Major C. D. Brock

Major C. D. Bloch is a Special Service officer whose two appearances at Jubal Harshaw’s home frame the raid’s legal failure and its awkward aftermath. Sent to find a missing arrest squad, he arrives under orders but cannot produce the warrant for the break-in; later, he returns to the house and absorbs Harshaw’s pointed reminder without answering.

Identity and Assignment

Bloch identifies himself to Joseph E. Douglas as a major in the Special Service Squadron, stationed at Cheerio, Maryland Enclave Barracks. He explains that he came to Harshaw’s home pursuant to orders from the Commandant, after being sent with a reserve squad to locate an earlier flying squad and assist it if needed.

The Missing Warrants

When Harshaw demands to see the search warrant, Douglas instructs Bloch to show it. Bloch turns red and admits that the warrants were with Captain Heinrich, the officer who is missing. He insists that warrants existed and that he had seen them, but cannot produce one. Douglas challenges him directly over whether he broke into a citizen’s home without a warrant. Bloch’s explanation therefore distinguishes the claimed authorization from what he can establish at the scene: the officer carrying the documents is absent, leaving Bloch unable to substantiate the search.

Return to Harshaw’s Home

Bloch appears again when an officer at the door salutes Harshaw. Harshaw recognizes him and greets him with a jab about having broken down any doors lately. Bloch turns red, keeps his eyes forward, and does not answer. Harshaw considers making another joke about damage to the house, but decides against it; Duke has already made a temporary plywood closure for the damaged entrance. Bloch’s return does not resolve the earlier dispute. Instead, his silent reaction makes the failed raid persist as an embarrassment in the household’s memory.