Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 134: The Funeral~

I watched as my wife was lowered into the hole, and I tossed a wilting white lily onto the wood's surface, and watched as many copied so. They shared brief words of comfort to me, and all said, despite the situation, I was doing rather well. They were correct. I was doing well; incredibly well. As many people started to leave, I felt a hand set down on my shoulder, and noticed the infuriatingly stubborn detective at my side.
"It truly is a pity, about your wife, Lord Mohan," Mr Holmes muttered.
"Please, Lord Mohan was my late father's name; call me Henry, I insist," I sighed.
"Well then, you must call me Sherlock since we're on friendly terms," Sherlock nodded.
I glanced back at the coffin below us.
"Yes, it is such a tragic day. My wife was an incredible person. She..."
I tried to think of the good she had brought to my life, but nothing came to mind. I was rather happy she was gone, in truth.
"...was an adventurous, spirited woman," I muttered, absently.
"You must have treasured her dearly, there's not many like that yet," Sherlock frowned, and I had to control the growing urge to roll my eyes at the thought.
I watched as the detective fished about before pulling out two cigarettes, and a lighter. I took it, thankfully, once lit; exhaling deeply as I watched the smoke rise from the end.

"1888, it has been such a year, hasn't it?" Sherlock muttered, flicking his to make the ash fall.
"Quite..." I muttered," I hope you don't mind me asking, but what are you doing here, anyway? Did you know my wife?"
"No," Sherlock shook his head," I come to give condolence to all the victims, it only seems right to, after prying so much into their old lives. Not to mention, a funeral is a good chance to go over suspects."
"And I suppose I'm at the top of your list?"
"Nearing, Henry," Sherlock shrugged, honestly," Though, I suppose that's quite harsh of me to say today."
"Harsh of you any day, Sherlock."
Sherlock let out a laugh, though I could sense him studying me, from the corner of my eye. It annoyed me, greatly. He let out a sigh, before tossing a flower down into the pit.
"May she rest in peace," He murmured," For her sake, I won't rest, until I catch Jack the Ripper."
I frowned, glancing away; exhaling the smoke once more, before meeting his gaze.
"And you hope it's me, don't you?"
"Now, now! Don't be like that, I thought we were friends!" Sherlock chuckled, though I could tell I was definitely his top suspect," Though, that would be much easier for me, if it was you."
"Then, I suppose you'd rather enjoy it if I said 'Catch me if you can, Mr Holmes'?"

Sherlock grinned, before bursting into more laughter, patting at my shoulder.
"You're funny, Henry! Ahh...I hope it isn't you, as I'd rather prefer it to stay friends. But...if it was you, I hope to enjoy this chase..."
His eyes grew dark, and he smiled. And I smiled, despite myself, chucking the cigarette onto the floor, and stumping it out with my foot.

Henry frowned, the gun still pressed against Jiu's forehead," And then, I got that ridiculous telegram about Archie passing. I was relieved I didn't get it when Sherly was there, imagine if he saw. He would have immediately guessed the whole house was on it! That's why I was so furious that day."

I snapped at you that day," And you're the biggest moron in this house for assuming without sound evidence!"
"Don't call him that, Henry," Leora glared at me, with the nerve to think herself my equal," He's right - I didn't kill him."
"Oh? Learned to talk, have we?"
"Shut it, Henry."
I startled for a moment by her sheer audacity.
"You do not tell me to shut it!" I roared, grabbing her furiously by the ear to make her cry," You do not DARE talk to me like that! I have been nothing but generous to you, don't you see that? I've given you this house. Given you a future husband. Given you a life! How am I repaid? I'm treated like a villain, and my generosity is wasted away by your greedy selfishness."
"Greedy... selfish..." Leora echoed the words, grasping my hand as I tugged hard enough at her ear for it to turn red," Aren't you too? Your own friends know it well, Henry. You're a bully. A big, awful bully!"
I slapped her hard across her face, his eyes wide and manic for a moment; i was furious with her for even trying to act stronger than me. That didn't stop her though. Out of sheer guts, she dared to continue. 
"You hit me because you know it's true," Leora continued, glaring up at me, it reminded me of our mother that day she found me breaking the house with my own hands.

"You lost your heart long ago. You lost all meaning of what was right and wrong; so you torment everyone for the sake of feeling a power you never had. I'm sick of pretending to be your puppet, Henry. Wake up. You were never in control, and you never will be!"
Not in control? I was furious beyond words.
"I'll kill you."
I wasn't kidding.
"Do it," Leora dared me," Do it you coward! Your 'generosity', as you call it, has already sucked the soul out of my very being...I have nothing to lose if you kill me. So do it. Kill me, Henry. Kill. Me."
She wasn't scared, and that frustrated me beyond words. It amused me, to think about actually doing it to her in the future, and to see her look so weak and pathetic.
"You're mental!" I laughed, coldly," And a murderer!"
And then...I was haunted by her words.
"I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU, HARRY!" She screamed," I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU, FOR TAKING MY LIFE AWAY!"
I heard Duncan. Duncan was screaming at me. Rage of feeling like I was losing control, and that Duncan was back to torment me, and went to hit her again. This time, you foolishly grabbed me by the throat and slammed me onto the floor.

"Don't even think about hitting her again!" You hissed out, digging his heel into me.
Edward helped you off me, and I felt pure intent fill me. An intent that I had only felt to people that were no longer alive anymore.
"That...is it..." I huffed out, glaring at the girl," You torture me, you disgrace. I'll be personally asking Julian for you to have electroconvulsive therapy as new medication. Believe me; you need it," Henry hissed.
Julian and I had planned to do this, you see, to help Leora's condition look better. But our plan was to do this close to when I would make Leora disappear. Finally, I had decided, I wanted my sister gone, and soon. But, I needed to bide my time, just a little longer.