Dr. Ogden had hung up the phone with a frown. William asked her to join him in his office. She supposed it was to give further details about the investigation since they had spoken very little. She had made her report last night, she had gone to bed and this morning, she left later before William to deposit Roland at Mrs. Brakenreid. She too had found her strange, sad and more attentive to her health, Margaret found her pale and she had asked her three times if she was fine.
So, a little lost, Julia left the morgue to reach the police station. She found the office of William empty and she returned to the open space to meet George.
-George where ...
She left the sentence on hold, seeing her husband in the office of Inspector Brakenreid, at his side, Margaret was also there and held the pram in which was Roland.
-What happens George? Asked Julia.
She caught the eye of George and a second later the door of the office of Inspector Brakenreid opened and William approached her.
-William, what does Margaret here with Roland? What is happening ?
-I need to talk to you.
-Well, go ahead, took the young woman.
-Not here, William whispered, taking her arm, come we will take a walk in the park we will be quieter there.
Julia tried to protest, she knew something was wrong, she knew she was going to have a difficult conversation with William. He could not conceal his concerns and she was not fooled. His eyes were deep in hers, his eyes never lied.
-William, she blew lip, what do you hide?
-Come please.
She did not answer and she followed him to the exit. Margaret brought him the pram and Julia immediately took it, barely crossing her eyes. William put his hand in the back of his wife and after a last look at his superior they left all three the building to go to the nearest park. Once the trees, they sat on a bench and Julia took Roland in her arms. She clasped him in her arms, closing her eyes before turning to William.
- William, talk to me, she murmured, I need to know what is happening. It is about Roland, is not it?
He inhaled deeply and he stroked Roland's cheek before he spoke.
-I have done researching ...
-In regards Roland's parents, Julia interrupted watching the child on her lap, why have you continued?
-I have followed my instinct Julia, I wanted to be fair and that we can live in peace knowing the truth ... I found the family of Roland.
He saw the look of Julia undertake tears and he felt his heart sink in his chest. He swallowed hard and spoke again.
-His grandparents arrived this morning from Montreal, they come to take him back.
-I asked you to not do these searches William, the young woman was angry, I told you I was afraid that we take you and you did what? You did not listen to me, you act like you always do, you have followed your head, you think, you've behaved like heroes. And because of you I will lose my son.
-I had to.
-What for? Continued the young woman on a stronger tone while Roland was beginning to stir in her arms, feeling her anger.
-Because if he were our son and he was gone we would have wanted more than anything in the world that someone brings him to us. Because I placed myself in the place of the family.
-And mine? Did you think to me even for a second?
-I have not stopped to think about you Julia, when I learned that the child still had a family, I asked George to remove this file, I told him to burn it to secrecy . No one will ever know what had happened, no one would ever come looking. I wanted to do for you, for us, but I would never been able to live with that weight on your conscience all my life.
-But you can do so knowing that you broke my heart, the young woman sobbed, your morals and your righteousness always pass before everything else. Before our family, before me.
William did not answer. He wanted to tell her she was wrong, that she was the most important to him on this earth, he would give everything he owns, even his life for her and without any hesitation. But he had to admit that his actions seemed all others, and he understood that she could doubt his feelings.
-I do not would separate me from Roland, Julia threw in a breath, nobody will take me.
-We have no other choice, said William seing her tighten him in her arms forcefully to stop the crying child, I'm terribly sorry.
Julia remained silent, crying softly, closing her eyes, stroking the head of Roland she pressed hard against her, as if he had become her lifeline in rough seas. William stood there, motionless, at her side and he just looked. He had a broken heart, he held his tears, but yet he did not speak, he did not approach.
It spent a few minutes in the most absolute silence, Roland had calmed down and he laid his head on the chest of Julia. Her world had collapsed around her, she was struggling to breathe, she had dizzy her, she had a broken heart. She refused to let go of the child and it was not until two police officers arrived before them the couple resumed feet in reality.
-Miss Penny's parents are here, Jackson threw, they await you.
William nodded, Julia stared into his and wordlessly Detective Murdoch slipped his hand into the hand of his wife to make her get up. She did it against heart and such an automaton, Julia walked to the police station, still clutching Roland against her. William had once again put his hand down her back, she felt it stronger, yet trembling. When she arrived in the office of the Inspector Brakenreid and she came face to this pair of fifties who was going to take her child, Julia stepped back.
-I can not.
-You must, immediately replied William.
The woman in front of her and approached her caught her eye.
-Thank you for taking care of him Madam, she said, leaning toward Roland to take him.
However, Julia did not let him go.
-Doctor Ogden, intervened Brakenreid, Roland is their grand-son.
-He is my son, retorted Julia, I know him better than them, they know nothing of him.
-I know this is difficult for you, continued his superior, but it is the law.
Julia did not reply, feeling the tears running down her cheeks, watching Roland who seemed too desperately hang on to her.
-I understand your reaction Madam, continued the woman in front of her, I too lost my daughter.
-You can not understand, Julia threw, no one here can. Your daughter was a crook, she said with a malice that yet was unlike her, Roland is an innocent child.
-Do not make things harder that they are Doctor, replied Brakenreid motioning to two officers approaching.
-William, Julia sighed, turning to her husband while the two men forced Julia to let Roland, William I beg you.
But William did not move, Roland began to cry as soon as he was no longer in his mother's arms. Worsley placed the child in those of the woman in front of her and it took only a second to Julia to want him back. But strong arms encircled immediately and forcefully hold her. She knew William was holding her, and yet she continued to struggle to escape his grip, no matter if he was hurt the way.
-Leave, murmured Brakenreid.
The couple nodded and they left the room with Roland, who still held out his arms to Julia crying while she screamed and sobbed. William shook her with more forces against him when she was turned on, he felt her beating his chest with rage and he failed his face near her ear.
-Calm down, he whispered in the hollow of it, please Julia, calm down.
-It's your fault, sobbed Julia plunging her face into the neck of her husband, you have taken away our son. I will never forgive you William, ever.
-I will never forgive me either, said William letting the tears slide down his cheeks while stroking the back of Julia which had subsided and whose grief had taken place to the anger.
to be continued...