The Reichenbach Plan

Chapter 4: The Tip of the Iceberg

London woke to news of the arrest, and already much been covered. Lord Moran, Minister of Overseas Development, was already on several networks denying involvement in his nephew's actions. Sebastian, broke into his office and stole documents related to several military contracts. Lestrade was also featured speaking about several cases that had been solved now that the rifle had been uncovered.

That night a figure was walking down Lambs Conduit Street, cracked the door of the Children's Hospital, and then shuffled off leaving a envelope inside. A nurse reached down and picked up the envelope and peered out at the rush of people, seeing everybody and nobody. Chuckling the figure headed to the Lamb. "Is that what you do with it?" a voice rang out. The man turned toward the light to reveal the face of Nathan Sinclair. He saw who had spoken and let out a chuckle. "Caught me, Mr. Holmes, the stick?" Holmes nodded, "It was evident from the wear on the top that you had to switch hands for a while. Only the loss of your other leg would cause you to do that. Nathan nodded, "Drunk driver in America, glass tore up my face too." The boy's daddy was more than willing to cover all of the hospital bills, even set me up with an annual payment. I didn't want any more surgeries, so they created facial prosthetic to hide the scars. I returned to London, a well to do man. Like John, I desired action. Ronald and I have been friends since childhood. He was the one who proposed I use my handicap and gather information regarding our homeless veteran's, and I saw a way I could be useful. So, I left my prosthesis at home and took to the street as Hugh Boone. My information helped Ron, and I was able to see many of Boone's friends get the help they needed. I also helped discover those that were just using it as way to gain money without working." He looked a little sheepish, "A little hypocritical, I know; but all of Boon's beggings went to help the children." They walked into the Lamb, ordered their drinks and sat down at a table. Nathan lifted his pint, "To Hugh Boone, 'flights of angels sing thee to thy rest' William Shakespeare." Holmes returned the toast and they sat in silence for a few seconds.

Nathan stared at Holmes for a few seconds, "The money's gone isn't it?" Holmes nodded, "They traced it as far as Zurich, but nothing came of it after that. It will probably stay there for a while." Nathan reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. He spilled the papers on the table revealing pictures of tattoos of red hand prints. In a circle in each palm was a stylized animal. Nathan picked up two showing a tiger and a snake. He laid the tiger down. "Moran," the snake came next, "Parker." Your brother can confirm, but I believe that another syndicate is operating beneath the radar of Moriarty's." Holmes glanced up, but Nathan held up his hand, "Mycroft through Ronald. Unlike Moriarty's network, this one seems to be focused on something. Some of Boone's friends do some work for Moriarty and know that he was asked to help acquire something. Parker was to give the details, which he did and then Moriarty had him killed. Why, I don't know; but I do know it caused some problems. Moriarty knows that this Red-Handed League is not going to touch him, because they still need him to accomplish whatever they are paying him to accomplish." An orgasmic moan escaped from Holmes' pocket. He glanced down at the text.

IF THEY SUCCEED, ENGLAND WILL FALL