A Hard Day's Night
Chapter One
A Plea For Help
"So, Mr. Holmes," I said, "what is this new case of yours about?"
Holmes, being the dramatist that he was, didn't answer. Instead he took two letters from the mantelpiece and handed them to me. The first one went like went like this:
Dear Mr. Holmes,
My name is Alexander Beckham. I apologize for not being able to come and present my case in person, but recent events have had a terrible effect on my health, and it is a trial for me to leave the house.
My daughter, Helena, has disappeared and I fear something terrible has happened to her. If you would look into her disappearance I would be most grateful.
Sincerely,
Alexander Beckham
It was dated in about a month ago. The second letter read much the same way, except it was from a James Goldmeyer about his missing daughter Jane. The second one had been sent just a couple of days ago.
"Well?" I asked. "What's the pattern? Aside from the fact that you have two missing women."
Holmes took his time before answering. I could see he was not happy about these cases, or case. I spread the two letters out on the table, looking for similarities. The dates were almost exactly a month apart.
Holmes spoke suddenly, dragging my thoughts out of paper and ink analysis. "I can find no pattern besides the fact that both women were out of work governesses; a common enough occupation these days. All were last seen in different areas of town. They didn't know each other or have any mutual friends."
Holmes sounded very exasperated, but only someone who knew him well would have noticed it. "I have not been helped by the fact that I have only been able to speak with Mr. Beckham."
"What about the police? Has anyone filed a missing persons report?" I asked, knowing the answer.
Holmes snorted his contempt for the police. "Of course, but the police feel that the young ladies will turn up eventually." Then Sherlock Holmes had what I like to call a light bulb moment. He sat up in his chair and looked over at me. "Aurora…"
Exactly what his brilliant scheme was he didn't get a chance to say. The bell rang downstairs and Mrs. Hudson appeared in the doorway a moment later, leading one Inspector Lestrade.
He took one look at me and gasped. "You!" Now let me pause and explain the history between the good inspector and I. The last time I crashed at Holmes' place, I kinda got caught up in a plot to steal the British Crown Jewels. Although I was trying to prevent the theft (and doing a very good job, might I add) Lestrade still thought I had a hand in helping the two guys who were stealing the Jewels escape. Needless to say, he didn't like me too much.
"Miss Aurora Watson had returned from America to visit her uncle. I trust we can all leave the past in the past." Holmes said smoothly. Score one for me! Lestrade appeared to be fighting the urge to arrest me. To his credit he ignored it and spoke again.
"I think we've had a break in that missing persons case you brought to our attention." He said, not looking happy at all. "We found a body matching the description of Helena Beckham."
********************************************************************
I know it's short but the next chapter will arrive in a few days. It's great to be posting again!
Question, comments, critisicms, complaints? Review!
.·´¨`·»¦«·Kerowyn·»¦«·´¨`·.
Chapter One
A Plea For Help
"So, Mr. Holmes," I said, "what is this new case of yours about?"
Holmes, being the dramatist that he was, didn't answer. Instead he took two letters from the mantelpiece and handed them to me. The first one went like went like this:
Dear Mr. Holmes,
My name is Alexander Beckham. I apologize for not being able to come and present my case in person, but recent events have had a terrible effect on my health, and it is a trial for me to leave the house.
My daughter, Helena, has disappeared and I fear something terrible has happened to her. If you would look into her disappearance I would be most grateful.
Sincerely,
Alexander Beckham
It was dated in about a month ago. The second letter read much the same way, except it was from a James Goldmeyer about his missing daughter Jane. The second one had been sent just a couple of days ago.
"Well?" I asked. "What's the pattern? Aside from the fact that you have two missing women."
Holmes took his time before answering. I could see he was not happy about these cases, or case. I spread the two letters out on the table, looking for similarities. The dates were almost exactly a month apart.
Holmes spoke suddenly, dragging my thoughts out of paper and ink analysis. "I can find no pattern besides the fact that both women were out of work governesses; a common enough occupation these days. All were last seen in different areas of town. They didn't know each other or have any mutual friends."
Holmes sounded very exasperated, but only someone who knew him well would have noticed it. "I have not been helped by the fact that I have only been able to speak with Mr. Beckham."
"What about the police? Has anyone filed a missing persons report?" I asked, knowing the answer.
Holmes snorted his contempt for the police. "Of course, but the police feel that the young ladies will turn up eventually." Then Sherlock Holmes had what I like to call a light bulb moment. He sat up in his chair and looked over at me. "Aurora…"
Exactly what his brilliant scheme was he didn't get a chance to say. The bell rang downstairs and Mrs. Hudson appeared in the doorway a moment later, leading one Inspector Lestrade.
He took one look at me and gasped. "You!" Now let me pause and explain the history between the good inspector and I. The last time I crashed at Holmes' place, I kinda got caught up in a plot to steal the British Crown Jewels. Although I was trying to prevent the theft (and doing a very good job, might I add) Lestrade still thought I had a hand in helping the two guys who were stealing the Jewels escape. Needless to say, he didn't like me too much.
"Miss Aurora Watson had returned from America to visit her uncle. I trust we can all leave the past in the past." Holmes said smoothly. Score one for me! Lestrade appeared to be fighting the urge to arrest me. To his credit he ignored it and spoke again.
"I think we've had a break in that missing persons case you brought to our attention." He said, not looking happy at all. "We found a body matching the description of Helena Beckham."
********************************************************************
I know it's short but the next chapter will arrive in a few days. It's great to be posting again!
Question, comments, critisicms, complaints? Review!
.·´¨`·»¦«·Kerowyn·»¦«·´¨`·.
