31
“Watson, the game is
a-foot.” Holmes called out to his companion. “Get your pants on quick.”
“Hold your horses, Holmes. I
am still seated here.” Doctor Watson knew his preference for the roast beef was
always there, but that cook dish was not done well. It was not Mrs. Hudson’
fault for he had it some streets away at lunch. He was thankful for the privy
at the unit.
“Roast Beef for lunch? I
doubt that will be appetizing at all.” Holmes had commented.
“Well, it is my body and
roast beef is my favourite anytime.” Doctor Watson took a slice of the meat
cooked rare on his order. “Roast beef is a characteristic national dish
of England and holds cultural meaning for the English dating back to
the 1731 ballad "The Roast Beef of Old England". The dish is so
synonymous with England and its cooking methods from the 18th century that a
French nickname for the English is "les Rosbifs".”
Extract from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roast_beef#:~:text=Roast%20beef%20is%20a%20characteristic,English%20is%20%22les%20Rosbifs%22.)
“I am aware of that but do
you know that Regardless of the chemical state of myoglobin (OMb, DMb, MMb),
when the beef is cooked, a hemichrome (denatured globin and oxidized heme
iron) pigment is formed that is tan in colour. If the globin is fully denatured,
the hemichrome cannot change back to a red pigment.” Holmes added.
“Chemistry will tell you that.”
(Extract from
https://www.beefresearch.org/resources/product-quality/fact-sheets/color-changes-in-cooked-beef#:~:text=Regardless%20of%20the%20chemical%20state,back%20to%20a%20red%20pigment.)
“Stuff it, Holmes. Let me
enjoy my roast beef.” Doctor Watson took offence to the preferred condition of
his beef.
“I am stuffing it. They
serve the best Cornish Pies here; a mixture of well-seasoned steak,
onions, potatoes and swede, not rutabaga/yellow turnip if you are in the other
continent.” Holmes picked at the tender pieces of beef. “Well cooked.”
“I wondered what had
happened to our guest, Mary Reid.” Holmes looked up from his meal. “She had not
been heard for over twelve hours.”
“Twelve hours, Holmes. Not
twelve days from Christman. Why do you even care? You said so yourself that you
hold no affection for her. And for the wise, you never did for anyone.” Doctor
Watson was upset and found his lunch was not as desirable. “Your words if I
could recalled on women were ‘Women are never to be entirely trusted, —not the
best of them.”
“I did say I am not affected
by her feminine qualities but nevertheless with her status known, I do concern
on her well-being. Are you not? You are more familiar with the anecdotes of
loving someone.”
“Stuff it, Holmes.” That was
their last conversation bit and soon back at the unit, Doctor Watson asked Mrs.
Hudson for the cup of bitter tea.
“I got an after taste from
lunch.” That was before he rushed to the privy. He had returned to his bedroom.
“Well, hurry up, Watson. A
delay may result in another life decayed.” Holmes stood there with his ulster
coat on and hat in his hands. He was tapping his feet impatiently.
“I am coming but let me get
a change of pants.” Doctor Watson exited from the bedroom.
“By golly, do send that pair
of soiled pants to the laundry. We cannot have the unit contaminated.” Holmes
snapped out in jest, but the Doctor was into his other pants. He also grabbed
his Webley pistol; hoping it might misfire at Holmes for bloody good reason.
Soon at the crime scene,
Holmes was met by his brother, Mycroft. He was not in his cynical self but a
look of concern.
“This the home of Doctor
Henry Jekyll. He is not here.” Mycroft indicated to the six victims there.
“They are not mine, but from the Naval Intelligence. Three were sliced, and one
with the spine and neck broken, and one had his neck bitten.”
“I saw one body outside on
the pavement.” Doctor Watson cut in.
“Yes, he was thrown out
according to witnesses.” The witnesses were Mycroft’s men.
“Where is Doctor Jekyll?”
Doctor Watson asked.
“We do not know. The place
was a mess when we attended. His guest, Count Vlad Tepes is also missing.”
“Count Vlad? He is also
called …...” Doctor Watson was to say the name when another group of men
arrived. The leader of the new group approached Mycroft.
“Commander Bane. Jameson
Bane. I have the authorisation of the Admiral to administrate the scene. We
will do the needed and your team is to leave immediately.” The Commander handed
over the letter of authorization. Mycroft peruse it and then called for his men
to leave.
“We are leaving, men. Leave
it to the swabbies here. They are cleaning the deck.” Swabbies is
the nickname for Navy sailors, derived from the act of swabbing the decks
or cleaning duties aboard ships.
Mycroft offered to ride back
with Holmes and Watson back to Baker Street. Once they are back at the unit, he
briefed the two on the role of Doctor Jekyll and the Count.
“Most intriguing.” Holmes
remarked out. “I would …... I reckoned the Government had taken a licking to
their wounds of the losses of the battles but the super warrior is a fallacy at
best.”
“Super warrior or enhanced
soldier is indeed a fallacy. Every nation wants to develop that army, but it is
like asking for rain in the desert.” Doctor Watson sighed. “It is like most men
never satisfied with what they hold between their legs.”
“Watson, it does rain the
desert maybe smaller than other places.” Mycroft cut in.
“I am aware, just we wished
we were bigger.” Doctor Watson weighed in his ego remarks.
Well, the case of the
missing doctor must be investigated.” Holmes was into his works then. “Can you
explain the involvement of the naval here?”
“I ……” Mycroft hesitated. He
was bound by his service oath, and that of justice. The fine line there was
crossed many times, and it ate at his conscience most times.
“I will tell but it stays
withing these walls.” Mycroft sighed. “Can I have a drink please?”
“Sure, Mycroft.” It was Mrs.
Hudson who appeared with the tray of tea, and scones. She also added in a wine
glass with claret.
“A glass for you, Mycroft.
It will help your nerves.”
“Bloody well it will
suffice. Do stay Mrs. Hudson. You can hear this and be of some assistance with
your expertise.” Mycroft took the glass.
“I do hold my best expertise
with …… men of valour.” Mrs Hudson smiled. “And menacing ones too.”
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