Roses Have Thorns- Chapter 2-Cat after Mouse

I threw the door to 221b open and laughed heartily.

I didn't expect to see Watson there though. He had been leaning against the windowsill looking out but when I burst in he turned to see me.

I abruptly stopped laughing.

"Wh-What are you doing Holmes?"

"Well the question is what are you doing here? This is my apartment after all."

"Stop trying to be wise," He said while giving me one of his famous stares, "I came by to check on you and see if you were doing that case."

While he said this I had moved over toward the fireplace and picked up my pipe. Lighting it I took a drag then turned back towards Watson, breaking the smoke out.

"Solved."

"The Culprit?"

"Found."

Watson paused as if for me to fill in the blank. "...And...?"

"You know Watson, why do you ask me all these questions? It is my business since you left."

"Yes but as a friend I want to make sure your not going off on some tangent that involves my dog or -"

"Our," I corrected him.

"My. Dog. I'm taking it with me"

I coughed on the smoke. This was expected but I didn't think he was going to take it so early on. "But what will I do for experiments?"

"Uh. Get a rat or something?"

"But a rat just isn't substantial enough. You should know Watson. You are a doctor."

"Stop trying to get me off subject. What happened to the culprit?"

Watson's eyes followed me as I walked across the room and leaned on the windowsill with him.

"I felt generous."

He gave an exaggerated sigh and put his hand up to his face. "Why? Why do you do these things? Did he at least pay you? I mean there was probably no point in even accepting the case if you were letting him get away."

Down the street many people passed by. All were heading somewhere and for most of them I could tell where. But there was one thing on my mind. The Black Rose.

"Are you even listening?"

"Huh?" I was listening, but bothering Watson was just too much fun. "Yeah. Yeah."

He got up and walked across the room. "You need to shape up. Money doesn't grow on trees -" His voice mumbled off as he walked into my room.

"Gugh! HOLMES!"

I barely heard him as I leaned in more closely to the window. A man stood right below on the street. His head was down but I recognized him all the more.

Black Rose.

Just standing there. Top hat turned down so I couldn't see his face from this view.

Same clothes and everything else.

Why is he standing there? What does he get out of it? Some sick pleasure torturing me?

He moved a hand and grabbed his hat then made a swift movement along the rim of the hat to the side like he was going to take it off.

I leaned in closer, intently watching.

He quickly moved his hand back to the front rim and gave it a tip then began walking to the left.

A firm hand landed on my shoulder.

"Your room is in utter discord. If I didn't know better I-"

I had to get him.

Frantically I pushed Watson aside and gunned it for the door. My colleague's yelling could be heard behind me but it slowly died out as I ran down the stairs and out the door almost knocking over Mrs. Hudson as I did so.

The tray that held a few cups of tea, probably for us, was knocked out of her hand and smashed on the floor but she was able to retain stability.

The street was a little less crowded than it was before but I could still see the top hat of the person who had been standing across the street moments earlier.

He walked slowly and wobbly and along with the crowd.

My heart sank. It wasn't him.

The appearance was correct with the same figure and outfit but the height was only slightly off by a few inches.

There was no point in losing him though. Maybe he knew the person.

By now I had caught up to the impersonator.

I tapped the man on the shoulder then quickly took off his hat.

It was a young kid, maybe 14 at the least. But he was tall and lanky just like Black Rose. A look of nervousness and fear shadowed his face.

"P-please," he stuttered, "He only p-payed me to do this." He held out a handful of shillings that were shaking in his hand.

"You don't know him."

"n-no...," the kid sputtered out.

"Not even what he looks like?"

The kid slowly looked toward the floor and shook his head.

How didn't know anything. How disappointing.

I gave a nod and I gave the kid a reassuring shake on the shoulder. It was the most I could do for scaring him. "It would probably be best to not associate with him anymore."

The boy, on verge of tears from the stress, nodded and then took off.

I should have known better.

But adrenaline got the better of me.

I slowly turned back.

But my thoughts were only on Black Rose and the challenge he offered.

The challenge to find him.

The cat after the mouse.

So hands in pockets and pipe in mouth and headed back toward 221b only putting off the thought for only a moment to think of the problem ahead.

Watson.


A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long. I promise the next chapter shall be up quicker.

Ugh. I see why Doyle wrote the Sherlock Holmes stories in Watson's perspective. Holmes just thinks too much!!!

If anyone has any tips please tell me.

Oh and there is one more thing.

THANKS TO ALL MY WATCHERS!!! Oh my gosh. If you like it right now, your going to love the upcoming chapters. I have never gotten this much feedback on one story. Please give me just as much reviews on this chapter!