He was in front of the door since severals seconds, feeling his heart pounding, ready to explode in his chest, feeling his head making him sick a little more.
He saw the light come from the other side of the glass door. He jumped when he heard a carriage engage in the street and he walked away, down the wooden steps and prepared to walked on the paved driveway when the door opened and he froze onsite heard this voice that he loved to call him.
-William?
He turned slowly. Julia was there, in the doorway, wearing a long but thin nightgown, tying the belt of her robe, her hair disheveled cascading over her shoulders and down on her back. The light from behind her back gave her an air of angel and William couldn't utter a word seeing her like that.
The young woman walked slowly towards him and she froze at the top of the stairs, breathless.
-Oh my God, William, she said with panic, you are hurt.
She came quickly to him and took his hand.
-It is…not my blood, stammered the young man.
Julia stood for a time and looked deeply in his eyes. He thought during one second that she will enter in the house and leave him here, but her gaze became soft again. She looked at his body to watch closely the blood and his hand that she was still holding, then, she looked at him again. He felt the young woman take his other hand and attract him to the house.
-Julia, I have to explain…
She cutted him by placing her fnger on his lips.
-Get in, you will talk about this inside.
She didn't let him the time to answer and she bring him with her as he let him lead simply, in silence.
Julia had led William to the bathroom on the first floor. She had made him pour water into a basin, had brought him soap and a towel so he could wash his hands and face. Then he removed his jacket, waistcoat and his shirt open, all stained with blood. When he took his shirt off to be just t-shirt, Julia looked at him with interest.
-William, you are hurt.
-I received a blow to the head, he simply said as she approached him already.
-Sit down, 'she said tenderly guiding him to a chair that stood in a corner of the room.
Once again, he simply obeyed in silence. She leaned over him, leaving her fingers through his hair to look more closely at the wound. William's face was almost against her skin, his eyes still open, he couldn't help but see what was so close to him, that he wanted so much for so long. The fabric of the nightgown departed when the young woman moved and he smiled softly seeing her breasts draw between the fabric. Some curly locks fell over his face and he closed his eyes, savoring the moment, enjoying feeling her hands on him, her perfume surround and the movements of her chest. If there was a moment that night that he wanted to remember forever, it was this one.
-You are lucky, it is not deep, have you got dizziness or…William?
He opened his eyes and crossed her worry eyes.
-I should go Julia, I put you in danger if I stay here.
-And if you're not careful and extended some time, it is you who are in danger.
-I have to, began William wanting to get up.
-Tell me what happened while I heal you, Julia cut by placing her hands on his shoulders to keep him sat, please.
He nodded and sighed deeply.
-I fell into a trap and I must find the man who is responsible.
-James Gillies, Julia murmured, he is, isn't he?
-Yes.
Julia walked away from him to open a cabinet and out of cotton and products.
-I was called to a crime scene by a woman panicked, I was alone at the station and I got rushed, without thinking, believing she was in danger. There was a man who looked like at any point in Gillies. I had time to notice that he was dead and I was hit in the head. I saw Gillies, Julia ...
-Your imagination could play tricks on you, murmured the young woman while she was already beginning to heal, you are obsessed with this man since ...
-No, cut William, I know what I saw, he was there. When I woke up, I had the weapon in my hand, I was covered in blood and Brakenreid and George arrived. They tell me to leave as soon as can. I went home but they already entered Mrs.'s Kitchen. I had nowhere to go and ...
Julia walked away a little and smiled tenderly. She knelt before him, taking his hands in hers, squeezing gently without ever leaving his eyes.
-You know that you can trust me William. You were right to come to me.
-I know, but I do not want to put you in danger. And if Gillies is back, you are in danger, if the police is after me and learn that I am here, you are in danger and ...
He didn't finish his sentence as the doorbell rang again, startling the both. They exchanged glances and Julia got up immediately.
-I'll go, William whispered.
-You will stay, Julia replied immediately.
William stood up too and watched her moving to store everything around him. She took his clothes and shoved him in the arms.
-Julia ...
-In my bedroom William, hurry up.
She quickly cleaned all traces of the coming of the young man and pushed him out of the room. She opened the door that stood in front and gave him one last look.
-If you hear us up, go to the wardrobe.
-Julia, he anchored his eyes on hers, thank you.
She didn't answer and kissed his lips before slipping and quickly down the stairs, leaving him a little lost .
Then, against heart, always laden, he rushed into the room. There was of course no question of him turning on the light to signal his presence. He didn't know the room either, which complicated his progression. But a stroke of moon came to him from outside. He lives off the unmade bed in which slept the woman he loved. He saw a chest of drawers, dressing table, chair and a large dark mass; the wardrobe. William walked there quickly, he opened it and dropped his clothes inside, and after a last sigh and look given to dresses and corsets perfectly arranged, he slipped between them savoring the delicious smell of Julia's perfume encircle him.
The young woman sighed deeply and opened the door. She found herself face to Chef Giles, the Inspector Brakenreid and other men of the police station.
-Gentlemen? She said in the most innocent ton.
-Dr Ogden, began Chef, we are looking for Detective Murdoch.
-Why?
-Murder.
-I think if you want to contact him to come on a crime scene, you would call him home preferably, not too many come here at night. I do not live with the Detective, Chef Giles.
-You do not understand, Doctor, it is suspect and fugitive. We came to search your home.
-I do not allow you, huffed Julia.
-Doctor, murmured Brakenreid, you'd better let us in, it was not until the procedure considering...
-Considering your past with the Detective, added Giles misunderstood, where could he take refuge if not with his mistress?
Julia gave him a glare and stepped away from the door.
-Well, I have nothing to hide, go ahead.
Immediately the men came inside and searched all the rooms one by one.
-The first floor, Giles muttered after a few minutes.
-Remember to check my bed, added Julia challenging, this is where you expect to see him.
They shared another look and went up the stairs, searching every room carefully. In front of the Julia's bedroom , Giles turned to her.
-I hope for you that the Detective is not here Dr Ogden, or you will be charged to murder for protecting a fugitive.
Then Julia did a step toward him and flung open the door, turning on the light. She stood in the middle of the room, hands on her hips while the Chef looked carefully around him.
-Perhaps in the wardrobe, he whispered.
-Enough Giles, threw Brakenreid, men have turned the whole house, you will not dig this wardrobe and remove the dignity of Doctor. She is shown as being in good faith. Murdoch is not there, so do not insist.
Giles grinned and crossed again the eyes of Julia before leaving the room and down again, followed by the young woman and Thomas. Once on the doorstep, he turned to her and whispered, barely.
-Tell him to leave the city, he is in trouble.
He stared into her and Julia just nodded. Then, without waiting for any answer from the young woman, he left the place with all the other Constables.
To be continued…