My Mr.Holmes

chapter 10: Shadows between us

Enola's POV:

Tewksbury, in his usual gallant stupidity, has followed me into the factory despite my very clear instruction to stay behind and keep watch. Now I'm saddled with a liability.

"I told you to wait at the gate. We need a lookout."

"Yes, well, what if someone in here had attacked you? You would've needed backup," he said earnestly, as though that foolish logic would convince me.

"You do realise I can fight, don't you? You're the one who can't. But fine. You're here now. Let's get on with it."

He looked sheepish then, and despite my irritation, something about it made my heart flutter. He might be daft, but he's not useless. And somewhere beneath all the nonsense, he does have a clever mind.

The lights inside were dim. We could barely see, so I crept forward, careful not to knock anything over. As my eyes adjusted, I turned to whisper—

"Tewksbury?"

No answer.

My heart began to race. I squinted into the shadows, barely able to make out his shape. Then, all at once, the lights came on.

"You absolute idiot—!"

—

Sofia's POV:

"Oh, my eyes! I am scarred for life. Unhand my sister at once!" James bellowed.

"Good grief—Sherlock, I told you to befriend her, not to... ravish her!"

It was chaos. Mortifying, unbearable chaos.

I scrambled off Sherlock's lap, and the sound of my brother's voice was enough to kill any lingering arousal stone dead. Sherlock looked unusually ruffled, and I noted his tie had come undone. Flushed, I stepped toward him.

"Come here."

He did, obedient as ever, and my fingers trembled as I fixed the knot at his throat. The proximity made my cheeks burn, and only the sharp sound of James clearing his throat reminded me to step back.

"What on earth are you doing here, Enola? This is dangerous."

"Oh yes," Enola shot back, arms crossed, "your hands down her trousers were positively perilous."

"Enola," James warned, trying to keep his voice level, "enough. We're all adults now. Just explain why you're here."

She rolled her eyes, though there was worry behind them. "My case led me here. The missing girl... she's caught up in something far larger than I imagined."

I let their conversation fade. My eyes found James again. He looked—well, not furious. More embarrassed.

"Brother..."

"It's all right," he said, a little stiffly. "We needn't speak of it. Let's move on."

"I'm sorry. Truly. But you were the one who insisted I accompany him everywhere, and—well—we're adults. People with... needs—"

"No details, thank you. I wasn't expecting this, but you're right. You can manage yourself. Just—please, be careful. I don't want to see you hurt."

"I will. Thank you for saying that."

"You're my sister. Of course I care." He nodded toward the others. "Come on. They're moving."

—

"What exactly are we looking for?" I asked as we crept deeper into the factory.

"Anything that might lead us to whoever's behind these accounts, Sof," Sherlock replied smoothly. He used my nickname again. My cheeks flushed, and when I glanced at him, he was already smirking. I could have sworn he winked.

I tried to focus.

"Ooh, a used cigar. This could be—WILL!"

My stomach turned to stone.

He was slumped in the chair, deathly still. His skin was pale and blue, and my breath caught in my throat.

"I was off... wasting time while he was here, dying alone." My voice cracked. Tears blurred my vision. "I can't—"

"Sofia," James murmured gently, stepping forward. "Come here, look away. He's at peace now. Clearly he was in over his head. There's nothing we can do except—"

"Stay unemotional," Sherlock interrupted coldly.

I froze. "Excuse me?"

"We won't solve this if we let emotions cloud the investigation."

The words stung. I felt them like ice down my spine. I turned to him, my grief sharp as a blade.

"You arrogant, insufferable man!"I snapped. "He was my friend. The only one I had in London. You think I care about your precious logic right now? Enola is doing her job without acting like my pain is an inconvenience. Why can't you!!?"

I didn't shout often. Not even at James. But this... this was different.

"I—" he started.

"Save it. Just leave it alone, Mr Holmes."

Enola and James had turned away, likely pretending not to notice the scene I'd just created.

"This theatre," James murmured at last. "The sheet music—it's a theatre."

"Told you he was clever,"I said with a shrug. I wasn't sure I was ready to forgive Sherlock. But Will mattered. And if the theatre was connected to his death, then I would see this through.

—————

Enola and I lingered behind as we walked.

I couldn't look at her.

"You don't have to worry about what I think," she said softly. "It's just... Sherlock has a reputation. He doesn't always take people's feelings seriously. I didn't want to see him hurt you. Please, Sof. Look at me."

"I'm sorry, Enola. You only wanted us to get along, and I took it too far. That outburst back there—he didn't deserve it. Neither did you."

"No, he did," she said with a sad smile. "But so did you. Will was your friend. Your grief is valid. Sherlock forgets that emotions don't make you weak. They make you human."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"He was my only friend in London. He made me feel like I belonged. And I didn't even notice he was in trouble. How foolish could I have been? Chasing after Sherlock while my friend was dying."

"Don't do that," she said gently. "I'm a detective, and I didn't see it either. You cared for Will. That's what matters. And I'm sure he knew."

"Thank you. That means more than you know." I wiped my eyes, then gasped. "Oh no—Will told me about someone. A girl he loved. He never named her, but he cared for her deeply. I have to find her, Enola. She deserves to know."

"Then we'll find her," she said without hesitation. "And if you like, we'll tell her together."

I nodded, heart aching. By then, we'd arrived at the theatre. There was something dark in the air, something that made the hairs on my arms stand on end.

But I pressed on.

For Will.

James and Sherlock entered first. I took one last breath and followed.

Whatever awaited us inside, I would face it.

Authors note:

This was just a filler chapter for the chaos later on but I hope you enjoy, I've been in a slump recently so I tried to get something out:)