Chapter 15:

Julia was having a leisurely lunch in restaurant car number four, which was almost at the back of the train. She really liked this wagon. It had comfortable black banquettes, instead of the usual white wooden chairs. She looked around the room for a moment and the people there. There was only Walid Champagne and his unfaithful wife – Alecia – as well as Madam Hébert and her good Marie. What Julia liked about the Winter Mist was the quiet. They were only twenty-four passengers – including the two drivers who were treated exactly like them. They too had their own compartment and ate their meals with the customers. Thus, in such a large train with five dining cars, tranquility was in order. Everyone made their life where they wanted, and it was very interesting. There were also nine employees who slept in the same car and had lunch together at specific and fixed times.

She watched Elizabeth Hébert cuddle her little dog Bobby and she smiled at the image. She had learned that very morning that the old woman had found her dog. Julia had been very happy about it, but, on the other hand, it also meant that she had still looked ridiculous in the eyes of the great Detective William Murdoch. They had again had a difference of opinion the morning before when they had both found themselves in the hallway of Madame Hébert's compartment. She screamed so loudly that she rushed to the woman. Her doctor-she had woken up, imagining that someone needed treatment. Eventually, she learned that the old woman had lost her dog, and she came to the direct conclusion that there was indeed a thief on that train. And, this time, William could not contradict her. But yes. He had not believed her. Not at all.

But if the dog had come back alone, he had been completely right, and Julia was beginning to believe that she had indeed lost her watch. No one had stolen it from her. She just put it down somewhere and… it was gone.

The young woman sighed softly, remembering the events of the day before. At dinner, she had sat directly at Magnus' table when she spotted him. He was quite endearing, and she did not want to run into Detective Murdoch. Every time they spoke to each other, it almost broke out into an argument.

And, she had had a great evening, until he walked into the room and sat down at Colleen Forbes' table. After that, she had been unable to concentrate. She saw him laughing and smiling at her. She was trying to seduce him, and it worked. She could not stop glancing at him, and she could not concentrate on what Magnus was saying to her.

At the end of dinner, Magnus and herself had gone back to their compartments, but the young man had insisted on accompanying her. When they were in front of the door, he entered with her and immediately kissed her full on the lips. Julia had been so surprised, but it had been so long since she had had any attention, that she let herself be carried away by the moment. He had devoured her neck and she had taken off his suit jacket. She had started to unbutton his shirt when they heard a knock on her compartment door. Julia had tried to gather herself as Magnus answered the door.

Still in shock from what had just happened, she had decided to join Magnus at the door, and she had discovered Detective Murdoch. She had felt so satisfied when she noticed his crestfallen expression at the sight of Magnus. He had spent his evening with Colleen Forbes, so she had every right to do the same. Eventually Magnus slipped away, not without a final kiss on her cheek. Then, not without surprise, she had again argued with William Murdoch. He had come to taunt her about her pocket watch, and it had made her angry. She did not quite understand why he had come so late to tell her that too. He exasperated her and yet... she did not know... She felt overwhelmed by what she was feeling.

Julia focused again on Elizabeth Hébert and her little dog, and she saw Marie Gosselin pouring something into a glass of orange juice. Poor woman, Julia thought. She must have been so overworked by her employer that she needed to take medication. Julia frowned when she saw the young maid pushed the glass towards her mistress.

"Miss Ogden?"

Julia turned around and was surprised to see the second driver of this train.

"Oh! Mister…" Julia had a blackout. Darn…

"Lauzon. Zachary Lauzon." laughed the young man lightly, embarrassed. "Excuse me for disturbing you in the middle of lunch. Walid Champagne would like to see you. He's in his compartment."

"He would like to see me. But why?" Julia asked, surprised.

"I don't know… He's waiting for you."

The young man nodded to Julia before inviting her to follow him. Constrained, she got up from her comfortable place near the window, then followed him. They walked in silence to Mr. Champagne's compartment. Julia studied Zachary's figure carefully and noticed with amusement that his pants seemed too short for him. She could see his checkered socks being a little too outdated. She could also see that he seemed to have a somewhat awkward gait. Like he was clumsy.

He suddenly stopped and gestured to the compartment door in front of them.

"It's here."

He knocked lightly on the door and looked at Julia with a shy smile. The compartment door then opened on Mr. Champagne.

"Oh! Zachary! Thank you for bringing her back to me." Walid smiled kindly. "You can dispose."

Mr. Lauzon nodded then slipped out of the hallway, not without a last look at Julia.

"You are welcome. Come in." Walid asked, holding the door to his compartment.

Julia remained there for a moment, hesitating to enter. She was suspicious. The manager of Night Train Station had not once spoken to her and now he wanted her in his compartment.

Note: Strange... What does this gentleman want? Thanks to everyone who continues to read my story! I hope you still like it as much.