Sherlock Story

Forgotten Memories, Chapter 116

A disclaimer: Sherlock belongs to BBC along with the talented writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss; along with the 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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Warning*****.*** M rated, Moriarty's back. Need I say more? ****. ****

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" Each board contains two knights… The knight – with its strange and unpredictable jumps – is the trickiest of the chess pieces.…"

… White Knight, Black Knight…

"When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I've never tried before." ~Mae West

Two Days Ago

Everyone was whispering. Although everyone was speaking quietly, the sheer number of people that were in the room still made the room buzz with noise.

A large number of men sat at the massive table. The walls were lined with muscular men who stood silently by as they looked for danger. Outside of the secluded building, there were several more men, who walked about with hidden guns.

The tension in the room was so thick that it could be cut with a knife. There were bosses of crime syndicates from around the world. All had consulted with the Criminal Consultant before, but none of them had ever met him personally or even knew his name. At least none of the bosses did before Mycroft let Moriarty's personal information, including his name, spread to all the leading terrorist, and criminal organizations around the world.

Moriarty had called the meeting, and almost everyone showed up. And, showed up on time. Normally in meetings such as these. Moriarty would send a representative, or communicate on a speaker. No one would see his face. No one, but a few would know his name. But, today, it was rumored that the man himself would be there, personally. No one dared to say the word that was rumored to be his name.

There were bosses from Britain, Ireland, Germany, Russia, Japan, Yemen, America, and several countries around the world, particularly the Middle East. In the room, there were also some men in military outfits. Several more men in suits were also in attendance.

There was a distinct click sound. It was as if someone held up a sign that said Quiet.

There was an eerie stillness. Everyone's attention was suddenly on the door that opened. It was located on the far end of the long room. Every eye followed Moriarty as he walked into the room. Most people averted their eyes as he walked by them. Sebastian Moran and several bodyguards as well as a woman in a suit followed. The sound of their feet hitting the ceramic floor sounded unusually loud. Moriarty eyes glanced over each face despite the averted eyes. The Criminal Consultant's eyes did glance but did not linger on the empty chair.

Jim Moriarty did not lose his flair for the dramatic. He stood at the head of the table but did not speak. He waited as his people took position close to him. Two of his men moved toward the wall and blended along-side the men that were already there. He stood perfectly still for two minutes. During that time, three men walked into the room.

Every eye was on the late comers, except Moriarty who ignored the men. Some people were starting to stare at Moriarty openly now. He was utterly expressionless.

There was no explanation offered by the Irish boss. He had a slight smirk on his face as he sat down and leaned back. Franklin O'Conner made a point of staring at Moriarty as his men disappeared along the wall and stood with the other guards and their second in command.

Eyes shifted between Moriarty and the Irish boss. They waited for a reaction from Moriarty. There was none.

"Gentlemen," Moriarty's snake-like smile appeared as he looked at the only woman who was a boss and added, "… and ladies. Most of you have traveled far for this meeting so I will get to the point."

Moriarty walked around as he glanced at the faces with downcast eyes. "Well, look at me!" He shouted unexpectedly. "I don't bite…" his smile became obviously false as he added quietly, "… Much."

The was another brief pause.

"Today I stand here as a revolutionary, it is as a revolutionary against the Revolution." He paused almost reverently. "Adolf Hitler said that. You have to love the guy. Although he was lazy. He did not live up to his full potential. Let's be careful that history does not accuse us of the same."

Strange looks came from some attendees in the room.

"Everyone in this room, have come to me to solve a problem or two. And, you should. That's what I do. I solve problems. I make people happy. It would bring a warm feeling in my heart if I had one." Moriarty winked at the latecomer.

"Many of you are so misunderstood. You are called villains, terrorist…" He walked over to one of the men in uniform and pat his shoulder in a supportive manner, "You are called war criminals. These things are a matter of interpretation." Moriarty waved one hand in the air dismissively.

Moriarty walked back toward where the Irish boss sat. He walked to the front of the table but did not sit down. "I disagree with one part of Hitler's statement. I am not against a Revolution. I want to bring one about."

Moriarty looked at some of the men in uniforms. "I am sure everyone would agree. We need a Revolution. You might desire a revolution, but you are lacking in the knowledge of how to bring it about at this crucial period of world history. You have the desire for change, the bravado; unfortunately, you have one thing lacking, me," he paused, "But don't worry. This is your lucky day."

Moriarty's speech was interrupted by a snickering sound that was heard at the end of the table. A thick Irish accent spoke out mockingly. "I've been quiet for most of your speech, but I have to ask a question." He leaned forward and the false smile stayed on the Irish boss's face. "Why should I join your Revolution?" He looked Moriarty up and down. "You're supposed to be this big scary bad-arse. But, the only thing I see before me is a little man with a big mouth. You know you're not so scary now that I've seen you."

Moriarty sat down and started to slice his apple and put pieces into his mouth. He crossed his legs and laid one hand casually over the arm of his chair. He had a satisfied look on his face. He almost resembled a happy schoolboy who had just returned from playing outside.

O'Conner looked at Moriarty oddly. "Is that little knife supposed to intimidate me? My lad has a knife that's bigger." He ignored the looks from the other members of the large room.

Sebastian Moran looked at Moriarty's expression and started to smile.

Moriarty looked at him and asked, "Apple?" He chewed on another slice of the apple and rolled his eyes. "This is simply delicious," he sighed. "Sorry, where are my manners. Do you want a slice?"

The Irish boss looked at Moriarty strangely for a moment before he stood up to leave. "I think that I've wasted enough time," O'Conner commented as he buttoned his dress jacket. "Jim," The boss said. He took several steps before Moriarty's voice stopped him.

"You have a long trip; I brought you a few snacks for your journey. It's quite...fresh." Moriarty place a small cloth bag on the table, and then took another slice of apple.

O'Conner, his second in command, and his bodyguard all stopped moving.

O'Conner frowned for the first time as he walked over to the table. The fact that the cloth bag had blood soaking through in several places was not lost on him.

The Irish boss slowly opened the bag. He looked inside and placed the bag down gently. His face expressed a grim look. He swallowed around the lump in his suddenly dry throat.

Three mobiles simultaneously rang. The two men that accompanied him looked at the unmoving man, and the bag, as they answered their mobiles. Both men looked pale. Pictures came to all three of the mobile phones.

Moriarty looked at the men with an uninterested expression as he reminded them, "You have a choice here, don't you?"

One of the two men took out his gun and pointed it at Moriarty with shaky hands.

Moriarty looked him in the eyes, bored. He took another bite of his apple. O'Conner mobile continued to ring in the background.

The man with the shaking hands closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then moved the gun to the side of his head. Moments later, a gunshot was heard.

Within a few seconds, a second gunshot was heard.

"Well, don't be rude. Answer your mobile." Moriarty advised as he took his last bite of apple and stabbed the knife on the long table next to the man's hand.

O'Conner blinked his eyes a few times then answered his mobile. He listened to the panic-stricken voice on the other line. "It'll be alright love," he said simply before he hung up with regret.

"What do you want?" The Irish boss asked. He frowned and added, "Mr. Moriarty." This time his voice was not mocking. It was just a whisper.

Moriarty took the cloth bag and emptied the contents on the table. Most everyone in the room were silent, but there were one or two gasps heard before the room became quiet again. Several people glanced at their mobiles.

Moriarty looked at the table before speaking. "I have the right already; let's try the left this time." Moriarty paused and glanced at his knife. "I hear that your son is… I mean was a gifted pianist. Long slender fingers." He now glanced at O'Conner's hand. "Runs in the family I see." There was a slight pause. "If you hurry, the only thing your boy will need, is a new hobby."

The Irish boss looked around dazed for a few seconds before he noticed the knife sticking in the wooden table. He pulled it out the wood and picked it up.

"Not here. I wouldn't want my suit ruined. In the corner, you can sit on the floor if you like." O'Conner looked at Moriarty for the first time in minutes.

"Well off with you. Go for the gold." Moriarty said distractedly as he sent off a quick text. The Consultant Criminal now ignored the Irish man as his employees started to move around and an oversized projector screen descended.

O'Conner quietly got up and walked toward the corner of the room. Sebastian followed the man.

It did not take O'Conner very long; his father was a butcher. Everyone in the room was relieved when they heard the third bullet being fired. It was getting difficult to concentrate with O'Conner moans and screams.

Moriarty's voice broke the silence.

"You must have questions, let me take a moment to answer them," he said as he uncrossed his legs and stood again. "It's all true," he paused and smiled before continuing. "Yes, I am handsome as the devil, and an impeccable dresser."

He smiled falsely again. "I hope that your curiosity about me has been completely satisfied." Moriarty's false smile left. He was all business. "Now that I've answered all your questions, do I have your full attention?"