They were both glad to be out of Baskerville. The town made both John and Sherlock feel uneasy. They were glad to be back in their daily lives. None more than Sherlock who was on his way to drop papers off for his brother. It was very late at night there was no way he would be in the office at this hour which was good for Sherlock who tended to try to avoid his brother as often as possible.
Upon reaching Mycrofts office he noticed the light was still on.
Had someone broken in?
Looking through the window of the door he noticed Mycroft was seated at his desk and was walking to someone.
After waiting a moment Sherlock threw open the door. Startled Guinevere looked up from the chair she was seated in across from Mycroft. Sherlock noticed files in Guineveres hand that were no doubt given to her by Mycroft.
Sherlock couldn't think of any logical explanations.
"What is the meaning of this?" He asked looking between his brother and daughter.
Mycroft stood up and tried to draw Sherlocks attention away from Guinevere who was discretely placing files in her oversized leather tote.
"Sherlock no need to get worked up about this. I was just having a chat with my niece. I've been so caught up with work and she has been out of town vacationing while you were away we were just catching up." Mycroft said defending his niece.
Sherlock strode over to Guineveres purse and removed the files. Opening them up to look at them he realized that they were overviews on known criminals.
When he got to the last one he had to take a seat from the shock.
Showing her the file he looked up at her with betrayal.
"You know Jim Moriarty?"
"Perhaps we should go someplace else and talk. How about we go grab a cup of coffee." Guinevere said trying to take the files back.
"You know my sworn enemy. Why do you have all these files on criminals?" Sherlock said standing up again yelling.
"Sherlock calm down." Mycroft said rolling his eyes at his ever dramatic brother.
"I thought you had changed. What ever happened to coming back here for a little father daughter bonding time? I thought you were done chasing criminals." Sherlock said still angry but much calmer.
"I never said I would give up that life. I don't think I ever can. But I did come back for you. The only reason I am in London is because of you. I want to be with my father! I want to get to know you! I want to be your daughter!" Guinevere yelled just as frustrated.
Sherlock stuck his chin out and looked away pretending as if he didn't hear her confession.
"Why was Mycroft giving you files?" Sherlock said anxious to accuse her.
She sighed sitting back down.
"She works for me Sherlock. This whole time she has been working for the British government. I send her a file of a known criminal and she targets them. She is given full permission to kill whoever she deems necessary and because of that we can not pay her. It's one of the most classified projects in the government and only a handful of people know about it. She disposes of the target and in exchange she gets to keep a small sum of their investments and fortune. When financial advisors go over the targets bank statements and records and notice some money missing we always label it a bank processing fee when really the money is going to her in exchange for eliminating the target. These men are dangerous Sherlock. They don't belong behind bars they belong in a coffin underground. Guinevere disposes of evil men and she does it all legally for the British government. She works under my authority." Mycroft said taking a seat at his desk removing his spectacles so he could rub his temples.
Sherlock looked at his daughter like he was seeing someone for the first time.
"So you aren't a freelance assassin. You don't just kill willy nilly and then steal all of the mens money?" Sherlock said studying her for a lie.
Guinevere lied through her smile. "I only kill when I'm told I have never committed a murder that was not sanctioned by the government."
Sherlock tried to read her. He looked for any sign that would give away that she was lying. A glance of an eye, sweat, a nervous touch, a movement in her foot, and crack in her smile, a change in voice octave, excessive blinking. Nothing. He couldn't read anything. He couldn't tell if she was telling the truth or lying.
Guinevere kept her eyes focused on her father. She was too good at telling lies.
Mycroft knew she was lying as well. He was well aware that she committed murders outside of her sanctioned hits. She did kill whoever she pleased but she was too valuable to report and lock up.
"What do you know of Jim Moriarty?" Sherlock could believe that she was secretly working for his brother but he couldn't believe that she knew nothing of Jim Moriarty.
She handed the file to Sherlock who took it back and read over it cautiously. There was nothing in there. Not even a picture. Just a name and few well known facts about him.
"We know nothing about Mr. Moriarty. The only things we know about him are what we know from you." Mycroft said to his brother.
Guinevere smirked to herself. All ready Mycroft was following her plan. By erasing Jims file and only keeping what Sherlock knew they were one step closer to making Jim a figment of Sherlocks imagination and Mycroft was inadvertently helping them.
"Are you satisfied Sherlock?" Guinevere said looking up at her father.
"I have nothing going on tomorrow why don't we spend the day together?" She said smiling. He didn't say anything but just nodded.
"I'll come around your place at noon or so and you can finally play someone who is better than you at chess." Guinevere said with a smile putting the files in her bag as she stood up to walk out the door. Sherlock smirked as well.
As soon as she exited the building she got into her car and looked out the window. It was a dark night and very late so there wasn't much noise. She closed her eyes and rested her head on the window. She was at peace until her phone started ringing. Looking at the caller id her heart fluttered.
"Hello darling." She said looking at her nails.
"My sources tell me that you have just left Mycroft Holmes office." Moriarty said cutting straight to the point.
"Relax. He was giving me files for more potential 'customers' and believe it or not I did you a favor. I erased everything on your file. The only things the British government know about Jim Moriarty is what Sherlock Holmes has told them. Who is to say the Moriarty is not a figment of Holmes imagination?" Guinevere said with a smirk as she double crossed her father.
She could hear Moriarty on the other line let out a laugh.
"Guinevere I have missed you. You're always one step ahead. I think I love you." He said nonchalantly. She could her the danger in his voice and a chill went over her body.
"Really. You've heard the rumors and all about my reputation and you still have the guts to say you love me?" Guinevere said looking once more at her nails wondering if on her next manicure she should go with a darker red or a lighter red.
"It's funny how rumors fly darling."
"Still my list of ex lovers is quite long and very impressive if I do say so myself. They all say I'm insane. Ask any of them. You have seen me at my scariest Moriarty why do you stay when you know I can kill you. You know that all I have to do is say the word and you have all of Scotland yard and the British government one your back. You're greatest trick is all dependent upon me. We've had a good run together with late night wine tastings, romantic getaways, and heist chases so tell me this, you feel as though you love me now you are in the high but when the high wears off will it still be worth it?" Guinevere said still awaiting his answer. It was a confession that came out of nowhere but Guinevere was determined to find love even if it killed her. She needed to know that Jim wasn't just using her to get to her father.
"You and I are cut from the same cloth. We have no regard for the law or for other peoples feelings. We take what we want and don't care if the methods aren't always orthodox. Together you and I will run this town. I will be the king and you will be my queen and after this week I will have the jewels to prove it. Of course I love you. I understand you and accept you for who you are." He said pausing for her reaction hoping she would say the same thing.
She said nothing just smirked.
"You're breaking into the bank and prison and tower soon do you have the plan in order?" She asked changing the subject.
"I have everything taken care of except the jewels. That glass is too thick to break. There isn't a weapon strong enough to crack it." He said in a dangerously frustrated voice.
Guinevere rolled her eyes. "There is always a way in. After all diamonds are a girls best friend." With that she hung up the phone and rolled her eyes once more. Was he truly as smart as he let on? How could he not know that diamonds would break the glass.
Margot who was in the car looked over at Guinevere and she raised her eyebrows.
"Aren't you going to tell him you love him back or are you going to keep baiting him? Perhaps after all this time he really is the one?" Margot said with a half smile at her friend.
"Perhaps he is. But no I will not tell him. I've got to drag it out, play hard to get, torture him a little. That's how boys like it."
In all actuality Guinevere didn't want to commit. Moriarty was the perfect match for her and she of course felt something. But was it love? Was it the kind of love she wanted. The kind of love that grew old together and welcomed each other with a smile as they came home from work. She didn't have much time to make up her mind before this whole scheme started. But for now she was spending a day with her father.