Obviously, this story deviates greatly from canon. I hope you will enjoy it, and if you do, feel free to leave a review! It would definitely help bolster this Murdoch Mysteries fan's confidence! ~Myst

"Bloody hell, Murdoch," Inspector Brackenreid snapped in fury, slamming down a newspaper on the young detective's desk and beginning to pace around the office. "You had her!"

William Murdoch looked distinctly disgruntled. "I thought I did, sir," he told him, managing to keep a polite tone. "Apparently she knew what our moves were before we did." He glanced down at the newspaper, rubbing his chin. "She struck the mason's society, did she not?"

"You can read, can't you?" Brackenreid demanded, striding over to a cabinet and pulling out a bottle of fine whiskey. William rolled his eyes and scanned the newspaper, not bothering to read the full article detailing the theft.

Julia Ogden, notorious Canadian thief, has seemingly returned to Toronto. She was last sighted in Buffalo, America, and it is thus far unknown why she has made an appearance in the popular Mason's society only yesterday. Ogden stole several valuables before disappearing without a trace, but oddly enough, did not make away with the most expensive valuable in the area. Where is Ogden now? Why has she, perhaps purposely, not stolen the Grand Piano which sits proudly in the Mason's Society? Where will she strike next?
Citizens of Toronto are advised to hide your treasures and lock your doors more soundly.

William stopped reading there, glancing up as George Crabtree entered the room. "What do you have for me, George?" he asked the constable, who shrugged. "Not much, I'm afraid. We collected all the evidence at the crime scene, sir- fingerprints, hair, the works. Nothing was identified as Miss Ogden's, nor has she left any clues behind. Higgins is still looking, sir."

"I don't think there's any damn point in examining the scene any more, Crabtree," Brackenreid spoke harshly, now pouring himself a glass of whiskey. "Julia Ogden is a professional thief. Canada's constabulary- every constabulary in every province- has been after her for a year now, I seem to recall. Murdoch himself was quite fascinated with her work at a point."

William cleared his throat. "A professional interest. I was trying to detect any clues she may have left behind in any of her thefts, as no officer could ever seem to find her, sir, but I was unsuccessful. One might think she was familiar with the police system."

"That's a distinct possibility, sir," George perked up visibly. "I've been doing some reading up as well. Would you like to hear the information I collected?"

"Go on," Brackenreid told him bluntly, taking a swig of his drink. "But don't expect us to be interested."
"Very well, George," William answered swiftly, shooting Brackenreid a look and sitting back in his chair, still studying the newspaper intently for any clues the text might give him.

George straightened up. "Julia Ogden's father was a very wealthy man. She took advantage of this by going into medicinal studies. Pathology, I believe. She studied at various schools around the country and had sound references."

"She was a doctor?" William asked immediately, and narrowed his eyes. "That would explain one of her earlier thefts..."

"Does that matter? What else do you have on her, Crabtree?" Brackenreid interrupted and then coughed, looking down at his glass of whiskey. "But there's one thing that makes no sense. If this Ogden woman were from a very wealthy family, why would she feel the need to steal? She obviously didn't need the money."

"For a challenge?" William suggested, scouring his brain. "Those of wealth often have nothing to occupy themselves." He paused. "But then, her medical practice would have kept her busy enough, if she was employed anywhere."

Brackenreid snorted. "A woman pathologist? Not likely to get a job."

"If I may continue, sirs, this is where it gets quite interesting. You see, before Julia Ogden disappeared off of the map for a month, she was set to work in Toronto, at the Toronto morgue. That means that she'd have been working directly with the Toronto Constabulary. Working directly with us," George finished, looking triumphant. "And if I may bring your attention to-"

"Shut up, Crabtree," Brackenreid told him, and glanced at William, who was looking thoughtful. "Something strikes me as odd. Why would she become a criminal? She just was offered a job that in other circumstances she would never be offered. Surely she would have been excited, overjoyed even," William added.

"Or maybe you're over-thinking this, Murdoch. She's just a loon. We've encountered those types before. A smart rich 'un who just went crackers," Brackenreid told the younger man impatiently, twiddling with his badge and looking around William's office. "I don't care about her past, to be completely honest. I only give half a damn about her future, which will be spent in my jail cell. On with it." The large man stalked off then, and George nodded. "Would you like me to continue the search at the mason's society?"

"No, George, I'd like to come and examine it myself. Tonight, perhaps," William mused, picking up the newspaper again. George frowned. "I don't know, sir. There's a meeting tonight and I'm not sure if-"

"It's police business George," William reminded the constable, who inclined his head with a defeated sigh, cringing. "I'll tell the Inspector..." he spoke mournfully, and then exited the office, leaving Murdoch to bend his head over the newspaper again.

There was something ever so interesting about this Julia Ogden. He found himself wishing she had actually come to work in Toronto. To have direct contact with a mind like that! It was quite a shame she had put that mind to criminal ways instead of making a difference somewhere else with it.

Focus, William. She's just another criminal that has yet to be caught. Nothing more.

William stood up abruptly and put on his hat, turning on his heel to glance out at the darkening sky. "Mason's society. Great," he muttered to himself.