CHAPTER 4
Murdoch was furious to say the least. Not only his plans for a nice trip with his wife had gone awry, but also it lasts just two days for thee ship made its way back to Toronto and he couldn´t manage to find the culprit for the murder.
Just as they saw what Ernest Foster had done to himself, it was Julia who rush to call the authorities, while William himself examinate the body, to make sure it was just a hanging, as hard it was to be.
Of course, in minutes, not only the captain, but most of the passengers get around to see what happened and whispers and rumors start to spread around, to Murdoch´s annoyance.
''What the hell happened in here?'' Mr. Morrison asked arriving at the scene.
''Oh, you…'' Mr. Astor eyed him from up to down. ''Young man, your fiancé's lover apparently killed himself, how you explain that?''
''I beg your pardon?''
''You are a suspect on this investigation Sir, your fiancé is killed and now this poor man, how you explain that?'' Mr. Astor asked.
''Sir… I don´t know what the hell are you talking about but…''
''Mr. Astor!'' William approaches him. ''I will ask you to stop interfering on this investigation, or I will have to keep you under arrest… Mr. Morrison, you better stay out of this, you are still a suspect.''
''Ah, well, you just found my alibi, Sir,'' Mr. Morrison smirked, pointing to John Jacob. ''This man.''
''Get out of here, Mr. Morrison,'' William growled impatiently. ''Mr. Astor, care to explain?''
''I apologize, Detective, I wasn´t complete honestly with you,'' the man said. ''The night of the murder, at the saloon, I did saw Mr. Morrison and Lady Stevens talking with Miss Stevens.''
''About what?''
''I didn´t hear… but Miss stevens was pretty distress, she ran away and Mr. Morrison ran after her,'' Astor explain. ''When Madelene and I decided to leave for our cabin, we passed by him and Lady Stevens, but we didn´t talk to him… it was when we heard the screams… it was the maid and I rush to call you.''
''I see…'' Murdoch nodded. ''I will keep you under my sight for now on, Mr. Astor. Now, lets find Mrs. Astor to confirm this story and finish this investigation.''
''Certainly, Sir.'' The man agree and they went to find their wives.
Mrs. Astor and Julia were waiting with another women when Mr. Astor and Murdoch approach. However, once Julia saw her husband's furious frown, she knew something wasn´t right, which worried her.
''William?''
''These two lied about an alibi,'' the detective snapped. ''Mr. Astor just told me he saw Mr. Morrison and Lady Stevens talking with Miss Stevens the night she was killed. You confirm this story, Mrs. Astor?''
''Yes, Detective, I do, John and I saw they arguing, but nothing more than that, then she ran and Mr. Morrison went after her.'' Madeline explains. ''After that, we return o our cabin, we heard someone scream… it was the maid, I'm sure of that.'' She said.
''Right,'' William scratched his head. ''Julia, do you mind go back to our cabin? I will talk to the Steven´s maid and I will meet you there afterwards.''
''Of course.'' Julia replied with a small kiss. ''Good luck dear.'' She said and he left.
_/_
Miss Nancy, the maid, was cleaning the Steven´s cabin, when she heard knock on the door. With a frown, she went to open it, just to come face with face with William Murdoch, making her feel nauseous.
''May I help you?'' she asked with annoyance.
''Ma´am, i´m detective William Murdoch, I would like to talk to you about what happened when Lydia Stevens was found murder,'' he said. ''Are you the maid, aren´t you?''
''I am, Sir, but I have nothing to say.''
''I reckon you were the one who found Miss Stevens, is that correct?'' Murdoch asked and the woman blushed.
''Yes, Sir.''
''Did you saw or heard anything unusual with Miss Stevens that evening?'' Murdoch asked, but before the maid could replied, Lady Stevens show up, with an angry frown, full dressed for the night and a cigar on hand.
''What you want here?'' she asked, eyeing the detective from up to down.
''Police business, Ma´am, I'm still investigating the death of your daughter.'' Murdoch replied serious.
''There´s nothing to be investigate, she´s dead,'' Lady Stevens replied with disgust. ''Now if you excuse me…'' she said and entered the room, giving orders to the maid and ignoring the detective.
With a frown, William just turn around to leave, when the maid return, with an exasperate look. ''Sir, I should tell you, that the Stevens isn´t the closest family you had seen!'' she whispered and rush behind Lady Stevens.
_/_
Back at their cabin, Julia was reading a book on bed, when William came in, taking his jacket and hat, before sit on the armchair by the bed with a tired look.
''I see you didn´t manage to get what you wanted?'' Julia guessed.
''In some instance,'' the husband replied. ''I didn´t manage to get any plausible information from the maid, but now I highly suspect Lady Stevens as well.''
''The mother?'' Julia asked confused. ''But William, she seemed chocked when you declared the death. Why, you suppose she was staging it?''
''I guess so, its possible?''
''It is, but dear, lets go o sleep, we had an agitated night, tomorrow we decide about this mater with Lady Stevens.'' Julia suggested and with a nod, William got ready to bed himself and lie down next to his wife.