Though she felt as though she had met him once before, Julia couldn't quite place the suave and arrogant man with her, calmly chewing on his cigar.
"How do you know who I am? Are you planning on killing me to get to Detective Murdoch? Again, I ask, who are you, and where are you taking me?" Julia asked, a mixture of fear and anger in her voice.
"Now, Mrs. Murdoch, how can anyone not know who you are? You're quite the notorious woman with quite a colorful past. Not that I hold that against you, it makes you all the more intriguing. I must admit however, I wouldn't have pegged you as Detective Murdoch's type, but apparently he has quite the hidden alter ego if he took you as a wife and is obviously so happily married to boot. Oh, I almost forgot, congratulations, by the way," the man added before drawing on his cigar again.
"It's Dr. Ogden," she snapped. She couldn't bear for anyone else to call her by her married name; only William could call her that.
"My apologies, Dr. Ogden. I'm taking you to a secret house, and don't worry, I'll be contacting your husband quite shortly to let him know of your whereabouts and you'll be reunited with him soon. Don't do anything rash, and I assure you, you'll be reunited with your husband tonight with nary a hair touched on your pretty head" he added.
Besides his smug, evasive nature, the acrimonious smell of the cigar smoke was starting to bother Julia, but she said nothing. However the man noted her discomfiture and immediately opened a window, throwing out the offending cigar.
"Apologies again, Dr. Ogden. Forgive my obtuseness-of course you don't want to smell my cigar in this closed environment. I guess I should tell you that I work for the Canadian government and the matter I have to discuss with your husband is of the utmost importance pertaining to national security." the man apologized.
"And you felt that abducting me was a fine way to get his attention?" Julia asked.
"It's all part of the game, Dr. Ogden. Besides, I don't like being ignored, and this way, he can't ignore me, can he?" came his smug reply.
For the first time, Julia wondered if there was a significant portion to her husband's life that she didn't know about, and wondered if he hid more than a few secrets from her. But before she could contemplate this matter too much, the carriage slowed to a stop, and the man opened the door. "Remember, Dr. Ogden, don't do anything sudden or rash, and I assure you, you will leave here with your husband tonight, both of you completely unharmed," he reminded her, holding out his hand to help her descend from the carriage.
For now, Julia decided to remain calm and note her surroundings and situation. As they walked towards an isolated cottage, she tried to note any distinguishing landmarks that might identify her location, but it was obviously in a rural setting, and it was quite dark. Given that she didn't have much choice, perhaps for now she'd take his word that he meant her no harm.
Still, if an escape opportunity presented itself, she was going to take it, she thought as she was led into the cottage and into a warm, comfortable parlor.
The room was well appointed, and in the corner stood a large grandfather clock that audibly ticked away the seconds of her captivity. Looking at the clock, she saw that it was a quarter to 9 pm, and William would definitely have already noted her absence, she thought.
Standing by the fire were two other men, both well armed and meaning that Julia had no chance for escape at present. Not that she would be very successful in the middle of who knows where in the middle of the night anyway. Perhaps any attempts at escape should wait until the morning, she reasoned with herself. However, she remembered that the man had assured her that she would be released unharmed, and William would be notified of her whereabouts. She prayed that William wasn't too concerned (though she knew he would be) and that he would remain calm (doubtfully).
As soon as she was seated, the man walked over to the phone and immediately asked to be put through to Station House #4. A moment later, he asked for Detective William Murdoch, and while Julia could hear a voice on the other end of the line, she couldn't tell exactly who it was, nor make out their exact words though the mysterious man smirked as they were said.
"Oh, I'm quite aware that he's dealing with a personal emergency. I have some information regarding that very situation that I know he's going to want to hear. You'll really want to put him on the line at once, I assure you. I'll wait," the man drawled.
A few moments later another voice came over the line and this time, Julia could tell it was William.
"Detective Murdoch, you're a difficult man to reach. I've been trying to get in contact with you for several days now, and I'm hurt that you won't accept nor return my calls. But, before you hang up on me, I thought you might like to know that I've been visiting with your lovely wife here," he explained, while motioning her over to the phone.
"In fact Detective, she'd like to say hello, wouldn't you Doctor?"
"Julia! My God! Are you all right? Where are you?" a frantic William asked.
"William, I'm fine. I need you to stay calm, all right?" she reassured him.
Ironic that she was asking him to stay calm as opposed to the other way around-she was the captive!
The man took the phone from her. "I'm assuming that you'd like to see for yourself that she's unmolested and uninjured, Detective? There will be a dark green carriage waiting for you outside the front door to the station in five minutes," the man directed before a stream of the most impolite language she'd ever heard come forth from her husband interrupted him.
Laughing, the man shook his head. "Now Mr. Murdoch, that's quite the colorful language from you, I didn't know such words were even in your vocabulary; my opinion of you has just risen, Detective. Just get into the green carriage, and it will bring you straight here. I'll explain everything then. See you in an hour" he closed before disconnecting the call. He quickly made another call to an unfamiliar exchange and directed them to send a carriage over to the predetermined spot before hanging up the phone altogether.
"Now that your husband's been notified, could I interest you in something to drink? A fine scotch perhaps? I know your husband is something of a teetotaler, but I know you enjoy a nice stiff beverage, and even the occasional cigar," the man offered.
As tempted as she was, she decided that it was best to keep her wits about her. "No, thank you. Tea will suffice," she replied sitting back down on the couch. She also wondered how he knew of her occasional indulgence in tobacco or whiskey.
"Very well, Doctor. Tea it is. Andrew, could you put the kettle on for our guest?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," the shorter of the two armed men replied, and walked towards the kitchen.
"Now, Dr. Ogden. I suppose you may be wondering how I know your husband, and know so much about both of you, especially as you've already asked several times who I am. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Terrence Meyers, and I've often worked with your husband dealing with matters of national security. In fact, you may have forgotten, but we did meet several years ago when dealing with the automaton, though I forgive you if you've forgotten-there was quite a bit going on. But, back to your husband, he's a true Canadian asset, your man," Meyers explained.
For the next hour, Terrence Meyers explained as much as he could about what he did (which wasn't much), and how the Toronto Constabulary-particularly Station House #4 and William had helped avert more than one national disaster. They also spoke of various inconsequential things, and Julia realized that while he was certainly an odd duck, she was no longer frightened, and knew that the man meant her no harm. That said, she certainly didn't approve of his methods to get her husband's attention, and she hoped that William would remain calm, knowing he had a tendency of losing his temper and being prone to rash actions of violence where her safety and well being were concerned.
True to the man's word, approximately an hour after he had contacted William, Julia heard a carriage pull up outside. Standing up, Meyers walked toward the front door and waited for William to approach.
"Come in with your hands up where I can see them, Murdoch. Your wife is here, and she's untouched. But first, call off the men who have undoubtedly followed you. They can wait for you outside, and you can all return to the city together," Meyers ordered.
Julia heard William's footsteps trail off the porch, only to return a few minutes later. Meyers opened the door, "Good Evening, Detective. Thank you for joining us."
"Where is she, Meyers? So help me God if there's so much as a scratch on her, I won't hesitate to…"
"I'm right here, William." Julia said, standing up.
William pushed past Meyers and towards her, pulling her into his arms, kissing her soundly. Pushing her back slightly, he gave her the once over, determined to see for himself that his wife was unharmed.
"I'm fine, William," she reassured him. She really meant it too. She was. Odd as it may seem, Meyers had been a gentleman, and was clearly well bred, his manners nearly impeccable. He'd treated her like a guest as opposed to a prisoner.
Gathering her in his arms again and holding her to him for a moment, he buried his face in her hair before releasing her again. "All right, Meyers. You have my attention now, but I'm sending my wife back to the city first," William argued.
"I'm not leaving without you, William. I refuse to do so," Julia interjected. She meant it too.
Exasperated, William rolled his eyes and sighed deeply.
"Actually, I wanted to speak with you both at the same time. Find out what you both know," the man countered, gesturing for them to have a seat on the couch behind them.
Having a seat on the couch, William pulled her close to him-closer even than propriety dictated or typically allowed, but she knew he wanted to be reassured by her presence. He grabbed her hand, and held it. While uncomfortable at the display of affection in front of the three strange men, Julia allowed it, knowing that it was probably the only thing keeping her husband calm.
As it was, judging by the nervous tic in his jaw, he was probably barely holding it together even then.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" Meyers offered.
"No, thank you. Ask me what it is you want to know and please allow my wife and I to leave." William replied.
"Very well, detective. It's come to my attention that both of you have been investigating the death of a Sgt. Archibald Brooks recently."
"Yes, one of our closest friends was erroneously charged with that crime, but we thankfully got most of the charges dropped." Julia answered.
"You're still investigating the case, correct? Still looking for the real perpetrator?" Meyers asked, lighting another cigar and offering one to Julia, who politely declined.
"Yes, we've been trying to speak with his commanders and fellow soldiers in his unit, I believe that his murder had something to do with his presumed death and disappearance, but you already know about that, don't you?" William stated.
"Indeed, I do," Meyers shrugged, taking a sip of his fine single malt scotch that he had just poured himself.
"What do you know, Meyers?" Murdoch demanded.
"Dr. Ogden, I trust that you understand that what you're about to hear is a matter of national security, and cannot be repeated outside this room?" Meyers asked her.
William looked at her and squeezed her hand. "Yes, Mr. Meyers, I understand," she replied.
"Very well, he was working for us and unfortunately, he became a double agent for us and the Boers. He also stole a large sum of money and escaped our sights. Luckily for us, he was none too bright and returned home to Toronto, where we dealt with the matter."
Julia was shocked at how insouciantly he mentioned a man's murder, seemingly unconcerned.
William however, didn't seem too fazed by the man's words, and laughed.
"Surely you weren't planning on letting an innocent man hang for those crimes, were you?" William demanded, anger in his voice.
"Not at all, Detective. We weren't expecting Constable Crabtree to hoist himself on his own petard as it were, and once we realized what was happening, you had already cleared him of suspicion. Of course, once we discovered how Sgt. Brooks was treating his family, and who he was associating with, we knew that he was a loose cannon that must immediately and swiftly be dealt with. We were worried about what else he might have been up to, and as it turns out, quite a bit: Sgt. Brooks also had contacts with some organized crime organizations, and it was at this point that he was considered a very real and grave threat to national security. Therefore, the problem was eliminated."
Julia sat in stunned silence. Had Meyers just described a man as a problem to be eliminated so nonchalantly? That meant that he had no problem with disposing of her and William just as easily, and with that, her worry returned in full force.
Apparently the look of fright on her face was readily apparent, as Meyers immediately reassured her, "Fear not, Dr. Ogden. I assure you that you and your husband will leave here shortly, completely in one piece. Brooks was not an honorable man and was a very real threat not only to his family but also the country. Removing problem spies is all a part of the spy game, I assure you."
"What do you want, Meyers? Why did you tell us all of this so readily?" Murdoch asked.
"For you to desist in your investigations, of course. Sgt. Archibald Brooks was declared dead a year ago following the Battle of Leliefontein, and neither the Canadian government nor the British Army see any point in rescinding that declaration to simply redeclare him as deceased. His widow and son will continue to receive his survivor's benefits, lest they be thrown into penury," he added with a flourish, as though he were quite pleased with himself.
"I can't ignore a man's murder, Meyers. I owe it to the people of Toronto to solve his murder, I must…"
"Murdoch, you can't solve a murder for a man who was already dead. One must be alive to be murdered, and Sgt. Brooks died a year ago. Not even you are that good, Detective," Meyers cheekily added.
Releasing her hand and abruptly standing up, William paced over to the window, looking out into the inky night. Julia saw his shoulders sag for a moment before turning around, disgust writ clearly on his face.
"I will desist in my investigation on one condition, Meyers. I want you to arrange for all remaining charges against George Crabtree to be dropped by the Crown Prosecutor. It's hardly fair for him to be tried for conspiracy to commit fraud in regards to a murder that never happened," William bargained.
Meyers cocked his head to the side and looked contemplative for a brief moment before shrugging and nodding. "I suppose not. Done," he replied, punctuating his words with a flourish of his cigar. "I'll contact the Crown Prosecutor's office first thing tomorrow morning, Murdoch. I give you my word," the man agreed, holding out his hand.
Grimacing, Murdoch took Meyers hand, and shook on the bargain.
"And now Detective, I'll bid you and your beautiful bride goodnight. You've got quite the trek back to the city in front of you, and it's already quite late. Of course, there's a room for you here should you so desire," he graciously offered.
"No, thank you, Mr. Meyers. We'll be leaving now. Good night," William said, grabbing her hand and quickly leaving the cottage with her in tow. As they stepped outside, Inspector Brackenreid stepped out of a waiting carriage and helped Julia into her seat.
"I'll give you a few minutes of privacy, Murdoch," the Inspector told William, who soon followed her into the carriage. Sitting next to her, he wordlessly took her face in his hands and fervently kissed her, this time showing no restraint as he thrust his tongue into her mouth and nipped at her lip, demanding her full participation, which she happily gave.
"Oh, Julia…" he breathlessly murmured, "you gave me quite the fright tonight my wife," he confessed. "I was so scared."
"I'm fine, William. Meyers was a perfect gentleman and I was treated well," Julia reassured him.
Nodding, William leaned in for another kiss. "Thank God for that."
Laughing, she stroked the worry from his brow and took him into her arms, laying his head on her bosom and stroking his hair; feeling the stress dissipate as she did so.
"What I don't understand, William, is why did Meyers resort to kidnapping me if he wanted to talk to both of us. Why didn't he just come over unannounced to the hotel, particularly if you were ignoring him, and he needed to talk to us that much?" she wondered.
"Because Meyers enjoys the game, Julia. Why do things simply when you can do them dramatically, I suppose." Murdoch answered.
"Seems convoluted, William. I can't imagine why would anyone want to make things more difficult for themselves" Julia concluded.
"And that my darling wife, is why we'll never make good spies. We're too direct." William supplied.
"Thank God for that," Julia giggled.
Laughing softly, William took her lips in another kiss. "Perhaps we can finish this reunion later, milady? It's getting quite late."
Julia laughed, "Indeed," she replied.
William opened the door and called out for the Inspector, who soon joined them in the carriage, where William and Julia filled him in on the latest events and details. After a while, the carriage drifted into a companionable silence and Julia laid her head on William's shoulder, and he put his arm around her, pulling her in closer and laying his own head upon hers.