1895 Story. Murdoch Mysteries.

Chapter 3: First Case

DAVID

As we approached the police station, Evelyn hesitated, clutching the notebook a bit tighter. "Are we sure we want to tell them... everything?" she whispered, glancing around.

I shrugged, "What other choice do we have? We need answers."

The station door creaked as we entered, and the man behind the desk looked up. He was impeccably dressed, with a serious, thoughtful gaze that swept over us, taking in our clothes with a raised eyebrow.

"May I help you?" he asked, his Canadian accent soft but formal. There was a keen intelligence in his eyes as he took in every detail of our clothes and slightly frantic expressions.

I nudged Evelyn forward, but she gave me a quick, wary look before stepping up to the desk. "Hello. Sorry to bother you, sir, are you detective William Murdoch? We found this notebook, and..." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "It... appears to belong to someone who might know a bit about... unusual phenomena."

The detective nodded and accepted the notebook from her, his eyes narrowing slightly as he flipped through its pages. "Unusual phenomena?" he echoed, glancing up at her. "And what, exactly, makes you think I would be interested in that?"

Evelyn tensed, glancing quickly at me. She gave a small, nervous laugh. "It's... well, it's hard to explain." She seemed to be deciding how much to reveal, her brow furrowing. "Let's just say we seem to be a long way from home."

The detective studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "What year is it for you?" he asked finally, catching her off guard.

Evelyn hesitated, biting her lip before finally saying, "2022."

Murdoch's brow arched slightly. "2022, you say?" He stood, folding his hands neatly as he looked at us.
"Time travelers," he murmured under his breath, as if that weren't the strangest thing he'd heard all week.

"Yes, by a mirror," I said, a little too quickly. "Apparently, it's actually a time machine."

Murdoch blinked, his expression unreadable. "A mirror time machine?" He paused, glancing briefly around as if waiting for someone to jump out and yell "surprise." When no one did, he gave us a polite but dubious nod. "Very well, let's assume for a moment this is not a case of... delusion or mischief."

Evelyn held up the notebook, flipping it open to reveal intricate blueprints and sketches. "See, this notebook explains it all. The mirror is the invention of your... well, your great-great-grandnephew."

Murdoch's polite skepticism didn't falter, but he leaned in to study the notebook, his eyes lighting up with interest at the diagrams. "Your story is fascinating, though difficult to believe. But let's suppose you are telling the truth. I have investigated many peculiar phenomena in my career, and I don't dismiss possibilities outright."

I gave Evelyn a triumphant look as if to say, See, I told you he'd understand!

"Detective, if you could help us," I continued, "we're hoping there's a way to return to our time. We think your future family member left this notebook as a guide to... well, get us back."

Murdoch gave a small smile. "I must say, if there's any truth to this, it would certainly make for an interesting addition to the Murdoch family lore. Tell me, how do you believe this mirror of yours works? Or rather, where is it now?"

Evelyn glanced at me, then back at Murdoch. "We're not exactly sure, but according to the notebook, it requires a series of... reflective adjustments, something about resonance frequencies. Apparently, your... descendant completed it, but he's from our time."