Chapter 12 – Stradivarius

...

"John?" called Robin, poking her head into 221b through the doorway. In response there was a weak murmur, a shift in movement, but that was all.

"Is that you John?" called Robin again. This time there was a soft grunt. Sucking in a breath and making sure she had her case and glasses, she went to enter the flat. "I-I'm coming in," she said as she finally entered, observing the flat while she deposited her rucksack in the corner where a small table was.

She gazed around the room, taking it all in. If she wasn't so worried at the moment, she probably would have laughed at the irony and humour of some of the things in the room, especially the black bull skull with the headphones. The flat was a dream, albeit a bit dusty. It was cluttered just in the right way, it was dark, the room glowed with this homely charm, enticing visitors to explore and discover its secrets. This was Robin's first time actually being in the flat but John had described it to her multiple times, so far it lived up to her expectation. Maybe it was just her.

Walking over to John, who sat in 'his' chair staring at a case while resting his head on one arm, Robin gingerly placed her own hand on to his shoulder, rousing him from his thoughts. On the third shake, he finally awoke, jumping a bit. Robin pulled back quickly, flinching away. Quickly John got his bearings back and looked up to meet Robin's gaze, an apologetic expression of his face.

"You made it, t-thanks," he started, visibly relaxing a bit as his shoulders slumped and his face evened out a bit from the worried scowl.

"No problem...happy to help," answered Robin curtly. "Are you okay? You said that there was a break-in, I-I don't see anything moved. What's in the case? Wh-Why where you here anyway?" asked Robin quickly, spilling out her questions.

John chuckled dryly a bit, amused from Robin's out of character questioning.

"W-Well...I've been better, there was a break in, uh…the case was l-left, it contains a violin an-and I was here looking for some old notes I had...some notes he had…"

"Why?"

"I-I thought they would help with the case, reference points. I was just c-cleaning up when I found the violin in his bedroom...Ro-Rob, I don't know what to do," said John, trying to explain the situation to Robin.

"Wait, the violin was left here? Why? Is it special?" she inquired, now focusing on the black leather case that sat in front of John, trying to figure it out.

"It was his...he played it often when he was thinking," mumbled John, heartbroken as he remembered all the late night sonatas and frenzied concertos.

"O-oh…"

Deep down Robin had hoped that John had contacted Mary for this; she'd thought that it would be best for his girlfriend to deal with the emotions. Mary had been a great supporter for John already, pushing him in ways only she could. Mary knew what to do. Robin had thought, maybe, just maybe, if John learnt to move on from her she might have been able to let go too. She forgot that this had become her burden as well, she had promised herself to help him, he had told her his secrets and Robin couldn't blame him. She cared for John now, and the friendship she had was really…really important. He'd made her care, she wanted to help. Mary might not have been able to help, anyway, no matter how much she tried. Well, maybe not practically anyway.

"Wasn't his's things left here anyway? Mycroft was paying the rent, right?" she asked. "Maybe Mrs Hudson was just cleaning and the violin was moved...or maybe you just didn't notice it before..."

"Robin, his violin was buried with him!" exclaimed John suddenly, moving to rub his forehead wearily.

"A-Are you-" started Robin.

"Yes! It's his, I'd know the bloody violin anywhere!" cut off John forcefully, relinquishing any doubt, worry etched on his features again.

Robin's eyes widened, realizing what this meant. Options and reasons ran through her head as she thought of what to do now.

"I-I..Who would take his violin?" whispered John, already deflated.

"M-Mycroft... he could check the CCTV," she suggested, knowing full well that she could do it but still trying to deflect the situation. 'I can't tell him now...' she thought, knowing the timing was bad. 'But if it's needed? What if it's for the best? You could get into the CCTV in seconds,' a second voice asked her, her subconscious voicing its opinion again. 'I know...'

"He's not answering, I've tried," replied John, making Robin curse silently.

"Wh-What if someone's still targeting him!? The media still hate him... no matter what I say. He's a fraud to the public... he said once that M-Moriarty's syndicates are like a web...someone could still..."

Robin knew of Moriarty, she had known long before John told her a few months after meeting originally. He'd filled her in on the stories, insisting that he was real, explaining Richard Brook as well. Gladly she hadn't gotten close enough for Moriarty to notice Quartermaster's activities, or at least link them to her.

She had encountered Moriarty's work long ago but had quickly hid from it, knowing immediately that it was something too dangerous even for her to get mixed up in. Or, at least she hoped she had hid well enough. Recently she had done more research into the man but there were too many firewalls and viruses and without incentive she hadn't wanted to take a chance. She also knew enough about his web, about its power, to know not to mess with it if avoidable. She had to remind herself that he had been extremely dangerous but now with the head gone, the web was in shambles... or at least she hoped so.

At the moment though, she had to put that aside. She had to keep calm so she could help her friend. Looking over to John, Robin bit her lip, not sure of what to do with what she saw. John was in a panic, something that seldom happened, and had gone into a rant.

"What would they want?! He's gone, dead! Moriarty destroyed him, his reputation... Moriarty's gone too. R-revenge can only go so far. But the violin was buried with him, I saw it happen, I placed the bloody instrument there! Oh…oh god the grave's been robbed! But it couldn't have happened; I saw the grave was fine!"

Robin didn't know how to react. She had dealt with a sad, depressed, even an angry army doctor but now... Everyone carried baggage, she had helped John as much as she could but it was becoming risky. Her own emotions had begun to boil, her eyes blurry for a second before she snapped herself out of it. 'Selfish! Stop it Robin! John needs your damned help and you will give it to him, you owe him too much!'

Robin nodded, trying to calm John as he shifted in his seat, clutching the violin violently.

"Jo-John, John, calm down. We have to think this through carefully," she said, calming the doctor as best she could. It wasn't working.

"John, control yourself!" she scolded, hoping it would help is she was a bit more forceful. Though she could empathize with John, she knew how to control her emotions. Sure, she had them just like anyone else, but she had a good grasp on them, a good control. John needed that now.

The doctor nodded, stilling as he pursed his lips in thought.

'What would someone do with the consultant's violin? If they had wished to sell it, it would have been gone long ago. He's dead...his enemies are dead too...I think,' thought Robin along with the kind doctor.

"John, would any of his enemies benefit from taking his violin or ransacking his grave?" she asked.

"No –no, I don't see any reason for them to try. It could be some haters from the media...but even that's a stretch. It's too risky for either party I think..." replied John, huffing tiredly.

"Have you checked the flat for any evidence?" questioned Robin again, gazing around the flat from where she sat, looking for herself.

"Yeah, I searched the place the best I could. Nothing, not even the dust, was disturbed. I can't get a hold of the CCTV because of Mycroft... I have nothing to go on."

"Have you called the Yard? You have friends there,"

"I called Lestrade, he didn't pick up but I left him a message. I don't want to get the rest of the force involved...he's still a sore spot."

Robin leaned forwards, resting her head on her folded arms as she thought. Normally they would call the police right away, but this was a delicate situation and really, nothing had been disturbed. Something had been actually added to the flat. 'The best thing to do would be to get into the CCTV and look back to...what? Last night was it? I-I could do it easily if I set up my laptop. But that would reveal too much...' she thought in rapidly. She mumbled quietly, the flat now silent as both friends thought of what to do.

"I-I'm going to go call Lestrade again, see if he picks up, I need to check that grave," admitted John finally after a long silence. His voice was on edge, a twinge of weariness in it as well; it had been a long day. Robin looked up, meeting his gaze only to look away in shame at what she saw. 'He's so tired...Even in death the detective torments my friend, a shadow ever looming... The least I could do is help him explain what's happening.'

Robin felt ashamed, selfish when it came down to it.

"You go call Lestrade, I…ah…I'll get the CCTV video," responded Robin finally, getting up quickly before John could ask questions or she could change her mind. Internally she resolved herself to just take whatever would happen and just help as best she could.She got her bag and took out her laptop, setting it down on the table along with a port device. It wasn't the best system to use but Robin was a top tier hacker and she had modified most of her devices to suit her needs. The equipment would serve its purpose. She knew she was good enough that the device didn't matter that much. CCTV hacking was extremely simple for her so she worked swiftly, avoiding John the best she could. She knew he was watching her, curious. She didn't have the will to answer any of his questions.

"Phone," she said quickly to remind him of what he needed to do. She was already sat, ready to boot up her programs, ready to work. 'I'll get the information in a minute and...forty-seven seconds...'

Shaking himself, John turned quickly and fetched his phone. He couldn't help but smile a bit, even though there were some serious unanswered questions popping, he couldn't help but feel that at least Robin was acting like herself, her true self. Being her friend, he'd picked up that she was hiding something –he knew the behaviour and he wasn't stupid– he was just glad that she was opening up a bit more. He seemed to attract the strangest of friends.

Robin peeked over to where John was talking on the phone, finally able to get to Lestrade. She glancing at her program half-heartedly as she checked if it was all running smoothly. She'd created an algorithm to hack surveillance years ago, making her work extremely easy and giving her time now to listen in to John's conversation with the DI.

Hiding a bit behind her laptop, she listened as they talked.

She had almost met the DI at the Christmas party last year. It wasn't that she didn't like the man, he seemed pleasant (at least from a distance) but she was the Quartermaster, and she could never be 100% sure where they stood with the Yard. But Lestrade was well known to much of the public these days, so she had at the very least heard of him.

"Yeah...no, look...no, I'm fine," said John into his phone, arguing with Lestrade. "I told you, there was a break in at 221b, nothing was stolen or disturbed but his violin was left...yes, it's the Stradivarius, I know his violin."

"Yea...no! Look, it was buried with him, so the grave...yea...no, it looked fine the last time I visited."

"Meet us there, okay...yeah, us... Robin." The ashen woman perked up at that, fidgety when her name was spoken around her.

"You met her…no?…Yeah…no? I'll see you there, right? In a half-hour, an hour at most. Alright, thanks."

Finally John was finished; apparently they were to meet Lestrade at the cemetery.

"You're going to dig up his grave?" questioned Robin, not looking away from her laptop, her fingers moving swiftly against the keyboard.

"I have to...I have to know what happened."

"Curious?"

"Concerned. And Lestrade has agreed…timidly."

Silence stretched for a moment, Robin furrowing her brows in concentration. She looked back down and checked to feeds...she was on to something. She was just glad she didn't have too much footage to look over.

"Come over here, I've found something," called Robin suddenly, waving for John to come over. He quickly limped over, leaning against the back of her chair while watching the screen and the different windows that were plastered on it. Number ran quickly, reminding him of 'the Matrix,' but Robin quickly swept her hands across the keyboard, bringing up CCTV footage.

"There are the feeds from the security cameras around your flat; there are three that complete a full 360 around the building's general area and a couple more that might fill in some gaps. I've checked the footage for the last 48 hours for any variation or tampering."

John immediately recognized the settings seen in the fuzzy images, watching the black and white people pass the cameras.

"See, most of them are fine but two have been changed recently."

"Two?" asked John.

"Yeah, uh…here, the first one looks like it just moved but I checked it's timing and it doesn't match up with the rest of its cycle," started Robin before pausing to think.

"Mycroft?" suggested John.

"From what you've said before, yeah, probably. I could check later."

"How do you know?"

"The camera followed you when you where visiting, obviously watching you. It didn't zoom in though and I know no images were taken from the feed so it was a passing curiosity. The camera was accessed through the main server, and the CCTV wasn't hacked, so it was probably from an official source. Nothing malicious."

John nodded, it made sense.

"Then what about the other breach?"

"It happened around about one in the morning. Someone's cut out a portion of the video, either tampering with it later or placing a loop into it," explained Robin, pointing to a screen to the corner as it played a few seconds of video. Half way through, the video glitches and falters. It wasn't all that noticeable but an expert, like Robin, could pick it up.

"It's a pretty clean job so I'm guessing that whoever did it knows what he or she is doing. They've taken out about 5 minutes of video in total. I can't tell you who yet but I can look it up later. I'll check for other sources too, see if there is any audio. I'll scan other feeds to see if there's any clue to who was in the video," finished Robin, closing the programs and cleaning up her tracks swiftly. "It would be best to ask Mrs Hudson if she encountered or was approached by anyone, anyone at all. It might link up what happened."

John sat silently on the couch behind her and nodded absently, thinking as she cleaned up. Mycroft's name came to mind but he couldn't pin a purpose. The elder Holmes had always kept a watch on the duo back when John lived at 221b; it wasn't a surprise that he probably would have continued surveillance on the flat. Though, John couldn't think of a reason why Mycroft would cut out video.

"I'll look into it later when I can get back home, back to my main network and tools," muttered Robin, trying to make plan to help John.

Minutes passed as the pair waited silently for Lestrade. Robin was anxious and wary, if not a bit curious, to meet the DI, given her profession. John had promised once though that he was a fair man, he had helped quite a bit in the past, so she would have to put her faith in John's word.

After a bit, John began to shift around, questions beginning to run through his head. There was now the lingering tension, mostly due to John's curiosity and disbelief. What had Robin just done?

"So..." he began, planning to ask Robin about her real profession.

"Is it safe here?" interrupted Robin, watching John.

"What?"

"Are there any surveillance devices, audio, visual, anything, here? Anything you remember?"

"N-no, none that I can think of. He would sweep the flat now and again and got rid of everything and I made sure Mycroft debugged the flat just in case."

"Mmm…nothing showed up on my scanner... we're safe," mumbled Robin, mostly to reassure herself.

"So...you're, um... you're a-" started John, hesitant. He wasn't sure how to place Robin, though he had a pretty good idea. 'Website designer' his arse. Still, he knew how the ashen woman was and didn't want to scare her off.

"Hacker," finished Robin bluntly, wincing internally at the situation. John nodded solemnly, processing.

"So when you said that you would help, at the beginning, you did actually help...y-you hacked the news websites?"

Robin nodded slowly, timid. "Never overlook a coincidence if you have the time," she mumbled out.

"I-I had to black out my n-name from your blog too…sorry about that. I fixed your counter in return, also, you had a virus ready…wiped that. I've been searching the web for any proof –any news – so far the progress is...limited."

John's eyes widened slowly, taking in her work. "H-How good are you?" he asked, not sure what he could say. He was, admittedly, curious and was actually a bit relieved that his focus could shift, even for a moment. He was glad that Robin trusted him enough to start to divulge something. The doctor knew he should be pained that she hadn't told him earlier, but he couldn't bring himself to be angry, or at least not really. He was a bit hurt, but at least he understood.

Robin paused, unsure, before answering.

"Top tier," responded Robin curtly and quietly, not willing to say too much but knowing it was time.

"Top –I don't understand."

"I…I-I am at one of the highest levels in the h-hacking world. I specialize in code-breaking and digital manipulation. And I n…never leave a footprint…I'm known mostly for being invisible," Robin explained as best she could. She didn't know if she should mention the fact that she worked with the government...but maybe it was time anyway. Hadn't she just rebelled at the idea of letting go the other day? But the situation had changed and she could be useful to John.

"Like…the Anonymous?" asked John. He knew little about hackers - being relatively inept when it came to computers - just what he had learnt from the news, most of the names belonging to activists and cell groups.

"Higher… much higher, and I work alone. Anonymous is an organization with certain goals and aims. I don't...I'm not really an activist. They have a certain vision of the world. I know I can't force change and I don't want to force anyone to do anything. I just keep things fair…but I keep mostly to my own projects,"

"Alone in your flat? You know you could be doing a lot more..."

"I do enough as it is, better that I don't attach myself to anyone or anything."

"Is it really that dangerous?" This was beginning to remind him of some sort of spy movie…or f Mycroft. Was Robin really involved in those things? Outwardly, the introverted and frail woman didn't look like it, but maybe…maybe she had a talent. John knew she was intelligent, maybe could even rival him on a good day, but she hadn't really mentioned much about her work.

"Depends. Normally hackers have to watch out about certain laws. I've...I've been around quite a bit and I've learnt a few things."

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

Robin looked away, wincing. 'Of course he was going to ask... it doesn't make it any easier though.'

"Are you angry at me?" she asked back. Internally, she was ready to beg forgiveness, remembering her recent nightmares. Her hands trembled lightly and she fidgeted, trying to stay calm.

"I…I'm hurt…but I guess that's to be expected. Ah…but…it's fine. I understand," replied John. Robin almost immediately relaxed, her shoulders hunching and her head falling into her hands as she let out a shaky breath. Eventually, after a few rough minutes, she looked back up to him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" asked John again, not wanting the subject to fall just yet. They had a bit of time and with everything that was suddenly happening, John wanted at some certainty.

"I-I didn't trust you," replied Robin, frank. She could just imagine the hurt and surprised look on John's face and she couldn't bring herself to look at him. "What I do, most think is a horrible crime, making me a criminal. Either way, it's complicated. I c-collect or sometimes just stumble upon information, some of it's fairly h-harmless...but there are things that no one else can know about. Because of that, I can never really know who could be an ally or my enemy. It's all so tricky that I just don't have the time or energy to attach myself. It's horrible and I hate lying to you, I really do, but I can't let anything slip. A single message…or a string of code lost…"

John looked at her, really looked. It was true, when he thought of hackers his mind immediately when to the shady groups, illegal hackers, changing or manipulating for themselves or for the wrong reasons that you normally saw in movies. Even the better stories he'd heard had an aftermath of chaos and confusion, positive or negative. Robin couldn't really defend herself against what she had done, as she had to admit to being a pretty big harbinger of chaos when she worked. But her intention was never evil and she never wanted to hurt people, unless they deserved it.

"Like…like the 007 code the Woman had…" he mumbled as an example to himself, trying to compute it all.

"Exactly!" she suddenly exclaimed, making John jump, surprised that she recognized and heard what he had heard. Well, maybe he should start expect that sort of thing now.

"You know the Woman? Irene Adler?" he asked.

"Oh, oh no," started Robin, waving her hand frantically to dismiss the notion. "I was just someone that was…working to keep the code safe and then…stop it from getting into the wrong hands later. I only knew Adler by name. S-she seemed intimidating. I…I heard about the story later on, in the chatter." John had been sworn to secrecy about the case, but now he laughed, glad to relive the memories for a second. Eventually he sobered again, though, thinking of more questions.

"Is what you do, you specifically...illegal? L-Lestrade is coming and if this slips and he...he's a DI so – but he's fair so –It'll be fine...jus..." said John quickly, stumbling over his words, trying to not intimidate or scare off the poor woman.

Sighing, Robin rubbed her forehead quickly, slumping.

"Technically, yes. All higher tier hackers encounter illegal situations, at the very least. But John, I'm what they call a whitecap, or white-hat. I'm... I'm a 'good' hacker. What I do...I'm for hire, b-but only to the right people. I share information, hack to toughen security, find loopholes. I freelance but I have immunity to most laws. I-I've done work for the government and they owe me..."

"How are you immune? Wait, the government?"

"I'm immune partially because I've made it so I don't exist in cyberspace. There is no Robin Day Whittaker out there in the information stream. I am pretty much a ghost," she paused, thinking of how the description fit. "The government knows of me and so contacts me and protects me when needed as well...you could say that I consult them," finished Robin, she couldn't help referring to the late detective for an example.

"Consulting Hacker...god, how many types are out there?" mumbled John, cracking a small grin to reassure Robin.

"I-I don't really consult, I still consider myself a freelancer." Robin snorted softer into her resting arm. "I don't think they could hold me down anyway."

"What do you mean?"asked John, curious.

"A few years back I hacked into MI6 after they where bothering me..." began Robin vaguely, John already wide eyed at the simple phrase. "I replaced their weapon technology files with shoots and ladders they had to beat and the agent files with cooking recipes." By then John was gawking and Robin had a bit of a smirk on her face. "Don't worry, it wasn't permanent, though it took longer than I had predicted for someone to actually beat the shoots and ladders game. The point is, I did this before my first cuppa in the morning, running on about two hours of sleep," recited Robin, confiding a little story to John so that he could have some sort of measure of her skill. He seemed to accept her, plus it was funny to see John gawk.

After a moment, though, John's wide mouth-ed look morphed into a snort that also soon evolved into a hearty laugh.

He had a lot of questions still; more would probably pop up as the time went on, but now he would accept what he had. He was worried how they might explain it to Lestrade but he decided then and there to keep it secret if needed. There was another situation that had to be taken care of, now, and at least he felt more secure about it, knowing that Robin was behind his back.

Robin was just glad that it was out in the open, if not a bit shell shocked at what she had admitted. She had had to hold that secret for so long…it was liberating to have a confidant, if not terrifying. But now she could help more. And…if John knew about her profession, maybe she shouldn't leave. No…she'd stay. It was time she did something with her life besides hide.

"You're safe with me as well, alright?" he stated, bringing Robin from her thoughts and earning a relieved sigh and a nod. "But look, we've got to go and meet Lestrade, we'll talk later."

Relief washed over Robin, happy that she was accepted. John stood from his seat and hugged Robin, shocking her at the contact, but was glad that he was okay. They'd be okay. Nodding quietly, she eventually let go and grabbed her rucksack and equipment, put on her coat, and followed John out the door. He gave a curt 'goodbye' to Mrs Hudson and soon enough they found themselves in a cab on their way to the cemetery.

In Robin's pocket her phone pinged again.

Thank you. Keep him safe. Who are you?

...

Author's Note: Yep, so now you all know what Robin really does all day. Well, you all probably already could tell, but John sure couldn't! Robin's a private person by nature and she has a lot to hide so a large part of the story is going to be about her revealing her character to the people around her and…well…spoilers. Mind you, I don't know too much about hacking so I'll be researching a lot. If I miss anything, please excuse me. Robin's really, really good at what she does, but there's a reason for that. She's a bit of a tech genius and can do amazing things with technology. You'll see soon enough.

And yeah, that begins the plot. Someone is returning through the storm. Who might it be? Well, it's a bit obvious to us, but that's dramatic irony for you. And poor John, getting so worried.

Oh, and my exams are over so I'm on to the next semester of school! Yay!

Cheers,

Elleari