Bloodlust II
Chapter 2

Arlene had her friend Abby watching the Murdochs. She wanted to be familiar with their routine. Somehow she needed to get rid of the doctor and lure the Detective to her little place outside of town. She was sure if she had him alone she could win him over. After all he had seemed to like her back in the day. You see, Arlene had made up her own memories of her past encounter with William Murdoch. And she convinced herself to believe that he had been interested in her.

"They seem to be set in a routine, Arlene," Abby reported to her mentor. "They both work. The doctor sometimes meets with another group of women, something to do with politics. The detective is either at his station house or out on a case."

"Yes, he does like to get personally involved in his cases," Arlene mused, more to herself than to Abby.

"Yes, well...they generally meet for dinner at their hotel, about seven."

"But surely they go out together...sometimes?"

"Yes, I would guess that they do, but not since I've been watching."

"Even on Sunday?"

"The detective goes to church by himself. Sometimes the doctor meets with friends. I have seen them out once together on a Sunday afternoon."

"Keep doing what you're doing and let me know immediately any variation from routine."

Just outside of town, Arlene had purchased a small, isolated cottage under a false name. While Abby spied on the Murdochs, she spent her days preparing her love nest for her and the Detective. A small cellar accessed only from a trap door in the kitchen floor is where she devoted her decorating skills. She brought each portion of furniture down piece by piece. There was a bed, with a nicely appointed quilt, a small table with two chairs, a screened off lavatory and facilities, and ropes, shackles, and gags. Of course in time the restraints would not be necessary as William came to realize that Arlene was his true love. Of this she was sure she could convince him.

William thought he was seeing the same woman watching him everywhere he went. But it was not Arlene Dennet so he put it out of his mind. He and Julia went about their routine life as usual, though with her suffragette activities and asylum work and his caseload, routine might not quite be the way to describe it. Julia also noticed a young woman who seemed to appear often where she was, but neither she, nor William mentioned this to the other.

It had been a long time that they both had a day off together that was not a Sunday. They had planned a day trip to the beach for swimming and a picnic. They had not kept their plans a secret, letting their friends know know where they would be in case of an emergency. Both had emphasized that it had better be a dire emergency before anyone interrupted this long awaited day.

"I'm sorry, Julia. I have to stop by the office first, just for a few minutes."

"Oh, William! Is this a 'dire emergency'?" she pouted.

"I promise I won't be long. Meet me at the ferry to Hanlon's Point."

"Alright. But you had better be there."

"Wild horses couldn't keep me away."

Arlene and Abby were both watching the Murdochs' hotel, noting that William left alone.

"Follow him, Abby. I have an idea."

Stepping into the Windsor Hotel, Arlene made her way to the public telephone.
"Station House 4, please."

"Station House 4, Sergeant Mead speaking."

"Yes, this is Dr. Ogden. I would like to speak to Detective Murdoch."

"I'm sorry, Doctor, he's not here."

"Then give him a message please. Tell him our plans have changed and to meet me Cooks Inn just outside of town. I'll explain things to him then. I'm leaving now so he shouldn't try to call."

"Yes, ma'am."

Arlene was impatient and no longer considered that getting rid of Dr. Ogden had to come before she took William to her lair. Actually harming the the doctor might make William resistant and vengeful. But Arlene was sure she could make him forget her. If she only had his full attention he would surely see her in a new light. He would see her love for him and reciprocate.

Shortly after the phone call William walked into the station.

"Sir, there's a message for you."

Sergeant Mead had written down the conversation. He handed it over the desk to Murdoch.
A puzzled expression formed on William's face as he read the note.
"When did she call?"

"Just a few minutes ago."

"Alright then."
He proceeded to his office to sign the reports that needed to be filed and left.

"I guess she's taken a cab or carriage so I'll just ride my bike to meet her," he thought to himself. "I wonder what she has in mind? And at the last minute too?"

Arlene and Abby made there way toward Cooks Inn as Julia was going to the ferry.
Julia waited on the wharf as she was a little early. But William didn't come. She waited for two hours, getting angrier and angrier. Finally she found a shop nearby that would let her use their phone.

"I'm sorry, Doctor Ogden, I think he left hours ago."

But this was not Sergeant Mead she was talking to. He had left, his shift having ended. Constable Worsley had no idea there had been a message. He just knew he saw the detective leave.

"Alright, constable." After hanging up, she wasn't sure what to do. Should she wait longer...go home...go to the station?

William kept thinking of the odd message Julia had left as he pedaled toward Cooks Inn. So rapt in thought, he didn't hear the carriage behind him until it was too late to move out of the way. The carriage knocked into him, spilling him heavily onto the road. He was stunned as he tried sitting up. But before he could even get his bearings a blow knocked him out.