Author´s Note: Always taking my time but it is one of my rules. We move on and John is not going to have it the easy way, nor is Mycroft.
Short words and off to work!
4. Prints on Steel
John has made up his mind. He promised not to drop in the crime scene but he didn´t say anything about visiting Mycroft. It´s true that he feels an urge to hit that man´s face hard but all for the sake of sanity! He picks up the phone and rings.
"Yes?"
"Mycroft?"
"John? I thought you were mad at me"
"And I AM mad at you but something has happened" like it or not, elder Holmes is his best choice.
"You mean the lawyer, I guess"
"That guy put Moriarty free and play as one of his many paws that day, in that play house. I don´t know why don´t you... Hmph. Forget it, just forget it" he controls his fury and breathes deep. "I need to talk to you"
"John, the best thing you can do now is stay away"
"More people are going to die"
"Beg your pardon?"
"There´s a man who just called me and told me that this is far from over"
"Who?"
"The murderer, Mycroft! Aren´t you the smart one? He said that you were also in his list"
"…" the man goes quiet.
"That guy wasn´t bluffing. I´m still mad about you but this involves Sherlock and I can´t just sit down and wait"
"OK. Where shall we meet?"
"In the Dio..."
"No, somewhere quiet, John. We don´t want side victims nor give Anderson something to talk about"
"OK. Let me think... He said something about Kitty Riley"
"Very well. We´ll meet near the Sun offices. And John..."
"Hm?"
"Bring a gun" he hungs and Watson sighs.
SH
Is dark and editorial is about to close. John chuckles to himself. That guy would never try something like that here. Is far too risky. Perhaps he has overreacted after all but then, why did Mycroft ask him to bring a gun? He doesn´t get it.
"John?" says a voice and much to Watson´s surprise, is Lestrade! "What are you doing here?"
"I´m waiting for someone. You?"
"I just got an order from my superiors to be here. The superintendent didn´t like it of course, but I came anyway. And why is it that I strongly think that you´re here against my advice?"
"Greg, you ain´t going to believe this but, after you phoned me... A man called me and asked me if I had enjoyed his work"
"Good God, it was..."
"The murderer. He told me we were far from over and said that many others would follow"
"And one of them is obviously, Kitty Riley"
"I´m not implying that I feel pity for that bitch, I´m just saying that..."
"I know what you mean. Sherlock was not of the friend kind but I would also have strangle that woman"
"Do you believe in her articles?"
"I dunno, John. I feel like a damn penguin in the desert. The message, the lawyer´s death and now this. Now is when you do feel we are playing with the big boys" the inspector grunts. "And if others are going to follow, then we better watch out"
"Aah. Here you are" Mycroft is finally here.
"Took you long"
"I can´t just leave my office, John. You know that. Greg"
"Mycroft"
"So you DO know each other" Watson rises an eyebrow.
"Let´s just say that Sherlock is our common pain. Did the Superintendent give you trouble?"
"Frown deeply. Do you really think that the journalist is in danger?" they walk towards the doors.
"I don´t think, I know it. But first, a few words with her might help. And John, try not to kill her"
"Hu! You are telling me that?" they step inside. The lights do not work. "That´s strange"
"They can´t just turn them out" Greg tries the switches. Mycroft remains quiet and looks around. The murderer knew that John wasn´t going to sit and wait. Perhaps he is with Kitty right now but where? "MY!"
"We were expected" he mumbles.
"What?"
"Our killer is no regular psychopath, is a blood cleaner"
"A what?" John is clueless but Greg has understood. "What does that mean?"
"That Kitty is dead or about to" they look around until John spots a trail of blood drops leading them into the printing room. The machine is on and the three look around. A scream surprises John as Kitty runs into him. Taking by surprise, Greg tries to see the attacker but it is Mycroft who spots the man and runs after him, only to be crashed against the wall. The strange creature is wearing a mirror mask and his voice sounds distorted, like made of thousands of other more voices.
"You´ll be warned, My. Yes, you are. Don´t go after me or the next body you´ll find, will be your brother´s" the elder Holmes face goes white. The blood cleaner chuckles before he stabs Mycroft in the middle. "Welcome to Hell, my pet" he walks away leaving him in the ground. Only seconds later, he´s found by John.
"Mycroft! Mycroft! You arrogant, blasted...!" the doctor presses the wound while Greg calls headquarters. Riley has a mental crisis and My is badly injured. If this goes on, they will have another body soon if the elder Holmes does not die first.
A tough welcome back gift! XD
Poor My!
Things are at stake right now.
Next Clue: The Rose