"A Matter of Taste"

Chapter 7: Desperation & Discovery

Professor Quinn was beginning to wish he'd never quit Russia. These English were all daft! Rushing about here and there. It had always been so. He'd been raised here, in this mad country, and left as soon as he could. And now he hadn't a moments' peace since his return! Things were getting no better. MeKee informed him that the Cavenness' were no where to be found. Their house and workplaces had been searched. Sherlock Holmes' flat had been searched. The Doctor had gone out, been followed and lost somewhere in the West End. This was supposed to be easier since that detective was in custody...but it wasn't. There was nothing for it. He would have to go and beg advice from Lord Hollingsworth. Yes, the return to Russia was looking most inviting...most inviting indeed.

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I glanced over at the timepiece upon the mantle. Six in the morning. I'd been up all night attempting to read. I could not even try to sleep for thinking of Holmes. Where was he? At Scotland Yard? Was he alright? Did he now regret his refusal to back down? So many questions and not a single answer. It was no consolation to me that I'd followed his instructions to the latter. Mr. and Mrs. Cavenness were still quite safe. Passage had been booked for a Mrs. Jane Manning, and her very large trunk, on a ship bound for America. Captain McFain was an old aquaintance of Holmes', and was fully aware of the complications with which we were faced. He had vowed to take excellent care of our clients. By midnight tonight Chandler and Cynthia Cavenness would be well on their way to a new life...now if only Holmes were here.

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Lestrade sighed heavily as he led the irate government official down the dark passage. It was far too late for this...or far too early whichever way you cared to view it. His lordship had stormed in at half past six demanding to see Holmes. Lestrade was almost reluctant to allow it, considering his lordships' present temper, but who was he to argue with a leading member of Parliament?

Once they reached the desired cell, Lord Hollingsworth literally pushed the inspector aside.

"Where are they!?" He shouted into the cubicle.

Holmes sat up and peered out at his visitors. "Oh, good morning Lord Hollingsworth, Inspector."

"Don't you dare play games with me! Where are they!?"

"Where is whom?"

"Do realize who you are trifling with?"

"Only too well. The man I wish had never been voted into office."

Lord Hollingsworth cursed loudly.

"Surely my lord, you did not travel all this way under the impression that I would be an a willing accomplice of your murders? I would have said you to be wiser."

"It is your duty to your country!"

"If that were so, I should renounce my country, but it is not."

His lordship grasped the iron bars between them. "You shall tell their location! Inspector! Open this door!"

"I will do no such thing sir! I will not allow you to assault him, which in your present state can be your only intention."

"Oh do let him, Lestrade. And then clear the neighboring suite, would you? For I should certainly press charges."

"Open this door at once!"

"No sir. Upon my honor I cannot. If you are finished Lord Hollingsworth, I will show you out, for I have many things that require my immediate attention."

The man said not another word, but stormed out just as he'd come in, forgoing the offered escort.

"Thank you Lestrade. It is no small matter to withstand his onslaughts...I know."

"I'd do it again, and gladly...have you had breakfast Holmes?"

"None was offered, but I require none, thank you."

"Is there anything else I can get you?"

"No, nothing. You've provided quite sufficiently Lestrade."

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I must have drifted off to sleep unawares, for Mrs. Hudson woke me at a quarter to noon.

"Inspector Lestrade is here to see you, Doctor."

I wasn't sure I was ready to see the inspector after the incident of the previous day. Still, I allowed him to enter.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Watson."

"Is it?"

"Please Doctor, do not hold my actions against me. I had no choice in the matter!"

"Why have you come here Lestrade?"

"I need your help."

"In what way?"

"Holmes is right. It's an abomination what our own officials are doing to those poor people. I won't be a part of it any longer. I want to help them. In my position, I can do nothing directly. After all, I do have my own family to consider. But indirectly, I can help a great deal...with your cooperation."

"How do I know this isn't just a trick to discern where they are hiding?"

"I do not want that information, I assure you. But Lord Hollingsworth does...desperately. He nearly attacked Holmes this morning trying to get it from him. And that is why we must act quickly. I want you to help Holmes escape."

"I beg your pardon?"

"You understood me correctly. Hollingsworth will tear all of London apart looking for those two. It's become a personal battle with Holmes in his mind. He'll do anything. Every possible avenue of escape is being closely watched. They moment they try to run, they'll be caught. Holmes is the only one who can get them out now. He must be freed at once."

"How am I to know this isn't a trick?"

"You'll simply have to trust me. You have nothing to lose but your own freedom, which I know you would gladly give in exchange for his release. Please Doctor, it's the only way."

I could not help but be suspicious. Why this sudden desire to help? What would he gain from our failure? A promotion? Yet...his facts seemed reasonable, and his words genuine. And he was right...what did I have to lose?

"Alright Lestrade. I'll do it. What exactly did you have in mind?"


Ok, I know this chapter was rather an anticlimax, and for that you have my sincerest apologies, but I promise the next is better! So, please, please review! I thrive upon feedback! I know their are more people reading than reviewing because, you see, there's this little device on here that tells me how many people are reading & how many review afterwards! lol So...anyway. And thanks so much to the readers who've reviewed in the past. You keep me going!

-VHunter07