Chapter 15:

"You have good taste Murdoch to say the least…" the Chief Inspector tried to lighten the mood as William sat at his desk, a handkerchief over his nose.

Thomas had picked up Murdoch from the ground with the help of Georges and had taken him to his office, under the stunned gaze of the other police officers. The inspector had taken Georges out after thanking him and had closed the door. The other police officers were, of course, trying to listen.

"Stop, please…"

"You looked for it, Murdoch. I told you."

"That's none of your business." Murdoch snapped his head back in an attempt to stop the blood that continued to drip all over his shirt.

"Yes, that's up to me, Murdoch!" Thomas snapped again. "It concerns us all! Did you hear what Ethan Brenks said?! No more morgue and no more coroner! He just needs to talk to Terence Meyers about it and we're done. You couldn't get laid with someone else?"

"I... I love her...I'm in love with her."

Thomas stopped pacing to look at his stunned detective. In love, had he said? He did not know what to answer him. He had not expected that kind of statement. Now he felt stupid. He should have known what was behind it all.

It was obvious after all. He had known Murdoch for years; it could not have been just a fun extramarital affair.

"And she? Does she love you?" Thomas hesitated, afraid to hear that his detective was launching into an entirely false story.

"Yes, she loves me."

Thomas was surprised at the detective's sudden firmness and certainty.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

Thomas raised his eyebrows but made no comment. Now they would have to find a new coroner, that was the most important question.

"We are no longer going to have a medical examiner. The Station will not survive it. We are strongest in solving murders…"

William repositioned his head normally as his nose finally calmed down. He tried to get up, despite his head spinning a little.

"I have a solution to this problem." said William.

"Oh, yes? And which one?"

"Julia. She did the same studies as her husband. Only he did not let her become a doctor."

"Are you kidding me? A female coroner already, and besides, given the circumstances, I think it would be inappropriate." Thomas snapped a little.

"Well, you'll come back and tell me about it in a few days, when we still have no one to do our autopsies and Terence Meyers writes a bad report on our Station." William said as he headed for the door.

"You know, all I must do is fire you and it'll be over. We don't have to put up with that." Thomas raised a finger at Murdoch.

"Then fire me."

"I..." Brackenreid stopped mid-sentence. "And then shit!"

William smiled before leaving the office and returning to his under the curious eyes of his colleagues. What was going to happen now to Julia and to himself?

Julia had woken up alone that morning. William had already left for work, and he had left her a little letter to let her know when he would be home. She took the opportunity to go home when no one was there and discreetly picked up her things.

"Mom?"

Julia jumped and turned as she rummaged through her closet.

"Rosemary!"

The young woman quickly walked towards her oldest daughter whom she took in her arms with love.

"Oh, my baby… My baby girl, I love you so much. Aren't you at school? What are you doing here at this hour?"

"Mom…we saw you…with Emily, the other night at the Perkins, with this man."

The young woman froze for a few moments at her daughter's words.

"What is…"

"That's why you had a fight with dad, right?"

Rosemary looked at her mother, her eyes filling with tears.

"Are you going to separate? Tell me the truth, please." begged Rosemary.

Julia backed up a little and sighed.

"I love this man Rosemary...I don't want to live with your father anymore...I want to do what I please. What I could never do…I want to be a doctor…I want to work…I want…" Julia struggled to finish her sentence and Rosemary moved closer to her to hug her.

"That's what Emily and I wish for you mom…I'm sorry I got so far away from you. In reality…"

"I know why you walked away from me, my sweetheart… I told you extraordinary stories and you discovered that life was not so simple…"

Rosemary lowered her head in shame.

"Yes… I was mostly sad to understand that you weren't happy… Dad loves you like crazy, but he doesn't understand who you are. Or he doesn't want to understand. I would love for you two to stay together. You are my parents and I love you so much… But I want you to be happy, mom."

"You're adorable, darling…" Julia said, tears gently streaming down her cheeks as she once again hugged her daughter and kissed her forehead. "I am not abandoning you and your sister. I love you like crazy. I'm leaving home for a while, but I'll find a solution…"

"Where are you going to live? With this man?"

"Maybe… Or at the hotel." she smiled tenderly at her.

"Good luck with your new life, mom."

Note: Your new life! Thank you to those who continue to follow my story. Do not hesitate to write to me, even in private, to make me suggestions or other.