I Want a Second Opinion

Greg POV

"Greg Lestrade?" I had just stepped out of Scotland Yard, when a young brunette approached me. She was wearing a skin tight outfit and had a cell phone firmly in hand; her eyes never wavered from the electronic device.

"Yes, who is asking?" I replied a little unsure of what was going on.

"Get in the car sir." Sure enough a sleek black car pulled up next to her. She switched her phone into her other hand and opened the door.

"I'm not getting into that car. Not unless you tell me why." She finally looked up as if in shock, a small smirk playing on her lips.

"My employer would like to speak to you." She simply replied and gestured once again to the car. She must of noticed my hesitation because she smiled, "Don't worry, my employer is quite fond of you." I couldn't see any other way out so reluctantly I climbed into the back seat. The woman closed my door before sliding into the seat behind me.

"I'm Greg." I offered clumsily to break the awkward silence. Her eyes once again were on her phone.

"I know." She replied, not paying me any attention, "You can call me Artemis."

"Interesting name." I commented, trying to start a conversation.

"It's not my real one." She stated and I could tell the rest of the ride would be in silence.

After about a half hour of driving around in circles, the vehicle pulled into an abandoned parking garage. When the car stopped Artemis just gestured for me to get out. Taking a deep breath I opened the door, expecting to be shot, expecting to be kidnapped, held hostage, tortured. I didn't expect to see the elder Holmes standing there leaning on his umbrella.

"Greggory, how's the wife." He asked as way of greeting and I had to frown at his knowing smirk.

"We are no longer on speaking terms." I ground out.

"Well of course, I would never speak to my wife if she got her kicks from another, especially one with such a lowly profession as bartender." he almost looked compassionate, but I must have been mistaken.

"You're married?" I asked instead and he just shot me one of those 'You're a complete idiot,' looks.

"No." he replied, to make sure his message got across. That's when something else clicked.

"And wait she told me she was sleeping with the postman! What do you mean she was with the bartender?" I demanded anger flowing through my brains. Who did this man think he was?

"Let's just say your wife has many lovers, none of which are you." He answered a very smug look on his face.

"Did you really kidnap me just to tell you that I have an unfaithful wife?" It was more of a statement than a question. But the other Holmes replied anyway,

"No, that is not the only reason. I invited you out here to congratulate you on getting promoted to Detective Inspector, and to see if you had considered my offer." He stared me down, his face a mixture of friendly and threatening.

"I told you before it was no! I'm not going to compromise myself so your brother can get his jollies playing detective." I was once again outraged, was this man really that confident or just that thick.

"But you've already been discretely taking his advice. Listening to his mad rambles at crime scenes and using them for your advantage. Why not just give him the credit he deserves. I've also noticed you have stopped arresting him, why stop unless you want to hear what he has to say. In case you haven't noticed, he has begun only showing up to your crime scenes, as well as not becoming intoxicated as often." I had to admire the way the older Holmes explained things, as if he didn't really care about his brother, that all of this would make his life easier, and that's all that mattered.

"Well, you told me to trust the facts and I am." I defended myself.

"So trust my brother, because all he says are facts." He smoothly ordered, and I knew right then and there I would be listening to him later. He handed me a phone number with the initials S.H. next to it.

"Fine. I'll let him on one case. Just one, as a trial, but only one that I have no clue what to do with, so it might be awhile." I agreed, making sure my stipulations were clear.

"Excellent that we finally agree Gregory, glad to have you aboard." With a curt nod the man stood up straight and made his way to a car that had been lurking in the shadows.

"Tell me your first name!" I called after him, "If you don't our deal is off."

"Oh Lestrade," Holmes chuckled, "That is not your call. Until next time." I watched in disbelief as he got into his car and drove away. I climbed back in the car that had brought me here when my phone went off, a text from one of the new recruits, Donvon.

A man was found dead on the London Eye. Looks like murder, but no one knows how.

I rolled my eyes at the text; apparently I would be calling Sherlock a lot sooner than I bargained for.

R&R