Hello Detective

The Empty Hearse Part 2

  I handed some cash to the cabbie and made my way into the apartment complex. I checked that I had the right address and knocked on the door. I heard voices from within, and was surprised.

"What? Are you out of your mind?" A familiar voice asked angrily from within.

"I don't see why not. It's just as plausible as some of your theories." An unfamiliar voice responded as the door was opened.

"Adelaide?" He asked.

"Hello Philip. Sorry, I didn't know you had company." I replied, stepping into the small flat.

"Oh my god. You're her." A raven haired girl with a nose ring asked.

"I thought he was lying, but he does know her." A man on the couch wearing a deerstalker said to the kid next to him.

"Um... What's this?" I asked, and my eyes drifted to the wall covered in papers and string. On second thought, was this a good idea? I still wasn't sure.

Anderson rubbed his head, not wanting to answer.

"It's the Empty Hearse club, and you're Adelaide Gregson." One of the member's ran up to me, shaking my hand furiously.

"Yes... but," I turned to the wall again and realized the purpose of the club. My mouth formed into an 'O'.

"Let me guess, Philip here formed this club so that like-minded people could meet and discuss theories. Theories on how Sherlock Holmes faked his death." I said, and the members were all but giddy.

"It's like I'm living the blog." One voice muttered.

"Will you deduce me?" Another asked.

"Wait a minute... You said theories on how Sherlock faked his death. You said 'how' not 'if'. You think he's still out there too." Anderson said.

"Listen, that's not why I'm here–" I was cut off.

"Oh My God!" The raven haired woman, Laura, pointed to the television behind me. I whipped around the read the headline 'BREAKING NEWS: HAT DETECTIVE ALIVE'. Philip's jaw dropped. Everyone was jumping up in excitement. All of their phones were blowing up.

Laura jumped up and begged for a picture with me. I quickly obliged, and raised an eyebrow to Philip. He shook his head in an apology.

"Ms. Gregson," the youngest of the group asked and I turned to face him, "did you know the whole time?'

I thought a moment on my reply, with my new job I knew it was best not to answer honestly. I didn't need the press knowing every detail.

"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to discuss the matter. Now, Philip can I steal you for a bit?" I asked, he nodded following me out into the hall.

"Did you know?" He asked, I sighed.

"How 'bout we go for a walk." I said, and he followed me out into the street.

"I'm assuming you read the paper." I stated.

"I do sometimes, Director-General." He said, and I turned to him with a smile.

"Naturally in my new position I'll need to surround myself with people I can trust." I began, my heels clicking on the pavement and my hands buried in my pockets.

"You trust me?" He asked.

"Well the jury's still out on that one. But you do have a good head on your shoulders. I mean you're no Sherlock Holmes, but you do trust your instincts. You were willing to search for an answer no matter how unpopular. I'm sure people told you that you were crazy and wrong and wasting your time, but nevertheless you persisted. And you were right." I spoke.