Face the Odds

Chapter 18: Say Goodbye

After parting with Molly – the doctor trying her hardest to offer some comforting words to her downhearted and irascible friend – Marie finally climbed out of her cab and stormed into the manor-like building.

Easily by-passing security by giving her name – that bastard must have been watching her – Marie stalked her way deeper inside before throwing open the office door and glaring wrathfully inside.

"To what do I owe this pleasure, my dear sister?" Mycroft asked, brows raised though he didn't look the slightest bit surprised.

Neither was Marie in any mood to entertain him as she demanded, cutting right to the chase: "I need answers."

"Only if you tell me what you have been up to the last month." Mycroft returned, straightening up in his chair.

"I was at your parents' house." Marie reminded him impatiently, but Mycroft scoffed: "Now, dear, you know I'm better than that. I know you have periodically left the house, sometimes for extended days. And unlike my parents, I know you haven't been visiting Sherlock."

"It's none of your business." Marie replied testily, and Mycroft cocked a eyebrow.

"Clearly it's not an affair – despite the new placement of your ring, I know you are loyal to Sherlock and he to you." Mycroft deduced, glancing at the wedding ring around her neck.

"That also means you know what he is up to – I highly doubt it was an impulsive decision brought on by drugs, that had my brother accusing Mr. Smith of being a serial killer... though I suspect you won't share those plans with me."

"Sherlock's business is his own." Marie answered a little coldly. "And, family or not, my business is certainly not yours, Mycroft."

Mycroft's lip curled slightly at the word 'family' but he ignored it for now as he settled back in his chair.

"Very well – I shall listen to your questions." He said almost boredly. "But remember, sister dear," he leveled a look at her, "I shall choose if, and which, to answer. And they will not come free."

"We can negotiate later." Marie dismissed, though her eyes were fixed on him sharply and Mycroft knew she would attempt to deduce whatever she could from his reactions to her questions. Well, he wouldn't satisfy her-

"Is Sherrinford secure?"

Mycroft frowned, despite his will, at Marie's abrupt question.

"Why do you ask?" He returned slowly, carefully. That was the second time someone had asked him that – and unlike Lady Smallwood, Marie would only ask this if she suspected something.

Marie shrugged non-committedly as she replied: "I asked first."

Mycroft steepled his fingers, looking uncannily like his brother as he examined her from over his clasped hands.

"Sherrinford is secure." He answered at last, only to raised a brow as Marie fired back swiftly: "Are you certain?"

"What is it you suspect?" He asked at last, leaning forward, and Marie pursed her lips.

"We had a deal." Mycroft reminded her as he saw her hesitation. "I swore to uphold my end – naturally, you must uphold your own as well."

Marie gazed at him silently, weighing her options for a moment.

"There was something Sherlock said, between arguing, when I saw him earlier today." She explained at last, speaking slowly and thoughtfully.

Mycroft cocked his head, silently asking for more detail, and Marie explained: "He said he'd met Culverton Smith's daughter, Faith Smith. But something doesn't seem right about his story."