TSBTI Letter

142 Garden Avenue, Apt. 5

Toronto, ON

M6R 1H7

September 7, 1999

Dear Dominic,

I hope that as you read this that you are in a good place, you have found some peace and you are eager to play again. It has been over a year since I received your voice message apologizing and telling me not to worry. I did worry Dom and I continue to be concerned about you. I do feel somewhat reassured now that I have finished transcribing the tapes and reading your notebooks. Unfortunately, I overlooked the tape in your recorder and did not listen to it until I had completed all the others. If I had started with that one I may have been slightly less troubled at certain points while working my way through the material. On the other hand, I may have approached it differently so perhaps it is for the best after all.

After you left the stage at the AGO I tired to find you. I checked all of your favourite spots including Pho Pasteur, Dai Nam and Fran’s. Later, I joined the police in their search for you. I never believed that you would have killed yourself. I tired to discover if you had contacted anyone else. I know I irritated Claire with all my questions, but after going through the tapes and learning of the abortion, I understood her reaction to me. I also started to learn what you were experiencing before you left. I had no idea that you were under so much pressure that you needed to get away.

I can’t help but wonder if you were trying to follow in Gould’s footsteps. I know you don’t recall anything before you found yourself in the Montreal airport, but do you think that subconsciously you knew where you were going? Unlike Gould, you really observed and came to know the people of Wolf Cove. The music you played at the school sounded to me like a representation of northern life. I listened to Gould’s “Idea of North” and he didn’t capture the north and its people the way you did.

At many times I wanted to try and reach out to you. I was deeply concerned about you when I realized that you saw Malachai turn over in his kayak and not resurface. I wasn’t sure how I might react in the same situation and I was afraid for you. I tried to find you. I contacted the RCMP and Northern Ventures. Based on what I’d learned about Sam Willy, I doubt he told you that someone was looking for you. Later, I remembered that one night, around the time that Malachai died my phone rang, but the caller hung-up. I thought that it might have been you on the other end. Was it you that called that night?

You seemed convinced that you saw McCardle’s body in the stone cairn. I think that there were many people who likely wanted him gone, but do you have any idea who might have put him there? It doesn’t really matter, but the reporter in me likes to tie up the loose ends.

Ultimately, going north seems to have been the right move for you. I’m not sure that you would have experienced the same recovery had you stayed in Toronto. I will send this note to your Toronto address. I expect someone will ensure that you receive it. I look forward to hearing from you when the time is right.

Sincerely,

Joe