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 contractors finished the restoration.

During the following days, the Mounties continued their roundup. Nathan's remains were cremated, and his family was informed. Lorne was appointed a Judge of the Provincial Court 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 the charges of forced bankruptcy, 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 in relaunching. With their now massive following, blog posts by Lorne and Kate brought near-immediate successes.

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

Total story words – 51,845