Oh, Brother!
Chapter 4
The next day William arrived at the station. As he walked by he asked, "What have you, George?"
"I've interviewed as many people as I could find who witnessed the incident. I have a pretty good description of the wagon and a couple of differing ones of the driver."
Higgins returned at that moment. "Sir, there was another witness upstairs in the building overlooking the incident. We have the best description yet from her."
"Bring her in Henry. I'd like to interview her myself."
"Yes sir."
"And good work, Henry."
"Thank you, sir."
"Sir, what did you learn from that last witness that Higgins found?"
"Well, George, she gave a very detailed description. Here, take a look." He showed George the identikit picture.
"Looks to be a rather young chap, don't you think?"
"Maybe our next step should be to take the picture to various liveries to see if the wagon was rented."
"I'll get the lads started right away."
Murdoch's telephone rang.
"Detective Murdoch." He answered.
"William, can you come to the asylum, now?"
"Julia! What's happened?"
"Someone did something to the lamp in my office."
"I'm on my way." He called to constable Crabtree, "George, get a carriage and come."
Murdoch unplugged the lamp and looked at it carefully. "Are you sure you aren't hurt, Julia?"
"I'm not hurt, William, but my assistant got quite a shock. Why wasn't she killed?"
"I think the jolt was so great it knocked her away and broke the contact."
"You don't think it was an accident do you?"
"No. It's definitely been tampered with. George, we need to take it back to the station and check for finger marks. Julia, have you or any of your staff noticed anyone who doesn't belong hanging about?"
"I'll gather them and ask."
"I am going to assign a constable to you."
"Oh, William, I don't think that is necessary."
"Well, I do. I don't want you going anywhere on your own. Finish up for the day and George and I will see you home."
William sat on the sofa in Julia's parlor rubbing his brow, which was furrowed in thought. His head hurt and his knee throbbed. He was tired and tense. And he hadn't figured out what was going on, which troubled him. He wasn't concerned so much for himself, but he was worried about Julia's safety. At least whoever was arranging these "accidents" was so far incompetent. He was planning to spend the night and in the morning a constable would arrive to accompany Julia to work. She was in the kitchen making tea when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get that," called William. Grabbing his crutches he clumped to the door to find Leslie Garland there.
"Mr. Garland, what brings you out tonight...again?"
"Detective Murdoch. I didn't expect to see you."
"Yes. Well, here I am. Did you need something?"
"I was hoping to see Julia. I heard you both had an accident with a runaway wagon and I wanted to see if Julia was alright."
"She's fine. Anything else?" Murdoch couldn't help but let his animosity for the young man show in his voice.
"William," called Julia. "Who is it?"
"I guess you had better come in for a moment. It's Leslie," he called out.
When Julia came into the room she greeted Garland, "Leslie, I'm surprised to see you this evening."
"I just wanted to check on your welfare."
"Both William and I are fine. I would ask you in but we are very tired."
"I see. Well, I'll see you at a later date then."
"Yes. Later. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Julia, detective Murdoch." William just nodded.
"That was strange," observed William. "Does he drop by often?"
"Yes. I guess he does. Let's have our tea and retire. I'm quite tired and I'm sure you are too."
They slowly climbed the stairs both going to Julia's room. William undressed down to just his underpants and Julia wore her sheerest nightgown.
They got into bed with Julia snuggled into William, her head on his chest. This had become her favorite position, listening to him breathe and to his beating heart. It made her feel so warm and secure. They were both far too tired for anything else but cuddling. Her hand rubbed circles on his chest and stomach as he caressed her hair, kissing her upturned face. Clasped in each other's arms, sleep came quickly.
Julia walked into William's office and he knew right away that she wanted to ask him something. Her constable companion was glad to be able to check into the station while she visited.
Without standing William asked, "Alright, what do you want to ask me?"
"William, whatever do you mean?"
William just raised an eyebrow, waiting.
"You think you're so smart, that you know me so well." She smiled, "And you're right. I was hoping I could get you to escort me to the Mayor's Ball for the Arts. This Saturday. I have the tickets. For two."
William grimaced, "As much as I'd like to, Julia, I don't think I'm really in any condition to attend a dance."
"Oh really, William. You won't have to dance, just sit with me and do what you do best... look handsome."
He couldn't help but smile at her ingratiating tactic. "Maybe by Saturday I'll be using a cane instead of crutches."
And before he could go on she said, "I knew you'd say yes," and threw her arms around his neck.
"I'm surprised you want to go to such a 'society' event', but since you think I said yes, I guess I had better say yes."
"Any excuse to buy a new dress, " she said as she winked at him. "It'll be fun William."
"If you say so. Do we know anyone else who is going?"
"Why yes we do. Emily and George and Margaret and the inspector."
"How did you manage that?"
"William! You keep finding me out. I may have had more than two tickets."
William now laughed out loud. "Julia, Julia, Julia! When will I ever learn?"
The night they arrived at the ball, William was barely able to use a cane, but he had refused to go on crutches, wearing white tie and tails. Julia looked stunning in her new deep blue, off the shoulder dress. With a pronounced limp he entered the hall with his beautiful fiancée on his arm. Scanning the crowd they were quickly able to spot their friends' table and made their way slowly to them. Even that short trip was enough to make William glad to sit down.
"Doctor Ogden, I must say you look quite lovely this evening."
"Thank you, Inspector."
A waiter came to their table whereupon everyone ordered champagne except Brackenreid who of course asked for Scotch and William who requested iced water. As the orchestra began a new piece George and Emily and Thomas and Margaret rose to dance.
William took Julia's hand,"I don't expect you to sit here with me all evening. I'm sure soon you will be receiving many invitations to dance."
"I don't mind, William. Really, I don't."
He smiled indulgently, "I know you don't, but I do. I want everyone to see my gorgeous fiancée twirl around the ballroom."
No sooner had he spoken when Dr. Truman bowed courteously and asked Julia to dance. She looked at William who smiled and nodded, then she rose and stepped onto the dance floor. When the music ended everyone returned to the table. For the next half hour or so Julia danced with George, the inspector, and several other men of her acquaintance. William seemed quite content to remain seated at the table. That is until the up to now unseen Leslie Garland approached, holding his hand out to Julia for a dance.
"May I?" he asked.
She smiled and answered, "Of course Leslie. I had not seen you here yet."
As she stepped away Brackenreid leaned over to William and asked, "Feeling a little left out, me ol' mucker?"
"No, not really. I'm doing what Julia asked me to do."
"And what might that be?"
He laughed, "Sitting here and...looking handsome."
Brackenreid chortled, "And Margaret says you're doing a fine job of it too."
William blushed. But a frown began to form on his face as he watched the much younger man guide his fiancée around the floor.
"Shall I cut in?" Brackenreid asked.
William didn't say anything but did nod his head slightly. He felt guilty having these moments of jealousy but he couldn't seem to help himself. Thomas tapped Garland on the shoulder and cut in. Garland looked somewhat perturbed but stepped away politely.
"Did William send you?" Julia asked him.
"No. It was my idea. It's alright isn't it?"
"Oh yes, Inspector. I know William doesn't care for Leslie and I would rather annoy him than William. William has been such a trooper to come tonight anyway when he doesn't feel all that well."
Brackenreid escorted Julia back to the table where she sat next to William, taking his hand and leaning her head on his shoulder.
"I'm tired now," she said. "All danced out."
"Could you maybe dance once more?"
"Whoever with, William?"
"Me."
"Oh William. Are you sure?"
"Just a short slow one where I can hold you in my arms."
She smiled almost shyly at him as she kissed his cheek. "I love you," she whispered.
"I know. Shall we?"
He got up stiffly, holding his hand out to her. Leaving his cane leaning against the table he limped to the edge of the dance floor with Julia smiling broadly. She melted into his arms as they stood there slowly swaying to the music, barely moving from the spot. She laid her head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart and the slight rumble as he said, "I love you too."
Closing her eyes she imagined just the two of them alone on a beach. She took in his scent and warmth and felt like she could exist like this forever, wrapped in his embrace. Until he winced. Opening her eyes, she looked into his. His dreamy look had been replaced by one of pain.
"I think we're done now," she smiled, as she placed his arm around her shoulder and helped him back to their table. George, Emily, Thomas, and Margaret were all sitting there grinning. William again blushed as he sat down with a thud.
The evening was winding down when Leslie Garland again made his way to their table to ask Julia for one last dance.
"Thank you for asking," she said politely, "but William and I are just about ready to leave."
"Then let me get you a cab. I'll have it waiting when you get outside."
"Thank you, Leslie."
When they finally made their way outside there awaited a cab, just as Leslie had promised. William helped Julia in then took a moment to get himself inside. The cab departed. After a few minutes Julia asked, "Aren't we going rather fast?"
"Indeed, I think we are." William thumped on the front with his cane and called out through the window, "Slow down, sir. This is entirely too fast and wreckless a speed to be going in town."
But the driver just whipped the horse faster. Julia clutched William's arm. As the cab sped up the driver took a sharp turn, jumped onto the horse's back as he unhitched it. The cab went careening over an embankment tumbling yards down the hill. Inside William tried to push open the door, but could not. Something was dripping into his eye. He turned toward Julia who lay unconscious in a heap.
Taking her in his arms he called, "Julia, oh god, Julia."