Hello everyone! Thank you for the reviews, I really appreciate it!
From here on out, the story really begins. Most of the important characters have been introduced, and the mystery is about to be revealed. The chapters should be much longer from now on, so I hope you all enjoy them!
This chapter is continuing from John's perspective, but that will change in the near future.
-Marissa
Chapter 3
The two of them smiled warmly at each other, much to John's confusion. The last time he had seen Sherlock smile in that way was when he had caught Detective Lestrade searching a crime scene for his police badge, when Sherlock had already lifted it from his pocket hours before.
It was a genuine smile. A smile that John was convinced were few and far between.
"Sorry Watson, I've seen we have confused you," Mycroft started, as Charlotte moved forward to receive a kiss on the cheek from Mrs. Hudson.
"Charlotte is an old family friend of the Holmes'. Her grandmother was our neighbor growing up."
"Yes, spending my summers living near both the Holmes' brothers always proved to be entertaining. So, you are the infamous Dr. Watson?"
Charlotte stuck out her hand for John to shake. John took it willfully, noticing how her eyes shone as she smiled.
"Pleasure to meet you. And call me John. I believe Sherlock has mentioned the excursions that you are a part of throughout the year."
"Yes, Sherlock loves to brag about me," Charlotte said, shooting a look at Sherlock. "I've been reading your blog. Sherlock sent me the link while I was working in Haiti. I have to say that I am always disappointed when I can't find the Internet. It means that I am not able to keep up with your adventures."
John nodded, and added a smile. While John could tell Charlotte was a sensitive subject with Sherlock, he never pushed him to reveal more. Sherlock had mentioned Charlotte from time to time, but had never mentioned how lovely she was. John wondered if he left that part out on purpose.
"Charlotte always pays me a visit whenever she is in London! So sweet of her," Mrs. Hudson interjected, her cup of tea tittering as she placed it in its saucer.
"Charlotte! Where are you staying while you are in London? Surely you will allow me to house you while you are visiting. I've just redone my spare bedroom, and I'd love to have a guest!"
John thought he saw Sherlock wince out of the corner of his eye, but Sherlock seemed perfectly at ease on a second glance.
"That would be fantastic, Mrs. Hudson. That is, as long as Sherlock doesn't mind having me so close. There were times where he said my simple presence in a house would distract him from his work."
"You have a habit of tapping your foot absentmindedly while you read," Sherlock said, taking a sip of his tea. "It can be heard throughout the house."
Mrs. Hudson scoffed loudly, giving Sherlock a motherly look. Charlotte seemed amused by his comment, not offended as John had expected her to be.
"But…" Sherlock began, setting his tea back on the table. "If you have no other place to stay, and Mrs. Hudson has offered her home to you, then you are welcome. I'm not working at a case at the moment anyway."
"You are now, Sherlock. I have another commission for you," Mycroft interjected.
"Oh really? Has The Queen lost track of her Royal cigarette holder?" Sherlock asked with a serious look on his face.
"No dear brother. And don't flatter yourself. If she had any personal issues, I'd doubt she would reach out to you after your last fiasco," Mycroft stopped, taking a sip of his tea in order to give time for the insult to sink in.
"Jones, would you mind escorting Mrs. Hudson and Mrs. Gates to the front? I'm sure they would appreciate if you would show them some of the medieval artwork that we have newly displayed in the front hall. I needn't bother them with this bit of business."
Charlotte rose instantly, which caused Mrs. Hudson to stand slowly to her feet, a confused look on her face.
"Don't worry Mrs. Hudson, Mycroft is just being rude. He doesn't like others knowing things that he himself hasn't figured out yet."
Mycroft grimaced, and nodded goodbyes to both of the women.
"Thank you ladies for understanding," Rowling said, giving a slight bow to them both. "It was a pleasure meeting you both, not matter how brief. I have a serious problem I need to discuss with Sherlock, and in the effort privacy…"
"Please, Mr. Rowling, so issue at all. I completely understand. And I am actually eager to settle myself in, as I'm a bit tired from traveling," Charlotte said, giving him an identical small bow.
"I'll go ahead and bring Charlotte home, boys. We will meet you there," Mrs. Hudson said, seemingly relieved to be leaving the sitting room.
Both Sherlock and John nodded, focusing their attention back to Mycroft and Rowling. Immediately after the door had closed, Rowling began speaking.
"I am a large shareholder in the Jude & Miller Corporation. I was introduced to the company by my dear friend, Mr. Chandler Frances. Frances has informed me recently that he has a serious interoffice problem. As one of the higher ups' at the company it is his job to manage not only his employees, but also the delicate information that the company deals with," he shifted himself closer to them, as if beckoning them to lean in as he was getting to the best part of a story.
"A certain group of files have gone missing as of 18 hours ago. They were meant to be put into a digital format and then be destroyed, but they never made it that far. Someone involved themselves in a great deal of work not only to ensure that they were never duplicated, but also kept in their original form."
Mycroft looked seriously at both John and Sherlock. John knew that this story had sparked Sherlock's interest, but would remain looking bored as long as Mycroft was still in the room.
"These files are absolutely top-secret. It is of the upmost importance that they be found, retrieved, and back in the company's possession as soon as possible," Mycroft explained.
"And what type of information is withheld within these files?" Sherlock asked.
"That is none of your concern," Mycroft interjected. "It is the actual documents that you need to find, not the information within them."
"Well, this seems rather high profile then, doesn't it John?" Sherlock commented, not breaking his gaze from Mycroft.
"Well, not exactly-" Rowling began.
"I see no other reason why Mycroft would bring you here, Mr. Rowling, to explain the situation if it didn't have something to do with National Security," Sherlock explained. "Unless he meant to try and intimidate me by being in the country's palace once more."
"You're expected by Mr. Chandler Frances at their offices this afternoon," Mycroft said, ignoring him. "Now Sherlock, don't think for a second that-"
"I accept the case."
Sherlock stood quickly and instantly started for the door.
"Just like that? Not even a handshake?" Rowling said, a slight chuckle coming from his throat.
"Good evening, Mycroft. And thank you for your case, Rowling," Sherlock said. John stood as well, cursing Sherlock under his breath for being so unprofessional.
"Surely Sherlock, there is more information that Rowling can give us in order to help us with the case?" John asked.
Sherlock waved his hand down passively, "I don't see what else Rowling can tell us that I haven't already deducted on my own. I'll take the case. Oh, and Mycroft!"
Mycroft looked up, an uninterested look on his face.
"Try not to start another War on my way home, would you big brother?" Sherlock continued. "You know what it does to the traffic."
"As long as you promise to withhold your composure with Charlotte around. She is here on business, you know. Not pleasure."
Sherlock turned him back on Mycroft immediately at the comment, and exited the room, leaving John in his wake.
Hope you all enjoyed it! Please review! New chapter coming soon!