Sherlock story
Deleted Memories, Chapter 88
Warning: post Reichenbach spoilers. Hope you enjoy
*As always thanks for reading, a special thanks to all of you who take the time to review, comment, and favorite.
"There is a time to take counsel of your fears, and there is a time to never listen to any fear." ~George S. Patton
Present Day
Sherlock deduced that there were four men in the first and second row of seats. They spoke in Czech. Two of the four men seemed to be in the midst of a power struggle. It was obvious that they did not care for each other. One man was Veselý the other was Němec. With his eye still closed and pretending to be unconscious, Sherlock interpreted what they were saying in his mind.
"I told you that your scheme was not well thought out." A soldier named Veselý complained.
"How was it not well planned? You have been staring at Holmes for over two weeks, doing nothing," another soldier named Němec replied angrily.
"He had protection! Besides, I was only supposed to watch him until seven days ago," Veselý felt his anger growing.
"Yes he had protection but we still took him." Němec looked at Veselý with contempt and loathing. He admitted to himself that Veselý was once a great soldier but he did not see him as anything that deserved to be revered. Němec did not realize that jealousy played a part in the way he felt.
"Yes we have him and half of London breathing down our throats." Veselý was happy to point the fact out.
Brief Silence
"If you are frightened Veselý, why don't you go back to the general and tell him so. He can deliver your message to Ayyad, personally." Němec looked him up and down and smiled before speaking again in a condescending tone.
"Is it true that you have seen his face, Ayyad's that is, and that he have threatened your life because of your weak… pathetic… failure?"
Silence
"I have killed for less, if it was not unprofessional; you would be dead now." Veselý leaned closer to Němec in the moving vehicle and his voice became dangerously low.
"Look at him Veselý. He's nothing, just a broken, helpless, pathetic Englishman," A chuckle was heard echoing in the enclosed space, "This time tomorrow; he'll be willing to do anything he is asked, and begging Ayyad to give him the mercy of death." Němec chuckled again.
Sherlock deduced by the slight hold in their breath and increase in their voice volume that at least two of the soldiers were looking at him. He tried not to move and to keep his respirations even.
"As you pointed out I was assigned to watch him. I was also there briefly when he was captured before. Take my advice Němec, if your arrogance will allow it. It would do you good to give him more respect than you're currently showing." Veselý voice suddenly became steady again.
Silence
"Veselý, your old ways don't work anymore in this modern world. Why don't you go to the general and tell him that I have recovered Ayyad's prize. I will secure Holmes and move him when all the… excitement is over. Then Ayyad can… play… with Holmes as much as he desires." Němec basically dismissed Veselý.
Sherlock could tell by the drop in their voices that they were no longer staring at him.
"If I cannot move him within twenty-four hours, I will follow instructions…" Němec smiled, "… with pleasure. He will then be my toy, and we know how much I love to play with my toys before I break them."
Němec's voice deepened and slowed with barely contained excitement.
"My method of torture may not be as skilled as Ayyad, but I have no doubt that I will effectively deliver the message that Ayyad wishes to convey. Who says that our jobs don't have their own joys?"
Silence
"You're as big of a fool as Novák was." Veselý said no more.
Sherlock notice from the angle of the sun on his closed lids and face that it would be dark in a little over two hours. Sherlock felt his body lean heavily to the left as the truck made a swift right turn somewhere. Sherlock also noticed that the slight buzzing sound that is heard when other cars pass, had been increasingly less as they drove. He felt the car slow then come to a complete stop. He then felt a slight rock and then the slam of a car door.
He now only heard three voices.
Sherlock prepared himself, he went into his mind, and he tested his waking body.
He tensed.
He waited.
He…, waited.