Jack's hand squeezed into a fist on the desk as he listened to his superior. The man was droning on about a new opportunity, a temporary one, in a small town with great need. He looked at the file laid out in front of him; a cache of information about his new assignment. It wasn't the opportunity he had been hoping for.

"Listen," his superior began. "They're in great need. These robberies have been going on far too long."

"And their police force can't handle it?" Jack asked. The man shook his head, which only increased Jack's frustration. He pushed his lips together and tapped a couple of fingers from the closed fist on the desk.

"It's a small town with a few officers. They're not used to crime, if you can believe that."

"Sounds irresponsible." Jack remarked. He wasn't used to shoddy police work. He had started young and hungry, taking his time, following rules, and rising the ladder to make detective. From there his success spoke for itself. He had no intention of going to some small town in the middle of nowhere to help close a case they couldn't handle on their own.

"They requested you," his superior added.

"They requested a big city detective to come help their sleepy little town?" Jack scoffed. No way. They couldn't possibly afford it, and what would he even do there besides step on some rural superior's toes? He leaned back in his chair folding his arms across his chest.

"Yes. The chief is Bill Avery. He was your mentor, if I remember correctly." The man looked through another file, most likely Jack's. "He said he could use a sharp minded young man like yourself to help out. You have quite a reputation, and let's just say, an important member of our community has also requested extra help." Jack groaned. Politics impeded even the smallest of investigations. "Look, it can't do you any harm to go out there and lend a hand. Think of it as a little break – small town crime, fresh air, the mountains…" He trailed off, his words doing little to convince Jack.

"Do I have a choice?" Jack asked. The man shook his head.

"No. They requested, and I agreed. It's temporary. You'll solve the case and be back in Cape Fullerton before you know it." Jack reluctantly nodded before standing. "Pack your bags Jack, you're headed to Hope Valley."

Hope Valley

Elizabeth finished pouring the hot water into the two tea cups. She carried them over to the table and sat down beside her friend, Abigail.

"What does it say? Another robbery?" She asked. Abigail nodded grimly laying the newspaper out in front of Elizabeth. She took a deep breath as Elizabeth read over the news story. Another home had been broken into the night before. Money and jewelry had been taken. It wasn't the first robbery their town had seen, but the list was beginning to get longer and longer. The time in between the robberies infinitely connected them, as did the characteristics of each. It was always a time when no one was home or at their business. This had eased Elizabeth only slightly; at least the thief had no intention of hurting people.

"Will it ever end?" Abigail asked, her head in her hands. Elizabeth looked up. She didn't have any words. Their small, rural town had been under siege from a masked burglar, a masked man that easily evaded being caught.

"I don't know. I just wish it were soon. Any news from Bill?" Elizabeth asked. The police chief was Bill Avery, a seasoned veteran. He was doing everything possible to apprehend the burglar, bringing all of his previous police expertise, and even going above his duties as chief. He was working overtime, as was the majority of the police department.

"Yesterday, he mentioned sending out some requests for help, hoping they'd send at least a detective with forensic experience. There is only so much he can do here with his resources." Elizabeth nodded. "I just hope they catch this guy before Christmas. It doesn't feel like Christmas is even coming this year." Elizabeth agreed and both women took a sip of their tea.

"I know. Christmas spirit is definitely waning; the children aren't excited about the play, the school is on edge, businesses haven't even decorated. It's as if the thief is stealing more than our material goods." Abigail reached out to cover Elizabeth's hand.

"It'll be okay Elizabeth." She took a deep breath. "Somehow," She raised her eyes toward the ceiling, "someone will figure this out."

Elizabeth wrapped her scarf around her neck as she left Abigail's Café early that morning. She had a multitude of things to accomplish before school began. The sun was rising, and the air was chilly. It was December – a week from Christmas, and there was an air of wariness around her. She viewed the quiet paved road that ran through their small rural town. Few cars were parked in their slanted spaces, few patrons and business owners headed to work, little noise, and it calmed her. The robberies were frightening in their own way. Hope Valley was a town of familiarity and open doors; it was not one where people did not trust their neighbor. To have a criminal on the loose, breaching the contract of the town's unspoken agreement, was hard to wrap her mind around.

She stepped down the porch to the sidewalk and glanced toward the RCMP building. A light was on as always, but a strange and unknown vehicle was parked in front. A large black pickup truck with dark windows, which looked rather new. Elizabeth thought of who may own that vehicle but couldn't recall any of the townspeople. Whoever it was, they were certainly going to draw attention to themselves. She sighed and continued on her way.

Bill Avery, head of the RCMP in Hope Valley, stood to embrace Jack Thornton. He had known Jack back in his training days and had even been marked a mentor to the young man.

"I'm glad you're here, Jack." Bill said with a smile. "We've been quite worried about this town and its string of robberies." The two men sat across from one another. "It's good to have a member join my team with such a renowned reputation."

"There's nothing to say of that, Bill." Jack conceded. "I'm only here to help. Actually, I'm eager to get started and find your culprit." Bill chuckled. He remembered Jack's eagerness back in the police academy.

"I like the enthusiasm, Jack. However, a word of warning – I may be an older police officer, but I am still an experienced and thorough one." Jack began to protest, not expecting for Bill to take his words as such as insult. "No, no, let me finish. Whoever this burglar is, he is an expert. We are not dealing with someone who has just decided to begin breaking and entering. This is a career criminal. Now, I know everyone in this town; I know their families, their histories, the good and bad, and I do not know anyone who has spent their life robbing people's homes and businesses."

"So it's an outsider." Jack offered.

"And you're the only outsider we have currently." Bill retorted.

"It must be someone from the area. I've noticed the woods basically surround Hope Valley; does anyone live out there?" Bill shook his head at Jack's suggestion.

"No one new. No visitors. No business associates who stop by. We've had no action. In fact, I do believe your presence will be the first new face we've seen in three months."

"This doesn't make any sense, Bill." Jack said. Bill opened his arms out and nodded his head. "If possible, I'd like to see whatever evidence and reports you already have. I'd also like to start interviewing and observing the town. I think people should get to know who I am."

"Of course." Jack rose from his seat. "Jack?" Jack turned back toward Bill. "Be careful. People in Hope Valley are kind, but they do resist the unfamiliar face." Jack nodded. "You can use the office in the back. It's small, but it'll do. I'll have one of my guys bring you the files."

"Thanks Bill." Jack left Bill's office and headed down the hallway toward the empty office. It was small and boxes of other case files filled a corner, but it would do.

Elizabeth flitted about the church bringing the supplies to the front. She was looking at the large backdrop used for the Christmas play two years prior and realized that it had been poorly stored. It would need some repair and even some repainting. The main door of the church opened and Elizabeth glanced up. The man entering the room was someone she had never seen before. He was talk with dark hair, and wore a dark wool coat and dress attire. She noticed his white shirt was starched and adorned with a dark tie. She wondered where he came from; he looked terribly out of place in Hope Valley.

"Hello." She said cheerfully, putting the banner down on the pew. She walked toward the man. "I'm Elizabeth Thatcher." They shook hands. She noticed that his tie was navy with tiny white dots on it.

"Jack Thornton." He handed her a business card and looked around the small church.

"Detective?" Elizabeth read. The letters were as simple and uncomplicated as the man who stood before her. "It says Cape Fullerton. Are you here to help with the robberies?" Jack nodded, which made Elizabeth smile. "That's great to hear. We need the help." She fidgeted with the card in her hand and watched him as he continued to look around the room.

"And you?" His eyes met hers. "Do you work here in the church?" Elizabeth laughed a bit. She slipped the card into her pocket.

"No, I'm a teacher. I just had to drop some things off before school." Jack nodded and looked beyond her to the boxes and banner. She was definitely prepping for something. "We're having a Christmas program." Elizabeth gestured to the boxes. "Actually we have one every year, and I just so happen to be in charge of rehearsals." She smiled. Jack only nodded.

"You have a key?" The detective in him set in. Elizabeth shook her head.

"The church is usually open. People can come at any time to pray or speak with Pastor Frank. But he does know I was stopping by early this morning before school." She went to where the backdrop lay and began to fold it. "The program is on Christmas Eve, and I needed to get organized. The children have been rehearsing here after school, and some of our props are needed. Also, we're a little bit disorganized, as you can see." Jack watched her. She tucked a curl behind her ear, as she set to folding the heavy backdrop. He noticed its torn edges and was reminded of the town he was in. Hope Valley was not a poor town, but it was not bursting with wealth either. From what he had gathered, people were handworkers, simple – their money went to necessities. The woman in front of him seemed almost out of place. She dressed well, wore jewelry, and what looked to be an expensive watch. He also couldn't help noticing that she was attractive, especially her smile. It set him at ease, and yet that alone made him want to question her more.

"So the children and you are here often?" Jack asked walking around the church. Elizabeth watched him, making a tight fold with the backdrop. She held it against her chest.

"Just Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday." Jack was silent. "After school till 4pm." She watched him pick up an ornament from one of the boxes. "For our town Christmas tree." Elizabeth said. "It hasn't been completed yet; we've all been so busy with other things." Jack put the ornament back down in the box. Elizabeth began to feel nervous. She tugged at her scarf. Why did she feel so hot all of the sudden?

"The robbery here took place on a Monday." Jack said, reminding her of the first of the break-ins.

"Yes." Elizabeth nodded. "It was a Monday night." She confirmed.

"Were you rehearsing then?" Jack turned toward her and made eye contact.

"No, that was a couple of months ago. We hadn't begun rehearsing here yet." Jack only nodded and silently continued to walk around the church, viewing the verses hung on the walls and Bibles in the pews. Elizabeth put the backdrop into its box and crossed her arms. His silence was beginning to irritate her. "Detective, if I may be honest?" She asked. He nodded. "I feel as though you're interrogating me." She said. Jack stopped his casual meandering. He took notice of her: the way her arms crossed, the fact that she had narrowed her eyes.

"Should I be?" He asked. Elizabeth's mouth dropped open.

"Really?" She retorted, uncrossing her arms. "You're kidding?" He shook his head. "Detective, I am a resident of this town, and I am certainly not a thief, nor do I like be questioned by someone who has just shown up." Jack took her words in stride.

"And Ms. Thatcher, I am not a resident of this town. I have no information of its citizens and there is an investigative process." He replied calmly. She stepped toward him, her indignation flaring.

"Detective Thornton, I know that Cape Fullerton is a bustling urban metropolis likely full of crime, but that is not Hope Valley." Her voice softened. "You can't just go around interrogating people. They have to trust you." She sighed, shaking her head and turning back toward her straightening up.

"Have you been to Cape Fullerton, Ms. Thatcher?" Jack asked. She nodded.

"Sure. My father does business there."

"Then you would know that –" He paused, his eyes narrowing. "Your father? Wait a minute, is your father William Thatcher? The shipping tycoon?" He asked. She chuckled.

"A tycoon? Does anyone even use that word anymore? I could hardly think of him that way."

"Of course! This is why I was chosen." Jack groaned. Elizabeth stepped toward him.

"What are you talking about?"

"A powerful man petitioned to have an officer sent to Hope Valley to solve these cases. It was your father! It has to be! I'm here to babysit his daughter, in the midst of these burglaries."

"What? That's ridiculous! I don't need anyone to babysit me, especially you." Elizabeth said angrily. She picked up the backdrop and her bag. "Detective Thornton, I'll let you in on a little secret since you've already insulted me twice this morning. People in this town will not respond to your accusations or insults. No one will tell you anything. I suggest you take some time to understand the kind of town we are, since you'll likely be staying longer than you anticipated." She clenched her teeth and stalked out of the church. Jack stood, bewildered by the fire and temper that quickly had come over her. Perhaps he had been too quick to judge her, interrogate her, and accuse her father.

A/N: I do not own any of the When Calls the Heart Series. This is my second story in the WCTH fan fiction fandom. I plan to continue this story, and I hope you have enjoyed the first chapter. Reviews are always welcome! -B.