"Eliza you cannot tell anybody what you have seen here tonight, the lives of my friends may depend on it."
"I've got no one to tell Mr. Holmes."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Eliza Oak was an unusual lady.
She was intellectually advanced at an early age, with an extraordinary potential that was undetected. So she grew up seemingly average, but with an observant and deeply philosophical mind. Like most Americans she was always focused on the newest thing, but with a flair for books, movies, coffee and tea. Always a patient girl but she thirst for a thrill only her own writing, drawing and mysteries could quench. She had no idea however how dangerous this hunger would become when she decided to start fresh in London...
*****Flash forward*******
The grey London sky mercilessly poured water on its inhabitants. If one were across from the airport at 2 AM they would have seen a curious woman trying desperately to hail a cab and escape the onslaught of rain. The tourist stood out, having two suitcases and numerous bags straddled on her arms and having, despite her best efforts, a certain awe on her face that one could compare to seeing a shooting star. Eliza had always dreamed of living in Europe since she could remember, before even arriving she had already found a job co-managing The Tea Cozy. She would operate the small tea and coffee shop with a co-manager. That is, if she could hail a cab and escape the watery bullets cascading from above. Finally snatching a cab she hurriedly stuffed her luggage in, bustling about in her clumsy way. Ducking inside the cabbie asked "Where to?" in his usual grim fashion and she cheerily replied "103 Cleveland Street!" and the cab rushed away.
She then exited the cab and fumbled with the keys until she ducked inside. She immediately noticed the what would soon be familiar smell of spices, boiling water and espresso. The currently closed café was a patchwork of worn leather couches, rugs and assorted wooden furniture with a struggling sage and chocolate color scheme. Looking about she soon noticed her co-manager had left a note on the long wooden counter expressing his greetings and explaining that he would only check in regularly, not work directly with her. This was good news for Eliza, not having much money this would give her the opportunity to essentially live in the shop. Stifling a yawn she removed her jacket and tucked her luggage behind the spacious counter. "I'll only rest for a moment..." She thought as she collapsed on a sofa, soon engulfed in a wave of sleep.
BANG! BANG-BANG!
Eliza awoke violently to the sound of gunshots. She scrambled about the room, and produced a knife from the kitchen. With 911 a button away, and knife in hand, she crept upstairs to the flat she was informed of. Heart pounding, she reached the door of the flat and it swung open, revealing a small, drab room containing only a neat desk, cot, lamp and an armchair facing one of the heavily curtained windows. She observed all of this in only a few moments and then shakily called out "I-i know you're here! I also realize that you were only shooting at the wall, for some bizarre reason, and I know you are behind the door!" A pale, male hand appeared from behind the door in a non-threatening stance and an equally mysterious, British voice soothed "I'm dropping my gun now." She heard the clang of the gun on the wooden floor when the man suddenly whirled around the door, gun in hand, and in one swift movement pinned her hand with the knife against the wall, knocked the phone out of her hand and simultaneously pressed the gun against her temple.
In this position she could clearly see her attacker leaning into her, he was an oddly handsome man with curly ebony hair and a tall, slender physique. His pale skin practically glowed in the moonlight, revealing a stunning facial structure. She fearfully met his green-blue eyes as they examined her body and he menacingly whispered "Who are you?"
Eliza gulped, but being completely innocent in this situation she replied honestly; "Eliza Oak, the new co-manager of The Tea cozy.. I-i heard the gunshots and came to make sure everything was-"
"It's obvious WHY you came ." He said irritably, slightly shaking his head downward, but then he tilted his head and searched her eyes with curiosity "But how did you deduce I was behind the door?"
She stared steadily into his eyes and hissed with new-found courage "I will tell you if you let me go." With that he stared at her for a few more moments and then lowered the gun and stepped back a bit, towards the door. Eliza pulled her wrist free and rubbed it in an exasperated fashion as she explained "The bullet holes in the wall show the direction of entry and since the windows are all firmly shut, for what looks like at least a week, you couldn't have left the room. That along with the little furniture depicting few hiding spots and the shadows of your feet from the lamp to the left clearly showed your position." She then snatched up her phone and growled "Now give me a reason Mr.."
"Holmes, Sherlock Holmes"
"Give me a reason, Mr. Holmes, why I shouldn't call the cops right now!"
Sherlock gave a sigh and then took a step towards Eliza, tentatively lowering her arm with the phone and then studying her eyes as he whispered;
"Eliza you cannot tell anybody what you have seen here tonight, the lives of my friends may depend on it."
"I've got no one to tell Mr. Holmes." Eliza replied honestly, a deep empathy making her look away sadly.
Eliza then lowered her arms and Sherlock did the same in an eerie neutrality. She then looked him in the eye and slowly stuck out her hand. Sherlock shook it and they both smiled in a very nervous way before returning to their respective places. As Eliza laid back down on the couch she couldn't help but wonder if Sherlock would come down for coffee later that morning.