The Alienist

Morgan is appalled to learn of the abduction and apologizes to Kreizler and Moore for Byrnes’s and Connor’s methods. The zealous and self-righteous Comstock, allied with the bishops, regards Kreizler’s work as a threat to the family and to civilization itself, while Byrnes has a stake in preserving the old order at police headquarters. Moore senses as much and begins to relax, for it is clear that all of these men defer to Morgan, that Morgan commands the room, and that Morgan alone appears open to hearing Kreizler’s view of things. Kreizler explains his ideas, ignoring Comstock’s objections and outbursts. Morgan politely dismisses Comstock and the bishops to speak with Kreizler and Moore alone. Moore explains to an incredulous Kreizler that the bishops fear a general uprising among the immigrants. Byrnes stealthily reenters and, in his bullying way, again threatens Moore, who replies that Byrnes no longer has any authority. Byrnes denigrates Kreizler’s methods, insisting both that the case cannot be solved and that the immigrants only need to be told to stay in line. Morgan again dismisses Byrnes.

Alone again with Kreizler and Moore, Morgan makes it clear that his primary concern is public order, for the country is “at a crossroads” with matters such as immigration and organized labor (305).