Name: The Adventure of The Haunted House.
Writer: Ann.
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes.
Rating: PG13.
Others: Oh, my Sherlock. Was reading the books again when that idea came to my mind. Tried to make it as old-fashioned-British as I could. ;-)
All rights reserved to Arthur Conan Doyle (or whoever owns the right now), not to me.
Prologue-
"I've got it!"
I looked up from the newspaper the moment I heard Sherlock's happy cry. He was standing by the desk on which he did his chemistry experiments, and has clearly found the solution to a problem that has been troubling him for the past week. In his right hand I saw a bottle filled with blue-coloured liquid. I could tell it had to do with his latest investigation, though what was the nature of the connection – I couldn't tell.
"This," Holmes explained when he saw my look of misunderstanding, "Is the poison that was given to poor Mrs Addison." He rubbed his hands in anticipation. "Once I give it to the Scotland Yard, our part of the investigation ends, and the law will take command." Glancing out the window, he added, "But it would seem we are not finished quite yet."
"Is it a client?" I asked, putting the newspaper down.
Holmes nodded. "He's working in the government. We're about to investigate a woman's death," He added right before the door opened, and we found ourselves in the company of Britain's Interior Minister.
"Mr Holmes," The Minister seemed agitated, "I need your help. Please. I do not know where else to turn to."
Holmes' face once more wore the relaxing expression I have known so well. "Sit down, have a cigar," He added, suggesting him one. The Minister took it as he collapsed on one of the couches, looking at Holmes in a miserable, desperate look. "She was your fiancée," He said.
The Minister's eyes widened in surprise I have seen more than once. "Yes. How did-" He cut himself off as he realized who was he speaking to. "Of course, Mr Holmes. She was my fiancée. I only found out this morning, and I came straight to you."
Still with a relaxing expression and tone of voice, Holmes asked, "What happened?"
The Minister took a deep breath before replying. "She needed to go home, so we agreed we shall meet a week later, which is today. But when I got to her home her family told me they had found her dead. No one was inside her room with her since yesterday in the morning, and she didn't commit a suicide. There were strange marks on her body, but I couldn't tell what kind of weapon could leave these marks."
While he took another deep breath, I glanced at my friend, who was sitting quietly in his armchair, looking thoughtfully at his newest client. But I could tell this new case was of no interest to him. He has always loved the weird crimes, and this was hardly this case. At least, it wasn't until the man sitting in front of us spoke again.
"But that was not the weird thing, Mr Holmes, but the ghost we have seen in the room. It was haunted!"
