C9: Reckoning of blue and blood
On the steps of the police station in The City, Commissioner Monro, Chief Inspector Abberline, Inspector Ressler, Inspector Reid, Sergeant Drake and Captain Jackson stood together. It was bitterly cold. The grey sky above holding the promise of snow. The ground under their feet was slicked with ice. A bitter northerly wind was blowing. In the early winter morning the light was weak. The street were unusually quiet. Its shops not yet open for business, their owners just sorting out stock, arriving from home and welcoming delivery men. None of them paying mind the police, conducting their daily business in sight of Ressler's shop having made them used to their goings on.
Along the street Roger Drake was walking towards them. Roger was dressed smartly in a warm black coat, gloves and hat and carrying black leather briefcase. He seemed utterly at ease without a hint of worry on his face.
Coming from the opposite end of the street was Inspector Shine. Shine was dressed warmly in a long red coat. Under his arm was The Star. Shine seemed relaxed yet his eyes betrayed just a hint of concern. Catching sight of the group on the steps his demeanour changed to one of apprehension.
By now Roger had reached the station steps and was just greeting the assembled policemen. At the same time Inspector Shine stepped off the pavement. For a moment Shine and Roger Drake looking at one another. For a mere second the briefest signs of recognition passed between them. As Shine's foot touched the road there was a mighty bang, a bullet hitting his right shoulder. Seconds later a second glanced passed his left cheek. In a blaze of pain Shine fell forwards onto the road, hitting the grey surface hard.
In the middle of pavement stood young Mr Keaton. His eyes were wild, bloodshot, full of despair, anguish and rage. His clothes were dishevelled, his green shirt rumpled and stained with drink, his waistcoat missing buttons, black tie slung careless around his neck and trousers steaked with dirt. In his hand was a gun. Running forward he shot randomly at the policemen causing them and Roger Drake to run for cover of the station and shop doorways.
In the midst of the bullets Shine pushed himself to his knees, fighting the agony of the shoulder wound. In that moment Shine realized that fate that had befallen him. Seeing Roger and Bennet Drake running across the road for the cover of the shops Shine's eyes blazed with rage. With a shaking right hand he began firing his gun at Roger Drake. Hampered by injury Shine's bullets went wide, one hitting Sergeant Drake in the leg and sending him to the floor, his head hitting the pavement edge. Besides him Roger yelled his brother's name, falling down beside him. Half unconscious Drake lay helpless in his brother's arm. For a moment Inspector Shine and Roger Drake looked at one another. Shine's eyes wide with surprise, anger and just a touch of fear.
"I'll kill you," Shine hissed, aiming his gun at Roger Drake.
For a moment there was standstill between the two men. Ice slipping down Shine's back, a look of horror appearing on his face as he realized just what was happening. In that moment Keaton open fire on Shine. Bullets zipping through the air, striking Shine's back, one perforating his heart, killing him instantly.
Standing in the road Keaton's wild eyes were staring at the body of Shine. From the station and shop doorways Monro, Abberline, Ressler, Reid and Jackson stood silently. No one dare move, barely able to believe what they had just witnessed.
"Place the gun down kid. No one is going to hurt you," Jackson said, slowly taking a step forward from a bookshop doorway.
"He's a friend of Silas Duggan. He planned Father's murder. He deserved it. I had too, he was a policeman and you'd have never charged him!" Keaton said, his voice full of hatred.
"Who told you Shine was involved in your father murder? You put that gun down kid we'll talk."
"I know the truth about Jedidiah Shine! YOU STAY BACK!" Keaton yelled, aiming his gun at Jackson only to find his bullets spent.
Stopping where he was standing Jackson's heart was beating frantically, for the first time in ever afraid for his own life. Panicking now Keaton began fumbling in his pockets for bullets, loading them with trembling hands causing them to drop to the floor. As he did so Sergeant Archer fired, the bullet finding its mark and hitting Keaton's head. Leaning out of the upper window of the station house Sergeant Archer had been watching proceedings. His face was grim and full of regret. Gasping for breath Jackson raced over to where Sergeant Drake lay bleeding.
"Steady Sergeant. Roger help me get him inside," Jackson yelled kneeling down.
"I've got you Ben, come on lean on me," Roger said anxiously.
Together Jackson and Roger carried Bennet inside the station house, the police surgeon leading them to his room. Inside the lab Jackson and Roget sat Bennet down on a chair. With practice ease Jackson began the delicate process of treating his friend.
"Roger," Bennet gasped, gripping his brother's hand tightly.
"I've got you Benny," Roger said, his eyes full of murderous anger.
Outside Monro, Abberline, Ressler and Reid stood looking over the scene. Shine and Keaton both lay dead. Spent bullets casings and stray bullets littering the floor. It was the early hour that had prevented further casualties, another hour and the street would have been full of people. Blood was pooling around the two dead men, turning the icy streets red. There was an eerie silence that seemed to suffocate the street.
Under a soft fall of snow the bodies were cleared away. Sergeant Archer giving testimony to Commissioner Monro who was praising his quick thinking. Sergeant Bennet Drake was being helped into a smart carriage by Roger. On Jackson's orders Bennet was to go home and remain off until his injuries had healed. Bennet would spent his recovery time at Roger's house in the City. Roger had been insistent on that point and Bennet had been more than happy to comply.
"Today was a tragic incident that could not be prevented. Mr Drake do you have any idea why Inspector Shine would shoot at you?" Monro asked carefully.
"I had never met the man until today. It was shocking to find a gun aimed at myself and to see my brother shot. The matter as to why I was summoned here….?" Roger asked in a silky tone.
"You have my word Mr Drake that matter is closed," Monro said heavily.
"My thanks Commissioner. After all I have proved my whereabouts the night Mr Duggan was murdered. I trust you to keep the fanciful theories of Inspector Ressler in check. I am a friend to you, remember Commissioner Monro just who my friends are," Roger said with an enigmatic smile.
Nodding to the policemen Roger climbed into carriage. With a gentle clop of the horse's hooves the carriage set off through the snowy streets. Gathering in Ressler's office Monro, Abberline, Reid and Jackson sat nursing a cup of strong coffee apiece. All were exhausted. The room was silent as its occupants tried to come to terms with that had happened that day.
"I am closing this case. Detective Sergeant Flight and Mr Hemlock will be charged with the murder of Silas Duggan.
All our evidence and Flight's confession nigh on prove Inspector Shine arranged Duggan's murder. However have not spoken to Inspector Shine himself I cannot risk charging him. The man is dead let it end there," Monro said heavily looking at his men.
The look in Monro's eyes showed he knew full well the conflict between Reid and Shine. There was a severity to it that send a shiver of fear down Reid's spine, a fear for his professional future if he were to push the matter further.
"Edmund dead men don't talk. You Shine guilty. Had he been alive he would have faced justice. Let it end here," Abberline said firmly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Looking at his old friend Reid felt the weight of the words on him. Fred had never once let him down despite their difference in rank. Reid too saw the reality and practical sense in the spoken words, understanding Monro's reluctance at conforming Shine's guilt. As much as Reid might disagree the costs of rebelling against his superior might just be too high. All had acknowledged Inspector Shine's guilt, Reid's own actions against him were at last vindicated.
"I will not speak a word against Inspector Shine," Reid replied.
Looking at him Monro extended his hand. Shaking hands both exchanged a look of mutual understanding and respect.
"I have seen Sergeant Arthertone's report as to his investigation at the house of Duggan's mistress Indira. Witnesses confirm seeing Flight being pursued by Sergeant Mason. No evidence could be found that she plotted Duggan's murder. No picture of her could be found. Neighbours confirm seeing Indira climb into a carriage with a child the night after Duggan was murdered. They have not seen her since," Monro said gravely, drawing out a report from a briefcase at his feet.
"Some has cleaned the house thoroughly. That's the second time in this case, someone knows how to avoid detection," Jackson replied cynically.
"Inspector Reid, Captain Jackson full credit will be given to H Division for solving the murder of Silas Duggan. The case is closed. You are not to pursue the mistress of Silas Duggan. Our evidence of her involvement hinges on the confession of a known criminal. I admit the situation leaves me ill at ease but there is little choice. Indira could well deny all charges and jury could well decide in her favour. I am sorry Inspector Reid but to in light of what this case has brought to light I cannot risk that," Monro said, his voice full of unease
"I trust you mean in relation to Roger Drake and Mr Osbert Junior?" Reid asked curiously, raising an eyebrow.
"Precisely Reid. That black book of Duggan's has serious implications for both The City and Metropolitan Police."
"I swear not to investigate Duggan's mistress," Reid replied, accepting the judgment uneasily yet knowing there was no other option.
"Chief Inspector Abberline, I am placing you in of K Division. Assisted by officers from the Yard you will clean the shop from top to bottom," Monro said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"It will be pleasure Commissioner," Abberline replied sternly, rubbing his hands.
The temperature on the room was still icy cold. The weight of Monro's words pressing down on all of them. It was not a happy outcome yet Monro's word was law and all recognised the sense in them. It was easy enough for people to change their names, given the time that had passed Indira could be half a world away.
"Inspector Ressler for now you are to keep an eye on Roger Drake from a distance. Mr Richardson was the name provided by Flight, we cannot prove Drake and Richardson are the same man. There is no evince the men in his employment who killed Duggan's men acted on his orders. I would see him caught Sydney but we must be cautious," Monro implored, gripping Ressler's shoulder.
"James…I will do as you ask though it sits ill with me," Ressler replied, his face full of molten anger at being so close but having the chance slip from through his figures.
"Sydney the deaths of Duggan and Shine leaves a power vacuum. As Limehouse is cleaned things might emerge. Duggan's properties are to be monitored from afar, let us see what Mr Grosvenor does with his inheritance of Obsidian Estates. If we hold our nerve, act with caution then my friend then fate might deliver us our men."
Sitting there all shared a look of understanding. There remain the mystery of just who Mr Richardson was. The actions of Keaton had prevented Inspector Shine being questioned as to why his men were at The Drunken Monk that night. It had also derailed their plan for questioning Roger Drake. How Keaton had known Shine would be in The City was also a mystery. It seemed to all that a much bigger game was being played, by man far clever and ruthless than Duggan and with more knowledge than the police.
