It came the night of the ARK Gala and Sherlock was standing in front of the mirror trying to tie his tie, debating on what would look best. He normally wasn't one for looks, that's not what it was about...it was more along the lines of he refused to wear anything formal as a boy so he didn't know exactly what was best. No, this was definitely Mycroft's area of expertise. But he would be damned if he called his brother up and ask him how to tie a proper Windsor knot. John on the other hand was already ready and walked into his room as he studied his best friend.
"You need help?"
"No I have it." Sherlock said as he straightened the dinner jacket and then unbuttoned it to reveal the waist coat. He, Sherlock Holmes was wearing a damn waist coat.
"The cuff links look nice." John pointed out. "And the tie."
"It all feels ridiculous."
"We don't have to give the suits back do we?"
"I don't think so. Seeing as how she has more money than the Queen herself."
"Well it's almost time." he said as John checked his pocket watch that he had unearthed for this occasion. After all he was going to try and look his best.
"Alright then."
The two headed downstairs and Sherlock being himself grabbed his peacoat for good measure and slipped it on over his tux. As they stepped outside onto the sidewalk of Baker Street there waiting for them was a limo. The driver waited patiently as he then opened the door for them both.
"Ms. Kyle sent me to pick you up and take you both to the Gala. She would like it if you both were prompt."
"Oh right, a limo." John said sarcastically as he slid into the black vehicle and Sherlock slipped in after him. The door closed and they both looked at each other before John looked directly in front of him searching for some quip or something to say in general.
"You sure she's not your girlfriend?"
"Absolutely positive." Sherlock frowned as he rubbed his chin and stared out the window.
"Right."
The ride there was silent and when they arrived there was camera's and reporters and the minute they stepped out photo's were snapped of them entering. They walked up the stairs and into the Kensington Palace Garden's and inside was extravagant as people milled about in their best finery.
"Good lord is that Madonna?" John pointed out and Sherlock stood awkwardly with his hands in his pockets. He searched around the room spotting, The Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge also known as Prince William and Princess Catherine. There was many a celebrity here but off to the side with a glass of champagne in her hands was Eve Campbell dressed in a long white gown with fine swarovski crystal embedded down the train. She turned from her talk with Prince Harry to look at Sherlock and she smiled slightly. Excusing herself she walked towards them.
"Welcome to the ARK Gala gentleman. Would you like something to drink?"
"No, I don't drink." Sherlock said. "It befuddles my senses."
"I will have a scotch please." John said.
Eve hailed a waiter and ordered him a drink and gave him her glass as she did not wish to have her's any further.
"So why exactly are we here?" Sherlock asked getting straight tot he point.
"Why not? I paid for it, now have a good time. Make some friends. I'm sure the London Police Commissioner or the Queen herself might prove to be some very useful friends in the future."
"Did you say London Police Commissioner?"
"Yes, I did."
"Aren't you a wanted criminal...by Interpol and everything?"
"Oh I am. But see at these events I don't go by Campbell...I was actually born under the name Laverdiere. Evelyn Francesca Campbell-Laverdiere. My mother was Scottish and my Father was French."
"And Sophie is your sister...I should have pegged that seeing as it's a French name."
"Yes. Sophie is my sister. Estranged as is the rest of my family. But when you have a lot of money and you contribute that money to a good cause sometimes people look the other way for a short period of time."
"So you were born wealthy?" John asked and Eve nodded.
"I was born into one of the wealthiest families in France. I moved to America when I was eighteen to attend Dartmouth and when I graduated I kind of fell off the wagon so to speak. I was bored, I was tired and I needed something other than a business degree...so I stole things. I didn't need my parents money to be great...when I'm great all on my own."
"Dartmouth...I pegged you for Princeton." Sherlock mused.
"I was accepted into the best schools...Princeton was on the list. Anyways, I may steal things but what I do steal the majority I give back. Call it my modern day Robin Hood complex. Sure I keep some for myself but...that's a little too much money and I don't know what to exactly do with it all."
"And you go by Campbell to remove yourself from your family. Your mother mustn't have been wealthy then when she married your father?"
"No she was a curator at the Louvre. Originally Scottish she matriculated to Paris for her art studies. My dad was a contributor and he kind of feel in love. Long story short, they got married and nine months later had me, a year later my sister. One big happy family. So now you know my story...glad you came right?"
At that moment the waiter came back with John's scotch and Eve looked around at some of the dancing couples.
"Mr. Holmes, fancy a dance?" she asked extending her hand.
Not wanting to be rude, Sherlock accepted and was led away as they joined the throng of people and before they knew it he was leading her around the dance floor in a simple waltz, following the circle of others.
"I wanted to get you away from your partner for a moment."
"Hence why we are dancing. I take it you're going to share something with me?"
"I know who paid those idiots to break into the Museum...he had offered me a job before but I refused. I don't accept money from crazies, because that's exactly how this man came off."
"Who was it?"
"His name was Jonathan Masters or something of the like. He's the same man who hired those men. When I dug a little more it seems that the target was me. I had stolen information from this man at one point...and he did what he did to send a message. I'll help you, catch him, steal, manipulate, just to get him off my back. I can't do my job if every mark I make is sabotaged."
"And what's in it for me?"
"I'll let you catch me. You Sherlock Holmes get to redeem all of your past transgressions in the eyes of the public by catching one of the Worlds most notorious and dangerous thieves."
"What makes you think that I care what the public thinks?"
"You don't. But your boyfriend does."
"John shouldn't be concerned about trivial matters like that. It's a waste of time."
"Then how about satisfaction."
"It's not exactly satisfaction if you let me do anything Ms. Campbell."
"Well, I didn't say I'd stay captured now did I?" she smirked and Sherlock had to smile slightly as well. "Then you can go back to chasing me."
"Assuming I'd still have the same desire to?"
"Come now...you like me." she teased. "I'm a thrill to you. I'm dangerous, smart, cunning, powerful...why wouldn't you like me?"
"You're a case. Nothing more." he said looking about then back down to her.
"I'll take that as a yes." she said allowing Sherlock to dip her and bring her back up gently. "Do we have a deal?"
"I don't make deals with thieves and criminals."
"But I am a different sort of criminal. I mean look around you...these are my people. This is my world. But I put on a mask, a body suit, and armor and I become a part of your world. I walk the line but I'm a person...I have rules I follow. I don't like people tainting those rules. I especially don't like my work being messed with."
"You know what your fault is?"
"Hm?"
"Pride."
At that Eve laughed heartily and she nodded.
"Tell me something I don't know dear. Besides we could make a good team in the time being. I have a particular skill set even you have to impressed with."
Sherlock didn't say anything but just stared into her hazel eyes. He was impressed with her. She was powerful, proud and skilled. He knew that at any second she could slip out of his arms and never be seen again. And she was helping him solve more than one case at this point. The British Museum Case, the case of this mysterious person hiring people to sabotage Eve and then catching Eve herself.
"You could have just called me and told me this rather than invite me to this overly extravagant event."
"I wanted to see you in a tux." she said coming closer as she whispered part of it in his ear. He closed his eyes and turned his head as he rest his cheek against hers. It was intimate but they were merely sizing each other up. Eve looked around the room and spotted someone looking in their direction. When she caught his eye he turned and drank from his cup, trying hard not to look conspicuous. "It seems we've been followed."
She turned them to give Sherlock a view and he hummed in his compliance, not wanting to give away them talking.
"Enjoy the rest of the party Mr. Holmes. Give John my best, and perhaps a good night kiss." she stood on her tippy toes and pressed her lips to his cheek and he let her go as she slipped away and down the hall, making her way to the gardens and out of sight.
As Eve exited the banquet hall she walked along the pool and gardens. Someone stepped out onto the pathway and she paused as she looked him in the eye.
"Hello love." he said to her and her lips pursed.
"Well...you're looking spry for a dead man." she said casually and he looked at his nails casually as he picked at it and then walked up to her before grabbing her roughly around the throat and dragging her behind a hedge. Under normal circumstances she'd never let a man touch her the way he was but judging by the infrared sight on her bosom aimed right at her heart she didn't dare retaliate.
"Cozying up to Sherlock are we?"
"I did as you asked. Now release my sister." Eve said and he let her throat go but the red dot still remained on her chest.
"Hm I'd hate to spoil that lovely dress of yours. It hugs your figure so well." he said looking her up and down as he reached out and grabbed her chin and made her look him closer in the eyes. "But if Sherlock even gets one sniff, your sister will die, and I'll make sure there's blood staining this dress and your hands. Are we clear my pet?"
"Crystal."
"And you didn't tell him a name?"
"No. No name...just the names of those men you hired."
"Good." he let her go and then straightened out his suit jacket. "Very good. Well...I'll leave you to it then. Make sure you check in so often. Wouldn't want you running off on me now."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"I'll be seeing you soon."
At that, this thorn in her side of a man walked away not before he took something out of his pocket and threw it behind him. With a saunter in his step and as he disappeared around a corner the red sight on her chest did too. She slid down to her knees and looked at the picture her employer had dropped. There sitting on a chair with a gag in her mouth and blood running down the side of her face, scared green eyes staring at the camera was her sister. Eve clapped a hand over her mouth and tried her hardest not to cry. She was going to make someone pay for hurting her and mustering up all her courage and strength Eve stood up and disappeared. She may have been estranged from her family but there was nothing she wouldn't do for them if the opportunity presented itself. She had been exploited for her only weakness and that was her darling little sister.
She just hated that she had to damn a good man like Sherlock Holmes in the process.
A/N: So who could this mystery man be? Who could knock a woman like Eve around like that, manipulate her and Sherlock and all the while remain in the shadows? I'll leave you to your speculations. And yes if anyone is wondering I've jumped into Series Three and well past the Richenbach Fall. And if you guys are wondering I might add another "Woman" to the mix soon.