Thank you to those who reviewed last chapter. It's useful to hear that readers like both formats, with and without dialogue. All feedback is welcome!
Jim Moriarty loves to play different characters. He'll sometimes go for a walk in the middle of the day, out into the hustle and bustle of the London streets after either a long night or morning of business. He works at his office alone, no one goes in, no one goes out. In fact, if it weren't for these walks he really wouldn't see anyone face to face for long stretches of time. The internet has been a lovely invention that makes murders and crime such a cinch. If they didn't want it used for that then they shouldn't have made it so suited he often thinks or tells himself out loud in his empty room.
On his walks he will sometimes dress for the part or just wear his regular clothes and see how much he can get away with with just playing the role. From being a lost tourist wanting to know where landmarks are "Sorry, Sir, yes hi. I'm just wondering where the Tower of London is? I'm afraid I've got myself a bit lost. Am I close?". To asking elderly ladies where the closest cafe is "Oh, you're too kind, no I'd like to meet a friend there but if I see you again I'll take you up on that offer for a quiet cup at your flat, Mrs. Thompson. Well lovely to have met you!". Or if he's feeling adventurous he'll start up a conversation with someone about things in the paper that they're reading. He usually does this when he gets the tube to go people watching. This time it's a young blonde who keeps smiling at him as he sits across from her during peak hour. "Yes, I saw that on the news last night. Strange hat he's wearing? I like the pattern. Do you think it would suit me if I bought one? If I wore it could I look as good as him?".
These good, everyday people don't know the danger they've just avoided. It's amazing how trusting people are if you smile, are polite and act like you're one of the lobotomised masses. It's a shame he doesn't always get to mingle with people who are close to his intelligence but there aren't too many of them around. He sees Dear Sherlock as a bit like a loose tooth, it feels good to play with it, push it around, but do it too much and it falls out of your mouth. Falls, there's something in that, he notes. He has always broken his favourite things.
As he reaches his train stop he sees a man on the platform that he knows he's seen four times in the last week. Oh dear, Mr. Holmes, you're making it too easy to spot your eyes and ears of the world. He considers texting this but instead dips his hat at the spy as he goes past. He allows himself a bit of a giggle as the man puts down his newspaper prop and reaches for his mobile phone. Jim has already disappeared into the crowd. It's time to go back to work in his windowless office, he'll come out again in a few days time.