Brown coat, black hair, black eyes. She walked along the street. Her large Bloodhound trotted obediently beside her; never stopping to even sniff a bit of gum stuck to the street.
She had a look about her that both drew people in and pushed them away. She held her head high. Her collar was pulled up. One hand was shoved in her pocket, the other trailing a suite case. She had been traveling. And, judging by the size of her suite case, she had either been gone a long while, or planned to stay in London for at the least, a month.
She hailed a taxi, as it had started raining, which took her to a particular street, with particular inhabitants that, until only moments before, she had no intentions of meeting with. In fact, she had no idea they existed.
The cab pulled up against the curb and she and her dog jumped out into the rain. They rushed towards the door, and rang the bell.
An old lady answered the door.
"Oh hello dear, are you a client?" She asked sweetly.
"No I-"
"Oh dear we've got to get you out of the rain. You can bring your dog too just as long as it stays in the hall." The old lady ushered them in.
"Come one Lucy girl," the girl said to her dog. The Bloodhound followed her in. She ordered her dog to stay before following the old lady, who had asked to be addressed as Mrs. Hudson, up stairs.
"Boys!" She called into the seemingly empty flat.
"Take a seat dear I expect they'll be out in a moment."
The girl sat herself in a chair and waited uncomfortably to be joined in the room. Just a few moments later a young, strong young man walked out. He smiled at her and stuck out his hand.
"Doctor John Watson," he introduced himself. She stood and took his hand.
"Anna," she said smiling.
"Last name?" A deep voice asked from behind the doctor. Anna smiled politely.
"It's not important."
The second man, a dark, tall man, raised one eyebrow, but didn't question any further.
"Sherlock Holmes," he said not bothering to shake her hand and he planted himself across from her.
"Please, sit."
She sat. John sat at a table with his computer.
"You're American," Sherlock said. Anna smiled.
"Very good Mr. Holmes, but from what I've heard I had hoped you could go a bit deeper than that," she grinned at him and tilted her head. Sherlock looked at her stunned.
"What could you have heard about me? You've only been in the country for a least an hour. You haven't made it to your hotel yet obviously because you still have your case."
"Good," she said, urging him to go on.
"You're an artist. You've got a bit of blue paint on your neck and wrist. Your right hand also has pencil smudges down the side which shows you're left handed. Now, why are you here? Not business. You're not dressed for it and you wouldn't have bothered stopping by if you were. Holiday? Mm not likely. Usually girls your age travel on holiday in groups."
"And what can you deduct about my age Mr. Holmes?" She questioned.
"Sherlock, please. I'd say mid to late twenties."
"Twenty seven. Very good, I'm impressed." She smiled.
"I wouldn't say that quite yet," John commented from behind his computer screen. Anna place her chin in her hands, waiting for more, her eyes fixed intently on Sherlock's.
"You're here because of family." He said. She pulled back. A look of discomfort on her face.
"How did you know?"
"I didn't. Process of elimination. You're not here for travel or business so the next most common reason would be family. Now, you are obviously trying to keep your family a secret from me, but why? Do I know them?"
"No I don't believe you've met." Anna said quickly. "But if you don't mind, I'd like to keep my surname to myself."
"Very well. Now, why are you here?"
"I simply wanted to meet you. See if you were as incredible as they say." She smiled. "It was nice meeting you Sherlock, and you as well Doctor" she nodded towards John and he smiled at her.
"I think I may be in touch. I'm not in need of her help at the moment but something tells me soon I will be."
Anna took her suite case by the handle and was about to leave. Suddenly, the deep sounds of a dog barking echoed throughout the flat.
"What is that?" John jumped at the sound of the dog.
"My dog." Anna said with a look of terror on her face.
"In the flat?" John asked looking a little shocked.
"Why are you frightened? Surly you'd be used to the sound of your own dog barking." Sherlock pried.
"You see Sherlock, I have her trained so well, that there's only one thing she'll bark at." Anna moved towards the window and peered our. Her voice was shaky.
"And what's that?" John asked.
"He's found me." Anna whispered under her breath. She pulled away from the window quickly and ordered her dog to "hush".
"Well boys," she said grabbing her suite case. "It appears I'll be needing you sooner than I thought. I'll be back by the end of the week. Have a nice day," she smiled and winked before exiting the flat and rushing her dog secretively along the street. Sherlock moved to the window and watched her disappear.
"What was that about?" John asked moving beside Sherlock.
"No idea, but I doubt that will be the last we'll see of this mysterious Anna."
