"Evening Ms. Hooper." It was a female's voice. Sherlock looked up to confirm his suspicions. It was Athena. She was standing in front of Molly's office door, holding a thick book on her right hand.
"Oh hey Athena!" Molly said with a surprised yet happy tone. "What's up?"
"I just came by to give you the book. I did say I would bring you the book at my free time." Athena said with a smile as she handed Molly the book. "The library closes at 5:30 on Wednesdays. So I figured I should come by and give it to you."
"Oh thank you." Molly said as she grabbed the book from Athena's hand.
"The Jane Austen books were all checked out, so I tried to find another book that would be similar to them. I brought you Jane Eyre. Have you read it before?"
"Well I've heard of it. Never had the chance to look at it. Is it any good?" Molly said with a smile. She then slightly looked back at Sherlock and saw a wide-eyed expression on his face. She felt very nervous of what he would do. He seemed annoyed.
"Yes, a brilliant piece of work. It has drama, love, a bit of humor and romance. I figured you would like it." Athena said with a smile when she noticed Molly's gaze.
"Well thank you, I will enjoy it." Molly looked back at Athena with a nervous look. She then tried to find a way to ease off her tense feeling. "I heard that there is a movie based on the story."
"Oh yes, I would recommend you to watch it once you finish reading the book. It is a very good one."
"I think I will." Molly smiled nervously. Sherlock was still staring at them with an intense gaze. Molly wondered why he would do that. He usually would just ignore visitors and go back to his work; however, she did remember the incident back at Baker Street. That was really not a good moment for Sherlock. Molly tried to find a way that she could tell Athena to come another time, but she beat her to it.
"Well I will take my leave," Athena said turning aside, "I see that you are busy."
"Oh no…"
"Yes we are very busy as you can see." Sherlock interrupted Molly, "So would you kindly find your way to the door? It would be really appreciated."
"Sherlock!" exclaimed Molly with anger. He did not change his expression or his position. She knew that Sherlock can be rude, but she never thought he would be that rude.
"It's quite alright Ms. Hooper. I was going to leave anyway." Athena said with half a smile while giving a stare to Sherlock.
"I am so sorry Athena. If you want, come by tomorrow when you have free time." Molly said embarrassed.
"I'd love to Ms. Hooper. That is if I am not intruding." Athena said as she turned to look at her.
"No, not at all." Molly said sternly giving Sherlock a serious face.
"Then I will see you tomorrow. Have a good night Ms. Hooper." Athena said slightly bowing her head. She then turned to Sherlock and nodded her head, "Mr. Holmes." Sherlock's gaze followed Athena as she walked towards the doors and left the lab.
"What the in the world was that about?! That was completely rude, even for you!" Molly yelled out wanting a good explanation from him.
"I don't know what you are talking about?" Sherlock responded placing his gaze back to his cultures, trying to ignore the question.
"You know very well what I'm talking about Sherlock Holmes. The way you spoke to her. What did she do to you? She was just doing me a favor and she was about to leave knowing I was busy. You didn't have to explode on her like that."
"Molly please stop exaggerating. I only told her the truth of her observation. We were busy and I needed silence. I don't know why you make a big deal out of it, she seemed fine with it." He said with his eyes still on the microscope.
"That's not the poi…You know what forget it, just forget it. I can never understand you. I really don't know why it bothers you for her being…oh." She said as she turned to look at Sherlock, as if she found him out. "I see…"
Sherlock turned to look at her curiously. "What now Molly?"
"You are envious." She said with a smile.
"What are you babbling about Molly?"
"It all makes sense now. That explains why you said that you were not jealous. You thought I said Athena when I mentioned my niece's name."
"Don't be ridiculous Molly. I didn't say anything of the sort." He said with an annoyed tone.
"Yes you did. You have been acting strange ever since lunch. You feel jealous of Athena because she is smart like you and you feel threatened."
"Don't be stupid Molly. I don't see anything that great about her. Oh yes, finding and giving out books is a very threatening skill."
"Admit it Sherlock, you are jealous."
"I don't feel anything Molly. You know that I do not have emotions, I just think that she is suspicious."
"Suspicious? Come on Sherlock."
"Think of it Molly. She moves to Baker Street and meets all of us and once she does, she deducts you. Does that not sound suspicious to you? What if she is a criminal mastermind?"
"Really? Ok then, explain it to me. How did you figure she might be a criminal mastermind?"
Sherlock hesitated as he responded, "I…I don't know yet, but I will find out."
Molly rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say Sherlock. I think she is a very nice girl."
"Don't be so too sure Molly. I will find her out eventually. By God Molly, you're starting to sound more like John, it's annoying."
"Well I have been hanging out with him as you asked me to when you were gone remember." Molly giggled at his statement as she got back to her desk to finish her paperwork.
"True. Well I'm off Molly. Please text me the injury results on Mr. Cornwallis tomorrow." He said as he put on his coat. "Also, would you please kindly pick up my cultures and place them back to the storage? Thank you. Give Tom my regards." He smiled and winked.
Molly giggled and shook her head as he left the lab. She went and cleaned up all of Sherlock's items and stored them. That man will be the death of me. She thought to herself. She felt a spark of triumph as she remembered Sherlock's expression earlier when she figured him out. Sherlock actually feels jealous, even though he will never admit it, he does feel it. When it came to Irene Adler, it was admiration; when it came to Moriarty, it was a mix of admiration and hatred; however, with Athena, it's jealousy. Molly wondered what could have driven Sherlock to feel jealousy. Whatever it was, it must have been something interesting. Deep in her thoughts, Molly goes back to finish her paperwork.
It is around 7:30 p.m. in the night when Sherlock arrived to Baker Street. As he walked up the stairs, Mrs. Hudson stopped him.
"Hello dear. Coming back from the lab?"
"Yes Mrs. Hudson. A good night it was." He said with a smile.
"Well that's good. So what did you think of the new neighbor?" She asked with a cheerful tone.
"Quite an annoyance." He mumbled under his breath as he rolled his eyes.
"Oh Sherlock now that's not very nice. Luckily, she's not here to hear you say that. She really reminds me of you, I can imagine what she would say about you if she does hear you. Well I will leave you dearie, but do try to get along." She said tapping his arm and going towards her flat.
Sherlock stared up towards Athena's flat. He thought that this was a good opportunity to investigate more about her. He walked upstairs and stopped in front of her door. He picked on the lock and slowly opened the door. As he walked into the flat, he switched the lights on. The flat was decorated in a very sophisticated yet simple way. There two black couches with stools and in the middle of the room was a small wooden table with a laptop lying on top of it. A black tall lamp stood in between them. Black and grey curtains décor the windows and a keyboard piano stands in front of them. A tall half-empty bookshelf stands against the wall, filled with many true crime books. Notes piled up on top of the living room table beside the laptop; probably notes from the books she reads or research she does. He noticed that there are boxes still unopened. He decided to open them up and tried to find anything that can lead to her background. In one box, he mostly found more true crime books and music sheets. She must have not finished putting her books up. In a small box, he found cat toys; he felt curious for he hasn't seen a cat. In boxes with the words Fragile written on them, he found scientific equipment, such as gloves, goggles, dissecting knives, microscope slides, test tubes, pipets, flasks, tube holders, a tong, a test tube rack, a thermometer and a microscope.
"Nothing!" he shouted aloud in annoyance putting his hands on his hair. He couldn't seem to find anything suspicious. As he clenched his teeth, he looked at a door at the end of the flat close to the windows. It was her room door. He walked towards it and opened it. As he turned on the light, to his surprise, a cat jumped out of nowhere and scratched him on the face. He yelled out in pain, and turned around to see a black cat running to the living room. He breathed the pain out, ignored the cat, and kept on with his investigation. He looked around the room and saw that her room was decorated similarly to the living room. Her bed was decorated with black and grey sheets, with a wooden nightstand beside it. The windows had the same curtains from the living room. A wooden wardrobe faced the bed on the other side of the room besides the door. He walked towards the nightstand to investigate. In the first drawer, he found pain pills, cold medicine, tissues, an agenda, a pen, a small flashlight, a book light, and a small magnifying glass. In the second drawer, he found a black plastic binder with golden letters on it that read Calder High School. He opened it to see a diploma from Calder High School.
"Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire. Well, I guess I will have a trip." He said with a smile as he stared at the diploma in triumph. He closed the binder and placed it back to the drawer. He then noticed a black box at the corner of the drawer. With curiosity, he grabbed the box. As he was about to open it, he heard a female voice from behind.
"Find anything you like Mr. Holmes." He turned around and saw Athena standing at the door, holding the black cat in her arms.
"Received an unhappy welcome I see." She said as she noticed small trickles of blood streaming down his left cheek. "Now Beethoven, that is not how we receive our guests. That was very rude." She said while scratching the back of Beethoven's ears, and then turned her gaze back at Sherlock. She slowly lets Beethoven down, her gaze still on Sherlock, and stands placing her hands on her back. "Is there anything that I can help you with Mr. Holmes?"
He cleared his throat trying to hide his embarrassment, but knew that Athena became aware of it when he saw her give a small smirk, and straightened himself. "Not at all. I was just on my way out."
"But I was just enjoying your company." She said sarcastically, and then slowly walked in Sherlock's direction. "First, you act hostile towards me. Now, you break in to my flat and search my belongings. How dull. What are you really looking for Mr. Holmes?"
"Why did you move to Baker Street?" he said looking down at her straight in the eye.
"It is the most affordable place I can find."
"There are other flats in London that have lower rent. Nice try."
"It is closer to the library."
"Not true. There are other flats in walking distance from the library, with lower rent and fancier than this one." He said as he looked down on his phone and then handed it to her so she can see the ads on the screen. "So you better stop with your pretenses and tell me why you are here."
"If you want to figure me out Mr. Holmes, deduct me." She said extending her arms and slowly stepping back so he can have a better look. "I insist."
He stared at her with intensity, trying to find any detail he can use to deduct her. She was of short stature, yet well proportioned. She had long dark wavy hair that flowed perfectly down to her shoulders. She had light hazel brown eyes that glittered when the light hit them, a button nose and smooth lips that were shaped like a bow. Her clothes were simple, cleaned and decent: jeans, a short-sleeved black button shirt and a white vest. The only jewelry she wore was two silver earrings. She did not seem to be wearing makeup, but her face was flawless as a smooth porcelain doll. He saw every detail of her, but he could not find anything that would deduct her. Like Irene, he was appalled that he could not figure her out. He hated not knowing. He shook his head taking the thought out of his mind and tried to focus.
"You are rather good on hiding your tracks. However, I am sure that you would not mind me looking in this box you keep hidden." He said pointing to the black box lying on the bed.
"No by all means go ahead. I have nothing to hide." She said with a slight smile.
"Very well." He said as he grabbed the box and opened it. He found old pictures and a small jewelry box. There was one picture of her and an older woman. Another picture was her and another girl that was about her age. The last picture was of two small children, a boy and a girl. The boy looked about ten and the girl was about five. He opened the jewelry box and found a silver necklace with a swirl pendant and inscriptions all over it. He placed the necklace back on the jewelry box and put it back in the black box, he did the same with the pictures. He then placed the black box on top of the bed.
"Well Mr. Holmes. Anything you would like to say?" she asked with a smile. Sherlock placed his hands behind his back and tried to describe what he discovered.
"The older woman in the picture is probably your grandmother, and the girl is your sister. The boy looks only slightly like you, I would say cousin."
"Impressive, however, a bit wrong." Sherlock looked shocked. "The older woman is indeed my grandmother, and the girl is my cousin. I did not grow up with any siblings. The boy is not my cousin, but a childhood friend."
Sherlock felt as if someone had stabbed him. There is always something I miss! He thought as he pursed his lips and rolled his eyes.
"Oh don't feel so defeated yet. You still haven't said anything about the necklace." Athena said trying to encourage him.
Sherlock gave out a sigh and calmed himself. "A present that is of great importance to you. You don't wear it much for the fear of losing it, so you use it on special occasions. Probably a present from someone very dear to you when you made an accomplishment. Possibly graduation or the time when you got your first job."
"Very good." Athena smiled, "My grandmother gave it to me when I graduated college and got my first job as a secretary in a family business. Didn't last long. I thought it was too boring. I like a job where my brain is used. Also, my boss's wife was very annoying and stupid. Never shut up."
Sherlock nearly gave a smirk, but resisted. He could never show that he found her amusing. Keep your head focused! He thought to himself. He can't let her charms distract him off the matter. He fell for that once with Irene, he won't fall for it this time.
"I will admit you have an impressive talent Mr. Holmes. You are brilliant as people say you are." Athena said as she slowly walked towards him, "I do hope that someday we can be friends." Standing in front of each other, their eyes were locked on each other. They stood still as if they were hypnotized and lost. Athena broke the silence, which made Sherlock jump a bit.
"Well Mr. Holmes, I did enjoy your visit. Would you kindly find your way to the door? I would really appreciate it." Athena said taking a step back to give him space.
Sherlock cleared his throat and was about to leave, but stopped to step closer to Athena giving a threatening stare. "I don't know what your scheme is, but I will find you out sooner or later."
Athena only smiled in response. "Good night Mr. Holmes. Oh and do clean the wound on your cheek. A cat's scratch can be bad for your health if you don't take care of it." Sherlock pursed his lips and left the flat.
He entered his flat and slammed the door with great force. He removed his scarf and coat with annoyance, throwing them randomly. He walked around the flat, his body fidgeting with anger. He hated how she acted so calm and collected; so innocent, then again so does any criminal. He also hated himself for finding her amusing of her sarcasm, on how he found her appearance to be astonishing and how he thought of how clever she can be on hiding her tracks. No! No! She's trying to trick you don't you see! He thought to himself. He can't lose focus now, he has to figure her out; find her secrets. However, he did notice something strange about the way she walked and stared at him when she said she hoped to be friends. Her eyes were focused, intense and familiar. He's seen that look before.
"Tomorrow I will take a trip to West Yorkshire and see what I can find," he sighed trying to calm himself, "and pay a visit to your old childhood home. I will find you out Ms. Tavington." He gave out a wicked smile and sat down searching information on his laptop.