Chapter 8: Bad News
When we finally reached the hotel once again it was a little past 9. I got out of the car and followed Sherlock through the back door leading into the hotel; however when I started limping from the pain in my feet, Sherlock picked me up and carried me the rest of the way. I didn't argue with him, my feet were beginning to throb, especially since I still wasn't wearing any shoes. I mentally made a note to make sure to put my shoes on before trying to make another escape, if ever I should that is.
I laid my head down against his strong shoulder and closed my eyes. I was tired and I wanted my mum. But somehow I knew. I could tell; I could feel it in the hug last night, the note. Mummy was gone. My father carried me in to the little room and sat me down on the couch. He walked into the kitchen, retrieved his transcription from my mum's note and came and sat down next to me. He handed me the note and I read what he had deciphered, it said:
Dearest Sherlock,
I had to go away. One of my many enemies has found me. The only way to keep Lexie safe is for me to disappear. Do not look for me. If not for me, then for our daughter. She needs you now Sherlock. You are all that she has. Remember, even though she is clever beyond her years, she is still only a child. Take good care of her. I will be in touch.
-Irene.
I read the note quietly to myself again and sighed. My feeling had been right. She was gone. And she left me with my father, Sherlock Holmes. He sat there staring at me as I read as if he was trying to understand what I was thinking. I looked up to him, took a deep breath and said. "I guess it's just you and me now." I tried to smile but failed. I tried so hard to keep from crying, but a single tear slid down my cheek. My father pulled me into his arms and held me close and the tears began to fall uncontrollably now. I took a few deep breaths trying to control myself. "Are you going to find her?" I asked him. I saw the muscles in his neck tighten ever so slightly and then relax before he spoke. "I tried to already. That's why we went to the building. She had left me another note. She is safe Alex." He sighed. "That's the best I can do for now. You are to come with me."
I thought for a moment. "Come with you… to London?" I asked him. He nodded. It could be worse, I thought to myself. I'd always wanted to go to England. I loved the accents, one of which my father had as well. I wondered if I would get one too. "I get to take Dolly too, right?" I asked him. For a moment a look of confusion crossed his face.
"Oh. The cat. Yes, you can bring her. Mrs. Hudson shouldn't mind." I thought back to the hours I spent pouring over the websites I had found. Mrs. Hudson was the landlady where he lived. I yawned and leaned back on the couch.
"When do we leave?" I asked him. He looked kind of surprised. He pulled out his phone and texted something. His phone soon vibrated and he looked back at me.
"We will leave tomorrow. We have a flight booked for 4:15pm at the Atlantic City Airport. Best go off to bed now." He said and stood up. I stood up too, ran to the bathroom and then came back out to find him lying on the couch. I started to walk to the back bedroom and then stopped.
"Uhmm… aren't you going to tuck me in?" I asked him. He sat up and looked at me blankly for a moment. I held his gaze until he stood up and followed me into the bedroom. I climbed up in the bed and he placed the blankets around me.
"Uhm, well, have good dreams." He said awkwardly and then walked back out into the living room turning off the lights. This was going to be interesting indeed.