The investigation was very complicated for the police station. A man died in an elevator shaft to the Eaton Center, THE mall downtown Toronto. The men took days to work on the investigation and after all, the main suspect could not be mistaken. The Inspector Murdoch eagerly employed there, and even his superior had conducted interrogations, but nothing worked. They were at an impasse. William suspected a seller of shopping, Eva. Rather, she was a pretty young woman, he could not deny it, the Inspector Brakenreid not either, but something about get wrong with this woman. So he had called the office and was with her for several minutes in the interrogation room. On the other side of the glass, stood the Inspector Brakenreid and Doctor Ogden who attended regularly the interviews that he did.
The young woman had noticed long ago that the suspect clearly used her charm to coax the Inspector. She felt her heart burn in her chest, the tension mounting, anger to appear. But still, she said nothing, she remained motionless behind the ice watching the interview with a professional eye as much as she was able to do. Jealousy gnawed the inside, but she focused on the reactions of William. He seemed sensitive to the charm of the young woman and she could not blame him, neither he nor she.
When Miss Pierce tenderly placed her hand on William, Julia tensed a bit and took a deep breath. She had complete confidence in him, and a great mastery of self and emotions, immense dedication and that's why she did not rushed into the room to come and strangle the young woman who had allowed such familiarity with the man she loved. However, the Inspector Brakenreid noticed the reaction of Dr. Ogden and looked up at her for a moment. He understood that something was going on between them. The tension was so electric when they were in the same room that it could not be otherwise. But Brakenreid betting on the fact that they had never crossed the breakingpoint. He even wondered if they were often kissed, because the tension was so strong when they plunged their gaze into each other that he would swear that their thoughts were all but not professional. He noticed how his friend and colleague eyes devoured the young woman from head to toe. He understood that the spark of malice that shone in the eyes of the Doctor was sent to the Inspector Murdoch. He had seen the many times they only timidly touch the hands, fingers, their bodies when they were in a confined space, and God knows there were few, but they seemed to find them all both. He had noticed the smiles and glances supported. Yes, the Inspector Brakenreid was right, he was convinced, these two were madly in love and did everything to hide it for all to see.
The interview ended and the young woman was escorted to the exit. Dr. Ogden, William and Inspector Brakenreid waited on the open space before heading into the office of William at the same step.
-I do not think Eva is guilty, William launched before closing the door behind.
-Me neither, muttered Brakenreid.
Julia chuckled and the two men turned to her with a look of incomprehension.
-Something wrong, Julia? William asked timidly.
-You are both under her spell, immediately said the young woman looking up at the ceiling, of course you can not imagine her guilty, she appealed to you.
-Of course not, defended William soon as Brakenreid frowned getting lost in his thoughts.
-You refuse to admit it, replied the young woman yet without anger, I am a woman I know what I say to you, I know the signs,'said Julia slowly advancing towards William without leaving his eyes, and she have all used with George, the Inspector Brakenreid and you William, she finished very close to him, do not make me believe that you did not notice anything?
-The smiles from the corner, murmured Brakenreid, the stares, the barely veiled compliments on a soft and sweet voice, touches of hands, more than necessary reconciliations. Of course! The Doctor is right Murdoch, she tried to put us in her pocket.
-It's ridiculous, William persisted.
-It is perhaps because you see that too often that you do not notice when a young woman tries to seduce you, said Brakenreid laughing, it must be sometimes difficult for you Doctor, he added the same tone.
Julia did not answer and immediately left the gaze of William. He noticed the pink were taking her cheeks and he understood that from the first day Julia had used her charms to try to seduce him. All this time.
Before he had time to answer anything at all, Julia moved away from him and spoke again.
-You have to deal with a manipulative, seductive and a narcissist. Do not take for granted what she tells you. With that, gentlemen, if I can, I'll be in my office, she said, smiling politely before leaving the room after having granted a last look.
William looked away toward the elevators in silence, mouth open, still lost in his memories, when his friend came and put his hand on his shoulder a few seconds.
-It's a strong head Murdoch I grant you, but I think this woman is madly in love with you. Do not wait until the bird is in another nest, you would regret it. And open a few more eyes from time to time.
He left the office without another word, leaving William lost in thought a moment before trying to focus again on the investigation but can not forget all those signs that he had not noticed earlier and that seemed so obvious now.
He awoke with a jump, aching to have spent the night in his chair in his office. The dream he had just had disturbed him at the highest point. For the first time in months he had not dreamed of Julia, this life he seemed to have been at another time. He had not heard her voice, caressed her smile, kissed her body, felt the scent of her hair, his arms tight around her waist, saw her most delicate movements. He had dreamed of another woman, Eva Pierce. The kiss she had given him was sensual, but without love, without passion, without tenderness, without complicity, without sweetness, like all those he had dreamed of sharing with Julia.
He shook his head from side to side slowly to drive all these ideas of his head and finally noticed Constable Crabtree, who was in the doorway.
-Sir? All is well?
-Yes George, William replied shyly, feeling his body painfully wake up, did you find something?
-Indeed, a suicide on the Eaton case.
William sighed deeply and immediately got up, heading toward the coat rack to move his jacket over his shirt and his service weapon. He left the building at a run without looking back, without noticing the young woman drinking a cup of coffee burning at the window of her office and who recognized him despite the distance.
-Stay safe William, she whispered softly, looking at him ride in a police car which went off almost immediately after.
To be continued...