Heroes Return VI: Book One London Chapter 28

 

28.

 

Mindy Kewala sat by herself in the chamber where she was kept locked in. The windows were blacked out, and she was unsure where she was kept. The door was unlocked, and Lieutenant Gavin McLeod walked in.

“Mindy, I…"

“Gavin, you may remain silent. I am not talking to you.”

“Mindy, please understand. I am on your side. I am trying to avoid any harm to you.” Lieutenant Gavin McLeod approached the lady.

“Stay away, Gavin. What we had is over now.”

“Mindy ……" Lieutenant Gavin McLeod stopped in his tracks. “I tried to warn you then. The… others were there and acted on their own.”

“They killed the Waziri warriors. The dead will be avenged. I know the Waziri warrior’s code. Nothing will be left undone till their vengeance is done.” Mindy looked away. “They will also kill me.”

“Which is why we need to protect you.” Lieutenant Gavin McLeod stood there in front of the lady. “They are … not locals. They are foreigners who are affiliated with ……"

“Does it matter, Gavin?” Mindy was upset. “My …… The Waziri will not let me go. I am dead if they ever catch hold of me.”

“Mindy, do not fear them. I am here.” Lieutenant Gavin McLeod reached out with his arms, but she rejected them.

“Go away, Gavin.”

“Mindy, do tell, where are the reports? You said half was given to Mycroft, and the other half?” Lieutenant Gavin McLeod moved the subject matter.

"I…… Why are you concerned about that? Are you…?" Mindy saw the man she loathed then.

“He is involved. Where are the other papers, Mindy?” Ian Masterson asked.

“I had it sent to my father. He was to safekeep it for me.” Mindy looked at the other man. “Go and ask him.”

“Do not be defiant, girl.” Ian Masterson took on the harsh tone. “I know your father too.”

“Ian, let her be.” Lieutenant Gavin McLeod stepped in.

“Stand down, soldier. I am handling matters here.” Ian Masterson reprimanded the other. “Mindy, be reasonable. I can deal with your father too, if need be.”

“As you are not working with me, I am forced to take action.” Ian Masterson pulled the revolver from his waist belt. Lieutenant Gavin McLeod stepped up to protect the lady, but Ian Masterson had his aim at the lieutenant. He shot the officer in the chest.

“You are the damned hero here, Gavin. I was not aiming at her but you. You have ceased to be a part of me.” Ian Masterson looked at the fallen figure. “I do not tolerate failures.”

“Ian, he is your son!” Mindy cried out.

“Step-son, girl. He did not get me inside him.” Ian Masterson looked at the lady. “Now, let me plan your trip home.”

Meanwhile, Sherlock was holding onto the violin without strumming the strings, seated in the armchair by the window. He was in deep thought while Doctor Watson was reading the sports section of the news and having his breakfast.

“Newton Heath playing the Rovers tomorrow. It will be a washout there.” Doctor Watson beamed with joy while reading. “I saw them at the Three Crowns when they have their change of kits. (Newton Heath LYR F.C. is the original name for Manchester United).

“Not a fan of football, huh?” Doctor Watson looked from his papers. “I should have known. You were a rower for the boats. Legs spread out and they will hobble the ball past you anytime.”

“I was a rower but not fancy enough to have two dozen men running around on the field looking to kick a ball.” Sherlock did not mince his words.

“I am wondering why the lady handed the… partial reports to Mycroft. Was it to tell us some clues?” Sherlock looked out of the window.

“Are you on your medicine? You are exposing yourself at the window. The last time, we had an arrow at you, and previously the gunshot then.” Doctor Watson looked at the other.

“Elementary, Watson. I am getting my share of sunshine, despite the heavy smog out there. One day soon, we will be relieved by the shade of it, but for now, let me get my body to regain its shine.”

“Try a cold turkey treatment, and you will look better.” Doctor Watson looked back at his papers.

“I got it!” Sherlock sat up. “The lady was telling us that the mining reports are the link and giving us partial ones, holding up one option; the affected party will look for it. They may have Ms. Kewala in custody, but without the reports, she was of no use.”

“The question is who has the other half?” Sherlock looked at the doctor. “It is the other team, but which one? Once both teams get together, we will have the full reports.”

“Tell me, Watson. Who will benefit from the reports?” Sherlock raised the query. “The Demons? Or the Treasury? It is grand wealth there.”

“Or the land owners of the land?” Doctor Watson spoke up. “The games are played at the North Road stands because the Newton Heath LYR F.C. holds the rights to it. It can seat twelve thousand. It is an ideal place for the supporters to congregate…"

“Congo, it is," Sherlock cried out. “The other report could be there.”

“You are right on there.” Nayland Smith stepped in to the unit. He was with Mycroft.

“Blimey me. What, or rather, why are you here so early?” Doctor Watson looked up from the papers at the two arrivals. "And… godly hours it seems.”

“I met Mycroft downstairs, and we step up together.” Nayland Smith sat himself at the breakfast spread. “I am famished.”

While Nayland took delight in the spread, Mycroft took the next seat there.

“I met Nayland and hold some news for all.” Mycroft woofed down the bacon there on the plate.

“Let me speak first.” Nayland cut in. “I was at Millwall Dock. I was looking for some chaps who deal with dynamites. I saw one of them, Charlie…"

“Charles Darwin, or nicknamed Charlie Boom," Sherlock cut in. “He is a dealer in explosives. Knew of him from my reports.”

“Yes, Charlie Darwin. He hung out at the docks where the explosives are delivered." Nayland continued. “I had him cornered, and he confessed to the explosives. He sold it to one named Kataka Sukimora, but the description fitted more to Ito Matsuke.”

“I went there later and found that Ian Masterson is involved… deeply, and all this leads to Africa. More specific is the Congo.” What Nayland Smith did not relate was the actual events there.

“Welcome, Nayland.” The old man stepped from the dark to greet the man he once detested but soon accepted as his daughter’s lover. Nayland had sneaked into the warehouse, but he was seen. The old man then appeared to meet him.

“Fu Manchu, Emperor, we meet once more.” Nayland approached the old man. Two burly men appeared from behind the old man.

“Before you, I am no emperor. I am just the old man who wants to talk.” Fu Manchu smiled, his thin mustache spread out like young sprouts.

“And no need to be rash, Nayland. We are… related. There is more honor than just being friends.” The old man smiled and gestured to his guards to step aside.

“Fu Manchu, leave Lo Shue out. She is…"

“I meant no harm to my… errant daughter. Or to her lover. I was told you were coming to the docks.” Fu Manchu shifted to the subject matter.

“Your informants are better than I thought.” Nayland stopped in his tracks.

“Keep your enemies at bay, but never lose sight of their movements.” Fu Manchu approached Nayland Smith. “And the man you are looking for is with me. His name is Charles Darwin, or Charlie Boom to his associates. He had confessed to the explosives sold to one named Sukimora, but the description fit another named Ito Matsuke. We all look alike to them, but we know our own better.”

“I am impressed. In China, I would have smiled, but here in London, it is an amazement that you hold a network equally as good.” Nayland Smith praised the old man.

“I guess old habits stay with me.” The old man smiled. “One day, your child will inherit it. Anyway, the man who bought the explosives was familiar with it and had used it on several occasions.”

“How deep do you know of the Yomi Demons?” Nayland Smith shifted the focus.

“Deeper than you may think. They are here, and……. We had some dealings with them, but we shared a common dislike for each other. Nevertheless, we are mutual in our trades.” The old man replied. “Since you asked me about them. They conflict with Sherlock Holmes.”

Nayland Smith remained silent.

“You knew that. There are words that they are involved with some mining rights in the Congo, but I am not keen. They have an adviser that you may know: Ian Masterson. He is the viper in the pit here.”

“I know Ian Masterson.” Nayland Smith looked at the older man.

“A shrewd operative who played with many sides, yet he swore allegiance to none. However, he is their adviser. And… loosely allied with one named Moriarty.”

“The circle is getting smaller. I have now heard of Ian Masterson, yourself, and …. Moriarty.” Nayland Smith stepped to the right and watched the stacks of containers there, trying to get a glimpse of the ones watching him.

“I am not involved, Nayland Smith. That is why I meet you here.” Fu Manchu smiled once more. “The events here are not of my doing. I do not want to offend my family ties. Follow Ian Masterson; take the Trojan from Liverpool tomorrow. I have booked your passage there. It will get you to Africa. You may get to solve the case.”

“Madness!” Nayland looked at the older man.

“Madness prevails in us." The elder man smiled. “You included it because you took the… desire to wed my daughter. Wonderful, how love does us madness?” 

“Are you…" Nayland saw the older man had turned his back and was walking away. It meant the audience granted was over. He will not know if the older man accepted his relationship with the daughter.

“Nayland, are you sober?” Mycroft shook the man out of his thoughts.

“Yes, I am. I met Fu Manchu.” Nayland lowered his head.

“Yes, we do get that feeling when we meet the in-laws.” Mycroft smiled. “However, I am not privileged to that.”

“The old man is right. Africa is the spot to resolve the case.” Sherlock beamed out.

“I got the booking on the Trojan tomorrow in late afternoon.” Nayland said.