Watershed

Chapter 22

A stricken nation reeled in shock from the horror and the implications surrounding the bombing. Thousands paid tribute at a memorial service held in Toronto. Dozens of cities, towns and villages, where Karl Larkin's golden speeches touched minds and hearts, staged their own memorial service. Chesterton, the orator's home and the birthplace of the Consumers' Advocate, made plans to erect an epitaph in memory of their famous son.

Three days following the brutal murder, Dave Colburn appeared briefly before a host of cameras and reporters. Pain and strain were evident in the haggard features. Lack of sleep had left deep, dark pools around the eyes; his face was drawn and tense. An old man.

The pigeon chest had deflated but the inner strength still burned as the campaigner spoke, “I am proud to say that Karl Larkin was my best friend. He loved his country and a greater patriot has never lived. The fiend that Larkin abhorred: corruption, has brought about his end, but the legacy Karl left behind must not be allowed to die along with the man. The Consumers' Advocate cannot be inhumed. Consumers will carry on the campaign and see Karl's dream through to fruition. Together we shall deliver the Canada our friend so selflessly envisioned.”

Cal Knight stepped forward and led Larkin's apostle away from the continuing battery of journalistic queries.

Later, in Cal and Emma Knight's home, Cal said, “This afternoon, in front of the press, you sounded convincing, Dave, but… can you fill Karl's shoes?”

“No. No one can do that. I intend to keep the wicket warm until we find a pseudo replacement.”

Knight objected, “There may never be another voice….”

Colburn nodded solemnly, then slumped in silence a moment, before saying, “You know, I'm disappointed Karl did not get to launch his 'Buy Canadian' campaign. He had given me an outline; in typical Larkin fashion he wanted to promote Canadian made products while at the same time ensuring that our own companies did not cheat our own people.”

The ex-promoter shook his head and gave a short laugh. “Karl told me the idea came to him while he was washing a frying-pan up at that cabin he and Sheena went to for a holiday. The pan reminded him of one he had at home. Apparently, Karl had spent triple on this top-of-the-line, Canadian made, guaranteed, no-stick unit, but it wasn't a damn bit better than the cheap models made overseas.”

Tears welled in Dave's eyes. “That's how Larkin's mind worked.”

Cal said softly, “I don't know, Dave, even if you found a speaker half as good as Karl, you could never match the man he was.”

Colburn leaned ahead. “What the Advocate needs is a medium, a method of reaching everyone without sacrificing the messenger. Television, radio and newspapers were the tools Karl used and, along with his own magic, he used them extremely effectively. But those tools are one-way communication; in order to reach the masses forcefully they must be able to respond en masse ?like a whole network of interactive communication? and it has to be quick….”

Knight changed topics, “The sniper, or rather, sniperess ?it was a female? named Jamie Langston who shot at Karl during the address at Patterson Place apparently had no affiliation with anyone. She was a deranged attention-starved lunatic; had news clippings and pictures of Karl pinned up all over her apartment. The detective who shot her had been on the trail for months. Apparently she is the one who murdered that lady political candidate a few years back and also shot a star hockey player.”

Colburn grimaced, reflecting upon his colleague's narrow escape. “Bloody crazy people, you don't know who the hell is in their right mind anymore. God, it was time for Karl to get out… he almost didn't make it….”

The telephone rang and Knight picked it up. Colburn went to the washroom while his host conversed. Upon his return, Dave found Cal smiling brightly.

“That was none other than Colonel Gabriel Waters; you recall, Dave, that I had gone to him instead of the police with the information we dug up about the road runners? Gabe just told me Neon and Lefebvre were picked up and charged this morning. Their hooligans weren't just trying to scare you by running your vehicle off the road; they intended there should be no survivors.

“At the speed we were traveling that night, it's a certainty we would not have come out of a crash unharmed… but what makes the Colonel think they were trying to kill us?”

Knight scowled. “Gabe said the illustrious minister and his deputy have also been charged with conspiracy in the murder of Eden Caldwell. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes right now. Ottawa has egg on its face and is looking for a scapegoat… those bastards will be hung out to dry.”

Dave Colburn nodded then said, “Before he was killed, Eden Caldwell had mentioned the Colonel to Karl and Sheena. Caldwell had also insisted that there were many federal people involved in a conspiracy to stop The Consumers' Advocate. What about them? Did Gabe divulge any information in that direction?”

Knight puffed his cheeks and slowly let out his breath. “It is going to be dirty when Neon and Lefebvre start to sing. Gabe did not go into detail, but he hinted.”

Colburn grinned wryly upon hearing the latter statement. “I suppose justice will take the helm. At any rate, with our Finance and Deputy Finance Ministers behind bars, the Feds will have a tough time convincing the nation there was nothing wrong in raising taxes.”

Gideon Foster crossed his long legs and picked at an imaginary speck on his immaculate white suit. His tanned features were startlingly dark against the bright attire. Jerking a thumb to indicate a young couple on the terrace, he asked the barmaid, “Whose the bloke with the lovely little sheila?”

“Oh, they just arrived in last night; newlyweds from Canada.”

“She's a looker, eh, Feral?” Foster teased.

The waitress retorted, “He's a handsome sort, too. And you should hear his voice. It could melt ice.”

The man in white didn't take the bait. “Aw now, it's not 'ow you talk, it's what you say.”

The waitress patted Foster's shoulder. “He does have an odd way of putting things.”

“Yeah? 'ow's that?”

“Well, this morning I heard her ask him what they should do today….”

“Yeah, and what'd 'e say?”

“He said, 'How about a drive in the country, I'd like to see what the creatures are up to.'”

<<<Chapter 21