Ch.3
New arrivals
My eyes start to peel open and I see Lyra's face staring back at me. My heart is still thumping wildly from my dream. I must have an alarmed expression on my face because she is looking at me with an uncomfortably tense stare. I squint at her from the light that is invading my eyes.
"We are about to land." She says to me. I scoot back in my seat a little so I am sitting straighter to put my seatbelt on.
" How long have a been asleep?" I ask stretching my arms over my head and try to look normal.
"Since we passed though the UTC-3 time zone, so approximately six hours. Don't worry, you only slightly drooled on your dress." Lyra says with a slight half smirk on her face. She must have noticed my distress if she is attempting to make a joke.
"Did you do ok during the flight?" I ask hoping she didn't harass anyone. I looked at her and I swear I saw I troubled look on her face, if only for a second.
"Fine." She says curtly facing directly forward again.
"Alright, if you say so." I tell her. I know there is something she isn't telling me, she just won't say it.
As the plane started to descend onto the runway, I could see Lyra holding her breath out of the corner of my eye. Poor girl. Completely fearless when facing psychopathic murderers but can't keep her wits about her while inside of an airplane. I don't think I will ever understand her.
Since we were in first class we got to leave the plane first, so getting off the plane went quickly. Lyra already looked better. Her determined, 'I think your all stupid', demeanor was back. That's my Lyra.
We traveled to the Mandeville Hotel rather quickly. The whole ride there, I wanted to yell at the taxi driver to get on the other side of the road. Damn British, they would drive on the left side of the road. I look over at Lyra in the taxi cab. After a moment of her staring out the window she looks at me back.
"Are you ready?" I ask in almost a whisper.
"Never been more ready in my life." She said, staring straight into my eyes. We stay like that for a good ten seconds before a smile slowly spreads across her face. I silently laugh back and shake my head at her.
Once I got us checked into the hotel at the front desk, Lyra nearly ran to our room. I almost missed the elevator she went so fast.
"Has anyone ever told you that patience is a virtue?" I ask in a light mocking tone.
"Yes, you have in fact, the first day I met you." She says next to me.
"That's all? Remind me to say it more often, you could use more repetition. Maybe if I say it enough times you'll be more patient so I don't have to keep telling you." I say while checking the time on my phone. It's 8:43pm. I was going to have to try and convince her to wait until tomorrow to head down to New Scotland Yard.
We exited the elevator when it reached the fourth floor and made our way down to room number 242. Once inside our room I went straight over to one of the beds and plopped down on my stomach, giving out a content sigh. So comfy…
"What are you doing? We don't have time to sit around." Lyra said setting down her bag on the adjacent bed. I turned my head to the side so my voice wouldn't be muffled by the bed.
"Lyra, it's nearly nine O'clock. By the time we get down to Scotland Yard, and they confirm our identities it will be too late to get anything done. Let's just call it a night and go first thing in the morning." I say my eyes already closing.
"How can you always be so lazy? You have an unhealthy addiction to sleep. You already slept for six hours on the plane." She said clearly annoyed.
"First of all there is nothing wrong with sleeping. It's a completely human thing to do." I say as I leaned forward on one arm facing her.
"Here, I'll make you a deal. I'll sleep less, if you sleep more." I said raising one eyebrow at her. She stared at me for a few moments contemplating her options. I knew she was analyzing her decision because her eyes were moving around but not really looking at anything.
"No thanks. Be ready by seven sharp. I'll be back in a while." She says grabbing the room keycard and walking to the door.
"Wait! Where are you going?" I ask sitting up fully.
"I'm going to go to Scotland Yard. I might as well spend the night familiarizing myself with their reports so not all time is wasted." She said giving me a curt nod before walking out. For a moment I was going to follow her, but stopped and glanced at the bed. She would be ok on her own right? I wasn't always there to hold her hand. I took a step back toward the bed, then a step back toward the door.
"Screw it!" I yell, raising my arms in the air and jumping on my bed. She'll be fine.
When I woke up, Lyra was sitting cross-legged on her bed looking at folder's I assumed was the case report.
Like promised, I was ready by seven sharp. I put on a baggy sheer white button up shirt that tucked into my skirt with a white tank top underneath it. My skirt was light grey and white and had strips that zig- zaged across it. I look into my suit case to put on my flats, but pause when I open it.
"God damnit!" I yell. This pulled Lyra out of her thoughts.
"What? What happened?" She asks confused looking around.
"I forgot my flats!" I say while scowling down at my suit case. She just stares at my then rolls her eyes.
"What?! Now all I have are my stilettos. Have you ever tried walking around all day in 4" heels. I don't think so." I say.
"That's because I'm not stupid enough to wear those death traps." Lyra says.
"Well, at least they still kind of match my outfit." I say pulling my shoes on.
"Some times I wonder why I keep you around."
"You would be lost without me." I say smirking at her.
"Highly unlikely." Lyra says standing up to leave.
"Uh-huh." I say following her out the door.
We took the elevator down to the main lobby. Lyra started to take out her phone once we passed the front desk.
"Who are you calling?" I asked confused.
"Detective Lastrade. He is in charge of the investigation." Lyra tells me already punching in the number.
"That still doesn't explain why you're calling him." I reply.
" We have to go the mortuary to inspect the body." She tells me.
"Yes, this is Lyra Carter from last night, would you meet us at the mortuary?...yes….ok, got it." Lyra says on the phone before heading out of the building with me close behind.
The ride to the mortuary is fairly short. When we arrive, a man with salt and pepper hair who looks like he is in his mid-40's and 5'11" is waiting at the entrance of the building. His clothes are professional, but looked tousled and unkept.
"Ah, detective Lastrade, thank you for coming." Lyra says.
"Uh, yea no problem, thank you for coming all the way out here to help with the investigation." The detective said eying me with uncertainty.
"This is my colleague Olivia Dougan. She was…present during the investigation back in the states." Lyra says gesturing towards me. I step forward to shake his hand.
"Very nice to meet you detective. I will help in any way I can." I say giving him a small smile.
"Likewise. Well, if you ladies would just follow me." Lestrade says gesturing for us to follow him. As we walked through the building he turned to us and started to talk.
"Something you should know Detective Carter, since it took you two days to join the investigation, while we were waiting for you, we asked our best consultant to come and assist with the investigation. He has a fabulous track record when helping investigations in the past, and is completely brilliant." He says, but his face doesn't perceive that of praise.
"What is your point detective?" Lyra asks noticing that there is something he has yet to say.
"Well, he can be very difficult to say the least. He doesn't play nice with others so to speak. So, I suppose what I am trying to say, is…try not to punch him." He says. He stopped in front of double doors that said 'Morgue' over the top of them.
I suddenly got very worried. I'm my time working with Lyra, if there is anything that I have learned is that she doesn't handle people she doesn't like well. At all. I could only pray she would be on her best behavior.
Lastrade took a deep breath before opening the door and letting us enter in first. When we stepped inside the first thing I saw was the victim's body laying out on a slab. Then my eyes start lift up to the two men standing behind it. One was rather tall, at least compared to my short height of 5'5". He wore a long black coat with a scarf wrapped around his neck. His hair was tousled and parts of it were falling into his face. The dark color of his hair made hid pale colored skin stand out more. He was looking at us with what looked like a calculating stare. The man next to him looked like he couldn't be over 5'6". He had cropped blonde hair, and wore a light grey sweater over a black button up shirt. He has a round face with bright blue eyes. Eyes, that were staring right back at mine.
LC
"Something you should know Detective Carter, since it took you two days to join the investigation, while we were waiting for you, we asked our best consultant to come and assist with the investigation. He has a fabulous track record when helping investigations in the past, and is completely brilliant." He says, but his face doesn't perceive that of praise.
"What is your point detective?" I asked, wondering why he didn't just tell me the problem he was leading up to.
"Well, he can be very difficult to say the least. He doesn't play nice with others so to speak. So, I suppose what I am trying to say, is…try not to punch him." He says. He stopped in front of double doors that said 'Morgue' over the top of them.
I walked in as soon as Lastrade opened the doors, my eyes automatically found the body. A smile slowly pulled on the corner of my lips as I ignore the two men standing there and start examining the body. My blood was boiling with anger and excitement. I suddenly realized that Olivia was clearing her throat to get my attention. I rolled my eyes, why didn't she just call my name. I turned my attention away from the body, even though it took all my strength no to. I looked at the short man first, he had light blonde hair and was wearing a sweater that Olivia would love. His face gave everything away, he was anxious and with the bags under his eyes, he didn't sleep well last night. His stance was the same as Olive's, so he must be a solider too but he was something else. He was wearing gloves, meaning he was touching the body thus meaning he must be a doctor. I then looked at the taller man, his pale skin and his cheek bones were his dominant feature. The way he looked at me suggested he was somewhat annoyed with me, but was excited as well. Figuring from the stuff I had heard he must be the detective but something caught my eye, he was wearing a blue scarf inside. I twitched with annoyance as they were taking time away from me working.
"You must be the great detective," I flashed a fake smile "Well I'll gladly let you be involved in this case, but this is my case. I don't like questions and I hate to wait for anyone or anything, so I won't slow down for no one."
I turned around back to the body, leaving the man speechless and a mad Olive glaring at my back. I got all I needed from the body. I pulled my hair back and tied it up as I walked past the men towards the door,
"See you around Scarf boy and Sweaters. Come along Olive, I have some work to do." I walked out the door, excited to get to the crime scene. I would not sleep till Artimis's head was on a platter.
"Lyra! Where are you going? I thought you came here to see the body?" Olive asked in between breathes, as she finally caught up with me. I rolled my eyes, people can be so stupid and blind. I walked past Lastrade as he just stood there with confusion. I walked out the door and hailed a cabbie in seconds as I slipped in. I looked out the window and realized Olive asked me a questions.
"The crime scene has all the facts I need to fill in the gaps. Another brunette woman dead with the first name starting with a L and the last name starting with a C. And the cuts in her wrists suggests it was Artimis's handy work. And I don't need Scarf boy and Sweaters, I don't work well with others besides you. I can't afford distractions on this case and people slow me down."
I start rubbing my wrists as it starts to burn from memory. We finally arrived at the crime scene as I pull out a badge that Lastrade gave me. The police gladly pulled the tape back as I dashed to her room. It was perfectly clean besides the smeared blood on the wall. He left that there for me to know it was him, he was a sick freak. I start examining the room and heard Olive talking to someone, I sighed and looked back to see the great detective and his doctor showed up.
"I see you finally made it Scarf boy. And please do stand still Sweaters, I can't hear myself think with your leg twitching." I turned my attention back to the crime sense as I walked closer to the blood. It was mixed in the red dust from his favorite place. I shivered at the memory of his lips against mine, I shook my head and pushed the feeling away. Olive was glaring at me then back towards Scarf boy, he seemed very pissed and tired.
"Lyra, there here to help us. Stop being a child and share the crime scene so we can catch the guy sooner than later." Olive put her hand on her hip, meaning she wasn't asking but giving me an order. I rolled my eyes and walked back towards Olive. I glared at her as cheek bones starts looking around and the doctor followed him like a lost duck. He was taking too long as I started swinging back and forth, wanting to get this over with.
"He took his-" Scarf boy and I talked at the same time. I looked at him as he glared at me.
"His sweet-" We talked at the same time again, he was getting on my nerves
"He took his sweet time on this blood smear." Sherlock spat out before I had the chance. I rolled my eyes he was just trying to be the dominate one.
"He took his sweet time because he knew I would be here. He wanted this to be a gift for me, a 'I'm back', gift. But the way he smeared the blood wasn't just art. He left a message." I held out my hand towards Olive. She sighed and got me a black light and turned off the lights as I held it above the blood, as words appeared.
"How's my wife?" I read the words out softly as I shivered, I stood up and walked away. Olive ran after me of course, she always did. She grabbed my arm and brought me out of my thoughts.
"Hey, let's go out for dinner, get your mind off of Artimis." She gave me a smile, trying to get me to calm down but she knew I didn't eat but offered any ways. I nod my head yes as she smiled and dragged me back and hailed a cab.
It was awkward in the cab, Sweaters and Scarf boy were sitting across from me as Olive invited them along as well. I looked out the window, ignoring Olive's conversation with the doctor. We finally arrived to a small restaurant around the corner from our hotel we were staying at. The host seated us right away, claiming they owed Scarf boy for helping them out. The doctor sats down first and Olive follows and sits right next to him. I glare at her as I sit down next to Scarf boy, who didn't seem too pleased with the seating arrangement.
Dinner was a bore. Olive and Sweaters were in a deep conversation about the army and cheek bones just sat there staring at his water. I sighed as I shifted in my seat as my phone buzzed, I reach into my pocket and pulled my phone out. It was a message from an unknown number. I open it up to see a message from my favorite stalker Did you miss me? –A,I closed my phone and shoved it in my pocket as I felt a head ache coming on. I stood up, as the chair scrapped against the wood flooring as everyone's eyes turned towards me.
"I need to work, and every minute I stay here wasting away precious time on boring food, Artimis gets away. I'll be at the hotel, don't stay out too long Olive." I walked away and flagged down a cabbie within seconds and heading towards the hotel.
I opened the door to our room and sat down in the armchair next to the window. It slowly started to rain as I grabbed some hand cuffs out of my bag and started putting them on and trying to get myself out of them. After what Artimis did, I have figured out ways to escape anything. Feeling over powered and making me feel like an idiot in the room at that time did not suit me well. The sound of the rain echoed in my ears as I slowly felt sleep consume me as I closed my eyes to rest.
OD
"See you around Scarf boy and Sweaters. Come along Olive, I have some work to do." Lyra said before walking out of the room.
"Lyra! Where are you going? I thought you came here to see the body?" I asked in confusion. We only got here like a minute ago. I haven't even had a chance to introduce myself properly to the tall and short men.
"The crime sense has all the facts I need to fill in the gaps. Another brunette woman dead with the first name starting with a L and the last name starting with a C. And the cuts in her wrists suggests it was Artimis's handy work. And I don't need Scarf boy and Sweaters, I don't work well with others besides you. I can't afford distractions on this case and people slow me down." Lyra said with a foul expression. I glared over at her. How does she know they can't be a help to the investigation, she only said a few words to them, and they didn't speak at all. Yep, she was definitely on her period. She was being more irritable than normal.
During the drive to the crime scene, I tried my best to ignore her. She needed to know that she was being totally unreasonable. I wouldn't mind having them around…
Once we arrived, Lyra bounced out of the vehicle and flashed one of the officers a badge she must have gotten from Lestrade. They let us through the tape and Lyra takes off into the house leaving me at the front door. So much energy she has, just like a small child.
I'm about to walk in after her when I notice a taxi pull up on the curb. The two men from earlier step out and start talking to Lestrade who had arrived before Lyra and I. They exchange a few words, then start to walk toward the house, Lestrade leading them in. As Lestrade started getting closer to where I stood he came to a stop.
"Sherlock, John, this is Olivia Dougan. Ms. Dougan, this is consulting detective Sherlock Holmes, and Doctor John Watson." Lestrade says, introducing us to each other. I reach my hand out to Sherlock who gives it a curt sake and tight smile that is obviously forced. Then I turn to the Doctor and shake his hand.
"Nice to meet you." John says giving me a genuine smile. We all start walking into the house when John starts talking to me.
"So, Lestrade tells me you are working with Detective Carter on the case." John says.
"Yes, well more or less. I am a writer who has been following Lyra for several years now. During the last murder, I was shadowing her on cases, when she got the case. Lyra and I had…a close encounter with him before he disappeared." I say looking down at my feet feeling heat creep up to my cheeks. Damn my face, blushing so easily.
"Well, welcome to London, even under the circumstances." The Doctor said giving me a gentle smile.
"Thank you." I say smiling back and him and briefly look back at his face before looking back down to my feet. We had stopped walking because we made it up to the room where the crime scene was. It was then I realized I was standing closer to John then I thought and started to fidget, which made John shift his feet back and forth.
"I see you finally made it Scarf boy. And please do stand still Sweaters, I can't hear myself think with your leg twitching." Said Lyra, from across the room. This pulled everyone's attention towards her. I started to give her a death glare. That girl can be so rude sometimes.
"Lyra, they're here to help us. Stop being a child and share the crime scene so we can catch the guy sooner than later." I say putting my hands on my hips, losing my temper with her. After it gets out I slightly freeze, realizing how I just lashed out. I started to turn red in the cheeks again. DAMNIT FACE!
Lyra shot a glare in my direction and walked over to me. Sherlock then walked over to were blood was smeared on the wall. I noticed Lyra getting all fidgety, and impatient…like always. Then Lyra, not being able to stay quiet, started to talk just as Sherlock spoke.
"He took his-" Lyra and Sherlock both blurted out at the same time. Lyra got a foul look on her face, and Sherlock's didn't much different.
"His sweet-" They both say again. I try my hardest not to start laughing. Nothing like this has ever happened before, at least not while I have been following her around.
"He took his sweet time on this blood smear." Sherlock rushed out in a pompous matter. The resemblance in his and Lyra's indignant tone of voice was just too funny. I doubt either of them realizes it though.
"He took his sweet time because he knew I would be here. He wanted this to be a gift for me, a 'I'm back', gift. But the way he smeared the blood wasn't just art. He left a message." Lyra said, raising her voice ever so slightly so get the attention back onto her. Then she held out her hand in front of me. For a few moments I didn't know what she wanted until I figured it out in my head. I have been with her on crime scenes long enough to figure out there kind of things. I let out an exasperated sigh before asking someone for a black light.
I asked around down stairs to the other officers before I was directed to a detective Anderson. He was skinny and lanky talking to a darker skinned women.
"Umm, excuse me, the others told me you had a black light I could use." I said holding my hands close to my body. The man looked me up and down I little longer than necessary and was about to speak when the woman next to him, cut in before he could get a chance to speak.
"And who are you?" She woman says quite sharply.
"Uh, Olivia Dougan, I work with Detective Carter from America to help with the case." I say trying not to sound too stupid.
"Lestrade never told me there was going to be two of you." The women replied.
"Yes well, it was sort of a last minute decision." I say twiddling with my fingers. The women still looks at me suspiciously but Detective Anderson holds out a black light for me to use. I slowly it take from him while mumbling a quiet thank you before hopping back up the stairs to Lyra.
I quickly handed it to Lyra and switched off the lights in the room. Word's appeared on the wall as Lyra stepped closer to read them.
"How's my wife?" Lyra says reading out loud. The words make my skin crawl. Lyra's voice came out week and she started to get a haunted expression on her face. After a moment, she turning on her heels and started to storm off. I followed quickly after her. I can't imagine how she is feeling right now. I catch up to her and grab her arm to stop her.
"Hey, let's go out for dinner, get your mind off of Artimis." I say in the gentlest voice I can manage. I knew going out to dinner wasn't really going to get her mind off of the case, but I just wanted to get her out of the environment of it. After a moment she nodded her head which make me smile, partly out of relief. I dragged her down, out of the house and called for a cab.
As we waited Sherlock and Doctor Watson were talking to Lestrade a few feet away. I walked over to them slowly.
"Umm, excuse me. Lyra and I were just about to go out to dinner. I was wondering if you two would like to join us." I ask shyly.
"No than-" "We would lo-" Sherlock and the Doctor both started to say. Doctor Watson gave Sherlock a crude glare before continuing.
"That would be lovely." He says flashing me another one of his smiles.
"Oh yay! Uh…I mean…. im glad you are joining us." I say getting all flustered again, rubbing my hand on the back of my head while looking at the ground. I mossy back over to Lyra, more giddy then I was standing with her before.
"I assume they are tagging along then…" Lyra says, not even bothering to hide her annoyance. The giddy feelings I had a moment ago are now gone.
"Look, I know you are not very fond of them, but spending some time with them might be good for you. They don't seem to be going anywhere, so you might as well learn to just deal with it." I say to Lyra, looking straight into her green eyes, making sure she is paying attention.
Once the cab arrives, all four of us cram ourselves inside. Lyra and I sat next to each other, while Sherlock and the Doctor sit across from us. Lyra and Sherlock quickly loose themselves to their own thoughts a couple of minutes into the drive. It was silent for a few minutes until I mustered up the courage so start talking.
"So, Doctor Watson, how-" I start.
"Please, call me John." He says giving me his attention.
"Alright, umm John, how long have you been working with Sherlock?" I ask, blushing when I called him by his first name.
"Oh, for nearly a year now." John says.
"How did the two of you meet? I hope I don't sound rude, but the two of you seem very different." I say glancing at Sherlock out of the corner of my eye before directing myself back to John.
"I had just got back from active duty and was looking for a roommate. I stumbled across Sherlock, and things just went from there. The second day I had met him, he dragged me out on a case Lestrade had just asked for assistance on." He says slightly laughing at what I assume was a memory of the case he was referring to. I stare at him with widened eyes for a moment. He was a soldier. To say the honest truth that thought hadn't even crossed my mind.
"Olivia, are you all right?" John asks look at me with confusion and traces of concern. This snapped me out of my thoughts rather quickly. I could only imagine the stupid face I was making.
"Oh yes,yes quite fine, sorry." I say trying to hide my surprise from moments ago. I bring my hands back up, close to my body and look at my thumbs. Making eye contact would surely just make me more embarrassed then I already was. I think he sensed my discomfort, because he changes the subject.
"So, a mystery writer. How is that going for you?" He asks me, trying to keep the conversation light.
"Oh, good, good. I'm on my fifth book now, although it has been postponed for as long as I stay in London. Can't afford any distraction." I say, quoting Lyra on the last bit.
"It's just not more than a case for detective Carter is it. This is on a personal level for you as well." John says softly. He is probably trying to make sure he doesn't offend me. I pause for a moment. It appears to be a moment too long, because John quickly tries to backtrack.
"I'm sorry, personal question." He says
"No, no! Your quite right. It is personal for me as well. Artimis, he…left a mark on me from our last encounter." I say, internally laughing at the bad pun, putting one of my hands on my abdomen. If John only knew how literal that statement was.
"Don't worry, we'll catch him. Then you can go back to your home in America." He says trying to comfort me.
"I can only hope so." I say back to him and give him a halfhearted smile. It was then that the cab stopped, indicating that we had arrived at our destination.
As we made our way into the restaurant, one of the employees, or maybe it was the owner, directed us to a booth, saying something about Sherlock helping him out in the past. I wasn't exactly listening because John's arm brushed up against mine and thoroughly distracted me from everything else around me. As we approached the booth John gestured for me to get in first and then sat next to me, leaving Sherlock and Lyra to sit across from us, who were not looking too happy about the arrangements. Oh well, their loss.
We ordered our food quickly, or rather John and I did. Both Lyra and Sherlock didn't order. Funny how similar they both are. As we waited for our food to come, John and I started making small talk, and good thing too. If we hadn't, all four of us would just be sitting their uncomfortably in an awkward silence.
"So, Olivia, tell me a little bit about yourself." John starts out, looking at me. It was then that I realized how close our proximity was and this realization made me pause I moment before answering. Jesus, Olive, stop being stupid!
"Oh, well umm, I was born in New York city. I have two older brothers who both have been married for quite a few years now. They both married relatively young. I come from a wealthy family. My father is a lawyer, and my mother is a co-CEO of a boring big shot trading company. You can imagine what our dinners were like growing up. I left home at the young age of 19 to join the Army until I was 26 when I was sent home for medical reasons. Then-"
"You were in the Army?!" John says in surprise.
"Oh, yes. Best sniper in my regiment." I say with pride. Even though I usually don't go out of my way to mention my time in the army, I am always very comfortable talking about it. Our conversation went on along the lines of our experiences as soldiers. John really was quite a remarkable man. I learned that he was sent home when he got shot in the right shoulder. He seemed very brave. Oh, god, really Olive. Could you be any more cheesy, I mentally berated myself.
John was talking about one of his close war buddies, when I notice Lyra get a text message. Once she reads it her eyes go wide for a moment as she draws a lusty breath. She quickly thrusts her phone back into her pocket before abruptly standing up, drawing everyone's attention.
She has a look in her eye that greatly concerns me." I need to work, and every minute I stay here wasting away precious time on boring food, Artimis gets away. I'll be at the hotel, don't stay out too long Olive." She ends glancing at me before storming off.
"Oh no." I say still staring at where I saw her retreating back leave the restraint moments ago.
"She seemed pretty flustered." John says.
"Yes, well of course she is, seeing how Artimis just texted her." Sherlock says for the first time since the crime scene.
"That text was from him?!" I ask Sherlock in alarm.
"Yes, that is unless she has another close friend in London whose first name starts with an A." Sherlock says sarcastically. I start to get more panicked.
"Oh my god, I have to go after her and make sure she gets back ok!" I say already trying to stand up. John quickly slides out of the booth to let me get out.
"Im sorry I have to leave, I'll see you both tomorrow. Have a good night!" I say putting more than enough cash to pay for the meal on the table and head for the door.
Once outside, I hail a cab and race to the hotel. Lyra must be so frightened.