Promises Kept, Promises Broken
Part 5
by Mary Christmas (unicorn_76010 at lycos.com)
2/28/03
Disclaimer: I do not own Dr. Pepper...tee hee...just
thought I’d throw that in there. And Dublin refers to Dublin, TX,
if any of you get confused....
Chapter Five
The rain hit the roof of the barn with staccato beats,
matching the rhythm of Lestrade’s own heartbeat and Holmes’.
Realizing she still had her hand on his chest, she snatched it back
and folded her arms. It wasn’t that she was embarrassed, not really,
but after what Colin had just got through saying, she was a bit...
self-conscious. Yes, that was the word. It was too bad she couldn’t
see his expression due to the low brim of his hat, although there
probably wouldn’t be anything worth seeing. She shook her head
mentally as he began speaking.
"Actually, I was called here because of the recent rash of
odd thefts. Sheriff Johnson seemed to think that I was needed for
consultation, as most of them have been happening in and around this
county."
"You mean," she began slowly, carefully putting forth her
thoughts, "that it is Moriarty and not just some kind of coincidence?"
Holmes shook his head impatiently. "I mean no such thing.
While it could have been Moriarty, the evidence is very slight and
only circumstantial. There is also the fact that they have only
occurred within this state, as well as the fact that the items are
completely inconsequential. Several thousand cases of construction
paper -- that, may I remind you, is almost never used outside this
country, costume jewelry, and the entire stock of Dr. Peppers from
the old bottling company in Dublin -- which is not far from here, I
believe -- among other non-technological items, cannot be used -— as
far as I have been able to determine -- for making weapons of any
sort."
"Well," Lestrade said, "then who or what is behind this, and
why? And why are you so interested if it isn’t Moriarty?" She still
had her arms crossed and was frowning, deep in thought. Why would
anyone want all that stuff? She hadn’t heard before what it was that
had been stolen, only that it hadn’t been anything normal. It did
explain why none of the official channels had any information. It
would be rather embarrassing for them.
"I did not say that it was not Moriarty," Holmes stated
evenly, "only that the evidence the sheriff contacted me about is
highly circumstantial. And I am still here because this case
intrigues me. Now," he made as if to walk out the door, obviously
having said what he was going to say and no more, "if you will excuse
me, Lestrade...."
"I don’t think so, buster," Lestrade growled out, "I just so
happen to be intrigued too, and since Watson obviously isn’t here
anymore...I’m gonna help." She smiled when he stopped and looked at
her, though she still wished she could see his expression.
"I was hoping you would say that. It makes things much easier
knowing that you are willingly helping." Holmes tipped his hat and
nodded towards the door. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, ma’am," he once
again reverted to the thick accent, "I got some washin’ up to do
afore dinner."
Lestrade stood staring at him a moment, anger and amusement
warring with each other. So, he had known the entire time that she
was here, and this had all been a ploy to get her to help him of her
own free will. Deciding that amusement would probably be the least
stressful -— especially considering she still had dinner to get
through -— she laughed and shook her head. "One of these days,
Holmes, I’m going to get you, and get you good. She turned then, and
walked out, his rich laughter following her as she made her way down
the stairs.
Bleh, really short chapter but...I found the rest of this
on a floppy and it kind of doesn’t make any sense whatsoever so I’m
rewriting it from this chapter on...hopefully the next will be
longer.
TO BE CONTINUED
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