Chapter 35
-Go ahead.
At that moment Inspector Brackenreid poked his head slowly.
-Is the beast gone?
The comment prompted Murdoch to smile wide. The day before, he was visited by the inspector together with the new chief commissioner to reassess his professional situation. The conversation was so tense between the two men that he refrained from intervening when the situation became untenable.
Toronto police punished him with two years without a job or pay. When the punishment was over, a court would take up its case again to look for the most correct option. Thomas tried to make his sanction only for six months. At that moment the two men had a conversation too bitter. Until they were interrupted by Julia.
The doctor echoed him out of the room. Her words were "If you think you can come here to talk about my husband's future as if he were a racehorse you're betting your money on, get out of here." He simply said, "What my wife has said. I will decide my future."
-His wife came two hours ago to take her to our house. It's exhausted. He hasn't slept much for the past three days.
-Okay.
At that moment the inspector entered carrying a voluminous gift wrapped in cellophane paper.
-What have you brought?
-The boys wanted to give him a small gift.
-Small? -It's a teddy bear.
-How? It's sure been George's idea.
-True. Where is your surrogate caregiver?
-He has betrayed me -he replied, looking out the window-. See for yourself.
At that moment the inspector went to the window while leaving the gift on the feet of the bed. There he checked the meaning of Murdoch's words. In the inner garden of the hospital he watched as Harry was sitting on a garden bench with three or four children around him. By their appearance Thomas sensed that they were hospital patients.
The boy was reading a book that everyone was ing with the utmost attention.
-It has a great ability to be placed in the center of any scene. I assume he inherited it from you.
-I was much shy when I was his age. He says I'm a lousy sick man.
-I understand.
-When I woke up from the operation I was with Julia at the foot of my bed. Very angry.
-I know.
-He doesn't understand why we were hiding what was happening from him. He told us that if he is a real part of our family we should have told him the truth. Julia and I could hardly refute her speech. It's too smart.
-Do you know when you will understand?
-Nope.
-When you are a parent.
-Very funny. How is the case going?
-The two guys he knocked out on the premises with the help of Crabtree are singing like a prima opera donut. They accuse the late Leland and Decker of orchestrating the entire plot to keep the Black Hand's business. Falcone jr. was a criminal imberbe in his hands. The former inspector of police station 1 has a very difficult time getting rid of the gallows.
-I am much more concerned about the repercussions of the whole thing in Buffalo.
-Ehhh... on that subject I have good... Bad... good news.
-What does it mean?
-Leland had everything well planned. Three days ago, just as they were planning to strike the final blow, they found the body of Giuseppe Falcone in his cell. A strange affair between his neck and a rope.
At that moment William closed his eyes for several seconds. relief. I was relieved to learn of the death of a man. Many hours of chatting with his confessor. Perhaps he could call Father Keegan to invite him to his house. It would not be difficult to contact him.
-One year.
-What? -The sanction. I've managed to get it to stay in a year.
-I told you yesterday that I will decide what my future is. Perhaps I have given enough to this profession that I love and hate fifty percent with the same passion.
-I know. I will respect your decision. Is it now that we shake hands? Will a hug be better?
The comment caused William to extend his healthy arm towards the inspector with a broad smile.
-One more thing. -Mm...
-The damn Crabtree is driving me crazy. Where has he kept his engagement ring?