Against the Odds

Chapter 16: Revelation

They sat in the sitting room of Mycroft's mansion, Sherlock in an armchair by the fire. His mind was racing to try put the pieces of the puzzle together. Rose stood against a wall, exactly centered in the room, while Irene and Mycroft sat at the table on the other side of the room, each on one end as they faced each other coolly, the camera phone on the table before Mycroft.

After a long silence, Mycroft stated: "We have people who can get into this." He leaned forward, leaning his hand against his mouth as he watched Irene intently, ignoring the blonde woman as she ignored the whole room. Irene replied: "I tested that theory for you."

Mycroft's eyes narrowed just a little and Adler explained: "I let Sherlock Holmes try it for six months." She called across the room to the man: "Sherlock, dear, tell him what you found when you X-rayed my camera phone." Sherlock listed off: "There are four additional units wired inside the casing, I suspect containing acid or a small amount of explosive. Any attempt to open the casing will burn the hard drive."

Irene informed them: "Explosive. It's more me." She told Mycroft, almost coyly and Mycroft said as he rubbed a hand on his temple: "Some data is always recoverable." He looked at her and she just replied coolly: "Take that risk."

Mycroft changed direction as he said stiffly: "You have a passcode to open this. I deeply regret to say we have people who can extract it from you." She smiled as she turned to the man she called: "Sherlock?" Sherlock told Mycroft: "There will be two passcodes: one to open the phone, one to burn the drive."

Mycroft clenched his teeth as Sherlock informed him: "Even under duress you can't know which one she's given you and there will be no point in a second attempt." Irene purred: "He's good, isn't he? I should have him on a leash – in fact, I might." She taunted, glancing at Rose but now the girl was showing no emotion.

Irene smirked: "And you forget, Mr. Holmes, I have a guard here with me." Mycroft glanced at the impassive blonde as Irene continued: "I can assure you, she is more than capable of taking on all your men and getting me out safe... with you both dead." Sherlock's eyes narrowed.

Mycroft sighed and he declared finally: "We destroy this, then. No-one has the information." Irene just shrugged as she said coolly: "Fine. Good idea ... unless there are lives of British citizens depending on the information you're about to burn." She added and Mycroft retorted: "Are there?"

Irene's face became serious as she said: "Telling you would be playing fair. I'm not playing any more." She reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope and passed it to Mycroft as she said: "A list of my requests," as he reached for it she twitched it as she added: "and some ideas about my protection once they're granted."

At that Mycroft and Sherlock glanced at Rose who met none of their gazes as she just stared coldly at the wall opposite her. So, she's not looking after Adler forever... then why is she here? Sherlock wondered. Mycroft opened the envelope as Irene mused: "I'd say it wouldn't blow much of a hole in the wealth of the nation, but then I'd be lying." Mycroft read the document and his brows rose in shock.

"I imagine you'd like to sleep on it." Irene murmured and Mycroft replied quietly: "Thank you, yes." Irene said triumphantly: "Too bad." Mycroft lifted his head to look at her in disbelief and Sherlock scoffed from his seat. Irene said mockingly: "Off you pop and talk to people."

Mycroft leaned back in his seat as he sighed in defeat. He said slowly: "You've been very ... thorough. I wish our lot were half as good as you." He looked back down at the paper and Irene said humbly: "I can't take all the credit. Had a bit of help." She turned to Sherlock, saying as though she'd just remembered: "Oh, Jim Moriarty sends his love."

Sherlock's head jerked up, but Irene turned back to Mycroft as the man said testily: "Yes, he's been in touch. Seems desperate for my attention," he glanced at Rose who'd turned her head to look at him, "which I'm sure can be arranged." Mycroft pulled out a pen as he began to sign Irene's document.