It was six pm when Mycroft looked at his watch.
One hour left before he'll have to go.
He took a deep breath, but just as he did, there was a knock on his door.
"Mr. Holmes?" asked Anthea before entering.
"Yes, come in."
She entered quietly.
"Sir, there's someone here for you. Her name is Emma Carlton. She works in America, but she visits England annually, and she made a deal with someone that volunteers someone that works for the British government here to host her for her visit, or something like that."
"A deal? A deal with whom, if I may know?"
She looked at him meaningfully.
"That sort of deal has to be done with someone very powerful and influencing. Who do you think has enough power to do that?"
Mycroft sighed.
"And what does this have to do with me?"
"Well, it's your turn to host her."
"Alright, send her in."
Anthea left, and seconds after another woman entered, one Mycroft had never seen before.
He got up and shook her hand. She smiled lightly. He gestured towards the chair in front of him, and she sat on it. He sat back on his large chair.
"I like that assistance of yours. She's nice. Regardless to the fact she described me as if I'm some sort of bacteria that's going to make you sick."
Her accent was American, but there were clear hints to a northern accent as well.
"Then how about you'll introduce yourself in a more proper way?"
"Seems fair. Alright then, my name is Emma, as you already know. I work for the American government, which is also why I live there. But I was born and raised in England, so I make sure to pay a visit every year. But since I don't have any family here, and staying alone at a hotel is simply boring, I made an arrangement – every year, someone else that works for the British government will be my 'host', and in return, I'll make sure America works in a way that'll support Britain's interests."
It did sound better when she explained it.
"Can I ask you something?" she asked after a moment of silence.
"Go ahead."
"When I was here last year, there was someone else occupying this office. A woman, I think. What happened to her?"
Mycroft's expression became serious.
"Car crash."
The code to – killed under work circumstances.
"Oh."
They were both quiet again.
"So, what am I to do as your… 'host'?"
She giggled.
"Well, my annual victim usually introduces me to his friends and family, helps me to get to know interesting people and mostly keeps me from being bored."
Mycroft laughed.
"Luckily to you, I was invited to dinner tonight. I'm not so sure you'd like to join me, though."
"And why is that?"
"My brother is a bit… unusual, you may say."
"Unusual is good. Unusual means interesting."
He laughed again.
"Well, I can guarantee one thing."
"What is it?"
"This will be the most unique dinner you'll ever have."
"Challenge accepted."
Mycroft looked at her thoughtfully.
"What?"
"You're a rather regular woman. What made you work in such a job, in a different country?"
"Guess I'm not that regular."
Mycroft opened his mouth in order to expose everything he has managed to deduce about her, but then he thought of the dinner expecting them and he closed his mouth.
She's going to hear enough deductions for a week in 35 minutes.
