There was very little that Sherlock could find on the details of what was going on at the base John was on. However, there were some other things that he could find out such as general troop positions, snippets of other activity in the region that have been reported on various worldwide news outlets, as well as something else that bothered him and made him put pen to paper, even though he knew that the likelihood of John getting it anytime soon was low.
~oOo~
Dear John,
I have bee doing research. Interestingly enough when you told me not to worry, it did not really have the desired effect. I have found out what I could about what is going on in your area. The most disturbing thing I have found is that they are stopping mail service for a few weeks to prevent any unnecessary trips in and out of your area. Or the area I presume you are in. It means they suspect an increase of enemy activity in the area. I do not know when or if you will receive this letter, but I felt the need to write one anyway. We always send our letters out into the ether, not knowing if anything will be coming back. This is just another example of that it seems.
In the years that we have been writing, I have never received a letter like the one you sent me. Not even when you suspected that there was terrorist activity inside the camp. I wonder what could make you so concerned about what is going on. That alone led to the research that I have been speaking about. Your letter sounded as if you weren't sure there would be another one, and that is something I simply cannot abide. I have gotten too used to exchanging information and thoughts with you, John. You have become an integral part of my life, and I simply cannot allow that to cease. So you see, that is why I cannot allow any permanent harm to befall you, John.
It seems I may have to use other contacts to find out more information about what is going on. Short of calling Mycroft of course. He must not be allowed to realize what is going on. If he were ever made aware of our true feelings for each other, I have no doubt he may try and sabotage our attempts to speak to one another. Despite the fact he seemed to like you, he constantly feels the need to remind me that sentiment is for the weak. That is the lesson we came through our childhood with you see. As much as I have seen the truth of this on a multitude of occasions during my work with Scotland Yard, it has not kept me from falling prey to those same feelings of sentiment when it comes to you. It also has made me realize that sentiment is not always a weakness. Sometimes it can sharpen you. The way we compliment each other, and sharpen the others natural instincts. You provide an excellent sounding board for my deductions, something that I have found useful more than once.
Whatever is happening there, I will look forward to your next letter. I expect it might take some time to get to me, but I fully expect there to be one. Do not disappoint me, John.
Sincerely Yours,
Sherlock.
~oOo~
"Sir. You wanted this if there were any sent right now." Anthea steps into Mycroft's office, holding a letter in her hands as she walks over and holds it out to him.
Looking up from the file he was looking through, Mycroft glances at Anthea with a somewhat troubled expression before he nods, reaching out to take it. "Thank you, Anthea. This has turned into a very messy, troublesome situation." Closing the file in front of him, he looks down at the Classified stamp across the front. Who knew that Sebastian Moran would become this much of a nuisance. Reaching out to pick up the letter opener, the older man sits back in his chair as he pulls the letter out and reads it over. Sighing, he rubs a hand over his forehead for a moment. "Oh dear."
"Is it bad news, sir?" Anthea knows better than to pry about the how and why Mycroft wants certain things, but that doesn't mean she isn't curious about it. More than that, she is concerned for her employer, who rarely shows his emotions to anyone, and only shows them to her slightly more. So for him to be so openly emotional is unusual.
Looking up at the beautiful woman who has been his PA for quite a few years now, Mycroft smiles sadly and he nods quietly. "It very well could be. This could break my dear brother in a way that we have never seen before, and very well could drive him toward the edge that I have worked so hard to keep him away from. Get me Detective Inspector Gregory Lestrade's number please, I believe we require his assistance to keep Sherlock's attention on something else, until everything plays out."
Anthea frowns a little, never having understood the dynamics between the two brothers, but she does know that – although he has an odd way of showing it – he does care for Sherlock and doesn't want to see his brilliant mind be used for criminal activities, a step that the elder Holmes always seems to believe is looming on the horizon. "Of course, sir." She says in her crisp professional tone instead, looking down at her blackberry and tapping away at it for a few moments before she walks over to Mycroft's desk and leans down beside his chair to write down the number for him. "That is his personal number, sir."
"Very good, Anthea. Thank you." Mycroft says, the letter folded and back in its envelope before Anthea comes close to him, and he glances at her for a moment, tilting his head as he takes a moment to admire her. "Make sure this letter is sent back out to its intended recipient. Let it sit with the rest of the letters." He says as he hands the letter back to his PA, then reaches for his desk phone. "That will be all for now.
Straightening with a small smile, the younger woman takes the letter before nodding. "Yes, sir." And she heads toward the door with confident strides, tapping away at her blackberry. She has long since learned the layout of the office, and Mycroft is not known for changing things up.
After the door closes and leaves him alone again, Mycroft dials the number in front of him. When the line is picked up, he leans back in his chair and takes a deep breath before he starts speaking, making sure to keep his voice level and calm. "Detective Inspector Lestrade. This is Mycroft Holmes, I'd like to talk to you about my brother Sherlock..."
Mycroft really does meddle with Sherlock's life sometimes, but only with the best of intentions! Of course, you know what they say about the road to Hell... But I think it will work out this time. There are bigger things going on than either Sherlock or John know about, obviously. I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and thank you for sticking with me, especially for those of you who have been around since the beginning!
Comments/Reviews welcome!
