The Vengeful Jewel
Monday, January 18, 1891
11:00 a.m.
Sherlock Holmes knocked twice on the polished wood door and within seconds, it opened to reveal the enthusiastic form of Katherine Jones.
Her eyes lit up beautifully as her lips spread in an ecstatic smile.
"I received your wire," she said, never losing her smile. "You're right on time."
"We do make a point to be punctual," Holmes said as he politely removed his hat from his head.
"Please do come in," Mrs. Jones insisted as she moved aside for her guests. Holmes entered first with Watson following faithfully behind him. Mrs. Jones left her post at the door to lead her guests into the house; leaving the maid to close the door after them.
The partners followed Mrs. Jones into a lavish sitting room consisting of plush chairs, decorated cushions, and a slim coffee table already covered in various foods and drink. A few bustling maids laid down the last dishes of food and bowed to their lady before moving to stand at the edge of the room in case their assistance was needed.
"Please sit," Mrs. Jones urged as she took her place on one of the silken couches. She smiled up at her guests invitingly.
"I'm afraid we can't stay long, my lady," Holmes said. "We only came to deliver what was requested. Then my friend and I must leave for we have another appointment to attend to."
Mrs. Jones seemed to not have heard the rest of Holmes' words. At the mention of the requested delivery, she was already up on her feet and standing hopefully in front of Holmes.
"You found it?" she asked in awe, her wide eyes gazing up jovially at Holmes.
Holmes could do nothing else but smile and present the delicate jewel to its rightful owner.
Mrs. Jones stared at the small red ruby resting in Holmes' hand with wide eyes and mouth agape. She seemed unable to believe the sight at first. Slowly, she extended trembling hands to the jewel and wrapped her fingers around it gently. She held the jewel close to her face, her eyes examining it expertly and then she clasped it to her heart and her smiling gaze returned to Holmes.
"Thank you," she breathed.
"My pleasure, my lady," Holmes replied with a curt nod of his head.
Mrs. Jones looked at her beloved jewel once more.
"Sandy, please fetch Mr. Holmes his payment," she called, still gazing lovingly down at her jewel.
A maid detached herself from the far wall and trotted off out of the room. She returned quickly with a small satchel in her hands. Wordlessly, the maid handed the satchel to Mrs. Jones who, in turn, offered it to Holmes.
"10 sovereigns," she said, placing the bag in Holmes' hand.
"Most obliged," Holmes said with another bow. He quickly pocketed the satchel. "And now, my lady, I must bid thee adieu."
Holmes replaced his hat and turned away to walk back towards the front door. Watson offered Mrs. Jones a last smile before he turned to follow after Holmes.
"Wait," Mrs. Jones called after them.
Holmes and Watson stopped at the open door, the detective's foot hovering in mid air. Mrs. Jones hurried towards them.
"From the bottom of my heart, thank you," she said with the upmost sincerity.
Still beaming her most attractive smile, she reached forward to grasp Watson's face between her small hands. She pulled him closer to kiss his cheeks.
Slightly flustered by the act, Watson bowed with a tip of his hat and stepped past Holmes to stand outside.
Mrs. Jones moved closer to Holmes, her deep swirling eyes of grass and earth locked on to Holmes' dark eyes.
"You brought what I hold most dear back to me," she said in a whisper.
"That's my job," Holmes said, fidgeting slightly where he stood. "And I take my job seriously."
Before he could say more, Mrs. Jones threw her arms around his neck and reached up to press her lips against his. Holmes froze. Watson blanched. And – surprisingly to both doctor and detective – Holmes rested his hands on Mrs. Jones' hips, dipping his head down slightly to meet the woman.
Mrs. Jones broke away slowly and slipped out of Holmes' grip with a flirtatious smile brightening her exquisitely beautiful features.
"Good day, Mr. Holmes," she said, reverting to a proper and polite tone.
Holmes cleared his throat. "Good day, Mrs. Jones," he said with the same level of professionalism.
Mrs. Jones bowed and retreated back into her home, closing the door lightly behind her.
Running a hand through his hair, Holmes stepped forward to join Watson. The doctor felt his mouth still hanging open but didn't have the muscle strength to close it.
Holmes sniffed indifferently and straightened his coat. "Now my dear Watson. I believe we have another appointment to uphold. And, as I said before, I make it a point to be punctual."
Without another word, or a second glance at his awestruck friend, or a backward glance at the home where the lovely lady of the house had snogged him, Holmes started to walk down the street, humming a most peculiar tune aloud.
Watson could do nothing else but follow.
Neither man noticed the gentleman that stepped out of the carriage that had been parked on the other side of the street. Nor did either man notice the gentleman glare after them with clenched fists.
Neither man noticed the vengeful look of absolute loathe that Mr. Robert Jones cast at Holmes' receding back.
_._._._._._._
I always forget to do this. Disclaimer: Sherlock Holmes and all its characters belong to their creators A.C. Doyle and Guy Richie. I'm not worthy I guess.
I'm glad you all are enjoying the fighting scenes. I enjoyed writing them. But I must warn you, it's not all fun and games in the later chapters. Spoiler Alert! Once Holmes gets angry, he goes all out. Why does he get angry you may ask? Well, you'll have to keep reading.
As for shoutouts, I do want to say something to mildetryth. You want to keep Holmes? Well join the club. We've got jackets.
Sorry if Holmes seemed a little out of character by returning the kiss but I'd doubt he'd be able to resist a kiss from a woman – you know, being a male and all.
So the jewel is returned but vengeance is haunting Holmes. Everything is coming together in time for the climax.
Until next time,
Hobey-ho