Mycroft entered his office and only just resists the urge to slam the door. Why don't I know about this? How has he hidden this from ME?
Mycroft sat fuming for almost half an hour before he decided that he would do something about his lack of data, as Sherlock would call it. He called Anthea through the intercom.
She was in the office before the politician had turned the intercom off. She had her BlackBerry in one hand and notepad in the other.
"What can I do for you, Mr Holmes?"
"Anthea, is the conference room currently being used?"
Anthea swiftly pulled up the room schedule on her mobile device, " Yes, sir. It has been booked from 11 till 1, sir."
Mycroft steepled his fingers and nodded slowly.
"Anthea. Listen carefully. The person in there has a PA which I would like to speak with. Please go and fetch her. Tell her boss she will be back before the end of the meeting."
Anthea nodded and trotted off obediently to get the blonde assistant.
John sighed as he quickly read over the figures on the paper in front of him. Honestly these people need to learn some financial management. I hope they realise the more they spend the more they will be paying me in the end.
John looked up at the 10 faces situated around the dark wooden table. They all looked particularly timid. They obviously realised that their performance was below satisfactory. He had built up quite a reputation for perfection in the financial business. People knew that if John Hamish Watson's name is stamped on a document then quality is practically guaranteed.
He also had a reputation for being very intimidating despite his height. John stood up and walked around the room in silence. Every pair of eyes was watching him. Every government official in the room was waiting with baited breath. He walked toward the large windows and stood staring out at London.
"I would like to congratulate you all. You have now made my top ten list of complete and utter idiots." John's time spent with Sherlock hasn't improved his manners, Lindsey mused." And anyone here who is even an ounce good at maths will be able to tell me how many of you are there in this room."
John turned to face the embarrassed government officials, "Now, Lindsay. Tell me, how many officials are around this table?"
"Ten, sir."
"Well done! Thank you. At least there is somebody in this room with a slight mathematical ability." John sarcastically commented while clapping slowly. "10. So you'd think one of you. Just one. Could count."
The government officials looked awkwardly at each other ashamed of their performance. They had spent over the budget and not by a small amount. They understood why John was furious.
John paced slowly around the table like a lion stalking its prey. He glared at every well suited person at the table each equally responsible for spending his money. The officials were beginning to sweat considerably under John's vigorous gaze.
The doctor turned to face the large windows gazing down at the Thames river. He opened his mouth to speak when there was a neat knock on the door. He called for the visitor to enter without turning around.
He heard the door open almost silently apart from the carpet rubbing against the bottom of the wood. He looked up at the window using the polished glass as a mirror. He watched as Anthea stepped into the room with an air of professionalism about her.
Without turning John greeted the familiar PA, "Anthea, what can I do for you?"
The PA's eyebrows rose as she did not recognise the businessman who had just greeted her by name, not her real one but her name none the less. The doctor smiled as he watched her confused face in the reflection. He turned around in one clean motion to face the bewildered woman.
She studied the man to make sure she was seeing the correct person. John? John Watson? Her confused frown increased.
The man flashed a charming smile at her and she could feel herself blushing. This made him smile even more.
"What was it you were after?"
"Mr Holmes would like to speak with your PA. She should be back before the end of your session." She said quickly resisting the urge to fiddle with a lock of hair.
John sighed and turned away from her again. He shook his head sadly as if he was experiencing great grief and sorrow. Anthea took the opportunity to scan her eyes efficiently over the suited body. She didn't expect John to look so good in a suit. Who knew that he had such a body underneath those jumpers? The expensive suit curved in at all the right places exaggerating his muscles and thin waist.
"I'm not sure I can let you take her." Anthea frowned slightly. People didn't usually say no to Mr Holmes. "You see, Anthea. I am having a talk here with these halfwits about maths and it seems that Lindsey, aside from me, is the only person in here who can count. So you see she is essential to my work?"
Anthea went to speak when John carried on, "Although, I suppose we could manage without her for half an hour. Please ensure that she is back in that time, Anthea. Otherwise, I won't be very happy." Mycroft's PA suddenly understood why the government officials were sweating profusely. John could be incredibly intimidating when he wanted to be.
"Yes, sir." She nodded gracefully.
"Okay then... Lindsey off you pop. Time for you to meet your first Holmes. Good luck." Lindsey swallowed as she saw her boss was actually quite worried about this meeting with Mr Holmes. She lay her note book down gently on the table before rising and moving over to stand by Anthea.
As they left the room Anthea racked her eyes over John's sensational body one more time appreciating the view. John saw what she was doing and gave a mock catwalk spin causing the PA to flush and hurry out of the room.
The two PA's walked in near silence save for the clicks of their heels. The chirping of Lindsey's BlackBerry caused both women to jump. She pulled out the device and smiled slightly as she looked at the sender's ID. It was from John. She could imagine him insulting the clients while sending the message. The insults may seem unprofessional but it worked and afterwards people were genuinely pleased that John had given them the kick up the arse they needed.
He may seem intimidating but just imagine him wearing only is pants ... actually don't. I can't have you being sick and taking time off especially since Sherlock is away for another few days. We must go full steam ahead to sort out meetings and appointments before he returns. So just remember he wet the bed at the age of 16. Only once but still. - Watson
Lindsey giggled until Anthea looked over at her in disapproval. John's personal assistant waited until the woman had turned her back before pulling a face at her. Lindsey followed the woman as they went down corridors that she never usually needed to go down.
The woman slowed as they approached a large wooden door with Mycroft Holmes written on a gold panel beside it Lindsey copied her pace.
Anthea knocked gently on the door while out of the corner of her eye she looked Lindsey up and down. She had to admit, she was slightly jealous that Lindsey got to stare at eye candy all day while she had to look at Mycroft.
A polite voice invited them in. Anthea opened the door and waved the other woman inside whilst giving her a particularly fake smile.
Mycroft greeted Lindsey in his normal display of telling her everything about herself. She looked decidedly unimpressed giving the elder Holmes a bland 'I realised that, sir.'
Mycroft looked back down at her with a similarly unimpressed look. She had a point though. Of course she realised who her parents are, where she grew up and that she worked for a certain John Watson.
Mycroft frowned and silently deduced the woman's life. She looked increasingly unamused to have been taken away from the meeting.
"Excuse me, Mr Holmes. Are you related to Sherlock Holmes, sir?" Lindsey cocked her head to the side.
"Yes, he is my younger brother. Why? Have you met, Sherlock?" Mycroft was determined to find out how John had hidden this so well.
"I was just curious. No, I haven't met Sherlock but my boss talks about him often."
Mycroft watched the woman intently, "Your boss, John Watson?"
"Yes, sir"
"What can you tell me of businessman John Watson?" The PA shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Don't worry, dear. It's all professional. You don't have to tell me anything he wouldn't be happy with me knowing."
This seemed to settle the woman slightly, "His name is John Watson. He owns the Watson Company formally known as the Marswell Company. He is extremely successful in finance, retail and anything else he fancies having a go at. His work in the media has taken off extremely well. Have you ever heard of Mayor Media, sir?" Mycroft nodded in affirmation. Everyone knew of Mayor Media. "Well, he is the company. He despised using his own name for the financial business but everyone insisted. Umm... He is a very good boss and when he isn't chasing criminals he is signing deals, securing meetings and sorting out figures. That's why he finds it useful that Sherlock goes away at least once a month on cases. It's so he has a chance to catch up on meetings. We are currently here talking to some people about their financial management."
The Holmes brushed his fingers over his lips, "How long has he been working like this?"
"Umm... Well, he employed me after he returned from Afghanistan but he had been doing business for a good few years before he left. I think he gave the businesses over to people while he went away but most gave them back after he was invalided home. He needed something to do. Something to take his mind off being home, I suppose."
"You said he was successful. Does that mean he is financially well off?"
"I don't feel comfortable telling you that," Mycroft raised his eyebrows. "But ... I-I do think he is wealthier then you think. Even now after you've heard of his success."
Lindsey glanced down at her watch. She'd been 15 minutes so far. Mycroft nodded but didn't say anything to the woman. The PA sat for a minute or so longer before she started to rise from her seat.
"I have to get back now, sir. My boss can often get carried away."
Mycroft seemed to snap out of a daze and nod in agreement. He walked her to the office door. Just as she was about to stride out Mycroft grabbed her wrist.
"Does Sherlock know anything about John's businesses?"
"No, sir. I'm sure John would appreciate it if it remained that way as well."
Mycroft watched as the PA strode away from his office and back towards the conference room.
"Until next time, dear!" Mycroft called after her.
"Next time?" Her tone made it clear that she disapproved of Mycroft's curiosity.
He sighed, How did I not notice this ... this empire beneath my nose?