First case I ever worked on I met a constable by the name of William Murdoch. A man was killed with only a little boy left as the witness. They wanted my expertise to find out if what the boy says can be trusted. William was more concerned if the boy was alright or not. William was so sweet to the boy and myself. He treated us with such kindness. After the case he asked to court me. I agreed and we started courting.
My brother, James, CEO of three of the biggest banks in Canada wanted to meet him. My father wanted to meet him as well. Claimed he was getting bored in his retirement. My mother passed away when I was young. My grandfather started the banks. Almost one right after the other. It was a good idea and took off. He worked hard so my father could relax. My father did not though. He grew the banks even further.
William and I went to meet my father and brother. They got on well. William met with them more times after. In one of those visits, he asked my father for my hand in marriage. William recently being promoted to Detective he wanted to start a family. With my father's approval William asked me to marry him. I said yes. Here we are two year later. Just finding out I am going to have his baby and with him working at station house four things are looking up.
"Juiet." William called me jolting my out of my thoughts "Are you ready to go to the demonstration."
"Of course, could we bike there?" I ask
"Are you sure you can bike in your condition?" William asks uncertain.
"Yes of course I can. I am pregnant not dying." I tell him for what seems like the thousandth time since I told him I was with child.
Julia meets us at the door with her bike so we can all bike together.
"Quite the turnout for a scientific demonstration" Julia comments.
"I should a agree." I reply
"More of a spectacle, I should say." William agrees
"Shall we move closer to the stage?" I ask them.
"Yes, of course, Juliets." William replies.
"What have you got there?" Julia asks
"Are we having a picnic?" I ask excitedly.
"Well, I thought since we are in a park." My husband says nervously.
"So thoughtful my wonderful husband." I tell him.
"First, I'd like to thank each and every one of you." I hear the man on stage say.
"People, please stand back." I see constable Crabtree. I wave to him as he continues to control the crowd. He quickly waves back with a smile. He is always in good spirits when I see him. "There's a very dangerous electrical demonstration about to take place."
I see the protesters about the animal abuse. I do feel for the dog. I have tried to convince William to get us a puppy, but he says our room is just too small.
"Your brother is joining us?" Julia asks
"Yes, I am not sure here he is just yet though." I reply while looking around for James.
My name is Daniel Pratt." The man on stage finally introduces himself. I quickly turn to the stage to watch "I'm the owner and manager of Toronto Electric and light. For the last 10 years, we have been safely lighting the streets of Toronto with direct current. But that contract expires next year, and a new and very dangerous form of electricity is being considered by city council. It's called alternating current, and it's a killer."
"What Mr. Pratt isn't saying, of course, is that he's made his entire fortune off the direct current." We hear from behind us. I quickly turn.
"James!" I exclaim. Giving him a big hug.
James and I grew up very close. Father made sure of that. He always used to say that we lost mother and some day we would lose him. we both would be okay as long as we had each other. My brother and I made sure to always have the others back.
"So, this exhibition is really about money." Julia states.
"And the desire to keep it." William says shaking James's hand "Nice to see you again, James. We are happy you could join us."
"Myself as well, William." James says shaking William's hand back. They drop hands and William takes my hand.
"It is up to us, the responsible citizens of Toronto, to not let this happen." Mr. Pratt continues "To that end, I've arranged a demonstration by Mr. Allen Fawkes, one of Thomas Edison's top engineers, from New York City."
Everyone claps Welcoming him to the stage
"Thank you" the Mr. Fawkes says.
"Joining Mr. Fawkes on stage is Alderman Edwin Dodd, Chairman of the Street Lighting Commission." Mr. Pratt continues and gets more applause. "And, of course, the very lovely Alive Howard, newly crowned Miss Toronto Electric and Light. Mr. Fawkes, you have the stage, sir."
"Thank you, Daniel" Mr. Fawkes says to Mr. Pratt. He turns to the crowd and addresses them "Ladies and gentlemen, as we speak. A generating plant is being built at Niagara. One that will harness the power of the Falls and convert it into alternating current. Now Mr. Thomas Edison has brought electricity into your homes via direct current at 110 volts, the maximum he considers to be safe. But these Niagara people would send their alternating current into our city at 20, 000 volts."
We see the electricity jump from one pillar to another.
"Goodness." Julia and I both jump.
"Mere parlor tricks." William says.
"I am inclined to agree." My brother states.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored to have a distinguished visitor in our midst. None other than the man who invented this killer system, Mr. Nikola Tesla." Mr. Fawkes mentions.
"That's really him." William states while looking back at him.
"I had a meeting with him yesterday and mentioned that I would be attending the demonstration with Juliet. I imagine he was curious." My brother tells us.
"You recognize Tesla?" Julia asks William surprised.
"Yes. He's one of my heroes." William explains
"Mr. Tesla, would you care to step up on the stage? No? Perhaps Mr. Tesla realizes the mistake he has unleashed." Mr. Fawkes taunts.
"Rubbish." My brother states.
"I don't like him, William." I tell my husband. "Mr. Tesla is a good man"
"So that you, too, are also aware, I will now demonstrate to you the dangers of alternating current." Mr. Fawkes continues with his demonstration. We are going to pass 1, 000 volts of alternating current through a living animal. That's 1/20 of what Mr. Tesla and his cronies are proposing to bring to our city."
"This is not a demonstration. This is an execution. Now, what did this dog ever do to deserve this?" A woman holding a sign protest's. James, Julia, William, and I all look at each other knowing that is not false. There is nothing we can do though. There is nothing against the law being done here. I have voiced in the past that I think it should be, but it is not. Constable Crabtree tried to calm the woman down.
"They should electrocute you, Mr. Fawkes!" The woman states.
"Miss Howard." The lady on the stage pulls the lever starting the electrical current.
We immediately see sparks flying and Miss Howard flailing about.
"Turn off the power" I hear being yells.
Everyone is running around trying to do everything all that once. People are screaming. It feels like time is standing still and everyone is moving very slowly. I see miss Howard hit the ground in slow motion. I look at Julia and she looks at me. We are both thinking the same thing. That the girl is dead. There is no way she survived that. Constable Crabtree walks over the body. We clear the scene and James calls station house 4. William is placed on the case, as he is already at the scene of the crime. Julia goes to the body. I go over to help. The constables start to round up the people to get their statements. My brother goes with William to inspect the device.
"Clearly a case of electrocution." Julia says
"I concur." I state looking at the body as Julia moves it around and a photographer takes pictures for evidence.
"Why did the current run through her?" I ask
"And not through the dog." Both William and I finish.
"This is exactly the type of tragedy you can expect with these sorts of high voltages. It's why I've never made a secret of my support for direct current. It's safer, and the safety of my constituents is paramount." Alderman Dodd tells the reporter. I overhear them talking. I look up at Alderman Dodd and Mr. Fawkes.
"I agree with Mr. Dodd's sentiments. In fact, you're safer cuddling up to a cobra than to alternating current." Mr. Fawkes adds. I giggle into my hand.
"What is it, Juliet?" William and James say at the same time.
"Nothing you won't find out in the paper tomorrow." I tell them.
I see that woman starting to walk off with the dog. I quickly walk over knowing there will be an issue.
"Hey, Stop!" Mr. Fawkes says "What do you think you are doing? Officer I want you to arrest this woman for theft." He tells Constable Crabtree.
"And I want you to arrest him for cruelty to animals." The woman replies back. I can tell Crabtree is sweet on her. So I hop in hoping to help. I hope I don't make a bigger mess of things.
"Sir, might I have a word?" I ask him.
"That dog belongs to me." Mr. Fawkes says.
"I am not disputing that. I know a thing or two about these incidents being a Duke." I tell him my maiden name. He doesn't need to know I am married just yet. "The press will spin this and make you look like the bad guy and you want to be seen as merciful, yes?"
"Yes, fine, let her have the damn thing." He says walking off.
Crabtree comes over to me. "Thank you, Juliet. You know just the right things to say to those types."
"Their image is everything. My father and brother taught me the importance of a good image. We all make mistakes, but in the eyes of the press it is magnified. So, make sure you make up for it in a big way." I explain "The dog is hers to keep. You should tell her. I think she would rather hear it from you." I push him lightly in her direction.
"Really? He asks smiling at me.
"I insist." I say walking back over towards James, William, and Julia.
William sigh's as I walk up. "What the matter, my love?" I ask him.
"Well, the current came through here. When she brought the handle down, the power should have flowed through these wires to the dog." William explains.
I rub his shoulder.
"Unless." James says.
"Unless what?" Julia asks. William pulls the box that the handle is encased in apart. He holds up a piece of black stuff that was put in between the prongs to help direct the current.
"Rubber." My brother and William say together.
"Someone put an insulator between the contacts, preventing the handle from closing the circuit." William explains to us all.
"So, if the rubber insulator saved the dog. Why didn't the switch's rubber handle save Miss Howard?" My brother asks, hoping William would have an answer. My brother has always had a fascination with technology.
"That's a very good question." William states. My brother looks a little crest fallen. I do know he will want to help with the case. I do imagine he will pop into the station to help out when he has a moment. But I do know he only took today off to spend with myself and father.