One more... maybe more tonight or tomorrow. No promises. But this should satisfy for now.
Chapter 36
Mycroft swallowed and tried to keep a bland look on his face. His stomach, however was roiling.
" I didn't expect to see you here. Thought you were escort...Mrs Babcock is it this week? "
Siger ignored his question.
" Word finally got around to me about your brother's sudden demise. Again. I do so hate when people repeat themselves. "
"In both instances, he... he was trying to save someone. Any father " He sneered the word " should find himself proud to have a son like that. "
"Proud? He put himself there! He could have let the police handle it. But he deliberately had to be a show off and do it himself. "
"Careful, father. You almost sound like you care. "
Siger sat back and shrugged. They remained silent until the tea was served.
Siger watched the servant go out of the room before he spoke again.
"Why should I? I haven't made it a secret he was never wanted. He was a mistake. "
"But he was still here. You could have shown him a little consideration. He is your blood. "
"As your niece has so plainly pointed out, blood doesn't make family. "
"Nor does a drunken shag on a chaise lounge make one a father. "
Siger had the nerve to laugh at that.
" Your mother always had a mouth on her. Told you about that, did she? Well, she was never what one would call a handsome woman. After you came along I didn't think I had the need to keep bedding her. Getting me drunk... well, it doesn't matter now. Little bastard managed to do to himself what I failed to do. Every time I had to see him, he made me sick. He was never a proper man. "
"Because he didn't bed every woman he saw? Because he didn't marry some wealthy heiress because he couldn't support himself? "
Siger cut cold eyes at his eldest son.
"You gave a damn about him though. Didn't you? Another weakness. How did I break such prickless excuses for men? "
"It couldn't have been that bad. After Sherlock was born, you barely acknowledged his existence. After he went off to school. you didn't see him again. "
"Didn't I? "
Mycroft took a deep breath.
"Did you? "
"I told you. His very existence made me ill. I dislike being ill. I couldn't rid myself of him before. Didn't mean I would stop trying. "
Mycroft felt his hands grip tight under the table. He cast a glance at Althea, who was sitting as if no one else was in the room, her phone in her hands.
" Explain. "
"You are both so stupid. Aren't you? Sherlock was always high strung. Even in school. Nobody liked him, you know. No one. He was a freak. "
"You actually called him that? "
"I call it like I see it. Gave him plenty to think about. "
"You hoped he would kill himself. "
"By that point, I wanted to see him suffer. Self important brat. He had to be brought down a peg or two. "
"So... "
Siger sat back and laughed.
"Who do you think gave him his first needle? "
"You gave him heroine? "
"He didn't know it was me, of course. That wouldn't do. I left it near his desk. He probably thought the other boy in the room had left it. After that I ensured he had a steady supply at a...discounted rate. "
"My God. How... "
"But little bastard pulled out of it. Eventually. Expected him to be a useless junkie, found with a needle stuck in his arm under a bridge or something. But no. He got himself out of it just to spite me. "
"He couldn't very well spite you if he didn't know it was you. "
"I wasn't talking literally you obnoxious twit. "
"How does someone like you get ahold of drugs? "
"Easy. There was a young dealer there, Irish. He seemed to enjoy our little game. He'd heard about Sherlock's ways listening to people around the school. Thought he was interesting. Can't say I saw it myself, but there you go. "
The hairs on the back of Mycroft's neck went up.
"Moriarty. You started him on Sherlock. " He said finally, his voice small.
"Your mother was on a set drunk for a few years after her beloved little boy went away. Was easy to extract the necessary funds. Now THAT boy, had potential. But, alas, like your brother, she didn't have the decency to drink herself to death. She pulled herself through, sorted out the money and gave me a ...stipend. " He spat out.
" It didn't work though, did it? Sherlock put an end to him. "
"He offed himself. Such a disappointment. But he was getting rather obsessed with the freak. "
"So, when you stopped funding him, did you stop talking to him? "
"Oh no. But not as often. I just helped him with a few ideas. He needed to know how to get to Sherlock. Since I didn't know enough to help him much, I suggested he go to you. I didn't hear from him after that. I guess I lost my use. "
"Obviously. And I walked right into it. "
"Yes. Yes you did. "
"Did you know what he was doing to your own grandchild? "
"I didn't know anything about the girl. Nothing at all. Truth be told, I wouldn't have believed it. Didn't think he had it in him. "
"Did you know about Moran? "
"Who do you think introduced them? " Siger smiled.
"You really have quite a cast of characters in your life, father. " Mycroft said carefully.
"Indeed. Must keep things interesting. Hate being bored. Of course, my little Irish friend was smarter than the lot of your. Thanks to him, there is nothing to trace me to any of it. No paper trail, nothing. "
"You have just confessed in front of witnesses... " Mycroft said, sliding a glance once more to the serene looking Anthea.
"What? The grieving brother who hates me and is oh so devoted assistant? Easily dismissed.
"I have...people. " Mycroft said, slowly rising. He smiled a cruel smile. He noticed something very odd about Anthea. While she seemed completely engrossed in her phone... her fingers hadn't moved. She wasn't texting.
"People? Please! You are nothing! Another self important weakling, needing people do do things for you. I should have gotten rid of you too. You were both useless! " Siger rose angrily.
"You couldn't even protect your brother from me. Were you afraid, Mycroft? Cowering in the shadows while I broke your baby brother's body? Did you spy his blood spilling on the floor? Did you clean it up before dear mother could see? "
Mycroft's eyes went icy.
"Are you STILL afraid of me, Mycroft? "
"No. " He said with ice.
"Really? " Siger laughed. " Leave, Mycroft. You are no use to me. Your mother will die soon enough. I will be free. Go back home. See to your brothers grieving little widow and children. "
Mycroft's jaw clenched.
"You know? That little brat has quite a pair on her. Perhaps what I have been told it right. She might have potential. Perhaps I should pay them a call. "
"Stay away... from Molly and the children. "
"You can't stop me. Never could. If they don't want to listen, a mousy little female and two small children should be easy enough to dispose of."
Mycroft looked one more time toward Althea. She moved her thumb. Once.
" I am not a child. I will stop you this time. "
Mycroft heard his phone sound a text alert, but didn't even look at his phone.
Mycroft took his time, he drank his tea and glared at his father.
"You said you would stop me. " Siger said finally. "Your mother couldn't. Nobody can. To all the world, I am simply Siger Holmes, be-grieved father of the dead Sherlock Holmes. "
"There is something you did not consider. A trait I and Sherlock obviously got from mother. "
"Whats that? "
Mycroft sighed. "We are way smarter than you. "
Mycroft moved with speed even he didn't know he had. He was inches from his fathers face, pinning his down to his chair with one arm, a knife from the table digging into his throat.
"I may have failed him then, but I'll not fail him now. "
Mycroft dug a little deeper.
"Is that fear I see in your eyes? Yes. I think it is. What is it like, facing your own mortality? I think of what Sherlock must have felt on the roof at Saint Barts. He didn't know if his plan would work. He knew he could die. But he knew he would save the people he loved either way. Who would mourn you? What good have you ever brought to the world? Except Sherlock. Do you have ANY idea how many people owe their lives to him? ANY idea? "
"If you are going to kill me, you weakling, do it now! Why wait? "
"I find I am quite enjoying this. Are YOU afraid? "
"Of you? I think not. Of dying? It would be a reprieve. "
Suddenly Mycroft rose
"Exactly what I was thinking. " He said, adjusting his suit. "Death is too easy for you. As you said you felt for Sherlock, I want to see you suffer. "
Just then, they heard sirens in the distance.
"Police? Please. Nothing will hold up in court. I told you. I know people. It will merely be an inconvenience. My little confession to you and your brainless twit of an assitant will be easily disregarded. "
" My brainless little assistant, is quite more capable that I give her credit for. " He said, smiling fondly at her. " Ah, there's Lestrade now! " He said, seeing Greg pop out of the poice car.
"Changes nothing. "
"No? "
Mycroft picked up his phone finally. He opened the text and held the screen up to his fathers face.
Mycroft, Got Anthea's call. It was recorded, but we were cut off. Heading that way now. Are you guys ok? - D I Lestrade
Mycroft enjoyed the look on Siger's face. He only wished he could capture it. Just as he thought that he head a click beside him. He looked down at Anthea.
"Done sir. " She said, smiling and holding up the picture she caught.
"My dear Anthea. I do believe you are quite underestimated. "
"I prefer it that way, sir. " She said with a smile.