Sorry, I'm late. Again. Not exactly the type of girl who updates steadly, but I can promise to finish this book. Soon or later. Thank you for the support and the review ( Corine, I'm looking at you!), the favourites and the followers!
''What is the point of making fun of people with you if your attention is elsewhere?'' Bobby said as Annie wondered why she was doing Sherlock's bidding.
The detective had left her with the sole indication of waiting for his arrival before interviewing the diplomat, even if she didn't know why he needed to go to Baker Street before returning to her office.
''Bobby, it's rude to point out people's looks like that,'' she commented before an old balding tall man came closer with a folder.
She was sure he had no idea who he was searching for because he went back and forth in the corridor trying to spot a name on the tags nailed on the doors. The lavish wood of her door creaked as he politely saluted Mr. Melas, still waiting outside, and pushed his way into her office.
As he closed the door behind him, the slightly hunched back straightened up, and a familiar ironic voice made Bobby swear in fright.
''Disguise successful as far as I can tell. You didn't recognize me at all'' Sherlock Holmes pointed out, pulling a chair beside her desk and organizing the surface in a way that irritated Annie greatly.
''Can you stop touching my things? There is an order in my papers that you're messing up!''
''It's an excuse to avoid dusting. I use it too when Mrs. Hudson or John want me to tidy the table.''
''Keep your inaccurate theories for yourself. Luckily, we are not the same, you and I.''
''Clearly''
Bobby watched the exchange between the detective and the journalist, wondering if they had noticed how short the distance between them was right then. Granted, Sherlock Holmes was masquerading as an aged man, but he guessed there was an underlying attraction for each other in their spats. They couldn't stay in the same room without arguing about something, and he had caught Sherlock's cold glances at him whenever Bobby talked, definitely irritated by being pushed out of the spotlight.
''Where is John Watson?'' he asked, trying to calm down the pair.
''It would have been too suspicious to have three people in here, so I left him. Now, leave the office and let Mr. Melas in.''
''Bobby, stay there!''
''I can't be your supervisor if he's in here too!'' Sherlock protested.
''You're out of mind! It's my office, and you're the guest. Sit, and be quiet, or you'll interrogate that man with a shiner!''
Sherlock narrowed his eyes at her, but Annie could swear there was a hint of respect in how he watched her.
''You weren't so strong-willed when we met,'' he commented.
''I'm sure you remember quite well how bad the situation was for me at that time.'' she seethed, trying to push away the memories of Percy.
The detective refrained from saying anything else, probably understanding it wasn't the right time to argue with their guest waiting out the door.
''Please, Mr. St. Simon, open the door and welcome him in.'' he relented, sitting beside Annie behind the desk and faking a polite smile as Mr. Melas greeted them.
The woman pinched his hip when he forgot he was supposed to have a bad case of scoliosis. Sherlock adjusted his posture quickly and gripped her hand tightly when she tried to free it from his hold.
''Welcome, Mr. Melas. We understand this is the first time you talk with a journalist about your singular adventure.'' the detective said with a reassuring smile that Annie found creepy.
''That's right. I thought I would talk with Ms Harrison alone. Are you colleagues?''
''Correct. I'm Sigerson, and that young man is St. Simon. You see. I taught these youngsters everything I know, and it would be a shame to miss such a turning point in their careers. Because I believe your case has the potential for this young lady's name to skyrocket in our field.''
Mr. Melas, that looked a bit far-sighted and not good with faces, didn't recognize Sherlock under that simple disguise. He had become too famous, and his surname linked him to Mycroft, something he wanted to avoid since they had to have the upper hand in the matter. Melas could be innocent, but in the eventuality of a misjudgment, Sherlock didn't want to jeopardize the investigation.
As Annie tried to start with simple questions and put Melas at ease, Sherlock could smell the sweetness of baked goods he had already noticed in her scent the day of their investigation in Percy's office. Maybe the journalist was passionate about cuisine, but she didn't seem the type to waste time in coffee shops. Sherlock imagined her baking in the kitchen when stress became too much and then, as he noticed by the lack of sugar in the coffee, gifted the goods to Bobby, who instead had a very prominent sweet tooth.
The notion of her doing something like that irked the detective. Why waste time doing something for someone else?
''I think it would be best to work on this interview then. Please, tell me everything you know about these facts'' Annie smiled gently.
''I'm sorry, miss. I came here to sell my story, but I'm afraid I can't.''
''Then, why have you come here?'' Sherlock said, losing his polite facade.
''Just to be polite and apologize to Miss Harrison in person. There are some things I had not accounted for when I went to Scotland Yard, so, for now, I will have to keep my accusations to myself''.
''Mr. Melas, I recommend you to be careful with your actions. It seems you're doing a personal investigation without warning the police.'' Annie added, glancing at the tense detective sitting beside her.
There was something strange in the sudden change of mind, and the reticent Holmes had begun to form theories.
''I will contact you if I need the press' intervention, Miss Harrison. For now, good day.'' the Greek diplomat said curtly, not losing time to leave the office as fast as he could.
''Well, it was anti-climactic. I expected more'' Bobby commented.
''Me too. But I can't understand why coming here. It would have been enough to call and cancel the appointment.'' Annie replied, standing up to close the door as Sherlock began to take off his get-up.
''I think he received a better offer to stay quiet.'' the detective said, frowning when he saw out of the window Melas crossing the street.
''Do you mean from another newspaper?''
''Not at all. Other kinds of people are interested in information, scandals, or potential threats. Often journalists don't come across the most succulent news because someone else paid to cover up everything.''
''Some kind of conspiracy, then?'' Bobby asked.
''I hate that word, but I suppose it would be the best word to use when you don't know the details'' Sherlock shrugged.
''So? What are these details you kept from us?''
Annie went after Sherlock, asking for answers as he used the sink in her private bathroom to remove the traces of makeup from his face. It was hard to do a convincing elderly look with ordinary cosmetics, so he took lessons from a stage actor he had known during a case. After several months he mastered several looks to blend in with a crowd successfully, combining them with the right clothes.
''I can't tell you anything. You know how stingy the Government is with its cases.''
''Can you at least tell me if we risk something? Let's pretend your theory of the cover-up is right someone could have seen him leave my office. Are Bobby and I in danger?'' she asked, grabbing Sherlock's arm as he left the bathroom.
The detective, not used to physical contact with anyone except the most trusted people, shivered as he felt her small warm hand on his flesh. Even with several layers of fabric between them, Sherlock could feel goosebumps rising on his skin, and he felt ashamed at the hormonal answer his body had due to Annie's proximity.
Despite the scathing words he usually had for her, the detective knew physical attraction when he saw it. He felt it coursing in his veins, but there was no way he would ever act on it. Sherlock learned the hard way to expel from his being every kind of human reaction linked to those dangerous urges. No one ever understood him enough to be a companion, and he had no intention of settling for a disappointing relationship.
No one was at his level, so there was no reason to link himself to a romantic partner.
Nevertheless, Sherlock felt a tinge of discomfort every time the woman in front of him pretended to loathe his presence. Annie felt some form of attraction for him, he was sure of that, and it would usually make him gloat, but her inaccessibility upset Sherlock greatly.
''I promise. Neither you nor your friend is in danger,'' he said curtly, shrugging off her hand and gathering his things.
''At least tell me you'll keep us updated if something else happens. I want to know how this story ends.''
''You'll read it on John's blog as soon as he decides to post it.''
Sherlock greeted them coldly and left the office, not bothering to waste more time since Annie's role in the matter had ended disappointingly.
''What a piece of … Annie, are you alright?'' Bobby asked, passing an arm around her shoulders protectively.
''Sure, I am. I don't know what I expected anyway''Annie shrugged, even if it was clear how the woman was sad about how Sherlock acted around her.
...
At home, Sherlock felt the weight of his actions trouble him. When Annie asked if they were in danger, he lied, saying they would be fine, but he couldn't be sure to solve the matter in time. John had chewed him out for it, calling him names for the reckless promise.
''If she gets hurt, it will be your fault. Mycroft suspects an involvement with Moriarty, and you are leaving those two defenseless''.
''My brother will send someone to see she's fine, and I doubt Moriarty would waste time after St. Simon. What if you're wrong this time!''
Sherlock didn't want to think about that eventuality. For once, he was unsure of his deduction.
...
Unknowingly to either of them, someone had seen Melas leave Annie's office and was waiting for the right time to strike.
Bobby was waiting for her on the other side of the crossing, talking with his mother, and the young woman was about to join him when a car appeared out of nowhere. It drove so fast that the woman didn't even have the time to understand what was happening.
It hit her and rushed away, leaving poor Annie on the concrete while she lost consciousness.
