An Odd Couple

Chapter 4

Murdoch pulled the carriage up to Street's house. He and Emily entered.

"Look for papers and documents," he told Emily. They began their search, opening drawers and cabinets, looking behind things.

"Detective, I think I have something." William came over to have a look. Emily held a deed in her hand which had been signed over to Mr. Street from McCoy.

"Where did you find this, Doctor?"

"Under the china plates, of course."

"Who would have thought to look there?"

"Why any woman, detective." Emily laughed.

"I'll take that!" said a voice behind knew right away it was McCoy's. "I was hoping you would find that little piece of paper for me."

As William turned around the hulking brother entered the door as well. He was grinning and carrying his large saber. Emily moved closer to William.

"Doctor, why don't you step away from the detective and bring me the deed." McCoy waved his gun at them.

"Don't move, Doctor Grace," said William, who had his hand in his pocket fingering his pistol.

William stepped in front of Emily, blocking her from both men. Then much to William's surprise, Emily ran out the back door, with the deed, and all hell broke loose. William fired his gun from his pocket hitting McCoy, but the brother swung his sword at Murdoch, striking him in the side. Murdoch's eyes grew wide in surprise as he staggered back a few steps allowing the hulk to pursue Emily. William took one look at McCoy on the floor and took off after Emily and the maniac who chased her. As he neared them he saw Emily disappear over a ledge shrieking as she fell. William drew his pistol and fired, hitting the man and drawing his attention away from Emily. Instead of charging at Murdoch, the brother turned and fled back toward the house.

William approached the ledge calling, "Doctor! Doctor! Emily! Answer me!"

He looked over and saw Emily clinging to a small branch, barely any footing, and a drop-off yards below to a swift flowing creek. Apparently this was Rounders Creek.

"Oh William! Help me! I'm slipping. There's nothing to hold onto."

William knelt on the edge and extended his arm as far as he could, barely touching Emily's outstretched hand. He laid down making his reach longer and was able to just grab her wrist. The small outcrop upon which she was standing crumbled as William pulled her toward him, groaning. Eventually he was able to grab her with his other hand as well. Thank god he could use his fingers on that hand now. Slowly she was pulled over the edge, throwing her arms around William's neck, sobbing now. He could feel the rapid beating of her heart as she clung to him.

"You're alright now, Doctor. You're alright." She stood shakily as William too rose, but he groaned as he did so. Emily looked down at her dress and saw blood but she knew it was not hers.

"Detective, you're hurt!"

"Uh...yes...a bit." William staggered then stood still. Emily pulled his jacket back and saw blood dripping from his side. But before she could do or say anything William pulled her toward the house.

"Stay here. Don't move."

He tiptoed inside. Then she heard him say, "Damn. They're both gone. You can come in now, doctor." And to himself, "I need to improve my aim."

William was panting now and Emily had him sit down. She removed his coat and vest. She pulled down his suspenders and unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it off. Both shirt and undershirt were saturated with blood.

"Let me pull this over your head," she said as she removed his undershirt. Somehow his state of undress now did not make her heart flutter this time as his blood flowed down and dripped on the floor. The gash in his side was deep and ran for six inches across his ribs. She could see in his eyes how weary he was.

"Let me find something for a temporary bandage until we get back to my supplies at the pub."

In the bedroom she found a clean sheet which she tore into strips. As she wound the strips around him William paled and sagged onto her. When he realized what he had done he jerked upright.

"Thank you, Doctor...Emily. We need to leave now."

Emily draped his jacket over his shoulders and steadied him as they reached the carriage. He was able to pull himself up as she pushed from behind.

Back at the pub they tried to slip in as inconspicuously as they could. In Emily's room she properly treated William's wound, cleaning and stitching it. William wasn't sure how many more of the doctor's stitches he could endure. And in addition, Emily thought that he might have a cracked rib or two.

"I'm suddenly very tired."

"Blood loss will do that to you. I've got some morphine here. Let me give you an injection so you can get some pain free rest."

"No. No. I want my wits about me with those two still on the loose. They are both wounded and may come to you for your help."

"Then at least lie down."

"Alright, for a minute or two."

Emily made sure the door was locked and then she barricaded it with the chair under the knob. But now there was nowhere for her to sit.

"Do you mind if I lie here on the bed, William?"

"No. I don't mind," he said sleepily. "Just be careful. I am holding a gun."

They both smiled.

Fortunately they were able to sleep, both being quite exhausted. William woke first, having no shirt on he was cold. Sitting up was a painful endeavor and he tried to do it quietly. He fetched a clean shirt from his bag and put it on. His other clothes were lying in a pile, most likely too bloody and torn to be cleaned. Finding his vest in the pile he unhooked his watch, checking the time. One thirty a.m. He despaired that he would not be able to catch these two brothers by himself. He had solved the murders but had no one in custody. Oh, well. There wasn't much he could do tonight and he felt like hell. "I'll just lie down again until daylight." Before reclining he managed to get the blanket from under Emily and covered them both up. Sleep came back quickly to him.

As morning rose Emily was first to rise this time. William, fast asleep, looked pale but peaceful. She didn't want to disturb him. She hoped it was safe to open the door as she needed to visit the water closet. Silently she moved the chair and turned the lock. But when she opened the door the sight she beheld made her scream. This brought William upright in a painful jump.

"What?"

Emily just pointed to the floor outside the door. The two brothers lay there in each other's arms, stone cold dead.

"I guess my aim is better than I thought."

"Case closed, I suppose, Detective."

"Yes. I suppose so."

They had had no way to communicate with the Station since the telegraph was smashed and were in no particular hurry to return. William needed to rest and Emily had a lot of bodies to examine. He finally let her give him a shot of morphine as he went about his business of closing out his case. William tried to salvage some of his clothes, but to no avail. Everything had blood on it or was torn including his trousers. But he was able to round up a suit in town that would suffice temporarily.

"Shall we return to Toronto, Emily?"

"Yes, I expect we should, William." They had fallen into using each other's Christian names for a time.

"Perhaps some things that happened here should remain here. What do you think?"

"Oh, yes indeed, Detective. Yes indeed."

"Well then, Doctor, let's have breakfast and then be on our way."

On the journey home they had no difficulty finding topics to talk about. Right before they caught their train William sent a telegram informing the inspector of their return time. Julia and George met them at the station and both Emily and William were delighted. George gave Emily his crooked smile and twirled her around as he kissed her hello.

Julia hugged William until he groaned in pain, but he kissed her deeply in spite of his discomfort. He looked over to Emily and winked as she winked back at him. She didn't think she would ever be uncomfortable in his presence again.