Who Watches the Watch?
Chapter 5
Vimes paced the length of the alley. He appeared to be coming to a conclusion...
"Right," he said. "So we're both more or less decided on Noakes' innocence?"
"Yes, sir," said Angua. "I mean, apart from the fact that he ran, sir, it is hard to believe otherwise."
"And we both also suspect he has vital information?"
Angua nodded. "Yes... that would follow."
Vimes agreed. "But supposing someone else suspected that too?" he said, continuing to pace. "And supposing that someone was the killer?" He turned to face her. "Wouldn't that someone be trying to prevent Noakes from telling us all he knows?"
Angua stared at him. "And that's what caused him to run, you mean?"
"Isn't that a possibility?"
"Of course it is!" said Angua. "And it means one of those conflicting trails was most likely our killer."
"Didn't I teach you things were seldom as they seem, Angua?" said Vimes, reaching into his pocket for his notebook. He pulled out his dis-organizer. "Blast! I've left my notebook on my desk."
"Don't worry, sir. I know how to use one of those. I'll take notes, if you like?"
Vimes handed the device over. "So, all this means it's now vital we find Noakes," he said. "Because if anything happens to him, we'll never know the truth."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that, sir," said Angua, lifting the lid of the dis-organizer. The little demon popped up its head. Just then, Corporal Hanson came skidding under the police tape and slid to a halt beside Vimes.
"Bingeley-bingeley b—"
Vimes slammed down the lid of the dis-organizer. "What is it, corporal?" he said. "New information?"
"No, sir! There's been an important development!" the corporal gasped. "We have troublemakers on the loose! They intend to catch Noakes themselves, sir! The gods only know what they'll do to him if they find him!"
"What, take the law into their own hands? They wouldn't dare!"
"I think they've already done that, sir!"
"Damn! What's Carrot doing?"
"Organizing a peace-keeping force of sorts, sir. But the crowd has split up. It's hard to keep track of them! Carrot said he'll do what he can and then meet up with you on Contract Bridge."
"Right! I'm already on my way! Angua, I want you with me!"
-o0o-
As Vimes and Angua made their way across Cheapside, people could already be seen on the other side of the river. They were spilling out of Butts Treat and scattering along the banks of the Ankh towards the bridges. Most were heading rimwards, towards Pon's Bridge, but others were heading their way, towards Contract Bridge. You couldn't call it a gang, it was mayhem; just people running about everywhere. There were watchmen among them, which was mostly a good sign; it was hard to tell what they were actually doing, but at least they were making their presence known. Vimes knew that was important.
He stopped for a moment, and took stock.
So, everyone was heading for the Morpork side of the river, then? That meant they suspected Noakes was this side too. Damn it all, they were probably right. Noakes' last known position, according to Angua, had been the rooftops above Five Ways, and from there, down into the streets and probably into the sewers. This was certainly the side to be if anyone was aiming for concealment. The streets here were narrower than on the Ankh side, and contained any number of bolt-holes. And then there were the numerous alleyways, and the endless rooftop maze...
But just listen to the bloody racket they were kicking up! How stupid was that if they were trying to track someone? It might warn Noakes of their presence, of course, which was a good thing, but it might also work against the Watch. If Angua's assumption was correct, and Noakes was intending to come in, then the last thing they needed was the mob driving Noakes away. The Watch's job was going to be hard enough as it was!
Carrot arrived on the bridge looking pale. People continued to run past, completely heedless of him.
"What's the situation, Carrot?" said Vimes, as he and Angua joined up.
"I've got everyone we can spare on this, sir," said Carrot, as they all fell into step. "I've even pulled off the majority of the watchmen I had searching for our witness."
"Is that search still proving fruitless?" said Vimes.
"Yes, sir."
"Then forget it. Get everyone on this."
"Yes, sir."
"So who's the instigator of this, then, Carrot?"
"I don't think anyone was, sir."
"Oh, there's always someone, Carrot..."
"As far as I could tell it started out as general complaining and grumbling, and then they just... erupted. I don't think Walby Birkett had anything to do with it."
"Funny how that name came to mind, though, eh, Carrot?"
"Yes, sir. But what are we going to do? There's barely enough watchmen to continue the search for Noakes, we can't control a mob as well!"
Vimes stopped.
"I think this could be our lucky break, Carrot..."
"What?"
"Just look at how many of them there are, compared to us."
"Yes, sir, it's a dangerous situation!"
"No... it's helpful."
"Sir?"
"I want you to go after them, Carrot."
"What, arrest them all?"
"No! Just follow them!"
"But—"
"Organize small teams. Spread out and assess where the threat is. I want runners. And get someone on the clacks so everyone's constantly updated. In all this excitement, it shouldn't be too hard to weed out the root of the trouble. It's hardly a covert operation they've planned here, is it? So we use them. We keep our ear to the ground, and sooner or later someone's bound to lead us to Noakes."
"But they intend to hang him, sir!"
"So we stay on our toes! We keep our wits about us and intervene if it becomes necessary!"
"That's a hell of a risk you're taking, sir!" Carrot blurted.
"Do you have a better idea, Carrot?"
Carrot looked helplessly at Angua; Angua shrugged.
"Oh, I do hope you're right, sir..."
"So do I, Carrot. Now, look lively!"
Carrot headed off to carry out his orders.
When he'd gone, Vimes and Angua shared a look. "Do we stay together, sir?" she asked.
Vimes nodded. "That's right." He looked around. "Well, there's no denying he'll run now, Angua... so where do we start?"
Vimes' arm shot out as a boy ran past. "What's happening up that way?" he demanded, indicating the direction the boy had come from.
"Nothing! They reckon he'll be hiding out by the docks!"
"Who will?"
"Whoever it is we're after!"
"You don't know?"
"No, and I ain't goin' to with you hangin' on to me! Look, I'm just followin' everyone else, okay?"
The boy struggled free, and Vimes let him go.
"Nice to see we're not neglecting the kids when it comes to mob mentality, eh?" said Vimes sourly.
-o0o-
Carrot quickly organized his teams of watchmen; he'd now got them into pairs in order to cover as much of the city as possible. Now he was back out in the streets himself appealing to the citizens' community spirit. Unsurprisingly, he'd managed to find people who were actually willing to keep the Watch informed of the mob's movements. Their motives were uncertain - undoubtedly they were just securing a decent spot from which to watch a potential lynching - but at least they were being unethical in an honest and useful way. Commander Vimes would be proud of them.
Others were beginning to line the streets, happy just to watch, street entertainment didn't get much better than this, and it wasn't costing them a penny.
And among those watching, virtually unnoticed by anyone, was someone who wasn't entirely guiltless. He watched for a few moments longer and then slipped away. He'd already seen all he wanted to see...
-o0o-
Sergeant Colon sat at his desk with a military bearing; this wasn't out of a sense of duty so much as in the hope that no one would notice him. His eyes hadn't left the front door. He was still a little jittery, despite the fact the crowd outside had dissipated. He didn't like the way the wind was whistling through the hastily boarded-up window, for a start. But at least the Watch House stove was blazing nicely, and Nobby had begun to make the tea.
Colon relaxed a little.
For almost four minutes, in fact.
And then came a moment out of his worst nightmare...
The front door opened. And he'd been left in charge.
-o0o-