4
Mycroft nodded to Anthea who immediately took care to get everyone out of the room. When he and Molly were left alone, he tiredly ran a hand over his face and said "Since childhood Eurus had a soft spot for Sherlock. He was her favourite", he put his hands in his pockets "Understandably, since they are only one year apart. She always tried to get his attention, but Sherlock didn't realise it. He was just a sensitive and…normal child at the time".
Molly didn't find it hard to believe Mycroft's description of his younger brother, "Her being possessive of him led her to do horrible things" he paused for a few seconds as he was pondering how to go on, "Do you know about Redbeard, Miss Hooper?" Mycroft asked out of the blue.
She frowned as she saw no connection with what Mycroft was talking about. "It was Sherlock's dog" she murmured in confusion. A sad smile formed on Mycroft's usually expressionless face "Not at all, Miss Hooper. That's what Sherlock's mind made him believe" he said with a sigh, "I shouldn't be the one to tell you this, but…it will help to understand".
"Understand what?" Molly asked impatiently crossing her arms on her chest. Mycroft let out another sigh and said "As a child Sherlock loved playing pirates. He called himself Yellowbeard, and his friend was Redbeard" he fell silent looking Molly in the face.
She dropped an arm to her side and brought a hand to her heart "But Redbeard is dead!" she managed to say as the reality of those words hit her like a punch in her stomach. "Yes" admitted Sherlock's older brother, "His name was Vicktor Trevor. Eurus killed him, but first made his disappearance a riddle for Sherlock to solve, who unfortunately failed".
"Dear God! Does Sherlock know?" Molly asked and Mycroft nodded, "He found out today". She couldn't help but think about what Sherlock's state of mind was, worried in that moment of despair he might start using drugs again. However she did not understand what had happened to that child, had to do with the installation of TVCC by their sister, in her flat and told Mycroft.
"About that, I am truly…deeply sorry for what happened today, Miss Hooper", Molly's eyes darkened and became suspicious. She watched him as if she wanted to uncover his deepest secrets, and then suddenly with a smile that was more of grimace, Molly said "You know about the call".
Mycroft shifted his body's weight from foot to foot and looked up at some spot beyond her shoulders, "Actually, I…we" he cleared his throat, obviously embarrassed, "Me and John Watson…we were there with Sherlock during that phone call" he pointed out avoiding her gaze.
Molly at first was petrified then burst into a sort of hysterical laugh "Oh, wonderful! Did you like the show, Mr Holmes?" she asked bitterly, feeling anger and humiliation appear once again in her heart. "It wasn't a show, Miss Hooper. As I said earlier, Eurus subjected us to tests…that phone call was a specific test for Sherlock" he stated raising his hands as if to calm her nervous walking around the room, "My sister put CCTV's in your kitchen, set up a coffin for you in that room in Sherrinford…the threat to kill you must have been more than real to Sherlock".
"Why me, Mr Holmes? I understand her revenge on you for having her locked up all these years. I understand wanting to get rid of John because he is Sherlock's best friend. But me? Why spy, threaten me and then not bring that threat to a conclusion?" Molly asked desperately as she came within walking distance of him.
The expression on Mycroft's face until then serious and sorry, softened into a small smile "To all your questions the answer is always the same…because my brother loves you".
"Molly? Is everything okay?" she blinked, Sherlock's voice bringing her back to reality. He was standing just before the entrance to the cafeteria and was looking at her with those beautiful eyes of his, full of tenderness and love. Molly smiled reassuringly and, placing her other hand on his arm nodded, "Yes, yes I was just thinking back…" she stood on her tiptoes, turned a wary look around them and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek, "Just memories".
"Tea or coffee?" he asked as they were near a free table, "Coffee, please" Molly replied sitting down as he put the bag on the ground, "Is there anything else besides your violin? It looks heavier than usual".
"Some dresses. My mother would like to see Eurus dressed in normal clothes sometime, you know" Sherlock hastily replied, fearing to reveal that he was lying to her, at least in part. Because it was true there were clothes in the bag but not only for Eurus. It also contained a change for him, given his intention not to return to London and spend the night out.
"Are you sure you don't want a lift?" Sherlock asked when he returned with two steaming cup of coffee and two slices of apple pie, "A lift?" Molly replied back, "You call a lift, the ride from Sherrinford to Edinburg on a government military helicopter?" she asked giggling at imagining the face of the major of the Holmes, "What would your brother say if he knew?".
Sherlock shrugged "We don't necessarily have to tell him", she rolled her eyes "You don't. But the pilot has to communicate his destination to the control tower, so he'll know". He shrugged again, "Why do you have so much fun getting on Mycroft's nerves?" Molly asked eating her slice of pie, "Because I am Sherlock Holmes and I love being sassy" he threw in a reply looking at her between his lashes as he sipped the hot drink.
"Liar" Molly said giving him a look halfway compliant and amused, "Anyway" she added with a sigh, "It's all set up, Sherlock. The University bought my train ticket. I'm leaving…in fact Jordan Maddox and I are leaving, at 10 from Kings Cross. His girlfriend is coming too, by the way. Once we arrive, we'll have just enough time to freshen up before joining our group of students and preparing the presentation for tonight".
"I'm sure it will work out great" he said proudly, "You and your team have done a marvellous job. I bet what you want your research will win and get publication". Molly smiled, letting herself succumb to his enthusiasm "The credit goes to the guys, especially Lucy. Jordan and I just supervised them" she said humbly.
"But the idea of trying to determine time of death by studying cornea, vitreous and retinal changes by OCT was yours" Sherlock pointed out. Molly blushed slightly "Actually it was one of your many experiments that made me think that in post mortem there could be changes in the eyes that could have been useful in establishing the time of death, especially with badly reduced bodies" she explained wiping her lips.
"Oh! Really?" he said flattered as with a bit of hesitation Molly stroked the back of his hand with her thumb "And then… last week you weren't able to go to your sister so it doesn't seem fair to accompany me. You have to make up for the time lost in the last few weeks". Sherlock opened his mouth to reply but Molly beat him in time "Also, didn't you say that her psychiatrist wants to talk to you about her new drawings?".
He nodded positively, "So don't worry about me. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon, in time to accompany Mrs Hudson to her last physiotherapy session" she crumpled the paper napkin into the saucer and leaning her back against the chair asked him, "What did you want to talk me about?".
Sherlock opened his coat and from an inside pocket took out a newspaper folded back on itself, "It's this morning edition. An article by my beloved Kitty Riley" he said mockingly, showing Molly the title "GUILTY OR INNOCENT – THE CASE OF VANESSA COX". She grabbed the paper with one hand and flattened the page with the other to get rid of the wrinkles, starting to read.
"Winston was innocent, and now he's gone because he took his own life, I'll take care of defending his memory" declares his father Martin Stapleton. The man, whose son was convicted eight years ago for the murder of Vanessa Cox, says the evidence against Winston was not strong enough to jail him. According to Mr Stapleton, the police first and the prosecution later built the case solely on two things: autopsy report and eyewitness testimony. Both provided by the same person, Miss Molly Hooper. At the time Hooper had recently been hired at St. Bart's as a pathologist and therefore why entrust the post-mortem to an inexperienced person who was also friendly with the victim? This is what Mr Stapleton is asking. These elements highlight an incorrect management of the case, an evident conflict of interest that make the context in which his son was tried at least doubtful. We wonder what will be the answer authorities will provide and especially Molly Hooper, currently one of the best pathologist in England, so much so she often co-works side by side with the famous consulting detective Sherlock Holmes, to Mr Stapleton's statement.
Molly sighed as she dropped the newspaper on the table but kept her eyes on it, "Well, I…I didn't think Stapleton would go that far" she said without hiding her surprise. "Did you talk to him?" Sherlock asked sitting up straight. Nodding, Molly took a deep breath and told him about her encounter with the man the previous day. Sherlock listened closely to her and the leaned back steepling his hands under his chin, "I read the case files last night…just tell me what happened eight years ago. Don't leave anything out, Molly".
"You…you think he could be dangerous?" she stammered with her eyes wide open, "It wouldn't surprise me if he had more in mind than just discrediting you". Molly's shoulders dropped as her face expressed concern. Sherlock instinctively reached out to her and took her hands in his own, regardless of the fact they were in a public place, however sparsely crowded given the time.
"I know how you feel…you have worked hard to get to where you are now, moreover in a male dominated field" he told her tenderly, "I will do everything to stop Stapleton from defaming you. I won't let anyone doubt of your being professional and skill". Sherlock brought her hand to his cheek and kissed her palm, "Nobody will hurt you, Molly" he whispered gluing his eyes to her brown ones, wide in surprise at his being so affectionate in public.
Sherlock chuckled at the expression on her face, looked around cautiously and the leaned towards Molly's ear whispering "I think it's time to change our romantic friendship into something more". Molly's cheeks instantly turned red at the very thought of what his words implied. She noticed that Sherlock too, as he resumed his sitting position and let go of her hands, seemed hotter than before.
"But now, tell me all about Vanessa Cox" he said returning serious and in Sherlock Holmes detective mode. Molly straightened her back as her heartbeat struggled to return to a normal rhythm.
