Mr. Finch was a jovial, elderly gentleman who had owned the Scholarly Text Emporium for at least as long as William had been in Toronto. His shop sold new and used textbooks that catered mainly to the students and professors at the nearby university. William hadn't been to Mr. Finch's bookshop in quite some time. Before his marriage to Julia he used to spend his spare evenings reading scientific and medical texts and journals many of which he'd bought from Mr. Finch. Now he spent his evenings sitting with his beautiful wife by his side. They discussed cases mainly, both his and Julia's, though she never disclosed her patients names, just their maladies. However he now found himself in Mr. Finch's shop looking for an obscure text which he hoped would help him in his latest case.
"Good day Mr. Murdoch," Mr. Finch welcomed William, "I haven't seen you in quite some time." "No Mr. Finch, I don't get to do as much reading as I once did." William replied. "I hope the crime rate isn't the cause, I'd hate to think Toronto was in jeopardy of losing its 'GOOD' name." quipped Mr. Finch. William smiled at Mr. Finch's attempt at humour, "Ah, no, no Mr. Finch, I'm married now." Mr. Finch swept from behind the counter, took William's hand firmly in his and gave it a hearty shake. "Congratulations Mr. Murdoch! Tell me, when did this joyous event occur?" "Thank you Mr. Finch. Six months ago now," beamed William. "I hope married life is treating you well, though I suspect it is as it must have been that long since I last saw you." William nodded, "That it is Mr. Finch! That it is."
"Well now, what can I do for you? What kind of book are you looking for today?" William told him of his problem and asked if Mr. Finch had the specific book he was looking for, unfortunately he didn't. Whilst looking for a similar text Mr. Finch stopped and took out another book. He looked at it, thought for a moment then stared at William who had been distracted by a medical journal that had just come in that day. He was surprised William was looking at a psychiatric journal but he was a widely read man and perhaps this was one of his latest interests. His attention turned back to the book. Putting it on the shelf beneath the counter Mr. Finch continued his search and found the book he hoped would be a suitable substitute for William.
"Here it is!" Mr. Finch exclaimed, "I do hope this will be of help Mr. Murdoch. If it isn't just bring it back." William scanned through the book and finding a chapter on the poison he was interested in said he'd take it. "I see you were looking at the Journal of Psychiatry, it's a new publication, in fact that is the first issue. Is psychiatry a new interest for you Mr. Murdoch? I can see how it may help you with your job" "Actually my wife is a doctor of psychiatry at the asylum on Queen Street." William proudly announced. "Then please take that copy for her as a gift from me." William thanked the shopkeeper and paid for his book. Mr. Finch smiled and looked at William rather sheepishly as he retrieved a book from under the counter, "… and I have something here I'd like to give to you. A belated wedding gift as it were." William was about to say that really wasn't necessary when Mr. Finch carried on, "it doesn't quite fit in with my usual inventory. Actually I took it in partial payment from a young man that found himself a little short for an essential text for his university studies." William smiled, "That was very kind of you Mr. Finch." "Yes, yes. However I've not really known what to do with it since." "Oh…." William tried to look at the book's cover but Mr. Finch was holding it so that he couldn't quite see it. "Actually, my wife and I did take a look at it and we found it very interesting." he blushed a little. "It's an old book, written in Sanskrit, however someone took the trouble to write an English translation between the lines." Mr. Finch pushed the book into William's hand "I hope you'll get as much out of it as we did Mr. Murdoch!"
William rushed back to the stationhouse hiding his 'gift' between the scholarly text and medical journal. Whilst he wasn't sure what it was the picture on the front cover suggested he wouldn't want anyone to see him carrying it. Walking through his office door William hung up his hat then went to his desk. Opening the bottom drawer as he sat down he placed the book under a file. Then he opened up his book on poisons at the chapter he was interested in and started to read but he couldn't concentrate on the words in front of him. His mind kept going to the book in his drawer. He closed the book in front of him and stared at the drawer, then glanced over to George and Henry's desks, the Inspector's office and as far as he could into the foyer. Everyone was busily employed and taking no notice of him. William opened the drawer, he felt for the book under the file. Taking it out he studied the title, Kama Sutra, beneath which was a picture of an unclothed couple with limbs entwined. Reaching in another drawer William took out a manila file folder opened it up and placed the book inside then stared at the buff folder.
Taking a deep breath and once again doing a quick scan of the bullpen William opened up the folder and stared at the picture on the cover. "What's that Murdoch?" The Inspector had appeared out of nowhere! William slammed the file shut, swallowing nervously. "Err, nothing sir, just a case file I'm looking through." The Inspector didn't look convinced, "Looks a bit thick for a case file. Thought I saw a book in there." "Just a journal Sir," William silently said a Hail Mary for his lie. "Okay then Murdoch, carry on." The Inspector took one more look towards the file folder and giving a skeptical look walked out towards his own office.
William opened the book this time without interruption. He scanned through the pages. The book appeared to be a guide on how to live and love, albeit by ancient Indian standards. Perhaps the picture on the front was a little deceptive. William decided he would read it whilst at work. He could usually find a few minutes each day, and then he'd decide if he'd take it home to Julia. The book was split into 7 parts each relating to a different aspect of life and love between men and women. He'd read at least one part a day until it was finished.
William found much of the book didn't apply to current standards of behaviour or culture but he had to admit there were certainly some words of wisdom. Then he got to Part II, Of Sexual Union….
William wasn't sure how to address the matter of 'the book' with Julia so he decided to hide it in his nightstand drawer and present it to her when the time felt right. Whilst he and Julia had a passionate love life he was still a little shy about broaching the subject in conversation. He knew Julia found this silly but it was hard to overcome his upbringing and education completely. William thought he'd give it to her tonight when they went to bed. Unfortunately by the time they got to bed Julia was so tired that she went right to sleep. He'd have to try again tomorrow night.
The next evening things were going fine, Julia was energized and William was feeling good so he decided tonight was the night. Julia was in the bathroom washing off the day's grime and William thought this was the perfect time to get out the book and put it on her pillow. He opened the drawer, the book wasn't there! Had one of the hotel maids been in his drawer and taken it? What else could have happened to it? Unbeknownst to William Julia had emerged from the bathroom whilst he was searching through the drawer. She walked up to her side of the bed and opened the drawer of her nightstand to store her earrings in their case. William was still searching when he saw Julia remove a book from her drawer. He looked at her with a stunned expression. "Is this what you're looking for William?"
