Sherlock story
Deleted Memories, Chapter 130
Warning: post Reichenbach spoilers. Hope you enjoy
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On such a night, when Air has loosed
Its guardian grasp on blood and brain,
Old terrors then of god or ghost
Creep from their caves to life again;
~ Robert Bridges
Present Day and Time
Sherlock sighed with relief as he hung up the phone with Lestrade. He was safe and on his way to him. Mrs. Hudson was found bound and gagged but unharmed. But, John; John was not at the flat or anywhere to be found. It did not take great deductive skills to realize what happened.
Plan B happened.
Sherlock knew Mycroft was safe.
He thought about calling him but thought better of it. Mycroft was no fool. He would be able to tell by his voice that he was thinking of doing something that even by his definition was a bit nutty. Besides, it was obvious that Thomas was speaking to Mycroft.
There were only three people in the world that could see him clearly even when his mask was in place. There was Mycroft, and there was John, and ... Sherlock's thoughts could not get pass John.
He closed his eyes, he had to concentrate. He looked at his phone again and debated with himself. He thought of Mycroft again but his thoughts were interrupted.
John's phone rang.
Instead of giving Sherlock relief, the ringing caused an opposite effect. He answered on the first ring.
"Where is he?" Sherlock said with a deceptively calm voice, there was no point in playing games.
There were a pause and silence. He knew it was a control tactic.
"Mr. Holmes. No hello, no how are you. I've missed you terribly love." Ayyad's voice had a mix of sincerity and mock.
Sherlock's face paled for a moment. He swallowed bile.
He had expected one of Ayyad's men to make the call, not the Criminal Mastermind himself. This made things more serious.
His voice had a negative effect on Sherlock's body. He shook from raw anger with fear mixed in. In his mind, it did not matter. He would not show it, Ayyad would never know about his personal struggles. If John was with that maniac…, Sherlock refused to finish the thought. He was careful to make his voice sound confident.
"Well Mr. Ayyad, I have not missed you. You really are much too obsessed with me for it to be healthy." Sherlock's voice sounded slightly bored, but the truth was his heart was racing and he had to concentrate to keep his breathing level.
He heard Ayyad chuckle on the phone.
Thomas was a distance away, too far to hear his conversation. He looked up from his phone and eyed Holmes suspiciously.
It took all of his strength to smile casually as he turned his back to Thomas and the other people present.
"Let him go. He's quite boring I can assure you. It's me you want anyway. Release him unharmed and I'll turn myself over to you so that you can… do… whatever it is you seem to be determined to do. Of course you could just let us both go, I prefer that option actually."
Ayyad laughed loudly now. "I have missed your spirit." All amusement left his voice, "I look forward to when you whimper before me kissing my feet and beg me for death. I have no doubt that you'll entertain me, you've lasted longer than the rest, but everyone has a breaking point even the great Sherlock Holmes. Have they already started to show you this or is it entirely up to me?" He paused before continuing.
Sherlock said nothing as his body suddenly stiffen. He closed his eyes for a second, then opened them determined.
"By the way, since you've deprived me of Novák's services I have hired two more to take his place…, Oh sorry, did you already meet them?"
"Yes…, they're both dead now by the way," Sherlock said coldly.
That took Ayyad by surprise. It was his turn to be silent.
"Veselý?" Ayyad asked.
"Was that his name?" Sherlock responded not in anger this time, but just a factual reply to his question.
"I see," Ayyad sounded annoyed but not surprised. In truth, he did not care about Veselý or anyone else. He had suspected as much. But, to hear the words come out of the Consultant Detective's mouth annoyed him. He considered it a victory for Holmes. Ayyad did not take losing well.
Sherlock said nothing for several seconds then spoke.
"How can I get Doctor Watson released?"
"Keep your mobile close. It's obvious that trying to abduct you is… troublesome. You're very creative in your escapes and you have too many people who are motivated to protect you."
There was a brief pause.
"Did you know that Doctor Watson refused to call you? It's a shame really, if he had cooperated, it could have saved us both trouble and time, don't you think? I would not have had to try to… persuade him." Ayyad stop speaking for a moment to let his words soak in before he continued.
Sherlock's breathing hitched, but he said nothing. He no longer felt fear. He was now just numb and very determine. However, the anger remained. He knew he had to rid himself of it and all emotions and use his mind and logic. He normally divorced himself from emotions but today had proven more difficult. Whatever it took, he would have his John back. He vaguely wondered when Doctor Watson had become his John.
The Criminal Mastermind spoke again.
"This time you come to me. No tricks or I'll disappear with Doctor Watson. Nevertheless, don't worry; I give him back to you. First the fingernails, then the fingers, I've been told that his eyes are lovely, I wanted those for myself but he does have two. I could share and give you one." Ayyad grew silent.
"I'll do what you ask," Sherlock said while staring at nothing in particular.
"By the way, I'll send you a little gift." The line abruptly disconnected.
He blinked rapidly as he slowly lowered the phone from his ear. He held it in his hand. He was reluctant to put it in his coat pocket for some reason.
"Hold on John," Sherlock whispered quietly to himself.
He now heard agent Thomas approaching. He had not noticed at first.