Spoiler Warning: This is set post Series 4 and is an 'account' of events following the episode 'Murdoch in Wonderland.' Consequently, if you've not seen it, and you don't like spoilers, don't read! If, on the other hand, you are not adverse to a bit of absolute tosh, then read on!
'This One Only Goes To Ten'
Rapturous thunder shook the city. Every few minutes, a fresh sheet of lightening sliced through the leaden evening sky, illuminating all surrounding it. As sheets of rain lashed down, the dusty streets turned to a quagmire. Everyone had found sanctuary from the downpour some time ago and the streets were deserted; all apart from the entrance to one particular building.
A looming, eleven storey high tower dominated the sky line, even in the ink black darkness. A police constable hovered by its dimly lit entrance. Unwilling to step inside out of the rain, he shuffled around, looking this way and that, as if waiting to meet someone. His uniform was sodden but this did not deter him from his duty. Occasionally, he fruitlessly tried to brush away the interminable rain drops from his otherwise immaculate dress, and then his eyes resumed their diligent search of the desolate street once more.
When the sound of approaching horses' hooves could be distinguished above the raging storm, he sighed and a visible look of relief spread across his face. As the carriage drew up, the constable quickly made one final attempt to brush away any evidence of disorder; momentarily he removed his helmet, smoothed down his dripping wet, short hair, replaced it and feigned a position of calm authority.
A suited figure descended from the carriage and made a dash for the entrance. Once under the canopy, he removed his hat, wiped away any traces of rain with calm ease and returned it to his head. He eyed his soaking wet companion, who had joined him under the only cover available, with curiosity but refrained from drawing attention to his colleague's somewhat dishevelled appearance.
"Good evening George. What have we here? It's been a few years since I was at this wonderful Pendrick building," said the new arrival, glancing up at the monumental building with a look of awe. "Not the theft of another Rembrandt is it?"
"Well Detective Murdoch, it appears that one of the maids has found a body sir. A dead body, that is. It's made a complete and utter mess of one of the guest rooms on the tenth floor. I've seen it and, quite frankly, it looks to me as if some kind of lunatic is prowling this city of ours. It's rather an untidy affair I'm afraid. No Vampires this time. Well, if it is, this one definitely needs to go and have his teeth seen to." He shivered a little as his mind pictured the scene he had witnessed. Before he seemed to draw breath, his explanation continued, "I'd say some kind of knife…"
Murdoch interrupted. He calmly raised the palm of his hand and winced a little indicating the narrator to halt his tale. Crabtree breathed deeply, as if forcing himself to swallow the words he might have spoken.
"Where is everyone?" Murdoch enquired. They both peered behind them into an empty but well lit vestibule.
"Well Sir, the thing is…the thing is, we were all at Dr Ogden's wedding reception when a messenger came."
Murdoch inhaled deeply but he did not show any obvious outward signs of unhappiness, none that he perceived Crabtree had noticed anyway. He eyed George, urging him to continue.
"It seemed pretty urgent to me. All the other officers are somewhat…somewhat indisposed; their level of carousing has to be seen to be believed. Even Constable Higgins…The Temperance League will definitely not approve. Anyway, Inspector Brackenreid and his wife left some time ago; before things got out of hand. I haven't been able to locate him. When I arrived there was chaos; the guests were all trying to leave and the Manager was in a desperate state. I have ushered all the guests into the Dining Room. I'm not sure how long we can keep them; they seem very agitated and rather eager to leave. I was relieved to see you step out of that cab. Have you seen Inspector Brackenreid? I haven't been able to contact a coroner yet either. I left a message at the mortuary but they were not hopeful they could find someone, not at such a late hour. It's not as if Dr Ogden will be attending this one…" He voice trailed off, realising he was encroaching on sensitive ground, for the second time.
Murdoch nodded. Momentarily his dark eyes flickered with grief. His mind was spinning.
"I saw the Inspector back at the Station. He agreed I should take this case…" He was about to continue, but realised it would do nothing to resolve the situation, and certainly not help to solve the heinous crime that had been committed on the tenth floor. George would be informed of the events had taken place over the preceding few hours soon enough, as would his superiors. Until then…