The Woman

5. The Game

Annie laid in the stiff hospital bed, staring up at the pale white ceiling, deep in thought. "Sherlock, can't you try to convince him?" She asks me with an exasperated sigh. I look back at her then at my hands I was twiddling in my lap. "Annie, you know I have tried. Honestly, he can't force you to move out. You bought the flat downstairs, and he's not your landlady. He has no say if you stay or not." I point out the facts. "You're right." She sighs. I could tell she was upset about this subject.

"Who would poison me, Sherlock?" She asks over a moment of silence.

"I don't know, Did you make any enemies while in the military?" I ask her trying to see if there's a possible suspect.

"Not that I can think of, I killed all my enemies. Probably shouldn't have said that."

"No point in hiding the fact you were a sniper. We already know how well of a shot you are. That is very useful too, believe it or not." I tell her.

"I bet, I'm done being a sniper Sherlock." She sighs heavily. I could tell it was a touchy subject for her.

"Why is that? PTSD?" I question.

"I'm not putting John's or your life at risk. "

"Annie, our lives are already at risk. If you haven't noticed, you're in the hospital because someone tried to kill you." I point out, Even though she knows that already.

"Yes, I know." She sighs. We sit in silence for sometime before she speaks up. "Any Interesting investigations recently?"

"I'm afraid not." I cross my arms as I sigh heavily for dramatic effect. Hoping she wouldn't continue on the subject.

"How is John doing?" She asks, changing the topic once more.

"He's still worried for you of course. Then again, most people are."

"Including you?" She smiles at me. I roll my eyes at her stupid question.

"I'm here for your protection since everyone else seems incompetent to do so," I inform her to keep her from thinking otherwise. 

She still has the nieve heart of a child. Foolish trying to find romance and love. She found the worst possible candidate thinking I would oblige to such a suggestion. Then again, I'm not sure she has such feelings for me. She can hide things very well, though I'm not one to understand feelings. It took me months to understand Molly Hooper had romantic feelings for me. Women, with their emotions choosing men who are terrible for them.

*****

Annie was discharged from the hospital approximately two hours ago. John was going on and on about how it's not safe for her anymore. Annie would reply with witty remarks and very fair points. She's a clever girl, no doubt about that. "Uncle John, I'm used to danger. That is nothing new for me to take my word on that. You're not the only one who has seen the battle. The difference between us is you were saving lives while I was taking them away. I took it before they even knew what hit them. I've had many attempts on my life, a few close calls as well. There's nothing that scares me anymore." She tells him as she stares off into space, most likely having flashbacks on the battlefield. Her voice was very flat as she spoke to him. John didn't say another word after she finished speaking.

Annie sat on the couch as she had Gordo in her arms. She adores that dog more than anything; he's like a child to her. Then again, who doesn't like dogs? I am very fond of that dog of hers even more than I care to admit.

"Sherlock, you have a new client." Mrs. Hudson comes scurrying through the door. I watch silently as a woman comes in starring at the floor. "You can take a seat right there." I motion to the client fold out chair. She had long brunette hair that was tied in a messy bun; she wore no makeup due to the fact her tears ruin it, she had a long sharp nose, her eyes were a dark brown but red and puffy, she wore a wedding ring on her finger, she was distraught, her clothes were wrinkled but she didn't care on her appearance. "Mr. Holmes, my husband, is missing. He hasn't been home in two days. I have gone to the police, but they told me I'm overreacting." She explains as tears run down her face.