Dr. Ogden had been gone for a few minutes already. William sat at the table at the back of the bedroom and quietly ate some cookies he had left the day before under the gaze of his superior.
-Well, then, what now? Brakenreid asked after some time spent in silence.
-It was your plan, sir, replied William, it is up to you to tell me.
Thomas sighed and sank down on the bed before feeling a tissue touch his knee . He looked down at it and took it between his fingers, feeling the fine lace under his skin. When he saw what he was holding his face turned red and he immediately let go with a glance at William.
-She has left you a souvenir, he muttered in a whisper.
William smiled shyly yet with discomfort to stand up and take the underwear of his wife in his fingers before sliding it between his business.
-Whatever, William told seriously, we must settle this case quickly. I do not want that Julia is still in danger and ...
-And regarding the show she did to you, you are anxious to find her, Thomas added with a wink, it shows that you do not sleep much, he added before William has time to answer, and I doubt you played dominoes. You are a man Murdoch, I understand, but it was not smart. If Parker or one of his henchmen saw you ...
-Tell it to Julia, William cut, it was her who came to find me here.
-I doubt you have done something to push her away, replied Brakenreid.
William cleared his throat, and without another word, he walked to the bathroom to shave.
-George must have an eye on her, he threw the adjacent room, more than before because I would not be here to watch now. She think the same as you, it is too dangerous and she does not wants to see me before the end of the investigation. I rely on him to protect her and I also will wish a copy of the file in full and ...
-You already have Murdoch, Brakenreid sighed.
He reappeared at the door of the bedroom, shaving foam full face.
-Yes but I think I am missing something, you told me that Parker left the city there are weeks now but it does not stick. I studied the inputs of all ships of the company in recent weeks. A missing cargo ship has not entered in the Port of Toronto. We must conduct a search of the warehouse docks.
-You can not be serious? Do you see the number of warehouses that there on the docks?
-Do you have a better idea?
Brakenreid remain silent for a few moments and William then eclipsed in the bathroom to return a few minutes later perfectly shaven and his shirt closed.
-It is time that this case ends Sir, William sighed, we must stop Parker, once and for all.
The young woman had quickly left the hotel where she had spent the night to do a few steps in the street still deserted at this hour so early. She had a light heart, she was in peace, as she had been over long ago. She savored the breeze that caressed her skin and a huge smile on her face loomed. William was alive and despite all he had done, that was all that mattered. She had spent the night in the arms of the man she loved, she woke up with him. She had felt his kisses and caresses for hours, she felt his heart beating against hers, his warm breath in her hair, she had heard his words of love he always whispered in her ear. She had watched him for several minutes, before kissing and snuggling into his arms, where she was at peace and happy. All of this was a reality and not a painful dream, noticing that she was alone in the bed. Julia savored this moment of happiness, even though she knew she was going to miss him, that would be hard and long weeks until his return without being able to see him again. But she knew he was alive and that there was still hope to find him. She knew that even if they were separated for months, years, hundreds of miles away, nothing could silence the love they were to each other. They were alive and nothing was more important than that to her.
Julia walked quietly on the sidewalk when a man dressed in black hit her hard. She wavered for a moment and the mighty hand of the stranger caught her just before she fell.
-Oh excuse me Madam, he said in a deep voice with a twinkle in the eye.
Julia froze for a moment and she met his eyes yet she smiled politely away.
-This is nothing Sir, she replied shyly, I was not watching where I was getting into.
-There is only love that can make a woman so distracted.
-Oh no I ... um, good day, Julia stammered, smiling before leaving.
-Good day Madam, softly replied the stranger before a grin sliding across his lips and he looks away until she disappeared around the corner of the street.
The warehouse was dark despite the brilliant sunshine outside. It was noon, yet, only candles scattered on a simple wooden table lit surroundings. A man aged was there sitting, smiling counting banknotes when another approached him, smiling. This man who had struck Julia earlier in the day.
-Alberto, murmured the man sat down, why do I owe the honor of your visit?
-An interesting new Mr. Parker, he said in his deep voice.
He motioned him to sit in front of him and he complied before removing his hat and looking up at him.
-New from Chicago?
-No sir, the ship went there three days but the transmissions are cut to his arrival in Toronto. It is another matter that brings me.
-I am listening to you.
-It is about Detective Murdoch.
-He is long dead.
-I followed his wife for days and I ...
-I do not have time for that, threw the older man, rising, kill Murdoch was in my plans, he is buried and his wife interested me in anything now.
-He is alive.
The man turned to him and raised an eyebrow at the front ceiling to approach and sit on the edge of the table.
-How do you know?
-His wife, I continued to keep an eye on her as you had asked me to do some time.
-And what have you discovered?
-She spent the night in a hotel and I saw a police officer come after her, which came out a few minutes later, this morning Inspector Brakenreid did the same and the wife of Murdoch left the place, happy if you see what I mean. Unless she has a lover, I think she found her husband. And there was a man who was spinning around her, he looks nothing like Murdoch, but I saw him several times with his superior.
-I understand,' growled the man chuckled, we must believe that Murdoch is still alive despite his "state".
-What do we do?
-What we had planned, we take care of the last load from Chicago and then we will give a little lesson to Murdoch. We will force him out of his hole and we will make him regret this little play. Keep an eye on his wife, she will want to join him again. If she leaves town assure you that she will not come back.
- Kill I her?
-No, I am not a monster, he said away, make sure to keep her alive, that Murdoch has enough to suffer and we can do business with him. I think we will play a little Alberto, he added, giving him a wink.
The young man did not answer and broadly smiled back, watching his boss leave with a slow but determined.
to be continued ...