Chapter 9
The following day Sherlock was preparing for another visit with the baronet when the familiar face of the doctor appeared in the doorway. He looked thoughtful. As if something was bothering him. Perhaps, if Holmes wanted to, he could even ask what was troubling his old friend, but he was in no mood. He felt as if he had nothing more to say to Watson.
„How are you, old friend?” the doctor asked.
„Pretty good compared to the days before. Although I'm in a bit of a hurry at the moment,” he replied neutrally.
„I see you're still working on the case of the baronet,” he said, walking into the room.
„Exactly,” and once more he looked hurriedly into the mirror to fix his hair and suit.
„Where are you dressing up? Do you have a date?” he asked, laughing.
„What if I do? Would that bother you? Surely not, you've got Mary,” said Sherlock.
„No, not at all. It's your life after all,” he lied. „Who's the lucky one? Or did Miss Adler came back?”
„I haven't seen Irene since Blackwood,” he replied, and it didn't seem like he planned to say who it was. But Yon was smart.
„Don't tell me it's the baronet? Are you out of your mind? Dating a suspect?” he started freaking out.
„My dear John, you have much to tell me about this. Mary was our client, and you also got involved with her. Plus, I have to stop you because my relationship with Thomas Sharpe is on a professional level. I'm going to see him because he asked me to help with the machine. It's an excellent opportunity for me to find out more information about the suspect. Plus, if I'm not mistaken, I have a case to investigate,” he explained. „Besides, I thought you were done with cases,” he added.
„I am. I just came to tell you that Mary and I are moving," he said, though it still hurt a little to lie to Sherlock that way.
„Congratulations, shall I pack your things?” he asked.
„Of course not.”
„I don't know what you're trying to do,” he said and went to the door when he heard a knock at the front door. „My cab is here. If you'd be so kind, you can lock up when you've packed or why you've come. I must go now,” he said, and with that, he left. He left John there in utter disbelief.
Yon thought Sherlock would discourage him again and so on. Or blame him for leaving it, but nothing. That nothing annoyed him even more. How could he get over it so quickly if he still regretted it? He merely sighed and walked over to the spider web that held all the information on the case and took a good look at the Baronet's picture. He had to admit he didn't look bad, but he certainly wouldn't have traded him for Sherlock. But something about the photo didn't fit, and he couldn't tell what it was. Maybe he was just jealous, he thought. He replaced the photo and left.
Sherlock arrived at Crimson Peak and found Thomas repairing the machine. Today, unlike his jacket, he wore only a grey shirt, which had probably been white and dark pants. His hands were dirty from the machine, and his forehead gleamed with sweat. Sherlock had no idea why, but somehow it made the baronet look even more attractive. The detective kept going until he got to Thomas.
„Long time no see,” said Sherlock, catching Thomas completely off guard by his arrival, wincing as the detective greeted him.
„Sherlock, good to see you again,” said the baronet, wiping his brow. His hands were dirty, leaving a black mark on his forehead.
„Am I interrupting?” asked Sherlock.
„Not at all. I'm just putting the finishing touches we talked about yesterday,” he replied.
„Is it working?” he couldn't hide his curiosity.
„I don't know yet. But we can find out,” he said, pulling a large lever. The machine began to hum, Thomas pulled a smaller lever, and the machine began to move. It was about to work when something rattled inside it. Finally, the machine hiccuped, farted, and stopped, clattering and smoking.
„Oh, no. What's wrong now?” said Thomas, clearly showing his disappointment.
„Overheating... something can be done about that. We'll put our heads together and fix it,” he tried to reassure him.
„I think I'd better focus on something else for a while,” he sighed. „If you want, I can show you other plans and machines I've devised,” Thomas offered.
„I'd be honoured,” said Sherlock, and followed the baronet into the house.
„Looks like we have guests. Shall I make you some tea?” asked Lucille. The baronet didn't even say anything.
„No, thank you. That won't be necessary,” Sherlock replied.
„Please don't be so modest. I'll get it ready for you,” she said and went into the kitchen.
Holmes preferred not to say anything. Thomas led them up the stairs to the end of the corridor, where there was an elevator that took them to an attic that was covered with various plans and machines. Some of the machines were for ease of life and others for amusement. Sherlock picked up one of the toys and examined it closely.
„I made this for Lucille when we were kids. My mother used to lock us in and keep us out. I must have done something to make her happy,” he explained with a hint of nostalgia.
„That's admirable. I mean the creations,” he expressed his admiration. Thomas smiled at the praise and walked over to the table, where he laid out some blueprints. Each to a different machine. They were all original in their own way and had help in the greyness of everyday life. Before Sherlock could comment, however, a bell rang and a tray of tea service came up the small kitchen lift. Thomas took out the tray and set it aside.
„Shall I pour you some tea?” asked the baronet, politely.
„I'll have a drink later, then,” replied Holmes, and set about examining the plans. Sharpe immediately joined him, and together they put their heads. Together, they devised many different details that the machines spiced up or improved.
After almost an hour of pleasant mood, when none of the men touched their tea and just talked or made notes about the machines, Sherlock began to fidget.
„If you'll excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom. Where can I find it?” the detective asked, though he didn't really want to use the bathroom. He wanted to explore the house, and this was an excellent excuse.
„One floor down, down the hall to the stairs, corridor to the right, last door to the left,” he explained helpfully.
„I'll be right back,” Sherlock said before taking the elevator away.
He walked down the corridor, peering in every door. At least, the ones that were unlocked. He found nothing specific or special. Finally, he went to the bathroom. He used it and went to wash his hands. He turned on the tap, but there was no water. Instead, he heard the tap in the tub begin to run. He turned and went to investigate.
When he reached the tub, he found nothing. There was no water. Instead, he could see a thick red liquid begin to flow from the drain. He was about to investigate when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned to see who had been there but saw nothing.
He turned again to examine the red liquid, but it, too, was gone. Without any sign that anything was ever there. He shook his head and went to wash his hands. By the time he reached the sink, the water was finally running.
He washed his hands and face to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. He wiped his face and was about to leave the bathroom. He was catching the handle when he heard the water running behind him. This time it flowed much faster.
He turned and saw the blood begin to flow from the bathtub faucet. Within moments, the tub was full and the red liquid began to pour out. He would have checked it if a skinny female figure hadn't emerged from the tub. She gritted her teeth and slowly climbed out of the tub. The figure got out and began to reach the detective. He just stood there.
Strangely, the woman in red scrambled to her feet and hobbled toward him. Sherlock's legs finally obeyed and he quickly ducked behind the door. He closed them just as the figure was suddenly standing in front of him with unprecedented speed. As he slammed the door he heard no crash. He merely felt the door become cold to the bone.
He turned his back on the door and sighed. He couldn't even remember when his heart was beating so fast. It almost burst out of his chest. He tried to rationalize it all as the air around him cooled to a point where he could see his own breathing. The detective's eyes darted around but he could see nothing.
He thought he was dreaming when he saw a black-clad figure beyond the railing. She levitated behind the railing, and he had no idea how she could have done it. There were no ropes to hold the figure. The woman in black raised her head, exposing her bony face. She opened her jaw, stretched out her arms, and walked toward him without moving her legs.
Sherlock started to run, just in time to lock himself in the elevator. He breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he had gotten rid of the ghost. He could not be more wrong. The head of the woman in black came through the wall and looked at him with blank eyes.
„The last bride still lives. Beware of the sister,” the figure said in a whispering, cold voice that sent shivers down its spine. As soon as she said that, she went through Sherlock and disappeared. The temperature in the area has returned to normal.
The detective returned to the attic, where Thomas was already waiting with a sweet smile on his lips. But that faded when he noticed Holmes's expression.
„Is everything all right?” he asked, moving closer to the detective and placing a hand on his shoulder in a reassuring gesture.
„I guess so,” he muttered absently.
„Is something wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost.”
„I don't know,” he replied, enjoying the attention he was getting.
„Come sit down. Try to get some rest. This place can be spooky sometimes, but there aren't any ghosts,” and made room for him in a small seat.
„Thanks, I'm fine now,” Sherlock said, trying a small smile.
„If you say so,” Thomas was still unconvinced and sat down next to the detective. Holmes was glad and rested his head on the Baronet's shoulder.
„I'm glad we met,” Sherlock said weakly.
„So am I,” Thomas replied.
After that little incident, the baronet was a little worried about the detective and advised him to rest quietly at home. So he called him a cab, and after parting, he returned to the workshop, where he poured tea into the flower, which was already dry, and returned to the living room, where his sister practised the piano. He sat down in his chair just as Lucille finished her last note.
„So how's the detective?” she asked.
„We drank all the tea. He used a lot of sugar,” Thomas lied to protect Sherlock.
„That's good,” she replied ominously and began to play another piece.