This is an alternate take on "His Last Bow". The events of this chapter takes place between 1912 (some months after Holmes left to work as a spy for Mycroft , using the alias "Altamont") and the end of his work as a spy, before his return. The dates are purely fictional (well besides 1912 and 1914). I do not own anything beside the idea. I hope you enjoy!
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December 1912
M.
Believe to have found a lead. Will need to travel to Buffalo. Hope all is well with W.
Inform him of my good health, lest he worries.
A
The doctor was making his rounds. The weather was vile. Soon would be the anniversary of his wife's death. His friend was far away. He was alone.
A.
Do not get caught. Hope you disguised accent. All well with W. Inform me of your findings as soon as you are able. Do not forget, it is vital for England. It is not one of your "games".
M
The doctor laid roses at the base of the gravestone. Ice would soon cover the petals, conserving their beauty in ice, as her's was in death.
He coughed in the cold air. It had started in November, a couple of months after his friend had left. The doctor felt some pain in his chest. He decided to rest the next day. His locum would take the practice, knowing the significance of today and believing the doctor needed time for himself.
April 1913
M.
Have joined Irish secret society. Believe it will come in handy as mission progresses. Have heard the name Von Bork mentioned. Will investigate.
Have not heard of W in your wires lately. Hope you are not doing this purposefully.
A
His locum has told him he is being stubborn and should get rest. At last, he took a week's leave. The weather has been vile for the last couple of months. The doctor eagerly awaited news of his friend in America. The brother was not always forthcoming and he did not want to press this quite formidable man.
He was told that his friend was doing well, "as expected". The brother told him that he need not know more than that.
A.
There are no news because there is nothing to tell. Concentrate on your mission. Will see what information I can get about Von Bork.
M
The doctor had lost weight in the last few weeks. His friends told him that he is working too hard for a man of his age. He had also become quite more irritable than he used to be and strove to overcome this.
Another coughing spell wracked his frame. The pain in his chest lingered for a while. But it was not pneumonia, thank heavens.
October 1913
M.
Have caused serious trouble in Skibbareen. Constables are fools. Remind me of Scotland Yard. No news of W for six months, one week and three days. How is he? Tell me something, or I will contact him myself. Also inform him that I am making progress.
Do not make a repeat of 1891. Have still not forgiven you for this, as you know.
Will try to get Von Bork's attention next.
A
No, it had not been pneumonia. It was worse, he believed. And he hoped he was wrong.
A.
I will not apologise for what I did back then. It was necessary for England as you should know. Do not worry about W. Will inform him of your continued well being. More important issues need your attention.
Von Bork will be your new target. Gain his trust.
M
A specialist confirmed his suspicions. He hoped he had not infected anyone in the last months. He made arrangements for his locum to take over his practice.
He wondered how his friend was, if he was well. If he though of him sometimes or if the mission demanded all of his attentions.
To get a hold of his friend's brother has become all but impossible in the last months.
It was impossible now.
June 1914
M.
Will be back in England in two months at the latest. Place and time of meeting will have to be arranged via wire. At the danger of being called a sentimentalist, I am glad to be back on English soil soon.
How is W faring? Has he been able to look after the cottage from time to time? Am looking forward to seeing my biographer as well. Been too long, but at least the mission was successful.
SH
He wondered what Holmes was doing. It had been near to two years now, since he last had seen him. He wondered if Holmes knew about his condition, and if he cared if he did know.
He could not see Mycroft Holmes sending him these information. Surely the older of the brothers would see news like this as unnecessary distraction.
A wry smile touched his lips.
Would they meet again in this world? It seemed so unlikely. He had already survived this longer than he had anticipated.
How long could he go on?
His mind provided him with the answer.
As long as necessary. As long as possible.
They had promised each other to still be there when the mission was over. Always the soldier, he honoured that oath and lived to the best of his abilities.
S.
Contact me first.
The doctor is busy with other matters at the moment. I will fill you in when you have returned to England. Sadly, he hasn't been able to look after the cottage in the past months. I have seen to it that it is kept in good condition.
MH
There was no cure for what ailed him.
tbc