Don Gutteridge - The Bishop's Pawn

“Perhaps. But remember that those names weresupplied to him by his boy-informants. The local ones he certainlywould have recognized. But many of the names would have been thoseof outsiders – friends or business associates of the members – fromout of town or out of state or out of the country, like McDowell.At the time these would merely have been names to Dick, withoutfaces or pedigrees. He might have learned more about them had hehad more time, but he wasn’t allowed that luxury. Moreover, morethan a year had passed since those traumatic events. Dick had spentmost of that time drinking and gourmandizing. But it is possiblethat, given his renewed interest in life and public affairs, hemight eventually have recalled where he had first heard McDowell’sname.”

“I see. But what has all this got to do witha snub?”

“As we were navigating our way through thecrowd in the lobby of the parliament, I left Dick for a moment toapproach and congratulate McDowell on his speech. He had justemerged from the members’ lounge, and I was sure he saw me comingover with a smile on my face. He appeared about to acknowledge me -I believe I had been identified to him as a war hero – when withoutexplanation he wheeled about and fled back into the lounge.”

“You think now that McDowell spotted Unclesomewhere behind you?”

“I do. It’s the only plausible interpretationof the event.”

“But that means that McDowell figured Unclemight recognize him, or already had. And that means – ”

“That he thought Dick must have seen him inthe brothel or, more likely, had uncovered his name during hisinvestigation and was about to put a face to it.”

“Yes. McDowell’s friends in Tammany Hallwould have given him the details of Uncle’s efforts to unmask thepedophiles. Eliza told us he was definitely here in November of’37.”

“Exactly. So you can imagine McDowell’ssurprise at spotting Dick across the room from him. Remember thatMcDowell had just arrived in Toronto, his wife having come inOctober to set up house. McDowell is a Kingston man. He may neverhave set foot in Toronto before.”

“But he must have heard about the McNairtrial and Uncle’s role in it?”

“Possibly. But I think not. He was no doubtpreoccupied with winding up his father’s estate. And what he sawthere in the foyer, just before he snubbed me, truly shocked andfrightened him.”

“I see.”

“Remember too that he seems to have suddenlystopped going to New York. A year goes by, and he hears no word orthreat from that quarter. His Tammany pals have done their workwell, eh? Then, without warning, Dick Dougherty, larger than life,pops up not twenty feet from him.”

“That would certainly give any man a motiveto silence him, but especially one being lionized by thepowers-that-be and presented to the public as their saviour.”

“I’m sure we’ve got our man, Brodie. Butwe’re still some ways from demonstrating how he arranged to haveReuben Epp do his dirty work.”

“We can start in on that as soon as we getback.”

“That is if the governor and attorney-generalhaven’t already called the inquest.”

At the theatre, Marc had said a long andtearful goodbye to Annemarie before he and Brodie headed for thepier and the trip up the Hudson River. Promises were made, some ofwhich would be kept. Once more a crime had reunited mother and son,and necessity again had pulled them apart.

***

Marc asked the cab-driver to take them directly toBriar Cottage, where they expected to find Celia, Beth and, if Godwere kind, the newborn babe. The unmasking of a murderer, for thetime being, would have to wait upon more urgent matters. CharleneHuggan spotted them coming up the walk and had the door open beforethey reached the stoop. Seconds later, Celia rushed into herbrother’s arms, and Marc was led on tiptoe towards the masterbedroom.

“She’s havin’ a nap,” Charlene said, andblushed as she added, “after feedin’ the littl’un.”

Marc stepped softly into the darkened room.Beth lay on top of the comforter with the baby cradled in one arm,its lips still attached to a nipple. For a full minute, Marc juststood and watched them in their peaceful repose, giving silentthanks that he had been blessed thus during his absence.

“Well, stranger, aren’t you goin’ to sayhello?” Beth’s eyes were open and fully upon him.

Marc dropped to one knee, kissed her hand,her wrist, her forearm and finally her smooth, warm brow.

“I won’t break, love.”

“I know. But my heart might.” He stared atthe baby, whose astonishing blue eyes appeared to be appraisinghim.

“I’m glad you’re back safe, my darlin’.” Sheraised herself up on one elbow. “Now say hello to yer son -Maggie.”

Marc lifted his daughter into his arms. Theyhad agreed that, should the child by some quirk of fate turn out tobe a girl, they would name it Mary Margaret, after itsgrandmothers.

“Welcome to the world, Maggie,” hewhispered.

Constable Ewan Wilkie interrupted a consultation thatCobb was having with one of his snitches in The Crooked Anchor toinform him that Marc Edwards had been seen in a cab heading for hiscottage on Sherbourne Street. Cobb thanked Wilkie and hurried off,leaving half a flagon of ale that Wilkie saw no point in wasting.Cobb himself was not so sure why he ought to rush off, since themajor’s return could not possibly bring anything positive to theaborted investigation. But he found himself puffing his way eastalong King Street at a clip that threatened to upset the delicatebalance of his body’s peculiar pear-shape.

***

The previous Friday morning, Cobb had run into MissyPrue at the Market and taken the opportunity to show her DavidChalmers’ silver locket, which he had kept in his coat pocket sincefinding it in the church early Thursday morning. He thanked her forhelping him catch the Poor Box thief, and then asked her if shewould quietly slip the locket back into the junior vicar’s desk,perhaps placing it under something so that he would assume he hadmerely mislaid it. When Missy inquired as to the reason for thissubterfuge, Cobb had put a forefinger to his lips and whispered,“Mum’s the word.” Which gesture prompted Missy to favour him with aconspiratorial nod and a very pretty smile. He then asked her ifher mistress had said anything more about the robbery, and Missyreplied that Mrs. Hungerford had merely mentioned, in passingalmost, that a constable had caught the villain red-handed andhauled him away. She offered no details and had even chastised thetwo maids when she overheard them speculating on the event. Itseemed that that particular case was closed. Moreover, the youngReverend Chalmers, she continued happily, appeared to be back inthe good graces of his superior, having been invited to dine withthe bishop-in-waiting at the Palace on Front Street. Dr. Strachan,it was rumoured everywhere and especially at the vicarage, hadbooked his passage for Britain and was due to set sail for QuebecCity a few days after Easter. “Well, at least he’s waitin’ fer theLord to resurrect,” Cobb had quipped, and drew an abashed blushfrom Missy.

***

Cobb was let in the front door of Briar Cottage by anexcited Charlene. Behind her, Cobb could see, in the parlour, thebacks of Marc and Brodie and, facing them, Celia, Beth with theswaddled babe, his wife Dora, and even young Jasper Hogg from nextdoor. Everyone seemed to be talking at once. He’d barged in on acamp meeting!

“I’ll come back,” he said to Charlene, happythat he had not yet been noticed.

“Mr. Edwards has been askin’ about you,” shesaid.

“How’s young Celia?” he said, recalling hisgaffe with Bartholomew Burchill.

Charlene smiled knowingly. “Oh, that. Well,sir, she’s taken a right fancy to little Maggie.”