Chapter 16:

Finally, the young woman came forward, short of breath and Walid Champagne closed the door behind her.

"Excuse me for disturbing you, Doctor Ogden."

Julia suddenly sighed in relief. He called her "Doctor Ogden." There was no reason for him to bring her here or know she was a doctor unless someone was sick.

"The Brackenreids' son, John, fell ill during the night..."

The old man went to his cupboard and helped himself to the liquor bar. He took out two glasses and put them on the table near the window. Julia came forward and noticed that the room was identical to hers and she was very surprised. In reality, she had thought that the Champagnes had built themselves up and reserved a compartment for them. Like a giant room or full of the latest fashion gadgets. But none of that. Luxurious room, of course, but the same as hers and all the others.

"Shall I get you a drink? Whisky, Vodka? Wine? I have coffee otherwise, or tea." the boss kindly offered.

"Coffee, please, that will be fine."

Drinking alcohol before examining a child would be very unwise on her part.

Walid nodded and made her heat a cup with a machine stuck in the same cupboard. He turned back to her as she stood in the middle of the room, slightly uncomfortable.

"Please sit down." he gestured to the chair across from the two empty glasses he had placed on the table.

She walked away and looked around her again. She vaguely wondered where Mrs. Champagne and their daughter Nora could be. Then she remembered this man with a bad reputation… Mr. Lamoureux. She wondered about the relationship between Alecia and the latter. She had seen them argue, but that was it. She had never seen them chat or look at each other again and she wondered if she was with him now. Or if Mr. Champagne knew about it...

"Hold."

"Oh, thank you." replied Julia, coming out of her thoughts when the old man came back to her with a cup in his hand.

He sat down across from her and poured himself a glass of vodka.

"Do you like The Winter Mist?" asked Walid suddenly, looking up at her.

"Yes, a lot. I am very happy to have been able to reserve a place for this trip. You have created a marvelous company, Mr. Champagne."

He smiled kindly at her and continued, "I saw you had found company… Magnus Duval. He is a very charming man, you will see. He has been traveling with my company for a good ten years. He's actually one of my biggest clients."

"Oh..." Julia raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I didn't know that. He told me that he had already traveled with Night Train Station, but I had no idea it had been so many years…"

"Yes… He's an engineer. One of the biggest. He helped design and build Carnegie Hall in New York." Walid continued.

Julia was speechless.

"Excuse me, actually, I have a favor to ask of you. I told Thomas Brackenreid I was going to get him a doctor for his son. They are waiting in their compartment… Would it be possible to… not charge them for your consultation…? I know it's an incongruous request, but Thomas is my friend and... well, if you want to be paid, of course I'll do it myself. But I would like you to at least pretend to do it for free in front of them…" grimaced Walid, very uncomfortable.

In reality, Julia was expecting a request. She had found it strange that he invited her in, that he offered her a drink, that he asked her questions about her stay… when she had to check the state of health of a child. Besides, she had not given the slightest thought to the payment. She thought she was doing it for free. She was not a monster and she just wanted to help.

"Of course, Mr. Champagne. The consultation will be free, I'm doing this to help, that's all." she smiled gently at him.

Walid sat back in his chair, stunned. "You are very nice, doctor. Thank you. Let me tell you that I will not forget your gesture."

She smiled back and lifted the steaming cup to her lips.

"What is happening to the boy… How again? John, is that right?"

"Yes… Apparently, he woke up with severe pain in his stomach and head last night. The parents thought it would pass, but he ate nothing this morning and even vomited."

Julia nodded.

"Good! Let's go then. Don't make them wait any longer."

Note: John is sick, and Julia is going to examine him! What could happen next? Thank you for the last review I received. I'm happy that the mystery is there on the characters and that you are suspicious of everyone haha!