The Private Lives of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson

Chapter 13

One Month Later

"Sherlock."

I look at Mrs. Hudson who is hovering in the doorway.

"What is it?"

"There is a woman here to see you."

"Fine. Let her in."

I stand from my chair and fix my jacket.

"Mr. Holmes." Magnussen says entering.

I stare at her for a moment.

"Surprised to see me?" She smiles. "Good."

"What are you doing here?"

"I have come to give you the happy news."

"Alone?"

"Of course not. But I thought we might need some privacy. I've got my guard standing watch over the door."

She sits on the sofa.

She studies me.

"I see that I must add cocaine to your list."

"List?"

"There are so many."

Ah yes.

My pressure points.

"You said you had happy news?"

She nods.

"I am with child."

My breath stutters in my throat for a moment.

"I did promise you information in exchange for a child. I am here to keep my part of the bargain."

"Really? What information do you think I need?"

"Mary Morstan."

Mary.

"She has been smart enough to keep away from you."

"As well as she should. I am very good at what I do."

I smile thinly at her.

She waves her hand at me lazily.

"I am sure you would have deduced her eventually but I got tired of watching you fumble around."

I had never despised a woman as much as I did Charlize Augustus Magnussen.

No woman had ever really frightened me as much before either.

And now I was having a child with her apparently.

Can't say that decision was a smart one.

"What kind of information do you have on her?"

"Everything."

"How?"

"You know my methods Mr. Holmes. I acquire information for later use."

"Blackmail you mean."

"It's not blackmail. I call it an advantage."

"And how big is your advantage?"

She gives me her sharp smile.

"Big enough to send her to prison for a lifetime."

Prison.

"And how did you come about this information?"

Mycroft had not been able to come up with much.

"Amanda and I know each other."