AN: This is my first attempt at a Sherlock Holmes story. This particular story was originally written as a paper for my Honors English Class. The length had to be exactly 800 words and other rules applied. I am uploading this story the way it was first written, I'm hoping by publishing this I can improve my writing skills. So please, if you are reading this, share some feed back with me! As any author can tell you, constructive criticism is always welcomed. So please review! Let me know what you think, and be honest with me. I'm not one to go cry in a corner if your harsh. As far as I am concerned, I can only improve.
Summary: Missing scene from The Final Problem with some insight into Professor Moriarty's head. Features the Professor and Colonel Moran discussing their plans for Sherlock Holmes. Also gives you some insight into Moriarty's thoughts.
Through The Eyes Of The Spider
Professor Moriarty looked up in annoyance as his thoughts were interrupted by the tapping on his door. Sighing softly to himself, he reached up and slowly massaged his temples. He looked up as the door quietly opened and Colonel Moran stood at the threshold, seeking permission to enter. Moriarty waved the man in distractedly, still contemplating how to eliminate the newest threat to his organization once and for all.
Colonel Moran warily approached the desk his employer currently occupied and quietly waited to be addressed. Moran barely repressed a sigh as the silence slowly became unbearable. Usually the Colonel wouldn't hesitate to break the silence currently engulfing the room. Usually he would never be intimidated by a mere man, no matter how brilliant or dangerous. But never before had he seen his employer so frustrated and for the first time in his life, the Colonel was scared. As the Professor's right hand man, he had personally seen the anger and hatred slowly building behind the Professor's cold eyes over the last several months. He had also seen what happens to those on the receiving side of his anger. Moran shuddered despite himself, he did not want to be the one to face this man's wrath.
"Sherlock Holmes is beginning to seriously inconvenience me," Moriarty's cold voice cut through the silence. The Professor watched in amusement when he saw the Colonel jump in surprise at the sound of his voice. "I had originally enjoyed matching wits with the man but he is proving to be quite a problem. He must be removed from the equation."
"How much time do I have?" Moran asked, mentally berating himself for his lack of composure earlier. Moriarty had obviously noticed and enjoyed it.
"I want him removed by the end this week, can you manage it?" Moriarty asked, already expecting the answer.
"He won't even know what hit him." Moran replied with a cocky grin, already devising his plan of attack.
"Do not underestimate this man," Moriarty sternly warned. "He has proven himself to be on an intellectual level far surpassing your own. He has managed to
evade my agents too many times and this game of cat and mouse grows tiresome. I will not accept failure on your part." The Colonel swallowed nervously, the last man to disappoint the Professor was currently at the bottom of the Thames.
"I never miss," Moran replied seriously. "But what of his doctor friend, is he supposed to be taken care of too?"
Moriarty shook his head, "Doctor Watson is not to be harmed. Holmes has made it clear that he is not involved and that he is ignorant of our doings. Holmes is unwilling to put his dearest friend in danger."
Colonel Moran cocked his head at the cold sarcasm in his employer's voice, wondering what this meant for the Doctor. Unconcerned at this time, he swiftly left the study, eager to begin the hunt against the greatest enemy known to the London Underground, Sherlock Holmes.
Professor Moriarty stood as Moran left and began to pace in frustration. It was obvious that there was a leak in his organization, Holmes was getting his information from someone high up. Moriarty felt the familiar rage building up inside him as he remembered all the carefully laid plans which Holmes had destroyed. He sighed yet again and felt his anger slowly disintegrate into something resembling admiration. He had known the consulting detective was a force to be reckoned with long before they had started their epic battle of wits. The man far surpassed his impressive reputation as a crime fighter. He was as sharp as a razor and to be honest, he had rather enjoyed the intellectual war against the consulting detective. This young detective had managed to achieve what no other man could, Holmes had shaken Moriarty's organization to its very core.
It seems like such a pity for our duel to end like this, Moriarty thought with regret. I feel such respect for my antagonist, never before have I had the pleasure of competing against someone of my skill. I might even be so bold as to call him my equal. Moriarty groaned in frustration. It was illogical to continue this train of thought. Holmes was becoming a major threat and the foolish man had made his position clear, he refused to stand down. Within the week, the people of London would be mourning the mysterious death of the world's greatest consulting detective, because even with all his deductive prowess, Sherlock Holmes couldn't defeat Colonel Sebastian Moran at his own game. Soon this brilliant man would be nothing more than a memory and Moriarty would once again have free reign over London.
As it turned out, the criminal mastermind's prediction couldn't have been farther from the truth.
Up next we have Sherlock's point of view, rather excited to do him. Reviews keep me writing and happy. So please don't let me hold you, click that button... the one that says review... no the other one... yes... now click it...there you go, I appreciate it!