The Investigation of Missing Margaret Holmes

by marval3

Margaret Holmes simply wanted to visit her brothers, who were both too preoccupied with work to pay her any mind. After an unfortunate turn of events Margaret is taken by a serial killer Sherlock and John were already investigating. Time is running out for the middle Holmes sibling, and doubt begins to flourish if the only way she'll be found is as another victim.

6. Chapter 6

ᴛʜᴜʀsᴅᴀʏ 3:41 ᴘᴍ

A knock on 221B caught the attention of Mrs Hudson who was in the midst of pouring tea. Split between greeting guests and finishing the pour, her torn gaze flickered between the china and the door. It was decided when another knock sounded. Mrs Hudson tsked loudly, wobbling over to open the entrance.

"Yes?..." Her brows shot up at the sight before her. It was Sherlock's elder brother, Mycroft, with a miserable looking Margaret by his side.

Mycroft inclined his head in greeting. "Good day Mrs Hudson. Is Sherlock in?"

Hastily Mrs Hudson stepped aside opening the door further, ushering them in. She looked at the pair standing in the foyer and said, "Yes he is, do you want me to call him down for you?"

The man's lips curved into a slight frown. "No, no need." He glanced up the stairwell, then to Margaret. "Mrs Hudson would you mind watching over my sister?"

"No problem dearie."

While Mrs Hudson gently maneuvered Margaret into a seat, Mycroft thumped his way up the stairs and to his brother's flat.

The day Margaret appeared at his work had come as a surprise to Mycroft; as the last he'd heard of her was in Milan while she wasted her days away with a local. She never explained the reason behind her visit, frankly he would appreciate to know why dear sister showed up after not so much as a whisper for five years. Despite her being family, it was his job to be suspicious. Thus, he placed a surveillance team on her.

Then of course he finds out she became inebriated days after arriving in London.

Mycroft arrived at the top of the stairs, took a moment to straighten his clothing, and opened the door.

Sherlock was standing in front of a wall with an assortment of papers tacked onto it, red string sparingly appeared in sections connecting one or two photographs. John sat at a computer, rapidly typing away.

Upon Mycroft's entrance the two men turned their heads. John stumbled to his feet, glancing at Sherlock who'd locked in a stare with his brother.

"What do you want?" Sherlock asked dismissively, turning back around to face the wall. "I'm busy."

Mycroft inhaled a deep breath, beginning to walk idly inside the room. "As was I, until last night, when I found Millie, intoxicated, wandering the nightly streets of London."

"Is she alright?" John asked, his voice pitched with alarm.

"Oh yes, she's quite alright, simply–"

"Quit your satirizing, Mycroft." Sherlock rolled his eyes. "Margaret is a capable adult who does not require you nor I to look after her. If she wanted it, she would have asked for you to look over her shoulder while she spent her time here."

Mycroft raised his brows, lips pressing together at his brother's snarky comment. The man smoothed down his coat and turned towards the door. "Whatever you say, brother of mine." There was a pause, then Mycroft added on, "Millie is downstairs in the company of Mrs Hudson. If you will excuse me I have to get back to work."

John called a quiet farewell, seemingly out of place amidst the family drama. Sherlock only turned back to his wall.