Sherlock story
Forgotten Memories, Chapter 13
A disclaimer: Sherlock belongs to BBC along with the talented writers and amazing Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch. No money was made. The story however is my original thought, and comes out of my overactive imagination. Other characters introduced are also mine.
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T rated but some future chapters may be M.
Things you should know. 1. Mac is the same as a laptop. 2. I try to use bathroom instead of loo. Loo can mean either the bathroom or just the toilet. I think it is more cross-cultural but if I ever use it, you will know what it means. 3. Portable storage device is also called a jump drive, or USB external hard drive. Anyone who knows any other term for it , just make suggestions.
**Let us begin!**
Lots of Love, Zacha
"Kites rise highest against the wind—not with it."~ Winston Churchill
"What did he tell you John?"
Mycroft sat in the chair waiting patiently for John to speak.
"As you know, almost a year ago Sherlock was investigating the three terrorist threats that were linked to the bombing of Air France flight 1270."
John looked beyond Mycroft thinking.
"We know that Sherlock said that there was a fourth player involved, someone more powerful than the rest who seemed to be pulling the strings. However, he could not identify who that player was. He could not identify that fourth link."
Mycroft tensed as he prepared himself for what he knew was coming.
John frowned as he looked at Mycroft. "He couldn't let it go. He went to Russia and Germany a few times in search of answers. He knew that three men were involved. The first was Nidal Ayyad who kidnapped Sherlock and sent the man though pure hell. He however is dead now and no longer a threat. The second was Ahmed Ajaj but you already have him in custody so he is no longer a threat. That left Joseph Turkin. Sherlock was not concerned with him. He was concerned with the fourth player, the unknown man."
John's frown as he spoke. "Two weeks ago he found the fourth link. It was tied to a name," John's frown deepened, "The name was Josiah Lambert."
Mycroft saw red. He rose from his chair. All thoughts of being cooperative and taking it easy suddenly left. He hissed in John's ear as he invaded his personal space. "Josiah Lambert? Josiah Lambert as in Jim Moriarty birth name."
Mycroft took a second to gain his composure. "I'm curious John, when did you think this little piece of information would become important enough to, I don't know, say something perhaps!"
"Take it easy Mycroft, you need to sit down." John tried to reason.
"Don't tell me to sit down you've lost that right!" Mycroft glared at him dangerously.
John frowned but said nothing. He expected such a reaction. John closed his eyes and sighed then opened them.
"I know that you're upset with me Mycroft," John said gently, "But we need that incredible mind of yours to find him. It would set us back if you received a concussion because you've fainted." John attempted a small smile.
"Don't try to get in my good graces by that little speech of yours. You're trying to play on my considerable pride. It won't work. Sherlock tried the same thing many times and failed by the way. I guarantee you that he's a lot more clever than you or anyone that you'll ever know."
A moment passed.
"Of course, he's also a lot more trouble too," He said sighing as he felt the tug of a real smile on his lips.
"I need you to confirm some things for me, John."
"It depends on what you need for me to confirm Mycroft." John said cautiously with folded arms.
A part of Mycroft smiled at John's loyalty to his brother. Another part of him wanted to shake some sense into the man. He sighed. He had definitely been around Sherlock for too long. He was almost as stubborn now. Mycroft smiled to himself and took it as a challenge.
"Sherlock did not tell me because he thought, correctly I might add, that I would stop him from investigating."
John thought for a moment. It could not hurt to confirm. "Yes," he said carefully.
"He investigated in the last two months this fourth terrorist tie. The invisible player that seemed to be manipulating the other three players. He traveled to…"
Mycroft took out a notebook. It was not necessary of course, he could simply go in his mind for the information. He however found that pulling out a notebook, and reading from it, was more intimidating.
"Let's see. He traveled to Germany twice." Mycroft turned a page, "Russia four, no five times. Three times with you, twice alone."
He turned to another page and raised an eyebrow as he glance at John briefly. "Hum. He also spent quite a bit of time in Vienna. He was there to do what John, investigate the fourth link? He seemed to somehow become invisible. He slipped pass all my, shall we say, protection. This person, this fourth link, Sherlock believed him to be more powerful that even Ayyad, it that correct?"
John paused and answered more slowly this time. "That's accurate."
Mycroft nodded and changed the subject.
"Sherlock had been through so much lately, I know that he was contemplating letting people selectively into his life." Mycroft paused to look in his eyes.
"Tell me John, why was my brother spending so much time in Russia?"
John shifted slightly, he was looking uncomfortable now. "He was gathering information Mycroft."
Mycroft smirked now, "When he was gathering his information. Did he gather it from a…," He looked in his book again needlessly, "Ms. Irene Adler?"
Mycroft held up his hand to John, "And before you say anything, yes John, I have known for quite a while that she was alive. Sherlock was even negotiating with me to forgive all. She however did not know that I knew. She took a risk and revealed herself to me today. So as you can understand I need to know her motivation."
Mycroft stopped looking at the book, he had made his point. "The question John is, was it concern or manipulation?"
John said nothing.
Mycroft continued to look at him then smirked as he shrugged casually. "Of course there could never be anything between them. We both know my brother." He looked at John who seemed to be angry at the way that he was teasing Sherlock.
"Dear Lord, Can you imagine Sherlock and Adler; he would not know what to do with himself without instructions. Pictures would probably be helpful. Perhaps even an instructional video. Of course, he would probably over think and over analyze any written instructions. You would probably have to draw him a map for him to figure out what to do." He smirked evenly.
John lips twitched and his eyes flashed with anger but he said nothing.
"Even with a map, he would be helpless…"
John gestured wildly as he spoke, "I think that Sherlock is fully capable of figuring out what to do, he is not an imbecile…" John stopped speaking and paled.
Mycroft looked him up and down, "Thank you John."
"That was not fair." John became more enraged as he conversed.
"What the hell was that about Mycroft?" John stopped suddenly as he looked at Mycroft's face.
"I had to see if I could trust her, John." He said quietly.
Mycroft's eyes were closed. He wiped away an embarrassing tear but another one rebelled and ran freely down his cheek.
"John, do you have any idea how much danger Sherlock is in? If this has anything to do with Moriarty and Sherlock certainly seemed to think so, then…" Mycroft took a breath unable or unwilling to finish his thought.
"John, Sherlock was responsible for destroying this criminal's empire. If only there was some way… If only I knew what he was working on. I need specifics." Mycroft ran a shaky hand through his hair nervously. It seemed surreal to have Mycroft's normally perfectly maintained hair disturbed.
John swallowed hard and frowned. All anger was suddenly evaporated. Concern took its place.
Mycroft suddenly looked at John. "Did Sherlock keep his files anywhere. Perhaps on his computer."
"With everything that happened, I guess that I never thought about it. I normally wouldn't do this, but maybe if you told me what you're looking for I could try to get the information off of his computer."
"I know that he was planning to tell you in a few weeks. He discovered something… surprising he said. But, he had to be sure. Whatever it was caused him to pale." John thought for a moment, "He usually uses portable storage drives."
Mycroft nodded as he took out his phone. All traces of confusion and anxiety were wiped from his face. His normally stoic face returned. He smoothed his hair with his hands and sat up straight as he crossed his legs. His fingers flew across the touch screen of his phone. His tear was casually wiped from his eye.
John stood still as he tried to decide what had just happened between himself and Mycroft.
Did he just become a victim of classic Holmes brothers' manipulation?
He cursed quietly as realization came to him. The sound of a car door slamming was heard. DI Lestrade walked toward the two men.
John crossed his arms and pursed his lips together as he held his chin up. He stared wordlessly at Mycroft.
Mycroft noticed as he rolled his eyes. "Come John. You've lived with my brother for quite a while now. I am sure that Sherlock has manipulated you emotionally a time or two."
John opened his mouth to argue but closed it when he realized with irritation the truth of Mycroft's words.
"Oh, Lestrade's here. I'll have them prepare some food."
Mycroft paused briefly before speaking, "Anthea, have them bring the car around."
He looked at John and asked casually."Tea and sandwiches, John?"
John was still annoyed as he watched Lestrade advance. He sighed as he shook his head surrendering, "And soup Mycroft," he said finally.
Mycroft disconnected the first call then made a second call.
"Look for a Mac and a storage drive… (Pause) … My brother has a talent for hiding thing so be thorough." Mycroft casually disconnected the call. John pursed his lips together but did not ask how they planned to enter his flat without a key.
Lestrade finally reached the two men and looked from one man to the other.
Lestrade looked questioningly. "Did I miss something?" He asked them both.
Both men looked at him wordlessly.
*References made for Deleted Memories; Introduction, chapter 33-35, and chapter 44.