PART 2
Detective Watts first step of investigation was called Mr. Roderick H. Roderick, Effie´s first husband, so he could explain, how his ex-wife ended up on that tree. To no avail, since the man was utterly confuse upon arriving at the station.
Meanwhile of course, Henry was intitled to search to Effie´s clients and retrace her steps
''Mr. Roderick, are you familiar with these scenes?'' Watts asked, showing photos of the crime scene.
''No,'' he replied. ''I should?''
''This tree right here…'' Watts pointed. ''Was where your former wife was left to die. Can you explain me something?''
''Fiona is dead?'' Roderick was shocked. ''Detective, i´m as lost as you are, how she… poor Fiona…''
''Oh no, she isn´t dead,'' Watts raised an eyebrow. ''But we can name it as attempt of murder if you want, you knew she was involved with a constable… probably even before your divorce and decided to kill her. Now, where were you two days ago?''
''I was in Mimico, with my fiancée,'' Roderick explained. ''And a forest, with all those bugs, animals and… urgh! No, besides, Fiona is taller and probably stronger than me, besides, I was the one who asked for a divorce. No, Sir, if I wanted to kill her I would push her down a stair, or poison her or… I don´t know, but I don´t have nothing to do with this.''
''I see…'' Watts nodded, but let the other man go.
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As he made his way back to his office, Watts found Henry back on his table, looking at a photograph of Ruth and their new daughter Cindy. Once he told her about Effie, Ruth quickly said she was going to the hospital the next day to visit her cousin.
''Any progress, constable?'' Watts asked.
''Oh, yes Sir!'' Henry replied. ''I want to Effie´s law office, there was letters from her current client dated from last Friday and two half empty glasses I brought to Miss Hart to examine it.'' Henry explained.
''Good job constable, I will check it with Miss Hart, meanwhile, try to contact your follow colleague, we need to ask him questions…. Oh and, Mr. Rupert Newsome as well.''
''Right away Sir!'' Henry nodded and left the table.
At the morgue, Violet Hart, who was very fond of Det Watts, examined the glasses right away after Henry handle her the objects, just to find a high dose of opium in one of them.
''That's bold huh? Miss Newsome´s heart was very weak when we… i fond her, she was poisoned with Opium then.''
'''She was luck to be alive, if I may say so, Detective.'' Miss Hart point out and Watts couldn´t help but agree.
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The rest of the day went normally, Higgins come back to the station with no sign of his best friend George, as the man seemed to be disappeared. Meanwhile, on the other hand, Rupert got scandalized when Detective Watts suggested he was the one imprisoning Fiona Newsome on a tree.
''For Heavens Sake man, why I would do that? She´s my cousin!'' Rupert said furious.
''She also ruined your fantasy of a kingdom?'' Watts reminded him.
''Oh forget that Detective… it was all rubbish anyway, no reason to murder anyone, right? Can I go?'' Rupert asked and Watts let him go against his will.
And later that same evening, Dr. Ogden called, saying that despite of her hear-rate been stronger, Miss Newsome hadn´t woke up yet, but at least, with some medications and fluids, all the trace of Opium had left her body.
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The other day early on the morning as he arrived at the station, Detective Watts found Jack Walker by the door waiting for him. Of course, after the past event on the woods, both man just smile to each other, trying to not raise suspicions.
''Mr. Walker, may I help you?'' Watts asked politely.
''Huh, detective,'' Jack started. ''I wanted to say that I was retracing our… I mean, mine steps on the day event and noticed some pulley near the tree… as well as a laundry cart.''
''Did you touch any of them?'' Watts asked.
''No, but I thought you would like to know about it.'' Jack replied.
''Excellent, now Jack, I need you to wait a few more minutes to go inside the station and tell me everything again, so I can send a constable to the woods with you, without raise suspicion.''
''Yes Sir…. Oh and I told Clara, she said she want to met that woman we found, so, we will go to the hospital later to see her.'' Jack said and with a nod, Watts left.
However, as soon as he entered the station, he got a surprise: sitting on his desk in front of Constable Higgins, was Constable George Crabtree, writing on his typewriter and although his movements seemed nervous, he seemed quite compenetrate.
''Constable Crabtree, welcome back!'' Watts greet him.
''Oh, hello, Detective!'' George smiled back.
''I have news for you, you know we found your sweetheart, Miss Fiona Newsome…'' Watts was saying when George jump out of hid chair.
''Effie! Where….'' He started, but the sight of a woman sitting on the waiting bench, made him stop. ''Oh, hope she´s alright. Any news from Detective Murdoch?''
''enough… to avoid a broken heart to Dr. Ogden…'' Watts frowned. ''No constable, I want you to find Mr. Walker, he will indicate you some objects on the woods and I want you to collect evidences…''
''Sorry Sir, but I want to be removed from the case!'' George said looking to the woman and leaving Det Watts confused. Still, instead of insisting, the detective turn to Higgins and give the same order to him.
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Later that same day as promised, Jack and Clara decided to pass by the hospital to see the woman, however, as soon as they entered the building, another tall woman, Ruth to them and give the butcher a tight embrace. It was Ruth, in her way to thank him for saving her dear cousin.
''Your husband is a hero!'' Ruth exclaimed to Clara. ''You must be proud.
''Yes….'' Clara smiled, before mothering to herself. ''Proud to see my husband doing indecency.''
''Er… How´s the woman? Miss Newsome, right?'' Jack asked.
''Still unconscious, but Dr. Ogden said she can wake up any minute!'' Ruth smiled and lead the couple to a room, where Julia was supervising a nurse, who was taking care of Effie.
Indeed, the lawyer was stirring when the visitors arrive and lucky, she seemed even a bit healthier than before, which makes Jack smile, after the fright she give him.
Still, once she opened her eyes, her reaction was the least they expected. As a doctor, Julia leaned forward to examine her and ask how she was doing, while Ruth lean to touch her face and talk to her. Even the other occupants in the room came closer to see her.
However, instead of been happy to seen those familiar faces, Effie let out a loud hysterical scream and the sight of those blond women made her jump out the bed suddenly, almost knocking Ruth on the ground and ran away toward the door.
''YOU WON'T TAKE ME! YOU WON'T TAKE ME, LEAVE ME ALONE!'' she screamed and cling on Mr, Walker´s arms, frightened and trembling like a leaf. And shrouding like a small rabbit in front of five devious foxes.