CHAPTER 4: The Mysteries of Holmes' Manor

The Mystery…

Evening came and Jenny was in her room, getting ready for dinner. She was wearing a simple red long sleeved, knee-length dress with black flat shoes. The good thing about being a tall woman is that you don't need to wear heels. Jenny hated heels. She couldn't run in them or even walk, they made her uncomfortable and at the end of the day her feet hurt. She couldn't understand how her sister wore those shoes every day, or even her Sergeant. She was able to run and chase a criminal if it was necessary, in skirts and heels!

She had styled her hair in a messy up-do and was now sorting some locks that fell in front of her face. There was a light knock on the door and Sherlock entered, wearing a dark blue suit, with a grey waistcoat and a black tie.

''You look nice, Lestrade.'', he said plainly, but coming from Sherlock it was like a standing ovation.

''Does your brother know that you stole his signature look?'', smiled Jenny as she put a simple silver leaf pendant around her neck.

''Admit it, it looks better on me! Shall we?'', he said and got out of the room. Jenny followed him.

They reached the door of the dining room, which was closed. Sherlock seemed a little annoyed. He had told her about the Verd twins and how they used to spoil his experiments. Jenny seeing his discomfort patted him lightly on the back. He gave her a small smile and eventually opened the door.

The dining room was another huge room that consisted from a large dining table and a sitting area. There was a huge crystal chandelier above their heads that reflected the light evenly and created beautiful colors and patterns on the cream colored walls. The black mahogany dining table had a capacity of thirty people and on it were currently placed crystal wine glasses, plates, silver forks and knives. Jenny saw the three Holmeses in the sitting area along with four others, apparently the guests. Sherlock and Jenny went over to join the company.

''Sherlock it's been so long!'', said a petit woman and got up to greet him. Sherlock literally dived in order to hug her. Even though she was wearing high heels, she was too small for Sherlock. The man was like a giraffe!

''How do you do Mrs. Verd?'', he said somewhat uncomfortable after he had released himself from her grip. Fiona Verd was a woman of small stature. She was younger than Sir and Lady Holmes, but not much. She had blonde hair styled in a tight bun on top of her head and had small, perky eyes. She was wearing a light silver colored dress and matched shoes. Jenny felt suddenly a little informal.

''And this must be your girlfriend?'', she said smiling and looked at Jenny.

''We're not a couple.'', they said in sync. Sherlock cleared his throat and introduced Jenny to Fiona. After his wife, Richard Verd came to greet Sherlock and introduce himself to the DI. Richard Verd was a plump, cheerful man. He was tall and had blonde hair like his wife, although they were quite thin. As the rest of the men in the company, except for Sherlock, he was wearing a tuxedo and he looked like that bow tie was chocking him.

The twins, Jeremy and Louisa were nothing like each other. Jeremy was tall, blonde with green eyes. He had a certain air of confidence in the manner of his speech, like he owned the world. His sister Louisa, was his senior by ten minutes. Louisa was nothing like her family in beauty and manners. Although her parents and twin brother were beautiful, she had something extraordinary. She had dark red hair, obviously not her natural color and the same green eyes as the other Verds. Her hair, long and thick, were covering her shoulders. She had a heart shaped face with fair complexion and rosy cheeks. Her nose was small and her lips were full. She was relatively tall, but not as tall as Jenny and she was slim, but not skinny. Louisa was wearing a baby blue long dress and gave Jenny the impression that she had jumped out of a Waterhouse painting. She greeted Sherlock coldly and seemed uninterested in Jenny.

The other members of the Holmes family were stunning as usual. Lady Holmes was overshadowing the other women with her tall, lean frame and plum colored gown. Her husband was standing beside, his hand lightly placed over her right shoulder, looking proud of his wife. Mycroft was sitting on the couch while the others were greeting his brother and the DI. He was fiddling with his Blackberry, since he didn't have his umbrella there. Eventually, when dinner was served he got up.

Jenny was sited between Sherlock and Jeremy. Opposite her was Mycroft Holmes and next to him Louisa. Clarence, although the patriarch of the family, decided that he wanted to sit next to his youngest son and not at the head of the table, a place which was given to his beloved wife. Richard sat opposite Clarence and his wife next to him, facing Sherlock.

The food was delicious and the conversations between the members varied from the weather and sports, to politics and cinema. Jeremy was showing a great interest in Jenny and was talking exclusively to her.

''You are quite young for a Detective Inspector.'', he said.

''I was promoted two years ago after an undercover case involving bankers and illegal adoptions.'', she replied and sipped her red wine.

''It sounds interesting. Like a movie I'd like to watch.''

Jenny smiled somewhat melancholically. She recalled how close she came to losing her then DI and close friend Margaret Hamish, when one of the criminals grabbed her and threatened her with a knife against her throat. Her limps and right hand were broken and she couldn't move. Margaret took a shot at her stomach, but she managed to kill him before it was too late for Jenny. Jenny recalled how the blood felt warm in her trembling hands as she pressed her friend's wound, whispering that all was going to be ok, at the same time trying to hold back her tears. Margaret was there the day Jenny got the promotion and told her that she was promoted too and transferred to Plymouth. They parted with a tight hug and Jenny hasn't seen her since then. Life wasn't at all like the movies.

''Genevieve. Are you listening?''

The slightly irritated voice of Jeremy brought her back. ''I'm sorry I was having a flashback. You were saying?''

Jeremy shook his head and continued his boring story about his career as a head of his family's department stores around the UK and the possibility of expanding their empire in China and America. He went on about the stock market and his new yacht, while flirting shamelessly with her, pointing out the difficulty of walking with a gun on your hip. Jenny thought that her brain would explode and turned to see if Sherlock could help her. Sherlock though was having a deep conversation with his father about the different types of tobacco ash and so Jenny sighed, accepting her fate.

''You should come and see it sometime?'', said Jeremy suddenly in a seductive tone.

''Excuse me?'', asked Jenny, almost chocking with a potato.

''My yacht, or anything else you like.'', he winked and Jenny just smiled. She suddenly felt his shoe touching her leg. Her eyes must have popped out of her head, for Mycroft spoke making Jeremy take his bloody foot of her.

''I'm afraid the Inspector is very occupied.'', said Mycroft from the other side of the table. ''She is currently babysitting Sherlock, while chasing around criminals.''

''She's not babysitting me!'', cried Sherlock the moment he heard his name coming out of his brother's lips.

''Sherlock is a valuable member of my team, Mycroft. I believe you know that.'', Jenny replied calmly.

''Indeed, he is.'', he smirked and continued his conversation with Fiona Verd.

The dinner was finally over and the company was now free to do as they wanted. Mycroft informed them that he had some important calls to make and left. The others went to the music room. Jenny was trapped again with Jeremy who didn't seem willing to let go of her arm. She cursed Sherlock who practically ignored her, but she instantly forgave him since he was talking to his parents. They had undoubtedly many things to discuss.

As soon as they got inside the music room Louisa entertained them. She played 'Tristesse', a composition by Chopin with Sherlock's commentary that this was actually called Étude Op. 10 No. 3, in E major and not 'Tristesse', since the composer himself never gave the piece a name. After her performance Jenny found herself next to Morella discussing about her life as an opera singer, which was really fascinating. She told Jenny about her performances as Carmen and Tosca and Jenny made a mental note to look her name up on the Internet, once she was back in London and find those recordings, if possible. Their conversation went on and on. Jenny at some point excused herself to the bathroom. She didn't really need to go, but she saw Jeremy approaching and the last thing she wanted was his hands on her. She left quickly, noticing that not only Mycroft was missing from the company.

Mycroft applied chalk on the tip of his cue and hit another ball. The ball went straight into the hole along with the others before it.

''You're quite good with that.'', said a soft voice from the other end of the table. He raised his head and saw Louisa standing there, smiling.

''Why aren't you with the others.'', he asked and walked around the table to find the right corner for his next move.

''I enjoy your company more.''

Mycroft hit another ball and went to stand to his previous position. ''I'm busy.'', he said. With one hit he sent two balls inside the holes in the corner of the green table.

''I think you're done for tonight, dear.'', she said and pushed the three remaining balls inside a hole, thus ending the game. Mycroft tutted and placed the cue on a stand against the wall.

''I've missed you.'', she purred.

''Did you?'', he chuckled.

''Oh yes. A lot. Especially at nights.''

She came to stand in front of him, while leaning against the table. She smiled at his image. He had taken his jacket of and his bow tie was hanging loose around his neck. The top two buttons of his shirt were open.

''We should get back to the others.'', he said nonchalantly and moved. She grabbed his arm.

''Come on Myc. Don't act like you're not interested.'', she said and got closer to him. Mycroft raised his eyebrow.

''Louisa we've talked about this. This was just a fling.''

''It lasted for more than two years, it was more than just a fling.'', she said, leaning against the billiard table once again. ''You even came to Switzerland to find me, remember?''

''I did. And I found you. In the arms of another man in a quite compromising position.'', he smirked.

''You cannot possibly be jealous of George?'', she said, waving her hand vaguely in the air.

''Jealousy would imply feelings. Our relationship was based on carnal desire.''

''Oh come one Myc. Don't tell me that you never had feelings for me?'', she scoffed.

''I'm sorry I did not.''

They stayed silent for a few moments, just looking at each other.

''Do you recall why we started this?'', said Louisa.

''I have forgotten the reason. It's been so long.''

''Would you like me to remind to you?'', she smirked and hooked her fingers to his belt, pulling him close to her.

''Louisa we need to go back. People might notice.''

''Your brother is occupied with your parents and mine are talking to that DI. No one will understand a thing.'', she said, bringing her mouth close to his. ''Never had, never will.''

She kissed him passionately. At first he didn't respond, but when her tongue licked his bottom lip, he gladly gave her the entrance she required. They kissed lazily for a while, when Louisa suddenly grind against him. Mycroft shivered and felt her smiling against his lips. He grabbed her by her small waist and placed her on the table. Louisa trapped his waist with her legs and started unbuttoning his shirt. Mycroft left her lips for her neck, kissing the tender flesh softly, trying not to leave a trace. Louisa was whimpering softly and a moan escaped his lips. His shirt now was open, his bow tie on the floor. Mycroft pushed Louisa's long dress over, revealing her delicate creamy thighs around his waist.

''Like old times.'', she chuckled breathlessly.

He didn't reply, instead he captured her lips again for a long deep kiss. Louisa's fingers were occupied with his belt, when the door opened.

Jenny had left the music room and was now roaming to the house. Since Sherlock's parents had given her permission, earlier this evening, to walk freely around the mansion and visit any room she liked, she decided to go to the library.

Sherlock had told her everything about their rare books and manuscripts and she also wanted to see were Sherlock had spent most of his time as a child. She wondered around the corridors for quite a while, since the mansion was endless. So far she had found two bathrooms, a study and for some reason she had ended up to the kitchen were Olivia, the cook, told her which way to go.

She found the two doors were the kind woman had sent her and went to inspect the first one, on her right.

As soon as she entered the room she froze. She saw Mycroft between Louisa's legs, kissing her passionately, his lips red and wet from her kisses.

All three of them froze to their places, looking at each other.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Jenny reacted first. She grabbed the door knob and quietly closed the door, leaving without a single word.

Mycroft untangled himself from Louisa's grip and started putting his clothes back on.

''Stupid cow!'', mumbled Louisa.

''She won't say a thing. I'm going to have a word with her.'', he said, as he quickly buttoned up his shirt and arranged his bow tie. ''This was a bad idea.'', he said and grabbed his jacket from the back of an armchair.

He left the room as calm and collective as he always was. He walked quickly down the corridor and reached the grand hall.

''Casper.'', he said to the smartly dressed valet.

''Sir.''

''Have you seen DI Lestrade?''

''Yes Sir. Mrs. Lestrade went outside. She might have wanted to take a stroll. It's a lovely night tonight.'', replied the man.

''Good. Can you give me my coat, please?''

The young man helped Mycroft with his coat. He bid Casper goodnight, grabbed his umbrella and left to find Jenny.

There was the sound of rambling thunder the moment he left the mansion.

As soon as she closed the door, Jenny walked down the corridor and reached the front entrance. There was no one there and so she opened the main door and went outside.

The cool air hit her as she climbed down the marble stairs. She started walking with no particular destination. Her mind was too occupied to care.

It wasn't unusual for her. When she was younger she had found herself in similar situations. She had seen her friends in intimate moments with others. She had blushed and apologized. Then she made fun about it! Now though. Well, now she felt like she was caught during a drug trade.

She sighed. ''What if he threatens me again or worse… Why didn't I knock?'', she thought.

She didn't realize that she had reached the back of the mansion and was now walking away from it. The light from the house was not sufficient for her to see. Luckily there were some lanterns around the grounds and also tonight the moon was full. Jenny saw the moon reflecting to some kind of liquid surface.

''It must be the lake Sherlock had told me about!'', thought Jenny and walked there. The lake, which the young detective was searching for specimens as a child, was far away from the mansion.

She walked quickly and reached it. The air was colder there and so Jenny crossed her arms to her chest. Her breath was visible in the cold atmosphere. She decided that she should get back. Then, fat drops of rain fell to her face and there was the sound of the thunder and the night sky was colored by the lightning.

''Oh great!'', she cried, throwing her hands in the air. ''Just my luck!''

The ground was getting sticky and mud was all over her shoes. The rain was getting heavier. She saw something like a hut near the lake banks. She walked there with great effort and stood in front of it.

There was another lightning and she could see that this was not a hut.

In front of her was a tomb. It was actually a mausoleum. It was a small and simple structure and carved in black marble. Jenny thought that it was just for one person, rather than a family tomb. Outside the door was standing an angel, also carved in black marble. It was one of the most beautiful statues Jenny had ever seen.

The angel was standing with its right hand touching the door lightly and the other falling to its side. The angel's wavy hair was loose to its shoulders. The long dress of the angel had thick straps and Jenny could see a hint of bosom, so the sculptor must have intended for the angel to appear female. Jenny could also see the delicate bare feet of the statue. Under the rain and the moonlight, the statue seemed almost real.

Jenny approached and looked at the statue more carefully. The angel's eyes were closed. This was a very strange statue indeed. She walked to the door. With her hand wet from the rain she cleaned the iron plate of the door and wiped the rain droplets from her eyes.

''Well, this is… odd.'', she mumbled when she saw the name. Cordelia Holmes.

''Why would they built a tomb just for her?'', she thought.

By now she was completely wet and cold. Her fingers were frozen and she couldn't move them properly. She decided that it was best for her if she left now, before she caught her death. The moment she took one step forward she slipped.

She didn't manage to make a sound. A strong hand grabbed her and pulled her in time, before she fell inside the water. She fell in the arms of Mycroft, under his umbrella.

''Inspector, are you alright?'', he asked and Jenny thought that she heard some concern in his voice.

''I'm fine.'', she said and released herself from his grip, only to regret it, since his warmth was what she needed at this point.

He cleared his throat. ''What exactly were you thinking when you stormed outside without any protection?'', he said.

Jenny shrugged. ''May we go inside now?'', she said.

''I see you discovered my ancestor's tomb.'', he said louder, in order to be heard, for the sound from the thunders was sonorous. She nodded.

''You almost fell inside the lake the same way she did.'', he continued. ''Only this would have been an accident.''

''What do you mean?'', she asked. Suddenly her curiosity was a stronger feeling than the piercing cold.

''Cordelia Holmes. She committed suicide.''

''Why?'', asked Jenny and looked at the water surface, which was now disturbed by the rain droplets.

''They say she was mad. She was mad because she wasn't loved. But that is the romantic side. If you ask me she did it, driven by revenge for a nonexistent enemy. Her husband.'', he said with gloom. ''She was pregnant at that time.''

Jenny's eyes went wide. ''Like Medea.'', she said.

''Killing her child to extract revenge? Yes, quite so. It was a stormy night, pretty much the same as tonight. She fell inside the lake. Aloysius built this memorial to the spot where she was found.''

They were quiet for some minutes, each one occupied with their thoughts, until Jenny started shaking. ''We better get back inside.'', he said and offered his arm to her. Jenny looked at him and then at his extended arm. She didn't accept his offer though and started walking. Her shoes were dirty and it was unable for her to walk in them, so she took them of and started walking barefoot.

''Inspector, don't be such a child.'', he scolded. Jenny ignored him and kept walking. She felt his strong hand grabbing her arm again, only this time with more force. He twisted her, so she could face him. Jenny jerked and stepped back.

''Don't touch me again!'', she said and walked away.

''You are the most stubborn woman I've ever met!'', he said from behind. He sounded vexed.

''I'll take that as a compliment!'', she replied, without turning to look at him.

''I don't think you should.''

They stayed quiet. The only sound that they could hear was that of their footsteps in the mud and that of the rain. They reached the back door of the manor, which led to the lower levels of the house, where there was the manor's wine cellar and also the laundry room. Jenny wiped her feet to the doormat, earning a disapproving glare from Mycroft, which she ignored.

They walked to the corridor and entered the laundry room. Mycroft took his coat off and hung it to an aluminum coat rack. He then turned and saw Jenny. Her dress was completely drenched and water was dripping from her hair and clothes. He looked around the room and found some clean towels.

''Here.'', he said and gave her a fluffy white towel. Jenny took it and started wiping the water from her face and hair. She then threw it over her shoulders, like a cape.

''Thank you.'', she said and moved to exit the room.

''I believe that what you saw will remain between us and that you won't use it against me, at any circumstances.'', he said softly. Jenny froze and turned to look at him. ''Not that they would believe you, if you told anyone.'', he smirked.

''I don't use personal information against others, unlike you.'', she replied coldly. ''Goodnight Mr. Holmes.'', she said and left the room, living Mycroft on his own.

and the Portrait

The next morning the company had breakfast in the drawing room. Louisa was glancing at Jenny with irritation. Jenny found it amusing and flashed a genuine smile to her, which made Louisa even more furious. Clearly she wasn't happy that the DI had interrupted her romantic tete-a-tete with Mycroft.

Jeremy was once again occupying Jenny talking about his trips around the world. Sherlock this time came to her rescue, without his knowledge, when he started explaining to her who the murderer with the pruning shears was. Jenny found the opportunity and slipped outside the room to make a call and arrest the man.

When she got back inside she heard Clarence talking about teams.

''Genevieve would you like to be a pair with Sherlock?'', he said and smiled.

''Pair?'', she replied bewildered.

''For our tennis match!'', said Richard with glee.

''What tennis match?''

''It's a boring family tradition.'', said Sherlock and sipped his tea.

''Don't be like that bubble. You love it. You can play with me if Jenny doesn't want to.'', smiled Morella.

Eventually they agreed that Jenny and Louisa, who complained about her hand that hurt, would not participate. The rest of them went to their rooms to get ready for their game. Even though the day was sunny, Jenny wore her leather boots. She put her double-breasted military coat and left the mansion for another walk. She went once again to the lake. She wanted to inspect the place better, since yesterday was a rather odd day.

Jenny was standing next to the statue at the lake banks, looking at the green meadows that were beyond the lake. She could hear the voices of the others. The tennis court was outside, next to the right glasshouse. So far Sherlock and Morella had beaten Jeremy and his mother and they were now against Mycroft and Mr. Verd. Clarence was the referee.

She heard someone approaching and turned to see Louisa. She stopped and looked at her.

''May I help you Mrs. Verd?'', asked Jenny, lowering her Ray-Ban Aviator to take a better look at her. Louisa was wearing a charcoal colored pencil skirt today with a white blouse. On top she was wearing her beige Burberry cashmere coat, which Jenny estimated that it costed more than she earned in a month.

Louisa did not answer. She looked at her from top to bottom, raising her eyebrow at her coat. Jenny rolled her eyes and pushed her glasses to her nose. She decided to ignore her as much as she did, so she continued admiring the view.

''I want to give you an advice.'', Louisa said suddenly, making Jenny turn again to look at her. ''A womanly advice if you like.'' She came and stood next to her, her body facing Jenny. ''Stay away from him!'', she hissed.

Jenny furrowed her eyebrows. Apparently, Louisa was afraid that her brother was infatuated with the DI. She was obviously concerned that Jenny was going to steal her precious brother and their mighty fortune. ''Mrs. Verd, if you're talking about your brother, I have absolutely no interest in him, so…''

''I'm not talking about my brother. He does that to every woman he meets, so believe me you're nothing special.'', she spat.

''I think, I haven't given you the right to talk to me like that.'', said Jenny.

Louisa raised her head, her neck elongating. She still wasn't tall enough for Jenny though. ''Stay away from Mycroft!''

Now it was Jenny's turn to raise her eyebrows and burst into laughter. Louisa didn't look a bit amused and was getting angrier at Jenny.

''Oh God! That is the funniest thing I've heard in months!'', said Jenny while wiping tears from her eyes. ''Mrs. Verd, I have no intension of stealing your boyfriend! In fact, we don't even like each other. You don't have to be afraid.''

Louisa though didn't seem relieved. She turned her face away to look at the lake. Jenny stopped her giggles the moment she saw tears rolling down her cheeks. ''Louisa, are you alright?'', she asked and went to touch her shoulder in compassion.

Louisa jerked like she had been electrocuted. ''Don't touch me!'', she cried and took a step back. Jenny was astonished by her behavior. She thought that it was better if she encountered her as she did with the victims. With understanding and compassion.

''Can I get you anything? Do you need me to call someone?'', she said. Louisa shook her head and crossed her arms to her chest.

''Caring is not an advantage.'', she said.

''I'm sorry?''

''That's what he always says. Caring is not an advantage.''

She wiped the tears from her eyes and cheeks and continued. ''He was never able to love me. I tried to make him to, but he just… couldn't! It's like he's made of ice!''

Jenny felt really awful. She felt the urge to apologize to her, but she knew this was entirely stupid. It wasn't her fault that Mycroft was unable to love Louisa. She was speechless by her outburst though.

''Louisa…''

''Stay away from him!'', she snapped and left quickly, practically running to the house, leaving Jenny to the banks alone and dumbfounded.

''What is wrong with these people!'', she mumbled and sat to the ground, her back resting against the marble feet of the statue. ''No wonder you drowned.'', she said, looking at the iron plate of Cordelia's tomb.

Two months later

Jenny woke up when her door bell rang at ten o' clock in the morning. Today was her day of and she had decided to spend it in bed, curled under the covers. She got up, put her robe on and stumbled to the living room, trying not to bump to the furniture.

''Sherlock, if your landlord kicked you out of your apartment again, I will beat you to death!'', she said as she went to open the door.

She unlocked it and saw a FedEx man standing, holding a square package. ''Mrs. Genevieve Lestrade?'', he asked, while looking at the piece of paper he was holding.

''Yes.''

''This is for you.'', he said and handed the packet. ''Sign here please.''

When the man left, Jenny sat at her couch and examined the package. She fiddled it, checking every corner and realized that it was some sort of frame. A picture frame.

She tore the paper and her mouth dropped. Cordelia Holmes was looking at her with those beautiful, enigmatic eyes.

''What the Hell?'', she thought. She then saw an envelope, stuck in the corner of the carved wooden frame. She picked it up and placed the portrait next to her carefully.

There was no name on the white envelope, so she quickly opened it and found a card.

A gift. – MH

''For what?'', said Jenny while looking at the card. She sighed and tossed the card on the coffee table. She looked at the picture and grinned. She picked it up and placed it on the armchair next to the couch.

''It suits better in my house.'', she chuckled and went to prepare her morning coffee.

Note: I updated sooner, since I'm on vacation! I know that this chapter was really quick, but I want to have John in the next one! Hope you like my version of Dr. Watson! :)