Sherlock Story
Forgotten Memories, Chapter 127
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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.
Warning*****.*** T rated, However, there is some violence? ****. ****
"Each board contains two knights… The knight – with its strange and unpredictable jumps – is the trickiest of the chess pieces.…"
… White Knight, Black Knight… Unpredictable Jumps… Part IV
" It never troubles the wolf how many the sheep may be" ~ Virgil quotes
Current Day
Current Time
Holmes ignored the pounding in his chest. He blinked a few times when he realized that Moriarty was once again talking to him.
"...A trade. If a body is not where Doctor Watson is now standing, he will be shot. A body for a body. Whom will you choose? Who will live, Doctor Watson or one of your sheep?" Background noises were heard on Moriarty's line.
"Send someone to their death. Lie to them, push them out the doors. Beat them into unconsciousness and throw them out. Don't limit yourself - get creative." Sherlock could hear the amusement in Moriarty's voice.
Sherlock looked around at Lestrade. The Detective Inspector frowned at him. He saw the look on Holmes face. It was the look that always preceded running and screaming, or something unpleasant. He prepared himself for anything. One agent remained with the two men. The other agents and officers escorted any stray or lost persons to the cafeteria. It was where they were gathering all nonmedical, ambulatory persons who were still in the building.
Sherlock could not stop himself from swallowing hard. He looked for a way out, his brain thought of multiple scenarios, and possibilities. Moriarty noticed Sherlock's hesitation. Sherlock's whispered words that were not audible to the person's in the room, but Moriarty heard them. "He'll never forgive me."
Moriarty knew who he was referring to.
"If I… send you someone. You will not harm John." Sherlock voice was even, but Moriarty still recognized the note of suspicion.
"Yes, but whoever comes out will be shot. Dead, just to be clear."
Sherlock continued to have his eyes glued to the telly. His eyes did not shift when Moriarty started to speak again. "The person that you send will be shot in… cold … blood." Moriarty said the last three words slowly. "And, I know how your mind works; the person that you send out cannot be yourself. If I wanted you dead, I would have done it a long time ago."
Sherlock's eyes shifted again. He noticed the camera in the corner for the first time. How could he have not noticed it?
Moriarty voice took on an oddly intimate tone. "I know you. You're like me. You'll do everything in your power to keep your pet alive. Even if it is for a few more minutes. It's not that you care for him, you and I don't care for anyone the way they do. You think that you need him to remind you that you're human, extraordinary, not a monster. You'll kill for him, won't you love? However, not for his sake. He's like one of your little experiments, he's interesting. I'll tell you a secret, just between us. I am starting to see why you think he is interesting. He's like a dog with two tails. There is something freakishly odd and different about him. But, what will your precious doctor think of you. Will he thank you, or hate you, if he ever finds out what you did to save him. And, don't worry, I'll make sure that he finds out."
The sound of Moriarty munching on food was heard. "Someone dies so that he lives. I do the shooting. No one needs to know that you're the gun and I was simply the bullet. Metaphorically speaking love."
"This is insane," Sherlock dry wiped his face before whispering. "I can't do this that's murder. The only one I want to murder is you."
Moriarty's chuckling was heard for a few seconds. He suddenly became silent.
When he spoke again, Moriarty's voice became deadly serious. "Yet, you will, won't you. Lie, steal, even murder, if there is even a chance that you can save him. Stop the protest, you're wasting time. We both know that you will do anything to save your pet. I'm right aren't I?"
He could hear Moriarty's giggle in the background.
Sherlock glanced at the agent before his eyes briefly linger on Lestrade. He frowned as Sherlock looked at him.
"Don't worry mate, they can't hear me. They can't read your mind. All sorts of naughty little thoughts are floating around in there, I'm sure. Keep a blank expression on your face and they'll never guess that even now, your mind is categorizing everyone like a machine."
Moriarty's voice took on a singsong quality. He took a brief pause. It sounded like he started to take sips of tea.
"Sorry about that, where were we? Oh yes, murder." There was the sound of another sip. "It is our secret; remember. You can continue to pretend that you're one of them. However, you'll know, and I'll know, and that's when it will happen, Sherlock."
The Criminal Consultant whispered menacingly. "You'll. Be. Mine."
Sherlock said nothing.
"Well, off I pop. You have a few things to do, don't you?"
Sherlock heard the sound of something being tapped. Text on a mobile, Sherlock's mind supplied.
"How about that adorable nurse. She seems to trust you. Tell her to help the doctor inside the doors. I'll do the shooting; of course, the blood will be on your hands. Don't worry; no one will know that you're a murderer. I'll even help you. I saw her; she just passed a camera on the first floor. I'll send the directions to the mobile I've given you."
Sherlock's voice was cold, even, and expressionless when he spoke. "Any other surprises for me, Jim?"
"None at the present. You'll be quite busy, won't you?" Moriarty chuckled. His voice took on a deadly seriousness. "Men are like sheep, of which a flock is more easily driven than a single one. Get control of your sheep, or I will. Can you hear them Sherlock, as they go off to the slaughter, bleating as they go? Bah… Bah… Baaaaah…"
The line was disconnected.
Sherlock kept the mobile to his ear for a second, thinking. He glanced at the telly again. He saw John. He came to a decision as he looked away. Holmes opened up a door in his mind and deposited all the emotions that he always claimed that he did not have inside. The door in his mind closed. He blinked a few times as he put Moriarty's mobile away.
The two men walked up to him. Lestrade took him by the wrist and asked. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Detective Inspector."
Lestrade frown deepened. Holmes looked at him. "No one approaches John. No one, do you understand?" He did not give Lestrade time to respond. "Tell Donovan that I need them to push the news crews and crowds back. Tell the media nothing. Make up a lie, I don't care. Just do not let them know what is going on in here. Oh, and I need everyone in one place. We cannot afford to have anyone wandering around unnoticed. If someone else tries to leave, stop them by any means necessary. Tie them up if you have to. Personal rights are on holiday." Before Lestrade could object he added, "It might become even more unpleasant for everyone in here, if anyone tries to leave again."
"And what exactly is going on in here," Lestrade asked offhandedly.
"A game. Beyond that I'm still working it out." Sherlock smiled, but it was false, mechanical, and plastic. It did not reach his eyes. Sherlock pulled out the nurse's borrowed mobile and rapidly sent several texts.
Lestrade got into his personal space and whispered so that only Holmes could hear, "You sure that you're alright."
"Fine," Sherlock said distractedly, "Time is running out Lestrade."
That seemed to put some fire into the DI. The Detective Inspector nodded and walked a few yards away, as he put his mobile to his ear, and started to give several commands.
Holmes now looked at Agent Pearson. Agent Pearson came close to Sherlock. Holmes led him away so that they were outside of the hearing range of Lestrade. The Consultant Detective spoke in a whispered tone. Lestrade was much too busy to notice.
"What orders have my brother given you concerning me?"
Pearson looked calmly at the younger Holmes. "I was ordered to follow your commands without question, Sir."
Sherlock suspected as much but had to be sure. "I have a few things that I need for you to do quickly. Find me Isoflurane, Morphine, a potent sedative, or narcotic. I need access to a computer with access to patient records. You're to be my legs. You can move much faster than I can. And, to be clear, you do need to move fast."
Sherlock fingers never stopped texting. Agent Pearson's mobile chimed to indicate that a text was waiting. He looked at his mobile, and then at Holmes oddly. He had two questions, but did not ask either. Still, he wondered how Holmes had gotten his mobile number. He also wondered why he would text him when they stood side-by-side. He read the text then looked at Holmes. The agent's eyes held questions. The experienced agent looked intently at Holmes for a few seconds before hearing Holmes speak again.
Holmes said needlessly. "You just told me that you were instructed to follow commands without question."
"Yes Sir." The agent ran off immediately to follow the detailed orders.