Sherlock Holmes
Consulting Detective
The world's only consulting detective
Posts: 1,230
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Post by Sherlock Holmes on Jan 8, 2012 15:45:59 GMT
*too cross to change into more fresh clothing; John is still in bed with the flu or whatever he has*
*sitting on his chair in the living room. His head still stings a bit from his hangover, but he's recovering with a tall glass of water*
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Harriet Watson
Teacher of languages and general trainwreck.
Posts: 787
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Post by Harriet Watson on Jan 8, 2012 16:00:41 GMT
Harriet arrive at Baker Street. She debates knocking, but she's bored, so she grabs a hair clip - of sorts - and goes to pick the lock. It is, to her surprise, open already.
She walks up the stairs and opens the door.
You know Sherlock, refusing to share a cab was rather juvenile. I couldn't afford the fare, for starters. I've walked from Masame Tussaud's.
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Sherlock Holmes
Consulting Detective
The world's only consulting detective
Posts: 1,230
|
Post by Sherlock Holmes on Jan 8, 2012 16:08:01 GMT
You barged in on my brother's private residence to talk to someone you've never met. Who's being juvenile?
*he twitches in his seat*
You said you wanted to talk to me about Jim Moriarty. I'm listening. Talk.
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Harriet Watson
Teacher of languages and general trainwreck.
Posts: 787
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Post by Harriet Watson on Jan 8, 2012 16:10:27 GMT
There's a difference between immaturity and desperation Sherlock. And be patient. It's complicated.
She pauses ands looks around. John's snores are just audible through the door.
I'm thirsty. Can I make you a tea? Or, failing that With a sideways glance to John's room a Bloody Mary?
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Sherlock Holmes
Consulting Detective
The world's only consulting detective
Posts: 1,230
|
Post by Sherlock Holmes on Jan 8, 2012 16:16:58 GMT
It's my flat. Why would you make me tea?
*stays seated, refusing to make her tea in a show of power--he doesn't like not being in charge and this is him, putting his foot down*
If you're not going to get to the point this century, I'd rather you leave. If you're stalling for time because you want some sort of protection, just say so. Don't be boring. And don't patronize me with "it's complicated". I have an IQ of 190, so anything you think is complicated probably isn't. Just tell me what it is--from the beginning and in full detail--and I'll see if it's worth--
This is John's family you're talking to.
--if I can help.
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Harriet Watson
Teacher of languages and general trainwreck.
Posts: 787
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Post by Harriet Watson on Jan 8, 2012 16:19:27 GMT
Harriet glowers.
Fine.
I'm being blackmailed. No, don't look like that, it's not as boring as it sounds. And I'll tell you everything you need to know.
First, what has John told you about me?
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Sherlock Holmes
Consulting Detective
The world's only consulting detective
Posts: 1,230
|
Post by Sherlock Holmes on Jan 8, 2012 16:34:04 GMT
*sits back into his chair, fingers steepled, examining her*
John's told me very little. Only that "Harry" is short for "Harriet" and that you were trying to stop drinking. His phone on the other hand, told me volumes. I know that despite your attempts to give up alcohol, you really don't try. I know you have an ex-wife named Clara. You and John don't get along very well, probably because he doesn't approve of your drinking. You try to look after him; you want him to keep in touch, but you don't try too hard--you've broken too many promises to give up your vices and he doesn't feel like he can rely on you because of it. You rarely speak to one another, and he doesn't mention you often, so he's still somewhat ashamed. He does desperately want to believe that you're trying to give up your addiction, but part of him always doubts it. And he's right. Once an addict, always an addict, admittedly not always to the same drug.
*now he is speaking from his own personal experience on the addiction front*
*snaps his eyes back into place and refocuses on the ginger before him*
You're gay and always have been, though, no doubt, you've dabbled in relationships with men, and I suspect that might be what led to this blackmail.
Have I missed anything?
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Harriet Watson
Teacher of languages and general trainwreck.
Posts: 787
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Post by Harriet Watson on Jan 8, 2012 16:39:19 GMT
I'll indulge you and say I'm impressed, Sherlock, although I feared you were going to start quoting the Twelve Step plan towards te end.
You know everything about John's sister, but you know nothing about me.
I'll save you the trouble - I don't want you over exerting that fuddled head of yours.
I'll skip the boring stuff, but I will tell you that I love my brother more than anything. And because of that, he must know *nothing* of this, nothing that he doesn't need to, anyway. It's too dangerous. Do you understand?
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Sherlock Holmes
Consulting Detective
The world's only consulting detective
Posts: 1,230
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Post by Sherlock Holmes on Jan 8, 2012 16:49:44 GMT
*this grabs his attention, and he decides to skip the reaction to the "nothing about me" comment*
He's an ex-soldier and you're worried this might be too dangerous? He really doesn't tell you what we do for a living, does he? Compared to a criminal mastermind setting up suicide bombs or a giant dog attack, I think blackmail is rather tame. But do go on.
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Harriet Watson
Teacher of languages and general trainwreck.
Posts: 787
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Post by Harriet Watson on Jan 8, 2012 16:57:09 GMT
I don't mean you'll get killed, Mr Holmes. I mean John will get hurt. Emotionally. Although from what I've heard, that's not something you'll understand.
Now. Back to me. My favourite topic.
I went to prison just after I left university. I'm guessing John didn't tell you why. Breaking and entering, obviously, petty theft and... * taking a deep breath murder.
I didn't do it, before you say anything. I had an alibi too. But he refused to vouch for me. And you shan't impress me by guessing who, Sherlock.
But when you decide you prefer women to Jim Moriarty, he doesn't like it. So there's me. Facing life. When my darling ex lover has a change of heart.
Providing the alibi wasn't enough fun for Jim, now the consulting criminal we all know and love. So... he busted me out. And now he's blackmailing me
See. * with a wry grin in spite of herself * Told you it wasn't boring.
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Sherlock Holmes
Consulting Detective
The world's only consulting detective
Posts: 1,230
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Post by Sherlock Holmes on Jan 8, 2012 19:40:32 GMT
*is slightly irritated at the "not something you'll understand" comment, but lets it pass*
And yet you never introduced him to John or even mentioned his name. John had no hint of recognition. I'm still waiting for something really important. Like, for example, with what precisely is he blackmailing you? How am I meant to stop it? And, more importantly, have you gone to the actual police? I'm sure they can handle something so...trivial. Blackmail is boring and not actually his style. What reason would he have for blackmailing you? I hope you don't think it's out of a broken heart.
Though the way this conversation is going, he did it to get her to come to me just to irritate me. In which case, the plan is succeeding brilliantly.
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Harriet Watson
Teacher of languages and general trainwreck.
Posts: 787
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Post by Harriet Watson on Jan 8, 2012 19:54:01 GMT
Broken heart? Harriet gives a derisive laugh [/u] He doesn't have one. I mean sure, it ****ed him off that I left, but that's just his ego. That's something you *will* understand, I'm sure.
He's blackmailing me bcecause he *can*. And because he's so bloody pleased with himself - my escape from prison was his own brainchild.
There's a Harriet Watson serving life in prison, yet I'm sat in front of you. Moriarty swapped us. Someone he owed a favour to needed some protection, the kind only a lengthy prison sentence can get you. But whatever she'd done, my sentence looked positively charming compared to what she would face - she would have been extradited, from what Jim told me.
You didn't know Jim in his younger days, try and imagine him more arrogant but less irritable.
I can't go back to prison, Sherlock. I can't and I won't. You have to help me.
With a pale face and fear in her eyes, Harriet shudders and looks desperately around the room.
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Sherlock Holmes
Consulting Detective
The world's only consulting detective
Posts: 1,230
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Post by Sherlock Holmes on Jan 8, 2012 20:53:21 GMT
I'll have you know that the first crime he committed was the first one that piqued my interest at age thirteen.
The damsel in distress routine isn't going to work on me and far more interesting people have tried it.
I'll help you for John's sake. But that's all.
*he has not broken eye contact the entire time, trying to make her understand that he's helping on her on his terms and isn't doing this out of a misguided sense of chivalry*
I am still waiting for a proper explanation as to the issue at hand. Why is he blackmailing you now, and with what is he doing it?
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Harriet Watson
Teacher of languages and general trainwreck.
Posts: 787
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Post by Harriet Watson on Jan 8, 2012 21:02:44 GMT
Oh God... Laughs exasperatedly What isn't he blackmailing me with? Let's go through it together, shall we?
Damsel in distress? **** off. I'm surprised I can fit in the room with his ego. Does he think I *fancy* him? Jesus...
Firstly, he could send me back to prison. Secondly, he could probably kill me. And of course... Oh just tell him. John. You're not as clever as you think Sherlock. Jim could take John like that *she clicks her fingers .
He's been watching John. He sends me texts - pictures, of John. He has him tracked. He'll kill him, Sherlock. But first, he'll kidnap me and make me watch.
Harry's eyes are ready to spillover, but she's half-laughing, waving her hands erratically as she talks, her fingers poised for another cigarette.
I don't *care* if you think I'm boring Sherlock, my brother survived Afghanistan and he will survive me.
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Sherlock Holmes
Consulting Detective
The world's only consulting detective
Posts: 1,230
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Post by Sherlock Holmes on Jan 8, 2012 21:14:50 GMT
You evidently misunderstood me. What does he have against you that would be so catastrophic that it would ruin John's life? Photographs? Bank statements? Internet pornography? What does he have that he could use to blackmail you?
*rolls his eyes as the sound of a now-familiar Internet video comes from John's bedroom*
John, you're watching the No No No Cat again?!
I really don't have the patience for this right now.
And of course Moriarty's watching John. He had him captured a few months ago. I got him out. His issue is with me, not with John. So I repeat: what does this have to do with us?
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