Chapter 30:
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly. William returned to reception to ask for the young woman's key, which was finally given to him. He went through her room and picked out a skirt and blouse for her – at her request. He finally returned to his own suite and gave the clothes to Julia who was quietly waiting for him on the couch.
She quickly changed into the bathroom and smiled at him. She thanked him for letting her stay in his room when she had lost her key and had to go straight back to pack. Indeed, the train leaving at 7:00 p.m. sharp, and the afternoon being already well advanced, the young woman had to prepare quickly. William offered to help her, which she gently declined.
When she left, he, too, began to put his things away. It was time to leave this beautiful landscape behind, as well as this beautiful room. He picked up his only bag and walked out. He walked down the hallway and passed Zachary Lauzon, already in gear, on his way.
"Hello Sir."
The young man gave him a slight nod before continuing his way. William briefly wondered where he was heading. He shrugged. He found himself too curious sometimes. Surely a character trait that his job had provided him.
He went down to the lobby of the building and handed over his room key after standing in line behind Colleen Forbes, who did not give him a single glance. Before his turn, he was jostled by Marie Gosselin who was in line behind him. "I beg your pardon, sir…" she told him with embarrassment. In fact, she was holding all her mistress's luggage, and she kept tripping over it. William then held out a hand, offering to relieve her of one or two pieces of luggage, but she flatly refused. The young man understood very well her negative answer. She was Madam Hébert's maid; she could not afford to lose even an eye on her mistress's affairs.
When he was finally out of the hotel, he checked his watch. It was 6:45 p.m., he had to go straight to the train. He wanted to try to find Julia first, but he thought he had run into her on the train instead. So, he walked, bag in hand, through the now-melted snow that had fallen that afternoon. He smiled at the sight of the Brackenreids boys playing in the snow nearby. He waved to his superior who was sitting with his wife on a bench in front of their children. He waved back with a big smile and a nod.
William sighed and looked away. He had always wanted children… He had dreamed of having a son. And if he had a daughter, he would love her like crazy, he knew it perfectly. He found himself imagining a little girl with long golden hair and defiant green and gray eyes. What would she call him? Julia junior? William snorted in amusement. He was stupid when he got into it. He thought something was going on between them, but since she was not taking any steps, he guessed that she might not be interested in him. Or not the way he liked her, anyway… He sighed again. His mood seemed to waver quite a bit lately. As if he no longer really knew who he was, or how he envisaged his future. He was already almost 35 years old and, in reality, he was beginning to worry. He was not married, he did not have kids, he had friends but he was not the type to go out and party with them. He had no family and he lived in a boarding house… He was lucky to make this trip today. And to have met Julia…
On his way, he passed the Novak brothers who seemed to be in deep discussion. A discussion that he imagined always turning around the same subject: Nora Champagne. He did not know if Walid Champagne was aware that his daughter was flirting with Westley Novak… He met Mathias Rojas and Magnus Duval who were both laughing in a corner. He followed their gaze and saw Hiram Lagacé trying to reach for a hat stuck on a tree branch.
William rolled his eyes. People could really be mean… Hiram was by no means the tallest man, that was undeniable. He could not reach that branch, and instead of helping him, the two young men quietly laughed at him. The detective walked directly towards the man.
"Do you need help?" he asked gently.
"Oh, Mr. Murdoch… Yes… Excuse me…" he replied embarrassed. "I can't catch my hat."
William reached out and unhooked the dark blue hat from that branch. He dusted it lightly and gave it to him.
"Thanks…"
"Why was it hooked? A bad prank?" asked William worriedly and throwing a suspicious look at the two young men who had stopped laughing when they saw the scene.
"No… I had lost my hat. I think someone found it and wanted to be nice and put it somewhere we could find it. Only, I don't think he had expected that his owner would be so small." he joked, good-humored.
"Oh!" he laughed back.
"Thank you for your help." he finally said, holding out his hand and finally putting on his blue hat before heading for the train.
William looked back at the two young men, but they too had gone back to the train. He had serious doubts about the identity of the person or persons who had hung the hat in the tree. It was not so bad, but he hated gratuitous meanness and mockery...
He shook his head and decided to continue his way. He finally arrived in front of the train in front of which were a dozen people. He walked to the front door and walked past Zachary Lauzon again.
"Hello Sir."
William slowed down and looked at the driver. He had already said hello to him barely fifteen minutes ago… Was he that forgettable?
He held back his breath and got on the train with his suitcase. He headed straight for his compartment, to which he already knew the way.
Note: Hope you still like my story! We're only halfway through it. Thank you for the last comment :) It is true that it is a big work but I love that haha