Chapter 18: Threats And Letters
The dim sunlight sneaking through the curtains woke Nancy and Holmes, as Nancy tried to sit up Holmes pulled her back and held her close to him, kissing her forehead as he did;
' We will have to go back at some point you know' Nancy said smiling,
' No we don't' Holmes' voice was groggy as he spoke his face nestling into her hair, Nancy smiled and shifted herself from under him, she sat up and stretched and felt Holmes' lips on her back,
' If you insist we leave, I cannot deny you anything' Holmes said smiling as he pulled himself up.
They walked through the street together; Holmes linked his arm through Nancy's, as they rounded the corner to Baker Street they could see Lestrade and Clarke standing outside talking to Watson, Mrs Hudson was hysterical and began shouting at Lestrade, Nancy noticed Holmes quicken his pace and increased hers to match his. Watson spotted them first and walked towards them, he was the first to speak;
' Where have you two been? Lestrades got half of Scotland Yard out looking for you'
' Nancy and I were discussing the case'
' All night?' Nancy knew Watson was very aware of why they had been out all night but was too much of a gentleman to say so,
' What do you mean Watson?'
' The house has been in uproar since last night, do you really not know what's happening?'
' Please update me Watson'
' I think it would be easier if you saw it' Nancy cut in at this point, worry was beginning to set in and she wanted to know what had happened,
' See what?' Watson nodded his head to indicate the house and began walking and Holmes and Nancy followed him.
The residents of the house were all outside, the old lady who lived above Nancy was visibly in shock and Mrs Hudson was still hysterical and shouting at Lestrade and Clarke, the passed through the hallway, policemen bowed their heads and avoided eye contact as Nancy passed them, she began to get a sinking feeling in her stomach.
They walked up the stairs and Nancy realised they were heading for her room, she looked at Holmes, he was staring dead ahead focusing on their destination, they reached her room, a putrid smell wafted into each of their nostrils, Nancy pulled her sleeve over her mouth and nose, Watson had a handkerchief over his, Holmes continued walking, his focus unwavering. He took Nancy's hand and they walked into the room together, Nancy hit the floor instantly at the sight that met her eyes, her legs went numb and she couldn't pull her gaze away from the scene.
She felt Watson's arms wrap round her arms to support her and help her up, she leaned on him, still unable to tear her eyes away as tears unwillingly flowed down her face, her room had been torn apart, it was as though a hurricane had torn through this one small room, the walls and upholstery had been slashed, all glass and china had been smashes, but it was the bed that her eyes had fixed on, not the bed itself, more what was on the bed. Lying on the bed was the decaying body of Lenore. The smell was nauseating and the sight was worse, Lenore's arms and legs had been tied to each of the posts on the bed frame, there was a long purple scar that ran from the base of her stomach to her chest, it had been badly stitched back together and there were maggots visibly wriggling on the body and the bed, an envelope stuck out of the scar, Holmes walked forward and gently removed the envelope and pulled a sheet over Lenore. The envelope was blank but Holmes offered it to Nancy who hook her head vigorously refusing to touch it, Holmes opened it, she watched his steely eyes as he read the note inside, Nancy saw anger flash across Holmes' face as he turned the paper round so she and Watson could read it. The message was simple, scrawled in what Nancy was sure was blood, it simply read
''Coming For You''
Nancy's breath caught in her throat and she let go of Watson and walked out of the room, she was halfway down the hall when she felt a hand grab her arm, she instinctively fought back at the hand grabbing her, Holmes held her arms and pulled her to him, she pounded her fist on his chest angrily, Holmes stood still and let her vent her anger on him, when the thumping slowed he pulled her closer and she sank into his arms burying her face in his shoulder, Watson passed them both, the note in his hand, Holmes stroked her head comfortingly,
' He won't get you, I swear' Nancy held him tighter his words wrapping her in a blanket of reassurance; Holmes kissed the top of her head.
They walked downstairs and Nancy sat in the lounge while Holmes went out to field Lestrades questions, the image of Lenore haunted her every time she closed her eyes and she wiped some of the tears from her face. Mrs Hudson walked into the room,
' Nancy?' Nancy looked up, Mrs Hudson's eyes were red, she'd obviously been crying and it dawned on Nancy that it would have been Mrs Hudson that found Lenore's body in her room,
' Are you alright dear' Mrs Hudson's show of maternal concern towards her touched Nancy and she stood up and hugged mrs Hudson, who clung to Nancy, they pulled apart both wiping tears from their eyes,
' Oh dear, this came for you Nancy' Mrs Hudson held out a letter to Nancy, who took it forcing a small smile at her,
' Thank you Mrs Hudson' mrs Hudson tried to force a smile but failed and left Nancy alone in the room, Nancy pulled open the letter and began reading;
Dear Nancy,
I'm sorry I'm not writing to you with better news, but I'm afraid I have the worst to tell you. Hugo has become very ill, the doctor says it's his old war injuries coming back, they don't think he's got long and I he's asking for you, I don't know what to do Nancy, your uncle isn't coping at the thought of losing his best friend and Alice has become so withdrawn, please my dearest come home, I need you more than ever, we're all falling apart, please come.
Love always
Aunt Peggy
Nancy folded the letter back up and stared ahead of her this had been one of the worst days of her life, Lenore and now Styck it couldn't possibly get worse, looking out of the window she could see Holmes and Watson talking and she watched Holmes avidly, his eyes were focused and determined, she watched as Watson nodded a response to him and walk away, Holmes walked back inside and stood in the doorway looking at Nancy, after a moment he walked over to her and placed his hand on hers, intertwining their fingers, she held the letter up to him, he took it, she waited for him to read it and respond, finally he spoke,
' We'll leave tonight'.