25
Through the door's glass, Molly could see Sherlock and John talking intently to each other. She was conscious that in front of her both of them had pretended to be less worried about what Janine was concocting than they really were and that Sherlock had asked John to babysit her was a glaring proof.
At best Sherlock would be back shortly with the news Janine had been taken in custody. At worst the news would be that she had managed to escape once again and that Molly would do well to watch her back. In both cases this meant that no matter how tired she felt, she could not indulge in a truly restful sleep. Her nerves wouldn't allow it.
After Sherlock left with the three cops, John peeked inside to ask if she needed anything, "Anthea ordered some sandwiches and hot coffee at the diner here on the corner. Sure you don't want any?" he considerately asked, "No, thanks John" she replied fluffing the pillow under her head, "I'll try to get some sleep". The ash-blond doctor nodded and told her he would stay there by the door with Mycroft and the cops for a while.
Molly rested her head on the pillow but as she had expected she couldn't fall asleep right away. She didn't know how long she stayed awake to observe the room that housed her. She scrutinized every corner as if Janine could materialize out of nowhere, "Don't be silly!" she said to herself rolling on her right side, "Door or window are the only two entrances" she muttered.
The door was controlled by cops and John. The window…well, her room was on the second to last floor. Either Janine had skills like Spiderman or she could never get in from there. These thoughts helped her to relax a bit and without realizing it she closed her eyes giving in to fatigue.
As she had predicted it was not a restful sleep. Her dreams carried her back to that water-filled room in the cottage. The cruel and mocking voices of Winston and Janine echoed in her mind. She could swear she smelled the floral essence of the expensive perfume the woman wore. And then there was that annoying clicking of her stiletto heels shoes.
Why did that clicking sound so close to her bed? Was it possible that a nurse was wearing heels? Because couldn't be anyone than a nurse that was moving around her. Molly felt her blood pressure cuff being removed from her arm and the oximeter pulled from her finger.
She wakened slowly, sighing and not enjoying being brought out of her slumber. "Is it…is it morning already?" she slurred as she lazily lay down on her back. "Oh, no! It's not morning yet, Sleeping Beauty!" a familiar voice whispered in her ear in a mocking tone.
Molly snapped her eyes open sitting instinctively on the bed, backing up with her bum until her back hit the headboard. A malevolent smile curled Janine's red-lipstick lips, "Sorry, I'm not Prince Charming though!" she added bending ominously over Molly as she ran the muzzle of her gun down her cheek and neck to stop at her heart.
Molly tensed as the weapon was slid across her skin sending shivers of terrors through her bones. Her eyes instinctively darted toward the door. It was open but she couldn't see the uniformed cops, nor John. There seemed to be no one outside.
She wanted to ask Janine what had happened to those who were supposed to protect her, but her mouth was so dry she could hardly swallow, let alone speak.
"Don't worry. I didn't kill them" Janine replied as if she had read her mind, "I caught the delivery guy from the diner. It was a breeze to put a sleeping draught in their drinks" she laughed shortly and shrugged, "They'll have a nap until at least in the morning".
Then she suddenly stood upright and just as suddenly and abruptly tore off the IV needle from Molly's arm causing a little leak of blood spurt, which Molly out of instinct dabbed with the opposite hand to stop the bleeding.
"You are not going to whimper for some blood, are you?" Janine taunted her, "I've other plans for you besides bleeding you to death!" she added tearing a strip of sheet and throwing it into her lap. "Who did you take me for?" Molly talked back as she took the piece of cloth, "Do I have to remind you what my job is?".
She held a flap between her teeth, she managed to tie it around her arm easily enough and dab the wound. "You're quite sensitive, dear Doctor Hooper!" Janine teased her while in the meantime she had taken the bag brought by Anthea and poured its contents on the bed, "Get dressed" she commanded pointing the gun at her.
Molly looked at the pile of clothes thrown pell-mell on the bed and a sad fleeting smile curled her lips, "What's your plan? If I have to get dressed, it means we get out of here…where are you going to take me?" asked Molly trying not to show the distress that was growing inside her, because even if she didn't know how, it was more than evident the intention of Jim's twin was to get rid of her, once and for all this time.
"Jeez! Your tongue is untied! Better before when you were quiet" Janine started to pace up and down near her, still with the gun aimed at Molly who was trying to buy time by stalling in choosing the clothes to wear since Anthea had been smart enough to take two of everything, including underwear and shoes.
"Hurry up!" Janine barked, making her jump, "We don't have all night!" she added waving the gun in front of her face while her eyes frantically checked the clock on the wall. "Oh! She's nervous!" Molly thought cocking her head to one side. Janine was probably feared that…
No, Molly considered to herself as she watched her more carefully, it wasn't fear that made her chomp at the bit. It was excitement, almost impatience. Because Janine was sure Sherlock would be in on the deal. She wanted him to be in on the deal. And whatever the sister of the world's most famous consulting criminal had in mind the scenario had to be set up before Sherlock come along.
Without taking her eyes off her, Molly lazily rummaged through the pile of clothing, randomly grabbing a pair of plain white knickers with matching bra and a pair of black leggings, "Clothes on, I said! Don't mess with me, luv!" she hissed, an evil glint in her brown eyes, "I know exactly what you're doing" Janine laughed, "But don't worry, I won't kill you before Sherlock is here and takes a front row seat to enjoy the show".
Her high heels clicked on the floor. She wrinkled her nose in disgust at the garments Molly was holding and fretfully picked up a red blouse, matching socks and a pair of sneaker, throwing them at her.
"Honestly" Janine sighed shaking her head as she eyed Molly get dressed, "I don't understand how you manage to turn on a man like Sherlock". Molly's belly tightened as she felt the gun running like a caress, cold and slow, from the base of her neck to the small of her back.
"You're thin. Small lips and breasts, narrow hips. You probably make up for it with your nice round bum" Janine slid the muzzle of the gun down Molly's side and chuckled as she saw the pathologist hold her breath.
"Not to mention your horrible tastes in clothes" she nonchalantly sat on the bed, "If you were bold in choosing your underwear, I could almost understand why Sherlock wants you". Janine screw up her nose once more in disgust, "But I know for a fact, you know twins trust each other, that you don't have good taste there either".
Molly bit her lip and looked away. No, she wouldn't be playing Janine's game this time. She wouldn't allow her to leverage her own insecurities and inadequacies in terms of men. Janine could blab as she wanted, but as much as Sherlock was still a man as she put it, he was not a conventional one. One for whom a beautiful and attractive woman was just the one who had all curves in the right place and dressed to highlight those curves. Thank God.
So Molly cut herself off from her chit-chat and finished getting ready in utter silence, brooding, however, over the fact that although Janine had flaunted her love for Wilson to the rooftops, she still felt something for Sherlock.
"Oh, you look charming!" Janine taunted her motioning for Molly to head for the door, "Where are we going? What's your play?" she asked not taking a step. Her opponent sighed, "The plan is the same as before, my dear. Kill you". She then laughed, "And don't worry about where we're headed. Sherlock will find you. Don't doubt it. I'm sure the meaning of the message I left him was crystal clear".
Finally she got up from the bed, "Now shut up and walk. Be good or you'll force me to handcuff you" only when Janine dug the gun deeper into her back, Molly complied and walked towards the door, "You know you've no way out, right? Sherlock will catch you and it will the end for you, as it was for Jim".
"Oh, you're so funny, luv!" Janine burst into a hearty high-pitch laugh, "You just don't get it!" her voice turned cruel, "Even if they arrest me, and I assure you it won't happen, my purpose will be achieved".
She impelled Molly over the threshold digging the gun between her shoulder blades, "You will be dead" she said in her ear, "My brother and Winston will be avenged. And the great consulting detective's heart will be burnt out of him".
Molly closed her eyes for a moment taking a deep breath before allowing Janine to direct her to the lifts. Their run was short. Only one floor. As soon as the lift doors opened Janine pointed out which direction to take. Walking beside Molly, the gun against her hip, Sherlock's ex fiancé led her to the maintenance area for the lifts making her stop in front of a steel door.
Molly's blood ran cold. She turned her head to look at Moriarty's twin and swallowed hard, "The…the roof?" Molly asked unable to stop her voice from shaking and her body from wincing as she realized what her captor's plan was.
Janine laughed, a low chuckle of amusement, "Yeah! Isn't this the perfect place to come full circle? Well, it would have been better at Bart's where it all started, but…" she gave a quick shrug, "You can't have everything, right? You just settle for what you have!" then nodded for Molly to get out.
She shook her head and backed away, stopped by the wall "No" she refused forcefully, "If you have to kill me do it here, now!" an insane demand tumbled out of Molly's mouth before she knew it. The brunette reached out with her free hand and grabbed Molly's hair, pulling her head back. "I'm losing patience with you, luv. You'll do what I tell you to do. Do you understand?" Janine's menacing voice murmured in Molly's ear.
"Now get out and stop whining" she commanded lowering the handle of the access door to the roof. With overt reluctance Molly stepped out. As she looked around a shiver ran down her spine. The night air was quite cool and she wore no jacket. Regardless of the fear that was taking hold of her.
Molly ran her hands up and down her arms to try to warm up a little as she craned her neck to Janine looking at her questioningly. "Well, walk ahead, darling. Get to the ledge" she said waving the gun in the direction she wanted Molly to go. "Janine" she murmured through chattering teeth, "Really, all of this is…" she could barely register Janine's hand on her back shoving her to the ground so fast she lunged forward.
"Stop that!" she screamed at her in anger as Molly rolled from her knees onto her backside levering herself up on shaking arms, "I've warned you! I've had enough of you!". Janine's eyes were bloodshot. Her face transfigured with anger.
Molly saw with horror the brunette's hand rise and aim the gun at her. The sharp click of the breechblock being loaded rang in the darkness. "Say goodbye to the world, luv" Janine snarled and Molly instinctively looked away, closing her eyes tightly.
Then she heard the sound of a shot lashing the air.
