{I'm glad that the revision makes more sense to you guys! I really wasn't happy with how the previous draft panned out, so I'm glad that people enjoyed it.
This is just a bit of a bridge chapter, but it should help to explain what's going on. Again, thanks for your support!
Also, I HATE FANFICTION . NET FOR MAKING ME REMOVE THEIR EMAIL ADDRESSES. UGHSDJFLSDJFLSKGVLDFKG. I ACTUALLY RESEARCHED MYCROFT'S. BLAGH.}
FROM: Mycroft Holmes
SUBJECT: FW: FW: FW: FW: FW: FW:
TO: Hampshire Police Postmaster
December 3rd, 2011, 2:32 PM
See attached.
- MH
This e-mail and any attachments are intended for those to whom it is addressed and may be confidential. If you have received them in error please notify the sender immediately and delete the e-mail and attachments from your computer. Unless you are the intended recipient, you are not authorised to and must not read, copy, distribute, use or retain this message or any part of it.
Do not reply to this email. This inbox is not monitored on a regular basis. Replies to this email will not be read or responded to.
November 5th
Mr. Holmes,
I'm an unemployed governess that has finally been offered a high-end job... as long as I cut off eight inches of my hair and follow some strange requests. I've sent you an email.
- VH
FROM: Violet Hunter
SUBJECT: Odd demands, need your help
TO: Sherlock Holmes
November 5th, 2011, 9:32 PM
Dear Mr. Holmes,
I don't want to bore you, but I really need your advice about a bizarre job offer that I got today. My friend told me that nothing got by you when you were working on his case (you've referenced it as 'The Missing Jars' on your website), and I hope that you can look into mine.
I've been a governess for three years and, since my old boss moved to Canada, I've been in debt. My jobseeker's allowance has completely expired and, as you'd expect, I'm a bit desperate. Today, I went to Westaway's Agency to meet a potential employer, and the man tried to hire me literally as soon as I walked into the room.
At first, I figured that he was a pervert. Only an idiot would miss how his face lit up and how he practically jumped out of his chair when he saw me. He told me that I was absolutely perfect, and that he couldn't ask for anyone better. I hadn't said a word! His name was Mr. Rucastle. I figured that the whole thing was pretty open and shut, until he went into the conditions of the job at his place in Hampshire- and my salary, which would completely take me out of debt, twice over.
But this was what I found strange (save for his enthusiasm), and this is what I hoped that you could shed some light on: he wants me to wear his daughter's dress sometimes, to sit in specific places when they tell me to, to follow any odd whims that his wife might have, and to crop my hair just beneath my ears. Think of it as vanity if you want, but I have long, naturally chestnut hair, and there was definitely something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. He tried to convince me, but I said no.
But then I went back home and gave it some thought. After I turned him down, Westaway's Agency put me on the lowest tier of their priority list and I'm completely broke. On top of that, I got an email from Mr. Rucastle. He offered an even higher salary for my troubles, some in advance, and I've half a mind to cut off my hair and take his offer.
I've considered two different possibilities on my own, and I hope that you can add to them.
One: his wife is mad and she has very specific delusions that he can't cater to.
Two: he's a pervert.
I'd really appreciate your feedback ASAP- I desperately need the money and I probably won't find an offer like this again.
Regards,
Violet Hunter
FROM: Violet Hunter
SUBJECT: Odd demands, need your help - UPDATE
TO: Sherlock Holmes
November 6th, 2011, 11:09 AM
Dear Mr. Holmes,
I've decided to take the job, assuming that his wife is mad and that Mr. Rucastle isn't actually a pervert. I'll keep in touch if I find anything else that you might find interesting.
Regards,
Violet Hunter
FROM: VIOLET HUNTER
SUBJECT: Rucastles, Hampshire, weird stuff going on
TO: SHERLOCK HOLMES
November 24th, 2011, 8:32 PM
Dear Mr. Holmes,
I'm sorry to bother you again, but things are bizarre in Hampshire. Mrs. Rucastle isn't mad- and Mr. Rucastle isn't making any advances on me, thank god. Both of them are reserved, and they live in an enormous, crumbling manor in the middle of nowhere. They have two servants: Mr. Toller, who is constantly wasted, and Mrs. Toller, who is just as silent and pale as Mrs. Rucastle is. Their son Edward, of course, is absolutely disgusting and somewhat spoilt, as many young boys are. And they have this hideous mastiff that they don't feed enough, to 'keep him keen'! They keep him in this tiny shed around the side of the house and let him out at night, probably to hunt rabbits and keep trespassers away. I felt bad for him at first and tried to bring him some food, but he nearly took the door down. Apparently Mr. Toller is the only one that can keep him from acting completely feral. I might call the RSPCA.
They keep asking me to wear their daughter's dress (there are no photos of her in the house- isn't that weird?) and they make me sit by the window in the front room, facing away from the street while I listen to Mr. Rucastle tell jokes. Some of them can be very entertaining, and I've been doing my best to humour them with their 'quirks', but I couldn't help but notice that I couldn't see the street from my spot. So, earlier this evening, I took Edward's digital camera from his room, trained it on the street from another window and left it running. When I got back to it, it had recorded a video of a woman approaching the gate and waiting there, leaning on the railings, smoking cigarettes and staring at the window that I was sitting in. Then she left. She didn't try to ring the bell or call the house or approach beyond the gate.
I've honestly no idea what to make of any of this, and I would appreciate your input. My emails will be really erratic from now on, as I cannot easily access a computer unless I'm at an internet cafe.
Regards,
Violet Hunter
FROM: Violet Hunter
SUBJECT: Please reply as soon as you can!
TO: Sherlock Holmes
November 30th, 2011, 1:41 PM
Dear Mr. Holmes,
I know that this might seem boring to you, but I do really need your help. Since I first saw the woman at the gate, I haven't had a chance to speak to her or to leave any messages for her. I don't know exactly what she's waiting for, and it's incredibly unnerving.
I was wandering through the house yesterday, looking for the small suite of rooms that can only be seen from the right side of the manor- and I finally figured out where the door to that wing had to be. It's in a small, out of the way part of the house and, even though it was locked, I found Mr. Toller's keys on the floor by his room. I couldn't help but sneak in- it felt like I had to, if that even makes sense. It turns out that the whole wing is practically abandoned, and the hallway leads to three doors.
The first and the third doors open into completely empty rooms. The second door is barricaded with an iron bar and some rope- and there was a light on inside. I gathered up the courage to look through the keyhole and somebody was in there!
I screamed and I heard some movement from the second room before I left the hallway as fast as I could- and I ran into Mr. Rucastle on the stairs. He was furious and he said that he'd put the dog on me if I went back in there again- and I swear that he meant it. I wanted to quit right then and there, but I had no idea if they would let me after seeing what I did.
Today, they seemed completely on edge and they sent me into town for the day on my own, with a stern warning to keep out of trouble. I have no idea why they would give me a day off after last night, but I genuinely believe that they have to have somebody kept in there against their will- and it's probably Alice. I don't know if the woman at the gate is connected, but it would make sense.
I really need your help, Mr. Holmes. My mobile doesn't get any signal at the Silver Beeches and I don't know what would happen to me if I called the police and Mr. Rucastle found out. He could move Alice somewhere else, or worse.
Violet Hunter
FROM: Violet Hunter
SUBJECT: Need Your Help
TO: Sherlock Holmes
December 3rd, 2011, 8:26 AM
Found some signal on phne close to house. Plse come or send someone. Mr & Mrs out tonite til 6, dont want them to come while hes around. Mrs tollers still a problem, mr toller drunk, need advice ASAP. need help to break door.
VH
- This message has been sent from a mobile device.
FROM: Sherlock Holmes
SUBJECT: RE: Need Your Help
TO: Violet Hunter
December 3rd, 2011, 1:56 PM
expexct best man betweeen 3 and 5. may need to bring johgn up to speed upon arriuval. lock uop drunks wife `1st.
SH
{I've probably only got two or three more parts until this entire thing is finished, from what I can figure out. Huh. Mycroft was right- he does need to reconfigure that laptop.
Thanks for your patience and your lovely reviews, guys. :D }