1895 Story. Murdoch Mysteries.

Chapter 5: The Unconventional Investigation

EVELYN

As we arrived at the precinct, the air was thick with a blend of excitement and tension. David and I exchanged nervous glances, both wondering what awaited us inside. I had heard stories about the men who ran this station—Detective Murdoch's colleagues—and their reputation preceded them.

"Stay close," David whispered as we entered the bustling hub of activity. Officers darted in and out, and the noise was overwhelming. Just then, a tall, imposing figure approached us, and I immediately recognized him. It was Inspector Thomas Brackenreid, Murdoch mentioned him.

"Ah, Murdoch's little helpers, are you?" Brackenreid said with a sly grin, his tone half-serious, half-mocking. "Just what we need—more amateurs in the field."

"Hey, we're not amateurs!" David protested, crossing his arms defiantly.

"Right. And I'm the Queen of England," Brackenreid shot back, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You two better not get in my way, or I'll have to assign you the most mundane tasks possible. Like sorting through the evidence room. I hear we've got a whole section dedicated to mismatched socks."

I stifled a laugh at the absurdity of it all. "We can handle it, Inspector."

"Can you now?" Brackenreid said, raising an eyebrow. "I'll be keeping an eye on you. Just remember, this is a serious matter, not a game of dress-up. The last thing we need is a couple of kids pretending to be detectives."

DAVID

With Brackenreid's parting words hanging in the air, Evelyn and I exchanged amused glances. "What a character," I said, trying to suppress my laughter. "I think he just called us kids."

"He clearly doesn't know we've traveled through time," Evelyn replied with a smirk. "If only he knew the half of it."

Murdoch led us further into the precinct, and I could feel the excitement building. "Let's get down to business," he said, stopping in front of a large, cluttered desk. "This is George Crabtree, my right-hand man. You two already know him."

"Of course! " Evelyn said, grinning.

George chuckled, adjusting his hat. "I hope you two are ready for some unconventional detective work."

EVELYN

With Murdoch's steady leadership and George's infectious enthusiasm, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. "So, what's the plan?" I asked, eager to dive into the investigation.

"First things first," Murdoch replied, "we need to analyze the last known location of the artifact. It was last seen at an estate owned by Lord Strathmore, who is known for his eccentric gatherings."

"Eccentric? I like the sound of that," I remarked, already imagining the possibilities. "What's our next move?"

"George will accompany you to the estate," Murdoch said. "He can help you navigate the peculiarities of high society. I'll handle some leads here."

"I'm ready for anything," David declared, his excitement palpable. "Let's solve this case!"

GEORGE

As we prepared to leave, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement. "I can't promise there won't be a few hiccups," I said with a grin. "When dealing with the upper crust, expect the unexpected. They can be quite... dramatic."

"Drama is my specialty," Evelyn said with a confident grin.

"Then you'll fit right in at the estate!" I replied, unable to contain my enthusiasm. "Just remember to keep your wits about you. Last time I was there, someone tried to convince me their dog could predict the weather."