To Death Shall Thy Part

Chapter 27 - Scrutiny on Doctor Luke

"He is Luke Rosenthal, the only son of Baron Rosenthal. He is a doctor at St. Mary's Hospital. Investigate him, find dirt on him, every piece of information, I want it all." Hendrix said in a disdainful manner as he looked toward the picture. After finding out about what happened from Lord Zachary, Hendrix was so angry that he almost went up to Durham just to kill the man himself.

"You seem very crossed about this matter sire. How did he offend you?" the man inquired after receiving the request.

"I just don't like him, that's all." Hendrix cut off the conversation. Seeing that Hendrix is reluctant to share, he stopped inquiring and also change the subject.

"Do you need it urgently? Or just the regular pace?" The Detective raised up his hand and called for a hostess to order food.

"Urgent!" Hendrix Replied.

"Do you want to eat, sire?" the Detective asks out of courtesy. Honestly, he expected for Hendrix to decline the invitation, but to his surprise, he agreed readily.

"Fish n' Chips for me, please!" Hendrix told them his order. The detective was shocked. He did not expect the sudden development.

In all honestly, Hendrix was not the least bit hungry, but before he could decline, he remembered the time when Catherine brought him Fish n' chips from a nearby bar after his recovery. Deciding on impulse, he accepted it and ordered ahead.

Looking at the hostess, the Detective finally stated his order after recovering from his shock. "I'll have fish n' chips too and a mug of Mullwort beer. Thanks." the hostess smiled and left along with their order.

"I wasn't expecting that. You would only shake your head whenever I asked you about food. Fish n' chips? Do you eat that kind of food? Isn't it only served in this kind of rowdy bar? Since when?" perhaps enlighten by Hendrix's responsive mood, the Detective asked further. And boy, he was not disappointed.

"My sister. She brought me Fish n' chips during my stay in the hospital." Hendrix answered in a laid-back manner. As if nothing worries him at all.

The hostess quickly came back with their food and bid goodbye after serving them. The detective gave Hendrix his share and they started chatting, topic after topic.

"So, the main reason you want to know about this man, is because of your sister? Do you not want your sister to fall in love and get married?" the detective, slightly intoxicated with the beer, asked.

"Love? Marriage? I wouldn't mind her getting married, but this Doctor Luke is quite suspicious. After hearing about him from Lord Zachary, I knew from there that he was a bastard through and through." Hendrix answered as he ate another chip.

"Wow! I never knew you were the loving brother sort of type. Thought you would leave her on a pedestal." the detective quickly retorted. Hendrix just snorted.

"What's the dirt on this Doctor Luke though?" with a sip of his beer, the detective asked again.

"I still haven't met him, though, but the way he was described, I don't plan on seeing him, unless it would be for the reason that I would kill the bastard." Hendrix did not mince his words and said his displeasure about the doctor.

"I never thought you would hold back, surely you would dirty your hands for revenge." the detective stated.

"A waste of resources, It would be too easy for him... and the fact that Catherine seems to value his talents and their friendship." Hendrix just shrugs.

"So you were really holding back because of Catherine. Tsk... tsk... what a shame." the detective snorted dispiritedly.

"Is that why you chose me for this assignment? And not the famous Sherlock Holmes? Don't get me wrong, I have been working for you for more than a decade, but some of your cases are pretty much inclined to what that famous detective does... so why not approach him though?" the detective asked, clearly drunk.

"I want this matter to be incognito. Besides, don't you want to become a famous detective like him? You can start now by looking for your own Dr. Watson." Hendrix retorted.

"Tsk, how sarcastic." the detective sighed in annoyance while Hendrix only replied with a grin. Seeing that the detective can't take another drink, Hendrix went and paid the bill and called his coachman.

"The usual." Hendrix boarded the carriage while giving out orders.

The coachman is very familiar with this kind of scenario. Every now and then, the Master and this particular detective would meet some times way back before. When this happened for the first time, the coachman was shocked but, he gradually got used to it.

While on the ride going home, Hendrix couldn't help but feel an incredible sense of annoyance whenever the name Luke appeared in his mind. As to getting worse, things are also not going his way, as the detective, in his drunken state, keeps mentioning the doctor with sarcasm in his voice.

"Tsk... ha, Don't let me meet you, Bastard, or you'll regret it," Hendrix said to the wind, trying to calm himself down.

At the Moriarty Manor

Arriving at the front of the mansion, Catherine took a peek inside with excitement in her eyes. Seeing William's outstretched hand, she joyfully accepted it and gracefully alighted from the car. Just then, a figure emerged from the front door to greet them. It was a familiar face: the third son of the Moriarty family, Louis James Moriarty.

"Oh! We have a guest?" Louis asked as soon as he saw a figure beside William emerging from the carriage.

"Yes, Louis. I believe you are acquainted with this particular guest." William smiled in return as he guided Catherine towards the front porch.

A brief surprised look went on Louis' face as soon as he recognize the woman, but it was quickly replaced with a smile. Louis side-eyed William who only wink in response.

"Lady Faucigny, It has been a long time, How are you?" Truly an educated individual, Louis greeted Catherine like how a host should be.

"It really has been a long time sir, please just call me Catherine." Catherine bowed respectfully in response.

"Then, I would like you to call me Louis in return." Louis smiled and motioned for Catherine to enter the residence.

Looking at William and Fred from the side, Catherine went inside the mansion. It has homely vibes and traces of everyday living are visibly seen from all corners. The decors are all exquisite but not flashy. As they walked towards the drawing room of the manor, William briefly informed Catherine about the residents.

"Aside from my brothers and Fred, We also have Colonel Moran Living together with us. He is a retired army commander. Catherine, I must warn you, though. He is a bit... not a bit, but he tends to flirt with every woman he sees, so be careful."

"Oh!" Catherine was stumped for words, she was not just if William was joking to lighten the mood, or if it was really the truth.

Louis, who stayed silent the whole time, opened the door, announcing their arrival to the people inside the room.

"Brother, We have a guest. She will be joining us for dinner today." Louis stepped aside to Catherine entered the room first.

And there... Catherine saw the man sitting elegantly with his broad shoulder in a single chair, with his one leg raised up to the other, a teacup in his hand, looking at the door in his elegant face, his green eyes glowed mysteriously under his magnificent brows as if it was a star in the night sky. It was no other than the Eldest son and Heir to the Moriarty Household, Albert James Moriarty.