CHAPTER 3

When the gentleman arrived, Julia had just finished her exam to the body and was eager to tell the two of them, what she had found. But to make the mystery, when they approach, she give William a kiss on his cheek and greet John Jacob with a smile.

''How was your investigation, William?'' she asked.

''It happened Miss Stevens had a lover, Mr. Ernest Foster, she paid for his ticket and he was hidden at the steerage the entire time, they were going to left at the Halifax port.''

''But you don´t think it was he neither?'' Julia asked.

''I have a few doubts now,'' William nodded. ''So, what have you, Doctor?''

''Well detective, now that you asked, I found something rather intriguing, about Miss Stevens.'' Julia said seriously.

''What it would be?'' It was Mr. Astor who asked.

''Gentleman, Miss Stevens was in a delicate condition.''

''Delicate condition? You mean with child?'' Murdoch raised an eyebrow.

''Exactly… one month or so already.'' Julia confirmed and William crossed himself.

''Good Lord!'' he exclaimed.

''So… should we talk with her suitors, Detective?'' Mr. Astor asked in shock.

''Precisely, but let me handle it… Mr. Astor, if you want to help, could you send a telegram to the Philadelphia constabulary and ask if they know something about Mr. Morrison or the Stevens family?''

''I already told you, Detective.'' John Jacob replied.

''Sir, you told me gossips, I need facts, now, could you…?''

''Of course.'' The man replied and ran to find his wife.

''William, may I join you?'' Julia asked and William smiled.

''Most certainly, my lady.'' He said offering his arm to Julia to take.

_/_

Frank Morrison was at the bar when Julia and William and Julia arrived. However, upon seeing them, the young man frowned, as he didn´t want to talk with them at all.

''Mr. Morrison, another word.'' William announced himself.

''What you want?''

''Want to know if you had relations with Miss Stevens latterly.'' The detective asked straight to the point and in response, Mr. Frank looked furious at him.

''What kind of man you think I am, Sir?''

''The kind of man who killed his fiancé, even knowing she was with child.''

''Detective, are you dumb?'' Mr. Morrison snaped. ''If I knew she was carrying my heir, why I would kill her?''

''Perhaps, you found out she was with child of another man…''

''Than perhaps I would beat her and teach her a lesson… or perhaps I would beat the bastard who did this… but I didn´t killed her.'' He snapped furiously, when Julia decide to intervene. ''Oh, very gentleman of you, hide behind your wife…''

''I beg your pardon…'' William growled.

''That's enough!'' Julia snapped. ''William, lets go.'' She grabs her husband´s arm and they left.

When they got some distance from the bar, they stop and William eyed Julia seriously. ''Julia, what was that?''

''I ask you the same question you old man,'' she said. ''William, I suppose Mr. Morrison isn't the killer, I saw his features, he seemed quite honest, what you believe?''

''I confess I lost a bit of my composure, but I agree with you he isn´t our suspect.'' William nodded. ''Lets see now what Mr. Foster will have to say.'' William suggested and they went to the steerage.

Mr. Foster on the other hand, cried when he heard the news about the baby and in response, Julia and William looked at each other in doubt. ''I can´t… I can´t believe this happened!'' the man cried.

''You knew she was with child, Mr. Foster?'' the detective asked and Ernest nodded.

''Yes, I did, we courted each other, and Lydia was so happy, we were going to start our new life in Halifax, just the three of us, away from that dammed family!'' he yelled.

''I see…'' Murdoch nodded. ''We are very sorry for your loss, Mr. Foster.'' He said and taking Julia´s hand, they left.

''William, we´re not going anyway like this, lets wait till Mr. Astor´s return with his information's and we continue the investigation.'' Julia suggested.

''Sure, maybe you are right, lets try and enjoy a bit of this trip.'' William nodded and they left to their cabin.

_/_

For the rest of the afternoon, the detective decided to have a pause on his investigations, so he and his wife could enjoy the last two days aboard The Montagné. Meanwhile, with Mr. Astor´s information, he could take his time to analyze the case better.

It happened that the Stevens were a broken family, late Mr. Stevens had lost all their fortune on gambling and since then, Lady Fausta Stevens had done everything to keep their positions, by arrange Lydia´s wedding with a rich man, Mr. Morrison, who was the son of an important businessman from Philadelphia.

Even so, Julia managed to convince William to don´t investigate anything for the night, so instead they had dinner quietly like on the first night, talk not only about the case, but about plans for other trips soon, just the two of them.

Once the dinner ended, the couple decided to take a walk by the deck; the night was lovely and a full moon shine above the waters, making their way as bright as day and since it was also a bit cold, the couple took opportunity to walk closely arm in arm.

Suddenly then, their stroll was interrupted by a noise and a second later, something hit the detective´s head, knocking him on the floor.

''William!'' Julia exclaimed, pushing her husband back on his feet. ''Are you alright?''

''I am… it's a shoe?'' William asked confused looking at the shoe on this hand.

''Oh God… William!'' Julia signed him to look up.

''Oh Lord….''as usual, the detective crossed himself.

Just above them, Ernest Foster was hanged by his neck, death.