Hello, this is the first ever fanfiction I have posted. I have written a plethora of stories that I doubt will see the light of day, so I am not new to writing, just new to sharing my stories.
This story is based on one of my first Murdoch Mysteries stories I wrote when I was roughly between 12-16 years old. This new version is different from the original draft, but the main plot of "what-if George was afraid of jail cells after he was in one for several months?" remains the same. This is meant to be a one-shot, nothing more. And lastly, it's a little shorter than I thought it'd be, but I figured since it's my first-ever fanfiction post, I should make it a small story.
The story takes place sometime in season nine, specifically after Nolo Contendere, but before Raised on Robbery.
Disclaimer: I do not own Murdoch Mysteries nor will I ever, all credit goes to Maureen Jennings and the creators of the show
Now, without further adieu, please enjoy my story! Any reviews are appreciated.
"You asked to see me, sir?" George Crabtree, former constable first-class-turned-third-class, "In name only.", said by his mentor and friend, Detective William Murdoch, during a case a few weeks prior when the constable felt he was being passed over from undercover work because of his current rank. He entered the detective's office, his eyes briefly going to the blackboard that had current case notes written on it, the victim, witnesses, facts, those kinds of notes.
The detective turned his eyes to the constable, "Yes, George, please come in." He stepped aside from his blackboard, giving the constable a better view. "I believe I know who the killer is."
"Oh?" George said questionably, he honestly didn't know who it could be since this whole case he's been busy running errands for the detective. And any of the suspects that were questioned had been questioned by other constables, the closest he's seen of them are in pictures along with their names listed currently on the blackboard.
"Yes, the man I believe to be the killer, has denied ever knowing the victim, despite one of the witnesses of the boardroom saying that they spoke, albeit briefly, to each other the night before our Mister White was found dead in his room." He paused briefly, giving himself a breath before continuing. "We didn't have enough evidence to hold him so he was let go earlier today. But now, currently, he is back in our cells after causing a small fight in a bar, that, to my knowledge, has nothing to do with this case. He will be released in the morning, but what I'm hoping to do now, with his inebriated state, is to use that to see if he will start telling the truth."
George tilted his head ever so slightly curiously, normally the detective didn't ramble unless he had a point to it. Which he felt was coming.
"Now, from the last time he was being questioned, he didn't seem to be one to break under pressure, even under the influence. But this is where you come in, George." Murdoch faced the constable. "Mister Lewis has, to my recollection, never actually seen you, as any time he has been here at the station you've been out collecting what I've needed for the case, or elsewhere. And even when he was brought in this evening, you were coincidentally not here."
The constable gradually nodded, confirming the detective's words, he only ever saw the man in a picture he found when going through the man's apartment for clues, he only concluded it was the same man from the description given by one of the witnesses, and the man's name and picture are currently on the blackboard.
"I'm going to need you to go undercover as a vagrant of sorts, and then I'll have one of the constables pretend to have you arrested and place you in a cell next to Mister Lewis. With his current state of mind, it shouldn't be too hard getting him on to talk about the victim, and maybe some form of bribery, with non-currency of course." William shared his idea in full detail.
"S-sir?" George questioned, almost inaudibly, he suddenly felt nervous after hearing the idea. His mind jumbled with anxiety as he lightly shuffled his feet and scratched the back of his head.
"George?.. Is everything all right?"
"Uh, ah," The constable stammered. "I don't mean any disrespect at all, sir, but I-I-I'm just not sure that I can help with this." He turned his head away from the detective, keeping eye contact was suddenly becoming very difficult, despite knowing the detective for so many years.
William stood still, seemingly not knowing what was happening. "Is there a reason why, George? This isn't all that different from other undercover work you've done in the past."
George sighed, rubbing his head again before turning back to his mentor. "Sir, if it was any other time before, um, certain events, I would help you, without question, sir." He explained vaguely, nervously gesturing his hands as he talked.
The detective looked to have gears turning in his head, George had seen that look often during any case they were on, it always knew that he was figuring something out, like now, for instance. Not even a minute passed before a partial 'o' shaped gap formed on the detective's lips, and the constable concluded that the older man had figured out what he was talking about.
"Oh, George, I am so sorry." He apologized with regret in his voice. "I-I was not thinking, please forgive me for suggesting that you be put in a jail cell after- Ah, well... It was not my intention to make you feel distressed, I apologize."
"It is quite all right, sir, you-.. You couldn't have known." George shrugged, smiling that he was finally able to tell someone about his uneasiness around jail cells. Spending time in one can definitely change one's views on them. He thought, deciding it should go unsaid.
William shared the same smile, although more hidden than the constable's. "I should have known when I first thought of the assignment." He paused briefly, looking like he was thinking over his idea. "I will ask one of the other constables to assist me in this matter."
George nodded silently. Maybe Higgins could manage the job, or maybe Jackson would be a better fit. He would have to see later who the detective decides on.
"After working together for so long," William started, bringing the constable out of his thoughts. "I have a tendency to turn to you first for any assignments that I believe you will be successful at and will have a positive outcome in our cases. But, honestly, I don't take into consideration how you, or any of the other constables, feel about them." The detective explained as best as he could, almost sounding more apologetic than before. "Probably because I've known you for several years and I know you don't object to them, most of the time."
"And normally, sir, I would follow any order or assignment without question, including this one," George stated. "But since I knew you would understand my, um, situation, I figured it was all right for me to not accept it."
"Of course, George. Very reasonable to not accept it." The detective agreed. "I have given you most interesting, if not unusual to most, jobs over our years of working together." He shrugged absently, mostly speaking his thoughts.
George nodded, before smiling at a memory that came on suddenly. "Like say, wearing a dress in order to shoot a pig?" He held back a snicker. The memory was embarrassing for many years, it still was honestly, but he came to find it more amusing than anything whenever it was brought up.
William Murdoch's cheeks visibly turned pink, before he brushed his hair gently. "Y-yes, like wearing a dress in order to shoot a pig." He stammered.
George knew that, at that time, it was an important task for the case to move forward, but the detective didn't understand the embarrassment the constable had faced for weeks after that. But now recently, whenever it was brought up, it seemed to embarrass the detective more than the constable, to some degree.
It didn't take long for the both of them to find the memory amusing, George more on the laughing side while the detective was more embarrassed and trying hard to hide his flushed face with a small chortle slipping out.
Brackenreid had walked in on them asking "The bloody hell is so funny?" before both of them burst out laughing.