CHAPTER 7
I knew I couldn't simply ask around for the BloodHearts. After all, a secret terrorist assassin organisation hidden deep within the sewers of Paris location, wasn't going to be common word on the street. So i had to ask the right people. And I knew just the guy.
"Mycroft" I said cheerily with a nod, falling into step with my older brother. "Sherlock? What on earth are you doing here?" He asked surprised, turning to me. Putting an arm around his shoulder, I kept him walking, "I could ask you the same thing". "I'm here on a political matter if you must know. Now tell me, what has brought you to France?" He asked again and I sighed, "A long, dreary tale, one which you've see and heard many times before. I need information". "Information? This wouldn't happen to be another case your working on would it? Only iv heard that one Sherlock Holmes was out of the mystery business" he replied and I smirked, switching sides with him, "I never said I was done Mycroft, I simply said I was going into temporary retirement". "You've got another mystery haven't you?" He asked sadly. "Maybe. Maybe not. But my dear other Holmes, I shall need the information wether or not I am or are not currently doing this case in the current situation of time as of now" I replied and he sighed dramatically, rubbing his eyes, "I'm not even going to try and understand that Sherly, but I know you don't give up without getting your way so I shall try to give you what you need". "There we are, that's the spirit" I said happily before suddenly becoming serious again and lowering my voice to a whisper, "what do you know about the murders in London?".
He stared at me suspiciously, "nothing. Why?". "I may or may not have stumbled upon some very crucial... facts... I need to find a man", I whispered. "Do you know his name? It's always a very good place to start". "Do be serious will you? I don't have his name". "Address?". "No". "Appearance?". "No". "...Anything?" Mycroft asked surprised and I nodded slowly, "he goes by the name of The Master. Part of a secret organisation. Their leader in fact. Very hush-hush". "The Master you say? Well with a name like that it shouldn't be very hard. I mean it's not exactly very common is it. He mu-". "Do you or do you not have any information?" I asked cutting him of as I stood in front of him, blocking his way. He stared at me for a few moments, looking me up and down, as if searching for something, before replying, "No. I don't... What happened your face by the way? And your walking with a limp aren't you?". "You always were the more observant one. I was always the most energetic... But yes. These particular incidents happened when I went searching for said information. Or rather what they thought I was searching for. And now, I must be off" I replied, before turning abruptly and walking back down the way we came.
"Oh and Sherly?" He called after me, "do try and take care of yourself. It would be rather dreadful if anything happened to you". "No promises" I muttered, disappearing down a side ally. "Pssst. Hey. You" someone hissed and I spun around to find a wether-beaten old man sitting down next to me. "You lookin for the Master I ere?" He asked and I stared at him innocently. He laughed, a deep, throaty laugh, before speaking again, "No point n tryin to hide it boy. I knows who you are. Your that great Sherlock Holmes fella aren't ya? Yea. I thought so's. The names Reginald, but nobody's called me that fore years. You can call me Reggie". I stared in bewilderment at the crazy old man in front of me and he laughed again. "I got some information for ya if ya please" he continued, "but it'll cost ya". "...what kind of information?" I asked.
"Ha. I knew it wouldn't take long. Nah, i got some information bout the Master. But ya gotta keep your voice low. He has people everywhere". "How do I know your not one of those people?" I asked and he grinned a toothless smile, "you are better than they say. Quiet a sharp lad ain't ya? Smart. Good instincts. That'll get ya places. But no, the Masters people... Well there a whole new kind of evil. They don't shoot yea. They only use-". "Knives" I finished for him and he looked at me in surprise, "you've seen them?". "Lets just say iv had a rather... Bumpy... train ride". "And they didn't kill yea?". "They tried". "But ya escaped? Did ya kill em?". "Two of out of four" i replied and he tutted with disappointment, "they all deserve to die. The whole bleemin lot of em". "Information. You said you have information?" I asked, and he grinned again, "oh yes. Lots of information. But as I said, it'll cost ya". "Whats your price?" I asked and before I had a chance to react, he had grabbed my hand, and sliced open my palm in three different places with a knife. Then he let go of my hand, cleaned the blood of the knife and that was it. "...And that was for?" I asked through gritted teeth, ripping a piece of cloth from the inside of my jacket and wrapping it tightly around my blood covered hand. "That was to see if you've got the strength to do this" he replied, suddenly serious. "The strength? To do this case? Iv done many before" I replied, tying the makeshift bandage with my teeth. "Yes. But none up against this strong an opponent. You don't get it do ya? These aren't your average criminals. These guys got power, weapons, people in high places. Their invincible against EVERYBODY" he said, "Except you".