Monday, February 15th
Vancouver, British Columbia, Neil McKinley’s home, 6pm
Neil McKinley looked around the small apartment that he had called home since becoming a police officer thirteen years before. He had just ended a very important phone call with none other than the Police Commissioner himself. It was his second conversation with the Commissioner within a few months.
As soon as the conversation ended, Neil picked up his phone and dialed a number. After a few rings, a cheerful voice answered.
“Hi, Neil. How are you?”
“Hi, Billy. I am ok. My leg is much better now. I wanted you to be the first person to know. The Commissioner has just called me!”
“Oh, will you be able to come back to the Emergency Response Team? Did he tell you that you will be reinstated?” There was anxiety in Billy’s voice.
Unfortunately, during the last gunfight that had earned him a bravery award from the Governor, Neil had received a wound in his left calf; he had undergone two operations, and, from time to time, he still walked with a slight limp.
“No, Billy. I can’t return to the ERT at the moment. My leg is better, but it is far from perfectly recovered. I don’t think I could stand the long and hard training sessions.”
A silence filled with tension on the other end...
Neil went on: “The Commissioner called to offer me a new assignment. You know they are organizing a training center for ERT recruits on the East Coast, don’t you?”
“Neil, if you are leaving for the East Coast, it means we won’t see each other for long periods...” There was sadness in Billy’s voice, and Neil hastened to go on: “Billy, let me tell you what the Commissioner has just asked me... The police are looking for trainers for the recruits, and they want to entrust me with choosing special agents, experts in various fields, who are willing to become trainers...”
“Oh, Neil. What a wonderful assignment. I am happy for you...”
“The Commissioner granted me autonomy in choosing instructors among my colleagues. Billy, you have been my first thought. Will you come with me to New Brunswick?”
Billy answered eagerly: “Of course, Neil. You know I will come with you wherever you go...”
“And you are an expert sniper, Billy, the best I know.”
“Thanks to you, Neil. I learnt everything from you.”
Neil explained further: “Since the local Chief Inspector has retired, the Commissioner asked me to take his place in the town of Rosary, on the coast, close to the training center, and the agents I will choose will help the local lieutenant. Is it ok with you, Billy?”
“Yes, Neil. To tell you the truth, what I didn’t appreciate in the ERT was the lack of contact with people. I believe being an agent in a small town will be a positive change.”
“Won’t you regret leaving the special unit?”
“You know they can always summon us if they need our contribution for national security, so I won’t leave the ERT completely… And I like the idea of training recruits who have decided to join the ERT, as we did a few years ago…” After a moment of silence, Billy asked: “Who else are you planning to call?”
“I will certainly call Bob!”
“Wow, I didn’t dare ask you to think of him. He is the best expert on explosives...”
“I need a computer and tech expert, and a legal procedures expert.”
“The first name that comes to my mind for computers is Steve. Is he still in Toronto?”
“Good idea, Billy. Yes. He may still be there. I was considering David for legal procedures, but he is married and his wife works in Vancouver. I’m not sure if she can join him. I will talk to him tomorrow.”
Billy said: “Thanks for thinking of me, Neil. You know how much I owe you...”
“I am always proud of you, you know that ... I will call you with the details in a few days, ok?”
“Ok, I am ready whenever you want.”
Neil closed the phone call with a satisfied smile. For a few minutes he remained at the window, looking at the skyline of the city where he was born. The sun had set and the glass windows of the skyscrapers reflected the red light. Neil loved his hometown, but he was starting to feel enthusiasm for a new experience and a new assignment, after the long recovery period, which had kept him far from the job he loved.
***
Rosary, New Brunswick, Father Luca’s home, 8 pm
Father Luca was preparing to leave his small apartment in the vicarage next to the Church of Our Lady in Rosary at a time he wouldn’t normally go out. The caller had said she was the maid and had insisted the lady wanted to speak with him. She didn’t feel well, and she insisted on speaking with the young priest. Father Luca had never refused to assist his parishioners whenever they asked for his advice, his guidance or just a word of comfort.
The maid had mentioned the lady’s inquiry about his investigation. He gathered all the papers he had collected, all his handwritten notes and useful phone numbers. He headed to his car, still perplexed about that strange phone call. Despite her frailty and illness, she had always made an effort to contact him personally. On the other hand, the favor she asked him was unknown to everyone. Maybe she had confided in her maid: there was no other explanation.
For a moment, he considered knocking on the door of Father George’s apartment to let him know where he was going, but he didn't want to disturb him. He thought he wouldn’t be late. He got into the car and started the engine. He had often been at the lady’s home, but always during the day. He knew she had not been well for some time. Luca prayed her health had not worsened. He had grown fond of that old woman, so lonely since she had become a widow.
The road was dark and Luca drove cautiously. He had always been used to letting George know where he was going, and he couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable. He decided to call him, before going into the lady’s home.
On the road that led to the residential area of the town, he saw a car coming in the opposite direction. He noticed that the car was very fast and it was zigzagging. ‘Are they drunk? What are they doing?’ Luca had just the time to think, before he swerved at the last moment, and then …. Darkness enveloped him
ns216.73.216.80da2
and then Add to home screen.