The poppyblood killer

Chapter 12

John stands up and stretches with a sigh.

- Looks like I should start beefing up security, John says.

- A wise decision, Sherlock says.

- You mean you suspect Moriarty divulged out vulnerabilities to the Shadow Syndicate, I ask.

- It's highly likely, Sherlock says.

- No. He wouldn't, I say.

- My dear Kira, have you already forgotten that he orchestrated an ambush, leaving us at the mercy of armed assailants, Sherlock asks.

- But, I say.

- Even if you don't want to believe he betrayed us, we still need to take precautions, John says. John walks to the windows and insects their locks. I watch with an odd sense of detachment.

- We let Moriarty into our lives here. He became a part of our routine. Yet he sold us out to the Shadow Syndicate. I just can't believe it, I say in my head. I look at Sherlock.

- What exactly is the Syndicate like, I ask.

- They are relentless, depraved criminals, unyielding in their pursuit of power, Sherlock says.

- And what do they want, I ask.

- Influence and control over London wielded from the shadows, Sherlock says.

- Is Moriarty worse than them, I ask.

- Have you come to accept that he's our enemy then, Sherlock asks.

- I'm not sure. But you always described him as a master criminal. So, are they more dangerous, I ask. Sherlock sighs and rubs his forehead.

- Moriarty has greater intelligence, but they have more resources and reach as an organization. While Moriarty acts only for his own gain, the Syndicate desires full control over London. As for their ruthlessness, I would have said Moriarty was worse until recently when I believed I saw another side of him. But it seems my entail assessment was correct after all, Sherlock says.

- So even Sherlock was at least partly taken in by Moriarty's act. Was it all pretense though, I say in my head.

- You should get some sleep, Kira. It's been a taxing night, John says.

- Yes, you're right, I say.

In my room, I stare up at the ceiling, thinking about everything that happened tonight.

- I know Moriarty wants to be free, but was it truly that easy for him to sell us out, I ask in my head.

The next morning, the detective agency somehow feels emptier.

- Even though Moriarty wasn't here for long, it feels strange without him around, I say in my head.

- Alright, the place is as secure as I can make it, John says.

- Very good. Now that we know Shadow Syndicate is specifically targeting us, we must remain on our guard at all times, Sherlock says.

- Wait, me too, I ask.

- You most of all, since you have the least combat experience, Sherlock says.

- But why would the Shadow Syndicate target me. I can understand them seeing Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as obstacles, but I haven't done anything for them to consider me a threat, I say.

- They could take you as bait to use against us, John says. My eyes widen.

- Yes, Moriarty has undoubtedly told them that we would seek to rescue you if anything were to happen, Sherlock says. I can see in their eyes that they would do anything to save me if I ever was in danger. My heart flutters, but a new fear seizes me.