When Hope Calls

Previously on When Hope Calls...

Helen, this just came!

We found your grandfather!

I'm a vet. If I see an animal in trouble,

- it's my duty is to help... - Okay, yeah, but it was

Ken Newsome's horse, and he didn't want your help.

- But he was wrong! - "Savings and Loan manager

Mike Sinclair provided the bank's books

as evidence of the 12,000 stolen."

- I need you to follow Sinclair. - That's why you telegrammed me.

I'm the best tracker in the territory.

Whatever you decide to do about Kinslow,

we want no part of it.

Not an option.

You're already part of it.

Sam!

The children are putting on a school concert,

- and you are invited. - Aw, too bad!

I'm going out of town tomorrow to do some prospecting.

Feeling lucky.

You ever not feeling lucky when you head out?

Gotta be the blessing or the curse of every prospector.

Okay.

Here you go.

I suppose you'd like a table?

Actually no. I'm just asking Ronnie

to pack me some sandwiches. Should be ready soon.

I guess you don't like eating here anymore.

It's not that. I just have to be at the ranch all day to check...

- It's okay, you don't have to explain. - Big drive day after tomorrow.

Unless... you want me to eat here...

Just give me a couple minutes, and I'll check on your order.

Lillian!

Are you dining in or taking out?

- Who eats out? - Exactly.

- Join me for breakfast? - I can't.

Just a cup of coffee, come on.

OK, quick cup.

So, how are the kids at the orphanage?

They're good. Oh, speaking of.

- School concert. - Ah, I wouldn't miss it.

- It should be fun. - With you there, I have no doubt.

It's very sweet.

Mike Sinclair.

Oh, Lillian Walsh.

There you go.

Thank you, Miss Walsh.

Mike, you're a hard man to find.

Only because you haven't been looking in the right places.

If you'll excuse us.

I haven't finished my coffee.

Maybe take it to go.

OK.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt breakfast

- with the girlfriend. - She's not my girlfriend.

So she runs the orphanage just outside of town.

Last time I was here, that was just a vacant house.

Last time you were here, the Savings and Loan got robbed.

That's true.

I hear you have some questions about that.

A few, like how much money was really stolen?

- $12,000. - I mean by the robber.

He only had 5000 when I arrested him.

Did you pocket the other 7 grand before bringing him in?

Oh, I see. Another possibility

is that you pocketed that money.

Well, I guess we'll have to let a court decide.

Oh, wait, one already has.

In police parlance, isn't that case closed?

I guess I speak a different parlance.

Hmm.

Now if you had any proof,

we wouldn't be having this conversation over coffee.

Yeah, Mike, you were hard to find.

Do you know who wasn't?

Russell Meeks.

Some people think he fled to San Francisco,

but I'll let you in on a little secret:

he didn't.

- How is Russell? - He's ready to talk

from what I hear.

And I'll take what he has to say and...

... dig even deeper.

I'll be contacting every bank in the territory

and seeing who you're in business with,

and I'm just guessing that I'm gonna find some criminal activity.

Fortunately for me, I have nothing to hide.

I admire the police,

constantly putting themselves in harm's way...

Such a difficult job for them

and their loved ones.

If you'll excuse me...

Carrying a gun now, Mike?

I'm prepared to protect what's mine.

I'll have a room.

Unfortunately, Mr. Sinclair,

I-I-I don't see any vacancies. Ahem.

Oh! Hahahaha!

Oh, I could have missed that one.

Had a cancellation. Uh...

Here we are, sir. That's room 1.

First door on your right upstairs.

Enjoy your stay.

Oh! Here you are!

How are you doing, Helen?

I picked up the mail like you asked.

- What is it? - It came!

"Helen, my sweet, beautiful granddaughter,

"I'm enclosing train and steamship tickets for you

and your chaperone. I can't wait until you're home again."

The chaperone will be here in three days.

I can't believe it's happening.

- It is! - What is a chaperone?

That's someone to escort Helen home.

I'm going to be with my grandfather.

- Where does he live? - Lives in London.

- Where is that? - Got a bit dusty in the attic.

So, we are... about here.

And you and your chaperone are gonna take a train

to New York, and then a boat to England.

That's far.

- That blue is what? - The ocean.

- It's big. - It is.

How long does it take to get to London?

Oh, it's about six or seven days.

And we have so much to do before your trip.

I'm gonna miss you.

So I followed Sinclair like you asked me.

You're never gonna believe where he is.

Oh, I think I got a pretty good idea.

It's a pretty bold move on his part, if you ask me.

- Yeah, yeah. - You know, in my opinion,

bold men are often the most dangerous.

That's true, but it was easier to lay the bait

with him here in town.

- And he bit it? - I don't know.

Rattled him anyway.

Hopefully, it pushes him to make a move.

I don't know, Gabe. You know it would just be

a lot less risky if we got this guy on embezzlement.

That crime is hard to prove.

Attacking a Mountie, it's cut and dry.

Yes, but I hate to be the one that points out

- the massive flaw in your plan. - Let's hope not a fatal one.

It will be if he gets a clean shot at you.

Is this your first time as a trail boss?

- It is, and I'm ready. - I bet you are.

It was hard convincing your mother,

but she seems OK with it now, so...

She sees your capabilities, which you'll need

because the Stewart-Clay herd is gonna be a big one.

I'll have some experienced cowboys along to help.

I'll make sure I have the horse and cattle ready to go.

- Remember your first ride? - I do. I was 13.

I was probably more of a hindrance than a help to my dad.

I was 14,

and I was immediately hooked.

Now, moving that many animals is an experience.

But there's something really serene about it.

Has a way of clearing your head.

Mhm. The open range can do that.

And you are one healthy girl.

And in two weeks, you're gonna be with your grandfather.

And these are some licorice-root lozenges.

Just in case you start to feel a little queasy on the boat.

Sinclair is in town.

He's staying at the hotel.

He was talking to Gabriel today.

Well, he's not been charged with anything;

I guess he's free to do as he wants.

Still, nothing good can come of this, believe me.

Steer clear of both of them. Do you hear me?

Yeah, that's my general inclination.

Yeah, I got the pail in there.

Give me a second, will you, Ronnie?

I thought I'd missed you.

You're not headed to town for lunch?

Uh, not today.

What's up?

What would it take to get you to go along on the cattle drive?

Luce's the right person for the job. She's more than capable.

Oh, I know. It's just I'd like to support her

with more experienced cowboys.

Yeah, I don't know, Mom.

You know I wouldn't ask if I didn't need the help, right?

And yeah, you haven't been out of Brookfield

in a long time, maybe you could use a break.

Yeah. Maybe I could at that.

OK, I'll do it.

I appreciate this, son. It makes me happy.

Well, at least, I can make someone happy.

You okay?

Still hard to say goodbye.

Helen...

- I don't want to leave. - What's wrong?

- Please don't make me. - Helen, what's wrong?

- I can't leave. - Why not?

I don't know anything about London,

and I'll miss everyone too much.

- What about your grandfather? - Yeah, he misses you.