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What do you think about Cal’s decision about Mart? Do you think he makes the right choice?
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Cal’s “throat is full up with the words to say into the phone to set up that powerful familiar machine in motion, cameras clicking and evidence bags opening and questions firing, until every truth has been spoken out loud and everyone has been placed where they belong.” This is at the bog where Brendan’s body is located. Mart had made Cal turn off the camera earlier and made Cal carry the shovel. Just like Cal, I wondered if he was going to be lost in the bog for having pushed the boundaries too far. Cal only knows what comes closest to the right thing to do. He needs to protect himself so he can protect Trey because she needs consistency and doesn’t need someone else disappearing on her. He wants to provide her peace of mind so she can move on. A difficult decision, but I believe that it was the right one, given the situation.
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Well said Nancy. While I’m sure Cal will struggle periodically with his decision I believe he made the right one. Sometimes doing something for the ‘greater good’ while difficult is the best option.
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I think Cal made the only viable choice. Nancy outlines the risks to Trey if he reports Brendan’s death. I think he also considers the risk to others in Ardnakelty. Mart did not act alone and many in the town would be culpable as well, maybe even found more liable than Mart. This reminds me of decisions faced by Armand and Cork O’Connor as well; decisions that go against their training and oaths as law enforcement but represent a judgement that allowing something to go is more important.
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It does seem like Cal is cornered into the decision in large part to protect Trey but also because even if he were to tell the local authorities about what Mart and his pals did to Brendan, what evidence does he really have? He doesn’t have a way to get back to Brendan’s body, Brendan’s watch isn’t enough proof, Trey getting beaten up by her mother, and he getting beaten up by unknown assailants…on top of which any revelation would put Trey and her family in danger. The choice is imperfect because it relies on Mart trusting Cal’s assessment that Trey won’t reveal what happened to Brendan. But Cal really doesn’t have another option at the time if he wants to restore peace in the community and take care of Trey, as Nancy points out. And I agree with you Jane, Cal’s decision is reminiscent of Gamache’s and Cork’s decisions for “the greater good.”
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Agreed. Cal did the right thing, given the circumstances. Following his training to the letter would cause more harm than good. He can’t help Brendan now, but he can help protect Trey, which is probably what Brendan would have wanted. And his case, as Tara mentions, would be extremely hard to prove, given lack of concrete evidence.
Good point, Jane, about the parallels between Cal’s decision and those of Armand and Cork in other stories. The court of higher conscience ultimately rules them, or they couldn’t live with themselves. Cal left the police force when he felt himself slipping in this area, but here, he seems to be at peace with his decision. -
Jane, I love your point about Gamache facing similar choices and I agree with what you all have written. Like Nancy has said Cal’s choice is 100% based on what’s best for Trey.
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