AN: A 221B, written as a follow-up to "Live."


Written: 11-19-12

Punctual

"Mr. Holmes?"

I peered warily through the door; secretary or not, there were few times he wished audible response to his admittedly odd, if decidedly punctual, schedule. Which was why I was checking on him in the first place, as today's was significantly behind.

I went through the door much faster than I'd intended when I saw him sprawled back in his chair with glazed eyes.

"Mr. Holmes!"

At my voice he started, seeming to snap out of wherever he had been in as I noticed a discarded slip of paper. Curious, I bent to retrieve it…

And was thwarted by his sudden, entirely-too-agile spring – especially for his build – across the room. He swept the paper from beneath my hand, shoved it into an enormous pocket, and stated hastily, "I'm quite all right, Crafton, I just received some rather… startling news." His hand unconsciously twisted in his pocket before he caught himself and nodded an obvious dismissal, then turned absently to the window.

I glanced back once to see him watching a deserted pipe that had been left upon the mantle with such wariness that it was if he expected it to spring from its place and sail out the door at any moment. His brother had left it behind, I recalled…

I departed – it was really none of my business.