Holmes: The Kismet Trail

Chapter Fifteen

I felt more like a mouse than being the cat in this chase and the thought displeased me. I did everything in my power to unlock the mystery to this case, and still, I am uncertain and unsure. Finding that each step I make is either the sensor to a trap or a far distance behind Moriarty is unnerving. Sitting upon my table, with my hands making a permanent stand for holding up my head, I heard a soft knock upon my door.

"Come in." I said, not thinking about anything but the clues and how to defeat the man who has decidedly made my life a living game. She came behind me and rested her hands on my shoulders which instantly made me calm. The smell of her perfume almost sent my thoughts straight to more sensual themes. I shot up in my chair as I tried to rid the ideas before she grabbed my arm and wrapped it around her waist. I could sense something was making her sad which is the primary reason why I pulled her from me. But each time, she grew stronger than me. This ended when she got me onto the bed and I moved on top of her, holding her arms down.

Of course, Watson would then proceed to enter at the worst timing. He stood in the arch of the door for a short period of time before closing it and apologizing. I crawled off of her and planted my feet on the ground before fixing my dressing.

"Is there something between us or am I losing my mind?" She blurted out as she moved to a sitting position on the bed, with her eyes to the ground. I moved to my knees beside her and placed my hands on hers. When she looked at me, I could see her eyes were damp from crying as she then tried to restrain the tears building in her eyes.

"Rose-"

"I knew it! I am so sorry. You have done-"

"Rose!" I said in a more domineering tone. She froze and hung her head again. I moved my hand to her cheek and forced her to look at me. "It has been some time since I felt this way about anyone and to be completely honest, you have this way about you that makes me enthralled. It makes me lose all thought and you then become all I think about. My cases, my past, even Irene is gone..."

"Is that why you are so standoffish to me?" She asked as I could see she was disappointed.

"I am "standoffish" because you are fragile. You are not strong in your heart, and I would guarantee anything that if we met just on the street, we would not feel this way about each other."

"I do not care how we met! I am glad I met you."

"As am I, but-"

"Please do not break my heart. I do not think I can bare it."

"Rose...You have become such an...interesting presence in my life. But you adore me because I saved you. If I would not have-"

"I know what you are about to say. It is not true. I would admire you in any circumstance. You are brave and intelligent among so many other things. Yet you are oblivious to your own feelings. Watson even saw them before you. The only person you didn't is Moriarty."

I froze before holding her face in my hands and kissing her hard.

"You are a genius!" I said as I rose from my seat and moved to the fireplace. Tearing out the articles in the paper that surrounded Rose's accusation and arrest, I set them upon the table.

"What are you doing?" She asked as she followed me.

"You are right. Moriarty knew nothing about us, so why would he target you?"

"To get your attention?"

"Precisely. To get my attention on someone who needs help-although...we met by chance."

"I am not following."

"Moriarty has nothing to do with you. He kidnapped you because he saw I was trying to help you, but this means someone else is behind the reins on this one. Someone knows something and is keeping it from Moriarty." I then pulled the letters I received with the threats out. "Someone who can hide in plain sight..."

"An officer?"

I shook my head. Just as I intended on explaining everything aloud, there was a hard noise coming from down the stairs. I moved to the window quick before seeing Moriarty look up to me. He gave a wicked smirk before I tore Rose from the sitting room and into Watson's room. Opening the window, I went first before attempting to pull her through but her dress got caught. Attempting to tear it, the door came open and a man approached her with a gun.

"Trust me." I said as I darted around the corner and hid from the men's gazes.

"He could not have cared too much for you dear Rose, he ditched you so quick..."

I lingered behind a stack on one of the buildings before thinking of my next move. It was time to shut this case iron tight...