The seventh chapter! I'm so happy I've made it this far! I've had excellent reviews, much to my pleasure, and wish to thank all those who have reviewed. I will not name them, for that would take up time. But thank you, all. I would, however, like to thank my best friend whom is referred to as Goth_Flutist. She gave me a few of the ideas for my last chapter, and has been very supportive of my work. This is my first chapter that I'm going to write without my numerous notes, so pray that it may be good. I'm working with music this time, and that always helps, so it might be adequate. Enjoy! (I own nuthin', I swear- Something Danny might say).
Chapter Seven: The Baker Street Irregulars
I spent the day in classes, avoiding Holmes as was the plan. We had decided on the way to school to honor my mom's forceful request, or at least make it seem that way. We would meet in secret, I telling my mom I was at a friends house studying, and Holmes would just disappear.
I left the school quietly and met Holmes in the place we had decided. He had missed last class, and I wondered where he was. However, as I entered the grove of tree's we had selected, it became rather obvious.
Holmes leaned against a tree, but he wasn't alone. There were three females and three males with him.
The first girl, and presumably the oldest, had blue hair with blond roots. She had dyed her hair. Her eyes were a queer color, more purple than an honest blue. She wore a pink top that was high necked, but the bottom of the shirt only reached her ribs. Her pants were purple with red flames and you could see a green bikini bottom sticking out of it. She stepped forward with a cocky manner and stuck out her hand. Reluctantly, I took it.
"My name is Jennifer Watson," I said, all manners and charm. She cracked up.
"See here, Mr. 'olmes. Ye never said she were such a laidee," said the girl, laughing. I rose to my full height in anger. She smiled though, this one friendly.
"Sorry about that Missus Watson. Me names Rachel 'Raze' Sicano. Ye may call me Raze. I'm the leader of this 'ere gang," she said. I smiled at her uncertainly. Raze pushed a tall, handsome man in my direction.
"This here is Thomas. He's our eyes of the group, ye might say. More of a spy than the rest 'o' us," Raze said. Thomas, who wore a black business suit, black tie, black shoes, and black sunglasses, stuck his hand out. I shook it.
"Tis a pleasure to meet you Missus Watson. Mr. Holmes has told us much about you," he said shyly. I smiled at him, noticing he didn't speak with a Cockney accent, as did Raze. The next person I met was a girl, about a year younger than me.
"My name is Olivia. Olivia 'Livia' Murvan. I'm referred to as 'Livia, but you may call me what you will," the girl said. She was perhaps the plainest of the group, with straight brown hair and a simple dress, which was a sweater and skirt, essentially. She was obviously very shy, and hadn't come from this country. Sweden, perhaps? Next came a young lady with a dark complexion. She looked Indian, and her dark curls were pinned to the back of her head.
"Oi, Missus Watson. Tis only the best to finally meet yer. Me name is Jimmy. Only Jimmy," the girl said. She was about six, but very bold. I stared at her.
"Jimmy?" I asked. She growled angrily and spit on the ground.
"Me mum was obsessed with this musical called "Cats". Me real name is Jemima," she snarled. I nodded and backed away. Next I was introduced to Lanta and Roberto. Lanta had a large head, unsuited for his body, and was from America. His red hair stuck out in every direction, but he was generally well liked among them, as far as I could tell. Roberto was peevishly handsome, with dark hair, dark skin, dark eyes... the classic looks for a lover. He was eight, however, and didn't speak a word of English.
After the introductions were made between us all, Holmes stepped forward.
"All right then. Now that the introductions have been made, I'd like to split up into groups so I could figure out who I'm hunting. I want Watson, Raze and Jimmy in a group, and Lanta, Roberto, and 'Livia in a group. Thomas and I will work together. Shall we meet back here around seven, then?" Holmes said, taking command. Raze stepped forward.
"But 'o' course Mr. 'olmes. Yer know we have no time to be 'ome. We ain't got no 'ome!" Raze laughed. Holmes smiled at her, and we split apart.
Raze was very bold, I noticed right away. She walked with a very sure step, and smiled at everyone. Jimmy, however, scowled much of the time, and was generally nasty to everyone, except Holmes. Even Raze couldn't control her.
Our first stop was a bar. A sleazy type, one that would have given me a turn had I not been helping with a case. Raze was very familiar with it, however. We stopped outside the door, and she smiled.
"Now then, Missus Watson. As sure as am 'bout yer detective skills, someone will be sure to recognize yer as Mr. 'olmes' friend. I suggest a little makeup, just enough to make yer look odd," she said, pulling out a case from her pocket. Jimmy snickered, but I couldn't figure out why as Raze began applying makeup.
Raze finished five minutes later and stepped back, satisfied with her work. I gasped as I looked into the mirror she had handed me. I looked horrible. Bloodshot eyes, blacked out teeth, bruises, my hair in disarray, and dirty nails were only a few things changed. Jimmy smiled up at me.
"Your name, eh? How 'bout... Trixie?" Jimmy asked, although it wasn't really a question. I was to dumbfounded to speak and just nodded.
We entered the bar and summoned the barmaid. She took us to a table and we were seated.
Raze smiled up at the hideous girl who was our 'waitress'.
"What do yer got fer me, Rubes? Anythin' on our precious cargo?" Raze asked. The waitress shook her head.
"If you want the info, Rachel, you'd best go to Jack. He's in the corner, waiting for you. Whose this little urchin you've brought in?" the girl asked, turning to me. I looked at her, trying to think of what a Trixie would do.
"My name is Trixie. I ain't no urchin, neither," I said, lowering my voice and making it harsh. The girl smiled and walked away. As soon as she was gone I turned to Raze.
" 'Precious cargo'? What is that?" I questioned, stupefied. Raze rolled her eyes.
"Rubes is in on the business, Missus Watson. Precious cargo is slang fer our suspect. Jack is our informant on the crime world. He just don't know that we work for Mr. 'olmes. He wouldn't 'elp if he knew it," Raze answered. I shrugged, still rather confused. Jimmy stood up and went over to some boy in the corner as Raze went over to a large, bulky man in the corner. I followed her, not quite sure of what to do.
"Hello there Jack. Got info on whose out to murder that scoundrel 'olmes yet?" Raze cheerfully asked, sitting in a large iron chair. The man grunted.
"What do ya got for me, Raze," Jack asked. She pulled out a couple of shillings and tossed them onto the table. Jack pocketed them and pulled out a manila folder.
"Pictures, not much else. Woman, wears a mask. Boy, younger than you, this young lady's age, works for her. Goes by the name 'Yerffej'. It's code, of course. I got him giving the woman something, and the lady giving him drugs. Also, one of him standing inside the gym aiming a gun. He wears a mask though, you won't figure out much. I know ya want to pay him, for what that b****** Holmes did to your family, but nothing can come from these pictures," Jack said, tossing her the folder. Raze looked at them in silence, then smiled.
"Thank yer Jack. Ye've been of mighty good help today," Raze replied. She folded the packet and stuffed it into her jacket pocket and walked away. Jimmy joined us at the doorway of the establishment.
"Rodger said that some boy has it out for Mr. 'olmes, and has been working under orders from Marie to kill him. Although he was all to happy to oblige," Jimmy said. Raze nodded and handed me the packet.
"Give these to Mr. 'olmes, will yer? He'll figure much from em, I know," Raze said. I nodded and followed them down the street.
Hours later I met up with Holmes outside his house. He was staring at the "For Sale" sign disdainfully.
"Well Holmes. How was your days worth of investigations?" I asked kindly. He started and looked at me.
"Not very productive, Watson, I fear. All I got was "Some boy" and "works for a lady". I bloody well knew that already," Holmes rumbled. I nodded sympathetically.
"We didn't get much more, Holmes. We did get pictures though, of the man. He is called 'Yerffej'. Odd name, is it not? He always wears a mask though, and Raze said there was little to deduce from them," I replied, handing him the packet. I saw a flicker of hope light up in his eye.
"Ah, but we can always figure out something, even if it will just give us one thing. It might tell us everything, or it might tell us nothing. Never assume anything," Holmes countered. He pulled out the pictures and flipped through them rapidly, barely glancing at them before moving onto the next picture. Finally, he put the pictures back into the folder with an air of satisfaction.
"Superb. Positively superb. Another night, Watson, and I may have just solved this mystery!"
