Prompt: Protection
By: Domina Temporis
The idea for this was inspired by I'm Nova's 28th December prompt from last year. So kudos to her! Enjoy!
He growled at the man in front of him, who was currently trembling violently and whimpering. Vincent Howles just looked a pathetic man. Snivelling, crying, and shaking? His colleagues… they'd all laugh at him!
What about his boss? Howles had to suppress an especially strong shudder at the very thought of having to explain his defeat.
Sure, he could usually just get by the boss. Pathetic little coward he may be, but he was no idiot. Well, usually. He was an entrusted criminal, never usually bungling up robberies that he committed. He could not stand the sight, smell or thought of human blood- he didn't understand how others could- but he knew how to mug someone expertly, could conduct a robbery at the Bank of England at the busiest time of the day, and if necessary, even swipe the crown off Queen Victoria's head! And now here he was, facing an enemy-and had failed to defeat him.
Doctor John Watson was now currently helping their beloved landlady up on her feet.
"Are you alright Mrs Hudson?" He inquired.
"Yes I'm quite alright Doctor." she said impatiently waving him off politely. "If it were not for him, I could well have ended up worse you know!"
Sherlock Homes just grinned. Then he gave a low whistle.
"Toby, come!"
Toby looked up at his master and grinned, almost, before lifting up his hind leg.
Howles paled. "No, no, nooo" he moaned.
The dog instantly relieved himself-and all over his new trousers too!
Howles decided that now would be a good time to live up to his surname, whilst the detective barked with laughter over the man's misfortune. Watson's fingers could not hide the size of his smile, and even Mrs Hudson was very amused by the situation.
Soon enough, Holmes sprinted to Scotland Yard to fetch Inspector Lestrade, so that Howles' arrest could be made. Watson and Toby were left to guard him.
Fifteen minutes later Holmes, along with Lestrade, returned to Regent's Park- just in time to find a snarling, vicious looking Toby being restrained by Watson.
"Holmes! Lestrade! Thank goodness. Toby's been trying to tear the man's hand off!"
"Never mind, old man. He would have deserved it, for striking down an innocent woman and for attempting to rob her as well."
Lestrade hauled him up his feet and fixed on a pair of handcuffs.
As he did so, he noticed a wet patch on Howles' trousers.
"Whatever in the world happened Mr Holmes?" he asked. He looked absolutely baffled.
"Toby," The sleuth answered. He bent down and patted the dog's head affectionately. He attacked Howles; who had struck down Mrs Hudson and attempted to rob her. So, good old Toby decided to teach him a lesson.
"Well." The inspector remarked. "This sounds like the sort of thing that you would have done, Mr Holmes."
"I agree, Inspector." He said, before glaring at the man with daggers.
"Right, you're coming with me." And with that, he strode off, towing Howles behind him, but not before praising Toby for catching a dangerous criminal, and also spoke to Mrs Hudson, for he hoped she would recover from her ordeal soon.
Holmes thanked as he left, and proposed to the others that they should return to Baker Street for tea. They agreed.
However, he bent down to speak to Toby,
"Well done Toby. You are undoubtedly the bravest and most loyal friend I ever have."
"And what am I then? Last week's liver?" Demanded Watson. Unfortunately, he had overheard Holmes.
The sleuth only huffed. "Fine then, the bravest and most loyal non- human friend I ever have. Are you happy now, Watson?"
"Yes, Holmes I certainly am." And the good doctor strolled in the direction of 221B, arm in arm with Mrs Hudson.
Once more, the detective turned his attention to his loyal canine friend. He reached out and stroked Toby's back gently. The hound enjoyed moments of such affection
They remained like this for a while, until Holmes stood up, and called on Toby to come.
Later that evening, Toby enjoyed himself immensely. Mrs Hudson gave him a treat, which was a bit of steak, and Holmes, who had opted for bacon instead, accidently dropped bits of bacon on the floor under the table. The dog gobbled up everything gleefully.
Later, he felt full, so he jumped on the couch and quickly fell asleep. Mrs Hudson looked at him fondly.
"You know Mr Holmes; to begin with, I had never approved on having the dog here. But now, Toby's one of the family."
Holmes and Watson were quick to agree.
And from a small opening in the wall, someone else was quick to agree.