Chapter 13 LSTI
Here you go my lovelies...hope it was worth the wait!
The black sedan pulled slowly to the curb in front of Causton CID. It stopped once the front tire touched the curb. A door opened and out fell a body, obviously shoved by the driver. Unfortunately, the windows were tinted and no one could see inside.
A woman screamed and the car door slammed shut and pulled away from the curb, barely missing two by standers that had come running after hearing the woman scream. Two officers witnessed the event and came running. One of the officers knelt down and rolled the body onto its back.
"Bullet to the head." The officer said.
"Did anyone see who it was driving the car?" The other officer shouted at the people who had begun to gather. There was murmuring, but only one woman came forward.
"I didn't see the driver, but I saw the last 3 digits of the tag."
"Excellent, you come with me. And you too, miss." He said to the woman that had screamed. "I'll go get the guv."
The other officer nodded and pulled out his notepad to take down notes of the scene.
Gavin was looking forward to the fete. Working the scene of the rape and murder had not been easy. The girl was so young and the rape was brutal. She had been strangled manually and her tears had crystallized in the sides of her eyes. It had been hard on Barnaby too. The girl had been only a few years younger than Cully and as Barnaby was a father, Gavin knew when a case was especially hard on the Chief Inspector.
He was actually glad to have Sherlock there as it had been him that had handled most of the collecting of the evidence with the coroner. Barnaby even seemed glad to have his assistance. Sherlock Holmes was almost like a machine. He looked at the girl as if she were nothing but a piece of evidence. Gavin wondered if he felt any pity, anything at all as he looked at the girl.
He wondered how difficult it would be to divorce yourself from something like that. He didn't think he'd ever be able to do it, so in a sense, he was almost glad to have men like Sherlock Holmes. So very coldly efficient, but efficient none the less.
Gavin had also noticed the resemblance between the girl and Molly. He knew that Sherlock had to have seen it also. He wondered what was really going on inside the detective's head. He wondered if Sherlock Holmes was as truly cold as he appeared to be.
Gavin also struggled with the guilt he felt at keeping so many things from Molly. Both the Chief Inspector and Sherlock had wanted her to be left in the dark about the possibility of two killers. They also wanted to keep the rape and murder of the girl quiet from Molly as long as possible, but with the press, he didn't know if that was possible. Of course with Mycroft Holmes involved, apparently anything was possible.
Gavin pulled up into the parking lot in front of the hotel. Molly was waiting for him outside. It was a bit chilly for a sundress, but she wore one anyways with a thin sweater. The dress was a pale yellow, with lovely little floral designs of spring colors. The sweater was white with yellow trim. She looked beautiful.
He got out of the car quickly as she started over to him and opened the door for her.
She smiled warmly. "Always the gentleman aren't you Gavin?" She teased, sliding into the car.
Gavin smiled and shut her door. "Well, here we go." He said getting into the driver's seat and starting the car. "Fancy some lunch in town or do you want to sample the culinary artists of MIdsomer Marrow?"
"Let's grab some lunch at the fete. I'm excited to start the day, so I don't want to waste any time getting there."
"Your wish is my command, my lady." He said pulling the car into the rode before slamming on his breaks as a horn blew behind him. He flushed and mouthed an apology at the driver who glared at him as he pulled on.
Gavin looked at Molly and grinned.
"Gavin, you have taken the driver's course haven't you?"
"Yes, a few times." Gavin said flushing a brighter color.
"Alright then, off we go." She said trying not to smile.
Sherlock stared down at the body of the murdered man. He looked at Barnaby and smiled. "Chief Inspector, meet Simon."
Barnaby cocked his head. "And you know this how?"
"He's the same height and build of the man who followed John, Lestrade, and I several weeks ago. Also, look the wounds around his face, neck, and hands. They are fresh wounds and I would wager that they were put there by the young woman who was attacked two nights ago. These wounds are clearly made by finger nails."
"I'll have the coroner run his DNA against the evidence that was collected from the girl. This is the last damning piece I suppose, no question there is…were two of them."
"Yes and now there is only one. The brains behind all of this and I have to wonder, what will be his next move now that he has gotten rid of his own henchman? Perhaps when you catch him Chief Inspector, you should thank him for this." Sherlock said gesturing to Simon.
Sherlock looked around the room. "Where is your Sergeant?"
Barnaby smiled, it was a positively fiendish smile. "I've given him the day off to enjoy himself. I didn't see the sense in bringing him for this when you and I are both here. He's gone to Midsomer Marrow to enjoy this fine weather and their local fete. I should think he and Dr. Hooper will have a lovely time."
Sherlock's whirled to face Barnaby, irritation sketched on his features. "I see." Sherlock managed to bite out.
Barnaby's expression became impassive. "It is a lovely day for a fete don't you think Sherlock?"
"Indeed." The detective snapped. "Enjoying yourself are you Chief Inspector?"
Barnaby nodded. "Why yes I am, thank you Sherlock."
Had Barnaby known Sherlock would spend the rest of the hour fuming and pouting, he would've waited to tell him where Gavin was. He didn't have the help of Dr. Watson in dealing with Sherlock's moods as the good doctor was still by the side of his beloved.
Sherlock sighed and huffed as Barnaby and the coroner discussed the collected evidence. Finally Barnaby could take no more. "Oh for heaven's sake Sherlock, stop being such a bloody brat! Come on, were going for lunch."
"I don't eat while I'm on a case, it slows…"
"Yes, yes, the digestion slows you down. That is bollocks, now get up and come with me." Barnaby demanded.
Sherlock bristled and opened his mouth to retort.
"Sherlock I do not wish to treat you as a child and call your brother and your mummy, but I will do so should you continue to act like a school boy."
Sherlock's mouth snapped shut and his eyes narrowed. He hoped down from the table he had been sitting on and swept dramatically from the room, his coat flowing out behind him. The coroner looked at Tom and grinned. Tom rolled his eyes and followed Sherlock out.
Molly walked beside Gavin, her small hand tucked into his arm. The day was bright and sunny, although a bit windy. The local music was delightful and everyone was so welcoming. She had watched a puppet show already and had enjoyed playing a few games. Gavin had won her a stuffed rabbit adorned with a pink bow.
They both had sampled some of the local delicacies, fruits, vegetables, and sandwiches. Molly was currently drinking her third cup of cider while Gavin was enjoying a pint of the local lager. Gavin was very careful to steer any conversation about the case to something else and Molly for the most part was enjoying herself too much to press Gavin for any answers.
The local theater department was putting on a play, a romantic play, which Gavin begrudgingly sat through for Molly. After the play, the members of the Midsomer dance troupe put on a lovely interpretive dance.
Molly could tell that Gavin wasn't very interested in the dance troupe either. She patted his hand and leaned into him. "Thank you for this Gavin. I'm having a lovely time and I really do enjoy your company. This is the happiest that I have been in a very long time." She kissed his cheek.
It was very late when Gavin and Molly made the drive back to Causton. They had stayed in Midsomer Marrow for dinner after the fete. It was around 7 pm when they finally left Worthy. The ride back to Causton was quiet as both of them were tired from such a long day and from sampling so much local food.
"I think I'll probably sleep for two days.' Molly said laughing as they drove into the city limits of Causton. It took them only 10 minutes to reach the hotel Molly was staying at. Gavin pulled into the parking lot a bit faster than he meant too, slamming on his brakes in order to miss a car that was pulling out. Molly said nothing, but she giggled quietly.
"Sorry…" He mumbled his apology. Once he parked, he hopped and opened her door for her.
"Gavin you didn't have to do that. I know you're tired too."
He shrugged. "I wanted to walk you to your room, just to make sure your safe."
She smiled and took his hand. "You're such a dear."
They walked hand and hand into the hotel. Once reaching her door, she pulled her key from her purse. Reaching out her hand, she cupped his face gently. "Thank you again Gavin for such a wonderful day. It was truly the most perfect day I have had in such a long time. I almost forgot…Simon…" She said softly.
Gavin placed his hand over hers, pressing it into his face. "I really like being with you Molly…a lot…I…a lot…"
Molly chewed on her lip, her eyes were hesitant. Gavin saw the hesitation on her face and made the decision for her. He leaned his head down, brushing his lips softly against her as if to test her response. She leaned her body into his, her hand moving from his face to the back of his neck. Gavin pressed his lips to hers harder, molding his mouth to hers. He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth and was pleased to hear her moan softly into his mouth. His tongue swept passed her lips into her mouth and he pressed her into the door with his body, deepening the kiss. Molly snaked her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her and responding to his kiss, swirling her tongue around his.
After a few moments, Molly pulled away. She looked up at him with her face flushed and her pupils dilated, struggling to control her breathing. "I think we had better stop Gavin…before…"
He nodded, trying to calm his own breathing.
"It's just a little fast…" Molly said.
Gavin smiled, pulling her into his arms and kissing the top of her head. "It's okay Molly. I understand. I can wait until you're ready."
"Thank you Gavin, for understanding." She said, pulling away from him. "Good night. I'll talk to you soon."
He smiled and nodded, reaching out to stroke her cheek. He waited until she had gone into her room and heard the lock click before turning to leave. As he walked down the corridor, he was oblivious to the fact he was being watched.
Molly heard a soft knock at her door and she turned back around and smiled. She moved to her door quickly and unlatched the lock. She started speaking as she opened the door.
"Oh Gavin…did you…" Her voice died in her throat when she saw who it was. "Really Sherlock, this is getting to be ridiculous and I…oof…" She sputtered when he pushed his way inside, closing the door behind him.
"Why did you allow him to kiss you?" Sherlock demanded.
Molly was taken a back for a moment before he eyes narrowed. "How did you…were you spying on me?"
"Of course." He stated simply. "I had to make sure that you were safe. I wasn't expecting to find…Gavin..." He sneered his name, "Attempting to swallow your tongue."
"How dare you Sherlock Holmes? You have no right…"
"I have every right." He snapped. "I told you how I felt about you, why do you insist on being difficult about it?"
"You didn't tell me anything Sherlock. You lied your way into my hotel room and then preceded to behave in the most offensively high handed way and…"
"Dull…" He sighed. "This ridiculous attempt at arguing about what we both know to be true."
Molly fists clenched and she took a deep breath to calm herself. "Is that right? What we both know. And what pray tell is that Sherlock?"
"That you belong to me. You always have and you always will." He stated moving to sit on the arm chair.
Molly stared at him, tears stinging her eyes. "Why are you doing this Sherlock? I don't understand…"
"What is there to understand Molly? I've been an idiot as John is so fond of telling me. I didn't want you to go away. It frightened me when you did. I felt like I was in danger of losing something very special and very dear to me." Sherlock looked at her. She could see the confusion on his face. "I…I don't understand much of what I'm feeling myself Molly. I've never felt this way before nor have I wanted too…but I know that I can't be without you. I must have you in my life…I won't be without you Molly. I won't let you go. I want the chance to prove it to you, to show you what you mean to me."
Molly swallowed hard and looked him in the eyes. "I…I don't know what you want me to say Sherlock. I've loved you for so long and you've been so horrible to me. You've used me and pushed me away and…I am afraid to trust you…to let you in. What happens if you decide you can't deal with these feelings or you decide they are in the way of your work. What happens if I yield to you and you decide that the catch wasn't worth the chase? And what about Gavin, Sherlock? He cares for me too and I care for him."
Sherlock stood and approached her, stepping into her personal space. "Oh bother Gavin, Molly. I don't care about Gavin. All I care about is you and I want the chance to show you."
She stepped back from him unable to hold the intensity of his gaze. He stepped with her. She backed away again, her back hitting the wall. Before he could trap her, she reached out her hand and pressed it to his chest, keeping him at arm's length. "Not again Sherlock. I won't let you do this to me. I'm confused and overwhelmed and I…need time. I told you that I need time."
He smiled and grasped her wrist, pushing it back against her body. He walked forward, trapping her against the wall again with his body. "I understand that you need time and I will give it to you. But you need to understand this, I will not be fighting fair. I don't share well Molly and you, whether you accept it or not, are mine. Allow me to demonstrate just how much you are mine."
His mouth closed over hers. The kiss was demanding and primal. His tongue pushed passed her lips, stealing her very breath from her. She couldn't stop herself, she closed her eyes and allowed the kiss to take hold of her. She moaned deeply into his mouth.
Her eyes snapped open when he pulled back and latched onto her neck, sucking the skin. She felt him smirk. "You may not be willing to admit it Molly, but that kiss just proves my point. You're mine. Your mind and heart might be fighting me, but your body knows it's mine. That is one subdued, now I'll only need to subdue the other two and as I mentioned earlier, I do not intend to play fair."
His mouth clamped back onto her neck and began to suck hard, she felt his teeth. He was marking her. She began to struggle, but he easily held her in place.
"Stop it Sherlock…Gavin will see and…"
Sherlock pulled back to look at her. "I know he will, Molly that is the point."
She squealed when he moved back to her neck, sucking and biting yet another place on her neck. The more she fought him, the more her body betrayed her. She bit her lip to keep from moaning. She felt one of Sherlock's hands grasp her wrist, two of his fingers resting on her pulse.
"Sherlock…please…" Her voice trailed as he licked the skin from her jaw line to her ear, sucking her earlobe into his mouth.
Molly shuddered against him.
"How long do you think you can resist what your body already knows Molly?" He whispered into her ear.
"I'll do whatever it takes…oooh…to…oooh…protect my heart Sherlock."
He sighed against her skin. "Then I'll just have to prove to you that your heart is safe with me. And I'll do whatever it takes Molly, whatever it takes to make you surrender to me."
Show me some love!