The Autobiography of Mycroft Holmes

Chapter 31: Traitors in the Palace

My first few days working for the government were actually the busiest ones that I could think of. I spent weeks memorizing information and building the bank of information that would become my new mind, and during this time I also realized that I was perfectly suited for the job which I had been given. I enjoyed it more than I'd ever enjoyed any other jobs, and it was surprisingly relaxing to have control over my mind.

The branch of the government that I worked for was technically Security Services, and I found that my coworkers were all relatively solitary like I was. It did not hurt that the vast majority of my coworkers, and even some of my superiors, were all junior-level members of the Diogenes Club.

During the five years that I was without Sherlock or Mrs. Hudson or Lestrade or Mike Stamford or anyone else from my old life, I took the opportunity to do what I had waited years to do; live independently, live happily, and realize the purpose for my intelligence and skill set. I took part in many secret governmental endeavors, a few of which I can outline here.

One involved a terror attack that was thwarted based on information that I had kept in my mind and used to help advise the Prime Minister. It was a matter of top security and secrecy, and only a person of my position in the government with the knowledge I had been trusted with could have come up with a solution to the problem presented.

Another incident involved a breach in the government's computer systems that largely affected those of Security Services. Without my assistance and the information that I kept in my mind for a situation just like this one, the breach in security could have resulted in a large loss of information and serious strategy flaw regarding a war that Britain was involved in.

I was offered a knighthood on more than a few occasions, but like all the others, it was turned down every time. For a person in a secretive position such as mine, it would not have been a wise idea to draw attention to myself with that sort of thing. It was not worth it to compromise the safety of the English Government and England itself so that I could be recognized.

Just as well, I was later offered one honor that I did not want to pass up. I was offered to be a counsel for the Justice System of England. With my law degrees, I felt I could have been of much good use to the government in a position like that. So I did not turn down absolutely everything that came my way.

I did not think often on my past experiences at Baker Street with Sherlock Holmes. I had assumed that she moved on as I did, and that she would continue on with her life as though our partnership had never happened, just as I did.

Of course, there was speculation. Why was I living in the Diogenes Club but Tom was not? What had happened; where was my real home? I told few people, these people being some of the few that I myself brought into the Silent Society. Tom was used to lying about my life, and even he knew very little.

With a few minor changes in lifestyle, it was beginning to become just like before. But with a few major people missing. I did not talk to Lestrade at Scotland Yard anymore, however unlike my sister she actually did try to contact me at the Diogenes.

Gina Lestrade called me on one occasion, one year after I had left Baker Street. I could deduce that she did not inquire concerning my whereabouts until Sherlock mentioned it herself. But even then, I do not think Sherlock even told her I was at the Diogenes. No, when Lestrade called me that day, it was evident that she tried to track me down without Sherlock's help.

I remember that afternoon well; it was one that will be engrained in my mind for the rest of my life.

Lestrade didn't actually call me, personally. She called the Diogenes Club general phone number, and the doorman answered from the Strangers' Room. I heard the following exchange from my office, located directly above where it took place. Talking was allowed in the upstairs rooms, ever since I had begun using them as my residence, and also on the Club phones. Not on mobile phones, just on the Club's landline phones. I had to allow that; this was a new modern Diogenes.

"Hello?"

"Yes, my name is Gina Lestrade. I am inquiring about a Ms. Mycroft Holmes. Do you happen to know if she is in the Club today?"

"Yes, she is. Would you like me to connect you with her?"

"That would be great, thank you."

I sighed heavily and picked up the receiver. "This is the Senior Mycroft Holmes," I stated formally.

"Mycroft? It's Lestrade! How are you?"

"Good, how are you?" I asked.

"Good. I wanted to call you to tell you that the trial is over. Professor Moriarty's off on all his charges, except five years of parole."

"What?" I asked, standing up. "That is not nearly enough time!"

"Now, don't overreact; he had very good lawyers defending him-"

Lestrade was beginning to say nervously before I cut her off.

"Good lawyers?! He killed nearly a dozen people, Gina! How is that even possible?"

"Mycroft, he was only found guilty of one count of accidental manslaughter and two more counts of blackmail. And blackmail isn't even really a crime, you know..."

"What happened to the officers? And the girl Moran?"

"It was found that all of them committed treason in the end, not just the ones that turned themselves in."

"I asked you to describe to me the fate of Ms. Moran."

"Missing. They can't find her. She escaped from the hospital the night before her stay was to end and she was to be put in custody."

"Oh, God. What a nightmare. And what of you?"

"Me? Oh, I'm fine. How are you? You seem a bit distraught."

"Call me if you find out anything else about the case. But I may say only one thing about it: it was not handled properly. Not at all." And I hung up the phone, muttering afterwards, You Are A Traitor, Gina Lestrade.

I walked downstairs, and noticed that everyone in the sanctorium was staring at me. Mine must have been the only loud voice in the entire building; how could they not be staring at me? Luckily, I had allowed talking in the upstairs quarters since I was living there. If not, I would have been escorted out of the Club by the people that I was chosen to be a Senior for.

When I entered the sanctorium and took my seat, which was still located in the same place it always had been, Tom was sitting in his own chair. He was staring up at me with his mouth hanging open. Tom looked around to make sure no one was watching, and then he motioned for me to join him in the Strangers' Room.

When we arrived, he began questioning me almost immediately. And I wasn't too surprised about this, either. You might have been able to hear that last conversation I had with Lestrade from halfway down Pall Mall if you'd wanted to.

"What was that all about?" Tom asked me.

"Ah, you know. The usual. People not going to jail for as long as they should, traitors in the palace... Nothing too exciting..."

"Do you want to go out on a date with me tonight?" Tom asked me very suddenly. I was dumbfounded for a second.

*Well, that was very short. I wanted to give you guys a break from reading all these ridiculously long chapters like the ones from the beginning... Since i have so many deleted scenes and POV clips and things like that I was thinking of maybe doing a collection of them that I can upload a little while after I finish this. Thoughts? Let me know! :) I'll upload more tomorrow and I promise I won't do another triple upload again until the end of the week!*