CHISLEHURST MURDERS PART 34

HOLMES SHERLOCK MURDERS The carriage sped on towards London whilst Holmes allowed himself a meditation snooze being far too excited to sleep had he heard correctly. He pondered. He held the key of immortality in his hand. Stuff and nonsense of course. But who would want it certainly not He. This torturous drudge of a life had to end. One couldn't imagine living forever unless it was Heaven. The dagger must e hidden but first he would dust it for fingerprints to compare with his vast catalogue which he'd collected over the years. They reached baker street and was greeted by the worried and waving housekeeper Her appearance was distraught as he stepped out to approach her. Mr Holmes some men pushed past me. She cried. They're still upstairs. He hurried up and caught them still ransacking his room. There was broken glass and papers everywhere. Halt. He commanded. They looked like common street urchins youngsters wearing ragged clothes. Two of them wide eyed and terrified having been caught in the act. One of them having a very shifty looking face tried to flee barging past Holmes with a stack of paperwork in his grubby fisted hands.Your going know where boy. Boomed Holmes with a strict headmaster voice that made the lad tremble. He grabbed him by the ear until the boy yelled with pain. The other boy dared not move for fear of the same. Holmes closed the door. Now sit down. He ordered. We shall be civilized and have some tea. Then you can tell me who sent you.

CHISLEHURST MURDERS PART 33

HOLMES SHERLOCK MURDERS Sherlock calculated what the odds were of escaping with their lives if He were to give the dagger, zero. The coachmen both had shotguns and were more than ready to use them. Keeping aim they stood up having the height as an advantage. Hand the dagger over Sherlock. Shouted one of the fake highwaymen. And we'll let you live. He advanced at a speed for which Holmes was not prepared opening the carriage door and grabbing Holmes by the throat with a vicious grip. His hands were enormous almost throttling him until he had no option other than to plunge the dagger into the man's innards. He felt the heat of his blood soaking into his clothing and felt a little repulsed. Retrieving the dagger was worse as the blood flowed freely. He shoved the body out into the cold light of day and it slumped lifeless. Holmes tapped the roof and they began to shoot at the crowd who didn't know what to do now their commander was dead. They dithered and backed off. as Holmes carriage began to move off. He's done the last kill Jim. Said one of the highwaymen removing his mask revealing quite an elderly man. It's too late now our heads will be on the chopping board when the master finds out.

CHISLEHURST MURDERS PART 32

HOLMES SHERLOCK MURDERS Sherlock arose from his chair sharply looking down at the doctor who had quite clearly been slipped some semi noxious cocktail. He rarely felt fear only apprehension and a deepening curiosity. He had drank from the same decanter. The hairs on his neck were standing up as though someone was hiding in the gloomy corners of the dark room watching him. The building was creaking and groaning so much now because of the hail and wind picking up speed that he could not hear the carriages outside at first until the clopping of the horses hooves alerted him and he dashed to the window. At last. He uttered waving to the farmers boys relieved. The dagger would have to be hidden to stop furthur murders and always to stop anyone from having immortality. Not that he believed in magic. It's all stuff and nonsense. He thought with a wry smile whilst waving briefly to the coachmen. I'll be down in five minutes. He told them. Raising his voice to be heard. Maria slept soundly in a dreamless sleep which had been a welcome relief to the trying day. She would be safe now thought Holmes looking in on her. So will Watson. He wondered how many more lives the dagger would need. Someone was keeping a score that was for certain and he fully intended to find out whom it was. As he set off for London with the dagger firmly held in a tight grip dashing at speed only to be stopped further down the icy mud road by a fallen tree where to his horror a group of men in dark clothing, caped and masked like highwaymen began approaching slowly at first creeping with pistols in hands from behind trees in the overgrown woodland. Then faster until they were surrounded and outnumbered. Holmes took in a sharp intake of the fresh, cold morning air. He actually felt like laughing. He knew who they were immediately. Driver. He said it seems the police have arrived.

CHISLEHURST MURDERS PART 31

HOLMES SHERLOCK MURDERS There was a creaking of floorboards from outside the bedroom which made Watson turn. It's just the wind John don't worry. Said Holmes now leaning back in his comfortable chair taking a nap. Watson felt reasurred . The man was always on full alert even whilst sleeping. He really was almost super human the way he managed to always keep composure and poise no matter how difficult the circumstances were. It was truly admirable. I say Holmes why are the police taking so long to get here. Are they in on it do you think? Of course my dear Watson aren't they always? He replied humourlessly. The sky was becoming red as dawn approached sending a beautiful tranquil light into the room quite hard to believe, thought Watson as his eyes closed and he relaxed, that it must be going to rain. And he fell into a deep slumber quite unaware that he had been drugged. The glass slipped through his fingers as he fell back heavily into his chair.

CHISLEHURST MURDERS PART 30

HOLMES SHERLOCK MURDERS Good grief it's the dagger. Exclaimed Watson with a sharp intake of breathe. Maria shivered. He offered her brandy. Take that dear girl it'll warm your bones. She smiled gently taking the glass in her still shaky hands. So is it the imps causing the murders Holmes? Has our dear Maria solved the great mystery? Holmes raised a brow. Hardly John. I fear that the root cause of these murders lays heavily in higher society. Possibly Westminster. He waited until Maria had gone out of the room to continue. Not wishing to offend her in any way. The imps have little real intelligence and it certainly wasn't them who tried to kill me. They're a backward breed. This dagger needs a thousand deathly cuts to attain power. How could they possibly know that when none of them can read let alone have access to the well guarded secret. Surely it's all hocus pocus nonsense. Said Watson. Maybe so John but someone in authority believes and is responsible for many deaths. Whist we have the dagger there can be no more. Thankfully. But where did she get it from. The umps must have stolen it. They're scavengers. We shall sit tight and wait for the real perpetrators of these dreadful crimes to come to us. Really Holmes. Must we I feel like a sitting duck. What if they don't know we have it.? Watson I promise you that they do know. You may not have noticed but we have been under surveillance since we arrived. What's so special about this blooming thing anyway? Holmes brushed his long fingers over the emeralds and rubies that encrusted the solid gold handle. They believe it to give immortality after the one thousandth kill my dear Watson. It's extremely important to someone. They will come. And soon so let us sit tight.

CHISLEHURST MURDERS PART 29

HOLMES SHERLOCK MURDERS Utter nonsense Holmes I can't allow myself to believe it. She wouldn't surely, couldn't not her. People will do anything to survive John. The only difference between us and the wild beasts is a full belly. Holmes searched for his pipe. The scent of perfumed tobacco and opium filled the now dawn lit room as smoke filled the air intoxifying it's creator. Go easy on that stuff Sherlock. Not good for you you know. Don't worry John it's purely for the pain. Good. Don't mean to nag but I am your Doctor. Yes yes. He nodded and at that moment there was a knock at the door. It was Maria looking a little worse for wear. Her clothes bedraggled and torn. Her hair all dirty and she was soaked through to the skin. Watson rushed to get a blanket around her which she accepted gratefully. She had a large leather pouch which she placed on holmes desk. You have been so kind to me that I thought maybe I could help you. Holmes opened the bag shaking off the rainwater from his hands. He let out a slight gasp of astonishment. My goodness Maria you have surpassed my expectations of you and I shall be eternally grateful. What is it Holmes? Asked Watson impatiently leaning forward.

CHISLEHURST MURDERS PART 28

HOLMES SHERLOCK MURDERS I do hope your just being sarcastic Holmes. Clan leader indeed ha ha. What is this thing that she's gone to fetch? All in good time John I have my suspicions but I don't want to divulge it's really not my place to. It's a rather personal matter that for once is none of my business or yours. Said Sherlock raising his brow his gaze steady and piercing. Really? Now I'm more intrigued. You blasted poker faced tease. Said Watson nervously. He really liked Maria possibly loved her. His nerves hadn't felt this much on tenterhooks in years, decades in fact. The booze settled him somewhat. Sherlock continued his journal. What are you writing Holmes? It's a study of the caves and the dwellers therein. Do you know these clan people go back to the bronze age. I believe them to be a remnant of early man. Long forgotten by society and insular to say the least, possibly cannabalistic which would have been essential for their survival as England's countryside has little food in winter. I'm afraid dear Watson that Maria may have partaken of the flesh,so to speak.

CHISLEHURST MURDERS PART 27

HOLMES SHERLOCK MURDERS A scream rang out in the early hours of the morning whilst it was yet still dark waking Watson from his deep and satisfying slumber. Forcing himself to get out of the warm and cosy bed to go to the window. Seeing nothing He went to Sherlock`s room, entering without knocking and was surprised to see Him still up writing his journal. Did you hear it? The scream! Probably a Fox, said Sherlock without looking up. Have you checked on Maria? No she's in her room I'm sure it came from outside. Go and check. She wasn't in her room it was empty and the fine silk curtains ruffled and swayed from the cold breeze that blew through the open window. They've taken her Holmes. Panic began to arise shaking his voice just a little. Have they indeed my Dear Watson, or has she climbed out the window of her own accord. I fear that this young woman has an agenda and is not whom she seems. Watson became quite flustered. Holmes still did not look up from his work. Don't fret John. He said seeing his distress. When is a scream not a scream? What on Earth do you mean Sherlock? A scream is not a scream when it's a tribal cry. Holmes smiled knowingly and Watson breathed a sigh of relief for Holmes had never been wrong. But why has she gone back there? He asked reaching for the Brandy. Do you want one? He pored two shots anyway without awaiting an answer. The Crystal chinking delightfully now he knew she would be alright. Holmes put down his quill pen not an moonlit in sight he was so precise. It's elementary my Dear Watson, she has gone to collect something. Something very important. He took the glass offered him and leaned back into the plush soft leather chair to sip before uttering the shocking and quite disturbing news that Maria would automatically inherit pack leadership much to Watson's utter amazement. It secretly thrilled Holmes to give Watson a shock as it was not an easy task. He smiled, inwardly quite smug.

CHISLEHURST MURDERS PART 26

HOLMES SHERLOCK MURDERS She is so unlike her family it baffles me? I addressed Watson when we were alone. Maria had retired for the night after locking the door of her room securely. She looks nothing like them and She's tall and intelligent. Watson nodded a look of sympathy on his well rounded face. He puffed on his pipe before speaking. Indeed Holmes there is not one of that tribe that looks remotely akin. Apparently Her mother was kidnapped for a ransom that never appeared so they kept her, not wanting to kill a pretty girl one of the little chaps took her for a wife and a rather useful slave poor creature she died young. She had promised Maria that they would escape one day or someone would come looking for them but nobody ever did. Anyway. He sighed. She did escape and went to London finding a cousin who her mother had spoke of often. Such a sad thing Holmes, but she's as innocent as a child and no bitterness in her at all.

THE CHISLEHURST MURDERS PART 25

HOLMES SHERLOCK MURDERS The bartender dragged the wizened old skeleton like body out into the night, leaving it for the imps to take home. They swooped on it muttering words of hate and revenge. Effortlessly lifting it. They disappeared into the dark woods. Soon after a fire burned intensely and a strange mourning sound chattered on, slowly growing into a wailing which sounded more a ritual expectation rather than genuine outward pouring of loss. They all hate him. Said Maria watching my expression of a raised brow. All terrified of him there is no no love lost there. It's terribly draughty in here. She shivered. I quite admired her stiff upper lip because I could see the enormous pain in her eyes and wondered how she had managed to survive such an upbringing. She must have a good degree of wit and intellectual capacity I summised admiring her. We shall leave in the morning. I spoke softly. The police will be here soon so I'm sure we'll be safe for tonight. She nodded taking Watson's outstretched hand and going up to her room. I despite my tiredness could not possibly rest. My adrenalin was flowing now. I felt compelled to face the fearful night once more and had an excellent idea for disguise.

NEW SHERLOCK HOLMES PART 24 CHISLEHURST MURDERS

HOLMES SHERLOCK MURDERS All was silent Had I insulted the man I couldn't tell, But the pack of animals were holding their breathe that was quite certain. I was tired enough to be unable to deal with them now so I drew my revolver to save argument which was probably not a good idea as the revolting chap saw it as a challenge and leapt right across at me and the gun went off accidentally leaving him with a hole in his chest where I do believe his heart should have been. The crowd gasped before launching a full on attack. Thank God for Maria who stood up and launched a tirade of threats at them. Now get out. She shrieked in a voice that surprised me. I'll tell em all your dirty secrets I mean it. They retreated outside. Standing I let the dead chap who'd been laying almost on top of me slump to the floor. Maria had been sprayed with her ancestors blood spoiling her pretty coat, But her face stared down at the body with contempt and there was not a speck of pity in her eyes. Are you alright Dear? Asked Watson. She nodded We need to leave. She whispered imploring him with her eyes as though she were afraid not for herself but for Him.