A Wife for Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 13 – Past Reckoning

April 1 2011

Marion Holmes had started he maternity leave early at the insistence of her husband, brother-in-law, parents-in-law, and John Watson. Lestrade had even come to visit her while she was on bed rest at home. She was under John's care much of the time and he took it as a sign that she was not very well when she did not even fight being confined to the flat for nearly two weeks.

Sherlock and he took cases and even helped Lestrade with a couple in the time, but Marion recovered, her body needing care after her nearly fatal overdose of amphetamines. The baby seemed to be all right like her mother, but the doctors were worried about her.

Mari was finally able to go out of the flat and enjoy some sunshine. She had been having twinges all day, but she passed them off to just being in a position too long. She had errands to run such as some shopping and some banking she needed to do. Her husband had allowed her to leave on the condition she wasn't gone more than two hours and that she deposited the checks he had as payments into the accounts. She also needed to text him to let him know how she was.

She lifted her phone as she paid the taxi. I am at the bank. All is well.

Good Love you. SH

He had found her of great use keeping his accounting straight. It kept her mind active. She also was able to sit at home and read reports from the museum, again something to try to prevent boredom. Her husband sympathized greatly as she started to become anxious to be out and about again.

She took a taxi to the bank and walked in. Something her husband had made sure he had done early in their marriage was to allow her access to all his accounts. She was far better at organizing the money and knew exactly what was where. She was surprised at first at how much he really had and she was about to deposit about sixty grand into the accounts. He had a trust fund, but that account needed Mycroft's approvals for. She had already written a check to John for his part of it. She had his account number and deposited the money into his.

She smiled as she stood in line. She was tired, this being the longest she had been upright in some time. She lifted her phone.

Are you busy?

Depends. What do you have in mind dear sister? Mycroft

I am hungry. Fancy some lunch? I am near your office.

Are you? Well. There is a lovely little Italian bistro around the corner from the bank. Mycroft

How did you know I was at the…oh nevermind. I will be done shortly. See you there in fifteen.

I look forward to it. Mycroft

She smiled and slipped her phone back into her pocket as she stepped forward to the teller.

All the accounts were labeled, in her own fashion to keep them straight. She put money in the grocery account, the rent account, the utility account, and emergency fund, and lastly savings. She took all the receipts and put them in her purse and sighed.

She put a hand to her side and hissed a little. She felt like a beached whale and she likely looked like one too. She sighed and moved out of the back doors. She moved to go to the taxi when a great noise was heard. She gasped as she found herself on the earth. She coughed and looked about. She had been moved a few feet, but landed on some bark that cushioned her fall.

Glass was shattered about her and many others. A bus that had been behind the taxi at the stop was now in flames having exploded. She blinked. Her head hurt, her ear was ringing, and she looked about. She pulled herself to her feet and looked about.

The ringing continued and she blinked seeing people around. She needed to get to Mycroft. Tell him about the bomb. She heard sirens in the distance. Whimpering she started to walk away as if in a daze. She left her purse behind on the sidewalk.

The door had clearly kept much of the blast from her, but she could feel the tickle of blood oozing. She had to have some minor cuts from the glass. She moved down the street, totally unresponsive to anyone who was looking at her. Everyone was in slow motion and she could not hear well. Her ear ached and the ringing was annoying.

She reached the bistro and lifted a hand to the door.

The door swung open.

"Marion!" Mycroft stepped to her and took her upper arms in his hands. He shook her a little to gain her attention as she looked about a little.

She blinked and looked up at Mycroft. She could tell he was speaking, but she could not hear him. "Mycroft?"

"Focus, sister!" He barked.

"What?" She asked. "I…I can't hear well…"

"God in heaven, were you there?" He asked looking down the street at the smoke.

"Where?" She asked trying to shake the cobwebs from her brain. "I was at the bank. What is going on?" She said more loudly that she likely would have. He turned her face gently with his hand revealing the line of blood oozing from her ear. He growled something and then looked about.

"There was a bomb. The third in London." He said. "Come on then." He said pulling her to the car waiting. He pulled out his phone and realized he had no signal. He looked at his assistant who climbed in as well. "My satellite phone."

"Of course."

"Marion." Mycroft said.

"Huh?" She asked looking at him.

"Stay with me. You have some minor injuries. We will have them seen to shortly." Mycroft said. He called. "Get me the Prime Minister!" He barked.

ZzZ

Sherlock and John were at a small deli together. They had decided to give Mari her space, but had followed her. Sherlock wanted to make sure she was ready. They had watched her go into the bank. When she came out she had moved to get into the cab, but then the explosion happened.

Sherlock and John looked at each other. Sherlock ran to the area and looked about at the wounded. He looked about. The Taxi driver was dead, glass had cut his carotid artery. Everyone on the bus was dead, incinerated from the blast. John moved and was seeing to people as Sherlock looked about and then saw her purse lying nearby.

"John! John!" He barked as John looked at someone. John looked up and then excused himself and walked to where Sherlock was squatting down looking at the bark. "She was here." He said. "She was knocked down here. Where is she?"

"Isn't that her purse?"

"Yes." Sherlock said lifting it. He looked about. "She stood up, but where did she go?" He looked down. "Blood." He said touching a drop.

"That could be from anyone." John said.

"She was leaning back because her hips are splayed…." Sherlock said looking at the ground seeing the scuff marks from the soft shoes she was wearing. "Mari…" He looked and followed the trail about two blocks before it ended.

John had been seeing to people as a doctor on scene and Sherlock came back. Sherlock blinked. "What the hell is going on?" He asked looking up.

ZzZ

Marion was dozing lightly as Mycroft's car drove through town taking the oddest routes to avoid the traffic issues due to the bombs. She had tried texting Sherlock, but it didn't work. She listened to Mycroft barking orders and calling for security measures.

Finally the car stopped and Mycroft got out and then took her hand. "Come on Marion." He said pulling her after him. She was fully awake and looked about. She was in something resembling a parking garage and she was pulled into an elevator. There were six men, Mycroft's assistant, and her in the lift and her very pregnant form made it difficult for her to move about.

They went down about three floors and the elevator chimed and Mycroft again held her hand, pulling her along. He snapped an ID card on her collar and pressed his to a key card locked door. It opened and he pulled her inside.

She looked around. "Where the bloody hell are we?" she asked.

"The safest and most secret part of London, my dear." Mycroft said.

"I won't tell." She said looking at several monitors.

"I know. You are one used to secrets my dear." Mycroft said.

"Ah Mycroft." A man said coming to them.

"Harry." Mycroft said.

"Who is this?"

"My assistant Marion. She is a linguist, behavoralist and explosions expert." Mycroft said.

Marion froze as she turned to look at him. He shot her a look to remain silent and she did so, looking about. "What happened?"

"Three separate bombs. None on the tube this time, all above ground on buses. A great deal of casualties, but very few deaths." Harry said.

"Terrorism in the full sense of the word." She said softly.

"Quite so Marion." Harry said. "Can I find you a chair?" He asked.

"She needs medical attention. Perforated ear drum and some minor cuts from the glass." Mycroft said.

"She was there?"

"Yes."

"And she isn't a suspect?" Harry asked.

"No. She was getting in a taxi when the bomb hit and she was doing banking. She is not your terrorist."

"The new trend is women who look pregnant as suicide bombers."

Mycroft chuckled. "Oh there is a baby in there and since it is my blood I would like to see them both safe."

"Pardon?" Harry asked.

"Besides being very adept at many things, Marion is my sister-in-law and she is carrying my brother's child."

Harry blinked. "Ah so I suppose you have thoroughly checked her out then."

"Completely." Mycroft said. "I know everything about her."

She blinked looking at him. "Everything?"

"Yes." He said. He bent to her. "And some of your past will be quite useful."

She narrowed her eyes. "I swore I never would go back to that Mycroft." She made a face. "I bought my freedom from that life. Don't make me…not again…"

"Nor have you, but it is your knowledge I need." Mycroft said.

"We have some of the bomb fragments, sir." A man said as he came in with an evidence bag.

Mycroft nodded. "You are up Marion."

She nodded and sat down with them. A nurse came and put tape on her minor wounds and abrasions and then had her tip her head. She superglued her eardrum carefully and then had Marion sit with her head turned.

Marion hissed a little and then looked at the fragments. She knew this work. Damn, Mycroft for knowing it too.

Two more bags came from the other bombs. She narrowed her eyes.

She sat and made a picture of it as she drew what she was seeing in her mind's eye. Mycroft watched her and nodded as she sat back sighing as a pain hit a little harder than before.

Mycroft went to her. "You reconstructed the bomb." He said. "How?"

"My mind palace." She smiled at him.

He sighed and nodded. "This did not take you long."

"I know this bomb." She said. She looked at the intelligence people there. "Like anyone with a signature, a bomb has a signature." She smiled. "Each bomb can tell you the motivations of the bomber. For example. The first London bombs. Designed to kill people and have heavy casualties for as many as possible. This person wanted to create terror and horror. However, this bomber, wants to create terror and confusion." She looked at the TV. "Three bombs and only six dead? One hundred injured…" She looked up. "Obviously not so much a killer as one who is making a warning as a point." She looked at them. "Percussion charge. Made a loud noise, but see it focuses up wards."

"It could be turned to do more damage." Mycroft said.

"Yes. Against a building it could bring down a structure."

"So there will be more." Harry said.

"Likely if not stopped." She said. She blinked and shuddered.

"A name, Mari. I need a name."

"Yetenekli." She said looking at her drawing.

"The gifted?" Mycroft said.

"He is very well known for the bombings in the Gaza strip."

"His name is Turkish."

"Yes, exactly." Marion said. She took a deep breath. "Why do you think they never find him?" She asked looking up at him.

"Great well, then, how do we stop him?"

"You don't." Mari said. "He always goes to the highest bidder." She sighed and rose to her feet.

"Hang on, how do you know about him if he can't be found?" Harry asked.

Mycroft shook his head. "That isn't important."

"Oh, but I think it is." Harry stepped to her and gripped her arm. She gasped as he pressed her backwards into the wall. "How do you know?"

"I…I…"

"How? Do you like bombs too? Did you blow people up?" Harry asked.

"Harry. Let her go. She is helping…" Mycroft said.

"How do you know?" Harry barked.

"She is his sister." Mycroft stepped to him. "Let her go now."

"What?!" Harry asked.

Marion closed her eyes. "Mycroft. How in God's name do you know that?"

Mycroft looked at her. "Do you really think I didn't do my homework on you?"

She took a breath. "No, I suppose I am not surprised." She panted. "How did you find out?"

"You are of Syrian and Turkish extraction. You speak many languages fluently. You weren't just his understudy, you were his banker." Mycroft said.

"So she knows about the Arab terrorists?" Harry asked.

"No." Mycroft said. "She only handled the money and watched him build the bombs." He looked at Mari who had tears in her eyes and shook her head. "She was very young when they were orphaned."

"Mycroft…no…"

"He was the one who blew up his parent's car. They were asking too many questions or was it they were getting too close to Hamas, my dear?" Mycroft said.

"Stop it!" Marion hissed.

"Al Zahra." Mycroft continued looking at her. "The Enlightened is what he called you, but your name is Miriam."

"Hold on you call her Marion." Harry said.

"Yes. Her British name. Marion Holmes."

"So she got close to you to what learn places to bomb?" Harry asked.

"No." Mycroft said. "No, no, no, she left that life. Became an Olympic fencer, already a crack shot she perfected it, learned Krav Maga, belly dancing, many languages, and she has five degrees." He smiled, pride in his eyes. "And all of that in less than twenty-two years."

"Four." She corrected. "I have my defense after my maternity leave is over."

"Four." He said. "Apologies sister."

Harry robbed a hand over his eyes. "So why is he bombing London?"

"Oh he isn't." Mycroft said. "He only makes the bombs and sells them, isn't that right my dear." He leaned on his umbrella.

"He provides a service yes."

"For whom then?" Harry asked.

"I don't know. Isn't that your job as Intelligence people for this country?" She asked.

"We have this note Marion. Can you translate it?"

"We have people who can…" Harry protested.

"She is faster."

She looked at it and then doubled over in pain. She gasped. She reached for the wall, but Harry grabbed her arm.

"Are you all right?"

"No…" She panted. "I think…I think the baby is coming." She said. She looked up at Mycroft. "Find Sherlock."

"That might take some time with…"

She reached up as she staggered to him. She grabbed his shirt front pulling him down to her level. "You find him so he can solve this for you and I gave bring his child into this world or you will be. Do I make myself clear, Myc?" She hissed at him.

He nodded startled by the rage on her face. "Quite." He said. She let go and he stepped back, straightening his tie.

"Good. "She said. "Now…is there a pen and paper…"

"Are you in labor?" He asked leaning close.

"Possibly. The pains are harder and more regular." She said. "Pen. Paper. Husband. NOW!"

Harry smirked a little and then helped her to a seat. "Here Marion."

She nodded and began to translate as she blinked.

Mycroft took a breath. "We need to find a nurse and doctor who can be here."

"You are expecting her to stay here?"

"Are you thinking I am going to allow her to be out on the streets when a bomber is out there?"

"She needs a hospital."

"She needs protection." Mycroft said.

Harry nodded. "I will have men look for your brother."

"And Doctor Watson. He would be of use."

"Do they have clearance to be here?"

"No, but we must make due…" Mycroft said. He looked at Harry. "Technically, neither does she and between her and her husband you may stop more attacks from happening. She knows the network. He knows crimes. Match made in hell."

"Oh piss off, Mycroft." She hissed at him.

"I love you too sister." He said smiling at her.

Harry threw up his hands and left as Mycroft stood back watching Marion.

ZzZ

Sherlock was fighting down his panic as he searched hospitals. His wife was nowhere to be found and without cell service in much of the town of London, he couldn't find her. John was with him as he searched around. The small amount of blood could have been from a small wound, but still he worried. After her nearly fatal over dose of amphetamines, she was at risk. She had nearly a month to go, but the doctors had cautioned him the baby would likely come early.

He took a breath and looked about as he turned to John. "I can't find her…" He said softly.

"Who?" John asked.

"Marion."

"Well we know she isn't dead or we would have found her body…"

"True." Sherlock said. "But she is pregnant and after being drugged…I…"

"We will find her, Sherlock."

Sherlock nodded slightly.

ZzZ

Inside the bunker Marion had finished her translation.

"Thank you, Marion." Mycroft said. "This will be useful."

"I hope so." She said.

She gritted her teeth and clung to the chair arms as two men walked into the room. Mycroft turned and smiled. "Ah. Welcome. Let me get you up to speed, sir."

"Who is this? One of your many underlings, Mycroft?"

"Actually no she is…"

"I'm Marion Holmes, his sister-in-law. A pleasure." She said and then she gasped doubling over. His hand went to her elbow in a gesture of concern. "Forgive me Prime Minister, I am a bit out of sorts." She said.

"Why is that Mrs. Holmes?"

"Doctor." She corrected.

"Sorry, doctor." He said smiling. "You look pale and in pain. Are you in labor?"

She nodded looking up. "And my water just broke. Would one of you be kind…enough to find me a room or something." She gasped holding her middle.

"Good lord!" Prime Minister Cameron said looking at her. "Call a doctor!"

"One will be here soon sir." Mycroft said as Cameron helped Mari to a chair.

"This really isn't necessary sir." She said.

He touched her head. "No, but no one else here has experience with pregnant women let alone one who is in labor. Just breathe, my dear."

Mycroft sighed. "Thank you for this." He said lifting the translation.

"Hold on, where are you going?" The Prime Minister asked as Mari gasped fighting a contraction. "Breathe." He said softly pressing his cool hand to her brow. "I have four children. My wife likes to go into labor early."

"I thought children were supposed to come late." She hissed and whimpered.

"That is if they don't come early. Mycroft?"

"Clearly you have things well in hand and as you say, you have far more experience than I do." He stepped out of the room and found an orderly. "Find my brother and Doctor Watson now!"

"Sir!"