A Dish Best Served Cold
Summery: Moriarty is out rule the world once again and he's had it with Sherlock Holmes's interference. He has a plan, but the detective's friends may pay the ultimate price.
DisclaimerAll Publicly Recognizable Characters, Settings, Ideas, etc. are the Property of DiC Entertainment and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The Original Characters and Plot are the Property of the Author. The Author is in no way Associated with the Owners, Creators, or Producers of DiC Entertainment. No Copyright Infringement is intended.
Chapter 21 - Back Again
Moriarty's 2nd Base, Unknown Location in the New London Underground
Lestrade groaned as her eyes fluttered open. "Hmm…I'm alive?" she tried to move and found she was lying in a bed with leather straps restraining her wrist and ankles. 'Ya I'm alive,' she thought, 'alive and tied to a bed—perfect. This cannot end well.'
Just then the door opened and the object of her dislike entered the room. "The ionizer was at its lowest setting and not surprisingly you survived the blast." he told her before she could get an insult in. "You were quickly tended to, though you still need rest as we were in the mist of relocating all the equipment at the time."
Lestrade said nothing. She could feel the tremor of mechanical movement all around her, remembering that Murdock had mentioned a train when he had briefed her. "Where are we going?" she demanded.
"To a new base."
"How many do you have?"
"Enough," smirked the criminal with an evil glint in his eyes.
"Why am I alive?"
"My dear Lestra—"
"It's Inspector Lestrade to you! I'm not your dear anything!"
Anger flashed across Moriarty's face. "You would do well to remember your position Inspector." He reached out and grabbed her chin. She flinched and he smiled. 'She's afraid,' he thought, 'excellent.' Not only had she flinched but Moriarty had seen genuine fear in her eyes—briefly—but it had been there.
Lestrade chastised herself for showing fear. It was something she could not afford to do—she just couldn't get the memory of Moriarty with his hand around her throat out of her head, never had she been so certain of death. Angry with herself as well as the infamous criminal, her eyes narrowed into slits of contempt as she repeated her question.
"I know Holmes Inspector. He would rather die then allow one of his friends to suffer as you did. Either you two were separated for some unknown reason and he resurfaced and was therefore out of hearing range. Or he was injured and you were attempting to lead my men away from him. I'm inclined to think the latter, as I can't think of a reason for you to separate. Still, to be on the safe side, I decided to accelerate the move."
Lips twisting into and even greater smirk he continued. "Either way there was clearly no point in killing you since Holmes could not surrender. You are far more useful as a 'wild card'," he smiled reaching out and grabbing her chin in his hand once more.
This time Lestrade didn't flinch, she glared—her eyes full of malice, disgust and hate. "I'm going to enjoy taking you down." She replied coldly.
"The only one we will see fail Lestrade is Holmes, and like it or not you're going to help, when will you see the futility of your actions?"
"When pigs sprout wings and fly south for the winter."
Moriarty chuckled quietly to himself finding the inspectors words… refreshing. "I do hope you are comfortable Lestrade it is going to be a long trip." With that he turned around and left. The moment the door had closed Lestrade began working on freeing her left hand as the strap was a bit looser on that wrist.
00o00
Meanwhile Holmes, Watson, and Mace were fast approaching the train.
"Lot of security Sherlock. You want to stick a tracer on the thing then call in the Yard?"
"Yes, once we them under our control it will be a simple matter to induce Lestrade's location from them."
Suddenly a voice announced: "That's as far as you go."
The three turned around to see the man and the women Holmes and Watson had dealt with at the cars earlier as well as five others.
"Should have set your ionizer to a higher setting pal, I'm wearing some of that new armour that shields me from ionizer blast. I woke up about a minute after you left. Plenty of time to call in back up and tell them where you would be." She turned to Mace, "Who are you?"
"Just a friend." Mace said with a smile. "My name's Mace and you are?"
"Jax." replied the women automatically.
The redhead nodded and cocked her head towards the others. "How about the rest of you? Got names?"
Watson glanced at Mace questioningly; Holmes decided to use the time to conceive a plan of escape. Out of his pocket he extracted one of the two smoke bombs Lestrade had given them, casually he crossed his arms over his chest. Just as Mace was finishing up the introductions, he tossed it, quickly he grabbed his companions and the three ran.
"We need a new plan. They won't leave till they find us as the rewards on your heads are big."
"Then it would seem they are prepared to allow you to escape their notice. Watson and I will allow ourselves to be captured while you escape, you can remain aware of our location by using you tracers."
"Ah no, bad plan Sherlock, Moriarty's really ticked at you, he's ordered you and Watson to be taken alive so he can destroy Watson's board right in front of you."
"Then I will allow myself to be captured while you and Watson return to the surface."
"The reward on Watson isn't as big as yours but it's enough that they won't give up the search, besides Sherlock, believe it or not Moriarty has hired some people with brains. He made it standard procedure long ago to scan people for tracers and microphones when capturing them, or meeting with them or basically doing anything with anyone not with his organization. My tracers aren't the best and will be detected. Our best bet is to stick a tracer on the train and wait for them to leave."
"That could take hours; we have to get Lestrade out of there with all possible haste."
"She's survived Moriarty's hospitality a week, I'm sure she can handle a few more hours, 'sides, from what I hear she's tough, she's not some shrinking violet Holmes".
"That is the very heart of the problem she is headstrong, impulsive, fearless and volatile, she will do something to anger Moriarty and when she does… he won't have his favourite rival on whom he may vent his frustrations."
Mace said nothing.
"We must not lose hope, we shall find a way Holmes, I've no doubt of it," said Watson.
Mace smiled leave it to Watson to cheer Holmes up.
This conversation had taken place in hushed tone as the trio ran from hiding spot to hiding spot currently they were behind a stack of crates. Holmes continued, "If I were to allow my self to be caught I would be able to place a tracer on the train. They would leave sooner and you would be able to follow electronically."
"Just one problem Sherlock, they may abandon the train and connect to another further down the line."
"Then you will have to hurry."
Mace put her hand on her forehead and began to massage it. "Look will you please forget every plan that involves self sacrifice? It's noble but not the solution, we'll find a way to free Lestrade without getting killed." She turned to look Holmes straight in the eye, "And you Holmes need to calm down your letting your emotions get the best of you."
"She's right you know Holmes, now is not the time to do anything rash."
Holmes wanted to argue but then he noticed the look both she and a Watson were giving him a look of worry, fear, and weariness. He paused and realised they were right he was not thinking rationally.
"I am of course, open to other suggestions," he told them.
"Keep your hands where I can see them," ordered a voice from behind the group, The trio spun to see Jax with five others all with ionizers pointed at them.
"Jax so nice to see you—do you need a cough drop? I know smoke bombs can be hard on those recovering from a cough," commented Mace
Jax's eyes widened in surprise "How did you—nevermind. You should be more careful in choosing your friends Mace."
"Ya well, what can I say? I like adventure and these two attract it like moths to a flame. Quick question though—you have no standing orders with regards to me so what do you plan to do?"
"Kill you."
"Well that's unimaginative, not to mention annoying—now really isn't a good time for that, why don't I pencil it in sometime next week?"
"Enough! No stalling for time while that moth eaten geezer of yours thinks up an escape plan." She turned her attention to Holmes. Mace smiled and threw one of her knives at Jax's ionizer.
"What?" shouted the unsuspecting goon.
Before anyone could recover from the shock, Mace tossed another smoke bomb, grabbed Holmes and Watson and ran. "I cannot believe that worked twice, good thing some of them were worried about killing you Sherlock—word must have spread that you're vulnerable."
The detective said nothing, as Mace ploughed on, she pointed to another tunnel. "Common, we can get to the surface from here."
"Lestrade—"
"We'll get her back, don't worry I have a plan. Provided they're chasing us," she chanced a glance back and saw no one. 'That's odd,' she turned a corner and froze. "Crud."
Blocking their path were seven men and two women, all armed with ionizers. "When we heard you were down here we set up a parameter so you couldn't leave," said one of the men. "Now turn around and start walking."
The trio did as ordered, a few minutes later they saw Jax, and a few more of Moriarty's cronies.
"You must have figured something was up when we didn't give chase" said Jax "And as for you," she said addressing Mace, "orders have come in regarding you, Moriarty told us to bring you in alive. Don't suppose you know why?"
Mace's expression and voice assumed a countenance of mock innocence. "I have no idea why he would be interested in little ol' me."
"Whatever," Jax shrugged. "Get them on the train, if they put up a fight wipe the droid's memory board."
A few minutes later Mace, Holmes, and Watson were in a cell on the very train they had hoped to track from a distance.
"Well on the bright side we're in the same cell," Mace chirped cheerfully.
"Why would Moriarty want you?" asked Watson.
"I have quite the information network—maybe he wants information—at any rate hopefully I'll be able to barter for your life Watson."
"I would rather suffer the fate of oblivion then consign to the will of that vampire."
Mace smiled "Knew there was a reason I liked you, but I'd rather not have you killed, I'll think of something, I'm sure we can change this situation to our advantage." She looked at Holmes who was brooding in the corner. 'Hopefully he's plotting as well' she thought. Sigh 'I hope we get out of this alive, I'm worried about Watson, from what I've heard of Moriarty, it's gonna take a lot to convince him not to kill Watson to hurt Holmes. He really hates the guy.'
00o00
Lestrade was making some progress on her escape when Moriarty walked in. "You know Lestrade there is a camera watching you. It is hidden but it is there all the same."
The inspector glared. "What do you want?"
"Merely to keep you informed, t'would seem that my dear nemesis naively attempted to bypass the security of my second transport, in all likelihood in an attempt to learn of your fate, he was—before you think otherwise—captured, as was Watson— who will be destroyed as soon as time permits—and a young lady by the name of Mace Callaway, whose rather excellent information network will serve me admirably." He smiled as one who has won a great victory, leaned over Lestrade and said, "With the fall of you previous comrades goes your one chance of freedom, you have lost." He spoke the last words with finality as if he was sure there was no hope for them.
"This from a guy who's been driven out of two bases so far?" she reminded him. "We'll drive you out of however many it takes to bring you down," a smile crossed her lips, "like I said I'm going to have fun removing that smug look from your face."
"We'll see how confident you feel when Watson has been destroyed. I shall make sure both you and Holmes are awarded front row seats."
"If you touch Watson I swear you'll pay." she hissed venomously.
"When will you realise Lestrade, that you are mine? No one will save you this time."
"I don't need saving."
"Says the women tied to a bed."
Lestrade smirked, her left hand was free, Moriarty was on her right, good thing too the momentum only made the punch stronger. She hit him right on the nose, breaking it. Blood spattered everywhere but Lestrade ignored it, quickly she undid the restrain on her right wrist, just as the door opened and three guards walked in pointing ionizers at her. Moriarty stood off to the side, covering his nose with a handkerchief.
"Nice work Lestrade, we'll have to tighten the restraints." He motioned to one of his guards who handed her ionizer to another guard and walked over to the inspector. "Unless you want to lose consciousness I suggest you allow Vicky here to tighten your restraints."
Lestrade laid down again and Vicky redid the restraints. Once that was done, Moriarty ordered the guards out.
"You know Lestrade there are always at lest three guards standing right outside your door," he placed the buzzer in his palm and walked over to his now helpless victim. "You really should learn to control your temper," he reminded her as he reached for her throat.
00o00
Holmes sat brooding in his cell. He was worried about Watson. Moriarty certainly indented to kill Watson for revenge against him, but what did he want with Mace? Access to her information network? Or just one specific piece of information? Perhaps there was more to Mace then she let on, he knew little about her past so it was a possibility. Most likely though it was her network.
He glanced over at his companions. Mace had convinced Watson to tell her a story, and the two were chatting amiably. He smiled; grateful Mace was succeeding in lightening the mood.
Suddenly they felt the train stop, a minute later Jax entered, followed by ten other guards. "Here's the deal you do as you're told and we don't wipe the droid's memory. Sound good?"
"Not particularly. How about you let us go and we won't toss you in jail later?" replied Mace amiably, annoyed at having her story interrupted. Watson was a lot better at story telling then Sherlock.
"Well Moriarty certainly doesn't want you for your sense of humour," drawled Jax. "C'mon, your cell's this way."
Jax and company led the three off the train and towards another brick wall. Pressing a few bricks in sequence and the group entered the new base. It looked much like the other two except the walls were concrete as was the ceiling the floor however had the same plastic tiles. The three were lead down a series of corridors and within minutes Jax stopped at a door and reach forward to open it then motioned them inside. The cell wasn't that small but it wasn't furnished either, not to mention it felt as though it would be a good place to store frozen food.
"My what a pleasant room Moriarty is certainly hospitable," Mace observed.
"Do you ever shut up?" Jax demanded.
"On rare occasion," replied Mace with a grin.
Jax sighed and turned to go. Once the door was closed Mace turned to Holmes, "So any ideas?"
"We wait for Moriarty," he then sat down as did Watson.
Mace sighed. "I was afraid you were going to say that." She walked over to Watson and crouching in front of him, "So… care to finish the story?"
"Certainly, my dear."
Mace grinned. She liked it when Watson called her 'dear,' it made her feel warm and fuzzy inside.
"Now where was I …? Oh yes I remember…"
Holmes smiled despite been brutally aware of the hopelessness of the situation. Mace was right, provided she could convince Moriarty not to kill Watson they could turn this situation to their advantage. They were in the same facility as the presidents. When they escaped they could bring the presidents with them, and hopefully take down Moriarty. He would leave the bartering to her, hopefully she would manage it.
He sighed, Mace and Watson were correct. He had acted impulsively and illogically, he decided to use this time to meditate, and get his thoughts and emotions under control. He would be ready for Moriarty.
00o00
An hour later Moriarty entered the cell, "Ah Holmes, Watson so good to see you again, and you must be Mace—a pleasure my dear."
"You'll recount that if you ever call me 'dear' again," she replied frostily.
"Watch your tone with me." Moriarty warned.
Mace raised an eyebrow, he was angry, she could use that.
Holmes looked at the two and sighed quietly to himself, this was it, the moment he dreaded, Watson's fate was about to be decided. 'Must she antagonize him?' he wondered.
"Heh, I know what you want with these two but I'm a little vague on what it is you want from me, I have business to tend to tomorrow. So how 'bout you tell me so I can be on my merry way."
Moriarty smirked. "You my dear are not going anywhere. As to your second request, you have access to a great deal of privileged information, information I desire."
"Gonna cost you and I don't mean money."
"I can kill you, you know."
"Heh, you think I care what plane of existence I'm on? Earth or whatever comes next I don't care—but rest assured, with my information you could crush the Harrison family." Actually Mace did care a great deal what plane she was on but Moriarty didn't have to know that.
Moriarty smiled. At least the girl was open to business and wasn't been one of those cliché 'I'd rather die then help you' types—those got annoying after awhile. "What pray tell, is your price?"
"Watson."
Moriarty raised his eyebrows.
"You don't kill him, you don't remove his board, and you don't keep him isolated either."
"You're not going to demand I let him go?"
"I wouldn't dream of it. There's no way you'd give up your revenge on Holmes. I can tell by the way you look at him—I've seen that face before—besides such a request would only keep him safe 'til the next time he ticked you off—so…about a week—and Watson wouldn't want to be free while Holmes remains in this hell hole. So my price is this you don't hurt Watson ever and you let him share a cell with Holmes."
"Keeping Holmes isolated is part of his punishment, though I will—of—course allow the dear doctor to stay with you—but only if your information enables me to takeout the Harrisons, Philipson, and Young."
"Me and Watson share a cell with Lestrade."
"Holmes isn't the only one being punished." 'Besides,' Moriarty thought, 'I enjoy our private conversations.'
"Daily visits then, with Holmes and Lestrade, no shorter then two hours."
"Yes to Lestrade as for Holmes… that depends on whether or not he's up to receiving visitors."
Mace stared. She didn't like the 'up to receiving visitors' part but it seemed like an okay deal: Watson would not be hurt or isolated.
"I can live with that." 'Too bad I don't think he'd give up Lestrade, still I've managed to buy time, hopefully we'll be out of here soon.' She thought as she extended her hand and Moriarty shook it.
Mace then stepped aside and walked over to Watson, he smiled at her and she knew he was pleased she hadn't tried to free him. Both turned to Holmes and Moriarty, who were currently trying to stare each other down.
Well looks like our heroes are back to square one, anyone wonder why this chapter is called back again? I am an evil, evil writer; on the bright side I haven't killed Lestrade, yet.
Anyway next chapter will be up on the 20 of January before noon cst.
Tootles all.