Holding hands, Nathan and Elizabeth walk on the boardwalk. As they leave behind them the lively Hope Valley community after saying goodbye to the newlyweds, they finally enjoy some time together.

"Do you think they still would have found each other anyway?" Elizabeth asks.

"Are you asking me if I believe in fate?"

"I am."

Nathan chuckles. "I think fate is taking what life gives you. And turning it into what you want." He looks at Elizabeth before leaning toward the Farmers Market's stall. "Or, you could always kiss a potato."

Elizabeth laughs at the vegetable in his hand and speaks softly. "I already have my heart's desire."

She reaches for the potato, but Nathan pulls his hand back, drawing her closer. Elizabeth smiles and puts a hand on his chest. No longer caring about the potato, she kisses her heart's desire.

They are almost instantly interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the gravel, followed by a voice that makes them turn toward the street.

"Constable Grant!" A man in Mountie's uniform stops in front of them. "Mrs. Thornton, I'm Superintendent Hargraves."

"Of course, I remember," Elizabeth replies, looking down.

"Sir, what- What brings you from Fort Clay?" Nathan asks.

"I'll explain. In private."

"Can it wait?"

"No, I'm afraid it can't," the Superintendent states, one hand on his belt.

Nathan sighs. "Okay, well, we can speak in my office."

"I'm not here to see you, Constable. Mrs Thornton, it's about your late husband."

Nathan and Elizabeth look at each other, wondering what new challenge life is about to give them.

The mention of Jack Thornton obviously raises many questions in both their minds.

Finally regaining the ability to speak, Elizabeth looks at the man in red serge. "Well, maybe we can find a place..."

"You can use my office," Nathan offers, gently stroking her back.

He feels her tense. Whatever the Superintendent has to say, he knows it is likely to awaken her grief. He has no idea what his former superior officer wants to talk to her about, but he has a bad feeling about it. What he does know is that whenever their paths cross, it's never for pleasant matters.

Once again, it seems that the past has a way of resurfacing at the most inconvenient times.

On her way to the RCMP office with the Superintendent, Elizabeth can feel her heart pounding in her chest. She is overwhelmed by both emotions and questions. Fortunately, she can still rely on her legs which guide her automatically.

She tries not to show her nervousness, telling herself that maybe it's no big deal. The truth is, she wonders if she could handle whatever Superintendent Hargraves has to say.

The man pulls up a chair and offers her to sit. She takes the seat while he takes Nathan's place behind his desk.

"Some new elements have recently come to light concerning the incident that led to your husband's death when he was stationed at Fort Clay," he explains, wasting no time. "Therefore, the Mounties had to open a new inquiry."

Taken aback by the news, Elizabeth doesn't know how to react. She waits for him to elaborate, but he doesn't seem to intend to do so.

"I don't understand. What can open an inquiry more than 5 years after the event?"

The Superintendent hesitates. "This is an internal investigation. It's intended to determine whether there was any human responsibility for the incident."

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth freezes. "How can a landslide be someone's responsibility?"

The man sighs. "There's nothing more I can tell you at this stage. We can't share this kind of case with civilians, not even with all Mounties."

"Then may I ask why you are here? You came to see me about my late husband and that's all you can tell me? That's not fair, sir."

"I have some questions to ask you."

"What do I have to do with all of this?"

"The Mounties need your cooperation in this case. Rest assured that we'll let you know if there's any significant development."

"I'm not sure how I can help you, but fine, I'm listening," she says uncertainly.

"Thank you." He pulls out a pen and paper from his briefcase. "So, let's begin. Do you know if Constable Jack Thornton had any debt to pay?"

Elizabeth frowns slightly. "He had a loan from the bank for the land he bought for our family, but we paid it a long time ago."

"Any other significant purchases apart from this land? I know you weren't married long, but have you ever noticed any unusual expenses?"

"I'm sorry, I don't see what this has to do with my husband's death."

"Just answer the questions, please. It's just a matter of procedure."

She hesitates to argue further. The man makes her increasingly uncomfortable. She finally decides to answer, wishing Nathan was here. She just hopes the interrogation will end as soon as possible.

"No. He always lived simply. So do we."

Not showing any expression, the man simply writes something on his paper before moving on to the next question.

"Apart from his salary, did he have any other sources of income?"

"No," she states, staring indignantly at the man who keeps writing. "I-"

He cuts her off before she can add anything. "Did you receive any money after he passed away?"

"I received his pension from the Mounties, that's all."

"His pension?"

"Yes, the one I filled out the paperwork for."

The man just nods, adding nothing.

"One last question. Do you know if he was keeping track of his finances somewhere? Any ledger?"

Elizabeth's lips part, but no sound comes out. Even though she doesn't want to prejudice Jack, she's had enough.

She realizes exactly what he is doing, with his anything-but-subtle questions. None of them seem to have anything to do with the landslide at all. He's not here to inform her of the opening of an inquiry.

He is questioning Jack's integrity.

"Tell me, what is this all about?" She finally asks.

"Well, we, as Mounties, have a duty to seek out the truth, whether it's pleasant or not. Sometimes we have to dig in unpleasant places to keep doing our job in the best possible way." He stops, noticing Elizabeth's expression. "Don't get me wrong. We're only at the investigation stage. There are no accusations against your husband or anyone else, Mrs. Thornton."

"I really don't like where this is going, sir. You can't question Jack's integrity when all he ever did was fulfill his duty, serve his country and the people of this town, and sacrifice his life to save others. He was a fine Mountie and, more than that, a fine man. How dare you insult his memory like that?"

"Our inquiry is based on facts and evidence, not feelings. This is how justice works."

Elizabeth struggles to keep her composure, no longer having any desire to be polite to the man.

"The last time you came into this town, you were questioning another good man's integrity. Is this your way of seeking justice?"

"I assume you're talking about Constable Grant. What's going on between you is none of my business. But if I may, there's a lot you don't know about him. Like how he was involved in your husband's death."

"He's not responsible for Jack's death. I know the story about his suspension and Jack taking over the training mission. It wasn't his fault."

"Well, are you sure about that?" He says without looking up from his notes. "Are you sure he told you the whole truth?"

"This conversation is over." Elizabeth stands up and heads out of the office, annoyance and anger growing in her body.

Waiting outside, Nathan stares at the door with a serious look. As he wonders what is taking so long, he sees Elizabeth storm out of the office, visibly upset. He always tries so hard to contain himself in front of Hargraves, but seeing the woman he deeply cares about like this dangerously increases his resentment toward the man. The only thing that keeps Nathan from confronting him is the urge to comfort Elizabeth. What on earth did he tell her?

As soon as she sees him, she runs into his arms. He puts one hand on the back of her head, gently stroking her hair.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" He whispers softly.

"There's a new inquiry. They want to blame Jack for what happened over there."

"What? It doesn't make any sense!"

Nathan looks up to see the Superintendent heading toward them. The glare they exchange reflects the mutual dislike between the two men.

"I'm only doing my job," the man in red serge says. "I'm sorry for all the pain it causes you."

"No, you're not."

"Watch what you say, Constable. We both know you're not in the best position to question a man's honesty. Have a good day."

Tipping his peaked cap, the Superintendent greets them and leaves.

"A good day," Nathan mutters bitterly, watching the man walk away. Looking back at the woman in his arms, he notices how pale and lost she looks. "Elizabeth, are you okay?"

"I don't know, I..."

He helps her sit on the nearest bench. Taking her hands in his, he looks into her eyes.

"Listen, Jack is a good man. He's always been. The town knows that, the Mounties know that, everyone knows that. Countless people can testify how worthy and dedicated to duty he was. There's no way they'll find anything dirty on him."

"But then why all these questions? Why the inquiry? He even mentioned evidence."

Nathan's heart aches to see her unsettled and worried. She's already been through so much.

"There must be an explanation. I'll make a few calls and try to figure out what's going on. Whatever it is, I'll make sure it doesn't affect you or little Jack any further." He cups her cheek in his hand. "No one will damage Jack's memory. I won't let that happen, I promise."

"I know. Thank you, Nathan. I'm glad to have you by my side, I- I love you."

"I love you too, Elizabeth." He pulls her closer into his arms and kisses her forehead. "You're not alone. I'm here for you, you can count on me no matter what."