Chapter 28
Just thirty minutes later Watts had a special little "army" in his hands with two single targets. Find Inspector Brackenreid and release from captivity the young women who were abducted by the Black Hand. Everything else was relegated in the background.
If all went well, he'd contact Colonel Grasset to stop the confrontation between criminal gangs by telling Him of Decker's involvement in the whole dirty business. I knew the Control Board was about to appoint you new chief commissioner. By reference I knew he was a full man with a lot of command.
The problem is that it could be too late to achieve its goals.
Although Murdoch obeyed his approach, I accept several of his important suggestions. Former Commissioner Gilles would participate in the police operation. Higgins was also called. The agent showed up quickly offering his taxi as a form of fast transport. The last addition was former Detective Slorach. He showed up at the police station with his Betsy to help his former comrade.
The problem arose with the Brackenreid family. Alerted by his mother, young John showed up at the police station asking to be included in the operative. He was in Toronto to perform a play with his new company. Watts agreed quickly. Murdoch had a lot of qualms about it. In the end he accepted his decision.
So Watts checked the situation. To get his plan going, he had the best detective in Toronto. Police who would surely be demoted from the body when the whole story was over. Two active agents. Two former cops with many years of experience, but too long inactive. A young actor who worked only two years as a cop. Dr. Julia Odgen.
When Julia pointed out that he would be part of the team, he didn't bother to contradict him. Neither did your husband.
Julia asked Nomi to go home to Margaret taking Harry. The young woman wanted to help her father, but she understood that the doctor was right. Mrs. Brackenreid had to be very worried.
When Watts left, he split his small team into two parts. In one would go Henry, who would drive the taxi to the farthest location, Slorach, Gilles and himself. In the other they would walk Murdoch, Odgen, George and young John. Before you leave, I tell Agent Crabtree that you were in charge of your group. George accepted the paper without speaking.
As they made their way to the place Julia was delayed a few steps to catch up with the agent. In front of them John and William walked in silence. At least the night would become his ally. The place where they were heading would be practically non-passing. Near the river, next to the docks, where several bad-name clubs became in those hours a fraudulent business center.
-George.
-Mm...
-He's had a hard time.
-Dr. Odgen -the agent murmured, exhaling a loud sigh-. I don't think this is the time to talk about it.
-If it is. You'll need your best friend when it's all over.
-Right now I have a lot of trouble understanding the value of friendship.
-George...
-I understand your reasons. However, I didn't think a person like him...
-Did you make mistakes? Welcome to the real world, George Crabtree. William Murdoch is a human being who makes mistakes. When the Black Hand threatened to kill his wife and son if he didn't meet his conditions, William believed them because he's been working in a loss-making profession for many years. Because he's fought so hard to have a family to love with all his heart. Because he's seen infamous characters like Decker become inspectors when he couldn't because he refused to serve the rich who run this city. Men like Carmichael or Robert Graham who were about to destroy...
At that instant Julia kept quiet without speech as her eyes opened excessively. At the same time he began to walk quickly.
-Where are you going now?
-To hug my husband.