“He kinda tagged along,” Ray said quickly. “Doesn’t say a lot. But if you have anything delicate you need handled, he has a light touch.”
“We call him Silent Jim,” Jasper improvised.
Hedgehog thought a moment before resignation crossed his face. “Very well.”
Once inside, Hedgehog gave them a brief assessment of the towers of boxes and crates and the perimeters needed for their mission that evening.
Hedgehog used a torchlight to find his way: a hinged belt made to propel goods up a ramp sat still. Pulleys and levers that in the daily bustle moved boxes and trunks over the cool cement floor hung listlessly. The smell of concrete, oakum, and a thousand fragrances from pried-open carts and smashed bottles in need of a cleanup assaulted their senses.
“A man is coming to inspect the goods tonight,” Hedgehog said. “In a few moments one of my boys will pull up. We have exactly forty-five minutes to get everything in order before the night crew arrives.” He pointed to a large door that was bolted and chained. “They bring the goods through there during the day. We are confined to this door only. Once the Benz arrives, I’ll need you both at it. Last night you were quick.” He inclined his head toward Ray. “And you look pretty strong.” Jasper gave a quick nod. Jem stood quietly behind Jasper’s shoulder, happy that the soft, low lantern light hid her delicate features. “A lot of what we have here is very delicate. Fragile. That’s where your quiet little friend comes in.”
Ray nodded. “We just need to be quick.”
“Exactly. You.” He looked to Jasper. “You wait here for the truck and immediately start at it.” He looked to Ray again and crooked his finger. “You come with me. We’ll get clearer instructions from Ross.”
Jasper waited for the truck, keeping Jem close at hand. “I don’t like your being here,” he whispered.
“That isn’t the first time I’ve heard that from you, and it won’t be the last.” She snickered. “But Silent Jim means to prove his worth.”
Headlights blared through the crack of the door Jasper was propping open. A moment later, a door slammed shut and a figure appeared at the door Jasper pried wide.
Jem gasped.
“Tony,” Jasper said.
Tony Valari seemed at a momentary loss of words. “Constable Forth.” He seethed. “What in heaven’s name are you doing in Chicago?” Tony looked over Jasper’s broad shoulder as if his brother-in-law might pop up from behind.
Jasper motioned behind his back for Jem to stay clear away, and she backed slowly farther into a dark corner. Jasper followed Tony to the truck and watched him crank open the boot. Jasper wasted no time in hauling boxes from the trunk of the van and to the open door.
“What are you doing here?” Tony repeated as Jasper set perfunctorily to his task and with an ease a man like Tony could only envy. Several minutes later, most of the crates transferred, Tony having done little to speed up the process, they faced each other in the dim light. “I could tell Hedgehog who you are,” Tony said.
Jasper was nonplussed. “You could. But I could tell him about you.”
“And what exactly would you say? You’re in a far more dangerous situation with him than I would be. Who is he more likely to want near him—a copper or a man who gets the job done?”
“Your trunk is empty now, Tony. If I were you, I’d clear out before Ray finds you.”
“He’s here too?” Tony cursed.
“And in little mood to see you, I am sure.”
A second later, Jasper heard the van kick into gear and the wheels screech over the pavement outside.
* * *
*Stolen.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
One can never be too cautious when lives are at stake. Man’s word is only as good as his deed. Never take anything at face value, even those who rest on word of mouth and laurels. Your instinct is as important as any compass or guide.
Benfield Citrone and Jonathan Arnasson, Guide to the Canadian Wilderness
Benny and Merinda took their cues from David Ross. And he seemed happy with the way things were moving. “Hedgehog gets the job done.” He smiled as he walked them through the warehouse. “We just have two days until the convention, and Hedgehog has been invaluable.”
“Roosevelt’s Progressive Campaign,” Merinda said.
“Exactly. There will be a lot of boring speeches the first day. The introduction of delegates. But the second day is when the man himself will speak. And we want the afternoon to go off with a bang.”
Before Ross could laugh at his own pun, Benny cut in, “So you use this warehouse to get your shipment?”
“Exactly.”
Merinda looked about. “Rather quiet. The man I saw rustle up a crowd in Toronto should have more followers.”
David shook his head. “Sometimes less is more. For this particular statement, I need people I can trust. Your determination. Your coming here inspires me, Miss Herringford.”
“And I suppose a trolley explosion is the work of but a few.”