An Odd Couple

Chapter 1

"Murdoch, I want you and Dr. Grace to go to a little village, Rounders Creek, about 30 miles east. There's been a murder and they have no law enforcement to speak of, so they've asked for the Toronto Constabulary's help in this. You can take the train part way. Then you'll have to hire a carriage."

"Yes sir. Have you told Dr. Grace?"

"I have. She's packing a bag. You should go home and do the same."

Before he left, Murdoch telephoned Julia to cancel their dinner date for that evening.

"It's times like these that I wish you were still the medical examiner."

Julia laughed. "You'll be fine with Emily."

"I'm not saying she isn't excellent at her job. I'd just rather be with you."

"And I with you. I'll miss you. Solve this quickly and hurry back to me."

"I will."

George entered the morgue to find Emily just getting ready to leave.

"George! The inspector has requested that I accompany detective Murdoch on a case out of town."

"I know. I thought I'd come and see you off."

"I wish you were going instead. I don't think the detective likes me very much."

"I wish I were going too. But I don't think detective Murdoch dislikes you, Emily. He's just all business when you're around him. He has a lighter side."

"He does?"

"Oh yes. I've even seen him laugh." At that statement they both chuckled.

Murdoch met Emily at the train station. He had their tickets in his pocket.

"Shall we board, Dr. Grace?"

And William took Emily's arm and helped her up the train steps. They found seats and sat facing each other. Then came the awkward silence. William didn't recall ever having been alone with Dr. Grace other than in the line of duty. He had no idea how to start a conversation or what the topic of said talk should be. Emily felt the same way.

"Er...a...Doctor, George tells me that you're quite a croquet player."

"Why yes, Detective. I was ladies' champ at the Athletic Club a few years ago."

"I see," he replied awkwardly. Then the uncomfortable quiet asserted itself again.

Finally Emily spoke. "So tell me Detective, have you and Julia seen the new production at the Shaftsbury, Shaw's CEASAR & CLEOPATRA?"

"Uh...no, not yet. How about you?"

"Me neither," she laughed nervously.

This was getting difficult. Always before there had been others around to direct and carry the conversation. So they fell into an inconvenient stillness. The detective was older than George, almost, but not quite old enough to be her father.

And Murdoch was thinking that Dr. Grace was so very young that he had nothing in common with her, except their work. So they both directed their gazes out the window, concentrating on the passing scenery. After an hour or so the train came to a stop and they disembarked, claimed their luggage and went in search of a carriage to rent.

"Tell me, detective Murdoch, if you will. Do you think George will make detective one day?" Emily began a new conversation as they trotted along in their carriage on their way to Rounders Creek.

William thought for a moment before he spoke. Then he said, "I think that is quite possible, doctor. George is very intuitive, clever, and detailed. He just needs a little more self confidence." At last, thought Murdoch, a topic that they both had in common, George. So for the next few miles they talked about Constable George Crabtree.

When they reached their destination they proceeded to the pub where they met the proprietor and the person who had contacted the Constabulary in the first place.

After introducing themselves William and Emily waited to be addressed.

"This is pretty much the hub of the village, detective. I can put you and the doctor up while you're here, in rooms upstairs. You can take your meals here as well." Then he stuck out his hand and said, "I'm Scott McCoy. Pleased to meet you."

"Thank you," replied Murdoch. "I guess we better see the crime scene now."

"Surely. I'll take you. We've left the body there for you."

McCoy led their carriage to a house on the outskirts of the village. Inside Murdoch, crossing himself, found the victim lying face down in the bedroom, his head almost severed from the body. Emily knelt beside the body and did a cursory exam.

"I'll know more when I can perform the postmortem, but there seems to be no other wound than the one to the neck. Mr. McCoy, is there someplace that I can examine the body and do an autopsy?"

"Yes, doctor. You can have a corner of the stockroom at my pub. I'll help you load the body, then I must get back."

"Before you go", asked Murdoch, "do you know who the victim is?"

"Oh, yeah. It's John Street. He lived here."

McCoy rode off and Murdoch asked Emily to wait while he examined the crime science in more detail.

"I'll go with you if that's alright, detective."

"Of course, doctor. Come along."

As they re-entered the little house, something felt different to Murdoch. He held out his hand to stop Emily and keep her quiet. Standing there he strained his ears and was sure he heard a third person breathing heavily. Out of the corner of his eye he saw movement. Suddenly a large figure lunged toward Dr. Grace. He held a long saber aloft and Murdoch was able to push Emily aside as the saber swooshed through the air missing all contact.

"Run, doctor! To the carriage!"

As Emily turned toward the door the man turned his attention to Murdoch. William grabbed a chair and held it out in defense. The man kept coming, forcing William to back-pedal toward the window which was closed. The looming hulk had a crazed look about his eyes that made William very uneasy. There would be no reasoning with this fellow. As the man forced him back, William tripped, plunging his hand through the window glass. But now he had an exit as clambered over the sill. He was fairly sure he had his murderer but he had no way to subdue him, disarm him, and arrest him. Escape seemed the better part of valor at the moment. He ran across the porch toward Emily awaiting in the carriage. His pursuer was large and ungainly and in no way able to catch up.

Murdoch swung up into the carriage. "Drive. Doctor! Drive!"

Emily shook the reins and they took off with Murdoch craning his neck to look behind them. As they pulled away rapidly he sighed. At least they would live another day with their heads and could catch this madman later. There was no pursuit as Murdoch relaxed a bit. He looked curiously down at his hand which had gone through the window glass. A large shard of glass was sticking deep in his palm. He pulled it out, dropping it on the passing ground. Then he took a handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped his hand to stanch the bleeding. Emily glanced his way as he did these actions.

"I'll look at that when we get back, detective."

"Yes. Thank you doctor."