Murdoch and Crabtree arrived at the town hall and stepped off their bicycles, leaning them against the heavy brickwork steps. They composed themselves as the walked up the steps into the building. Luckily it was Mrs Kelly at the reception desk again.
The Detective and Constable walked over to the desk and waited until Mrs. Kelly looked up from her work, "He's not here," she informed the two men, knowing full well who they had come about.
"We know," Murdoch smiled. "He's at Station House No 4.," he informed the receptionist. Her mouth dropped open slightly.
"Why is he there?" Kelly quickly asked.
"I'm not at liberty so say," Murdoch stated. She was clearly unimpressed, now she was left out of the potential gossip. "Then what can I do for you?" she quipped.
"Would you happen to know who R.W. Is? Councillor Best has had several meeting with this person or group and we need to speak with them," the Detective asked.
Kelly paused for a moment to think, "He's never said anything. He just tells me when he's out and when he'll be back. His agenda should have help you," she remembered they had taken one of Best's book.
"It didn't," Murdoch stated. "Perhaps if we could have another look around his office."
Mrs. Kelly practically rolled her eyes as she pulled the ring of keys from off the hook. This time she located the key on the ring and handed it to the Detective. "Please return it when you leave," she added.
Murdoch nodded, "I will. Thank you," he smiled as he took the ring, ensuring that he held the proper key between his fingers. The two policemen walked down the hall and opened the door into Best's office. "We have to leave here with something, this time," Murdoch said as he left the key in the lock and entered the room, looking around.
"What are we expected to find, Sir?" Crabtree asked as he examined a photograph he'd picked up off a small table next to the chair at the centre of the room in front of the massive desk.
"Anything that can lead us to R. W.," the Detective said as he sat down at the desk and flipped through Best's agenda book. The new one contained no entries, "I thought the Councillor said he had lots of meetings today," he held the book up to show George the blank page.
"I think he fancies himself," the Constable replied as he studied the photograph. It looked to take at some party or an event, as everyone was smiling and looking at each other. A rather candid shot, the Constable thought as he placed the frame back down on the table and continued to poke around the office.
Murdoch stood up from the desk, I've found nothing," he sighed.
"Henry and I didn't find anything, either," George reported.
"We're missing something," Murdoch clenched his right hand into a fist out of frustration.
"Maybe we'll just have to pry it out of Councillor Best," Crabtree shrugged as he followed his boss back out to the hall. Murdoch locked the door and the two men walked back to the reception desk. Mrs. Kelly was talking to a well dressed woman, "I'm not sure when he will be back in his office," she informed the woman as she glanced over to tow policemen, taking the keys from the Detective.
"Then perhaps I should come back another time," the woman smiled.
Murdoch and Crabtree strolled to the door, and on their way past, Crabtree noticed the sliver initials on the woman's clutch purse. They we're "R. W." He stopped and tapped the Detective on the shoulder, "Sir," he didn't want to turn around and gawk at the woman.
"What is it, George?" Murdoch was still annoyed having not found anything tangible to the case and Maxwell Best.
"That woman at the front desk. Her purse had the initials 'R. W.' on it," the Constable noted. William slowly turned and looked, "Good eye, George," he smiled. The two men watched for a moment, when it dawned on Crabtree, "She was in that photograph too!" he whispered. "You don't say," Murdoch smiled. "Let's have a chat with her," he said just as she turned away from the reception desk. Murdoch stepped forward, "May we have a word with you?"
"Me? Why?" the woman asked.
"Murdoch opened his upper suit coat to show his badge, "Detective William Murdoch of the Toronto Constabulary," he offered with a friendly smile.
"I see. Well how can I help you," she purred as she looked William over from head to toe and back again. Murdoch could feel his cheeks growing flush.
"May I ask your name?" Murdoch finally spat out. She was a gorgeous woman, indeed.
"Certain," she smiled. "It's Raquel Wilkins. Why do you ask?" she inquired.
Murdoch's right eyebrow shot up. He leaned forward slightly, "May I be so bold as to ask who you were here to see?"
"Councillor Best," Wilkins came straight out with is.
Murdoch straightened himself with the answer. "What's the nature of your call?" he then asked.
"It's a business deal, and none of your business," Wilkins' tone changed.
"I'd like you come to the station with us, for some questioning please," Murdoch insisted.
"I've done nothing wrong," Raquel stood firmly in the foyer, now her hands were balled up and on her hips.
"Then you shouldn't mind coming in to answer a few questions," Murdoch countered. Wilkins' realized that if she didn't go with the police, they would become more suspicious, so she reluctantly agreed. Murdoch and Crabtree exchanged looks, "I'll go with Ms Wilkins," the Detective stated.
"Certainly Sir," Crabtree nodded. He frowned at the thought of walking two bicycles back to the station.
Maxwell Best's latest spell didn't last as long as his previous ones. He found himself alone in the block of holding cells as the rest were empty, which was a rarity at Station House No. 4. The Councillor sat on the edge of his cot, with the blanket draped over his shoulders. He wondered when anyone was going to come around and check on him, and more-so, release him. "This is preposterous," he grumbled just as the door opened with Inspector Brackenreid and Doctor Ogden walking into the area.
"Well, looky here," Brackenreid looked at the Councillor, "Looks like he's alive again."
"I want out of here. Do you know what people will say if they know I've been locked up?" Best was quick on his feet.
"You'll leave as soon as you answer a few questions," the Inspector informed Best.
"Well get on with it then," the Councillor growled.
"Once Detective Murdoch is back we will certain get on with it," Brackenreid snapped back. "Is he fit to answer questions?" he then asked Ogden.
Julia shrugged, "He's alert, I don't see why not. I'll stay here in case...well, you know," she smiled weakly. Brackenreid rolled his eyes as he turned away, "I can't wait for this case to end," he mumbled. Julia nodded in agreement, "It's certainly one for the books," she then snickered. Best glared at the two as they left.
No sooner than Brackenreid and Ogden appeared in the station proper so did Florence Best. "I want to see my husband!" she demanded.
"Now, Mrs. Best, you can see him in due time," Brackenreid put his hands up to stop her advance.
"Your Detective said he was unwell," Florence sputtered in confusion.
"I assure you he's quite alright," Julia chimed in. A perplexed look fell upon Florence's face. "What's going on here?" she then asked.
"That's exactly what we'd like to know. Now please, Ma'am, have a seat," Brackenreid motioned to a chair in the bullpen. Florence huffed and plunked herself down, just as Murdoch and Raquel Wilkins enter the station. "Who's with the Detective?" she hissed.
"I dunknow," Brackenreid admitted. "Let me find out," he said as he dismissed himself as he moved thought the station.
"Please wait over there," Murdoch motioned to Raquel to sit in the bullpen.
"Murdoch?" the Inspector pulled him aside. "Who is that?" he glanced over his shoulder.
"Her name is Raquel Wilkins. Possibly our 'R. W.' from Best's agendas," Murdoch whisped.
Brackenreid looked back at the bullpen where Florence was seated. "Oh, boy. You don't suppose..."
"I'm sure we'll soon find out, Sir," Murdoch stated. He wasn't sure exactly what to do next. "Is Councillor Best up to be interviewed?" he asked.
"According to your wife, yes. This is going to get messy, isn't it?" the Inspector asked.
"It might just," Murdoch stated as he watched two women as they chatted. He was not sure how to approach either woman without offending either one. "This might take some time, Sir," he glanced over to his boss.
"Oh, joy," Brackenreid huffed before he walked back to his office for a drink. "Indeed," Murdoch sighed.
