Chapter 24

William and George remained silent the whole way to the address that the Mr. Shaws was,- according to the operator- the last person Mr. Ogden spoken to, that William had given the driver. He could hear George was keeping his breathing purposefully slow and steady. William just switched his brain into detective mode. He couldn't think for himself right now. If he let his emotions get in the way he would be overcome with worry and anger.

The carriage came to a heavy stop outside an old house, that looked as though it had been abandoned for years. The pale paint on the outside was faded and blistered, and the windows looked opaque with dust. William tentatively pushed open the rickety but elaborate gate and walked slowly up the front steps listening carefully for any signs of people. The just rising sun was casting its orange glow over the house, and the silence from within was deafening. William turned to look at George, and his eyes were just scanning the building, listening for the slightest sound. William reached for the door knob and turned it slowly, if there was anyone inside he would rather catch them in the act than alert them to his presence. The young constable stayed close behind. The house smelled musty, and old, and there was a thick layer of ageing dust over everything. The house seemed silent, there were no creaking floorboards or sound of people walking. William turned to George.

'George, you look for anything that might possibly help us down here, and I'll look upstairs.' with that they both silently went in separate directions. William took every stair of the old house tentatively and kept his ears open for any sort of noise. The doors all appeared unlocked upstairs and a few were ajar. William slowly made his way round them, some were empty with just an old lamp on the dusty wooden floor, some had empty bed frames in. there was nothing out of the ordinary. He closed the door of the second to last room with a gentle snap and proceeded with the last door, near the stairs. He opened it slowly as with all the others. He peeked his head in and again the sinking feeling at the sight of the empty room fell into his stomach. Nothing. And from what he could tell from downstairs George hadn't had much luck either. He let out a long sigh and walked into the room, removing his hat. As he did, something out the corner of his eye caught his attention. Every room he had been to, had a thick layer of dust covering the floor. But this room was different, the dust had been disturbed, strange shapes and marks had removed the dust. Either furniture had been removed or people had been sat on the floor.

William immediately left the room, and went downstairs to find George. He walked through the rest of the house, and found George in the kitchen. He turned around when the detective entered the room. 'Sir, there are bloody rags and what smells like pure alcohol in this sink.' he said turning his nose up. William quickly peered into the sink. Someone had definitely been here recently. 'The dust in one of the rooms upstairs has also been disturbed, have you looked everywhere else George?' The young constable nodded. Right, lets go back to the station, I want to find out where this Mr. Shaw has been living, because it obviously hasn't been here.' William said with a concerned frown.

It was nearly noon by the time they both arrived back at the station. George and William arrived through the station house doors to be met with an unexpected sight. The Inspector was alerting all the men about the disappearance of the two Ogden sisters. It went silent as the two men entered the room. No one said a word. Then the Inspector piped up. 'Where the bloody hell have you two been? Do you even know what's going on...?' he barked. William and George looked at each other. Then back to the Inspector. 'Yes, of course we do sir, we've been on a wild goose chase this morning, but so far we don't have any leads, well, we have one rather infinitesimal one, but we are most definitely sure their father has something to do with it. It doesn't seem to have got us far for the moment, but we are confident we will find them. ' William said sternly.

The Inspector raised an eyebrow. 'No leads eh...?' He stood aside, unblocking the view into his office. And who else was sat in there, but Mr. Ogden. William and George exchanged confused looks, but then Georges face turned to one of sheer anger, and he tore off towards Mr. Ogden. However he took two steps and collided with the Inspector who had come between him and the door. 'Crabtree. As much as I would like to lamp that sod in the face, proba'ly as much as you do, first think about the implications. I know tha's rich coming from me but, in this case, its probably good to go with- friends close enemy's closer...' he said tapping his nose. Crabtree looked towards the detective and he gave him a sullen nod. 'I think its probably best you speak with him sir, I don't think I could sit in the same room with him.' George said, and slowly walked off to his desk. William shared a quick glance with the inspector he nodded and stood aside for William to go and speak with Mr. Ogden.

William opened the door to the Inspectors office, removing his hat, coat, scarf and gloves, and quickly got his emotions in check and turned to face the man who had caused him so much trouble the past few days. Mr. Ogden was a large, slightly balding, grey haired man. His moustache had melded into his beard and he was constantly wearing a stern look on his face. He was wearing a dark suit and held his hat in his hands which he was turning somewhat nervously. Which surprised William, as the last time he saw him, he thought the world could be ending and Mr. Ogden would still be carefully studying the newspaper completely non-phased. William sat behind the inspectors desk, and Mr. Ogden eyed him carefully. He settled in the leather chair and then allowed himself to look the man in the eye. Mr. Ogden spoke first. 'I know what you must think of me detective, but everything I have done, is with my daughters integrity and well-being at heart.' He said proudly. William frowned. 'And who were you to question their integrity and well-being in the first place Sir?' he said slightly ridiculed. Mr. Ogden looked appalled. 'Have you seen that blundering idiot that my daughter has fraternised with, he didn't even have the decency to ask for her hand in marriage!' he half shouted, redness creeping into his face.

'I think you'll find that blundering idiot of a constable, is a fine officer of the law, and well on his way to being a detective! And from what I know of Ruby and Julia they are both very modern women, with very modern ideas, and from what I also know about the relationship between your daughter and Constable Crabtree is that there was talk of marriage and your daughter refused! It is not uncommon for women to disapprove of marriage any more. Not that I agree with it myself, but I feel every woman's wishes should be respected just as highly as any man's would, we should not have to fight their battles, and we should not have to interfere with their lives, that includes, fathers, husbands, or common man. We do not own women.'

William finished his tirade with strong conviction in his voice and Mr. Ogden looked slightly taken aback. The colour slightly drained from his face. 'And so with that Mr. Ogden, I would like to know where they are. Every piece of evidence and information had lead to you, including your business with a well known criminal Mr. Shaw. Your daughter may be a doctor but Ruby Ogden will need to be treated in a hospital environment, and by taking her and hiding her away has put stress on her and what will soon be your first grandchild.' William said calmly. Mr. Ogden just looked at the floor. There was something going on, William could tell. So he sat. and waited for Mr. Ogden to explain.