Chapter Fifteen: A Scandal in the British Empire Part Two
"There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact." ~Sherlock Holmes
June 26th, 1879
London, England, United Kingdom, Europe
The carriage rocked gently back and forth as William laid out their plan. Marie sat next to Moran while Albert and William sat next to each other. Louis and Fred were driving the carriage.
"Do you think Sherlock will show up? William." Albert asked, and William nodded,
"Yes, I do, Albert... It's certain. For Irene Adler's sake." He took a breath before continuing, "After all, the document means nothing to him. Miss Adler's life, on the other hand… that will be his highest priority."
Ah yes, the document. The document that could bring the entire British Empire to its knees. Albert had explained the contents of the mysterious document to Marie on the ride back to the mansion from the masquerade ball. Then they picked up everyone else and began the trip to the meeting place where they were supposedly meeting Irene Adler.
Marie snapped back to the conversation as William continued talking.
"He already sees it as his calling to catch us. However, if a human life is jeopardized, like it is now, he will shift his focus… and of course, he'd never expose "the mystery of the Lord of Crimes" when he's just in front of him. One can always rely on his eccentric love for mysteries!"
Moran piped in at this.
"Wouldn't it suffice just to keep Holmes away from the location of the exchange?" He asked, and Marie nodded her opinion,
"I agree. Wouldn't it be better just to keep him away altogether?" She asked, and William adjusted his top hat,
"We're already striking a deal with Holmes. So both sides must benefit from the deal. Otherwise, it won't work." He said, and Albert gave a nod, adding to what his younger brother had said.
"Indeed… Without an absolute proof of Miss Adler's assured safety, he will not give in." He paused and looked at his brother as the carriage rattled to a stop. "William, we're counting on you again!" He said, and William smiled, holding up a letter.
"Oh? Well, I do already have a plan in mind."
…
Marie stood next to Moran, William, and Louis as she listened intently for any out-of-the-ordinary sound. She shivered lightly as the cool air of the tunnel they were in ate through her dress and into her bones. It made her hands ache and groan in an ebb and flow like the sea. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself and buttoned it up with shaking hands.
Out of the corner of her eye, Marie caught Louis staring at her fingers,
"Are your hands alright?" He asked, and she nodded after a moment,
"They're just a bit sore in the cold, is all. They'll feel better once we get out from under the chapel and into the carriage." She replied, and he nodded once, satisfied with her answer.
Just then, there was the sound of someone or someones coming down the stairs at the end of the hall. Marie straightened up and adjusted her gloves as the light of a lantern came around the corner and towards them.
It was Fred, Albert, and a woman with long blonde hair in an elaborate bun and beautiful blue eyes. She wore a dark overcoat on top of a splendid dress that Marie couldn't help but be envious of. It brought out the blue in the woman's eyes. This must be the infamous Irene Adler. Marie smiled what she hoped was a welcoming smile towards the nervous woman. All the men towered over the two women, so Marie hoped she seemed welcoming enough. She took two steps forward and grasped Irene's hands in both of hers, ignoring the flare of pain in her knuckles.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Adler. I'm Marie Dubois." She said, and Irene's nervous look melted into something calmer and more open.
"It's lovely to meet you, Marie." She said softly before the two of them turned to listen to what Albert and William were saying.
"Holmes showed up as we expected. The deal was a success nonetheless. All went according to your plan, Will." Albert was saying, and William nodded, a pleased smile playing at his lips,
"Excellent, Albert!" He said, and Marie noticed Irene's shocked look. Marie couldn't help but smile. When she had first learned the extent of William's planning, she had been shocked as well. He truly planned for everything.
Irene dipped into a low curtsy, her right hand over her heart,
"My life… is yours to command, my lord…." She said softly as William looked on with that smile of his.
"For your allegiance, you shall receive what it was you wanted." He said and extended a hand towards her, his smile turning warmer and more welcoming, "Raise your head, Irene. Let us seal the deal on the final negotiation together."
…
Marie paced nervously by herself in the parlor as she waited for Irene and the Moriarty's to return home from their negotiation with Mycroft Holmes and the British Government. In her heart, she knew it would go well, they knew their opponent, and she knew they had a plan. But she couldn't help but worry.
The front door opened, and Marie stopped her pacing to hurry towards the sounds of clacking footsteps. Albert smiled at her,
"Negotiations were a success. Shall we go to the sitting room? There are still some things we must do before Irene is in the clear." He said and extended an arm towards the upstairs sitting area where Marie had first met the Moriarty's all those months ago.
Only once everyone was situated did Albert speak. He stood tall with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Now, there's only one thing left to do." He said, addressing the room, eyes lingering on Irene. Then he turned his eyes to Fred and spoke again,
"Fred. Search the morgue for a body similar to Irene here." The boy nodded with a firm "understood" and left the room.
"Irene." Albert continued, effortlessly taking control of the room. "From this moment on, you are dead. As a member of our organizations, I will assign you to the Secret Service so that we can make the most of you." He gestured to Sebastian,
"Colonel Moran is Agent Number Six. If you have any questions, feel free to ask him. Also, if you have any other questions regarding our organization, feel free to ask Marie." He continued as Irene gave a stuttered "O-okay."
"Soon, you will become Agent Number Seven, with the license to kill. You will require a new name as well. For your given name, you may have ours: James. You may choose a surname yourself." He finished, and Marie glanced at Irene.
She looked shocked, worried, and vaguely panicked all at once. But after a moment's deliberation, her face hardened, and she withdrew a knife from her suitcase she had clutched in both hands. Then, grasping ahold of her bun, she took the knife to it and sliced all her hair off. Marie couldn't help but gasp at the golden strands falling to the ground.
"Irene Adler is no more…" She said dramatically and raised a hand to her lips to wipe off the lipstick,
"My name is Bond. James Bond."
