DS Hook has just been summoned to the chief’s office. It’s his second invitation since he was brought onto the force. Based on previous experience, his mind turns to the worst—that he is to be fired or demoted, and with payments owed to William Worrall for the sofa.
His fellow officers on the other side of the glass pass back and forth, flicking glances in his direction out of morbid curiosity.
Based on the chief’s message, Join us, please, he knows that there is a third person present. What’s the complaint this time? He ransacks his mind for possibilities—Patterson? The manager of the Hotel Vancouver? It’s been over a week since he questioned them. Or is Crombie still holding a grudge? So many potential enemies in such a short time.
Chief Barfoot looks like a man with a serious hangover, and his eyes have rings of flesh around them.
“Good morning, Detective Sergeant Hook.”
“Good morning to you Chief Barfoot, sir.”
“How is the family?”
“Very well thank you, sir.”
Hook joins them at the long walnut table. He looks up to acknowledge the visitor, and it takes an effort to conceal his surprise.
“Detective Sergeant Hook, allow me to introduce you to Hollis Johnston of the Pinkerton Agency. Mr Johnston, this is Detective Sergeant Hook, who has been on the case.”
“Very good to meet you, suh.”
“Likewise, Mr Johnston. Welcome to Vancouver.”
Hook meets Miss Johnston’s steady eye. As they shake hands they hold each other’s gaze, a silent pact that their previous encounter will not be mentioned.
“Mr Johnston has brought us fine weather, it seems.”
“I understand you folks get a passel of rain,” Johnston says.
“Yes, indeed we do,” Hook agrees. He wonders if it is possible for a conversation in Vancouver to occur without mentioning the topic.
“Got a taste of it during that storm a piece back.”
Hook remembers Luther Forrest’s body swinging gently from the ceiling, his blackened face and wet crotch—another war story to go with the others. “Yes, that was indeed quite a storm.”
Barfoot interjects: “Well, gentlemen, I say we get right down to business. To begin, thanks to first-class work by members of the Dry Squad, and of course Mr Hook here, our two fugitives are now in custody.”
The chief produces a bulldog pipe and lights it with a kitchen match—a signal that Hook may fire up an Ogden’s, which he does, gladly.
The chief continues, between thoughtful puffs. “These two individuals, Jessup Olson and Gainer Flood, underwent an extensive interrogation led by Constable Simpson. I should mention that, though suffering a gunshot injury, Simpson volunteered for the duty. In the end, both agreed to co-operate—once Simpson threatened to set them loose on the streets to take their chances with Joe Celona. They invaded his territory, and Celona regards it as a capital crime.”
It puts Hook in mind of the war, where a man could be shot for a variety of offences.
“So far, the situation is well in hand,” the chief continues. “And this is where the Pinkerton’s men come into the picture. Mr Johnston, you have the floor.”
Johnston turns in Hook’s direction, eyes stripped of emotion—a professional law enforcement officer delivering a report to a complete stranger. DS Hook could just as well be the opposite wall. “Mr Hook, I have been seconded to undertake the repatriation of Daisy Douglas Tyler back to the State of Indiana, where she is wanted for embezzlement and grand larceny—”
The chief cuts in: “And this is where we bring Mr Hook up to speed. As the officer in charge, you are to arrest Miss Tyler on a charge of conspiracy to murder. Once in custody, it is decided that Pinkerton’s will offer her the option to accept extradition instead.”
“Which is everyone’s preference, far as I understand,” Johnston adds.
The chief nods. “In British law, mens rea is a difficult charge to prove. It’s damned tricky to establish a state of mind.”
As far as Hook is concerned, establishing his own state of mind often comes as a challenge, let alone someone else’s.
The chief rises to his feet, indicating that the meeting has drawn to a close.
“Of course, it goes without saying that none of what we have discussed here will leave this room.”
Hook agrees wholeheartedly, knowing that fellow officers on the other other side of the glass have taken up lip-reading.
Gulliver Agrees to Leadership Review
Province in Need of “New Energy”
Max Trotter
Staff Writer
The Vancouver World
With their government about to fall on a vote of no confidence at the next sitting, the Liberals under John Gulliver have called for a party convention on October 26, at which there will be a “leadership review.”
Inside observers note that the surprise announcement is a reflection of waning support for the premier within the party. As well, the fact that Mr Gulliver agreed to such a review suggests that he wishes to put off an election he is all but certain to lose.
Gen Victor Newson, the Liberals’ self-appointed nemesis, condemned the announcement as “a cynical attempt to subvert the will of the people.” Conservative leader John Bowser concurs: “It is a constitutional outrage, and a dark day for British democracy.”
Others suggest that the convention signals a desire among party members for a change of direction, and a sense of forward momentum after months of drift. “It is a cracking good opportunity for Liberals to unite under a single vision, and for voters to have a clear choice as we move forward with new energy,” said a spokesman for the Attorney General.
During an interview on CFYC Radio, Liberal MLA Duff Patullo, member for Prince Rupert, said: “While we pray for the premier’s recovery, the Attorney General has been juggling two portfolios for weeks.”
Added MLA Horace Wrinch, member for Skeena: “When surely serving as acting premier is a full-time job.”
The two MLAs declined to reveal their allegiance but, when asked specifically about Attorney General Stalker, Mr Wrinch replied: “Nobody doubts that he has done an exceptional job under exceptionally challenging circumstances.”
The Attorney General categorically denies aspiring to the top job: “My loyalty to the premier is firm. Such talk is just more mischief-making by the press.”