Always & Forever (Sherlock Holmes)

1

I unlock the door and absolutely Devastated at the scene that lays infront of me. The room has been turned over and trashed. There are desks thrown around and books torn to pieces. It doesn't make any sense to me, why would anybody do this to a classroom unless the were looking for something. All my hard work into making this classroom homey and welcoming has been ruined.

"Oh my god" comes a voice from behind me. I turn around with tears welling in my eyes only to see Mrs Caroline. She is the helper I hired, I found her living on the streets begging for money just to feed her children.

I run a school for kids who's parents can't afford to send them to posh private schools or have no money to hire a governess. I charge very little for them to send their children here in hopes that one day these kids will change the world for the better. The money I do make goes into paying the bills and buying food, so there isn't usually much left to spend as I please. If I can't fix the mess or pull in enough money to restore everything I will have to shut down my school. I desperately wish to avoid shutting down, what about all the children and there education? What of their future?

"I know some people Emily, we could try and fix this mess up?" she stated but it sounded like more of a question. I was very much contemplating shutting down, what if it happens again? What if im in the middles of teaching a class and someone breaks in?

"Thank you Mrs Caroline, that would be very helpful" I said in a shakey voice.

****

Mrs Caroline was true to her word and did infact round up a few people to help clean up. One of the few people that were was infact a lord, he had offered to throw a ball for a fundraiser for the school. Im not usually a lady who like to dance, but if it meant it would give my school a fighting chance then I would suck it up and go. The date was set for the 20th of August. About 2 weeks from now. Lord Bewsbury had promoted that I make a speech at said ball. While I was sitting down at my desk scribbling on a piece or parchment, I noticed something in the corner of the desk, poking out from a drawer. Opening it up and I found there to be a beautiful ruby necklace. One which would be worth a fortune and one that I do not own nor had seen before. While picking it up to examine it, there was a knock at the door. Without looking up I shouted back a response. "Mrs Caroline I am a bit busy right now I dont have time to chat" There was no response at first, only the sound of the door opening. "Mrs Caroline you cannot barge into the ro..." I trail off from what I was saying and look up to not see Mrs Caroline, but a man. He had black curly hair and wore a suit. "I guess I should pass along that message to Mrs Caroline whenever I see her then" The man said with a light chuckle. He quietly closed the door behind him and continued his was into the room.

" forgive my sudden appearance Mrs..." He trailed off for me to give him my name. "Not a Mrs just a miss and its Emily, and who in gods name might you be?" I ask a little agitated by his presence. "My apologies Emily, where are my manners. My name is Sherlock Holmes and I have received word of a robbery down the street from a jewlers. If I may, I'd like to ask a few questions" Sherlock said as more of a statement then a question. I raised a eyebrow at his demand. "Well get on with it then" I replied with a sigh. "A few very expensive pieces of jewelry was stolen and their tracks lead me right to this building, any idea who this might have happened?" And then it clicked. The robber must have broken in to stash the necklace I had found. But Sherlock said a few pieces did he not? Not just a necklace. "A few nights ago my school was turned upside down and everything was thrown about. I have no clue why so don't even ask. However I did for some reason find this stashed in my desk drawer" I replied holding up the necklace.

He stepped forward carefully so he might examine it more. He looked lost in his thoughts. "You say the room was trashed?" He asked still not looking up from the necklace. "Yes, but I have no clue how they got in. The door and windows were locked and yet none of them were damaged" I calmly say. "How peculiar" He mumbles under his breath. He turns away from the necklace and looks down at me "and who has access to this room? To come in and go out as they please?" Now that was something I hadn't thought of.

"Mrs Caroline does, but the way this room was thrown about i highly doubt it was her. All the desks were thrown and she struggles to even move them" I state. "Is it possible she had help? Or told someone how to get in?" Again the thought had never cross my mind. I had never thought capable of such things, but you do get hurt by people you least expect it from. "If it was her, how do you plan of finding proof? Surly you do not mean to just confront her?" He raised his eyebrows in response. "Of course not Emily, but how would you suppose I uncover this?" There was a few moment of silence before I had an idea. "There will be a fundraiser held by Lord Bewsbury on the 20th, perhaps you would be able to corner her there" I suggest. " hmm maybe, but for that to work I need to get close to her, and I need a invitation to attend" he had a point he did need an invitation and Mrs Caroline would surely not just talk to him. "Well you could be my escort, she will see you with me and will hold a conversation. It may as well be the only way she'll talk, she isn't one for conversations with unknown people"

"I guess I shall pick you up from here when time comes, good day miss Emily" Sherlock politely smiled and walked back out the door. Oh lord what have I gotten myself into now?