Chapter 34
Almost twenty minutes later Julia descended to the shore of Lake Ontario quickly followed by Gilles and Higgins. Although the former chief commissar assured him that William's wounds were not fatal, his heart was pounding out of control. As he approached them he experienced the biggest surprise of his entire life.
With a firm Yorkshire voice the inspector sang a rather obscene melody. In a lower tone, no doubt in a worrying state, her husband followed the score slowly. Gilles had lied to him. William was raving.
-William!
-Julia! -the detective murmured, opening his eyes-. Thank goodness!
The doctor then assessed her husband's condition as she caressed his face with great tenderness.
-What was he doing?
-Keep him conscious -replied Thomas, exhaling a strong sigh-. It's very big-headed.
-I know.
-It hurts a lot... it hurts a lot... you would have to immobilize my leg. I'm very dizzy.
-It's an open fracture. I have to take you immediately to the hospital for surgery. Henry.
-Yes doctor.
-Bring the taxi as close as possible to this location. Look for something we can use as a stretcher. In the shed where we have found the young women I think you will find what we need. Tell John to contact the hospital where I work to have them call Dr. Jones. He's the best traumatologist in Toronto. I will work with him in the operating room.
-Agreed.
-I'm sorry -whispered William, with a sad smile-. I don't think we can make the Easter trip.
-Don't worry. Now I have to reposition your shoulder.
-What! No! No! Julia!
-Now if you are going to faint.
Three days later, while holding with his arm healthy the book he was reading, Murdoch thought about the last events of his life. I hated being in a hospital. It was like a mini jail with five meals a day. If Julia didn't get him out of there in forty-eight hours he would go crazy.
Although the operation on his pen had been satisfactory, Dr. Jones anticipated that he would have to go through the operating room again to solve possible collateral damage. When the plaster will be removed he would be many months depending on a walking stick.
Why couldn't he recover at home?
It was only two hours ago, when Julia left with Mrs. Brackenreid to rest at home, they almost had a domestic fight. His wife was right. It would be the worst convalescent in history.
Their neurons kept imagining possible terrible scenarios for their short-term future. At least the day before he had a long conversation with George that recounted their friendship. Losing the trust of his best friend now would be yet another drag on his full recovery. At that moment some shy knocks were heard on the door of his room...