Hello readers I certainly hope you enjoyed the first chapter. I know things seem to be going slowly bit the story is progressing just getting some of the character building and set up out of the way first. Please comment and Like if you enjoy it means a lot to me as the writer

Without further ado Back to the story

The air in Irene Addler's office was tense in the way it is when people discuss important things. It was charged in that peculiar way.

"I assure you, gentlemen I enjoyed the thorough foreplay but I assume you are here to get to the important parts."

"Yes. Mycroft has had his fun piddling about. There are things you need and we are sure it's beneficial and safe for us to provide them. You need a doctor to look after the influx of men and women you've smuggled into the country, medicine to wean the addicts and street runts you currently have. Guns for your deliverymen and bouncers who keep your whores in transit."

"She also needs information about border control and security to get them here without any more embarrassing mishaps," Mycroft interjected. "Patrol locations, airport security check schedules, that sort of thing. Also thinking she needs a better location for holding these unfortunates at arrival. Like maybe one of the multiple storehouses you use for cutting and shipping. Oh and we mustn't forget drugs to bribe those officials we can't outright intimidate and to keep the noses of the cartel's suitably powdered."

"Oh, if you want to be obvious," Sherlock said waving a hand dismissivly. His big frame filled the chair in the way only he could. John was very familiar with the way the tall skinny man took up more space than he seemed he should. "John." Sherlock said. That made Watson look up and stop staring at his flatmate awkwardly.

"Yeah."

"How hard would it be for you to get medication?"

"Not very," John said. "Depends on the type, though mate. Narcotic pain medication and terminal illness medicine are the hardest. Downright impossible without help... more people invilved than we need."

"Doubt she'd be needing that," Sherlock replied. "Probably antibiotics, and trauma treatments. A few skulls bound to get bashed and a john get nasty. A stray shot or two that sort of thing. Nothing you haven't seen before and worse I'm sure. Boring"

"I'm trying to go upscale as you can see. I'm running a classy place.," Irene said. "All the trimmings and I can't have jittery, toothless, dry junkies working. I need them clean and as whole as I can get them."

"Smart business, Ms Addler," Mycroft said. "The problem is how will you control them. The reason most pimps keep pumping drugs into whores is because it makes them pliable, controllable and not likely to run or attack a client."

"Oh best believe I have ways to control them. And I am intending to provide a different clientele shall we say a very well paying completely untapped niche market."

None of the men in the study seemed convinced but they didn't say anything. Well they were until John leaned forward in his chair and said, "I would need to see them."

"That can be arranged, Doctor. In about a week I'll have a shipment of very fresh girls in. If he is so gracious I'll have John come with me and give them a look."

Sherlock drummed his fingers on the side of the chair in thought. "Sound plan miss Addler," he said. "I'm sure John will be of value keeping everyone in working shape. I'm assuming you're going to be accompanying us to pick up these things you need soon?"

"Of course, gentleman. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Let's hash out the numbers. Now how much of a cut are you wanting for providing me with weapons, medicine, these boltholes, and drugs."

"Thirty percent," Mycroft said.

"Rubbish," Addler said. "I'll give you eighteen, you greedy bugger."

"Oh, No, Ms. Addler you will give us thirty and for giving us thirty percent you'll not only get your guns, drugs, and the medical help we can provide," Mycroft said a small knowing smile on his face. "You also get the services I provide as well as complete protection from the dangers you were previously facing. It is quite a bargain."

"Dangers? What dangers? Is this a threat, Mr. Holmes? I do not take kindly to them."

"Oh not at all, no. It's a warning you were making some rather important enemies one of whom happens to be a great friend of his." The mildly pudgy man pointed to his skinny brother.

"Enemies? Who? I haven't been stepping on toes. I barely even bumped up against your operation."

"Hudson," Sherlock said.

"Quite, brother mine. Such a feisty one. Very short tempered and you my dear were smack in the center of her radar. Vouching for you and yours will be well worth the extra cost with her. There is also the simple fact that you need much more from us than we need from you. We have other viable options to get the extra manpower we need. I find it very unlikely that you do, Ms. Addler. Call it an expedience fee."

Irene narrowed her eyes but didn't reject the notion. She didn't like this one bit. She did not like that the name Hudson had not come up before. It was not smart to be caught unaware. And it was dangerous to have people talking about you in her business. That is what hat caused her downfall in the past. She had learned her lessons.

"Fine, thirty. But only because he can provide hospital grade medication. It's worth it compared to the rubbish waterygenerics I can pull from the streets. If this changes your price drops in accordance no negotiations."

Sherlock shrugged and said, "As good a reason as any other if you need to justify it. Mycroft will contact you once we settle everything with Hudson and our friends."

"Thank You, Gentleman."

Irene carefully watched the trio of men leave her study. This was not amusing she did not like the name they had brought up. She didn't like that she had not heard it. She did not like that whoever this Hudson was had heard of her. Then again how much faith should she put into the words of these three. She hardly knew them and they were obviously biased in terms of wanting more money. But it was fine she would take this loss for now. She had other sources a rather steep cut was not going to be any serious issue for Irene.

"I do so detest this place," Sherlock said. The brick building was in no way imposing. There were garden boxes beneath the windows and a welcome mat on the stoop. Sherlock rang the bell and he heard the quiet shuffling behind the door and it was opened by a smiling old woman with soft curling grey hair.

"Mrs. Hudson. It's been an age since you came around to. Oh come in come in."

There was something very very off about Mrs. Hudson. Always smiling always the proper lady never a hair out of place or a doily off center. "Now what brings you to me, boys. From what I hear you've been doing awfully well for yourselves. My friends are impressed."

"Oh we are very sure, that is actually what we're here to talk about," Mycroft said as they followed the little woman into her sitting room. Soft floral couches and every surface impeccably dusted. The very very perfect nature of everything in the room made Sherlock antsy.

"We are expanding."

Mrs. Hudson grinned and cocked her head. "I had heard from a friend of mine. Your latest order was something impressive. And I know why you are here. You do not want me to bother your new friend."

"Quite Madam."

Mrs. Hudson shrugged and nodded. "All you had to do was ask boys. You know what happens when one runs cross of me and we would not want that happening to one of your friends would we? Now John, dear. I have a favor to ask you if you would I was actually just planning on making a call on you as well." The doctor looked up mildly surprised. "If you boys would follow me I need a little help from you downstairs." John got up and followed the small woman down to her cellar. He was quite surprised by the gloom and the cold down there. He was not surprised by the two taller men following him. "You see boys this bloke was a bad boy and must be taught a lesson about taking what isn't his."

The man was sweating profusely in the chair he was strapped too. All ten of his fingers were at painful conflicting angles and his hands were swollen and purple. "Sticky fingers are such a nasty habit one must correct it quickly. I'm getting a bit on in years so I was wondering if you wouldn't mind finishing the job. Be a dear?"

Sherlock whistled as he observed the thief's mangled hands. Nasty work Hudson had done he'd probably be crippled for life. The thief twitched awkwardly in his chair barely lucid after the damage to his hands.

"What did he do, Mrs Hudson?"

"Oh the stupid boy thought he could make off with twenty pounds of my husbands premium medical grade heroin."

Mycroft coughed and actually looked painfully shocked. He shook his head looking to his younger brother.

"Can you believe that, Sherlock? Must be utterly Mad to try some shit like that?"

John snorted as he pulled his jacket off.

"Twenty pounds huh," the former Army trauma surgeon said. "How did he manage that?" The expression on John's face was one few people saw. There was a kind of madness there that few people recognized. Watson was a different person when he had to hurt people.. he became a monster of sorts. "I think he's paid for ten." John saw his bare feet an a sinister grin spread across his face and then the bottom of John's steel toed boot crushed the man's foot. John felt the bones shift in the man's feet. Then the boot went smashing into his leg and he screamed. John snorted. "Still a little short mate. You owe her five quid."

"Don't forget damages for the truck he stole holding my things. Naughty thieving thing he is. It is so hard to find good help." John looked to Mycroft and held out his hand.

"Let me borrow that for a second." John grasped the cane testing it's weight. He gave it an experimental swing and he liked the feel of it. And then it smashed in the brittle bones at the man's feet and shins. The thief was left a weeping whimpering mess as the cane smashed bone and soft tissue. Mrs Hudson clapped her hands and nodded.

"Right and proper lesson, don't you think boys. Hopefully he paid attention. Mrs. Hudson clucked her tongue as she led the boys of 221 away from her employee. "Have to be firm with the help gents. Ever so grateful for the help. And don't worry about your little friend. I won't be bothered with her. It was jus the principle of the thing really. Up and comer making a mess all over the place, getting nicked by the bobbies and raising the alert and whatnot. I'[m sure you can keep her in check. The young ones are always a bit clumsy anyway."

"Quite," Mycroft said inspecting his cane now that John had returned it. "I doubt it will be any challenge to get Addler a bit less noisy. Now, Mrs. Hudson about the order." \

"Of, course business business. It will be a simple thing. No trouble at all. Well as long as you already have buyers lines up for the upfront."

"Naturally," Sherlock said. "We'll be calling again soon."

"Oh always a treat, boys," Mrs. Hudson said. "I'll get some friends to help me clean up downstairs. Off with you now you've got things to prepare." As they left Sherlock let out a metal sigh. He nearly shuddered visibly but he had far too much control for that. Mycroft slid a cigarette into his mouth as they made their way back to the car.

"You sure about this?" Mycroft asked. He shielded his lighter with his hands. "Moving not only ot bigger quantities but entirely new product. Moving into protections and heroin?"

Sherlock scoffed mildly amused.

"Oh like you hadn't been planning it for months."

"True but I am a long game sort." Mycroft exhaled a cloud of silky smoke and he carefully watched Sherlock. "You are not. Why the sudden shifts brother mine. You had a good thing going low risk high profit. Good connections. Trust. You're taking an awful lot of risks."

"I saw an opportunity and wanted to take it," Sherlock said. He twitched slightly at the smell of the tobacco. Mycroft could be a horrible person sometimes. Most times actually but especially at just this second.

"Strange."

John sighed and cleared his throat saying, "Don't you think it's high time we popped off. You know work to be done and all that. Things will be picking up from here on out won't they lads?" Already the trio had plans for the greatly increased revenue. The boys from 221 were well on their way to owning this city.

Lestrade well known around the desks and even more well known on the barstool at the hotel bar. He knocked back the bourbon and grunted when it went down sour. The place had rubbish liquor. He looked to the beautiful red headed woman seated next to him and grinned. It however made up for it in pleasant company.

"Hello, Jessica," he said. "I take it the boss will be seeing me now."

"Yes, Sir," Jessica said. Irene's ginger lover slid fifty quid across the bar to the keeper and led Lestrade away from his favorite seat.

"I like what you've done for yourself Irene."

"Oh save it, Copper. You kno0w what I called you for."

"Course I do. You need your weekly report." Lestrade lit a cigarette as he took a seat in one of the chairs. The same one Sherlock had been sitting in Irene noted. "I've got bad news for you."

"When don't you," Irene asked as the special inspector pushed a folder across her desk."

"Oh never but this news is worse than other's."
Irene scanned the file and her expression gradually dropped. It was subtle at first and then overt as her anger built.

"And what exactly is this shit supposed to mean? I pay you to keep pjust this from happening Lestrade."

"No, you don't. You pay me to keep them off your whore arse. I'm giving you warning and this is good actually. It's believable you won't lose anything of value. Call it a controlled burn. I was getting lot's of eyes looking cross at me in the station. I can't completely cover you. You know that. Nothing is more suspicious than a complete blank."

"Fine so my storehouse is going to be raided. Do they know it belongs to me?"

"No, they don't. They think it's a front for a local hood gang. See I'm doing my job. I'm keeping the dogs in the yard on leashes. Pretty important what with this business you're working with the new blokes."

"You make a point. I thik I have another job for your, Lestrade. You have access to the records. I need you to see if the name Hudson comes up."

"Can do. Now about my payment. I think I'm going to like having my door charge waived."

"Enjoy it while it lasts, Lestrade. The moment you show signs of being less useful I cut you."

"Like you could," Lestrade replied. He snorted in amusement as he dumped ash into the tray on the little table by his seat. "I have so much on you it would be suicide, Addler. I want Christine again. Bitch could suck the paint of a wall."

"Very well have Jessica show you out. We'll keep in touch, Inspector."

Irene's nose wrinkled in distaste as Lestrade left. Stupid man did not know how he was tempting fate with his insults and derision. She sincerely hoped the detective was stupid enough to not realize she had just as much on him as he did on her. Mutually assured destruction. It was not an optimal position but it worked. She would do her best to keep him properly disillusioned to the situation though. The idiot really thought he was untouchable as if the fact that Irene had history with Scotland Yard was enough leverage to hold her back should he stop being useful. He had much to learn.

London was about to become a very different place.

Stilted music flowed through the flat in the most inopportune ways. Sherlock scratched and plucked at the Violin strings making irritating noise. John was perilously close to causing his flatmate and business partner bodily harm when Sherlock stopped.

"Are you ready to stop having your pathetic fit about the Addler woman now, John? Get over it and forgive me already so we can get to proper work." John merely looked over the book in his hands and sighed.

"I do not like it, Mate. And apparently neither does Mycroft. It wouldn't be so bad if you would just explain what you're on about. You say it's for the manpower her organization provides but there are much less risky routes than this merger. I swear Hudson's people are professional. And the coppers aren't sniffing after her like Addler. She the worst choice Sherlock."

"True but it makes her something that Hudson is not. Controllable. And willing to pay high prices that we could never demand and with our help she'll be more than capable, John. Now are we over this so you can stop quietly sulking whenever we discuss business."

"Fine. You're an arse I hope you know."

Sherlock was well aware of the fact that he was... less than likeable. And Sherlock was also aware of the fact that this was exactly the reason John was so enamored with him. The doctor was inexplicably dran the the ilicit the hard to control... the mad. It was what had drawn him into the service and it was also what had caused the problems that led to his disgraced discharge. And it was why John was mildy obsessed with the idea of broken firty dealing Sherlock Holmes.