Chapter Thirteen
Here I paused. I swallowed, taking a deep breath, and continued telling my experience to Hopkins.
" 'I had no intention of killing him. I got carried away…"
Officer Brady sighed. When he spoke next, his voice was hard and firm. "Yes, yes you did. However, it could be argued it was in self-defense. Willow had been hurt. You were acting on the assumption he would attack you next.'"
Hopkins had been listening to my account with an attention that I had seldom seen. He was silent for a long time. Finally, he said: "Thank you for telling me. You… you may go now."
I nodded in acknowledgement and turned to leave the room.
I had barely turned when Holmes came rushing in, with Watson, Bradstreet, and Lestrade close behind. The room seemed to shrink with the influx of people.
"Holmes. What is the meaning of this?" Hopkins asked in a carefully controlled cadence.
"I've discovered where Akastra is hiding." He paused for dramatic effect.
"Just say it already!" Lestrade snapped.
Holmes scowled. Lestrade had ruined his moment. "Soho. Broad Street."
The only thing I knew about Broad Street is that it was where the big cholera outbreak had started. [1] As I got into the cab, I paused. It's amazing how what would be a wild dream one day is reality the next.
I looked at our small army of police, doctor, and detective.
Hopkins, the ancestor to Spencer. Lestrade, the loyal Inspector. Bradstreet, the optimistic Yarder. Holmes, the world's only private consulting detective. Watson, the stalwart doctor. And me, the average, if nerdy, Dallas policewoman.
All of us were united under one common goal: to fight Akastra to the last.
As we got out of the cab, I halted. The others turned.
"I… if… If I don't make it, I want to say… Thank you. For everything. It's… it's been an honor to work with you."
With that, we barged into the house on Broad Street.
1- Check out MadameGiry25's story "The Ghost Map"