Any other time, Julia might have enjoyed touring around her old haunts from her medical school days, but this was not the charming Old City, but rather the cold and soon to be snowy environs of Mont Royal park, mostly empty at this time of the year.
Riding streetcar No. 11 to the final stop, Julia was not surprised when she and Tom were the only ones who walked toward the park. Lush and verdant during the spring and summer, and resplendent in autumn foliage, it was bare and desolate in late fall/early winter with all of the leaves gone and the harsh air of an impending Montreal winter storm.
"I think this will be a good place to meet as any," Tom noted as they tramped up a well worn path. It's easily accessible with plenty of landmarks, yet pretty much abandoned this time of the year," he noted.
"If you think so," Julia agreed. He was the trained policeman with a good head for these sorts of things. "Have you had any word from William?"
"I've had a phone call from the madam of Le Jardin de Delices and we've been invited over for lunch this afternoon at 1:00."
"Lunch?"
He laughed. "I must say, you're handling the fact that your husband is rooming in a brothel quite well."
Julia huffed. "In the past few days, I've discovered my husband has a child with a former paramour, who has managed to get herself into trouble - again I might add - and that the madam of said brothel might also be a former flame of his. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that even William has had his affairs, but I guess plausible deniability made it easier for me," she shrugged as they sought the perfect spot within the park.
"It can hardly go without mentioning that he's a good-looking chap, and that he's attracted the attentions of many a lady, but yes, even I was astounded that Murdoch had gotten around. Fooled me as well," he chuckled.
She huffed in annoyance.
He stopped abruptly and coughed. "Er...but for as long as I've known you both, his heart has been yours," he added. "Your leaving for Buffalo and marrying Darcy put him in a dark place, and while I'm immensely pleased that things worked out for the both of you, I'm also glad that he found some companionship at a difficult time for him, even if it has created this mess," he added as they resumed their walk, lapsing into silence for a few minutes. He stopped abruptly, this time pointing at a large cross standing in a thicket of trees. "That seems as appropriate a place as any, especially so for Murdoch."
Snorting, Julia nodded. "Yes, I think it's very appropriate and the trees provide good cover," she agreed as they approached it. "Though it's prominent, no one should be here given the weather and even more so on a weekday."
"Very good. Now let's not spend any more time than we have to out here, it's colder than a- than ice cream," he caught himself.
"Remind me to watch my language around you too," she quipped back.
At four that afternoon, they found themselves at Le Jardin Delice and they were quickly ushered in and shown to a small drawing room that lacked the opulence of the main salon, yet was exceedingly comfortable and well-appointed.
Promptly as the clock chimed, William's tread could be heard on the stairs and the door swung open.
"Haven't you made yourself at home here, Sunshine," Brackenreid joked as William eased his way into the room and joined them at the table.
William glared at his superior but said nothing as he poured the tea into their cups. Soon Julia was relishing the warmth that flowed through her body from the congenial beverage, chasing away the numbness from frigid temperatures outside. Given his silence, it seemed that Inspector Brackenreid needed warming up as well.
William was his usual, inscrutable self, and while Julia could usually gauge his thoughts by looking at his eyes (they always gave him away) today he wouldn't make eye contact with her though she tried. No doubt he was hiding something, and suddenly, she grew annoyed.
"As lovely as this fine Earl Grey is, we're not here on holiday, so out with it," Brackenreid snapped, just as bothered with William's silence as she was.
"Preoccupied, that's all," William shrugged. "I'll be glad when this is over."
Julia and Tom looked at one another. They didn't buy it, but knew they weren't likely to get much out of William either.
William grunted and ran his hand through his hair. "Julia, I'll need you to call on Anna at the convent...and not in your current guise, as they won't allow entry to a man, which is something we are counting on," he explained. "You can borrow a dress from one of Ettie's girls."
"Oh... so, no men, but a fallen woman is acceptable?" she shot back. Exhaling sharply, Julia stared off to the side, just silently blinking.
"Yes. In fact, there's one girl whose body is quite similar to yours in build and height," William quickly replied, not getting the joke.
'"Well, then I guess we hop to it," she replied, standing.
William could tell she was angry. Perhaps I shouldn't have been so quick to demonstrate I'd been comparing any of the brothel girls to my wife's figure...
"It's not that simple," he said, gesturing for her to sit again, and uneasy when she didn't. "I am certain Falcone's men picked me up today at the telegraph office, just as planned, and I have alerted Meyers to that effect. I expect they are searching for me or laying in wait. Falcone has to assume I have Harry with me or close by, and plans to follow me to get to Anna or Harry, or both."
"We know that. It's straightforward enough," Brackenreid grumped. "Your wife and I have the park scoped out for this trap you want to set. Do you plan on springing it tonight? Are you sure everything is in place? If so, we will need some fire power."
"Meyers will assist with that," he told them. Brackenreid nodded but Julia shook her head, making his unease flare.
"I don't like this, not at all," she said. "I can understand Anna going to the nuns for shelter, but aren't you endangering the Sisters and Anna by pointing to her being there? What was Terrence Meyers thinking?" She sounded disgusted.
William agreed with the sentiment - had argued hotly with Meyers about it, to no avail. "Unfortunately, his only concern is his mission-"
Brackenreid made a rude noise and cut him off. "Those Italians are a Catholic bunch. Superstitious, the lot of 'em. They'd never violate a church or a nunnery, would they? Meyers probably thinks she's safe as houses there."
"That's an awfully big gamble," she replied sharply. "Wiliam, what are you going to do about it?"
Leave it to Julia to get to the heart of anything, he thought. Especially if it was about someone else. She'd remained uncomfortably silent about her true feelings regarding his relationship with Anna and Harry. He suspected her fears were only beaten back when she was angry.
She thinks I do not know her - but she is wrong about that.
"None of the three of us trust Meyers, do we? I agree having Anna there is a danger to her and the Sisters. That is where you come in, Julia."
"To do what, exactly?" She had her hands on her hips. In her male attire she looked very striking with her chin up and feet apart. A woman of action -- he was counting on that too.
"I may have neglected to mention to Mr. Meyers that you were here in Montreal." He had their full attention now. "He may already know, but… you will still be our secret weapon."
Julia's face went from stern to smirk, understanding immediately. "Ah…"
Brackenreid sat up straighter. "You are going to double cross Meyers?"
"Not exactly...I am not absolutely sure Anna is even there. That is what I want you to do, Julia - find out, and get her out. I will make sure Falcon's men follow me to the Grey Nunnery complex, see me be turned away by the nuns, and then I will get them to chase me away from there."
"And all that commotion is a perfect opportunity to remove the danger," Brackenreid said. "I approve."
"That way, later, when I send a telegram to Anna at the nunnery, asking her to meet me in the park…"
"Falcone's men will intercept the telegram, and be lured into our trap! I like it even better, Murdoch. Julia will tell Miss Fulford the plan and get her to safety, then come back dressed in breeches to help us close the net around the Black Hand!"