Chapter 12

Hope Valley felt different after word spread about the incident with Sarah.

School had broken up for the summer but what should have been a happy relaxed town now found itself living under a cloud that no-one really understood, like a boy who had lost his parents in a crowd and didn't know which way to turn.

For the past four years they had enjoyed the freedom of feeling safe. Of letting their children out to play after breakfast with only the instructions that they were to be good and come home before it got dark. Now parents kept them close, the front gate the furthest they could venture before a panicked mother would come running out of the house calling their name.

There was a strange mood amongst the adults, at least in public. And certainly inside The Mercantile. The challenging look that Florence gave everyone as they entered was enough to keep their lips closed on the subject of what had happened to Sara Cunningham. There were rumours and supposition, none of which were either confirmed or denied by the Mounties, but nothing was said within earshot of the town officials.

In private it was a different matter and many conversations were had behind closed doors. In particular there were differing opinions as to whom the main suspects were. Then very quietly someone would raise the question as to what exactly had occurred until in a whisper the one thing they all wanted to know would be asked. Had the worst happened to her?

Fiona arranged for the people dealing with the incident to gather in the Mountie office after church, wanting to get the meeting over and done with before the afternoon potluck meal for she understood that it was important that everyone knew where they stood before a new week was upon them.

Nathan was happy to let Jim take the lead, knowing that he had the skills to carry out the investigation. It had been three days now since they found Sarah, during which time Faith had kept her sedated as both her body and her mind needed time to heal. Now Faith sat alongside Jennifer and Jack, Sarah's parents, as they discussed the best way to find out the details of what she had endured.

The gathered group was larger that originally intended but Nathan could see the wisdom in including each person as they all had something different to offer.

As mayor, Fiona was their voice to the townspeople, answering questions with a confidence that she may not feel but which was necessary to prevent panic or, worse still, a feeling that inevitably built amongst certain people that they should take matters into their own hands. They needed to make sure that didn't happen as a vigilante group was the last thing anyone wanted and yet it was understandable that those for whom the memory of how things were during what they referred to as the Bouchard regime would fear any evil threatening their town once more.

Beside her sat Joseph, his sermon this morning an attempt to ease the uncertainty that hung like a dark cloud over them all. He had spoken of the need for calm and patience, that they must place their trust in those who had experience in these matters to do their job. Then he asked for understanding and awareness, for everyone to show neighbourly love to each other and make sure that no-one was in trouble or need.

Finally he had spoken about himself and how his own vanity had led to the finding of Sarah's satchel. "God, in his wisdom, found a way to do two things in one", he told them. "Whilst I was marvelling at my part in bringing peace back to our town, puffing out my chest and crowing to myself about how good a man I was, he found a way to quickly humble me whilst at the same time enabling me to discover that one of our flock was in trouble. It is not for me to take credit for the good that has come to this town for I am just a messenger of his word and work. It was he who sent Nathan Grant and his men here to save us and our dear Chinese friends. It was he who gave all of us here the ability to see all men as equal and not believe, as sadly so many who call themselves Christian do, that we are better or more deserving than someone of another belief or skin colour. We all bleed the same blood, feel the same pain, hunger and thirst. Their dreams are our dreams, their love and hopes for their family no different to ours."

He had looked around the congregation as he spoke, seeing with interest the nods from those who always stood up against any prejudice they may witness, whilst others showed flickers of shame on their faces as they realised that sometimes it is not enough to think you are doing the right thing, it is only when you stand up to the face of evil that you show your true self.

Then his tone softened, bringing everyone back to look at him with his next words. "So I stand before you a humbled man asking for forgiveness as in the same breath I implore you to put your faith in him doing, through our wonderful Mounties, what is needed."

At the back of the church he could see Phillip St Germain listening to his every word, the man having taken a seat just before the doors were closed. He knew that Nathan had spotted him entering as well, turned as he was sideways to speak with Nancy Tucker in the pew behind. His head had gone up immediately the Frenchman walked in, just briefly but enough for Joseph to see, and his expression as he turned back to face the front of the church was pensive. He watched him as he spoke and guessed that Nathan was still pondering the reason for the man's attendance for he had shown no sign since his arrival of being a man of faith.

Now here in the Mountie Office Nathan was seated on the other side of the desk, his chair slightly back from Jim's and the other Hope Valley Mounties but in a position that showed his support for and unity with them. He was a leader who also knew how to follow and for this reason they all had confidence that whatever danger was threatening the people of their town it would be overcome.

Faith was detailing the extent of Sarah's injuries, choosing her words carefully as she felt the presence of Jack and Jennifer hanging heavy in the room. But they deserved to be there. To hear the thoughts and findings of all the professionals who were dealing with this case and to know what was being done to catch whomever had done this to their daughter.

She was very matter of fact in explaining the shock the girl had experienced and what it had done to her body and mind. "We need to tread carefully for now, to make sure that we don't push her too hard but at the same time help her to talk about the experience. The more she can tell us the better, but it has to be done right."

Looking at the table where the Mounties were seated she addressed Nathan.

"I know you all have experience with these situations so if Jim has no objection I would like you to be the one to question her. She trusts you, after all in her mind you were the one who saved her."

Nathan was about to protest that there were a lot of people involved in the rescue but Faith continued quickly, "and I would like Cecilia to be there with you. I think she has the type of empathy that Sarah needs right now. Plus she is someone she also trusts and looks up to."

Nathan nodded, knowing that Cecilia would willingly do whatever was needed to help the young woman, but in the pit of his stomach he felt the dread that was always there rise up as he prayed that the memories that doing this would awaken would not prove to be too difficult for her.

With his confirmation that they would be prepared to do this Faith turned to Jennifer and Jack hoping that they would not be offended at being excluded, but she saw the two of them nodding at what she had said.

Jennifer spoke for both of them, "You are right. We actually discussed this earlier and decided that it would be too emotional for both Sarah and ourselves if we were there and that may stop her from saying some things for fear of upsetting us or through embarrassment. And, perhaps selfishly, there are some details that we don't need to hear, at least not right now. Maybe later."

Jack took his wife's hand in his, showing his agreement with her. He knew that eventually they would have to hear everything but right now they just wanted to be there for their daughter, without the shadow of what may have occurred sitting between them. All she needed to see on their faces was love and acceptance. Not horror or fear. Just her mom and dad as they had always been.

Faith gave them a look of gratitude as she believed this would make Sarah's recovery so much easier. Setting a brusque tone, she continued, wanting to bring the conversation back onto a more detached and professional level.

"Sarah's ankle is healing nicely and we have managed to keep the swelling down to a minimum."

She looked at the couple seated across from her once more. "Your purchase of such high quality boots has proven to be a good investment as I have no doubt they were instrumental in preventing her ankle from being broken. That and the fact that the trap was quite rusted so didn't close fully."

Jennifer looked embarrassed at Faith's words, mumbling under her breath to Jack who spoke up to everyone in the room.

"We didn't buy them, they would have been far too expensive for us. They were part of a donation we received from Eileen Handsworth. Or, at least, from the group she runs that provides clothes and other items to people when they are in need."

He dropped his head for a moment but then quickly lifted it again and sat up straighter in his chair before adding, "We are hard working people, like so many in Hope Valley, but sometimes luck just isn't on our side. And when you have a large family it doesn't take much for things to become hard. I will admit I was a proud man for a long time, refusing any help as I saw that as a sign of weakness. But then I realised that nobody who mattered was judging me and the only people I was hurting was my family."

Beside him Jennifer was clasping her husband's hand tightly as she spoke up, softly at first but growing stronger with each word.

"We do our best to give to others when we can for I cannot imagine ever being able to sit at my table full of food knowing that there are people out there who are starving. No matter who they are or where they come from. Even if it means less for us."

There was a humility in her voice that struck everyone, a simplicity to her words that made them wonder why there weren't more people like her and Jack in the world. Joseph found himself thinking of all those who professed to be good Christians who could do with listening to such words.

Jennifer's face changed suddenly and like a young girl who has thought of something happy she brightly added, "I actually think the boots were donated by your daughter, Superintendent, so I guess she saved our Sarah in another way."

At The Royal Hotel Cat Aldritt was rushing around setting the last of the places for the people who would begin gathering here shortly. She had started early to get most of it done before running across to the church, her late arrival meaning she found herself sitting next to the Frenchman. He had greeted her with the slightest of nods before moving across to make room for her on the pew. Beyond that there had been no acknowledgement and she wondered if he then thought her rude to have stood up and left so quickly after the service ended but she had no time to stop and chat. Not with him, not with anyone.

Now, as always, she found herself bemoaning the fact that there weren't more hours in the day yet knowing that wishing for them would get her nowhere and she just had to get on with things. She knew that Greg would have a lesser presence in the business until this incident with Sarah had been sorted and so was thankful that at least the boarding house was quiet. That meant she could ask Nancy to help out here in the hotel whilst Emily and Allie could handle most things there.

The girls were a true blessing, working together to manage their days so that all the chores were done. Even their lunch breaks were being given up so that they could do the necessary cleaning and preparation of the evening meal. To make it easier for them she had arranged for Minnie to make up sandwiches each day, which Emily collected on her way from the shop to the boarding house.

But today they had gone straight home after church to finish the chores and collect their contribution to the potluck meal. So she was surprised to see her daughter walk through the doors to the hotel, her hands empty.

"Is there a problem, Emily? If you need my help with the stew then I can probably spare a few minutes, although it may have been easier if you had brought it here for me to sort in the hotel kitchen."

Emily shook her head, moving to stand just in front of her mother before speaking. "No, I haven't actually been home yet as I wanted to speak with you first, but not at the church with everyone listening. Can we go through to the back for a minute please?"

Cat began to worry, thinking that she didn't need any more problems than what she was already dealing with but knowing that Emily was not the sort to be concerned about something minor she led her through to the office.

The girl didn't hesitate, the words spilling out of her as though bottling them up had become too much and she couldn't contain herself anymore.

"I was replacing the towels in Mr and Mrs West's room this morning as I had a bit of extra time and everyone else had left before I needed to go. They said at breakfast that they were going to Benson Hills for the day, something about wanting to have a change of scenery. Mr St Germain must have loaned them his car as I saw them drive off in it."

She was throwing out the words, barely stopping to take a breath until Cat placed a hand on her arm. "Take it slowly sweetheart."

Emily nodded and consciously drew in a deep breath before going on. "Anyway, I was just placing the towels on the chair when I noticed a photograph on one of the nightstands. I was confused at first, wondering why they would have a photo of her and trying to figure out what the connection might be but there was nothing I remember anybody saying that would indicate they even knew each other."

Cat interrupted, needing to stop her daughter from rambling too much and stick to the facts. "Whose picture, Emily?"

The young woman looked at her, seeming surprised at the question.

"Did I not say? I thought it was Sarah Cunningham, but when I took a closer look I realised it wasn't her but someone so very similar that at first glance they could pass for twins."