CHAPTER 26:
"What did you answer?!" asked William as he had a coffee in a small brasserie in the west end of Toronto with Julia.
"Well, I told him I had to think… It was so sudden; I didn't really know what to say…"
"You don't want to work with me?"
"Well of course!" sighed the young woman. "I would like to see each other every day, but I had a hard time getting this position at the Toronto hospital. For a very long time, no one wanted to hire me, and Derek trusted me…"
"Ha… If Derek said it, then…" William growled.
Julia stared at her lover and chuckled at his jealous, frowning expression.
"You exaggerate." she teased before taking a long sip of her delicious coffee.
"I don't understand what you find in this filthy drink."
Julia laughs at the seriousness of her lover's statement.
"You're in a bad mood." she answered instead.
"No…It's just…I sort of guessed he was going to offer you the job of coroner. Inspector Brackenreid blames himself for keeping Doctor Scott at work when he is old enough to retire. He should have been there for a while, but he is staying to help us out…"
"Listen William… It's not that the job doesn't interest me. But I still must think about it… Could you understand?" Julia reasoned.
"Yes…" the young man muttered before suddenly standing up and putting his hat on his head. "See you later…"
Julia watched her lover come out of the cafe, speechless. Why was he reacting this way? Of course, she wanted to be with him every day. She needed him. As much in his life as to heal from this awful nightmare they had lived at the Weston's' party. But she needed to think. She had to think in terms of her professional career. Would this coroner's job get her anywhere? Or would that relegate her to a lower rank?
She had a very good job at the Toronto hospital, and she was recognized by women but also by men. It was gratifying, beyond this profession that she loved more than anything. She was a woman in a man's world, and she had made a name for herself. It was what she had always wanted.
She sighed as she leaned back in her chair and looked at the other customers around her. It was not going to be easy.
George had his head resting on the desk he was sitting in front of. He felt slightly melancholic. It had been several weeks since the attack at the Weston's' home and he no longer recognized his superior, Detective Murdoch. He had always been reserved, but now he had the feeling that he was moving in slow motion and that he no longer found as much pleasure in working at the Station.
He had seen him with Doctor Ogden, and he had been so surprised. He did not know or had heard that the detective was courting anyone. Especially since he had always been so alone, it was very surprising.
"What are you doing, George?"
Crabtree looked up at his college Higgins who was in the company of Officer Jackson.
"Nothing, I'm thinking..."
"It's true that it's not easy when you're not used to it." sneered Henry followed by a chuckle from Jackson.
"Go ahead, laugh. It doesn't reach me."
George rose from his chair, level with Henry.
"I worry about the detective actually."
Higgins looked down for a few seconds, thinking.
"He's a big boy." he exclaimed before patting his colleague on the back.
George nodded, unconvinced.
"Then he has Doctor Ogden. She is very beautiful already and she is intelligent, they go well together." he said nonchalantly laughing.
Officer Crabtree sighed in annoyance at the behavior of the man who had become his friend over time.
"Ha! Hold! Speaking of the wolf."
Henry nodded towards the front door of the Station which was behind George's back. He turned and was not the only one to open his mouth in amazement when he saw Doctor Ogden walking towards them. It was true that she had a sacred charm…
"Hello gentlemen. Excuse me for disturbing you. I'm looking for Detective Murdoch, please." she asked gently, her eyes shining with a small light of grandeur.
"He… He… He's…" Henry stammered.
"He's in his office, Dr. Ogden. Right in front." George cut in, gesturing at the coin in question. "Would you like me to accompany you there?"
"No, it'll be fine. Thank you for your offer, Officer Crabtree." she smiled before heading with a determined step towards the office in question.
George watched her walk away and knock on the detective's door before turning to a stupidly frozen Henry.
"In my country, there is a word to describe people like you…"
"Pretentious." Jackson finished, a nasty laugh on his lips.
George burst out laughing and sat back in his chair. It was time to get to work. Now that the doctor had come to see the detective, he had nothing to worry about.
Note: Ha Henry and Georges, always bickering! Thanks for reading !