After nearly two weeks in hiding, Kate, Lorne and Cynthia returned to Vancouver. Finding only slight traces of residual smoke in her home above her office, Cynthia declined Lorne's offer of a bedroom in his loft while her contractors finished the restoration.

Over the next few days, the Mounties continued their roundup. Nathan's remains were cremated, and his family was informed. Lorne was appointed a Provincial Court Judge with chambers in Vancouver's Robson Square. Kate's publisher accepted all the terms in the new contract, and they agreed to the suggested financial settlement.

On Lorne's advice, the Courts gave top priority to trying theforced-bankruptcy charges, allowing the leases to revert to the former holders or their heirs. Civil suits ordered Rinaldi to reimburse losses and pay damages to the restaurateurs, and Cynthia assisted many to relaunch. With their now massive following, Lorne and Kate's blog posts brought near-immediate success.

In early September, Kate and Lorne married in a simple ceremony aboard Tastevin, then headed up the coast on a sailing honeymoon.

Total story words – 51,845