The Trails of Saints and Sinners
She was green, fresh almost to the extreme. Not yet set in her ways and he of course understood how pliable she could be to someone as enthralling as he was. Easily bent to suit his needs. How simple it be to persuade her to brake the rules with a well phrased suggestion, or perfectly timed smile.
Frowning, he watched her at the cafe counter order a simple coffee with nonfat milk and a single pump of caramel. Watched as the distracted barista screwed it up on both the milk and the use of the wrong flavour of syrup. Studied her, as she grimaced as she silently excepted it anyways even though she knew it was wrong with a gentle smile and a 'thank you'. Because it wouldn't be the thing to do to complain or assert herself.
As she passed he spoke. "Miss Hooper, do have a seat." He spoke in an easy, yet commanding tone.
Predictably the young woman turned, sloshing some of her coffee over her hand as she spun round on her heel to figure who had called her.
And just as predictably, she bit her lip and creased her brow as she considered him.
"I'm sorry, how do you know my name?" The young woman, Molly asked alarm beginning to go into paranoia.
"Sit and I shall explain." The well dressed man intoned, looking off to the side, more from boredom then of the paranoia she would expect if this was a kidnapping.
She sat, not particularly understanding why she had done so. Staring at the man across from her she took in his clothes, his meticulous care given to his appearance and his habits. It was her training, and a new habit that she had been practicing. Details mattered after all. They told you want a person wouldn't, or in her profession...couldn't. Her observations led her to believe that the man who had stopped her was important. Someone she'd do well not to cross. The man finally spoke; She was correct after all.
"Miss Hooper, it has come to my attention that you have allowed a man without permission from hospital administration free access to equipment, records and... Body parts through your position as a specialist registrar in the morgue at St Bart's. Do you deny this?"
Molly Hooper blanched. All color draining from her. Whomever this man was, what ever official title he held, it was enough she was sure to ruin her. Shatter her reputation. What good would fighting it do? She allowed her head to drop. Not denying the claim.
"I need to know what information you have about this man, what actions you have taken for him and the extent of your relationship with him. Personal and professional, Miss Hooper. "
She looked up and her cheeks heated with color. "Why do you need to know about him? Is he in some sort of trouble?" She asked, worry crossing each of her features.
"If I were you Miss Hooper, I'd be worried about my own affairs at the moment."
"But is he in trouble?" She demanded.
"Not...presently." The official allowed, watching as his guest relaxed; all be it slightly. "But we have reason to believe that he is never too far away from it."
She nodded once. Appeased a bit more.
"Now will you please tell me how you came to know and aid Sherlock Holmes?"
"Oh. He...well we... I suppose I..."
"Do hurry Ms Hooper. I have not got all day for you to make up a story so let's just hear the truth shall we."
"Right. I first met him 6 months ago during my final rotation at St Bart's. He came in during a routine autopsy along with a man who carried Id as a detective Inspector. LeGrant or something another. I can't recall honestly. The man, came over and deduced, as he called it that the man had been moved from the river front and into the park based on some fine grains of sand he'd spotted on the victims fingers. He helped solve the case in a matter of moments. It was fascinating. I asked him to show me how he had come to that conclusion and he gave me some general tips to be able to deduce what you can learn from a person based on their grooming habits.
We've come to an arrangement where he is to give me more training in exchange for my assistance and access to the lab. But before you think I am lack of the rules you should know that's he is an enrolled doctorate student. Therefore, he does have full right and access to the equipment and donated cadavers that we possess. " She finished strong, with her back straighter.
"A student you say? Under whose tutelage is he currently under? What program is he in? Which days does he attend lectures and whom does he work with?"
Valid, reasonable questions. Ones that Molly had no answer for. "I... don't exactly keep tabs on where he is or is not."
"Who does he work with?"
"No one. He's definitely a loner. I've seen him banter some with Mike, my co-worker Mike Stamford, but there's nothing extraordinary about their conversations. He seems to prefer... Me." The young woman flushed a bit at the implication.
"Meaning you let him smile and charm you into getting whatever he wants. "The man gave a macabre impression of a smile. "And just how far does his... Preference toward you extend Ms. Hooper? Are you two in an intimate relationship as well? Just how many liberties do you allow-" he was cut off by Molly's hand slapping the worlds out of his mouth. She glowed nearly a fluorescent red with embarrassment and indignation.
"That's ... Oh. God. I shouldn't have slapped you. " She paled. The man pulled a pristine white handkerchief from his inside breast pocket, dabbing at the small drop of blood from his newly split lip. "I'm sorry, I..."
"It seems I have touched a nerve. Forgive me Miss. Hooper." He said after placing the cloth down. They sat still glowering at one another till the man spoke once more. "I am going to need you to keep me informed of the mans movements."
"Why the hell would I do that?" Molly snapped.
"He is a potentially dangerous man. I need to keep him as reigned in as possible."
"You think I could reign him in?" Was her skeptical reply.
"I think you could keep me aware of his current interests. His...obsessions along with his general well being."
"And why would if want to do that?"
"I am prepared to make your way in the world easier Ms. Hooper."
"You mean you'll pay me to spy." She spat.
"If you require financial support I'd gladly supply it."
"I'm not going to be anyone's spy. Goodbye." She stood to leave and once more he gripped her wrist and sat her down.
"I can ensure that you remain above reproach from whatever your involvement is with Mr. Holmes."
"You want me to trap him?" She turned her hand out of his grip. "No."
"We will not interfere, unless it become necessary to do so. What I need to have someone he is close to to keep me in the know on his activities and his general condition. I think you maybe one of his closer acquaintances and I should like very much for you too keep me current."
The small woman considered him with the tilt of her head. "You love him."
The man rolled his eyes. "I will admit that I... Have an attachment to him. He does somehow manage to endear himself for all of his numerous faults."
"Love." Molly insisted.
"Ms. Hooper caring is disadvantage and love-"
"Is a chemical defect. Am I right, Mr. Holmes?" A wry smile danced across her lips.
The man considered the woman closer. She was clever, he'd give her that. "Ah. I see he's mentioned me."
"Are we quite finished now?"
A semi-deflated Mycroft Holmes nodded without making eye contact. Standing, with her coffee cup in hand Molly walked away, when she got to the door of the café she rounded back. "I will take your offer for the protection on my career and name though, to be clear. Only God himself knows what I'd do if that brother of yours asked me too."
"Consider it done. I'll be in touch. Here's my card for when you feel you need to contact me. Please do not hesitate to do so." Standing himself he handed her his card. A simple black and white affair that held only name and number along with an email.
With a half a smile and nod. Molly walked away and out the door. seconds after Sherlock Holmes himself took her place. "Well?"
"She passed." Mycroft answered.
"I never doubted she would."
"Yes, clearly. That's why you followed her today."
"I followed her for your safety. As your lip proves that she has a degree of spunk in her. Would have to, of course, to deal with corpses."
"That's not all she has." Mycroft smugly teased.
"Oh?"
"Molly Hooper has a crush on you, brother dear."
"It will pass. Give it a month or so and she'll see reason and move on." Sherlock dismissed the notion, with adverted eyes and a wave of his hand. Mycroft, doubted that, but felt no desire to press the issue. "You are getting predictable with these little interviews though Mycroft." Sherlock said, leaning back slouched in a more relaxed, casual manner.
"Oh?"
"Your tactic of choice lacks your usual panache. You stick out in a coffee shop like this like a preening French Poodle who's got himself mixed among the daily catch at the pond. Clearly you don't belong here."
"That's the plot line of a child's movie isn't it? Reliving your youth Sherlock?" He snapped.
"Case" Waved Sherlock. "But, you will still help Molly out financially won't you?"
"I'll have a fund established for her. Just as we have for all of your other favorite irregulars. You are making yourself quiet harem, Sherlock. Although I think this one dresses just like one of your homeless network."
"Fashion is not Molly Hooper's strength, but her skill in the lap and morgue are unparalleled." Sherlock noted. "And that covers a multitude of sins."
"Like the fact that underneath the ill fitting, uncoordinated clothing there is a beautiful woman?"
"Mycroft..."
"Woman are a distraction, Sherlock. One that will destroy you if you let them. Take care with her is all I'm saying. Molly Hooper could be very dangerous to you." Mycroft stood and headed out the door leaving his brother sitting at the table.
Sherlock remained where he sat, a serious look on his face. He would be wise to heed his brothers words. Molly Hooper could be quite a danger if he let her be.
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