Hi everyone! My sincerest apologies for my lateness in the posting of this chapter, I'm doing and trying my best here people. So excited for the next season of Sherlock! And if you have problems or questions please don't be a stranger and just asked me and I will always try to reply as soon as I can. ~ Imagineer
Chapter 4: The Blind Banker (Part 2)
"It was a threat, that's what the graffiti was." said Sherlock as he walked over to the table with John following close behind him.
"I'm kind of in a meeting, can you make an appointment with my secretary." Wilkes remarked taking a drink from his glass.
"I don't think this can wait sorry Sebastian, one of your traders, someone who works in your office was killed." replied Sherlock.
"What?" Wilkes asked in disbelief.
"Vancoon, the police are at his flat." John added.
"Killed?" said Wilkes.
"Sorry to interfere with everyone's digestion; Do you still want to make an appointment, would maybe nine o'clock at Scotland Yard suit?" Sherlock apologized to the other people at the table before talking to Sebastian. He then got up from his chair and headed toward the restroom, Sherlock and John followed.
(Rozalia's POV)
I knew exactly what the graffiti was when I had seen the pictures that Sherlock had sent to my phone from his. They were Chinese numbers, which I had seen often during my killing spree in China it was the usual savage killing of drug lords, gang leaders and righteous extermination of sex-slave traders and tyrannous law enforcers. Back then though I did not know any better, if I knew someone was evil I killed them, it was as simple as that. Gone are the days of blindness and ignorance, now I know better; could anyone have blamed me back then though. I was raised to be a killing machine, emotionless and cruel.
Shaking my head I ran to my piano, it was my escape from my horrifying memories of my past. I hate remembering those days of old for they make my heart convulse in disgust, my eyes scrunch closed, and my body flinch. An hour is how long I played: Any depressing song, 2 albums of Evanescence and lastly "Demons" by Imagine Dragons.
(John's POV)
"Come along John, let's get back to the flat and see if Rozalia has found out anything." Sherlock said as we exited the restaurant and hailed a cab.
When we got out of the cab and entered the hall we could hear the sound of Rozalia playing her piano once again from downstairs. As we walked down the short staircase to the door of her flat Sherlock and I shared a look and mutually agreed that we should not interrupt for we did not know her well enough to know how she would react if we interrupted her while she was playing, and also because it would be rude if we did.
We opened her door as quietly as possible and tread carefully across the little hallway past the coat rack and cautiously brought our heads around the entry way to her living room then stood straight and quickly entered the room while her eyes were closed as she began another song.
If she opened her eyes she would be looking at us, I assumed she already knew of our presence in the room and just focus on her piano with Bruno and Jarek lying down on either side of the bench that she was sitting on.
When the days are cold and the cards all fold
And the saints we see are all made of gold
When your dreams all fail
And the ones we hail
Are the worst of all
And the blood's run stale
I want to hide the truth
I want to shelter you
But with the beast inside
There's nowhere we can hide
Now matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close
Its dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Curtain's call
Is the last of all
When the lights fade out
All the sinners crawl
So they dug your grave
And the masquerade
Will come calling out
At the mess you've made
Don't want to let you down
But I am hell bound
Though this is all for you
Don't want to hide the truth
No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
They say it's what you make
I say it's up to fate
It's woven in my soul
I need to let you go
Your eyes, they shine so bright
I want to save that light
I can't escape this now
Unless you show me how
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
We did not clap this time because we could see a single tear slide down her right cheek. Sherlock though, being an insensitive git, decided to get Rozalia's attention by loudly clearing his throat. She didn't flinch or jump but simply turned and looked Sherlock right in the eyes.
"Numbers. You, Sherlock Holmes, are a very obnoxious person, and I have met many." She stated simply, not caring that we could still see the remains of the tears on here face. Her voice unlike others gave no indication that she was or had been crying.
"So that is what the graffiti is, but what does it mean what are they for, what are the numbers Rozalia?" asked Sherlock cutting straight to the case as Rozalia got up from the piano bench
"Well the only number that I remember from my time in China is the number one, don't look at me like that, I have at least thirteen other languages under my belt, my time spent in China was when I was six and that was only for a year do expect a seven year old to remember all Chinese numerical figures when she is trying to Swedish and German and the ages of eight and nine!" she ranted, trying her best to remain calm as far as I could see anyway.
"Yes and no. Yes because I know you are capable enough, and no because you only have a semi more than average brain. No offense." Sherlock replied.
"Offense taken!" Rozalia spat back, and then took a deep breath to calm down.
"You are such a jackass." She sighed exasperated.
"I see you've also spent some time in America as well." Sherlock smirked, I chuckled a bit at this remark and so did Rozalia.
"Nobody likes a smartass either Sherlock." She replied jokingly.
There was pause of silence between the three of us till I looked down at my watch.
"I don't know about you two but I am going to head off to bed, I have a job interview in the morning." I told them.
"Yes and I am going to do some research and find out the translations for the rest of those numbers." Sherlock added.
"Well then goodnight you two, I'll see you both in the morning." Rozaila yawned as Sherlock and I left her flat.
"Goodnight Rosie." I replied,
"Goodnight Rozalia." Sherlock said simultaneously as I did. Sherlock and I headed up to our flat and I got ready for bed while he logged onto his computer to begin his research.
(Rozalia's POV)
I woke up at four as usual and began my morning routine. After walking the dogs I saw John hail a cab and leave for his job interview, Sherlock probably didn't even notice that his friend had gone.
'Friend, I wish I had one at least, how does one define friends?' I pondered. When I was finished taking a shower I got dressed into black leggings, a white tank top, a blue jean shirt, gray scarf and a pair of brownish-gray boots. The first thing Sherlock said as I entered his flat was:
"John can you pass me a pen?"
I sighed then walked over to the little table next to the red chair.
"John is not here, remember? He said he had a job interview this morning. Didn't you see him leave?" I asked as I handed him a pen.
"Didn't notice." He replied simply.
"Why does that not surprise me?" I drawled then sat down in the comfy red chair.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" I asked him.
"Here read this." Sherlock told me as he handed me his computer with an article on the screen.
"'Ghostly killer leaves a mystery for police'" I read the title aloud then continued.
"'An intruder who can walk through walls murdered a man in his London apartment last night. Brian Lukis, 41, a freelance journalist from Earl's Court was found shot in his fourth floor flat but all of his doors and windows were locked and there were no apparent signs of a break in. A police spokesman said they are still uncertain how the assailant broke in.' so our killer strikes again." I finished. Sherlock nodded.
"Yes we will go over to the scene when John gets back." He said.
"Sherlock I think you might be thinking the same thing that I am." I told him.
"And what would that be?" he raised one eyebrow at me.
"Somehow, some way Mr. Lukis and are connected. They might have not known each other but they are connected."
"Yes that is true I do think that, perhaps you do have more than an average sized brain." He smirked.
"Damn well I do." I laughed. "Did you find out what the other numbers are?" I asked.
"No, but we'll worry about them later, I think we will be seeing more of them soon enough." Sherlock replied. I was going to say something when John walked in and threw his coat on top of the chair that I was sitting on.
"Good morning Rosie." John greeted me cheerfully as always.
"Good morning John, how did your interview go?" I asked.
"Great, she's great." Said John oblivious to that fact that he had mentioned he met someone that caught his eye at the interview.
"Who?" Sherlock asked mischievously. John looked away from the photos on the mirror.
"The job." John answered
"She?" I smirked, John turned to me.
"It." John replied then turned back to Sherlock.
"Here have a look." Sherlock told him nodding his head at the table where the computer sat. John walked over to the table and looked at the article.
"The intruder who can walk through walls." said John.
"Happened last night, journalist shot dead in his flat." Sherlock informed him.
"Doors locked, windows bolted from the inside. Exactly the same as Vancoon." I added.
"Oh god, do you think?" John asked looking at Sherlock and I, I nodded.
"He's killed another one." Sherlock stated.
"Well then what are we waiting for lets go to the scene of the crime and see what we can find." I told them eagerly wanting to solve this case.
"We will but first we need to head over to Scotland Yard and have a little chat with Inspector Detective Dimmock." Sherlock said the man's name sourly, anyone could tell that Sherlock did not tolerate Dimmock; I could not blame him though because I thought Dimmock as an annoying person.
"Brian Lukis, freelance journalist, murdered in his flat doors locked from the inside." Sherlock showed Dimmock the article.
"You've got to admit its similar." said John as Dimmock looked at the screen. "Both men killed by someone who can 'walk through' solid walls."
"Detective do you seriously believe that Eddie Vancoon was just another city suicide?" Sherlock asked. Dimmock didn't answer.
"You have seen the ballistics' report I suppose?" said Sherlock. Dimmock nodded.
"And the shot that killed him was it fired from his own gun?" I asked him.
"No." he replied irritated.
"No, so this investigation might move a bit quicker if you were to take my word as gospel." Sherlock told Dimmock loudly.
"I've just handed you a murder inquiry. Five minutes in his flat?" Sherlock demanded. Dimmock sighed in defeat.
"Fine, five minutes that's all you got." Dimmock told him.
Leaving Scotland Yard we hailed a cab which then took us to the victim's house. There was so much caution tape that I thought we were in a black and yellow jungle. I hate caution tape, either it is always in my way or I trip over it.
Sherlock, John and I scanned the flat for anything that could help us. I noticed a little black lotus on the floor. 'Not again.' I thought as I picked up the little origami flower and then quickly shoved it into the pocket of my leather jacket before anyone else could see. I would tell Sherlock about it later. Dimmock followed us to make sure we would not over stay our welcome. Sherlock moved the sheer white curtain of one of the windows.
"Four floors up. That's why they think they're safe. Put a chain across the door bolt it shut, think they're impregnable." He then walked away from the window.
"They don't reckon for one second that there's another way in." I added Sherlock looked at me.
"Exactly." He said and then walked out the door with me following close behind him.
"I don't understand." Dimmock said as he followed us.
"We're dealing with a killer who can climb Mr. Dimmock." I explained. Sherlock walked over to a skylight.
"What are you doing?" Dimmock asked him utterly bewildered.
"Clings to the walls like an insect." Sherlock pushed the window open and looked out.
"That's how he got in." he deduced.
"What?" Dimmock's confusion was laughable, to me.
"Climbed up the side of the walls, ran along the roof, and dropped in through the skylight. That is talent." I commented Dimmock looked at me then back at Sherlock.
"You're not serious, like spider-man." Dimmock said sarcastically.
"He scaled six floors of an apartment building, jumped the balcony to kill Vancoon." Sherlock stated.
"Oh hold on." before Dimmock could finish Sherlock interrupted him.
"And that's how he got into the bank he ran along the window ledge and onto the terrace." Sherlock stepped away from the skylight.
"Sherlock we have to find out what connects these two men." I told him
"I agree with you." He nodded but something caught his eye, he hopped down the staircase and picked up a red book after looking inside it he shut it and looked at me.
"Rozalia get John, we're going to the library, to be more specific the West Kensington Library." He told me I nodded and went to get John.+
We walked through the many shelves till we found the one we were looking for.
"The date stamped on the book is the same day that he died." Sherlock said before grabbing another book off of the shelf and looked at it only to put it back.
"Sherlock." John spoke to get his friend's attention. He was holding several books in his hands but he wasn't looking at them he was looking at the shelf that they were on. Sherlock looked and then pulled out a couple more books.
"Co jest nie tak? What's wrong?" I asked.
"Rozalia come look at this." Sherlock said quietly, I placed the book that I was looking at back on the shelf and walked over to where they were. I looked at the shelf they were looking at and sighed.
"Więcej numerów. I wonder where or who they will lead us to once we figure them out."+
(Back at the flat) +
John, Sherlock, and I stood in front of the mirror looking at the pictures of the graffiti.
"So the killer goes to the bank, leaves a threatening cipher for Vancoon, Vancoon panics returns to his apartment hours later he dies." Sherlock went over the events.
"The killer finds Lukis at the library, he writes the cipher on the shelf where he knows it'll be seen, Lukis goes home." John continued.
"Later that night he dies to." I finished and then looked from the pictures to Sherlock and John in the mirror, John did not meet my eyes because he was still looking at the pictures but Sherlock did.
"Why do they die Sherlock?" John asked. Sherlock turned his eyes away from mine to the picture in front of him.
"Only the cipher can tells us." He replied and then his gaze locked back in the mirror with mine.
"Then we best start looking for answers then shouldn't we?" I said softly, not wanting to ruin the quietness of the room. I kind of liked the quiet. "Before we do though, I'm going to go check on Bruno and Jarek." I told them.
"Actually you can stay here, make yourself some lunch or whatever, John and I are going for a walk." said Sherlock as he put on his coat and scarf.
"Okay then, sounds like a plan to me." I agreed awkwardly, "See you later then." I told them and then headed downstairs to my flat. After finishing off some leftover broth I decided to make a quick batch of chocolate chip cookies knowing that John wasn't going to get chance to eat for another hour or so. Sherlock came back sooner that I had expected though, I had asked him where John was but he told me that he didn't know; typical Sherlock. Fifty minutes later John arrived but I could not greet him because I was in the middle of taking the last batch of cookies out of the oven, I made tree dozen cookies in all. I had a feeling that John was not in good mood at the moment so I put the last dozen cookies that were still warm, soft and fresh from the oven on a plate and took them upstairs.
"Its simple but I still can't place it." I heard Sherlock say and then heard a book loudly shut. At this moment I walked into their flat.
"John you seem to be angry, have a cookie." I told him holding the plate out for him to take a couple. He took five.
"Thanks Rosie." He said and then took a bite, his eyes widened "Rosie did you make these from scratch?" he asked me.
"Yes. Why? Are they bad?" I asked timidly, afraid of the answer.'Wait why? Because I care about what my co-workers/neighbors think of me. Do I care? Care, a strange and new emotion indeed.' I thought.
"No, no of course not Rosie, they're really good. You never cease to amaze me with your talents." John smiled at me then stuffed the rest of the cookie in his mouth making me giggle. He was about to take his jacket off when Sherlock stopped him.
"No, I need you to go the police station, ask about the journalist his personal possessions will have been impounded; get a hold of his diary or something that would tell us his movements." Sherlock pushed the protesting doctor out the door. He then grabbed his own coat, cloves and scarf and followed him out the door. Sherlock quickly got into a cab and left. I stood in the doorway watching John hail a cab.
"Well I'm going to stay here; I need to do some research of my own. John I want you to call me when you find something and then tell me where to meet you." I told him.
"Don't worry Rosie I will." He told me he was about to get in the cab but paused, something had caught his eye. I followed his gaze to see an Asian woman taking photos of us; I gave her and the camera my most intimidating stare. When I blinked she was gone. John must have blinked as well because he made a double take at the spot where the woman stood. It was at her disappearance that my suspicions of what we were up against were confirmed, but I could not tell John or Sherlock about it without having to tell them about my past; I did not want to do that.+
Forty minutes later I get a text from John telling me where to meet him and Sherlock. When I arrived I pulled up a third chair to their tiny table.
"So, 'The Lucky Cat' what would two refined Englishmen be doing at a merchandise emporium?" I asked.
"It's not what they saw, it's what the brought back in those suitcases." Sherlock explained. My first immediate thought was…
"Drugs." I carelessly said aloud, Sherlock raised an eyebrow at me. The waitress came over and placed a plate of food in front of John.
"Thank you." He nodded to her. She turned to me "Can I get anything for you Miss?" She asked me I nodded.
"Jī, zhǐshì jī hé dài gěi wǒ de zhīpiào." I replied.
"Nǐ xiǎng shénme ma?" she asked me writing down my order.
"Bù, bù." I said, shaking my head and giving her a courteous smile. She nodded and then left to get my food.
"Think about what Sebastian told us about Vancoon, about how he stayed afloat in the market." Sherlock told John as he leaned forward towards him so he could speak more quietly so no one else but I would hear.
"Lost five million." John stated.
"Made it back in a week." Sherlock added.
"Yep, its drugs. That is how he made such easy money." I muttered looking at the emporium. The waitress came back with my 'sweet and sour' chicken in a to-go box and the bill. (Yes, I know, I'm typical.)
"Wǒ yǒu, nǐ kěnéng bùdé bù hěn kuài líkāi de gǎnjué." She told me when I raised an eyebrow at her.
"Xièxiè." I replied with a smile, she left to tend to other customers.
"Well why did they die, it doesn't make sense. If they both turn up at the shop and deliver the goods why would someone threaten and kill them after the event, after they've finished the job?" John asked. Sherlock thought for a little and then a small smirk graced his lips and then quickly disappeared.
"What if one of them was light fingered." I said.
"How do you mean?" asked John.
"Stole something, something from the hoard." Sherlock continued
"And the killer doesn't know which one of them took it so he threatens them both." John concluded and then continued eating.
"Remind me, when was the last time that it rained?" Sherlock asked and then got up from the table and exited the restaurant. I quickly wrote a check to pay the bill for both John and I, grabbed my chicken and then quickly followed after Sherlock who was currently inspecting a 'Yellow Pages' phone book.
"It's been here since Monday." He deduced aloud and then rang the doorbell of the house that it was sent to; the home of Soo Lin Yao. Sherlock kept ringing the bell but no one answered the door, he gave up and walked into the alley near by. John and I followed him.
"No one's been in that flat for at least three days." Sherlock told us.
"Could've gone on holiday." John suggested. Sherlock looked up when he had walked far enough John and I followed his gaze to see a window open.
"Do you leave your windows open when you go on holiday?" Sherlock asked rhetorically and then jumped grabbing the metal ladder and made his way up to the flat.
"Sherlock!" John whispered loudly trying to attract as little attention as possible and then ran to the front door so Sherlock could let him in. I would have followed Sherlock but I had only recently gotten the stitches removed from my shoulder and was told by Doctor Watson to go easy on my right arms movements so it could finish healing properly.
"Someone else has been here." I heard Sherlock yell out the window. "Somebody else broke in and knocked over the vase, just like I did." I faintly heard him say. I walked to the front door to see John ringing the bell.
"Do you think you could let us in this time?" John asked, Sherlock did not answer. He gave up ringing the bell and opened up the mail slot.
"Could you not keep doing this, please?" John was starting to get agitated and quite frankly so was I but I was beginning to worry also because neither of us knew if the killer was in there with Sherlock.
"I'm not the first!" I heard Sherlock but it did not calm my nerves.
"What?" John asked.
"Somebody's been in here before me!" yelled Sherlock, 'Oh no.' I thought 'He might not be alone.'
"What are you saying?" John asked confusedly into the mail slot. He didn't hear an answer from Sherlock, he sighed and stepped away from the mail slot and looked at me.
"I'm wasting my breath." He said and then turned back to the door and rang the bell again. "Anytime if you want to include us." John spoke again into the mail slot. "No I'm Sherlock Holmes and I always work alone because no one else can compete with my massive intellect!" He then rang the bell again, this time though I had had enough.
"John move." I told him as I pulled out my gun.
"Rosie what are you doing?!" he asked looking at my gun with wide eyes.
"I'm going to break down the door." I answered looking him dead in the eyes letting him know that I meant business.
"Alright then." He sighed and stepped out of my way. I had my foot in mid-air when the door opened to reveal a queer looking Sherlock, judging by the state of him he looked as if he had been strangled; I could not be certain though until I heard his voice.
"The, um, milks gone and the washing is starting to smell. Somebody left here in a hurry three days ago." Sherlock struggled to talk, this confirmed all my suspicions that the killer had been in Soo Lin's flat and had attempted to strangle him to death.
"Somebody?" John asked curiously confused.
"Soo Lin Yao, we have to find her." I told John to spare Sherlock from having to speak.
"How exactly?" John asked as Sherlock bent down to pick up Soo Lin's mail.
"We could start with this." Sherlock answered and then walked out of the flat.
"You've gone all croaky, are you getting a cold?" John asked as we walked on either side of him.
"I fine." He coughed but that would never convince me other wise.
"No you're not." I told him seriously he stopped and looked at me.
"How do you know?" Sherlock asked gruffly, staring down at me. He stands at six feet I only stand at five feet and six inches.
"Let's just say I know the difference between a man who is coming down with a cold and a man who has just been strangled." I said, keeping a serious face. He looked at me for a moment and then softly smiled.
"Rozalia you, clever girl, are an enigma." Sherlock whispered and then started walking again I hailed us a cab and Sherlock told the driver where to go.+
By the time we had arrived at the 'National Antiquities Museum' Sherlock's voice returned to normal and I had finished eating my chicken. Sherlock found the person he was looking for, not Soo Lin Yao but some young man by the name of Andy.
"When was the last time that you saw her?" Sherlock asked him, looking around the room that we were in.
"Three days ago, here at the Museum." Andy replied "This Morning they told me she'd resigned. Just like that, left her work unfinished."
"What was the last thing she did on her final afternoon?" I asked him, he looked at me with his hands in his pockets like a timid child. "Here I'll show you. Follow me." he said and we followed him to the storage basement.
"She does this demonstration for the tourists, a tea ceremony, so she would have packed up her things and just put them…. In here." He told us as he led us to where she would have put her things. The statue in the corner of my eye caught my attention though when I saw a flash of yellow, Sherlock must have noticed too because he was walking towards the statue. Andy and John finally noticed and began to stare at it also.+
After meeting the strange boy who was apparently the reason for John's court date we set out to find more evidence. I was walking with John along the tracks when we saw a wall covered ciphers.
"John take a picture of this and then go get Sherlock, I'll stay here and make sure the killer doesn't come back to erase it." I told him, he nodded and then did as I asked. I never saw that ninja bastard coming, the next thing I knew was slight pain and then darkness.+
(Sherlock's POV)
"Answer your phone, I've been calling you!" I turned to see John running towards me.
"Where is Rozalia?" I asked him.
"We found it; she stayed behind to ensure that it would not be erased." He answered, I nodded letting him know that I understood. I followed him to where he said they found more of ciphers. When we were getting closer I saw a body on the ground.
"John wait." I told him.
"What?" he asked but then stopped and followed my gaze "Oh my god, is that?"
"Yes, yes it is." I confirmed his suspicions and then began to run full speed. "Rozalia!" I shouted as I started getting closer, hoping to get a response out of her because I couldn't tell if she was alive or not. When we reached her I knelt be her side, she laid flat on her back with her left arm near her head and her right arm out to the side and her scarf pulled to the left exposing her neck; a black origami flower lay on the center of her abdomen just below her breasts. John knelt at her right side and checked her pulse.
"Her pulse is normal, there's no sign of blood anywhere." John told me. I took the black piece of paper off her chest and put in my pocket and looked at the wall.
"The graffiti is gone John." John turned from Rozalia and looked at the wall.
"Good thing I took a picture of it then." Said John, before I could ask to see the photo there was a soft groan. We looked down to see Rozalia gaining consciousness.
"Damn it, that little Asian bastard caught me off guard." She groaned. I looked from her to John.
"Quickly John I need to see that photo." I told him, he nodded and pulled out his phone.
"It was erased because someone did not want me to see it." I said looking at the picture, giving John back his phone I lifted Rozalia off the ground, I may be a 'jackass' (at times) but I was raised to be a gentleman.
"Hey where are we going?" she asked in a tired voice.
"Back to the flat, there is work to be done." I told her and began walking.
"You're such a workaholic." She groaned and then fell asleep, I laughed slightly and John walking beside me chuckled. When we made it back to our flat I placed Rozalia on the sofa and covered her with my coat because I needed to get to work and was too lazy to grab a blanket.+
(Rozalia's POV)
"Penguins can't tap dance!" I shouted as I awoke. I was covered in wool blanket; I looked around to find myself in Sherlock's flat. My left shoulder still sore from when that damn ninja hit me to knock me unconscious.
"Oh good you're awake, come along Rozalia we're going back to the museum to find Soo Lin Yao." Sherlock told me, I nodded and then got up and followed him out the door.+
The museum was dark the moonlight that shone through the windows made it more of an enigma. Sherlock was the first to confront Soo Lin making her drop the teapot she was holding, luckily he had caught it. John and I came out from where we were hiding and pulled up some other chair and sat at Soo Lin's table.
"You saw the cipher, then you know he is coming for me." She said looking at each of us.
"You've been clever to avoid him so far." Sherlock commented trying to ease her nerves.
"I had to finish, to finish this work. It is only a matter of time; I know he will find me." She said gravely as she gazed upon the work that she might never finish.
"Who is he, have you met him before?" Sherlock asked her.
"When I was a girl," Soo Lin answered. "Back in China, I recognize his….signature."
"The cipher." Sherlock added.
"Only he would do this, Zhīzhū." She told us.
"Zhīzhū?" asked John.
"Spider." I explained to him. Soo Lin began to unlace her left shoe and pulled it off halfway to show a tattoo on her heel.
"You know this mark?" She asked.
"Yes it is the mark of an ancient crime syndicate based in China." I answered; Sherlock turned his head at me and looked at me with slight surprise as to how I knew that.
"Every foot soldier bears the mark, everyone who hauls for them." Soo Lin explained obviously regretting what she had done in the past.
"Hauls, you mean you were a smuggler?" John concluded she looked at him and then put back on her shoe.
"I was fifteen, my parents were dead, I had no livelihood, no way of surviving day to day except to work for the bosses." She told us, when she was fifteen I was sixteen in Russia killing the guilty and being forced by my mentor to kill innocent people.
"Who are they?" Sherlock asked, knocking me off memory lane.
"They are called the Black Lotus." I knew it. "By the time I was sixteen I was taking thousands of pounds worth of drugs across the border into Hong Kong. But I've managed to leave that life behind me; I came to England, they gave me a job here. Everything was good, new life." Soo Lin replied.
"But he came looking for you." Sherlock said.
"Yes, I hoped after five years maybe they would have forgotten me. But they never really let you leave; in a small community like ours' they're never very far away." She paused for a moment to wipe her tears away making me internally curse at myself for not having any tissues. "He came to my flat, he asked me to help him to track down something that was stolen."
"You have no idea what it was?" asked John.
"I refused to help." She answered.
"So you knew him well when you were living back in China?" I decided to ask Soo Lin nodded.
"Oh yes, he's my brother." She replied. "Two orphans, we had no choice; we could work for the Black Lotus or starve on the streets like beggars. My brother has become their puppet in the power of the one they call Shan, Black Lotus general." My eyes widened upon hearing that name.
'Shan? But I thought I had…easy Rosie, you did remember? Also remember that Shan had a sister. She must have taken his place when I had…killed him.' I thought to myself. I know I'm sane because when I talked to myself in my head no one answers. Shan was my eighty-fifth kill, one of the many I killed when I had first blossomed as an assassin. China was the very first country that I had ever killed in on my own.
"I turned my brother away; he said I had betrayed him. The next day I came to work and the cipher was waiting." Soo Lin finished. Sherlock then pulled the pictures that were taken of the cipher out of his coat.
"Can you decipher these?" he asked, she looked at the photographs on the table.
"These are numbers," She began pointing to the photograph in front of her.
"Yes, I know." Sherlock answered as if he felt they didn't have much time left.
"Here, the line across the man's eyes is the Chinese number one." Soo Lin said pointing to the photograph of the vandalized portrait.
"And this one is fifteen, but what's the code?" he asked.
"All the smugglers know it, its base upon a book." She explained but before she could continue the lights went out. I immediately took a piece of paper and pen and began to write a little note for Shan in Chinese, a sort of greeting card one might say.
"He's here, Zhīzhū, he has found me." Soo Lin whispered despairingly.
"Soo Lin he may have found you but he will not hurt you while I still breathe." I promised her, she nodded as a silent 'thank you'.
"No, no Sherlock wait!" John whispered loudly as Sherlock ran out the door; I knew he was going to try and find Zhīzhū. John looked at me as if he wanted me to tell him what to do: either go after Sherlock or stay with them women.
"Go after him John, make sure he doesn't get himself killed we'll be alright I promise. Just go, now!" I told him he gave me a nod and then ran out the door after Sherlock. After watching him go I took Soo Lin by the hand pulled her into a back room and locked the door. Taking off my scarf from my neck I then wrapped it around my head concealing everything except my eyes.
"What are you doing?!" Soo Lin asked looking at me as if I were crazy.
"Bringing the past back." I told her, the confusion on her face soon turned into fright as she looked behind me. I quickly turned blocking Zhīzhū's attempt to knock my lights out.
"So you finally decided to show up, I've been dying to meet you little spider." I told him in the queer whimsical voice that I had used when I was a killer.
"Wǒ wèi nǐ jiāofù gěi jiāngjūn shān, yīzhǒng hèkǎ kěyǐ shuō yīgè xiāoxi. Quèbǎo tā jiēshòu tā, shì fēicháng zhòngyào de, tā zhīdào tā shì fǎnduì dàodǐ shì shuí." I told him extending the note to him between the index and middle finger of my right hand. He took it cautiously.
"Now leave, and tell General Shan that your sister is under The Shadow's protection." I smirked upon seeing his eyes widen with fear.
'It is good that China still fears The Shadow, as they should.' I thought smugly. Zhīzhū ran back into the darkness from where he came from and I took my scarf away from my head. Soo Lin looked at me in amazement.
"Are you truly The Shadow?" She asked I nodded placing my scarf back around my neck.
"Yes but do not let anyone else know, like you, I am also trying to run away from the past, I'm not proud of it." She nodded finally understanding what I had told her before Zhīzhū came in. Suddenly several shots were fired from the ceiling Soo Lin and I quickly ran under a near by table, I knew he was trying to kill me so that Soo Lin would no longer be under my protection. Pulling out my gun I fired back.
"You're going to have to try a lot harder than that to kill me little spider." I cackled like The Shadow. After several more shots were fired there was silence Zhīzhū was gone.
"What is your brother's real name Soo Lin?" I asked as we got out from under the table.
"Jing Lee." She answered.
"Soo Lin! Rozalia!" I heard John yell in a frightened voice, he was afraid he had failed us that we were dead.
"Rozalia!" Sherlock roared.
"John! Sherlock! We're fine!" I yelled back as Soo Lin and I re-entered they room where we had found Soo Lin in earlier. John ran in the door and was soon after followed by Sherlock.
"Thank goodness, I thought for a moment that you two were…. dead." John said as he ran to us and then hugged each of us very tightly. I then turned to Sherlock clearing my throat.
"Well obviously you've got your gun on you." Sherlock said stoic faced.
"I'd be lying if I said no." I smirked then decided it was time to get down to business.
"You and John go have a chat with Dimmock and I will take Soo Lin somewhere she will be safe." I told him. He nodded and then we all left the Museum but not before John asked.
"Wait won't Zhīzhū try and come back to kill Soo Lin?" at this Soo Lin and I shared a knowing smile, linked our arms together and continued to walk out of building carefree.
The boys went to talk with Dimmock and Soo Lin and I returned to my flat.+
"Make yourself at home, I need to make a quick phone call and then we can finally say that you are safe." I told her "Just go through the fridge if you want something to eat this phone call might take a while because I don't know if she is awake or not and if she isn't we'll just go visit her in the morning and see what she can do to help you." I picked up my phone a dialed the number I needed and waited as patiently as I could for at least someone to answer; finally my prayer was answered when I heard the sweet old posh voice of my good friend.
"Hello?"
"Evening Liz, its Rosie. My sincerest apologies if I woke you my friend." I spoke into the phone.
"Nonsense my dear I was just about to go to bed though, is something wrong?" She asked concernedly.
"No, at least not for me but I have a friend who has someone that wants to kill her, in fact he tried to just about forty minutes ago but don't worry I prevented that from happening and she is just fine. Would you like to say hello?" I asked ready to hand the phone to Soo Lin.
"No my dear, I would prefer it if you got her here as soon as possible." Said Liz.
"Alright then we'll see you there." I told her.
"Be safe child." She replied.
"Of course Liz. Bye." I hung up the phone and took off my leather jacket and gave it to Soo Lin.
"Here put this on, you are going to need it. We're not taking a cab. Bruno, Jarek tu teraz." I called "Soo Lin these are my companions: Bruno and Jarek." I introduced.
"Where are we going Rozalia and how will we get there?" she asked me after petting the dogs.
"Please call me Rosie, trust me we're there, and you'll find out where we are going soon enough but how we are getting I can answer; I have a motor bike close by." I explained. Grabbing the dogs' leashes I handed Bruno's to Soo Lin. "My bike is four blocks away from here, forgive me there was nowhere else I could put it though." I told her as I clipped the leash I had onto Jarek's collar.
"That's alright, I don't mind." She replied.+
We walked the four blocks to the auto shop where I had left my motorbike in hands of an ally of mine named Bernardo. I clenched my fist and pounded it on the door with as much force as possible for I knew that bear would be fast asleep.
"Quem está aí?" I could hear him grumble on the other side of the door.
"Bernardo, Ele me é Rose, abra a porta que eu preciso falar com você meu amigo" I replied. The burly bear of a man opened the door to reveal his Portugal flag pajammas; he was covered in so much dark hair that may have been mistaken for a bear or black beard, which he fondly dressed up as for Halloween.
"Ah, Rosie welcome, welcome! What brings you to my door this late at night, I was dreaming of Portugal again." He sighed; he had told me on many occasions of how much he missed his homeland.
"Don't worry meu amigo you see your homeland again just wait and see. The reason I am here is because I need my bike meu amigo." I told him; he smiled at my assuring words nodded and then led Soo Lin and I to my bike, which was a typical black painted bike that could fit two people.
"Oh, I also have a surprise for you; I have been working on it ever since you introduced me to your furry companions." He told us and then gestured to what he was talking about.
"Ta, da!" he had made me a sidecar for Bruno and Jarek.
"Bernardo it's wonderful, thank you!" I hugged him, I had talked with him in the past about getting a sidecar for the dogs but I could never find one big enough for the both of them.
"No problem little one, it was an honor to make. You may take it now for I know that you must be in a hurry, and by the way shame on you florzinha for not introducing me to your friend." He scolded playfully in response to that I smirked and smacked his shoulder.
"Bernardo this is Soo Lin Yao, Soo Lin this Bernardo." I introduced them to each other and went to the container on my bike to grab a helmet for Soo Lin and my heavy leather gloves as the shook hands.
"Wonderful to meet you Miss Yao." He greeted warmly.
"Like wise." She smiled back.
"Alright, we must be going." I said grabbing the dogs' leashes after putting them in the sidecar.
"Ah yes, very well. Drive safely rosinha." Bernardo told me seriously grabbing my right hand with his own right hand after helping Soo Lin onto the bike.
"I will." I replied with the same seriousness and with that as our 'goodbye' he opened the garage door and I drove out. Within half an hour we arrived at our wanted destination. Buckingham Palace.+
Soo Lin took Bruno on his leash and I had Jarek as we walked in. There was someone immediately waiting for us.
"Hello Gerald." I nodded.
"My lady the Queen awaits you and your friend in the library upstairs." He informed me. I knew exactly where that was, it's where she and I meet every Sunday afternoon at two thirty two have a cup of tea even though I slightly dislike tea.
"Thank you Gerald." I nodded again and then led Soo Lin upstairs to the library. When we entered I saw that she was still in her day clothes, I know the laziness that some people get when they go to late to bed and don't want to change their clothes I hoped she wouldn't because she would be very uncomfortable in the morning.
"Liz you could have at least change into you pajammas, you knew I would be a while." I told her gently, I always worry about her over stressing herself.
"I could I was too worried about you, now that you work with the police department you've been getting into all sorts of trouble." She replied taking my hand in both of hers.
"Well as you can see I am perfectly fine. This is my friend the one I spoke to you on the phone about, this is Soo Lin Yao and Soo Lin, I introduce to you my friend and ally Queen Elizabeth the second."
"It is an honor my queen." Soo Lin bowed.
"None of that my dear, you need safety until your predicament is dealt with, until then though you will remain here and I will ensure that you get your job at the museum back posthaste." She smiled gently at the young girl before her.
"I see you've done your research my lady." I mocked bowed and she returned that by pretending to shoot me with a gun. Sure she was the queen to everyone else but to me was kind of grandmother figure to me and for this I was grateful, she was the only reason I was not put to death; she saw who I could be, the woman I am at this very moment.
"My apologies I must take my leave, I have a feeling that the boys back 221B will be needing my help." I laughed.
"I understand my dear; I hope to see you again Sunday afternoon." Liz raised an eyebrow bat me.
"Of course, you know I wouldn't miss it for the world Liz." I told her and then walking over to where she sat I bent down to kiss her cheek like a child would when greeting or departing their grandmother.
"Until we meet again Lizzy."
"Yes, and do drive safely dear, I don't want you meeting our ancestors before me." She chortled and my laughter soon joined hers. 'Truly, what is a friend, how does one define the word friend? I don't understand.' that question still teased my brain.+
"What is with all these books? Wait a minute; no don't tell me I already know I remember now." I said as I enter their flat. John seemed tired and I knew he had work later this morning so I walked over to him and placed my hand on his shoulder when I did he jolted.
"John you're tired and you have to work later so go to bed I'll stay and Sherlock, you go to bed now. No arguing, just go." I ushered him off to bed and then turned back to Sherlock.
"Have you found anything yet?" I asked tiredly as I leaned against the doorframe that lead to their kitchen.
"No. Not yet anyways. Where did you take Soo Lin Yao?" he asked approaching me.
"Somewhere she'll be safely guarded and looked after with the utmost care." I told him as he came closer I became more aware of his presence.
"You know full well that is not what I meant, location wise where is she?" he asked again more specifically.
"I cannot tell you where exactly but I can tell you that she is still in London." I answered looking up at him as he stood right in front of me, looking down at me holding my eyes with his.
"I suppose that answer will have to do for now. You should get some rest too, you know I can't have you lagging behind because you are too tired." Sherlock said as he went back to the books.
"You know, I could say the same for you Sherlock. No, I won't go to bed now, I'll help you for about two hours take a nap then wake up at four and go through my morning workout. When I am working out I am not to be interrupted is that clear?" I pointed at him and looked at him like I meant business.
"Absolutely crystal." He replied looking deeply into my eyes as if he were describing my eyes and not answering my question. I cleared my throat and began looking through the books that had once belonged to Edward Vancoon and Brian Lukis.+
After my work out I took a shower and then dressed myself in a pair of blues jeans, white tank top, a white quarter sleeved buttoned shirt, and brown flats. I took out another different short brown leather jacket with a hood since I let Soo Lin keep my other black long jacket for now, she said that she would return it when I came back to get her once things were all cleared up.
When I was done getting ready for the day I was so tired that I texted Sherlock telling him that I was going to sleep again, I did not wait for him to reply I slept in the center of my newly made bed, I saw no point in going beneath the covers. Once my head hit the pillow I was out like light.+
(Sherlock's POV)
She practically slept through the whole day I decided to wake her when I wanted to follow John and his date; this circus arriving seemed almost too coincidental. When I found her she was still fast asleep but she wasn't the only one on the bed; Bruno and Jarek were curled up on either side of their beloved owner. Both dogs immediately raised their heads and looked at me; when they saw it was I they knew I was no threat to their mistress and settled back down on the bed. I walked to the right side of the bed and leaned over Jarek to wake Rozalia, placing my hand gently on her shoulder I shook her.
"Rozalia, Rozalia wake up." I whispered and she began to stir.
"I'm awake, what's wrong?" She asked sitting up as the dogs jumped off the bed.
"No, but we are going to follow John and his date to the circus." I told her as I helped her get off the bed.
"Why?" she asked tiredly still trying to wake up. "How long was I asleep?"
"You slept most of the day away, why we're going is because I have a hunch and we are going to find out if my hunch is correct." I explained as she finally became fully awake.
"Oh dear, this is not going to end well then is it?" I knew it was a rhetorical question but I decided to answer it anyway.
"Most likely." Upon hearing this she sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Let's go." She said then grabbed her jacket and walked out the door. I chuckled and followed her outside and then hailed a cab.
"I don't think John is going to be happy to see us since we are kind of stalking him and his date, in a sense." Rozalia told me as we sat the back seat of the cab.
"We have a case to solve right now solving it is more important than John's date night." I replied.
"Don't you want your friend to be happy, isn't that what friendship is?" she asked, it sounded to me as if she did not understand the definition of 'friendship'.
"Right now I care more about my friend's safety than his happiness." I answered truthfully and Rozalia seemed to understand.
"Oh, I see. So if you and John are friends what does that make...me?" the innocence of her question was obviously noticeable, why she asked this question I may never know.
"Well for now you are just an acquaintance because John and I don't know you all that well, yet, but in time I think a bond of friendship will form either that or the bond already is forming; personally I would go with the latter." I replied. Rozalia looked satisfied with that answer I knew for a small smile formed on her lips and her eyes lit up like stars ascending into the night sky. "Wait a moment why did I just think that?" I thought but I brushed it aside for now and returned her small smile with one of my own smirks.
Author's Note
Translations:
(Chinese Traditional)
Jī, zhǐshì jī hé dài gěi wǒ de zhīpiào. – Chicken, just chicken and bring me the check.
Nǐ xiǎng shénme ma? – Would you like anything else?
Bù, bù. – No, no.
Wǒ yǒu, nǐ kěnéng bùdé bù hěn kuài líkāi de gǎnjué. – I had a feeling that you might have to leave soon.
Xièxiè. – Thank you.
Wǒ wèi nǐ jiāofù gěi jiāngjūn shān, yīzhǒng hèkǎ kěyǐ shuō yīgè xiāoxi. Quèbǎo tā jiēshòu tā, shì fēicháng zhòngyào de, tā zhīdào tā shì fǎnduì dàodǐ shì shuí. – Ihave a message for you to deliver to General Shan, a sort of greeting card one might say. Make sure she receives it, it is imperative that she knows exactly who she is up against.
(Polish)
tu teraz. – here now.
Co jest nie tak? – What's wrong
Więcej numerów. – More numbers.
(Portuguese)
Quem está aí? – Who's there?
Bernardo, Ele me é Rose, abra a porta que eu preciso falar com você meu amigo. – Bernardo, It is me Rose, open the door I must speak with you my friend.
meu amigo. – my firend
florzinha – little flower
rosinha – little rose
I'd like to thank all of those who review, follow and favorite this story.
~ Imagineer