Chapter 8
I had gone through about three different bars on Holmes' list that morning before Brian called me back. Carl Sebastian, aka, Jack Johnson, was working at French Quarter Bar in the Ritz Carlton, right on Canal Street. In fact, he would be on shift tonight and tomorrow night. I thanked Brian profusely for the information, and assured him repeatedly that a) this would not get back to Holmes, and b) I would call him back and keep him up to date. The entire conversation was difficult for me, as I was really uncomfortable lying to Brian, especially since he was being so nice.
Holmes was not answering his cell, so I had to be content with simply leaving a voicemail imploring him to call me back. Left with nothing else to do until I heard back from Holmes, I rented a car, and spent the rest of the afternoon at Oak Alley Plantation, a historical home just outside the city with giant oak trees that lined the front walkway of the house.
After I returned from my sightseeing, Holmes and I went to a dinner meeting with drug dealer Carlos Ramirez and his sidekick Maggie. Ramirez was very different from what I expected; he was an impeccably dressed, slightly heavyset older gentleman, about 60 years old, articulate, and very polite. In fact, the whole evening threw every expectation I had about drug dealing out the window. Most of the conversation throughout dinner was casual, simple small talk about sports, music, movies, and even the weather. Anyone nearby would have thought that we were just friends out for a night of fun.
It wasn't until after dinner, when we got back in Maggie's car, that real reason for this meeting was even discussed. Holmes and Ramirez were sitting in the back, and I was riding in the passenger seat.
Holmes was first to start the conversation. "I know of someone looking for some spores."
"Who?"
"I'm not at liberty to divulge that. He just wants to know if you can supply him, and if so, he wants this to be a lasting relationship."
"I don't work with people I don't know, Jake. You're only here because you came recommended by Maggie."
Holmes pressed on. "I know you're in a tight spot, Carlos. In fact, I know that you're currently looking for a reliable microbiologist to check your strains for you since your original one left you for the Arabs. I can help you with that if you'll set up a meeting with my friend."
Ramirez scoffed. "What do you know of strains?"
Holmes chuckled. "I don't, but my wife does."
Damn him.
Holmes continued, "A meeting, Carlos, and you'll have the rest of your supply verified."
"What's your angle, Jake? Because no one plays middleman without something in it for them. No one's that much of a friend."
Holmes' reply was chilling. "I'd like two small vials of it myself, as insurance." It took all of my self control not to scream at Holmes at that moment; instead, I settled for biting down on my bottom lip.
Ramirez laughed. "Done. You and your wife come by the lab tomorrow, and tell your friend he has a meeting for tomorrow night. Maggie will be your contact for the particulars."
The car came to a stop in front of our hotel. "Good night, Carlos." Holmes got of the car, and I took this as an appropriate signal to get out of the car myself, nodding politely to Maggie before closing the door. We watched the car speed off, and Holmes proceeded to head into the hotel.
I stayed rooted to where I was standing, not believing what I had just heard earlier in the car.
"What's wrong?" Holmes had noticed that I didn't follow him in, and had come back out.
I shook my head slowly. "I can't believe you. I told you how dangerous that stuff was, and you volunteer me to check it, and then, you ask for some of it yourself. Were you not listening to anything I was saying?" My voice had stayed surprisingly calm, yet I was straining to speak and not just scream at Holmes.
Holmes' face hardened. "Let's discuss this somewhere else Laura."
I was incredulous. "Do you think there's anything to discuss? Last time I checked, we had this conversation already, Jake."
"Let's go." Holmes grabbed my left forearm, and began to steer me down the street. "Like I said, not here," he hissed.
His grip on my arm was maddening, and I was practically being pulled down the street, having to partly run in my heels just so that I wouldn't be fully dragged down the street. "All right, we'll discuss it," I acquiesced after a block, when we reached an intersection. "Where?"
Holmes let my arm go and turned around. "There's a coffee shop a couple of blocks away. It's pretty famous. Café du Monde. They have really good coffee, you know."
I nodded, afraid to speak. He had never been this caustic, this raw, this angry before, and I didn't like it in the least bit. It was like he was a completely different person.
He offered me his hand. "Come on."
I shook my head slightly at his offered hand, taking a step back involuntarily. "Lead the way." I looked away, trying not to meet his inquisitive look.
"Let me see your arm," he said softly after a moment's silence.
I shook my head, covering my left forearm with my other hand. "It'll be ok," I tried to play it off, hoping my voice would come off tough.
He slowly reached over and gently pried my other hand away, gently pressing near and around the now developing bruise. "Does this hurt?" he asked, his voice thick.
"Just a little bit. But really, Jake, it'll be ok," I protested lightly.
"Laura, I…" he seemed at a loss for words.
I gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze with my free hand. "I know you didn't mean to, Jake."
He nodded, straightened his shoulders, and we walked the rest of the way in an uncomfortable silence.
Holmes raised his eyebrows. "You know, Laura, Brian has always had a soft spot when a lady asks him to do something. Always says yes."
It was nearly midnight, and Holmes and I were nursing a couple of coffees at the famous New Orleans coffee shop- the Café du Monde, and I was relaying the story of how Brian came to tell me what was going on with Sebastian. We completely avoided the contentious subject of the meeting with Carlos, and instead, I was telling Holmes about Brian's phone call.
I blushed. "Not like you, right?" I teased. "I can't get you do even agree with me, much less do something for me."
Holmes' face turned solemn. "Is that what you think of me? That I wouldn't do anything you asked?"
I asked carefully. "Then what were we arguing about earlier?"
"Laura, please. This is all part of the plan. I'm trying to catch a bad guy here. Two, if I'm lucky."
I sighed. "You're asking me quite a lot, you know."
"I know. Do you trust me?" His voice was thin, almost uncertain.
I paused a moment before answering. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't. But are you sure there's no other way?"
He shook his head. "I've looked into everything, Laura. This is the closest I've gotten in five years."
"Think about what you're doing, Jake. You're setting someone up who hasn't committed the crime."
"Oh, Laura. I've given it every consideration. I wouldn't pick this plan if I thought there was a less dangerous option. I know he's going to get his hands on this stuff eventually, and you can think that I'm just facilitating the transfer, but I'm actually preventing him from committing the crime. It's not any different from the way narcotics run drug busts."
I mulled it over in my head. "I suppose. You can count me in, then."
Holmes heaved a visible sigh of relief, his eyes twinkling with some emotion. "I knew you wouldn't let me down in the end."
I tried to crack a smile, trying to break the seriousness of the moment. "I still don't agree with how you're going about it though."
He winked at me. "I wouldn't like you if you did."
My face turned an even deeper shade of red, and I quickly reached for a croissant, hoping to hide my embarrassment at Holmes' remark.
AN: Thanks as always to my patient reviewers who put up with my sporadic updates. You all have been wonderful. Hopefully you found this an interesting chapter-part of the inspiration was The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton.
MaskedPhantom- Jake shy- probably. I think mostly he's just emotionally stunted :-P Your suggestion about romance is duly noted and yes, let me assure there will be romance in this story (after all, I categorized it under romance, right?)
Hermione Holmes- I hope I didn't spoil the story for you, either way! Although I do hope that I leave a sense of mystery here and there?
Kittenchatter- hahahah, I prefer to think he's nervous because he's never seen so much skin revealed on a co-worker. Either that, of some allergic hive reaction… jk. And yes, Brian plays an important part in this story, but perhaps not what most people may think right now. And yes, not very many emotionally awkward details, but more to come, more to come, I promise… Sorry I'm so slow about updating- and with a short chapter too… sorry, sorry, will make you guys all happier soon. Thanks for love and support, as always.
Jepa- You flatter me too much. Yes, the heat is on, in all forms. This chapter hopefully was a different situation/Jake's reaction; I was trying to make him a bit more complex than what we all know and love as Sherlock. A chapter from his POV, huh? Oooh, I might just do it (but it might have to wait until this story is done). Hope this chapter was satisfactory!
Pinkpanther- Yes, Jake is very much not in tune with anything emotional. About Brian- you know, in one sense, you might think he does, but then in another sense, you'd think he's been nothing but loyal. Enough riddles, but I'm pretty sure we'll get to it in either the next chapter or the following one. It's coming up soon, I promise.
Cap'nCory- Yes, Watson's been getting in touch with her more "sensual" side, so to speak. Yeah, Holmes romantic is hard, and hopefully this chapter didn't make him too tortured. And don't worry, Brian's role in the story is coming up.
QueenofSpain- J Yeah, there's definitely tension! I plan to make you all happy real soon.
Horsefeathers103- Thanks for the compliment! Hope you enjoy this!
