Page 40 of Equalizer
“Looks like we’ll be going to his presentation,” Calvin replied. “Was there anything more?”
“They were talking about someone they knew who died from a bad heart, and I said that maybe someday doctors would be able to replace hearts like parts from a kit,” Pearl said. “The old man said he thought it could happen, and sooner than most people think. I suspect he’d already been drinking, and it loosened his tongue. His buddy quickly changed the subject.”
“Good work,” Calvin said. “We’ve got a name at least and some corroboration for our suspicions. Anything else?”
Pearl frowned. “I got the impression that the local Mob families have an uneasy peace. Just some of the things that were muttered, the sidelong glares—nothing specific, but there seemed to be tension a little close to the surface.”
“The families always vie for position, but sometimes the rivalry heats up more than others,” Owen mused. “If one family could lock up this miracle-working doctor, their people could survive injuries with replacements that other groups’ soldiers couldn’t. That would be a definite advantage.”
“Why would the doctor agree to that when he could sell his services to the highest bidder?” Calvin asked.
“It’s the Mob. They don’t generally give people a lot of choices,” Owen remarked.
By the time they reached Pearl’s boarding house, they had exhausted their insights into the evening’s conversations.
“Thank you,” Calvin said as they helped her out of the carriage. Owen made a quick reconnaissance to ensure no one lurked in the shadows.
“That was fun—it’s not every day I get to hobnob at a fancy big city party,” Pearl replied.
“Are you staying in Chicago for a while?” Calvin asked.
“Haven’t decided, but it won’t be for too long,” Pearl told them. “Places to go, people to see, jobs to handle. Louisa can get ahold of me if you need me. It’s been fun, boys. Thanks for the memories.”
With that, she headed inside. They waited long enough to make sure no one followed, then Winston headed them back to the train station.
“Was that worth it?” Owen asked.
Calvin shrugged. “I’d say yes. We didn’t expect to have the rogue doc handed to us on a platter. Now we have a name. Might be him, might not, but it’s a starting point. We know a little more about the local Mob politics and their witches. And Pearl might tell Louisa something she forgot to spill to us, to stay on Louisa’s good side.”
“Did you mind leaving the party early?” Owen asked, curious about how his somewhat more respectable partner viewed the evening.
“Oh God, no!” Calvin looked horrified. “I’ve seen a lot undercover since I’ve been with the Service and infiltrated some real rats’ nests. As long as people are adults and participating freely, they can play whatever games they want, but don’t involve me.”
Owen chuckled. “I thought you might say that.”
Calvin shot him a look. “Please tell me you didn’t want to stay.”
Even at his most unattached, that kind of scene had never attracted Owen. Add in a mix of mobsters, criminals, and witches, and it doused his libido like a cold shower.
“Not my scene. Although the band was pretty good,” Owen remarked.
“I’ll give you that. Some people had hors d’oeuvres that looked tasty, but we weren’t going to get any,” Calvin added. “I’m a sucker for those little pastry things. I could eat the whole tray.”
“I bet if you asked Winston nicely, he could either whip up a batch for you or order from wherever the party was catered,” Owen suggested.
“I think I will. Even if he snickers.”
Owen looked out the carriage window. “If the police in Chicago weren’t on the take, they could have swooped in and netted a lot of their wanted list just from the guests.”
“It was a who’s who of Chicago’s underworld, plus the movers and shakers who have mutually beneficial arrangements,” Calvin observed. “On one hand, it’s a travesty to have Aldermen and Mob bosses carrying on like that. I don’t care about the minor criminals and shady ladies. Let them have their fun. But it certainly makes clear who has the power in the city.”
“Not like that’s a secret,” Owen pointed out. “And it’s not our problem for long.”
“Maybe—but if the ability to replace missing body parts catches on in the underworld in Chicago, you can bet it will spread to other cities. Mob families will fight over it, along with other powerful factions,” Calvin said. “We’ve got to stop it here before that can happen.”
“Do you think there’s a legitimate use for the technique?” Owen asked, feeling pensive after the way the night had gone. “Good people get hurt too. If the bodies are donated willingly and everything is done above board, it could save farmers and factory workers from the breadline if they get hurt on the job.”
“I see where you’re going with it, but I can’t imagine the Church or other interests supporting it wholesale,” Calvin replied. “The priests and ministers are in a stir just letting medical school learn anatomy from corpses. Even when people could benefit, I don’t think it would go over well.”
