James Dawson was a young student at the University of Toronto. He was the son of a wealthy businessman, and all the people that asked Detective Murdoch that day on campus, said the same. It was an intelligent young man, bright, popular and impeccable reputation. He followed his law studies for three years and everything seemed to think he was a young man without stories. But William knew that a young man without stories is not murdered in a dark alley, near a club in the middle of the night. He had not attended the University or the major schools in the country but he knew how things went. He knew there were all kinds of sororities, club more or less secret and was very likely that a young man like James Dawson was among them.
He had spent hours collecting all the evidence, and it was with disappointment of having nothing concrete about the young man, he took the road from the police station. Before entering the building, he could not help but look up Dr. Grace which was a little further. He smiled shyly when he saw her with another young woman he had often seen. Looks, tender gestures, smiles, he was convinced that these women were more than mere friends. But William was not formalized. Although religion called it a "sin", he remained that this was love. And if Dr. Grace loved Lillian Moss, he did not see how that could disturb that whatsoever. He knew that we could not control what kinds of things, we could not control who you fall in love. Him, he had not chosen. It was a morning that love fell on him. One Sunday by going to church. And he had not planned for a second that he would fall in love with Liza Millner. But it had happened, but he was not even realizes. At the thought of the young woman, a shiver ran through his whole body, the scar in his heart he thought was closed since long time, remembered him. He gave one last look at the two young women laughing, and he entered the building, wanting to forget his pain.
He went into his office and went back to work. He now had a list of people who knew the victim, he had his identity, he was more or less his schedule for the day. He took a small red notebook he caressed the leather cover a few moments. Immediately the images of the last day came back to him. He remembered the look of the young woman who had given him, he could hear her laughter in the back of his head. He could not help smiling shyly. Another shiver ran through his body, but he had nothing to do with that felt a little earlier.
-You are an incredible man Detective Murdoch, sighed the sweet voice to his ear.
He felt the color rising on his cheeks. Never before has had such a dream, even when he was engaged to Liza. Never no woman had managed to obsess so. He briefly attended Enid Jones, a secretary, a widow and mother of a little boy, met during an investigation. But their appointment had never taken to share his bed, or even to make such dreams. William was a pious man and he could not imagine making love to a woman without being blessed by the priest, without having married her before. But it was very clear that this young woman was questioning all beliefs.
He sighed, stroking the binding of the book. He would have to confess as soon as possible and, above all, he would have to forget this desire that consumed him from the inside, especially if he was going to be faced her again to give her this book. After a last sigh, William opened it and read carefully the listed names. He compared them with the list of respondents in the morning. No names corresponded he had suspected he had met as young men and women of the upscale neighborhoods of the city. He would have to deal with the list of the club's customers. But he knew this task would be much complicated. He knew that the property owner would give him a hard time.
-George? He said, when he saw the young man turn on the open space .
Hearing his name, he arrived at his door and just waited until he spoke again.
-I need you to go to the club for me. I need a list of regular clients.
-I would like to help you Sir, stammered the young man, but the Inspector asked me to make some calls about dogs .
-Dogs? William repeated. We investigate a murder ...
-And the dog's mayor has disappeared, cut Brakenreid entering the room, Crabtree is in charge and I give him to you as soon as we settled this case.
-But Sir, William protested.
-Take Higgins waiting and go to the club yourself. If the aristocrats of beautiful areas are involved I want you at the time, said his supervisor before leaving the room.
It was enough for William to sigh deeply. It was all he had feared. He did not go to the club again, if not earlier, he would not work with Agent Higgins. Not that it was not a good policeman, William was convinced that one day he would make a good investigator, but he just was not in the mood to hear him ask questions nonsensical for hours. He had to admit that George often also exploring possibilities improbable but he got used to his whims and all his crazy ideas. He enjoyed working with George and he had to admit he had only enjoy working with him.
There were five policemen to leave the station a few minutes later. William had seen fit to go there with other men to search the club. He still suspected of finding something useful but they might as well question some employees and he would feel less alone. Once given his instructions, they entered all six in the club. The air was more breathable than the day before, the huge room was empty and silent. There were a few waitresses preparing the tables for the evening, a bartender, dancers repeating their show, two men sweeping the floor and the property owner checking that everything goes well. William looked at her a moment in silence. She was wearing a gray skirt down to her knees, a white blouse tucked into her belt, marking her fine and slender waist. She was just made up, but again, he found her superb.
He did not have time to announce that she looked up at him and the next moment she gave him a tender smile.
-Dear Lord, murmured William, give me strength.
She thanked the man with whom she spoke and she walked slowly toward him.
-Detective Murdoch, I do not expect to see you so soon. What are you doing here with your men? She said watching other police disperse in the room.
-We came to a search Madam, for a possible murder weapon and to interview your employees.
-I see, Julia grumbled, please do, she said turning around.
-I also wanted to give you back your book, William continued in a tone harder to retain her, I don't need it anymore, he added, meeting her eyes again.
-Thank you, Julia whispered taking it.
-I also request a list of your regular customers, we know the identity of the victim, James Dawson.
-Please, sighed Julia, you know as well as I do that I can not do that. My reputation ...
-I am investigate on a murder Madam, cut William, I must find the murderer of that poor young man and for that I need to have this list. Your reputation does not concern me in anything.
-I see, Julia grumbled again upset, you are a man of honor.
He gave her a shy smile but she remained unmoved.
-Stay here, I will note the names that come to mind, for others I am sorry I do not keep detailed records.
-I understand. It will be good enough.
She simply nodded and disappeared up the stairs he had borrowed the day before. He stood there, in this great hall just for minutes, the auscultation with detail. He looked at the show of young women one step further and instructions that the young man had given them. He saw a little girl with blond curls sitting on the floor at the bottom of the stage, watching with big wondering eyes, a string of soft toys and dolls at her side.
-There it is, said the voice of Julia to his side.
He turned to her and took the written list of her hand, then he just nodded. He stared into hers, her eyes giving him throw flashes of anger she ignores gave vent.
-Do you need something else Detective? Will you be performing a body search? Said the voice of the young woman in his head. I'll be happy to do it.
Her gaze upset him, she slid her finger in her neck, putting her head to the side went him crazy, she gently bit her lips overcame him. He then approached her, he slid his hands on her thighs to lift her skirt, he opened her belt, took down her skirt slowly on the ground, and opened her blouse. He made her turn slowly and kissed her neck without stoping to caress her entire body.
-You see, I do not hide anything Detective, sighed Julia.
-To be sure, I have to withdraw all your clothes Madam, William replied before opening the staples of her underwears and hear her laugh out loud.
-My men will still stay there a while, he said simply resuming his mind, good day Madam.
She gave him one last look, but she did not answer, looking him leave, hands on hips and pursed lips.
He had right assumed she was going to be upset and angry he comes to interview her without worrying about the consequences it could have on her business and reputation. But William had to admit that he cared a little of what this whole investigation could result on her. And on him.
to be continued... ;)