Murdoch and the Chimney Sweep

12.

Both constables fall silent as Detective Murdoch leads Stephanie towards his office.

"Henry, how did we not know it was her?" George questions looking towards his fellow constable,

"All I know is, Murdoch has a lot of explaining to do"

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"Stephanie, would you mind telling me about the last time you saw your parents" Murdoch begins as Stephanie looks around the room trying dearly to find something else to focus on.

"I remember my parents telling me about a business trip to Toronto" she begins and looks at Murdoch, fidgeting with the sleeve of her dress, "I was 6 years old. When we got to Toronto, my parents said we had to go straight there and we'd do some sight seeing before we left." she looks at her fidgeting hands recalling the memory like it was yesterday. "The last time I saw my parents, I remember my mom smiling before telling me that I could play ball with the other kids in the street until they got back" after a moment of silence, Stephanie looks up, "It's been 10 years Murdoch" she finishes

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"Bloody Hell" mumbles Inspector Brackenreid approaching Henry who hadn't left for the crime scene as of yet. "Is that the girl?" he questions, Higgins stands up and looks through the glass towards Stephanie who looks down nodding to the detectives words,

"Ah, yes sir" he replies as the Inspector takes a swig of scotch from a glass, "Ah sir, remember when the young kid Tom was pick-pocketing" the Inspector looks towards him, "That's the girl who helped us"

"Blimey" he speaks before walking back into his office to look over their findings.

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"I understand that it's been a long time, but... I'm wondering if you could tell me more about the days that followed" Murdoch speaks

"Well, it was about midday when they left me outside on the street, not long after 2 boys introduced themselves and we played games all afternoon. That didn't stop me from keeping an eye on the comings and goings from that building the entire day. The first night, I slept outside the place. Did it rough, but I didn't mind. The second day I came to the constabulary and asked them to help find my parents... They weren't much help at all, I remember the constable turning me away without a second thought..."

"I am sorry that one of us turned you away" Murdoch interjects sincerely, "Please continue" he finishes and gestures a hand towards Stephanie

"There's not much more after that, I returned and someone took me in" Stephanie finishes,

"I'm sorry, who took you in exactly?" he questions eager for a possible clue

"Well, I'm not one hundred percent sure exactly who, but I live and work in the same place that my parents were told to go to"

"That could be our clue" begins Murdoch as he stands and walks around the room,

"Murdoch" Stephanie calls before he goes too far, he spins around and looks at Stephanie, "Can I... can I see my parents?"