The Third Riel Conspiracy by Stephen Legault Read Free Book Online Page A

Inspector?”
    â€œWe have it under lock and key. If Wake has any family, they’ll get it after the trial.”
    Durrant knew from experience that, descendants or not, Wake’s pistol would in all likelihood end up a trophy of Dickenson as soon as the gavel was dropped on Terrance La Biche.
    â€œWould you mind if I spoke with La Biche?”
    Dickenson took the pipe from his mouth. “I don’t think that would be appropriate, Sergeant.”
    â€œAs I see it, the case needs strengthening, sir. I don’t want to tell you your business, but I fear that when this case goes to court the judge will throw it out. We need to establish a clear motive for this man’s involvement in the death of Mr. Wake. We have to prove that there was some reason he sought out Reuben Wake instead of any other man in the zareba that day. Why not simply kill the cook? Why go to all the trouble of searching out Mr. Wake?”
    Dickenson was regarding Durrant through a pall of pipe smoke. “I don’t think we’ll have to worry about the judge.”
    â€œIf we get a Regina judge, that is.”
    Dickenson’s small eyes narrowed so that they were mere slits in his round face. “You can have ten minutes.”
    TERRANCE LA BICHE was chained to the seat of a covered wagon. He was lying on his side on the floor, his hands shackled above his head, and was feigning sleep. “Mr. La Biche, I’m Sergeant Durrant Wallace of the North West Mounted Police. I’m here to ask you some questions.”
    â€œThen ask your questions.”
    â€œWould you rather not sit up here on the seat and talk like civilized men?”
    â€œThere is nothing civilized about this situation, Red Coat.”
    â€œSir, you are under arrest for the murder of Reuben Wake. If you’re found guilty, you will hang from the neck until dead. I thought you might appreciate a moment or two to plead your case.”
    The man looked up. He was dark-skinned, with a thick head of curly back hair and piercing eyes. He wore a thin coat over workclothes. He stood up, pulling on the chains, and sat on the bench. There was no blanket in the wagon.
    Durrant stepped up into the wagon and sat down on the spring-loaded seat next to the Métis man, considering him for a moment. “Mr. La Biche, did you kill Reuben Wake?”
    â€œYou’re the first one to ask. The others, they did not bother to ask this question.” La Biche’s accent had hints of both French and Cree.
    â€œDid you kill him?”
    â€œI did not . Doesn’t mean that I didn’t want to.” La Biche leaned toward Durrant so that his face was just a few feet from the policeman’s. “In fact, I was looking for a chance since getting myself caught on the very first day of fighting. But no such opportunity came my way.”
    â€œLet’s back up a moment, Mr. La Biche. Tell me what happened on May 9, the first day of fighting.”
    â€œIt wasn’t the first time that we gave hell to General Middleton and his men. I was at Fish Creek, yes? That was the twenty-fourth of April. It was cold as hell. That’s where this all started, this business with Wake.
    â€œI was with General Dumont when we ambushed Middleton’s men there. That old fool split his troops and had half of them marching up the west side while the other half marched on the east of the creek. It was easy for us to bear down on one column of his men without much risk to ourselves. General Dumont assigned me to lead a company of men who would pick off Dominion troops from the hillside. We worked our way around to try and flank these soldiers and that’s when I saw Wake.”
    â€œYou knew this man?”
    â€œOf course I knew him. I had known him for many years. Known him and come to hate him!”
    â€œAfter you saw Wake, what happened? Where was he?”
    â€œHe was minding the horses, just like he always done. Just with the horses. I