"I knew this Hargraves fellow couldn't be clean," Rosemary mutters.

"Why did he keep all this from me?" Bill says, running a hand over his forehead.

"I'm wondering the same thing." Elizabeth represses a tired sigh. Once again, she's feeling overwhelmed by the resurfacing past.

Realizing what her husband has discovered and carried alone during the last weeks of his life is a lot to take in and carry. Reading his words has been hard and has left her emotionally shaken. She keeps replaying them in her mind. And that name.

'Andrew Hargraves'

Why did he mention him? And it is this very man who is in charge of the inquiry. Does he know that Jack was suspicious of him? Can she still expect justice to be done? Can she still trust the Mounties? How could she still hope for a positive outcome? Too many questions are spinning in her head, making her feel almost dizzy.

There were two other names next to the Superintendent's, both identified by Nathan as high-ranking Fort Clay officers—the obvious main suspects in her late husband's secret investigation.

'I know the price of truth can be high. I've been wondering if it was worth it. I've been thinking about my men, about the civilians we have to protect, about all my Mountie brothers here at Fort Clay and how this might affect them. I've been thinking about my Elizabeth and the life I can't wait to spend with her. I have to do the right thing. I must at least try. If I ever fail to reveal the truth or if I don't have the time to do so, maybe you'll find a way to do it. A safe and better one.' Jack wrote in his letter.

The truth he was talking about is still not very clear to Elizabeth. But one thing's for sure, this truth is in the process of being unveiled. It's somewhere among what these documents are going to tell them and what they are gradually deducing. The pieces have yet to be put together. In the meantime, she feels she's been left not knowing who to trust.

But there's a part of her who knows. Jack. She trusts Jack and she trusts Nathan. They both seem to trust this Gabriel Kinslow, so she should too.

"He probably found all this out at Fort Clay," Gabriel replies. "He couldn't have written about it in his letters. The subject was far too sensitive."

Rosemary and Lee nod in agreement. Elizabeth and Nathan have called their friends to explain everything and show them the papers. They are now all standing around Bill's desk in his office, trying to process the recent news.

"I think he was trying to protect us," Bill adds. "Unfortunately, he may have gotten that from me. But if he thought the risk was serious, we have to take it seriously too."

Elizabeth looks at Gabriel and her friends. "So you all think it's dangerous?"

"Jack was the type to jump into action as soon as he spotted an opening. So if he hesitated that much, it means the risks were high," Gabriel answers. "It's also possible that he didn't collect enough evidence."

"Okay, so now what do we do with all this?" Lee asks. "We can clear Jack's name and take down the bad guys. What's our next move?"

"It's not that simple. We can't just rush into things."

Nathan, who has remained silent until now, pondering all the news accumulated over the last few days, speaks up. "Gabe's right. We can't just tackle this on our own, we'll need some support. And maybe more evidence."

"But if we don't do anything, we can be sure they'll blame it all on Jack," Rosemary protests. "We just can't let this happen."

"Look at that, I know that name," Bill mumbles before pointing to a line on the list of names in his hands. "Former Inspector James Houtson. Jack and I caught him years ago. I used to work under him on a counterfeiting case. Turns out he was involved."

"Did he get back into dirty business?" Lee asks.

"I don't think so. Last time I checked, the man was still in prison. But maybe he knows something."

"Yeah, he could be useful," Gabriel agrees.

"Great, let's start there then!" Lee says enthusiastically.

"Maybe we could also question the various gangs and gangsters that have since been arrested," his wife suggests, turning on her reporter mode. "And those who haven't."

"No, Rosie, you're not going to go hunting for gangsters to have a chat with them."

"Don't forget we'll have to be careful and discreet," Bill emphasizes the last word, looking at Rosemary who shrugs innocently. "We can't afford to risk anyone noticing that we're digging into old cases."

"But first, are you all willing to get involved?" Gabriel asks. "It's not going to be easy. As we've said, the risks are significant."

Naturally, as if the question didn't even need to be asked, they are all in. None of them are the type to back down in the face of adversity. And each of them wants to get to the bottom of this.

Rosemary sits at the desk with Elizabeth to study the papers. She takes the opportunity to try to make her best friend talk about her feelings. But the teacher isn't very talkative on the subject. For the time being, she prefers to focus her mind on the documents in front of her rather than trying to untangle and explain how she feels.

While the women and Lee are busy discussing and reading the papers, Nathan takes Gabriel and Bill aside.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" He asks Gabriel with a serious look on his face.

"I can't stop thinking about it since I opened that envelope. If anyone found out that Jack had all this incriminating information in his possession and was sticking his nose where he wasn't supposed to... It seems rather convenient that he died before he could complete his file."

"It could be that the accident wasn't an accident at all."

Silence follows his words. Nathan isn't sure which of the circumstances of Jack Thornton's death would reassure him most. This whole matter is beginning to escalate into something as unexpected as it is concerning.

"Do you think Hargraves has anything to do with it?" Bill says.

"Honestly, I don't know what to think anymore. I knew he hated me and that his ego was sensitive, but to guess he was dirty... I don't know if he'd be capable of such a thing." Nathan lowers his voice. "I mean, we're talking about killing a Mountie."

Gabriel nods in concern, his fingers holding his chin. "Anyway, we cannot be sure of anything yet."

"But it's still a possibility," Nathan states. "I don't want to worry Elizabeth about it, especially if there's no reason to. Do you think you could do some discreet digging on this?"

"I'll see what I can do," his friend assures and he gives him a thankful smile.

"Oh! Nathan, take a look at this!" Rosemary suddenly exclaims, causing all eyes to turn to her. "There's your name on this one."

Nathan turns around and frowns. He takes the document handed to him by Rosemary—a document he never thought he'd ever have to see again.

"This is my suspension letter." He pauses as he sees another sheet attached to the first. "And this looks like the mission report that got me suspended. I don't understand, why are these in here?"

Bill takes the papers from Nathan's hands and looks at them. "It must mean something."

Even though he's hiding it well, Elizabeth notices the trouble on Nathan's face. She doesn't need to meet his eyes to know the guilt and turmoil that assail him. She'd rather save Nathan from his discomfort than get answers now.

"I think we'd better call it a day. We've already made a lot of discoveries for today." She stands up and walks to Nathan, gently touching his arm. "I have to pick up Jack and relieve Allie."

"You're right," Rosemary adds. "We have to pick up Goldie too, and I should start getting dinner ready."

"Go home," Bill tells them. "I'll stay a little longer to examine all these papers. If it's okay with you, I can take care of them for now. Even if no one knows we have them, it's best to be careful and keep them in a safe place."

They all agree to meet the next day in order to progress with their new investigation before heading out of Bill's office. When Gabriel asks where he can stay the night, Nathan declines the Coulters' offer of an available room in the saloon and invites him to stay at his house instead, saying Allie will be thrilled to see him.

As they stop by Nathan's house to let Gabriel settle in and get some rest, Elizabeth holds him back. "Constable Kinslow."

"Please, Mrs. Thornton, it's Gabriel."

"Then call me Elizabeth," she smiles. "I would like to thank you for your help and everything you have done for Jack. May I invite you to join us for dinner tomorrow evening?"

"I wouldn't want to impose..."

"I assure you you're not. My son will be happy to meet you."

"Then it would be a pleasure."

"Great. You and Allie are invited too, of course," she adds, turning to Nathan.

"We'll bring dessert," the town Mountie says with a smile.

Rosemary and Lee let Nathan walk Elizabeth home, telling them they'll send Allie to bring Jack home. Elizabeth thanks her friends, glad to have a moment with Nathan on this eventful day. She could sense his preoccupation from the moment he laid eyes on that letter. Indeed, Nathan's mind is quite busy. He wonders what connection he could have with this matter and what Jack Thornton knew about him. Until now, he had no idea the late Constable had ever heard his name, let alone been involved in his investigation.

As they arrive on her doorstep, Elizabeth pulls Nathan out of his thoughts. "I want to show you something," she tells him, taking his hand and drawing him inside.

He follows her and watches her intrigued as she opens her desk drawer. His heart skips a beat when she pulls out a photo—the very same one he keeps in his own desk.

"I love this picture of us. Carson gave me one too," she explains. "And I've kept it here ever since." She puts the photo down and takes Nathan's hands in hers, looking up into his eyes. "I know you have a lot on your mind right now but I want you to know... The idea of being a family together is on my mind every day. I feel like I've wasted so many years that I wish it would happen faster. I know I'm ready for a future with you, but that we need to take the time for the sake of the children."

Nathan's gaze lights up. "Elizabeth," he breathes out. "These years eventually brought us together. So even if the path was tortuous, they are anything but a waste. I, too, can't wait to take further steps in life with you. And I'll wait with you, because together the waiting will be sweeter. I have no doubt we will make the most of it."

His lips land softly on hers as he pulls her closer. One kiss, and all their problems are far enough away to let them see what's most important: they have each other, and nothing can change that.