"Proof"
Warning: Season 10 reference-takes place after From Murdoch to Eternity.
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"Doctor?" He tossed his grey jacket casually over a peg on the wall. "What do you suppose your husband thinks you are doing right now, and with whom?" he asked with a wink.
Her brilliant smile was eager as she came closer. "Why…I told him the truth. You wanted to show me what you acquired on your trip and I was curious to share your finds." She frowned prettily then. "This is our first opportunity to meet since you got back."
He began adjusting his shirt and dropped his voice even though there was no one to overhear. "And he was not suspicious at all about his wife staying at her work so late?"
"My husband trusts me. He also has no interest in exotic biological samples unless they are directly related to one of his investigations," she waved her hand dismissively. "Therefore he is oblivious."
"Ah, Murdoch. A barmpot in blissful ignorance regarding his wife. I'm not surprised…" he mumbled. "No disrespect…"
Julia snorted. "And your wife, Inspector? What did you tell her?"
"That I was going to confer with the good Doctor Ogden on this itchy rash I also gained on my little trip south, which she is after me to stop scratching."
"She let you out of her sight?" Julia was surprised.
"Well, she's forgiven me for deceiving her about my return from Panama, even tried to say she knew about substituting another man for me and was just playing along." Thomas rolled his eyes. "I've spent the better part of a week making it up to her, on a very short leash I might add, and I've finally gotten away." He pointed to his arm where the sleeve was now rolled up, revealing odd red bumps and obvious evidence of his fingernails digging into the flesh. "I'd rather see you about it than that hack she set me up with! Daft woman! That medical crank wanted to poke me with one of those damned needles. I was not going to have that, not bloody likely." He resisted scratching with effort. "You think it is a parasite?"
She took his arm and examined it. "Yes, I finally do have a diagnosis for you." She tapped her finger on an over-sized book perched on the lab bench, unfolded to a rather hideous full - colour plate. The inspector immediately looked away, she saw with satisfaction. "You have cutaneous Leishmaniosis, which is transmitted through the phlebotomine sand-fly, a common tropical disease I have only seen it in medical journals before, never in a live patient! It is absolutely fascinating to see."
"If you say so, doctor. But can you help me?" he asked anxiously.
"Of course, I shall try. Your infection is at the beginning stages, so I have concocted a treatment you can use that should help…" Julia saw his face colour. "And no—no needles," she smirked, then said airily: "We'd need William again for that –and he's the last person either of wishes to see right now, considering what we are about to do."
Thomas immediately recalled his 'gold cure' episode. The last time with Murdoch and a needle was beyond embarrassing. His eyes rounded in alarm to both suggestions. "Never!"
"Well, enough about that. Are we not wasting time?" she asked, eyes glittering with expectation.
He nodded emphatically, licking his lips. "I'll say…"
"I take it you think they are both in the dark about what we are doing here?" Julia was still a bit on guard.
He clapped his hands together in glee, his rash forgotten. "I sure to hell hope so. I canna wait to start—been dreamin' of this all day in fact."
"Myself as well…" She rose gracefully. "Let me slip out of this to get more comfortable."
Thomas watched her pull the tie free and lower her apron. "Er…doctor. Mebee we should mind the door? Put th'wood in th'ole so to speak. It wouldn't do to get caught out."
Her face flushed while she shoved down her feelings of guilt about sneaking around. "I quite agree. Sometimes I think my morgue is some sort of thoroughfare, but right now we are secure. Everyone's been sent home for the night and I have left word I did not wish to be disturbed." She took her large key ring and locked both entrances, ensuring complete privacy. "There. Now, shall we begin?"
"My pleasure, doctor. Any road up, I can't think of another soul I'd rather do this with than you, right here, right now," Thomas said earnestly.
Julia blushed. "I am flattered, Inspector, and I will admit, quite excited."
"Prepare to be thrilled. If you are ready…come closer. I just need to open this up."
Thomas placed a large battered leather case on the workbench and extracted a pint-sized bottle. Taking the stopper out, he poured a dram of the pungent liquid into two small glasses. "I think we'll start with this." He handed her one. "It's called 'Pox,' of all things, made from corn, sugar and wheat. I have seven more bottles of different ones to try, but this'll take the brass off your buttons, as we used to say in the regiment. Bottom's up!"
Both took their slugs straight down and gasped in unison at the effect of the unusual liquor as it burned its way down. "Oh my, how exotic!" Julia finally spoke. "Seven more, you say. Are they all like this?"
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William fitted his key into the morgue lock and turned it, listening carefully to the noise on the other side of the door. Julia's Edison Victrola was blaring a jaunty tune and he heard laughter. He was immediately concerned that some of the constables had commandeered the morgue and the record-player for a secret revelry of some kind-not an unheard of event, despite the dire warnings they got after last time. He was angry now for two reasons: Being sent here at the behest of Mrs. Brackenreid to locate her husband was just the start of his irritation and the men within were going to get the full extent of his outrage for disrespecting the dead as well as interfering with his wife's domain. He drew in a full breath with which to announce himself, took the handle in his hand and strode through the doorway…
To be greeted by the sight of Julia and the inspector dancing!
Well, perhaps not dancing, exactly… It appeared Julia and the inspector were drunkenly holding each other up and giggling to boot, insensible to being observed.
"What on earth…?" William was perplexed for only a small moment. The smell of liquor seeped past the usual chemical and biological odors of the morgue, he saw several bottles and two glasses laid out in the workbench. He opened his mouth then shut it, twice, unable to find anything to say which the situation merited. He overheard something about Julia complaining her feet hurt from getting stepped on and the inspector complain about how much he missed his wife while he was on his adventure. William almost moved forward to announce himself then decided against it.
I will tell Mrs. Brackenreid I found her husband and not to worry. The way I see it, they will both get the punishment they so richly deserve from the massive hangover they are going to have. He grinned wickedly. And I won't be quiet about it either!
With that he closed and re-locked the door. And I don't have to yet admit I still have a key….
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