Reach of Destiny

Untitled Part 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Seven AM, Tuesday June 27th

Offices of the Toronto Daily Star

Mounting the stone steps quickly, Julia threaded her way through the doorway a gentleman opened for her. She bade him thank you, then shot forward to examine the building directory. She had forgotten to ask which floor and office number she was to meet her sister on. Finding the correct location, Features, she presented herself to the elevator cages, waited impatiently for one to stop at the lobby, then rode it up four floors to find Ruby tapping her foot on the terrazzo floor in a large hallway. The corridor ran left and right, with glass-fronted offices lining either side.

Ruby grabbed her arm, pulling her aside with a jerk. "You're late!"

"I couldn't find a parking spot," Julia said sharply, annoyed by such a greeting. "And good morning to you too."

Ruby smirked, then relented. "I pulled in a favour for you. Do you have the negatives?"

Julia removed her camera and handed it over. "I do appreciate this, Ruby. I truly do. Just, please promise me you will not end up publishing these." She had already started doubting this impulsive move she made involving her sister. At the time it promised to be faster and less problematic than a commercial photographer or, she shuddered, asking Detective Murdoch what to do.

"I doubt you are up to the Star's standards for photographic journalism," Ruby teased.

Julia refused to take the bait, but she did wonder how much publicity this case was likely to generate.

"Now, if you can give us a story..." Ruby dropped her voice conspiratorially, "Something the public can get excited about..." She just waited with a half-smile on her lips.

Julia sighed. She was glad the photographs contained nothing salacious. "Just develop them, will you? I'll come for them later today. The rest you will have to wait and see."

With that, Julia turned on her heel and exited the Star offices, hoping she did not get a ticket downstairs, for double-parking her automobile.

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Eight AM, Tuesday June 27th --

City Morgue

Julia tapped her fingers on her desk, impatient with the telephone operator. "Yes, thank you. Please hurry." This was the third time she'd tried the number and she was about to get in her car and drive to Keele Street for faster results.

Several raspy noises later she heard: "Detective Pearce, Station House nine..."

"This is Dr. Ogden. I have information on your victim, the one who fell from the roof. I have determined it was the Sullivan Building she fell from. I also believe her name is Olive Routledge."

"Did you find identification on her body, doctor?"

"No. I met a man on the roof from where she fell and he told me her name."

"Who was he? And what were you doing there? And why would a random man know her name if it was not the man who killed her?"

She expected that. "Not so fast. He did not tell me his name and I was there investigating the scene to give you the answers you want! I have not determined if she committed suicide or was murdered, only that it was not an accident." When he stopped protesting she gave him the last fact she knew. "He also told me that Olive Routledge has two young children."