By the time Inspector Hallows showed up at the warehouse it had been reduced to a charred ruin. Smoke hung over the area, drifting as the breeze from the bay moved it. A crowd had gathered, curiosity attracting them as such events always did. A horse-drawn fire engine finally arrived but by then there was nothing to save. With the Tung warehouse having been isolated from any other structures there had been no danger to other buildings.
Bodie and Brand had maintained a watch in case any of Tung’s Tong soldiers put in appearance. No one did. Smoke-streaked and bloodied they stood at the edge of the dock, too weary to do anything except be there.
In the buggy that delivered Inspector Hallows was Sergeant Kilpatrick, accompanied by Dr. Boyd and Richard Hunt.
‘You pair leave nothing standing in your wake,’ the Irishman said.
Boyd said nothing. He simply looked at the physical harm Bodie and Brand had suffered, making soft mutterings as he did what he could on the spot, making it clear he wanted both of them to return to his office as soon as possible.
‘I take it there are bodies in there?’ Hallows observed.
‘Tung. Traeger. A number of the ones working for them.’
‘Tung’s enforcer is one of them,’ Bodie said. ‘He told me he’d killed Harry Lee and the old Chinese feller Li Hung.’
‘They do say confession is good for the soul,’ Hunt said.
‘Yeah? Well his only got him a hatchet in the head.’
‘I’ll need written statements covering everything that happened,’ Hallows said. ‘I hope they cover my letting you pair take this as far as you have.’
‘You’ll get them,’ Brand said. ‘You’ll be covered for all this, Inspector. My department will see to that. I can’t speak for Bodie, but all I need right now is a chance to clean up and change into fresh clothes.’
‘How’s Jasmine?’ Bodie asked.
‘That young lady is doing fine, and looking forward to meeting her father as soon as he arrives in town,’ Boyd informed him.
‘That should be an interesting reunion,’ Hunt said.
He was right as it was.
~*~
Mid-morning two days later Brand and Bodie were at the station when the train arrived.
Along with Chin Yi Soong was the Lawyer Bainbridge and a surprise for Bodie, in the form of Ruby Keoh. The moment she stepped down to the platform she made for Bodie, hugging him with open affection.
‘Are you badly hurt?’
‘No more than usual.’
‘You always make light of your condition,’ she admonished. Then added, ‘And yes, I know, it comes with the job.’
‘It’s becoming unsettling,’ Bodie said. ‘The way you know me so well.’
Ruby’s smile only exacerbated his concern.
‘And this is Mr. Brand?’
‘Miss Keoh. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.’
‘And I you.’
Chin Yi Soong had greeted his daughter and held her close as he met Bodie. ‘Ruby’s faith in you has been proved, Mr. Bodie. Words cannot express my gratitude for what you have done. I am in your debt.’
‘No need. Seeing Jasmine back with you makes it worthwhile.’
‘Sir, you have saved my daughter, and my company. That man Traeger and his partner, Tung, would have ruined me and spread their vile opium across the city. But my greatest concern was for my Jasmine, so thank you again.’
Lawyer Bainbridge, a solemn-faced, lean figure, with a professional demeanor, shook Bodie’s hand. ‘If ever you need anything, Mr. Bodie, I am at your disposal. Never hesitate to contact me.’
Bodie had not failed to notice the way the lawyer gazed at Jasmine with more than just a professional eye, and the way the young woman returned his attention made him realize her own feelings.
No need to ask what’s going on there.
‘Mr. Brand, it would be remiss of me not to add my thanks for your hand in this matter,’ Soong said. ‘This was a sorry affair all round, but you are to be congratulated for your part. You can be sure Mr. McCord has been appraised.’
‘Just doing my job, sir.’
‘More than that,’ Jasmine said. ‘A great deal more.’
‘My sentiments as well,’ Soong said. He reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a buff envelope, handing it Brand. ‘This came for you.’
Brand knew what the telegram contained almost before he opened it. A smile edged his lips as he read McCord’s to-the-point message.
As they all made their way from the platform Bodie edged alongside Brand.
‘He a happy man?’
‘That’ll be the day. Looks like I’ll be moving on. He has something for me to look into.’
‘That feller gets his money’s worth.’
‘Doesn’t he. At least I get a few days to settle things here before I need to pick up on this. And more damn paperwork.’
They shook hands as they crossed the platform. Ruby was heading towards them, her gaze fixed on Bodie.
‘Seems you’re going to have you own hands full,’ Brand observed.
Bodie smiled. ‘You are not wrong there, amigo,’ he said. ‘You are not wrong…’
Brand picked up the satisfied tone in Bodie’s words. No regret there at all. It reminded him of Virginia and Adam. Maybe there would be a chance to see them before he took up his next assignment. He was determined to make it happen, McCord be damned, yet he couldn’t help but try to imagine what his new assignment held for him…