Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 41

 

41                Coincidence 

 

Madame De Palmae handed the group into a private room, which was lavishly furnished to resemble a mini library with the shelves of books and fireplace, and then comfortable armchairs. She had the kitchen served the pastries on the triple tiered serving tray.

“The top tier is the Belem pastries; served in Lisbon, but we do have the baking skills here. The second tier is the patisserie by our own French bakers; the Macarons, and Madeline. The bottom tier is the Highlands choices, the Dundee Cakes, the 'Cranachan'; layered with whipped cream, raspberries, honey, and toasted oatmeal, Cranachan is Scotland in a dessert glass.”

“Here at my establishment, we are third behind the Petit Trianon.” The madame smiled. Her heavily caked could still beamed a smile without cracking there.

“Any scones?” Mycroft asked of her. “I liked a set please.”

“Scones? Mign God!” (Translated form Dutch; Oh my gosh.). The madame stormed off, but just before the door was closed, another lady popped her head in.

“I got scones. Huge ones too. A pair of them.” The lady displayed her bosom to Mycroft. “Best in Dover, and now here.

Mycroft was red with embarrassment. He regretted stepping in but Holmes insisted. He had to admit the furnishing there was much better than his own club.

“Watson, do they use the library here?” Mycroft asked.

“Peculiarity requires the right décor and atmosphere.” Watson replied.

That statement caused Mycroft to move his butt forward to sit on the front of the armchair. He wondered what the stains were there from.

They were later joined by the younger couple; Mary and Jon. She had changed into her own shirt and Jon wore the one she did.

“I do not have any other shirt.” Jon apologies.

“Your shirt is missing a button at the midriff.” Holmes commented from his observation. That placed the others to smile.

Mycroft had then frowned on his expression and his thoughts were lewd to be told here.

“We came by to see to the lady.” Holmes finesse to be discreet was wonderfully missing.

“We had stopped outside, and there was a gunshot which bolted the horse which pulled the coach.”

“It was me. I shot to scare the horse. I saw the man placing the explosive at the rear of the coach.” Mary interjected.

“I did not expect the horse to bolt so far. Are you okay?”

“We are.” Doctor Watson smiled. “Some bruises but we will be fine.”

“Why are you here, Mary?” Holmes asked. The lady hesitated and looked towards Jon. The latter nodded and she spoke of the gunfight at her previous abode and was brought there by Colonel Moran.

“Colonel Sebastian Moran?” Mycroft asked.

“Yes, he is a friend of my uncle; Professor Moriarty. I am related to the doctor from my mother side.”

“I know the doctor. He is a good friend. He cares for Mary.” Jon Roxton spoke for the lady.

“Professor Moriarty is …….” Doctor Watson was hushed by Holmes.

“I hardly know him but his reputation may be to Watson. They are both doctors.”

“Uncle is a mathematician.” Mary smiled. “He does not like the sight of blood.”

“Obviously…… I meant to say as an academician, he may not be used to blood. He may need or used a proxy for it.” Mycroft was subtle in his words.

“Do you know who wants to …… hit on you?” Holmes asked.

“I will answer that.” It was Colonel Moran who stepped into the library.

“Mary, please let me handle the guests.” Mycroft jumped to his feet and realised he was unarmed. He left his gun at the club.

“Sit down, Mycroft. I am not here to shoot you.” The Colonel looked at Holmes. “Nor you.”

“Colonel, I want to stay.” Mary insisted. “I need to know what is happening here.”

“Colonel, I believed Mary have the right to know.” Holmes looked at the man who once attempted to take his life. “I am sure it will be for all our interest.”

“Very well. I will remain standing here for obvious reasons.” Colonel Moran looked at Mycroft. “Sit down, Mycroft.”

“Whoever is attempting on Mary are mercenaries hired by the Syndicate.” The Colonel looked at Holmes and then to Mycroft. “We got the words on the contract issued.”

“I am sure you knew. But the question to all of us was why? Why Mary? She is only a guest here.”

“Elementary, Colonel. She may know something we are not of.” Holmes looked at Mary.

“I …… I do not know.” Mary looked at Jon.

“Mary, at this juncture for us to protect you and maybe get the real killers in, we need to be honest.” Holmes said. “Jon cannot do it without us. The Syndicate are very powerful.”

“Okay, I will tell. I am here to hunt the Lord of the Vampires, Count Dracula. It was told to me that he is here, and residing with one doctor named Jekyll.” Mary admitted her reason. “I had contacted my uncle and told me of my call. Vampires killed my aunt and her family. I have been hunting them for years.”

“And ……” Holmes pressed on.

“I am curious on the recent murders for signs of any vampire attacks but there were none. The organs ….”

“There are no vampires here.” Holmes attested to the fact. “The organs were removed for another purpose. Possibly for organs transplant although it was never recorded or practiced in the medical circle but we cannot discount the illegal works on it.”

“You may be influenced by the works of Frankenstein.” Colonel Moran smiled. “If organs were possible, then many servicemen would have been saved. Am I not right, Doctor Watson?”

The good doctor could only nod his head.

“Conclusively, it is not done officially but what is possible can be by illegal means. The Government have been advocating for the Super Warrior serum.” Holmes said it out.

“Holmes, you are threading on some fine lines here.” Mycroft cautioned the other.

“I have seen it. I was with Challenger and we saw that. He took some of contents of it back here.”

“Elixir of life then.” Holmes moved the definition. “Every living creature wants to continue living, if not for the final call by death, they will gladly give their souls.”

“Avant-garde, Holmes.” Colonel Moran smiled.

“Mary Shelly did it, and they termed her works as horrors.” Holmes looked at Mary. “Now we have to find the common ground of all of this.”

Holmes in turn looked at each of them.

“Let me write it down here.”

“Count Vlad, Doctor Jekyll, Mary Reid, Syndicate, and myself.” Holmes looked toward Mycroft. “That also includes you.”

“London Tower, Holmes.” Mycroft reminded the brother. It was a grim reminder.   

“Hmmm… and Mary Pleaste death too. They are all linked.” Holmes was into his thoughts. “And Professor Freud. You discussed Mary Pleaste with him.”

 “London Tower, Holmes.” Mycroft reminded the brother.

“Lovely view but chilly at night.” Holmes said.