It was mid morning of the next day and Murdoch stood in the parlor of the Moorhead's hotel suite. It was generally known that the Moorhead family was a fairly well to do family the father having made his fortune in oil. He had been informed that Mr. and Mrs. Moorhead had gone out to speak with an undertaker about final arrangement, so he found himself waiting for them to return. As he replayed his first encounter with them in his mind, this time he concentrated on what he could remember of the young woman Katie Moorhead.
She appeared to be between 18 and 21. She had long dark hair and dark eyes and as pretty as she was Murdoch was certain he could have her choice of the eligible young men in the town. Now as to her mannerisms she was clearly grief stricken over the death of her brother, but there was more, he remember there was something about the look in her eyes when he had revealed that her brother had been murdered.
He was thinking about these things when he noticed what he assumed was a family picture that one of them had left on the table by the arm chair. Picking it up, he saw that it was a picture of Katie arm in arm with a young man. Presumably the young man was her beau. He was about to put the picture down again when he notice that the young man was wearing a jacket with the emblem of the same university that the deceased had attended.
A split second later Katie herself entered room evidently looking for something, she stopped short when she saw the detective.
"Hello Inspector Murdoch," she said quickly regaining her composure.
"Miss," said Murdoch nodding politely.
"Is there some new development in my brother's case?!" she asked
"Nothing definite," said Murdoch, "I just wanted to ask if you or your family knew of anyone that would have had a reason to harm your brother?"
"No-not that I can think up," the young Woman replied. As she said this Murdoch noticed that she was shifting nervously on her feet and Murdoch noticed that she kept glancing nervously at the picture in his hand.
"Is there something you would like to tell me, Miss," said Murdoch, he held out the picture to her, "Perhaps about the young man in this picture. It noticed he attended the university with your brother.
Katie gave a sigh that was a combination of resignation and relief.
"Your right," said Katie motioning Murdoch to sit in the chair opposite her, "his name is Garrett Stevens he didn't merely attend the same university as my brother they were classmates that's how I met him. About a week before my brother died I was here in town and Garrett and I went to a party put on by some of his friends.
"I don't think my brother approved of me going out with Garrett, and I think they locked horns about it, but I can't believe that he had anything to do with my brother's death."
"I certainly hope that you're right," said Murdoch, "I thank you for your candor. It seems that your parents have been delayed. I'll see them another time. Please tell them that I stopped by."
With that he stood, nodded to her and walked out closing the door behind him. he had notice that while was talking to him she had seemed not only nervous but physically weaken as though the effort of conversation had taken her strength out of her.
When Constable Crabtree got back to the office Murdoch was standing there in front of his blackboard. The blackboard was half full of Murdoch's notes on the case and he was reading them again for the umpteenth time. Inspector Brackenreid had broken another filling, and another toothache and was in a foul mood. Most of the younger officers decided to go on some extra patrols to avoid him as much as possible. The advantage was the office was relatively quiet which was a pleasant change for Murdoch. He prided himself on his even tempered disposition but all the jokes about Crystal balls and his "Pet" Spook were beginning to rub him the wrong way. The worst part was that Dr. Ogden was acting unsure of him too.
"I have yet to connect all the pieces, George, all I've found is a name for the suspect list, Garrett Stevens." Said Murdock as Crabtree entered the room.
"Garrett Stevens," Said Crabtree, "I ran across that name at the university. I went over there first thing this morning to talk to the dean like I was supposed to in the first place. I was there most of the morning."
"And," said Murdoch motioning him to continue.
"They get there supplies from the Ajax Chemical Supply company. They work out of that big building down on Front Street."
"Forget get about the chemistry supplies for the moment what was this about Garrett Stevens," said Murdoch with a wave of his hand.
"Well according to what I overheard about two hours before Moorhead died this Stevens character and the Deceased came to blows in the gymnasium."
"No doubt a fight over the fact that Stevens was courting Moorhead's sister," said Murdoch, "Miss Moorhead herself told me that she and this man were involved and her brother didn't approve."
"Well that, could be," said Crabtree, "When the Coach separated them Moorhead yelled 'I'll get you for what you did to my sister'!"
"interesting indeed," said Murdoch, "I believe I should talk to Miss Moorhead again." Just then Doctor Ogden entered the room.
"William," she said, "I thought that you'd be interested to know I finally identified that strange chemical. It was Alpha-Pinene."
"I've never heard of that chemical," said Crabtree
Before Dr. Ogden could answer. There was a deep throaty chuckle. Crabtree's got as big around and frying pans and Dr. Ogden jumped. She looked almost wildly at Murdoch who calmly sat down in his chair. He was now far more calm than he had been the first time the voice spoke. And he was secret glad that it was happening now. at least from this point on he wouldn't have to worry about his best friends thinking that he was losing it.
"Most people wouldn't have heard of it, Constable," said the voice, "It's one of the base chemicals in C10H16 better known as turpentine."
"William," said Julia, "I can hardly believe it, I hear a voice but I can't see anyone!" Murdoch nodded.
"It's the same for me, Julia," he said
"Um, Mr. Voice, sir," said Crabtree.
"Yes, Constable Crabtree," replied the voice gently but with a hint of amusement in his tone.
"Who are you? Just what are you?" said Crabtree echoing the first questions that Murdoch had asked
"Who I am and what I am is not important, Constable," said the Voice taking on a more authoritative tone, "What matters is making sure that a murderer doesn't escape."
"Inspector," said the Voice becoming commanding again, "The next step that you need to take is to go back and talk to Miss Katie Moorhead again, this time ask her not only about Garret Stevens but also how she came to be suffering from damaged Kidneys."
Murdoch and the others looked at each other.
"You were there when I talked to Miss Moorhead?!" said Murdoch
"I'm never far away, Detective," replied the Voice, "I've been accompanying you on every step of your investigation. Remember what I told you."
"I'll do as you suggest," said Murdoch
"Very well" said the voice, "I bid all of you farwell."
With a throaty chuckle the voice was gone!"
TO BE CONTINUED….
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