While Michael slept Detective Perkins interrogated Mrs Gilbert. She too claimed that she hadn't known the truth about Michael's safety at first but that one night she had caught him scavenging for food. She'd seen the bruises caused by his drunken father and as she watched the man descending further into misery she couldn't bring herself to send the boy back to undoubted harm.

Perkins was just wrapping things up when a pounding came at Peter's door. Outside was a frantic Robert, sweat pouring from his brow. "Do you have him?" he practically screamed at Peter.

"Who would that be?" Simon asked shrewdly stepping in front of Peter, "Perhaps you ought to come in Mr Knight." It was a statement not a suggestion which Perkins made clear by forcefully pulling the man through the door and pushing him towards the kitchen.

"Take a seat Mr Knight, I believe you have some explaining to do." The Detective commanded.

"Please, I need to know, is he safe?" Robert had the appearance of man close to breaking.

"We have him in our care" Offered Peter.

"Now I'll be asking the questions" Detective Perkins interjected. "Why don't you start by telling me how you came to kidnap Michael Wallis?"

Robert's eyes looked stricken "Kidnapped? It wasn't like that!"

"I think I'll be the judge of that!"

Robert looked down at his hands despondently "I couldn't bear to see how his father was treating him and apparently Michael couldn't bear it either, I caught him running away. I didn't know what to do, he would never survive on his own but I doubted I could stop him trying again." He paused to sigh, "Maybe it was the wrong thing to do but I decided I had to protect him. I promised I would look after him and that soon we'd leave together, I'd nearly saved enough."

"What about the boy's father?" Simon asked incredulously.

Robert's face was a picture of misery as he looked up to meet Simon's eyes, "No one respected Mr Wallis more than I, but after his wife died he seemed to fade away, he wasn't himself. I don't think he even recognised Michael any more. I don't know what possessed him to treat Michael the way he did but if you're asking me if I feel guilty for taking him away from that violence the answer is not at all."

After a pause he continued quietly "Rosie and I were going to take him away with us, start a new life all of us together. We never thought such a terrible thing would befall Mr Wallis. We were just trying to do our best for the boy & escape."

Just then they heard footsteps thundering down the stairs and before they knew what was happening Michael flew across the room and into Robert's arms. They both cried as they held each other close.

"Well what a case this is" Said Detective Perkins turning to Murdoch.

"So it would seem" agreed Murdoch

"What will happen to the boy now, Detective?" Julia asked in a quiet voice.

"I want to stay with Robert" came Michael's defiant voice. Robert tried to quiet him.

"I hardly know what to think" Simon confessed, "It appears they were all acting in the boys best interests, misguided or otherwise. And now that his father has passed Michael is entitled to the estate but he's far too young to manage it. Mr Knight obviously cares for the boy a great deal but can that really excuse his actions? I will have to consult with my Inspector." He concluded. "Peter would you mind taking care of Michael for now? Robert you will have to come with me."

The men nodded their assent. Michael became frantic at the thought of being separated from Robert again. Praying it wasn't a lie Robert tried to explain that it would just be for a short while and that Peter would take good care of him in the meantime. Michael still seemed uncertain so Peter offered him his brightest smile and promised they could do whatever he chose and then the time would fly.

Robert and the Detective prepared to leave and Mrs Gilbert was released for the meantime pending the inspector's final decision. William and Julia also gathered their things, promising to return later to help Peter with Michael.

Walking home the unfortunate nature of the case dominated their conversion. "What a tragic case this has turned out to be" Julia spoke quietly "that poor child, to know your parents love at one minute and their violent hate the next." Finding no words of comfort William gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

They were both exhausted, for lack of sleep and the emotional strain, and particularly collapsed in sleep as they got through the door. It was early afternoon before they woke and by then the post had arrived and with it a reply from Ruby. Julia's excitement was evident so William suggested she stay at home and read her letter while he went to see how Peter was getting on. "Thank you" she said kissing him "I'll be along shortly." He gave her his usual half smile and headed out the door.

As soon as the door was shut she tore the envelope open with a mixture of excitement and anxiety and read the words hurriedly.

Sister,

I hope this letter finds you well. As always I am in good spirits.

As you can imagine your rather scandalous actions caused quite a to-do and I can only add congratulations for finally taking my advice.

Dr Garland came to see father the evening of your planned wedding day in an ill temper, I don't know exactly what words passed between them but he said that he'd seen you and would no longer have you. As if he had a choice in the matter.

Father was pleased to hear you're safe, although he looked a little thin lipped. He wants to speak with you urgently of course. Will you return to Toronto soon, for a visit at least? We have lots to discuss, such as married life with the handsome detective.

As for me, I am due back in New York the week after next, I've already stayed longer than planned and the 'gangs' article needs to be finished and published. If you are not planning to come to Toronto before then I will certainly be visiting you and that new brother-in-law of mine on my way back. I have a dinner engagement with George on Wednesday so I could be with you by Thursday so you best telegram to let me know whether you are coming here or I am coming to you.

Imagine father's face if we were both to marry into the constabulary, what a laugh. It's almost enough to make me give up my life as an independent woman.

See you soon x

Love

Ruby

Julia smiled despite herself; it was her sister through and through. She almost pitied Constable Crabtree, her sister both formidable and irresistible. It would be good to see Ruby but she didn't feel quite ready to face her father just yet. She knew it must be soon but no doubt it would be easier once Ruby had returned to New York anyway. She decided to send a telegram on her way to Father Cousins' inviting Ruby to visit with them; she knew William wouldn't mind, it had been his idea after all.

Julia was amusing herself picturing her sister with poor little George, which had her smiling all the way to the post office. It really would be good to see Ruby, Julia thought to herself as she gave the details and the message to the clerk. The telegram read 'Come to us. Eager to show you the place. See you Thursday.'

She was still smiling when she got to Peter's and discovered the three of them in the garden having a water fight. It was nice to see Michael smiling, was the thought in her head when a soggy sponge, launched by said smiling boy, hit her in the face. She stood in shock for a few seconds watching the scene unfold before her. Michael was gasping with laughter until William, who seemed to be armed with two mugs, emptied both over the boy's head and then ran off with the shrieking child in hot pursuit. It wasn't long before Murdoch had half a bucket of water thrown in his direction but thanks to quick reflexes managed to avoid most of it. Seeing this Julia was quick to grab the sponge and managed to get her cocky husband directly on the back of the head. The game went on like this most of the afternoon, until exhausted, they all ended sat in a heap on the grass, sides aching from laughter.

"So then," Sighed Peter, still smiling "who's for a nice cup of tea?" Michael's hand shot up and William and Julia couldn't help laughingly imitating the gesture. "I thought so" Peter laughed "Will you give me a hand Michael?"

"Yes Sir" he replied leaping to his feet with youthful energy and they all got up to follow him into the house.

Following slightly behind gave Julia the opportunity to tell William of Ruby's imminent visit.

"That's excellent news" replied William, and then giving her a sly sideways look added "maybe we ought to warn the village". She gave him a playful shove in response and they both laughed.

Michael spent the night peacefully at Peter's, it was the warmest he'd been in ages. The next day Detective Perkins returned with the conclusion that, if Michael was happy, he could take up his father's house with Robert as his guardian as instructed in his father's will and the rest would be written off as unfortunate circumstance. Michael and Robert were thrilled at the prospect and there was a general feeling of relief that some happiness could be drawn from the terrible situation. The detective did take Robert to one side afterwards and gave him fair warning that he would be unlikely to attract such favour if he was to show any further inclination for illegal behaviour in the future and Robert took his words to heart.

Julia had a couple of patients to visit but William and Peter offered to help Robert, Rosie and Michael sort the house out and clear out the cave. It was early evening before William and Julia returned home and then they had to prepare for Ruby's visit. William could see Julia was nervous and getting more so as the evening went on.

"Are you ok?" he finally asked her, finding no better way to breach the subject.

"Yes of course" her words were confident but her hands shook, she refused to meet his eyes until he stepped towards her and took her hands.

"Everything will be ok. You know this. Ruby loves you and I'm sure she's made some questionable judgements of her own in the past." She couldn't help but smile at this; taking a deep breath she hugged him.

"Was this a questionable judgement?" she teased softly.

"Of course not" he replied placing a kiss on her hair "Now, to bed wife". She couldn't help giggle at this.

The next day Julia woke early, the sky was still the cold grey of pre-dawn. She wasn't sure what had woken her but she felt instinctively uneasy. William slept peacefully beside her but no matter how long she lay curled beside him trying to relax, the feeling would not pass. In the end she gave up and went down to the kitchen to make tea. She sat at the kitchen table watching the steam rise from the mug staring into space, time passing unmarked. By the time she heard William's footsteps on the stair the tea stood cold and untouched. "Julia?" came his voice full of concern. She was just going to reply when yet another frantic knock came at the door. She heard William answer it.

"Urgent telegram Sir" a young voice announced, "Should I wait for a response?"

"Yes you had better" was William's reply as he entered the kitchen to hand her the card.

'URGENT. Miss Ogden missing. Please come at once.'