After a fruitless search for clues, Watson was driving their hover-coach
back to 221B. Holmes sat in the passenger seat thinking about the case. The
clues were very limited, but when had that ever stopped him before?
Not all of the equipent was taken. Why? Most likely because of a lack of time. After all, so much activity at such a late time could only continue for so long without someone becoming suspicious. They would need the rest of the equipment if they wanted a full lab. Another lab would be hit. Probably soon.
He found his thoughts drifting to the second mystery that had crossed his path today. Miss Denae Hartman.
She was quite attractive. Easily one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. And firey, no doubt about that.
When she'd looked at him he'd seen recognition in her eyes. There was no doubt about it. She'd acted almost shy when she saw him. Until she'd become angry, that is. She acted as if she were two entirely different people. One when she was calm, and another when she was angry.
She had very beautiful eyes.
Holmes immeadiatly shook himself from his thoughts and frowned. Where had that thought come from? Other than the way she was dressed, her outward appearance had very little to do with the air of mystery that clung to her.
Still, he had noticed that she wore no make-up. And she was clearly of Asian blood. The shape of her eyes told him that, though the rest of her features looked American.
They arrived at 221B. They climbed out of the hover-coach, entered the building and ascended the 17 steps to the door of their flat. As soon as they entered, Holmes removed his hat and coat and hung them on the coat tree next to the door. Watson removed his coat as well.
Holmes proceded to his favorite chair in the sitting room. He sat down. His elbows rested on the arm rests. His fingertips touched just below his face.
"What are you thinking Holmes?" asked Watson.
"That there will be another theft of a genetics lab."
"How did you deduce that?"
"Think Watson. It was a small lab, with only the most basic of equipment. And not all of it was taken. More than likely, the rest of the equipment will be needed. Isuggest you contact the Yard and inform the that an alert should be in effect for any lab or warehouse that may contain such equipment."
"Right away Holmes."
As soon as Watson walked away, Holmes let his thoughts drift again. He began to lay out the facts as he knew them, as well as the unanswered questions.
Why would a girl of 21 be carrying so many things that were no longer being made? Things that hadn't been made in almost a century. And the fact that everything in her bag was dated before 2004, well, there weren't a lot of explainations for that.
She said the first thing she recalled of New London was falling onto a street. And thunder and lightning. That would mean her first memories of New London must have happened last night at around 11:00PM.
She had recognized him when they'd come face to face. That meant she either knew who he was, or had simply recognized him from this morning. She'd also seemed extremely uncomfortable.
When she'd met Lesrade there had also been a flicker of recognition in her eyes. She'd been more or less civil to Lestrade, while acting rude and shrewish to the constable and Greyson.
She'd been arrested for assulting two men in the street, though it had been self defense. She was fairly small, yet she'd apparently beaten two grown men on her own. Not something one commonly sees. Either she had been extremely lucky, or, more likely, she'd had some sort of training to be able to do so.
He had also noticed the way she stared at the computers and machinery in awe. It was if she'd never seen anything like it. In fact, almost everything in New Scotland Yard, and indeed the entire city judging by the way she looked out the window, seemed strange and new to her.
Frankly, she reminded him of his own reaction to New London when he'd first been brought back.
How she aroused his curiosity.
But, for now, she would have to wait. He had a job to do.
-----------------------------------------------------
The next day, Lestrade called Holmes. "Another Lab has been hit. This time they took some more advanced equipment. The guards were ionized and another droid is missing."
"Weren't the labs warned about the robbery?"
"Yes. This lab hired a few extra guards for the next couple of weeks. Every last guard on duty was ionized. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt."
"Where is this lab?"
"The Loralie Genetics Lab. It's on 15th Avenue."
"I shall be there soon."
The screen went blank.
"Watson," he called. "Advanced equipment," he mussed.
"Yes, Holmes?" asked Watson, entering from another room.
"We shall be departing for Loralie Genetics shortly. Have You finished with my coat?"
"It will only take a few more minutes. I haven't pressed it yet."
"Thank you Watson."
As Watson returned to his task, Holmes returned to looking out the window. There weren't too many people living in this part of the city. This was mainly due to the fact that most of the buildings were old fashioned. They were too 'inconvenient' for most modern people. However, many people passed through this part of town during the course of the day, but usually not this early. So when he saw a lone figure walking down the street, Holmes zeroed in on her.
------------------------------------------------------------
Somehow, late last night, Denae had found her way back to Baker Street. She didn't know how or why. But, once she'd realized where she was, a strange calm had settled over her. Just knowing that Sherlock Holmes was nearby had made her feel safer somehow.
She had slept in an alley less than a block down from 221B. It had not been, by any means, a comfortable night. It had been cold and damp. Not to mention the worry that someone she wouldn't particularly like to meet would show up. Although, knowing that this part of town was practically empty had been some consolation.
Now, she just hoped to get past Holmes's flat without him or Watson seeing her. She knew that, as a rule, Holmes was a late riser. Of course, with her current run of luck, today would be an exeption, as it had seemed to be yesterday. She wasn't completely sure since her watch was still not working. She had long ago discarded it into her bag. Still, the sun wasn't high in the sky yet. It seemed like early morning. Unless Holmes had a case he was working on, she should be okay.
As she passed his flat, she slowed. She glanced hesitantly at the door. He might be the only one who could , or would, help her. Or, he might just think she was insane. So she continued on her way, not daring to look up at the window for fear he might be standing there, watching her.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Holmes frowned as he watched Denae pass. He noticed the way she hesitated as she passed. He noted the way she carefully avoided looking directly at the windows. She had a problem, but was afraid to ask for help.
He watched her continue walking. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so intrigued by a female, for any reason. As far as he was concerned, she was an entire mystery unto herself. And solving mysteries was his job.
There was no doubt in his mind now that she knew exactly who he was. And the fact that she had glanced at his door led him to believe that she was thinking about consulting him on whatever her problem was. But something had stopped her. Judging by the look on her face, it was fear. 'But fear of what?' he wondered.
"All is ready," announced Watson, entering the room. He carried Holmes's coat over one arm.
"Ah, thank you Watson. Now, come. The game is afoot. The Loralie Lab awaits us."
As he spoke, he crossed to the entrance, pausing only to reach for his deerstalker and open the door. Then they were on their way.
Not all of the equipent was taken. Why? Most likely because of a lack of time. After all, so much activity at such a late time could only continue for so long without someone becoming suspicious. They would need the rest of the equipment if they wanted a full lab. Another lab would be hit. Probably soon.
He found his thoughts drifting to the second mystery that had crossed his path today. Miss Denae Hartman.
She was quite attractive. Easily one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. And firey, no doubt about that.
When she'd looked at him he'd seen recognition in her eyes. There was no doubt about it. She'd acted almost shy when she saw him. Until she'd become angry, that is. She acted as if she were two entirely different people. One when she was calm, and another when she was angry.
She had very beautiful eyes.
Holmes immeadiatly shook himself from his thoughts and frowned. Where had that thought come from? Other than the way she was dressed, her outward appearance had very little to do with the air of mystery that clung to her.
Still, he had noticed that she wore no make-up. And she was clearly of Asian blood. The shape of her eyes told him that, though the rest of her features looked American.
They arrived at 221B. They climbed out of the hover-coach, entered the building and ascended the 17 steps to the door of their flat. As soon as they entered, Holmes removed his hat and coat and hung them on the coat tree next to the door. Watson removed his coat as well.
Holmes proceded to his favorite chair in the sitting room. He sat down. His elbows rested on the arm rests. His fingertips touched just below his face.
"What are you thinking Holmes?" asked Watson.
"That there will be another theft of a genetics lab."
"How did you deduce that?"
"Think Watson. It was a small lab, with only the most basic of equipment. And not all of it was taken. More than likely, the rest of the equipment will be needed. Isuggest you contact the Yard and inform the that an alert should be in effect for any lab or warehouse that may contain such equipment."
"Right away Holmes."
As soon as Watson walked away, Holmes let his thoughts drift again. He began to lay out the facts as he knew them, as well as the unanswered questions.
Why would a girl of 21 be carrying so many things that were no longer being made? Things that hadn't been made in almost a century. And the fact that everything in her bag was dated before 2004, well, there weren't a lot of explainations for that.
She said the first thing she recalled of New London was falling onto a street. And thunder and lightning. That would mean her first memories of New London must have happened last night at around 11:00PM.
She had recognized him when they'd come face to face. That meant she either knew who he was, or had simply recognized him from this morning. She'd also seemed extremely uncomfortable.
When she'd met Lesrade there had also been a flicker of recognition in her eyes. She'd been more or less civil to Lestrade, while acting rude and shrewish to the constable and Greyson.
She'd been arrested for assulting two men in the street, though it had been self defense. She was fairly small, yet she'd apparently beaten two grown men on her own. Not something one commonly sees. Either she had been extremely lucky, or, more likely, she'd had some sort of training to be able to do so.
He had also noticed the way she stared at the computers and machinery in awe. It was if she'd never seen anything like it. In fact, almost everything in New Scotland Yard, and indeed the entire city judging by the way she looked out the window, seemed strange and new to her.
Frankly, she reminded him of his own reaction to New London when he'd first been brought back.
How she aroused his curiosity.
But, for now, she would have to wait. He had a job to do.
-----------------------------------------------------
The next day, Lestrade called Holmes. "Another Lab has been hit. This time they took some more advanced equipment. The guards were ionized and another droid is missing."
"Weren't the labs warned about the robbery?"
"Yes. This lab hired a few extra guards for the next couple of weeks. Every last guard on duty was ionized. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt."
"Where is this lab?"
"The Loralie Genetics Lab. It's on 15th Avenue."
"I shall be there soon."
The screen went blank.
"Watson," he called. "Advanced equipment," he mussed.
"Yes, Holmes?" asked Watson, entering from another room.
"We shall be departing for Loralie Genetics shortly. Have You finished with my coat?"
"It will only take a few more minutes. I haven't pressed it yet."
"Thank you Watson."
As Watson returned to his task, Holmes returned to looking out the window. There weren't too many people living in this part of the city. This was mainly due to the fact that most of the buildings were old fashioned. They were too 'inconvenient' for most modern people. However, many people passed through this part of town during the course of the day, but usually not this early. So when he saw a lone figure walking down the street, Holmes zeroed in on her.
------------------------------------------------------------
Somehow, late last night, Denae had found her way back to Baker Street. She didn't know how or why. But, once she'd realized where she was, a strange calm had settled over her. Just knowing that Sherlock Holmes was nearby had made her feel safer somehow.
She had slept in an alley less than a block down from 221B. It had not been, by any means, a comfortable night. It had been cold and damp. Not to mention the worry that someone she wouldn't particularly like to meet would show up. Although, knowing that this part of town was practically empty had been some consolation.
Now, she just hoped to get past Holmes's flat without him or Watson seeing her. She knew that, as a rule, Holmes was a late riser. Of course, with her current run of luck, today would be an exeption, as it had seemed to be yesterday. She wasn't completely sure since her watch was still not working. She had long ago discarded it into her bag. Still, the sun wasn't high in the sky yet. It seemed like early morning. Unless Holmes had a case he was working on, she should be okay.
As she passed his flat, she slowed. She glanced hesitantly at the door. He might be the only one who could , or would, help her. Or, he might just think she was insane. So she continued on her way, not daring to look up at the window for fear he might be standing there, watching her.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Holmes frowned as he watched Denae pass. He noticed the way she hesitated as she passed. He noted the way she carefully avoided looking directly at the windows. She had a problem, but was afraid to ask for help.
He watched her continue walking. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so intrigued by a female, for any reason. As far as he was concerned, she was an entire mystery unto herself. And solving mysteries was his job.
There was no doubt in his mind now that she knew exactly who he was. And the fact that she had glanced at his door led him to believe that she was thinking about consulting him on whatever her problem was. But something had stopped her. Judging by the look on her face, it was fear. 'But fear of what?' he wondered.
"All is ready," announced Watson, entering the room. He carried Holmes's coat over one arm.
"Ah, thank you Watson. Now, come. The game is afoot. The Loralie Lab awaits us."
As he spoke, he crossed to the entrance, pausing only to reach for his deerstalker and open the door. Then they were on their way.
