Murdoch was in his office, absentmindedly fiddling with his bicycle gears. There was a knock at the door and he lazily glanced up. Brackenreid was standing there with a big grin on his face holding up a bottle of champagne.
"Well, Murdoch?"
"She said no," he calmly informed.
If Brackenreid had been struck by lightning, he would have looked no different. The inspector dropped his arms like sacks of potatoes, as if he had no strength left in them.
There was an awkward pause.
"Bloody hell, I never would have thought...I was so sure...did she say why?"
Murdoch simply shook his head once, staring blindly at the nearest bike tire.
The inspector moved swiftly towards him, putting the bottle down on the worktable. His boss placed a hand to his shoulder and Murdoch continued to avoid his glance.
"Whatever you need, me old mucker, I'm here for you."
"That's kind of you to say, sir."
Silence except for the background chatter.
"Say Murdoch," Brackenreid said in an attempt at his usual jovial voice, "why don't you take the rest of the day off?"
"Sir, I couldn't possibly-"
"Nonsense, Murdoch!" the inspector said slapping him on the back. "We can hold down the fort for one day!"
"Sir-"
"I insist. Take this time to sort yourself out."
"All right, sir. I will."
Murdoch slowly retrieved his hat and ambled out into the main room.
"Is there a case, sir?" asked Henry confusedly.
"No, Henry."
"Then where are you going? It's not yet ten!"
"Never mind that, Higgins!" boomed the inspector from behind. "Now get back to work you Nosey Nelly!"
When Murdoch didn't show up for work the next day, Brackenreid began to get anxious but let the matter lie for the time being. However, he did decide to pay Murdoch a visit later that evening to see how he was faring. He was afraid if he didn't intervene now, Murdoch would become an unbearable sad sap again. And all because of the same woman! What was Dr. Ogden's problem anyway? Was it her life's mission to toy with the detective's emotions? Why couldn't she ever commit to anyone? Hell, she couldn't even stick to one goddamn profession!
Hussy, he thought rather uncharitably.
Since Crabtree had been worried too, he had also come along. Brackenreid didn't have the heart to tell the lad to get lost, not when he had been out of spirits too.
Women are nuts!
"I'm glad you've come," said Mrs. Kitchen, anxiously wringing her hands. "He's been locked up in there for days and refuses to eat anything!"
Under normal circumstances this would have made him chuckle; it was a well known fact that Murdoch's land lady was a notoriously atrocious cook. As it was, his insides clenched tightly.
Brackenreid had to knock several times before there was a response. As the door opened, there was the unmistakeable stench of an unwashed body and booze. It was no wonder. Murdoch was in complete shambles. His hair was very unkempt and sticking up every which way, his eyes were bloodshot and unfocused, stubble clung to his jaw, and he was wearing next to nothing, just a pair of trousers and a white shirt, the last of which was very dirty looking with various dark stains in various locations. Murdoch swayed where he stood and didn't say anything.
Bloody hell! groaned the inspector internally, it's worse than I thought!
Crabtree was just behind him but Brackenreid could feel the young mans disbelief as keenly as if he could see it.
"Sir," said the lad uncertainly, "are you all right?"
Murdoch's eyes flickered to the other mans face.
"Murdoch," said Brackenreid with a hand on his shoulder, "you're a mess. Let's get you cleaned up."
It took several dunks of the detective's head into cold water before he finally reacted.
"Enough!" Murdoch grunted, struggling to get away from Brackenreid's grip. "Let go of me!"
Brackenreid did as he bade and Murdoch glowered at him while his sopping wet hair dripped everywhere.
"You didn't have to do that!" Murdoch snapped, very agitated. "What are you doing here anyway? I thought you gave me the day off?"
Brackenreid and Crabtree shared a look.
"That was two days ago, mate."
Murdoch looked appalled. "Regardless," he said stubbornly, "what do you want?"
"Well, we had come to take you out for some diversion," said the constable- who the inspector just realized was drinking from Murdoch's alcohol supply, consequently whipping it out of his hand- "but well, I don't suppose you are really up for that."
There was silence for a moment. "On the contrary, George. I'm tired of being cooped up in here. Let's go!" he said grabbing his hat. "Right now!"
"Uh, sir, don't you think you should get dressed first? What would Mrs. Kitchen think?"
"What the devil do I care?" Crabtree just stared at him until he sighed. "Yes, I suppose you are right."
The two men left the small apartment and waited patiently for twenty minutes while Murdoch got ready. When he next presented himself, it was as if he had undergone a complete transformation. Every trace of his former wretchedness had been erased, all save for the blood shot eyes.
"Where are we going?" asked Murdoch as they descended the stairs.
"To get you something to eat," said Brackenreid.
"And after?"
Crabtree butted in and the inspector restrained himself from throttling the lad. "And then we thought maybe you'd enjoy a nice bicycle ride to the museum. Apparently they've got a new dinosaur on display!"
"Ah yes, I believe it was the Barosaurus!" he said with a glint in his eye. "This particular specimen is supposed to be quite massive."
"Larger than a T-Rex?"
"Oh, indeed, George! Much larger! You see..."
And then Murdoch proceeded to spout off about the Barosaurus for what seemed like an eternity. Brackenreid bore the mind numbing details as best he could. He was just glad his friend appeared to be enjoying himself. That had been his only goal tonight.
He smiled in self satisfaction.
The women were teasing the bride to be, again. They had been doing so the entire journey through the forest. Their jolly moods were beginning to get on her nerves.
What was she doing here? This was the last place she wanted to be right now!
Julia glanced sideways at Emily in annoyance. How was it her friend was always able to make her do things she didn't want to do? Such manipulations were insufferably similar to her own sisters.
"Don't give me that look, Julia," said Emily. "This is for your own good. You were wallowing."
"I was not wallowing."
Emily didn't need to say anything to retort. They both knew she was just being overly head strong to avoid appearing weak.
They walked in silence for a time until the cabin came into view. The closer they got, the more apparent it was that it had seen better days. The lake was quite placid and consequently beautiful and Julia thought the difference quite striking, and welcome.
"Ooh, how revolting!" chirped Felicity, in equal parts fascination and disgust, as if she had just come across a dead body.
"It's not that bad," said Emma, the bride. "I think it rather charming."
"Who's idea was it to come all the way out here again?" asked Patricia a bit nervously.
"Mine," replied Betty. "My cousin told me this cabin was haunted."
"Well, why on earth would we want to stay in a haunted house?" sputtered Patricia, even more uneasy, eyes fixated on the encroaching darkness. "What kind of bachelorette party is that?"
"The fun kind," said Emma, grinning from ear to ear.
Emily smirked at Julia and she felt compelled to return the gesture.
Once they were all settled, Emily immediately retrieved the glasses and began pouring a bit of champagne for everyone. Julia couldn't help but notice the bottle of absinthe in the alcohol bin. She bit her lip as certain unwelcome thoughts came back to her. However, when her friend held out the glass to her, all trace of her agitation was gone and she forced herself to smile.
Emily raised a glass and said, "To all the happy bachelorettes."
"Hear, hear!" they exclaimed as they began clinking glasses.
"May you strive to be as happy after you are married to your oppressive and vulgar husband," said Betty in her droll way, as she tapped her glass to Emma's.
This elicited a few chuckles.
Julia took a sip and then another. Before long the whole glass was empty but it didn't seem to effect her at all. She had a feeling she was going to need a lot more libation to get her through the night.
"Oh see here," said Felicity in her happy manner, "Julia's gone and finished already! What a thirsty girl! At this rate she will drink us dry within the hour!"
The other ladies laughed, all except for Emily. She gave Julia an apologetic look.
Yes, a great deal of alcohol would be needed.
After they were all a bit tipsy, Julia more so than the others, someone suddenly decided it would be a good idea to go exploring the surrounding woods.
"But it's pitch black out there!" exclaimed Patricia. "How do you expect to see?"
"With this silly!" said Emma gayly, swinging a lantern in front of her face. "Come on then!"
The four ladies skipped off into the forest, arm in arm, singing boisterously. Emily and Julia remained behind, just outside the cabin, admiring the moonlight across the lake.
"You can still catch up to them," said Julia.
"I'm perfectly contented here."
"Really, Emily," said Julia with a sigh, "you don't need to watch over me."
"Actually, I think I do. You had quite a lot to drink."
It wasn't an accusation in any way, just a fact.
Some time passed in silence, with the exception of an owl or two.
"So Julia," said Emily slowly, "you still haven't told me what happened."
"There's nothing to tell," she said shortly.
"Surely you can't be serious? The man you almost died for- twice- finally proposes and you refuse him? Clearly there is more to this matter than meets the eye. Even a simpleton can see that."
Julia didn't respond.
"What did he do?"
No response.
"He must have done something terrible," Emily continued, "for you to rebuke him in such a way."
Another silence.
"Did you catch him with another woman?"
What she wanted to say was, 'What an absurd notion, Emily! William would never betray me that way! Now stop asking questions! I thought you brought me here to relax?'
What she actually said was, "Yes."
She hated lying to her friend but it was the only way to put an end to the matter.
Emily gaped at her and was about to respond when a blood curdling scream wrenched her heart.
It'll get happier...eventually. I promise. :)