Chapter 3: Lillie

Lillie told me that she used to be romantically involved with a man named Arthur James. The man later revealed that he had been using her. He had been collecting love notes and even photographs of them together to blackmail her with later on. He now wanted some priceless gems of hers that once belonged to her husband. The documents in the case were a few bonds for those gems and insurance papers.

"The worst part of all of this Mr. Holmes is…I really thought he loved me," she said tearfully. I could tell that recounting the affair had been hard on her.

"I'm so sorry Lille. But in order to help you, we must first find your blackmailer. Do you have any idea where he would be hiding?"

"No, it's almost like he's disappeared."

I just smirked at this comment. "He hasn't disappeared. He gave you his name which is good for us. This man doesn't sound like a man at all. He sounds like a con-artist or petty thief."

Lille nodded her head at me in agreement. She took out a small handkerchief and wiped her delicate eyes.

"He is much more than a thief Mr. Holmes…he is untouchable…"

"No one is untouchable," I retorted. "We just have to work this out together."

I asked Lille to retrace her relationship with Arthur. It was difficult for her but we soon found ourselves in a small tea shop known as Fortnum and Mason. This is where she first began speaking with him. We sat at a table together near a low window - this is the table they always chose to sit at. I couldn't help but notice the people around us staring at us. Given the fact that Lillie was wealthy and well-known probably had something to do with it.

"Arthur always picked this spot. He said it was to catch a glimpse of my beauty in the sunlight," Lille asked.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. So far, this investigation has been nothing but "here's where we had our first date, and here's some whispered sweet-nothings yadda, yadda", nothing of importance. I quickly called over one of the servants. If Arthur came here a lot then someone should know who the man is.

"Do you know of a man named Arthur James?"

The waiter's eyes lit up.

"Oh yes indeed sir. You must mean A.J. Raffles. Oh…he is such a fine man. A real distinguished chap. I've seen him come in here a lot…particularly with you miss…" the waiter stopped.

"That's quite all right," I interrupted. "Thank you, that's all I wanted to know. You may go now."

The waiter rudely walked away, but I didn't care in the slightest. The name he had given me for some reason wasn't ringing a bell in my head. Most likely because I didn't really care to keep track of upper crust noblemen. Though in retrospect, maybe I should have.

"It just occurred to me that he never told me his last name, Mr. Holmes. Raffles? What a peculiar name. But with a name we now can see if we can find his last known address!"

I smiled at her. This woman wasn't ignorant. Which I guess is why it irked me so that she was taken advantage of. We went to the local police for his address, but of course they were of no help. I used other means to try and find his last known address. We found a good sized flat he used as a second home. Unfortunately, he had moved out weeks ago and the landlord would not let us see the flat. It seemed every lead we had to him was a dead end. Even the letters that Lille was receiving from him had no return address. As you know my methods, I tried to deduce anything from parchment but the only thing it told me was the paper was of little value. That told me that he wasn't the one writing the notes to her. He must've had some sort of accomplice. Every time I even mentioned getting outside help from Scotland Yard or other sources; she wouldn't dare hear of it. Her reputation was on the line and in her mind so was her husband's.

Back at my flat, we were going over the details of the blackmail. Apparently, the gems that Arthur was after were no longer in Lille's possession. Her husband had sold them to a private auction leaving us to wonder what else the blackmailer could possibly want.

"He would want me…," she said with a hint of fear in her voice. She then showed me another letter. "He wants 5000 pounds, but I know that even after paying that he will continue to torture and haunt me for the rest of my life," she said gasping for air. "I don't know how to get rid of him Mr. Holmes."

"We'll think of something…" I said hoping to provide some comfort. I placed my hand on top of hers. She smiled and leaned in toward me.

Just then, there was a loud knock at the door. I proceeded to open it and without warning, in walked a distinguished looking gentleman. He carried a cane with him with a large emerald on top. No wonder as to where one of the gems went. I could tell he was in a fit of anger.

"This is where I find you?! At the flat of this…this nobody?"

"Reginald, listen to me…" Lillie began.

"Everyone around London is talking about you and this man," he said pointing at me. "Who are you and what have you and my wife been doing?"

"If you must know, I am a consulting detective and help Scotland Yard in my spare time."

Lillie looked at me with pleading eyes. She really did not want her husband to know about her blackmailer.

"She needed help with something…"

This man named Reginald looked at me with stern and angry eyes.

"Help with what?"

"I believe that business is between me and your wife," I responded coldly.

"How dare you?! I could have you arrested!"

This man was a complete pushover. Arrested? For what? He definitely oozed high-society bollocks.

"You are coming with me Lillie. Do not ever see this man again."

I nodded at her but also gave a bit of a smirk. To me, she could come visit anytime. She smiled up at me warmly. Reginald grabbed her by the arm and led her out of my flat. I could've hit him Watson, but I didn't. That man didn't deserve her. In my eyes, no one did. And that was the beginning when I started to feel…protective around her.