Chapter 22 fourth quarter

Mr. Henry Oscar Houghton, a tall religious man with a half-Quaker beard, examined the neatly folded ledgers in the counting-room by the dim light.He founded the Riverside Printing House on the Cambridge side of the Charles River, and because of his personal attention to every detail, the printing house has grown into a large enterprise and has established business relationships with several famous publishing companies, the most famous. Kerner Fields is also on the list.One of Holden's errands knocked on the open door. Holden wrote a number in the written account book, blotted the wet ink, and then moved slightly.He endured hardships and stood hard work, conscientiously, worthy of being a descendant of the Puritans.

"Come in, buddy." Holden finally raised his head and ordered. Run the errands and hand Oscar Holden a card.Even before reading it, the publisher noticed that the paper was very thick and rigid.Reading the handwritten manuscript on the piece of paper under the lamp, Horton straightened his face.The peace he so fiercely defended is now utterly broken. Deputy Chief Savage's police carriage stopped, and Chief Kurtz stepped out of the carriage.Ray stood on the steps of the police station to meet him. "How's it going?" Kurtz asked. "I found out that the person who jumped out of the window was Griffon Lonza, and according to another homeless man, he used to see him sometimes on the side of the railway," Ray said.

"That's just the first step," Kurtz said. "You know, I've been thinking about what you said. You said the two murders might be some form of punishment." Ray thought the chief would follow up with a rebuttal. Instead he just sighed. "I've been thinking about Judge Healy." Ray nodded. "Alas, we're all doing things we'll regret for life, Ray. During Sims' trial, our own cops fought off the crowd that had gathered on the courthouse steps with batons. We hunted Sims like hounds to the end He was captured and after the trial we took him to the harbor and sent him to his masters. Do you know what I mean? It was our darkest hour and it was all Judge By Healy because His judgment, or rather his failure to declare in his judgment an statute enacted by Congress, is invalid."

"Yes, Director." Having said that, Kurtz looked sad. "Go and see the most respected men of Boston society, Sergeant, and I daresay you will see through them that they are not morally high, not saints of our time. Small as a mouse, or worse." Kurtz pushed open the door and entered the office. Just as he was about to continue the conversation, he saw three men in black coats standing in front of his desk. "What's going on?" Kurtz asked them, before wandering around for his secretary. The three stood aside to see Frederick Walker Lincoln sitting behind his desk.

Kurtz took off his hat and bowed slightly, "Mr. Mayor." The mayor of Lincoln was sitting behind Kurtz's large mahogany desk, taking a leisurely last puff on his cigar. "I hope you don't mind, Director, we have occupied your room and are waiting for you here." Sitting next to the mayor was city councilor Jonas Fitch, who coughed and interrupted Lincoln.The alderman had a fake smile on his face, as if it had been etched into his face hours ago.The city councilor sent away two black coats, leaving only one.They are from the detective department. "Officer Lei, go to the reception room first," Kurtz ordered.

Kurtz carefully sat down opposite the mayor.When the door was closed, he began: "What's the matter? Why do you gather these rascals here?" The scoundrel who remained, Detective Henshaw, showed no displeasure at Kurtz's words. Mayor Lincoln said, "I'm sure you've been neglecting other law and order matters during this time, Chief Kurtz. We've decided to turn the murder case over to the Detective Division." "I disagree!" Kurtz said. "Detectives are welcome, Chief. They have the ability to solve cases quickly," Lincoln said. "Especially with the incentives of bonuses." City Councilor Fitch said.

Lincoln frowned at the alderman. Kurtz narrowed his eyes and said, "Bonuses? By law, detectives are not allowed to receive bonuses. What bonus, Mayor?" The mayor flicked out his cigar and pretended to be pensive, seeming to be considering Kurtz's opinion carefully. "As we speak, the Boston City Council will pass a bill, drafted by Councilor Fitch, to repeal the provision that prevents members of the Detective Division from receiving bonuses. There will also be a slight increase in the amount of the bonus." "Increase by how much?" Kurtz asked. "Director Kurtz..." the mayor froze for a moment.

"How many?" Congressman Fitch smiled and replied, "If you catch the murderer, you will be rewarded with $35,000." "Sin! Sin!" Kurtz exclaimed. "People would kill for the money! Not to mention the damn detectives!" "Somebody has to do it, and since there's no one," said Inspector Henshaw, "we'll do it." The mayor of Lincoln let out a long breath, and his whole face collapsed.While the mayor wasn't particularly like his second cousin, the late President Lincoln, he looked equally scrawny, frail but indefatigable. "When this term is up I want to retire, John," said the Mayor softly, "and I hope the city will remember me with respect. We need to hang murderers now, or villains, great and small, will It's going to be rampant and uncontrollable, can't you see that? Between wars and assassinations, God knows the papers have been living on the smell of blood for four years, and I swear they're hungrier than ever. Healy is My college classmate, Chief. I really want very much to investigate the streets myself and find that madman, or I'd rather be hanged before the citizens of Boston! I beg you, let the detectives solve this case, and leave the black man alone. We can't afford to be stuck in another embarrassment."

"Can you say it again, Mayor?" Kurtz sat upright in the chair, "What does Officer Lei have to do with all this?" "The latest riot happened when you identified the suspect who killed Judge Healy." City Councilman Fitch was happy to elaborate. "The beggar jumped out of the window in your police station. If you have heard that your ears are callused, Then I won't say anything, Chief." "Ray has nothing to do with this matter." Kurtz said, but his tone was a little hesitant. Lincoln shook his head sympathetically, "The city councilor has ordered an investigation into his responsibility. We have received reports from several police officers that the presence of your coachman caused the riot. We were told that when the incident happened, the guards The beggar was this mulatto, Chief. Let’s put it this way, some people speculate that he might have forced the beggar to jump out of the window. Maybe it was a coincidence..."

"What a lie!" Kurtz blushed. "He was trying to calm things down like all of us! That window jumper was a little out of his mind! Detectives are doing everything they can to thwart our investigation in order to get your bonus." What do you say to that, Henshaw?" "All I know is that niggers can't save Boston and prevent the impending disaster, Chief." "If the governor knows that his incentive program is tearing apart the entire police department, he will probably take the necessary steps to reconsider whether it is wise to do so," the city councilor said.

"Officer Ray is one of the best cops I've ever known." "One more question. We've heard that Sergeant Ray followed you wherever you went, Chief," the Mayor's brow creased, "including at the scene of Talbot's death. He was not only your coachman, It seems to be a collaborator on an equal footing with you." "It's a miracle that this black guy didn't bring a group of thugs to clear the way for him!" The city councilor laughed. "We didn't comply with all the restrictions on Lei proposed by the city council... Whether he is a driver or a collaborator, what does it have to do with this case?!" "A horrible crime is upon us," said the mayor of Lincoln, pointing to Kurtz with his pinky finger, "and the police department is falling apart--that's why Ray is involved in this case. I will not allow Ray to remain involved in this case." , in whatever capacity he is. Make another mistake and he'll be fired. Several senators from the state got in touch with me today, John. If we don't crack this case, they're going to appoint a committee. To plan to eliminate municipal police departments statewide and replace them with state metropolitan police departments. They are very determined. I don't want to see it happen during my term--you think about it! I don't want to see it To the point where the police department is broken up in my city." City Councilor Fitch glanced at the stunned Kurtz, then nestled in the chair, keeping his eyes level. "If you had enforced our prohibition on alcohol and prostitution, Chief Kurtz, the thieves and gangsters would have fled to New York City long ago!"