Waking Nightmares(Lined Bullets)- A GMD Fiction

Chapter 9: For a Brother

(Dawson's POV)
       I looked at Basil's brother with a questioning glance as he draped a blanket around his brother's shoulders. I walked towards him slowly as to not disturb the sleeping detective.
       "Are you really going to help him search tomorrow, Byron," I asked quietly.
       "How can I say no. He's my little brother," he said. Then he laughed to himself. "It's actually a bit amusing... this isn't the first time I have seen him like this."
       He offered me a seat and sat down himself as he continued.
       "When he first began his work as a consulting detective, anytime he was having trouble with a case, he would come to me. Soon enough, he was successful on his own, but still visited occasionally to rave about his newest case. After that began, a lot of his cases became more, and more perilous. Then, that fateful day came. He was on his first case that involved Rattigan, though we didn't know it at the time...
       "It was pouring rain when I heard soft, rapid-fire knocks on my door. When I opened the door, Basil collapsed into my arms. He was soaked, but the his injuries were more than I would like to remember... lacerations and bruises covered his body, a large concussion on the back of his head, and a single bullet in his arm which was bleeding heavily. Now, at that time, I had just begun my service to the Queen, but I thankfully knew some basic medical procedures and patched him up the best I could. He told me he had gotten too close to the leader, but he never ceased to go after the mastermind. He would return sometimes worse off than the last. I would always promise to help in anyway to solve the case... the next day, he would always be up and moving about, no matter his condition. Then he would be off... ready to solve the next great case and get closer to capturing the Napoleon of Crime."
       "How long has he been doing this," I asked. I had witnessed first hand what Byron was speaking of, but my curiosity urged the question. He looked up in thought as if the time was too far gone to remember.
       "Well, let's see..." he mumbled. "He's thirty six ... twenty three... ah, yes that would be thirteen years, I believe."
       "Thirteen... Basil has done all these cases in the course of only thirteen years?"
       "He always was looking for adventure, even as kids, but yes thirteen years."
       I looked across to Basil. Only thirty six... he shouldn't have had to face death so many times... Basil was a marvel within himself. My eyelids began to grow heavy as I stared into the fireplace. Suddenly, Byron cleared his throat.
       "Doctor, I of all people know how tired you must be. Go home, tell Ms. Judson of Basil's condition and get some sleep. I've got everything under control. He's not even going to wake up until sometime tomorrow."
I looked at him curiously, but he had a knowing glance, so I took him at his word. I got together my medical bag and coat and opened the door to head back to Baker Street. Suddenly, I heard Basil stir...
       "Never gonna leave me alone... are you," I heard him ask.
       "I will always be there for my brother," Byron whispered back. "Goodnight, Basil."
       I left Byron's household smiling to myself. It was strange how I recalled Basil always complaining about how his brother was so nosey and annoying, but those were empty complaints as could be seen from Byron's vigor to help Basil and their apparent brotherly love, albeit unclear sometimes.
       Just goes to show how far we will go for a brother.