Granting a Family - Chapter 7: A Tale of Two Spurlocks

Winter was nearing an end, but the snow and cold was keeping its tight grip on Hope Valley. Nathan built up the fire in the Mountie office and was startled when the phone rang. Superintendent Lewis was on the line to get a report on the new developments and factory. Nathan informed him that the factory was set to open in the spring, bringing an influx of even more settlers to the area. 

“We have decided to train Inspectors to be in the field at places where growth is happening. Training happens the first three weeks of April, and you will be directly supervised by the new Inspector we are planning to send to Hope Valley,” he heard Superintendent Lewis say.

“Yes sir,” Nathan answered, trying not to sound disappointed. Lately, he regretted giving up his promotion to Inspector quite often. This felt like a slap in the face to not be considered for the position, but at least he would have another Mountie to help him keep the peace in the ever-growing Hope Valley area. If they could just solve these real estate cases and save Jack’s land, maybe he could prove himself to the Superintendent.

So far they had come up empty handed while searching for evidence against Spurlock, and they hadn’t been able to prove Lucas had any involvement in Frontier Estates. They needed to get a break in the case somehow. Nathan decided to continue cleaning out the desk and files to make room for a new Mountie to come.

Nathan pulled out the desk drawers, but the bottom one was getting stuck on something and wouldn’t come all the way out. On closer inspection, he saw a file wedged between the bottom of the drawer and the wood underneath. Nathan carefully got the file unstuck and he could feel his heart pounding harder as he saw what the file was labeled: Jack Thornton Legal Documents. Had Jack hidden this file for safekeeping? 

Nathan almost sacredly opened up the file. The first document was Jack’s birth certificate, followed by legal papers regarding Sergeant, Jack’s Mountie horse and companion. Finally, the document Nathan needed: the original deed to Jack’s land with accompanying tax documents that showed it had been paid in full when the land was purchased. Nathan suddenly realized he had been holding his breath, and let it out as he looked at the final piece of paper, which were plans for a beautiful home to be built on Jack's land for him and Elizabeth. Nathan felt a familiar feeling of guilt for being the reason Jack didn’t get to live out that dream, then tried to suppress those feelings by reminding himself it wasn’t his fault.

Nathan rushed over to Bill’s office, but he wasn’t there. Of all the times for that man to be late for work, it had to be today when there was suddenly a huge break in the case? He left the office and went to the café to see if Bill happened to be helping there today. Nathan walked in the back door and saw Minnie pulling some biscuits out of the oven.

“Hello Nathan, can I get you something to eat?” Minnie asked kindly.

“No, I’m fine,” Nathan answered politely. “I’m actually just looking for Bill, have you seen him?”

“I haven’t. Would you like me to relay a message if he comes in later?”

“Sure. Just tell him I have an urgent matter to discuss with him and send him to my office,” Nathan responded. “Maybe I will take one of those biscuits to go, they smell delicious.”

“Go right ahead and grab one, it’s on the house. We all appreciate how hard you are working to keep the town safe, especially the past several months” Minnie said gratefully.

“Thank you Minnie. Mmmmm,” he said, taking a bite out of the biscuit. “Soooo good. Thanks again.” With that, he left the café and walked back to his office. 

Nathan was cleaning out more old files when Bill came in a little while later. “Minnie said you needed to see me, what’s up?” Bill asked.

Nathan grabbed Jack’s file and handed it to Bill. “I found this file stuck under one of my desk drawers while making space for a new Mountie,” Nathan explained. “I don’t want Elizabeth to know I found this, so please tell her whatever you need to so she thinks you found them.”

“If that’s what you really want,” Bill replied, looking through the file. “These are going to mean a lot to Elizabeth. Good work, Nathan.”

“I don’t know why I haven’t run across this file before,” Nathan wondered out loud. “It was pretty stuck under that drawer. I’m not sure if Jack hid them intentionally, or if it just fell down there. I hope these documents are all the evidence we need to save the land.” 

Bill was nodding as he looked over the deed and exclaimed, “I knew that the other document couldn’t be correct and must be a forgery! I can run forensics just to make sure, but I have no doubt these are the originals. Now we just have to prove who is behind this. I suspect Spurlock and his lackeys are behind this, but we have to find proof and we have to make sure we have enough to put them away for a good, long while.”

“What do you have in mind?” Nathan asked curiously. 

“I’ve already been tracking Spurlock’s movements for the past few weeks since I overheard him talking to Lucas,” Bill admitted with a little twinkle in his eye. “That’s where I was this morning. We know the three Pinkertons spend a lot of time at that cabin that used to be where Charles Spurlock lived and where he tried to kill Elizabeth.”

“Does Elizabeth know this new Agent’s name is also Spurlock?” Nathan asked. Bill shook his head as Nathan continued. “We should verify their relationship through the Pinkertons. I’ll make a phone call later to Mountie headquarters. I know they usually have access to Pinkerton personnel records.”

“Good idea,” Bill said. “I started noticing Spurlock going into the Saloon after hours pretty consistently. Maybe one of these nights we should follow him and see if we can catch him in the act of something illegal.”

“Go verify the documents so you can talk to Elizabeth, then we can strategize more,” Nathan instructed. “I’m just so relieved Jack saved the day and his land.” Nathan had always felt a bond with Jack Thornton, and felt guided to find that file when he did. That is part of why he was so hurt when Elizabeth said she was only seeing Jack in him. He had felt like, in a way, Jack had brought him to Hope Valley, and he was grateful for the bond he felt with him.

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Elizabeth was playing with little Jack on her day off when she heard a knock at her door. “Who could this be, Jack?” she asked, opening the door. “Bill, hello! Come in.”

“Hello Elizabeth. And how is my Godson?” he asked, bending down to acknowledge little Jack. “I have some news on Jack’s land.”

“Oh,” Elizabeth braced herself for bad news, and noticed the file in Bill’s hands. “What did you find out?”

“While searching for information, this file was discovered.” Bill handed the file to Elizabeth, and she gasped when she saw the label. 

“How did I not know this file existed?” Elizabeth asked. She carefully opened the file, and emotionally looked at Jack’s birth certificate, Sergeant’s documents, and the original land purchase documents. When she saw the house plans a sob escaped and tears ran down Elizabeth’s cheeks, as she mourned the life she and Jack would never have together with their son.

“You are the great legal mind, Bill. What does all of this mean?” asked Elizabeth.

“I have run forensics and determined that THESE are the original land documents from Jack’s purchase. The one the county had on file was a forgery. Someone made a switch. I have a lead I’m working on, but no concrete evidence yet. I just wanted to make you aware of my progress. I’ll keep the file in my safe until we get this all squared away. I’ll leave you to your weekend, I just wanted to give you an update,” Bill finished saying as he was leaving.

“I appreciate your help with this, Bill. You are so good to us, and I value your friendship.” Elizabeth walked him out and waved as he rode away on his horse. From her front porch, she noticed Nathan and Allie riding horses together and smiled. Just then, Lucas showed up in his car.

“Elizabeth, what are you doing outside?” he asked, looking in the direction of the Grants on their horses. 

Elizabeth felt a little embarrassed that he noticed her watching them, but defended herself by saying, “Bill just left and I was seeing him out. He gave me some good news about Jack’s land! Do you want to come inside so I can tell you the news?” She knew he still had a hard time feeling comfortable in her row house, but she always invited.

“I am in a bit of a hurry right now, but what did Bill say?” Lucas asked. 

“He found a file with Jack’s original land documents, which proves the dispute is based off forgeries,” Elizabeth told him.

Lucas said under his breath, “I’ve got to talk to Spurlock.” 

“Did you just say Spurlock?” Elizabeth’s face turned white as if she’d see a ghost. “Is that the name of that Pinkerton? I was almost killed by another Agent Spurlock when I first came to teach here, and he was sent to prison after trying to shoot me. Jack saved my life that day.”

Lucas was usually in control of his emotions, but even Elizabeth noticed how angry he appeared to be. “If you’ll excuse me, I have something that requires my attention.” Lucas quickly drove away, leaving Elizabeth more confused and concerned than before.

Nathan and Allie had turned around on their horses and started riding by, just as Lucas had driven off. She smiled politely at them and waved.

“Hi Mrs. Thornton,” Allie greeted.

“Hi there Allie. It looks like you’ve gotten quite good at riding, thanks to your Dad.” Elizabeth looked up at Nathan and saw he was a bit embarrassed at the compliment. “I need to get back inside to check on Jack. Have a good weekend you two.” Nathan waved, but didn’t speak.

“Bye, tell Jack hi for us,” Allie yelled as Elizabeth opened her front door and went inside.

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Rosemary rushed inside the Barber Shop. “Fiona! I’m getting ready to print the latest edition of the Valley Voice and need your updated ad, do you have it ready?”

“Sure do!” Fiona assured her. “It’s over there on my desk, you can go ahead and grab it while I finish up Mike’s haircut.”

“Oh, hello Hickam, I didn’t notice you there.” Rosemary blurted as she looked for the ad on the desk.

“Hello Rosemary,” Hickam interjected. “What’s the latest big news in Hope Valley?”

“Well, I’m still stuck trying to find out anything I can about Wyman Walden, the land acquisitions, and who owns a company called Frontier Estates.” Rosemary babbled on, “At least Bill has found documents to help save Jack’s land for Elizabeth, so that’s a relief!”

“That’s wonderful news about Elizabeth,” said Mike. “She doesn’t deserve someone trying to steal her land.”

“Did you say Frontier Estates?” Fiona inquired thoughtfully. “I am sure I’ve heard that name before and may be able to find out something about that. Let me make a phone call when I’m finished up here, and I’ll get back with you.”

“That would be wonderful,” Rosemary declared. “Well, thanks for the ad. I better get back to work. Goodbye Fiona. Hickam.” With that she was gone.

When Hickam finished his haircut and left the Barber Shop, Fiona headed to the Mercantile to borrow the phone from Florence. Just as she had suspected, her ex-fiancé had information on the San Francisco-based land acquisition company Frontier Estates. He confirmed what Fiona had suspected, but couldn’t prove: the owner of the company was none other than Lucas Bouchard. 

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Lucas wasn’t sure when or where he could catch Agent Spurlock to question him. He had been going through all of the legal land documents for Frontier Estates to see if any of them had been taken or possibly forged. He couldn’t believe another Agent Spurlock had nearly killed Elizabeth. Was this an act of revenge? Lucas wasn’t sure what Spurlock might try if he knew they had found out about the forgery.

“What do we have here?” a voice sneered from behind Lucas. “Have you been holding onto original documents? I thought you had given them all to us for filing.” 

Lucas turned to face Julius Spurlock who had a gun pointed right at him.

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Just outside, Nathan and Bill had decided to follow Spurlock on his nightly visit to the Saloon just after closing. They had entered quietly and tried to follow him through the darkness. Suddenly they heard voices in the back toward Lucas’ old office, or was it his current office? The door was still ajar, but they couldn’t see anyone.

Bill and Nathan had their guns drawn, and Bill motioned for them to rush the door and confront Spurlock before someone got hurt. As they charged into the room, they saw the gun pointed at Lucas and suddenly Agent Spurlock shot towards them, causing them to jump for cover, then he grabbed Lucas and stuck the gun in his back. 

“Drop your guns Judge and Constable,” Spurlock barked. 

“Do you really want to ruin your entire career as a Pinkerton this way?” Bill asked as he threw down his gun.

“You’ll never get away with this Julius. I know you were trying to steal Elizabeth’s land to avenge your brother Charles,” Nathan challenged.

Spurlock looked a little stunned then snarled, “How did you even figure that out? Never mind, you won’t get a chance to do anything about it when I’m finished with you all.”

“Lucas, what’s your involvement in all of this? Would you really do that to Elizabeth?” Bill questioned.

Lucas looked scared, but insisted, “I had nothing to do with Jack’s land or any forgeries. I never do anything illegal in my business dealings.”

“No, but you are a bit deceptive,” a woman’s voice startled them all from the doorway and they all looked to see Fiona pointing a shotgun at Spurlock.

Nathan used the distraction to lunge at Spurlock and knock the gun out of his hands. The two of them struggled in hand to hand combat, while Bill hurried to secure the weapons and pushed Fiona and Lucas out the door to safety before rushing back and pointing a weapon at Spurlock to subdue him enough for Nathan to handcuff him.

“It looks like the Spurlocks like to add attempted murder to their long list of charges,” Nathan remarked as he led him out of the Saloon and across the street to the jail.

Lucas grabbed Fiona’s arm and thanked her for helping save his life. He had never known another woman who was so fearless and brave, both tonight and back when she helped at the oil rig. She quickly pulled her arm away and said, “Just because we have business dealings with the oil company, doesn’t mean I trust you. I don’t understand why you have deceived everyone, acquiring land, including this Saloon, in the name of Frontier Estates. I know you are a gambler, but the people of Hope Valley took both of us in as their own, and they deserve better than that.” Fiona rushed out of the Saloon and left Lucas staring towards her, wondering what these feelings were that he had just experienced. 

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“Bill, you stay here in the jail to watch Spurlock. I’m heading up to the cabin to question the other two Pinkertons,” Nathan instructed.

“Are you sure that’s wise? They have you outnumbered,” Bill worried.

“Come on, those lackeys won’t be a problem. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Allie’s at a sleepover tonight, so I don’t have to worry about going home tonight,” Nathan assured Bill.

As he approached the cabin, Nathan heard the two Pinkertons inside laughing raucously. He drew his gun, secured the perimeter and headed for the door. He tried to look in the window but couldn’t see much. He contemplated how to approach the men without tipping them off, so they wouldn’t have a chance to stop what they were doing. He waited for them to get really loud again and quickly opened the door and yelled, “Mounted Police! Drop your weapons and put your hands on your head.”

Nathan wasn’t surprised they were forging documents in the cabin. He worked quickly to cuff both men and sat them down to ask questions. He also wasn’t surprised they blamed Spurlock for everything, and admitted he threatened them to go along. As soon as he had taken their statements, he helped them on their horses and led them back into town where he locked them up in the jail, along with their boss man. 

Bill congratulated Nathan for his successful arrests and offered to stay the night to keep an eye on things. They decided to take shifts, then call Mountie Headquarters in the morning to discuss transporting the prisoners. They still had questions about Lucas and his involvement with all of the buying and selling of land in Hope Valley through Frontier Estates, but it was clear he hadn’t been involved in trying to take Elizabeth’s land. They would worry about that later, and needed to have a talk with Fiona soon. Rosemary would also want the scoop for the newspaper.

Nathan let out a huge sigh of relief. He thought about what he said to Dylan Parks last year: “The Mounties always get their man”...or men, in this case. Whatever it took to protect the town, he was willing to sacrifice. He was grateful no one was seriously hurt tonight, and thanked God all of their investigating led them to the right place at the right time. Nathan hoped no more Spurlocks ever came to their town looking for trouble ever again. Hope Valley was a safer place tonight with three criminal Pinkertons behind bars.