Bill's Reaction – chapter 36
Monday morning Reveille came far sooner than Nathan would have liked. He was thankful for the summer weather, so it was at least light out.
Last evening had gone so well, so much better than he could have anticipated. He knew he and Elizabeth still had hurdles to overcome, but their hearts had connected last night. They were finally on the same page.
He was delighted to surprise her at the end, which made their first kiss all the sweeter. It was a memory he would treasure for the rest of his life. Indeed, the exhilaration he felt from the pleasant evening with Elizabeth would sustain him as he moved into the unpleasant work phase of his trip.
Dressed in the Serge once again, Nathan arrived at Mountie HQ, where the receptionist gave him a message to report directly to the Chief Superintendent's office. The Chief was currently finishing up another meeting and would be there directly. Nathan opted to wait outside the door.
The chief arrived shortly thereafter, and ushered Nathan into his office, "My apologies for the delay, Constable Grant. The deputy commissioner has requested daily morning briefings on this case. Today's session went a little longer than usual."
Nathan acknowledged this with a silent nod.
The Chief then began to debrief Nathan and confirmed that he would be one of the main witnesses against Superintendent Andrew Hargraves for the incidents at Fort Clay.
The Mounties were asking Nathan to testify under oath how Hargraves first ordered him to follow, but not arrest the cattle rustlers and then suspended him afterwards for insubordination for arresting them.
Secondly, Nathan would testify as to the efforts he made the day of the landslide to stop the training exercise Hargraves had insisted on proceeding with, despite the poor weather conditions that proved to be life threatening.
Nathan accepted these instructions and was prepared to fulfill his duty. There was just one thing he just had to ask.
"Chief, with respect, permission to ask a question?" Nathan bravely asked his superior.
Chief Collins anticipated Nathan's unspoken question, "You want to know why now? Why, after all this time, are we finally conducting an inquiry?" He looked at Nathan for confirmation.
Nathan nodded and added respectfully, "Yes Sir, that is part of it. I'm also wondering if I will ever be able to put this matter behind me."
The chief nodded his understanding and in a personal tone replied, "Nathan, if I have any say in the matter, this will be the last time you will ever have to hear about it."
Regaining his professional manner, the chief replied, "I am not surprised at your question and considering all you have been put through, it is a valid one to ask of your superiors."
The chief paused and looked directly at Nathan. "What I am about to share with you is highly classified - so classified, I felt it my duty to discuss it with Commissioner Edwards before mentioning it to you." He pursed his lips together and continued with, "In fact, that's why this morning's meeting went longer than usual."
When Chief Collins saw Nathan understood the gravity of the situation, he continued. "Recently, there was another tragic incident calling Hargraves' conduct into question – not only as a leader, but as a Mountie. This incident has significant similarities to the original reason for your suspension." The chief sighed before continuing, "Two Mounties were following a couple of alleged train robbers. Acting under the orders of Hargraves, they were to 'follow, but not arrest.' Being good Mounties, they did what they were trained to do, they attempted to arrest the two men when an opportunity presented itself."
Chief Collins paused, a look of devastation on his face and eyes glistening, "It didn't go well. The criminals were so surprised to see them, they shot them on sight. Our men never even got off a shot. Constable Frank Webster, a Senior Constable, and Northern Territories combat veteran was killed instantly. The other Mountie, Constable James Russell, a rookie, was badly injured and may never walk again."
Nathan gave him a somber look and replied, "I'm sorry, Sir. I know how much you care about your men."
The chief sighed deeply, "Thank you, Nathan, for your comments and concern. I am sorry for the negative impact this whole matter has had on you personally."
Nathan merely nodded his thanks to his superior officer, not trusting his voice.
The chief continued with the plan to have Nathan give his firsthand account of both incidents at Fort Clay – Hargraves orders to 'follow the cattle rustlers, but not arrest', how Hargraves suspended Nathan and called in Jack Thornton to replace him and finally, how Nathan called the chief superintendent's office directly, in an attempt to have the chief overrule Hargraves' orders.
Along with corroborating testimony from Constable Michaels, they would then show how Hargraves was negligent in permitting the training exercise to proceed in poor weather conditions – negligence that ultimately caused Constable Thornton his life.
Your testimony and that of Constable Michaels will prove a long-term pattern of negligence from Hargraves. It will be very helpful, but the largest weight of testimony will come from Constable Russell.
The chief opened a file on his desk and flipped over several pages as he continued explaining, "Since the latest incident happened fairly recently, Constable Russell's doctors will have to evaluate his ability to deliver testimony in person, seated in a wheelchair. If he is not medically permitted to appear in person, I am trusting the inquiry will accept his sworn deposition. I have the transcript of Constable Russell's testimony. I will read to you an excerpt."
Chief Collins put on his glasses, picked up a page from the file, and proceeded to read some powerful words from the young rookie's testimony:
"They thought I was dead, but I was still conscious and heard them. One of them said 'Hargraves told us it wouldn't go down like this! –we'd be pursued but that's it. None of those Mounties were supposed to get close.' The other one said, 'And now we've killed two of them! Hargraves is definitely not gonna get his cut, even if we do get away with this. Come on, grab that money and let's go!'"
The chief put down the written testimony, removed his glasses, and rubbed the bridge of his nose in disgust. With a tone of contempt in his voice, he finished with "Fortunately, there was an additional patrol nearby who discovered the scene of the crime and rescued Constable Russell from bleeding out on the site. Regrettably nothing could be done for Constable Webster." After a somber pause, he added, "Our people apprehended the murderers and put them under arrest the next day. They were caught right at the US border in commission of another incident. Once we heard Hargraves' name, he was suspended immediately and the inquiry called."
Chief Collins paused long enough to clear his throat, before continuing, "It is never easy investigating one of our own, but Mounties are not above the law. If Hargraves was accepting bribes and cohorting with criminals, it will be my pleasure to see him pay the price."
Chief Collins suddenly looked very uncomfortable. He hated what he needed to ask next, but to protect the integrity of the inquiry, he must ask the question. He cleared his throat a couple of times and started with, "Nathan, there is no easy way to ask this last question. I loathe to ask you this, but if the defense finds out and we're not prepared with a proper answer…." He left the sentence unfinished.
Nathan looked attentive and inquired, "What is it you need to know, Chief?"
The chief locked eyes with Nathan's as he asked, "Nathan, last night….while you were out…was anything discussed about the inquiry?"
Nathan flushed in embarrassment and the tip of his tongue unconsciously slid over his lips as he briefly remembered their kiss. Still, he managed to respond professionally and in a clear voice, "No Sir. The inquiry was not even mentioned."
He gave the chief a pointed look before reasoning, "As a matter of fact, that is why I specifically requested news of the inquiry be delivered by someone other than me. I cannot even confirm or deny whether Constable Michaels was able to reach the party in question."
Chief Collins beamed at Nathan with approval. "I can confirm the call was placed and the party was advised. Once again, I'm sorry for asking, but Hargraves knows he is in deep and his defense will grasp at anything – real or perceived."
As Nathan nodded his understanding, the chief was struggling not to comment on the look he saw on Nathan's face. He had no doubt the younger man before him was telling the truth - in fact, by Nathan's expression, the only thing on his mind last night was a stellar romantic evening. Edna would be delighted.