An Agent of Chaos (BBC Sherlock Fan Fiction)

18. Trouble Magnet

18. Trouble Magnet

            Things were different now. I guess Jim and I were a thing, it was awkwardly established when I’d told him I was pregnant with his child. I guess children could bring couples together, even if they weren’t really a couple. Jim was taking it much better than I’d expected. I was grateful for that, but it was still a bit off for him. That was a bit concerning.

            Jim wasn’t clingy, but the time we spent together was very intimate. We weren’t your gooey, honeymoon stage couple like new couples were. We’d known each other for years, so how we interacted before we officially got together was how we acted after we started dating. To Heidi, Elena, and Logan, it looked like nothing had changed, when really, some things did.

            Jim knew I could handle myself, so when I’d told him I was going out; he let me go without a moment’s hesitation. He insisted that I took my phone and my pocketknife, just as precautions.

            It was a rather sunny day out in London, so I ended up whipping out a pair of sunglasses for the occasion. I stopped by a small café for a light breakfast. So far I hadn’t had any extreme cravings. The puking did lessen some, but I couldn’t say the same about my mood swings. Though Jim knew I couldn’t control them, at times things got a little heated and physical, and not in the good way. Once or twice he’d grab me roughly, and then storm off after the confrontation was over.

            If we had another eight or so more months of this, someone wasn’t going to make it out alive.

            I kept my eyes vigilant as I sipped my coffee outside. I was out in the open, and I had a feeling Sherlock Holmes would be looking for me. If I confirmed his deduction to him, it’d definitely give him more reason to kidnap me and do a trade. I guess in a way it’d be fair: a mother and child in exchange for a father and his daughter.

            It was still weird to think that I was pregnant. I was probably a little over a month at this point, so I was barely showing. I wondered how the pregnancy would complicate things. If I went out committing homicides with a distended belly, I would definitely be more recognizable. Maybe I’d be put temporarily out of commission until I had the baby and recovered. Though I’d have to balance motherly duties and my criminal reputation, I’d find a way to maintain both without losing one in the process.

            I kept a small packet of poison in my pocket, ready to select my victim. I had to do this while I could before I’d be put out of work. I crossed my legs, surveying those around me outside. There was an elderly couple, who were out surprisingly early. Nah. There was a business man who was much more invested in the paper than his mug of coffee. I smirked. Perfect.

            It was like my waitress knew I wanted to leave, she came by with the bill. I paid it easily, a perk to being tied to a very rich consulting criminal. I’d considered not giving her a tip, but I gave her one anyway. I was sure being pregnant was affecting my mood right now. I wanted to kill a man, but I wanted to tip my waitress even though I didn’t want to. Like I said, I had to put up with eight more months of this. This was only the beginning.

            Once I was away from all gazing eyes, I stood up quietly and walked calmly by the business man. I sprinkled the poison into his drink, littering the pavement with the packet as I headed away. Just in case I needed to make a quick getaway, I contacted Heidi.

            Come find me. I don’t care where you are.