Chapter 10 Revenge

He read the announcement in the Toronto Gazette. Doctor Julia Ogden had married detective William Murdoch in Niagara Falls the previous week. So, the scandalous couple had tied the knot at last. "I guess my little note didn't deter them" he thought to himself. "That man ruined my career and my life. Now I'll ruin him, one way or another."

Murdoch went back to work early the next day. As he made his way to his office he received many congratulatory handshakes.

Brackenreid greeted him. "Welcome, back me ol' mucker. I trust you and the mrs. had an uneventful trip home."

"Yes sir. It was fine, though Julia has learned of the note now. Have you been to see Gillies yet?"

"Yes Murdoch. There is no way that smug little bastard could have sent it. He's been in solitary. I'm the only visitor or contact he's had. But just in case I also visited his lawyer. No possibility that he helped him either."

"Thank you sir. I'll get started on my investigation then. I'm thinking someone read about Gillies in the newspaper and seized on the opportunity to use our involvement to their own advantage."

"I'll leave you to it then. I'm sure you'll figure it out Murdoch."

A little while later Murdoch called, "George, my office."

George entered grinning ear to ear. "Well sir, how's married life treating you?"

"Quite well George. Thank you. I have a little problem though and I need your help."

Murdoch showed George the note he had received.
"And this is the note you got at the church, sir? You certainly didn't betray its contents then."

"Yes George, but now I think it is imperative that I find out its origin. For Julia's peace of mind, and mine as well."

"Certainly, sir. How can I help?"

"It seems that it is improbable that the note originated with Gillies. I'd like you to start going through my old case files and see if anything jumps out at you-anyone who might hold a grudge."

"They all hold a grudge, sir."

Murdoch smiled sadly. "Yes, I know. But take a look anyway. See if anyone has gotten out of prison recently also."

"What will you do sir?"

"I'll see if I can find any evidence on the note, paper, ink, etc. and if I can track down who delivered it."

"Right sir."

Murdoch worked at his desk all morning examining the physical properties of the note while George went through a pile of files. This afternoon he would visit some would-be witnesses.
About noon the detective heard loud cheering coming from the rest of station house.
When he looked up he saw Julia making her way toward his office. The men were congratulating her as she grinned broadly. He rose to greet
her.

"Julia, I wasn't expecting you. What a pleasant surprise." He kissed her and heard more cheering outside. He and Julia both looked through his office window, smiled and waved.

"What brings you down to the station house? Eager to greet your fans?" He grinned nodding toward the rest of the men.

Laughing, "perhaps. But actually I was hoping my new husband would take me to lunch."

"I think that can be arranged." He took his hat and held out his arm for her to take. As they left another cheer went up. "That's quite enough men, back to work," he laughed.

Later that afternoon, Murdoch visited several stationery shops. He also went by the train station ticket office to see if anyone remembered selling a ticket to Niagara Falls to someone who might seem suspicious.
When he got back to the station house, George had written a number of names on the blackboard.

"Sir, some of these have been...well...hanged. But they might have relatives who bear a grudge. And there is a handful that are no longer in prison."

"I think I'll look at those first. Thank you, George."

Murdoch studied the list. He paged through corresponding files, then back at the list. Finally he sighed. "I think the answer is here somewhere" he said to himself.
"George, we're going to need copies of the photographs of these five people. See what you can do."

"Yes sir. Do you think one of these is the ...uh...person?"

"Possibly, George. Possibly."
"We're going back to the stationery shops and the train station with these photographs."