Yeah, I have no excuses for not updating for so long. Just apologies. Here's Mycroft meeting Tom. Awkwardness for Addie, suspicions for Mycroft, and a lot of nervousness for Tom. Enjoy!

Chapter 24

He walked into the offices as a commanding presence, an air of sophistication and arrogance about him that gathered the attention of the entire room. He recognized a few. Anderson and Donovan specifically, known to him for their constant harassment and annoyance of Sherlock. He also knew that Addie had a "special friend" who worked at the yard and he found himself examining every young man his eyes fell on.

Lestrade greeted him and invited him into his office.

"Good afternoon Detective Inspector," Mycroft greeted politely.

"Afternoon Mr. Holmes. I'm a bit surprised to see you here. I would have thought you'd send one of your other coworkers. Didn't think you'd bother with something so trivial," Lestrade said.

"Nonsense. I feel this is of utmost important. I can do the questioning better than any of my colleagues so why not save us the time of having to re-do it?"

Lestrade mentally rolled his eyes. No doubt Mycroft was Sherlock's brother, both as arrogant as the other. He still thought it strange that Mycroft was here. Sherlock said his brother hated "leg work" and preferred other people to do it. What Lestrade didn't know was that Mycroft agreed to question the Yarders in hopes of possibly finding out which detective Addie was currently smitten with.

"Right. Well, let's get started shall we?" Lestrade said. "The first one for you to talk to is Madeline Rowe. She worked alongside Jeffries when he was here."

Mycroft nodded and the questioning commenced. Many people came through, and many people came out disturbed and scared after being deduced by the intimidating Mycroft Holmes.

Lestrade peeked in after the last person left. "Um, Mr. Holmes, I've got one more for you. Just returned from his lunch break. Reynolds. Tom Reynolds. He was Jeffries' trainee. He's a good kid, so go easy on him."

"I don't know what you're talking about Detective Inspector. I've been cordial to everyone today."

"Holmes' have a different definition of cordial apparently," Lestrade muttered.

Tom entered cautiously and approached Mycroft.

"Please, sit," Mycroft said, gesturing to the chair across from him. Tom did so and looked at him expectantly.

"Good day, Mr. Reynolds. My name is Mycroft Holmes and I'm here to inquire about Mark Jeffries. He was a colleague of your, correct?"

Tom's eyes widened a bit at Mycroft's last name. This was the mysterious other brother Addie always mentioned. If he was anything like Sherlock, he was in deep trouble.

Mycroft took in the widened eyes and quickened breathing when he introduced himself. He had found Addie's "special friend" at last. This would be very fun.

"Is that correct, Agent Reynolds?" Mycroft asked again.

Tom snapped out of his thoughts and answered. "That is correct Mr…Holmes. Mark was my mentor. I was shadowing him while I trained to be a detective. It's part of the process every new employee goes through."

"Yes. Of course it is," Mycroft drawled, thoroughly bored. "Did you know about Mr. Jeffries' other affairs? You were close to him. His protégée so to speak. He would have confided in you, would he not?"

"No, sir. We never discussed our lives outside of work. It was purely a professional relationship," Tom answered.

Mycroft could sense that Tom wasn't being truthful and he knew much more about Jeffries' other affairs than he let on. He took a moment to examine the man before him. He didn't like what he saw. Tom may have fooled all those around him, even Addie it seemed, although he could chalk that up to sentiment blinding her logic, but he didn't fool Mycroft. Tom Reynolds was most definitely in cahoots with Jeffries, and being his protégée, would have been privy to his other influences and associations. Tom Reynolds was a liar and Mycroft would be damned if he let his little sister date a liar.

"Mr. Reynolds. Are you aware that Mark Jeffries had been suspected of espionage and treason before he was murdered? He was said to have exuded mysterious behaviors and confided in very few about his personal affairs. I've had many people tell me that you and he were very close, and seen many times outside of work together," Mycroft said.

"I was not aware of his personal matters sir. His behaviors were unusual, yes, but it wouldn't be the first time a detective was unusual in behavior," Tom laughed nervously.

Mycroft understood the jab at his brother and his voice grew even more threatening. "What do you have to say about the people who often saw you and Mr. Jeffries outside of work numerous times?"

"I don't see how that is relevant to the case, or even a cause for concern, sir. Many agents interact with their trainees outside of work. It helps the trainees to have access to their mentors when they have questions or need help," Tom answered.

Mycroft narrowed his eyes. He really didn't have much to go on as far as accusing Tom. He knew he was involved but he was also good. He could lie to the best of people and do it with charm. That's probably how Addie became involved in the first place. He charmed her. He'd need more hard evidence to convict Tom Reynolds, but he would convict him. He was guilty. In the meantime, he'd keep an eye on him and he'd make sure his sister was as far away from him as possible.

Tom's phone went off. "Sorry, sir. I forgot to put in on silent."

Mycroft gave a false smile. "Not a problem. Needed back at work?"

"Uh, no, sir. I'm off in a bit. Just my girlfriend telling me she's on her way."

"Girlfriend?"

"Yes, well, not my girlfriend per se. But we are seeing each other. Nothing official yet. Anyways, you don't care about this. Are we finished here, Mr. Holmes, or do you need me for something else?"

"No, that will be all. Thank you Agent Reynolds."

"Of course. Good day, sir," Tom said before scuttling out.

Mycroft made notes and filed things away in his mind palace. Yes, he had one too. He'd taught Sherlock about his own and encouraged Sherlock to make one also. By the time he gathered his things and stepped out of Lestrade's office, he was just in time to see Addie making her way over to Tom and greeting him with a kiss.

Mycroft clenched his jaw as he stared at the pair. He wanted to remain unseen for as long as possible.

"My brother?" Addie asked, as she helped Tom gather his things. "Sherlock questioned you? He always does that, Tom. Why would that be so unsettling?"

"No, not Sherlock. The other one. The posh one, with the brolly," Tom answered.

"Mycroft?" Addie asked, surprised.

"Yeah, that one. Some kind of government case or something. He's bloody terrifying, Addie. I'll never understand how you're related to either of them. You're much too sweet," Tom said, pulling her closer.

Addie grinned and rolled her eyes. "Such a charmer, Tom," she teased.

Tom smiled, "I know." Then he looked around nervously. "We better go, I think he's still here somewhere."

"Still here?" Addie asked, alarmed. "Oh shit, if he's still here, he's seen us for sure."

Mycroft chose that moment to clear his throat and step out from behind the water cooler he'd been watching them from.

Addie closed her eyes and sighed. They were caught. Lord save them both.

"Adelaide," Mycroft greeted. "And Agent Reynolds. Pleasure to see you again."

Addie, realizing she was still entwined in Tom's arms quickly jumped away and looked at the floor awkwardly. She recovered quickly though.

"Mycroft. Tom was just telling me that he met you today. Shame it had to be under these circumstances. We were hoping for a more relaxed and informal meeting," she said.

"Indeed," Mycroft said. "I was unaware that you are currently involved with Mr. Reynolds here. As you said, pity we had to meet in this way."

"We're simply seeing each other, Mr. Holmes, nothing too serious. We plan to take it slow. We don't want to rush into anything, sir," Tom said.

"Yes, I can see that," Mycroft said, raising an eyebrow.

Oh God. Addie thought. They needed to leave. Now.

"Alright, well, Tom and I were just about to go grab a bite to eat. We should go. Bye, Mycroft," Addie called as she tugged on Tom's hand.

"Of course. Go on. Have a charming time. Has anyone seen my brolly?"

Addie cringed. She'd be hearing about this later, for sure.

"It's over by the water cooler sir," Tom gestured.

"Thank you Agent Reynolds," Mycroft tilted his head and smiled falsely. He retrieved it and walked by them on his way out. "Good day, sister dear."

Addie groaned and brought her hand to her face.

"Well…that could have gone better," Tom joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Addie fixed him with a vicious glare and stomped out of the office, Tom cautiously walking behind her.