Chapter Eleven
A/N: Wow, eleven chapters! I think that's the most chapters I've ever written for one piece!
"Well?" Hopkins demanded, glaring at the other two inspectors.
"I never said I wouldn't help, Hopkins," Lestrade began carefully. He seemed to be choosing his words like a chess player chooses which piece to move. "I was just-"
"You were just what?" Hopkins asked, feigning curiosity.
"I was just… nothing. Never mind. I agree with you. Nobody is safe, and it's our job to make London safe." Lestrade skirted around the question.
"I'll help too," Bradstreet said.
I breathed a sigh of relief. With the six of us, we might be able to find Akastra before… no. I wouldn't even think about it.
"Good. Now, let's see if those three blackguards are awake," Hopkins said.
We first checked on the prisoner that Holmes had fought.
Holmes opened up the interrogation. "What's your name, and why did you decide to attack us?"
To his credit, the prisoner seemed to be scared to see the six of us. He had a Cockney accent, but unlike the Irregulars would be, he was not our ally. "Me name's Jack Harold, gov'. Oi, gov', it wasn't me decision! Oi' swear, gov'!"
"Then who made the decision?" Lestrade asked calmly.
"Mr. Ak'stra's, gov'. Oi jus' was in it fo' the moiney, Oi swear! 'e said 'at 'e would get me five crown', gov'! An' Oi've always loiked a bloomin' good foight, gov'!" Man, his accent was strong. I could barely understand him.
"And where does this Mr. Akastra live, Mr. Harold?" asked Holmes.
"'e doi'n't tell me, gov'. Oi don' know, gov', Oi swear Oi don't!" Harold's eyes were wide. "Oi'm not in charge. Tommy's the bloke 'n charge. He moight know!"
"Which one is Tommy, Harold?" I asked dryly.
"The one yew fought, miss. An' he'll be right mad, 'e will. When he gets 'is hands on yew, yew had better watch out!"
I brushed aside the threat.
"Yew again. Yew foight right good, fer a girl," was the first thing Tommy said. I noticed with no small amount of pleasure that a bruise was forming on the side of his jaw where I had hit him. "'ere, now, gov's. Whoit do yew want?" Even though his words were- not friendly, exactly, but not rude, either- there was an underlying sneer that made goose bumps form on my arm.
"I am Inspector Hopkins. What do you know about a Mr. Akastra?" Hopkins asked.
"Oi don' know where 'e lives, gov', but I know that 'e wants ter kill yew, gov. 'e said somthin' 'bout roight an' proper killin' yew, gov, ter kill your descendants. 'e said if Oi didn't get them," he gestured at me, Holmes, and the Doctor, "ter get yew, Inspe'tor 'Opkins."
With that, he suddenly jumped on Hopkins. Surprised, Hopkins flinched. Then Hopkins was on the ground, kicking at Tommy. With a bellow, Watson suddenly joined in the fray.
A short time later, Watson had his (still soaked) revolver on Tommy's head and Hopkins was getting up and dusting himself off.
"So, attacking a Scotland Yard Inspector. Not your best idea ever, I may say," Bradstreet interjected scathingly.
Hopkins and Tommy glowered at Bradstreet.
A/N- I really had no Idea how to end this chapter. But hey, at least it's not a cliffhanger!
Cockney "Translations"
My name's Jack Harold. It wasn't my decision, I swear.
Mr. Akastra. I was in it for the money, I swear. He said he would give me five crown. And I have always liked a good fight.
He didn't tell me. I don't know. I swear I don't. I'm not in charge. Tommy is in charge. He might know.
The one you fought, miss. And he'll be mad. You'd better watch out when he gets his hands on you.
You again. You fight well, for a girl. Now, what do you all want?
I don't know where he lives, but I know that he wants to kill you. He said something about killing you to kill you descendents. He said if I didn't get them, to get you, Inspector Hopkins.