled, still not believing what his ears were hearing. There had to be some mistake.

The private detective reached for Grant's arm. "I think maybe you should explain what you're talking about. Start from the beginning."

Bidding the Constable to sit down, Scott took a seat next to him and Avery made his way back to his desk. The judge remained silent, the expression on his face one of sheer disbelief.

"Now start again," Parker spoke. "You say you're responsible for killing Bouchard. What, exactly, did you do?"

Nathan still stared toward the floor, his heart too full of shame to look anyone in the face. "I…uh, I received a phone call from Madeleine St. John the day before his crash. She... she'd been blackmailing me."

"For what?" Bill finally asked.

"For what happened at Ft. Clay…" He then looked up. "…what really happened at Ft. Clay. You see, I didn't just decide to arrest the cattle rustlers. I and some others had been stationed under Hargreaves… he was Sergeant Hargreaves back then, and he was not well-liked. He treated his men…well, that's not important. I hated working under him and felt I deserved better treatment given how I'd excelled at Mountie training, and when an opportunity presented itself to interrupt his surveillance operation and arrest some wanted cattle thieves, I took it. I did so in exchange for the promise of a promotion."

"By whom?" Park asked.

"Judge Aaron Southwick. He was working in Cape Fullerton at the time and, for whatever reason, reached out and spoke to me. He promised me that if I'd arrest the thieves, he'd work through Superintendent O'Reilly to get me a promotion to Inspector at Union City."

"That's quite a leap, isn't it?" Parker asked. "Constable to Inspector?"

Grant nodded an acknowledgment.

"Patrick O'Reilly is an honorable man. Why would he do something like that?" Bill asked.

Nathan shook his head. "I suppose he didn't know."

Avery clenched his jaw. "Go on."

"Well, Madeleine and her brother, this guy named Jimmy Hagerty, they had gotten this information on me from out of Montague's office. Seems that he and Balfour kept dossiers on people they felt were compromised - and that the whole medal ceremony over the hostage situation - that was just Balfour's way of establishing the relationship they'd exploit later."

"Except Madeleine got to you first," Parker stated.

"Yes. She said that she had lost leverage over some trust fund held by Montague after giving you back the deed to your land. But she hoped I could help her regain it by sharing some information on Lucas."

"You're kidding," Bill replied. "Why? He was in the middle of an election where Hope Valley was on the line."

"Yes. But she said she thought that Montague would want that information for the election but that she'd hold off until later when it would do less damage. If I didn't cooperate, she'd use me as her leverage, embarrassing Balfour for having just given me a medal when I was corrupt. Well, when I arrested Lucas the year before, I looked up those record books that Walden hid in Lucas's office. Turns out, they belonged to Aucoin."

"Which is why she disappeared when Lucas wanted her help," Bill said.

"Yes. I dug a little deeper and uncovered their relationship and somewhat questionable dealings he had with her from before he came to Hope Valley. I didn't make anything of it because what they were doing would amount to a misdemeanor, but I figured if there was anything embarrassing about Bouchard, Jeanette would know. So I gave Madeleine her name."

"In the middle of the election where Hope Valley was on the line?!" Bill asked, his face becoming red.

"I figured he could talk his way out of it. No big deal. Only Jeanette arrived late – the night of the election, and Madeleine and Jimmy turned it from something they could use as leverage with Montague to something they could use against Lucas.

My understanding is she asked Jeanette to try and get Lucas involved in something illegal and therefore make him blackmailable. Under their control, they hoped he'd allow them to continue their criminal dealings uninterrupted. Except, that's not how things worked out. Lucas was shot. Things went from bad to worse."

Nathan fumbled for his next words. "I…I honestly didn't know when Lucas was shot that Jeanette had anything to do with it. I knew something didn't totally add up, but didn't piece anything together until the night that Jeanette held Elizabeth at gunpoint. Maybe there were clues there I just couldn't see. I don't know. But I was as surprised as anyone.

Of course, the fact that Jeanette was involved in his shooting now made me guilty of unknowingly aiding and abetting in his attempted murder as well as committing criminal conspiracy. The stakes for them were even higher since they directly facilitated the meeting, so I think we all laid low and let it lie until Malory decided to talk. Then, they somehow had him killed and started ramping up the pressure on me, trying to get me to influence what Lucas did with Jeanette Aucoin, setting fire to the jail, and then ultimately instructing me to kill him."

"And you agreed to this?" Bill asked coldly. "Over some blackmail?"

"I agreed to it over Allie," Nathan said, his saddened eyes meeting Bill's. "I admit I resented Lucas at times, but I never would have laid a hand on him except for the fact that they were holding Allie and my parents at gunpoint and threatened me that if I didn't do what they said, they'd kill them. I knew they meant it."

"And so you traded Bouchard's life for theirs," Bill stated.

"I had no choice."

Bill glared at Nathan. "You had no choice but to kill a man?"

"They were going to kill her."

"And you said nothing? You didn't raise the alarm or even warn Lucas?" Avery asked.

"They have ears everywhere, Bill. They said if I told a soul, my family was dead. Given their track record, I believed them. So…I went out late at night and climbed under Lucas's car and used a hack saw to weaken his tie rod."

"Knowing when he hit the mountains…" Parker stated, perceptively.

"..the rod would break, and he would lose control," Grant finished. "I…I was desperate…and, well, I later changed my mind and tried to go stop him before he reached the mountain's descent, but…" Grant's voice cracked. "I was…I was too late." He closed his eyes and then bowed his head in shame. "Lucas lost control, just as I'd planned…and now, he's dead…because of me. He's dead."

Bill sat in silence, staring at his friend for a long moment, dumbfounded by what he'd heard

"So that's it. I've come to confess. It's eating me up inside because I know it was wrong, and there's nothing I can do to fix it. They wanted me to do more. They wanted me to give Jeanette to them, too, but I'd rather die than do their bidding again. I'm dirty. I killed a good and innocent man, and I know I will justly hang. I'm resigning my office as Mountie…"

"You deserve far worse than hanging," Bill said angrily. "You betrayed Lucas. You betrayed Elizabeth. You betrayed this town. You betrayed your oath you swore when you put on that serge. And you did so without saying a word to anyone because you could handle it yourself."

"Bill, I already said they instructed me to tell nobody! They would have seen if I came here."

"Did you have a telephone?" Avery asked. "Could you have called? They surely wouldn't be listening in on your telephone line. Only Florence can do that."

Nathan bowed his head, then nodded. Bill was right.

"I ought to take you out and hang you myself," Avery said, pushing out his chair and then walking the floor.

Parker watched in silence as the judge determined his next move and then jumped back when Bill spun around and yelled at the Constable.

"Take it off!" he said, pointing.

Nathan looked confused. "What?"

He slammed his fist on the desk. "The serge! Take it off now. It doesn't belong to you. It belongs to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and you're not worthy to touch it, much less wear it. So, take it off!"

Nathan swallowed, his throat becoming tight with emotion, and he inhaled. Closing his eyes, he did everything to hold back his anguish. Somehow, handing in his badge was an understandable price he knew he'd have to pay - but handing in the serge was like relinquishing his identity. For his entire adult life, it was core to his being, and to be stripped of it felt like he was being stripped of his soul. He reached for his button.

"Wait," Parker Scott said, reaching out his arm. Bill squinted his eyes with impatience.

"Wait?" Avery asked.

"Keep it on," Parker replied calmly and steadily.

"What are you talking about? Didn't you just hear what he said?" Bill asked.

"I did. And I'm not saying he doesn't deserve punishment," Park continued. " But we need him."

Bill's rage rose even higher. "We don't need this…this…betrayer."

"We do," Parker said again, more firmly this time. "The ones who instigated all of this are still out there."

"What's that got to do with him?"

"We can use him to capture them. Do you want redemption?"

"Impossible!" Bill scoffed.

"Do you want redemption, Nathan?" Parker said.

Nathan looked up, his bloodshot eyes filled with pain, and shrugged lightly. "Bill's right. Nothing can make up for what I've done."

"No. But it can be made better if you help us get those who put you up to it. Are you game?"

"You'd let me do that?" he asked, humility in his voice.

"We can't undo what's done. But we can stop it from getting worse. You said they wanted you to give them Jeanette?"

"Yeah?"

"Then do as they ask. We'll use her as bait to draw them out," Parker replied. "You'll remain on house arrest but change none of your appearance at all. To everyone else, you're still the town constable. I'll talk with Superintendent Walker and we will pick her up from the safe house she's staying in, only she'll be under heavy guard. Maybe we can even use a decoy. We'll have them meet somewhere outside of town so that residents are not endangered, and then when they appear, we'll swoop in on them and arrest them. Do you think you can do that?"

Grant nodded. "Yeah. But will Jeanette go along with it?"

"She is as eager to see them pay as you are," Parker replied, then looking up at Bill. "Does that sound okay to you, Bill?"

"How do I know he won't escape?"

"Because I won't," Nathan said. "I know my word is worth nothing to you now, and I don't blame you for being angry. But if I can put those two behind bars, I'll do anything. Allie is already going to have to deal with life without me. At least she'll know I tried to make something right – something."

Avery looked at the sincerity in Grant's eyes but felt only anger. Still, he knew the plan was good. He looked at Park and nodded. "But after this, he goes straight to Granville."

Nathan nodded in agreement.

"I'll call Walker," Scott replied. "Do you know how to get ahold of Madeleine?"

"She said she'd be in touch," Nathan said.

"Good. Then you'll be ready." Parker replied. "You know these parts better than me. You name the place and time, and I'll have Walker's team ready."

Nathan stood and looked Bill in the eyes. "I guess I'll be needing that," he said, looking at his badge.

Avery stared back at him coldly, picked up the shield, and handed it to him. "This changes nothing."

Grant nodded.

In the missionary cabin, Lucas and Jeanette were spending their first evening hiding out from the Hagertys, and already the pair was add odds, albeit mildly.

"Do you have anything else to listen to instead of Bach?" Jeanette asked, sitting in a chair by the fireplace in her robe and slippers.

"It's not Bach. It's Mozart, for your information, and that's all Brother John had, not that I'm complaining."

"Oh, I'm not complaining," she said, watching him from her seat as he read a book on the couch, his thick dark hair hanging loosely across his forehead while his slightly unbuttoned henley and suspenders gave her a most enticing view. "Does Elizabeth like music?"

Lucas nodded. "She does."

"This kind of music?"

He shook his head. "All kinds of music. And she has a beautiful singing voice, like an angel."

Jeanette considered his words and their relationship, realizing more and more as she sat there how much different they were as people and how unhappy they probably would have been together in the long run. Her thoughts then turned to Parker and she wondered what he was like on a day to day basis.

Lucas glanced at her, recognizing a certain faraway look in her eyes that was tantamount to a daydream. He grinned slightly. "I understand Parker enjoys…kicking up his heels every so often in the local dance hall."

Jeanette smiled. "You don't say!"

"It's true. I've seen him cut a jig over pints, and I will tell you, he can give any one of those hoofers a run for their money when it comes to tripping the light fantastic."

"Oh, go on!"

"It's true! He's the bee's knees. Quite Jake."

Jeanette began to giggle. "My…aren't you full of all the snappy phrases when it comes to describing a simple dance."

"I figured you would enjoy me speaking your language, ma chére. I am not entirely devoid of knowledge concerning the latest idioms."

She chuckled. "Now there's Helen Bouchard's son," then, she gasped. "Oh…Lucas! Your mother! What have they told your parents?"

Lucas nodded once. "The truth. They are in London right now, and those who know were kind enough not to burden them with news that I had passed away. Father, being in diplomatic circles, understood the security risk right away and was able to explain it to Mother, who, of course, understood as well. Their being in Europe actually works out well because my 'body' is being held in an icehouse in Montreal until they can return. I'm not sure where Park got the cadaver, but…"

Jeanette scrunched up her face. "Oh, applesauce! Did you have to mention such a thing?"

"My apologies, ma chére. It's part of his work to do things like this – all for a good cause."

"I understand. It was just so much more delightful to imagine him cutting a rug than to see him working around dead bodies."

"I see your point," he said. "But it is part of his life, and he's an excellent investigator. Always has been. I suppose that's something you would have trouble with?"

Jeanette paused, then shook her head. "It would take a little getting used to, but no. I wouldn't have a problem with it," she said before smiling wistfully. "But listen to us being silly. Nothing could ever develop between him and me."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I don't think he'll wait until I'm released."

Lucas pursed his lip. "You never know," he said. "You just never know."

Julie pulled up the covers in little Jack's bed as a chilly breeze filled the room.

Downstairs, the back door was open, and Elizabeth Thornton sat on her porch staring up at the sky. Tears were flowing down her cheeks.

"Can you hear me, my love?"

She had made her way downstairs after her sister went to bed, having not taken the medication that Julie left on her nightstand. She needed to feel, needed to heal, for Little Jack's sake as much as her own – but the pain in her heart was so deep that she feared she'd never recover.

Folding one hand over the other, she felt his ring – the one he gave when they exchanged their mutual promises, promises that she cast aside when she left him at the depot. How hopeful they were the day he proposed. How she wished she could turn back the hands of time. How she wished she could do everything over.

The night wind blew, and she shuddered with the chill. Heaven was silent as darkness descended once more upon her spirit and caused Elizabeth to withdraw into herself. She knew in her heart that without him, she could never be truly happy again.

In the morning, they found her there, sleeping against the side of the house, eyes swollen from crying. There had been a morning panic when Julie couldn't find her and she called the Coulters over. Rosemary instinctively knew where her friend would be. Gently, she shook her awake, and when Elizabeth's eyes met hers, she began to cry again. Saying nothing, the two friends hugged as Julie grabbed a quilt for her sister to wrap herself up in the cool morning air.

"It's alright, Elizabeth. Cry all you want," Rosemary said gently, hugging her and patting her shoulders.

Finally, Elizabeth whispered almost imperceptibly. "How am I going to do this?" she asked. "I can't do this again."

Rosemary looked up at Lee. "You won't be alone," she said, her eyes pleading with her husband about their move. "We will be here to see you're okay."

Lee closed his eyes, then lowered his head and slowly walked away.

In town, by all external appearances, nothing had changed. Nathan did his morning rounds as usual, dressed in his serge, and did his best to maintain control of his emotions as he looked around for what he knew would be one of the last times at this town he loved. Inside his home, the burden fell to Archie to comfort both his wife and Allie, who had been informed of his confession and was nearly inconsolable. She understood his reasons, but how could he possibly make a teenager understand why the man who had been her father since she was four years old now had to hang. It was so unfair.

At the judge's office, Bill and Parker updated Henry on all that had happened, and to say he was surprised would be an understatement.

"I knew he and Lucas had their issues, but I'd never think he'd resort to this."

"He was given no choice," Parker replied.

"He always had a choice," Avery responded.

"Did he? It was his daughter," Parker said. "What good man, having been a father, wouldn't do anything for his child?"

"He's still a Mountie - or was. This violates everything he swore to uphold when he took his oath of office."

"He is still human," came Scott's compassionate response.

"He was a Mountie. He's not allowed to be human."

Parker raised his eyebrow. "Bill."

Avery turned his head in disgust, knowing his own position was untenable.

"It's understandable that your angry," Henry said. "My advice…let it go for now and look at the big picture."

"Did I ask for your advice?" Bill asked angrily.

"No. You did not. But I'm going to give it just the same. If Allie hadn't been involved, Nathan never would have done this thing. I think if it was my kid, I'd have probably done the same. How could he have lived with himself if they would have killed her or his parents? I imagine it's hard for him to live with himself as it is. Try to walk in his shoes. You raised a boy. If you could have saved him, would you have?"

"Leave Martin out of this."

"Fine. Suit yourself," Henry responded.

"Let's try to refocus. What's done is done, and he will pay for his crime," Parker said. "Once Grant gets the call, how are we going to handle this?"

Bill took a deep breath. "Walker will pick up Jeanette and bring her to Nathan. Meanwhile, we will set up around the meeting place."

"Which is?" Parker asked.

"The old office next to the mine."

"And that's accessible to the Mounties?" he asked, being unfamiliar with those parts.

"Yes. She will be sheltered inside the office. I think Nathan only needs to show her face, and he can make the deal. The minute that Hagerty and St. John come to get her, we can spring into action."

"And you're sure she won't be in danger?"

"There's always a risk," Bill said. "But, being inside the building will insulate her somewhat."

"I can do even better," Henry replied. "There's a hidden cellar under the building. Wouldn't know it was there unless someone showed it to her. Once she shows her face, she can hide in there."

"That works," Bill replied. "When were they supposed to call him?"

"Around noon," Parker said. "It'll take a little time to arrange things with Walker but I would imagine it goes down sometime tomorrow."

"Good. The sooner this is dealt with, the better."

"I agree," Parker replied.

A couple of hours later in the judge's office, Nathan remained stoic as he explained specifics on what would be his final mission.

"Bill and I will hide up here and Walker's Mounties will be stationed to the left of the mine," he said, showing a map of the area to Walker, Avery, Scott, and Gowen.

"What about me?" Henry asked.

"You just need to drive past the road as you near the turnoff to the mine, as if you're on your way to Albert Falls. Don't stop or even slow down. That will let us know to be ready. And Scott, you'll stay with Jeanette."

Parker nodded. "The cellar is accessible?"

"Was last time I was there," Gowen responded. "It's under the bookshelves. Just move them to the side and you'll see the board with a notch in it. That's your door."

Scott nodded.

"I'll pick up Aucoin at ten o'clock," Walker said. "I'll send my men up earlier and explain to them where they need to be."

"And you're sure you can trust them," Grant asked. "The Hagertys have so many contacts."

"Positive," Walker replied.

"Good," Scott responded. "We can't fail at this."

"No, we can't" Nathan said. "If they get so much as a hint that anything is happening here, it can spell danger to this whole town. They'll seek revenge and go after Allie or my parents or even Elizabeth, since they know we were dating."

"Should we station extra men?" Scott asked.

"That'll just draw attention," Bill stated. "I doubt they'll show their faces that close to town if they think something is up."

"Maybe we should let Lee know there's danger," Henry responded.

"If Lee knows, then Rosemary will know," Bill replied.

"She was quiet before, during the stakeout over Wal…den," Nathan responded, his eyes dropping as he felt Avery's glare.

"Walden wasn't the threat these people are. We keep it in-house," Bill said.

Nathan heeded the word.

"So, things are set," Madeleine stated. "Grant will bring Aucoin to the abandoned coal mine, tomorrow around noon."

"And he's coming alone?" Jimmy asked.

"Yes. I warned him there would be repercussions if he did not."

"Good," Hagerty said.

From across the room, Hagerty's Pinkerton, Claudius Baker's gravelly voice cut through the haze of cigarette smoke clouding the room. "And you're just gonna trust that? Listen, I stuck my neck out—got myself assigned, covered for Grant while he did the deed."

"What's your point?" Jimmy asked.

Baker took another long drag, the cigarette's ember glaring red, then he tapped ashes into his hand. "Grant is compromised. He killed the governor, and he's a rat. He may know they're going to find out, and if that happens, he won't go down alone."

"He won't say anything," Madeleine responded. "He knows what we are capable of."

"And what's to stop him from protecting the girl and his parents and then turning us in?"

Hagerty stroked his chin and nodded. "Point well made. I trust you can keep an eye on him. Look for anything unusual?"

"Absolutely," the man said. "This town arrested my cousins, Charles and Julius. I sure as heck ain't going to be a sitting duck for them to arrest me too." He took the cigarette and then crushed the butt with his hand, extinguishing it. Turning his head, he looked at Madeleine, who appeared unsettled. "What? What's wrong with you?"

She shook her head. "It's nothing. Just all of this lawbreaking is beginning to overwhelm me."

"Well, you're in on this now and will have to get over it. We're the law now," Claudius replied.

Later that afternoon, Parker and Henry drove out to the safe house to inform Bouchard and Aucoin of the plan and to break the unfortunate news about who it was that had tried to kill him. They weren't certain how to share the information but agreed that Lucas needed to know. Still, having no idea how he would respond, they decided to share the plan for capturing the Hagertys and let the rest come out as naturally as it could.

Stepping out of the car, they walked through the gate, nodding to a couple of the brothers as they followed a winding path to the cabin.

Henry smirked. "Nice accommodations," he said, looking around at the natural setting and solitude. "Makes you almost want to be a monk."

Parker grinned. "Somehow, I don't think either one of us would do well in that profession, Henry."

"You're probably right," Gowen responded.

Stepping up to the front door, Parker knocked briefly then entered when he got no response. From the bedroom he heard voices.

"Ow, you're hurting me," Lucas said.

"Just a little sting."

"A little? It feels like you're pouring kerosene…ow!"

Henry and Parker raised their eyebrows toward one another and then stopped when, following the noise, they reached the doorway.

"I can kiss it and make it better if you want me to," Jeanette said.

"Just hurry up and finish."

"Okay, Mr. Grumpy."

Parker stepped through the door followed by Henry, the two men immediately crossing their arms when they saw Bouchard sitting on the bed with Jeanette behind him. Lucas's shirt was pulled off past his shoulders and was unbuttoned in front and his hair was a bit of a mess. Parker felt a little tinge of something when he saw them together but then laughed at himself for feeling jealous, especially since he knew better.

"Ahem," Scott said, pressing his lips together in order to not laugh over the situation.

Lucas's eyes shot toward them, and he scrambled to try to button his shirt, but Jeanette shoved him.

"Not yet!"

"What did you do now?" Henry asked with a deadpan delivery.

Lucas closed his eyes. "I scraped my back. Jeanette is cleaning it up."

"Scraped your back? How?" Parker asked, entering the room.

Jeanette grinned. "I saw a giant spider."

Lucas turned his head back at her. "It was the size of a dime."

"But it cast a large shadow."

"Ah…a shadow. I see."

"You were so brave in going after it for me, Sugar Lips."

Both men raised their eyebrows. "Sugar Lips?" Parker said.

Lucas rolled his eyes. "Just get finished, Ma Chére. I assume you're both here because you have news?"

Parker nodded as he grabbed a chair for him and for Henry.

"We have a plan to capture the Hagertys. Remember how I said that Nathan was talking with Madeleine?"

"Yes."

"Well, we have more on that which I'll tell you about in a bit. But bottom line, they are blackmailing Grant into turning over Jeanette."

"Turning me over?" Aucoin asked. "Whatever do you mean?"

"They have information on Nathan Grant that they are threatening to reveal if he doesn't cooperate with them. That's been happening all along. In addition to this, they've shown a propensity toward violence. But rather than go along with them, this time, he's doing the right thing, and we're going to lay a snare."

"A snare?" she asked.

"Yes. Using you as bait."

Lucas frowned. "Absolutely not!"

"Why not?" Jeanette asked.

"It's too dangerous," he said. "Why are you even here to begin with? We need to keep you safe and alive."

"I can't hide out forever – as nice as this has been," she said.

"No, Jeanette."

"Lucas, it's already decided," Parker said. "Walker and his men will be present, and I'll be right by her side."

"I don't like it," Lucas said. "And what is this about Nathan not going along with them this time…when else did he….?"

"When he got them my information, remember, Chéri?" Jeanette said. "Right?"

Parker nodded. "Yeah…."

"But…." Lucas responded, squinting his eyes. "You're not telling me something."

Scott looked at Gowen and then back to Lucas. "I'm not sure I know how to."

"Tell me straightforward. What is it you're avoiding."

Parker took another deep breath and looked at his friend. "We know who tried to take you out."

Lucas nodded his head. "Madeleine St. John and her brother."

"That's right," Parker said. "But they weren't the ones that committed the actual act."

"Alright…who?" Lucas asked, confused looking between Parker and Henry.

Scott again looked toward Gowen, again unsure how to break the news.

"Who?" Lucas said again, insistently.

Finally, Henry spoke. "It was Nathan."

Silence filled the room as Jeanette pulled Lucas's shirt back up over his shoulders and the two sat in shock. Finally, Lucas shook his head in incredulity and slightly grinned, his mouth trying to form words but words not coming out. He swallowed.

"Are you…are you saying Nathan tried to kill me? Nathan Grant?"

"He confessed," Parker stated. "It was over, Allie. They said they'd kill her unless…"

"Unless he killed me," Lucas said quietly.

Parker nodded.

"And he didn't ask for help?"

Parker shook his head. "They said he was to tell no one."

"I see."

Lucas immediately stood, walking to the window. He ran his hand through his hair as he steadied his breath.

"Ce salaud!" Jeanette exclaimed.

"Lucas?" Parker asked.

Bouchard turned around and looked at both men, an indescribable mixture of rage and hurt filling his eyes. "Excuse me." He walked out of the room.

"What's he going to…" Jeanette said, but her voice was interrupted by the sound of a crash, followed by a groan and then the sound of a metal bucket being kicked across the floor. A few expletives escaped his lips in French, and Henry and Parker's eyes turned toward Jeanette, who was biting her lips. Then, all was silent except for the sound of Bouchard's feet shuffling across the floor. When he returned to the room, he was shaking. His face was flushed. His eyes, glassy. Gingerly, he again sat on the edge of the bed as the others watched. Jeanette began to move the medical kit off his bed, but he reached out his hand with bloodied knuckles and stopped her.

"Not yet."

She looked at him and sighed, shaking her head and removing some gauze.

Turning his face again toward the men, he looked at them with a serious expression. "What can I do to help?"

Scott stared at him for just a moment, then shrugged. "Stay here. Stay out of trouble. Try not to hurt yourself anymore."

"I can't stay here."

"Lucas, if you are recognized…"

"I'm a dead man. If they get away, I'm a dead man. The town is in danger. Elizabeth…oh, no…Elizabeth? Who is watching over her?"

"Elizabeth should be fine."

Bouchard stood again and walked toward the door.

"What are you doing?" Parker asked, catching up to him and standing in front of the door.

"I'm going to get her."

"No, Lucas! You can't!"

"Watch me!" he said firmly.

"They will see you. They have eyes everywhere."

"I'll go at night."

"No."

"Don't tell me no. You're working for me, Parker, remember?"

"And doing my job to keep you safe."

"Well, you haven't done a very good job of it so far…"

The two men stood eye to eye, Lucas determined but feeling slightly guilty over his last statement and Scott feeling its sting but knowing Bouchard well enough to know that he wasn't serious.

Finally, Lucas's expression fell. "I can't let them hurt her, Park. They would do it to get to me or Nathan Grant. Please."

"Lucas!"

Again, a glistening shimmer filled his eyes as with pleading gaze he tried to persuade his friend to let him go. "If it were Abby…?"

Scott stared at him with a certain look of understanding, and then he relented. "We go after dark, and I'm going with you."

Bouchard nodded, gratefully.

"What about me?" Henry asked.

"Stay with Ms. Aucoin."

Henry nodded.

Claudius Baker hunkered low in the field as he waited and watched for any movement outside of Grant's house. His day in town had been uneventful, watching the foot traffic in and out of the Mountie office and noticing nothing unusual aside from the overly serious expression on the Mountie's face. The man looked miserable, but Baker delighted in the thought that no matter what happened next, he would likely be the one to put Nathan Grant out of his misery once and for all.

Julie stood at Elizabeth's kitchen washtub inside the rowhouse, cleaning dishes from her and Thornton's dinner. She'd attempted to make one of her favorites from home, beef stroganoff, but had forgotten that Elizabeth hated mushrooms. So, just like every meal since Thornton had returned from the infirmary, the food went to waste. Still, she tried to keep a cheerful spirit in front of her sister in the hope that she somehow could lift her mood.

"Would you like to listen to music?" she asked Thornton, who sat in a chair next to the settee staring.

Elizabeth quietly said, "No, thank you."

"How about if we read something, or maybe you can knit. I know how you used to enjoy doing that."

Thornton stared straight ahead, her face devoid of any recognition of expression, and Julie lowered her eyes.

"Or, maybe we can just…talk," she said softly. "Maybe talk about what you're thinking about? What you're feeling?" She raised her gaze and saw that her sister was looking over at her with weary eyes.

"What is it, Beth?"

"I can't stop thinking about him," she said through tearful eyes. "I can't get used to the idea that he's gone and I'll never see him again. Julie…what am I going to do? How can I live?"

Elizabeth began to weep, and her sister leaned down and wrapped her arms around her.

"I've lost everything," Elizabeth said. "Jack, Lucas, Rosemary, Nathan…I can't even care for my son. How am I supposed to go on without him? How?"

Thatcher had no answers, only a weak attempt at comfort.

Back at the monastery, Parker arrived to prepare Bouchard for that evening's quest.

"It's almost dark out," Lucas said. "We should be going."

"Not dressed like that, you're not," Scott responded, looking at the ordinary street clothes that his friend was wearing.

"What's wrong with this?" he asked.

"Well, for one, it's too light," the detective replied, reaching into a bag and pulling out some darker clothing. "You're going to slip in through the shadows. Black shirt, black pants, black hat, and black horse."

Lucas raised his eyebrows. "I'm riding a horse?"

"I suspect Hagerty has eyes on the road, so anything unusual, such as Mountie traffic or the like, will be spotted. We'll ride on horseback using one of the wagons the monks use for supplies. There are two horses, one of them is black. Brother John says he is the most cooperative steed he has. I looked at a map of where Elizabeth's house is. Best bet at sneaking in without being caught is to go through the woods at the side of her house."

"And then what?" Lucas asked.

"Well, at some point, she needs to go outside. Those houses don't have indoor facilities, do they?"

"Unfortunately, not," Lucas said.

"I would suggest the governor address that," Parker said. "But for now, that works to our advantage. Wait for her, and when she comes out, you grab her."

Lucas nodded his head. "I like that plan."

"Good. Now, get changed. We head out just after dark."

Baker extinguished a newly lit cigarette as Nathan Grant stepped out on his front porch. The former Mountie was spent and walked outside for fresh air - taking a moment to look at the stars and collecting himself after a long and emotion conversation with Allie left him feeling spent. He knew he had to do the right thing, even though it wouldn't bring Lucas back. But he hated it would mean saying goodbye to this young lady who from the time she was four had his heart.

"We will still see each other at visitation time," he said.

"Until they kill you," she cried.

"Well, maybe they'll have leniency," Archie suggested. "You know, for helping nab the kidnappers?"

Grant shrugged. If it were a normal case, he might agree that was a possibility. But Lucas was the governor, and Nathan was a Mountie. In his heart, he knew he would hang. Thinking of the tears his adoptive daughter shed that evening made the weight of his guilt and burden so much heavier, but as he turned his eyes toward the end of the street, he also thought of Elizabeth. He had sworn to defend this community, including her – and in his mind, he knew now that even meant from him. He dreaded the thought of when she would find out and secretly hoped that he wouldn't see it. Closing his eyes, he said a prayer, asking for forgiveness and committing her and the case to God's care.

At quarter 'til ten, the lights in the Grant home all went out, and Baker gathered his things. Nothing had transpired of note at all, so he'd return to the hotel he was staying in in the town of Birch Lake. He turned to get his horse, whom he had left tied up in the woods away from the rowhouses but then stopped when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw movement near the final rowhouse. He squinted. Was that a person? In the pitch of night, it was hard to say. Quietly, he made his way down the street.

Parker drove the monk's wagon from the monastery to a cabin about a mile out of Hope Valley, with Lucas hiding in the back, a blanket placed over him. Arriving at their destination, he turned the wagon around to position it for a quick getaway, then he unhooked the black horse and sent Bouchard on his way. He prayed for the safety of all involved.

Lucas arrived just as everyone on the street had gone to bed and in the dark of the night tied his horse to a tree just out of view from Elizabeth's rowhouse and then slipped into her back yard. From there, he would wait.

Meanwhile, Claudius walked slowly through the field, reaching the rowhouse and peering toward the backyard, where he could see nothing. He was turning to go when he heard a horse whinny. Following the sound, he discovered Lucas's black horse tied to the tree. He stopped and considered what to do. He could go to Thornton's backyard and apprehend whoever was there, but that would buy him nothing. So instead, he walked back through the woods to where his own horse was tethered and brought it back where he would wait, too. There would be no more action until a little after midnight when Thornton walked outside.

Elizabeth stepped out onto her porch, wrapping a shawl around her shoulders as she made her way to the outhouse. Julie had given her the medication that Faith had prescribed two hours earlier, so now, the edge had been taken off of her emotions, allowing her to sleep until nature woke her up. She moved inside the shelter, and as she did, Lucas emerged from his shadows, quietly making his way to the side of the outhouse that was away from the view of both the street and the Coulter's house. He would make his move as soon as she exited.

Finishing up, Thornton sleepily reached for a small pitcher of water inside that she kept to wash her hands. She then wiped them on her shawl and opened the door. As she stepped out onto the grass, she turned to enter the rowhouse but had only made two steps when, from behind, someone grabbed her, placing his hand over her mouth. Thornton screamed, but her muffled cries were unheard as she struggled to break free.

"Stop! Elizabeth. Stop! It's me!" Lucas whispered as he walked her toward the street.

Elizabeth's heart sped up, and she stopped fighting, turning her head slightly until she saw the deep, dark eyes of the man she loved. She felt her knees begin to collapse. "Lucas?!"

Lucas lifted her back up and continued to move her forward. "I need to get you out of here. You're in danger. Say nothing more. I'll explain later."

From his position in the field, Baker saw it all but could hear nothing. Who was abducting Thornton? Something didn't feel right – not right at all. He decided to follow.

Reaching the horse, Lucas looked around for safety before helping Elizabeth into the saddle. He ignored the stitch in his ribcage, his main focus being her comfort. Unfortunately this distraction caused him to miss Claudius entirely as the Pinkerton was crouching in the field. From there, they took off. Riding through the woods, Bouchard wrapped his cloak around her, and Elizabeth stayed quiet, not entirely sure if this was real or if it was a dream. If it was the latter, she never wanted to wake up.

Forty minutes later, they reached the wagon. Park, who was also dressed in a Monk's robe, hopped down from the seat and immediately launched into action, retrieving the horse for the trip home while Bouchard carried Thornton to the wagon. He waited for her to get into place, then helped Scott rehook the steed.

"We need to get out of here," Parker said. "I've seen three cars since you've been gone. The risk of you being seen is too great."

Lucas nodded. "We're safe. Off we go."

Parker waited for Bouchard to get back in the wagon and handed him a blanket to pull over his and Elizabeth's head.

"Lie down, Elizabeth. He's going to take us someplace safe, and then I'll tell you anything you need to know."

Thornton shook her head as Lucas took his spot next to her, grimacing slightly before lying down. She looked into his eyes.

Her voice trembled as she reached for him. "Is it really you?"

Lucas smiled, though she could only see through his eyes as he kept his face covered by a bandana. "It's me."

"I thought I'd lost you," she whispered.

He reached out and stroked her hair ever so gently. "You can't get rid of me that easily."

"Hey, you two, we need to go."

"We're secure. Take us home," Lucas said softly as Elizabeth snuggled into his side, and he felt her warmth next to him. All at once, his world felt right again with her in his arms, and yet there was a necessary distance as well. He felt a tear fall on his chest and pulled her closer to his side, leaning down and kissing her forehead as he held her.

"Don't cry, mon amour. It will all be okay."

Less than a minute behind him, Claudius Baker followed.