Virtual Reality (Sue Thomas FBEye / Murdoch Mysteries)

Virtual Reality - Chapter Six

Julia noticed the glances Murdoch threw on her parcel and knew she'd aroused his curiosity. His reaction, once he saw it, would determine his fate, just like it'd determined Hector's fate.

Sue wrinkled her nose. "Who was Hector? And what fate befell him?"

"Benoit... did he shed any light on Jen Dunlop's condition?"

Trust William not to waste time with small talks and to go straight to the point. How long would it be before he inquired about the parcel she carried on the train? "Yes and no."

A brow eyebrow, neatly trimmed, shot up. "Maybe you'd like to elaborate."

She smiled. His character contrasted so much with Inspector Brackenreid's roguish attitude. "During a session, Jen mentioned a young man from Montreal named Gaston."

Gaston? Like the bad guy in Beauty and the Beast? Sue had read the story to her little niece the last time she'd visited her brother.

"Gaston?" He pulled a notebook from his pocket. "Last name? First name? Address? Workplace?"

She burst out laughing. "William, you give Benoit too much credit."

Visibly disappointed, he set his notebook aside. "I take it Benoit didn't ask Miss Dunlop any details."

"No. He is as discreet as he is observant. Jen had a small... bulge."

"He said bulge?"

She smiled at his incredulous expression. "Benoit doesn't master the English language, William. I think he meant a little bump. While it might be premature to say Jen was in the family way, it sure seems to point that way."

Absent-mindedly, he rubbed his chin. "If that's the case, why would she want to run away from Margaret? The man responsible for her condition had left her to fend for herself. Surely, she didn't intend to chase him down... or keep the child... did she?"

At least he considered the possibility.

"Why not?" In circumstances like this one, she enjoyed playing devil's advocate. "It's still her child. Why is it wrong for a single woman to raise a child alone when it's right for a widower to do the same?"

"Fair question."

He leaned back in his seat and fell silent. Occasionally, his gaze wandered on her parcel.

"Do you condemn or condone what Jen did, William?" In his work, William was open-minded. Did it apply to his private life?

"Without knowing the circumstances, I do neither. I like to believe she had no other choices. I just wish I understood her motive to seek Benoit's... help. Who would want her dead? The father?"

She had no clue. "This is part of your job, not mine."

"Doctor..."

She sensed his hesitation and sudden discomfort. "Yes, William?"

"Benoit... How... how did you meet?"

She smiled fondly as she recalled the meeting that changed the course of her existence.

"On a train." She'd been travelling from Halifax to Toronto. Same train, but opposite direction. "I was with my fiancé, Hector, and..."