Chapter 22

Almost an hour had passed before William had snapped out of his daydream of trying to unravel all the information in his head. He chided himself inwardly for not making any clearer sense of it. If George did have something to do with Ruby and Julia's immediate departure, then, what on earth would he need medical supplies for? And why couldn't Julia have just got them herself, if it was that important. He wrapped his fingers over and over on his desk as his mind continued to pick apart the puzzle.

There was a rap at the door and he snapped out of it to see the inspector striding in, hands on hips. 'Where's Crabtree today Murdoch?' the inspector said while casually looking over Murdoch's desk, as if the answer magically lay there. 'I have no idea Sir, but I believe it may have something to Dr. Ogden and her sister.' he replied rather glumly. 'Ahh...the renowned Ogden sisters, what the bloody hell has Crabtree got himself mixed up with involving them two then?' he said with a slight chuckle.

'I don't know, but I received a letter from Dr. Ogden, saying that her and her sister had to rush off for and immediate departure, and they have no idea when they will be back, and did not say where they had gone either, I came to the decision that George maybe with them, as he and Miss Ruby have become rather involved in the last few months.' he said twiddling the letter Julia gave him in his fingers. 'Also, Dr. Wainwright, Dr. Ogden's replacement said that he caught George trying to take medical supplies from the Morgue. I have no idea why, perhaps he was instructed by Dr. Ogden to take them, before he went to wherever Miss Ruby and Julia are...?' he said hoping voicing the subject may hold some clearer light.

The inspector stood with on hand on hip and the other scratching his beard as he appeared to be pondering over what Murdoch had said. 'So is Crabtree betrothed to Ruby Ogden..?' he asked rather suspiciously. Murdoch frowned, 'Not that I know of Sir...' He walked over to his doorway and motioned for Higgins to come and join them. 'Everything alright Sir? Higgins said tentatively. 'Yes, Higgins, Fine- I don't suppose you knew of any long-term plans that Constable Crabtree had with Miss Ogden do you..?' Higgins paused for a second, and thought back over all the conversations he had had with George.

Suddenly he paused, and said, 'There was one conversation that we did have a little while ago, about Marriage. George was asking about what my views on it were. Things like did I think it was really necessary, in the great scheme of things, he said that if you loved your sweetheart, why not just have a family and be happy. It seemed like very modern talk if you ask me, sounds like what them French people do, with their Mistresses and stuff. I told him that if I found a girl that would have me, and love me, I'd marry her the first chance I got.' He finished a little pink in the face, but hoped that his story had helped even in the smallest way.

Murdoch continued to frown at his desk, mind working over it, whilst the inspector stood hands on hips pondering, now over what Higgins had added to the pot. Suddenly the inspector started to chuckle. Murdoch and Higgins exchanged puzzled glances. The inspector let out a bark of a laugh and slapped his hand in jest on Murdoch's desk. 'You know what the bloody idiots gone and done don't you!' He said slapping his knee. 'Bloody fools either done one of two things, 1- proposed in a completely over the top ridiculous way that only Crabtree could fathom, or 2- Gone and got her up the duff!' And let out more roaring laugher.

William, began to smile in more of a way toward the inspector, 'Up the Duff Sir..?' Murdoch asked a little puzzled. 'Pregnant Murdoch!' he said still chuckling as he stood up. A look of dawning suddenly fell over Murdoch's face, and the tiniest flush of pink filled his face. 'I'll leave this one upto you to sort out Murdoch, seeing as Crabtree has become somewhat of your protégée..' he said with another chuckle as he walked out the door with Higgins in tow.

William was still puzzled over whether the inspector really had stumbled upon the real reason as to why the three of them had left so quickly. He sat for another 10 minutes mulling it over in his head, then came to a decision. He grabbed his hat, scarf, coat, and gloves and headed outside to catch a carriage. If anyone knew what the two Ogden sister were upto it was the one person they had to confide in, whether they liked it of not.

About 20 minutes after Murdoch had caught his carriage he arrived on the other side of town outside the large house that belonged to Mr. Ogden. He thanked the driver and then made his way through the large stately gates and up the driveway. In his head he was secretly praying that Ruby or George hadn't slipped up on just how much of good friends him and Julia were. He rapped at the heavy door and within a few minutes the maid answered the door. 'Hello, I'm Detective Murdoch, could I please speak to Mr. Ogden please. Its an urgent matter.' he said curtly, but politely. The made gave a rather suspicious stare to William, and replied quite bluntly with 'Mr. Ogden is not here, and doesn't wish to be disturbed at work either.' William looked at her a little taken aback. 'Well do you know if Miss Julia Ogden had been here in the last few days? Or her sister perhaps?' he asked cautiously.

Her eyes faltered ever so slightly and widened, buy she quickly settle her gaze back to its original sceptical stare, but William was quick enough to notice. William knew they had. 'I have not seen either of the Miss Ogden's recently, now I am very busy, and I must get back to work, good day Sir.' and she promptly closed the door in Williams face.

William turned and walked back to the end of the driveway, and weighed up his options. He knew Mr. Ogden must have had something to do with it, and that Ruby and Julia had definitely been home, or at least visited their father in the last few days. He took out his pocket watch and looked at the time. There would be no point in going back to the station now, as it was nearly time for the off anyway. He hailed for a carriage, and decided to take a ride to the boarding house he knew Ruby was staying at. Perhaps her house maids would be slightly more forgiving with their information, no matter how small it was, it could be valuable.

It was almost dark when William arrived at the Sandhurst Boarding House. He rang the large bell that was hanging outside, and waited for someone to answer. A young looking woman answered the door, and gave him a friendly smile. 'Hello, I'm detective Murdoch, of the Toronto Constabulary, I don't suppose Miss Ruby Ogden is here is she..?' he asked politely. The young woman frowned. 'No Sir, I'm afraid she hasn't been here in sometime..' William looked puzzled. 'I see, I don't suppose you could answer a few questions regarding her whereabouts could you..?' The young woman looked a little worried but nodded and invited him inside.

The young woman, he found out, was the maid of the house, Marietta, and was in fact fairly good friend of Ruby's, and Ruby in fact hadn't even stayed here in months, even though this was the only address Julia had ever mentioned. And as to her whereabouts Marietta was being somewhat dismissive of the knowledge. But William could see there was something more. 'Are you sure you cant think of anything out of the ordinary, as to why she may have upped and left..?' he asked slowly. Her resolve was wearing thin William could see it, she was fiddling with the edge of her apron and biting her lip. 'I don't want to get anyone in trouble...' she said in an almost silent whisper.

William was on the edge of his seat. 'Marietta, I promise you, to the best of my abilities, I will make sure that Ruby, and he sister and everyone involved is treated as fairly as possible, but if someone has broken the law, I need you to tell me what has happened. And where they are. Otherwise I will have to bring you in for averting the course of justice.' He said sternly. Her eyes welled up. He didn't want to have to scare her into giving information but on this occasion it had worked.

'I think Miss Ogden is fraternising with someone unbetrothed...The young man would come here late in the night, and leave early in the morning, but then he stopped, and I didn't see him again, but then her sister, the Doctor, started coming round, every other day, I believed she may have been ill, she wasn't eating, and she kept throwing out clothes, and then buying more, and she would only eat what her sister bought her. I wasn't allowed in her room, and I never saw her. Then a few days ago I came back from collecting the groceries, to a letter on the kitchen table, from Mr. Ogden, saying that Ruby had gone to stay with him, and that the last of Ruby's rent money was enclosed. And that was the last I heard.' she finished her story and was almost trembling in fear. 'Please Miss, do not fear for what you have told me, it will go no further. And I thankyou. Your information is of great value.' With that William got up and showed himself out.

William arrived back at his home with a slight headache developing from the events of the day, and slowly yanked off his coat, scarf and gloves in sheer tiredness. He walked through to the kitchen to make Mrs. Kitchen aware he was home, to come to see a familiar face sat at his table. 'George?' he exclaimed in shock. Mrs. Kitchen was sat next to him rubbing his back while he held onto a mug of tea like his life depended on it. William was a little taken aback seeing him in civilian clothing, as his uniform was always first port of call that William saw. William pulled out a chair and sat opposite on a the table to George. He looked positively haggard, and had appeared to have been crying, his face was unshaven, and dark bags circled his eyes. But he still gave William a faint smile. 'What is going on George..? Where is Ruby and Julia..?' His eyes welled up again and Williams heart started to race in his chest. 'what's happened..?' he almost demanded. George just simply breathed out through the tears.

'I've done something terrible sir.'