It had been a month since Julia felt the men of the police station follow her every move. A month that her husband had left the city and she had not had any news of him if it was the letter he had left to their friend before leaving, a month she felt to live in a cage. She accommodated in after all, but she had one desire, which tells her decision, and thus she can know freedom again that she loved so much, and found her husband that she loved even more.
But that night, she thought she distort the company of his guards to find the man she loved. She was surprised yet delighted to receive a single word from him that morning.
8.50 P.M East Entrance - Queen's Park
Julia had been on guard and had spent long minutes scrutinize the word, and the writing there in. She was compared to a letter from William that Inspector Brakenreid had given her few weeks earlier. She had no doubt that this meeting had been organized by her husband. She knew she risked her life and young man's , but the desire to see him and snuggle in his arms was stronger than everything else.
So she returned home early, she had freshened, changed her dress and she had made up with care. Then she had glanced into the street to see at the other side Constable Higgins , reading a newspaper. She sighed deeply and set up her plan. She left the house to go to the downtown, always aware that there was a man to keep an eye on her. She made several shops without ever buy nothing. Then she went into a florist, she walked to the vendor located at the counter to take the floor barely louder than a whisper.
-Please miss, I need your help. Do you see the blond man on the other side of the street? She asked, pointing Henry himself a head movement. This is a man who woos me eagerly and I do not know how to get rid of him. I wish I spin without seeing me. He follows me for hours and you know what may be a jilted man.
-I have a door in the back, threw the young woman smiling, follow me.
Julia grinned and followed her to the back room, slipping between cartons, wooden boxes and all kinds of elements arranged more or less in order. They debouched on a small deserted alley and the young woman turned to her.
-If you want to join Queen Street, take the first right and then left, you come out onto the street and he should not see you.
-Thank you, Julia replied.
-You are welcome, replied the young woman giving her a wink, good evening.
-You too miss, made Julia politely before moving away quickly, feeling her heart beating wildly in her chest.
She felt the excitement to see William ride a little more with each step she took toward the place of the rendezvous. Her legs trembled, her hands were sweaty, her heart seemed to dance a frenzied dance and her mind took her to soft backgrounds, delicious and passion. She remembered telling him he should know to be forgiven for his attitude, yet she expected the moment his lips would touch hers and they share a tender kiss.
This was short of breath that Julia came to the point of appointment as the night had already fallen. She walked around the building and headed for the porch where she saw a back silhouette. She could not help smiling at the man at the top of the stairs dressed in black, a well calibrated hat.
-William? She said in a whisper, stopping down the steps.
He turned and met her eyes when she froze.
-Good evening Mrs. Murdoch, launched the stranger smiling before took a weapon from his jacket.
It was quite enough for Julia to go up the hem of her dress and jump in the current fleet. The man caught her quickly and she felt the air in the bullet against her ear. She borrowed a path in the park, focusing on the dark to prevent shoot straight to touch. She moved between the trees a few moments before she heard the man choke a cry of pain. Another shot went off and cry rent the silence. Julia froze. She did not know what to do, continue to run for her life or turn to rescue the man who had intervened and had probably saved her life. She heard another cry of pain, and she hesitated. She spun around in the second to see two figures engage a tough battle a little further. She slipped behind several trees to move without being seen and get closer to them. She was breathing hard and with as much discretion as she could, she picked up the gun that was on the floor. The stranger took over on the man who had interposed. He took a knife to look at him and direct him to his heart. The young man was expected to feel the sharp blade stuck into his chest when the shot went off. They exchanged a glance, and the next moment, the attacker fell down on the floor beside him, dead. The young man looked up at the one standing next to him and had not dropped the gun. He gave her a shy smile that looked more like a grimace of pain and she rushed to him.
-George, launched Julia leaning over him, do not move, he hit you at the shoulder.
-Yes it would seem so, George muttered, laying his head on the ground.
Julia looked somehow his injury and quickly, she opened his uniform jacket, followed by his shirt to pull him gently but with difficulty.
-How did you know I was here? Julia threw to distract him. I have done everything that Henry lost me.
-I was following him, George sighed in pain with a glance toward the man stretched a little further.
-Who is he?
-Alberto Garcia, a henchman. We knew he was probably at your research and that he would try to attack you. But we did not think that you will take the risk to join on your own.
-I thought it was William, sighed Julia, I received a note asking me to join him here tonight and I did not hesitate to throw me to the wolves. You must take me for an idiot, she added, laughing softly.
-No, George murmured, looking at her, I understand.
They exchanged another look and Julia undertook to treat him for a while before making a bandage and spoke again.
-Can you get up and walk?
-I am fine here, you know, the young man lied.
-You should go to the hospital so that they could extract the bullet. The wound may become infected.
George nodded and she helped him get up and walk to the nearest public phone.
-I am sorry, murmured the young man.
-I do not blame you for having saved my life.
-I was not talking about that Doctor.
-Then what George?
-From lied to you about the Detective.
-This is nothing, Julia sighed, smiling tenderly, I know it was what was best to do. For everyone.
-It is important. And it was not what was best to do for you. You were the only one who does not know and even if I only learned by chance, I know you may feel betrayed. I should have told you.
-This would have changed anything.
-You would not have risked your life, whispered George, and you would not have suffered so much.
-What is done, is done, I am at peace with the past. I am just afraid for the future.
-I am sure everything will work out Madam. We will get our hands on Parker and when he will be in prison, everything will be as before.
-Let's hope you tell true George, Julia whispered.
-You will find the Detective, I am sure.
Julia just smiled and continued to walk in silence to the phone. They composed the number, and a few seconds later, they were put in contact with the police station. They told the sequence of events and an ambulance was sent. When she went off with, on board, Constable Crabtree, Inspector Brakenreid came up to the young woman.
-I warn you, you will not have a minute alone, he grumbled for Julia.
-What will you do? Arrest me? She said, laughing.
-I remain with you until tomorrow I warned Margaret, then, then we will see.
-I am not a child Inspector, took offense Julia, you are not my father and I did not need anyone to watch over me.
-I know Doctor, but you risked your life tonight, and if you happen to lose it, Murdoch kills me. Perhaps you do not stick to your head, but I do. So do not talk and use common sense sometimes.
-Common sense? Julia retorted. I am not sure you have had when you set up this stupid plan.
-Well in the meantime I am the only one who knows where your dear husband is hiding, then you hold a tile-my pretty or you will not see him ever again.
-Do you really believe that I can not find him by myself?
-I think you quite capable, grumbled Brakenreid now you go home and not a word about this.
Julia sighed deeply, looking up to the sky before following his friend into the carriage which was waiting a little further, without adding a word.
to be continued ...