Sherlock Holmes In Love (Completed)

8. The jewel thief

Holmes asks again, "Your Majesty, are you accusing Irene as the thief?"

The Grand Duke, King of Bohemian hushes him and then looks around. No one is around them. His bodyguards have secured this part of Hyde Park from commoners.

He has suggested to meet Holmes here. As if they are two strangers playing cards together.

The King sighs.

He says, "It's the only explanation I got. That night I were spending few hours with her. The jewel was in my pocket. I were planning to take it to fix the chain afterwards."

The King stares to his cards absentmindedly before he continues, "Irene acted a bit odd that night. Nervous. I left her apartment a bit early than usual."

Holmes asks, "And?"

"The jewel turned out to be fake. The only one who could switched it would be her. I never let it out of my sight since I took it out from the safe. Well, that night she distracted me with her new lingerie and..."

Holmes tightens his grip. It takes all his will power not to punch this arrogant snob king. It's obvious Irene is better off without him.

The detective puts down his cards on the bench. He announces, "Got Royal Flush. Even the Royalties are in my hands."

He stands up and stretches his legs for a bit while.

Holmes says, "I'll find that jewel, Your Majesty. Pull back your men. Don't bother her again. She isn't the thief."

The King asks angrily, "How did you know, Mr. Holmes?"

"The profile doesn't match. She isn't that dumb."

That's the only thing he says before leaving that spot.

There's no doubt, the king's men are her stalkers. The ones who tried to steal her stuffs. As if Irene would be stupid enough to steal a jewel and hides it at home.

His Irene is smarter than usual women.

Thinking about her put a smile on his face. They say a man in love smiles like a dork. Holmes wouldn't care if he smiled like an idiot right now.

One of his bodyguards asks, "He insulted you, Your Majesty? Should I give him some lessons?"

"No need. We still need his aid. Let him think he is above us a little while longer."

*****

Irene enters the apartment late at night. The rehearsal has dragged on longer because of Arthur's stupidity. The guy might be a handsome one. But his brain is a bit lame. Hard to memorize words.

The kitchen is dark. She doesn't need to turn on the light. As a werewolf, she has excellent vision in the dark.

She is taking out a bottle of orange juice from the fridge when a man grabs her from behind.

"You're late," whispers him.

"Did you hang out with another man?" asks him irritatedly.

He might be a human being. But he already shows signs of jealousy. Even for a human, getting a mate seems to affect his logic too.

Irene struggles but he wouldn't let her go. She protests, "I'm thirsty. Let me drink first."

Finally he lets her go. Her wolf growls in her because she likes to be hugged by him.

Irene drinks straight from the bottle. Holmes is staring her intently. His eyes seem to shine in the dark like a cat's eyes.

He announces, "Your boyfriend contacted me. Asked me to find his missing jewel."

Irene wipes her lips with the back of her hand.

She corrects him, "We only went to few dinners together. Hardly could be called an ex- boyfriend."

"Irene, did you take it? The Ruby, Heart of Fire."

"If I said no, would you believe me?"

"Yes."

Irene rolls her eyes. It seems Holmes has become an idiot after he's mated with her.

How could he believe my words so easily?

Holmes grabs the bottle from her hand and puts it on a kitchen counter. He puts his hands on her shoulders. Trapping her. They are standing so close to each others.

He says, "You're no idiot, Irene. You wouldn't switched the jewel at your home. Where you would be the only suspect."

His head is lowered and he kisses her lips. The sparks emitted in their kiss could light up a house. Irene moans a bit. Surprised he's a good kisser.

Too bad John lights up the light when he walks into the kitchen. He's frozen on spot when he sees them.

Holmes scolds, "Bad timing as usual, John."

"Oops, sorry..."

Irene pushes him away from her. The mood has been ruined. Besides she isn't ready to have another mate. Even if he's good in turning her on. Her wolf is howling in her mind, protesting her decision.

John grabs a carton of milk from the fridge.

He says, "Only wanted this. Please continue."

He leaves the kitchen after making eye contact with her. Irene doesn't seem hurt. So the kiss must have been wanted.

John leaves the kitchen. Wondering how on Earth, Holmes always got the lady he wants.

He shakes his head. He is still trying to get used to his wolf. After he transformed for the first time, his wolf kept growling in his mind. Wanting to get out again. So far, John has managed to cage him in.

The process is too tiresome.

Irene isn't for him. Although her scent smells really good. She has chosen her man.

*****

Holmes says, "Tell me everything you know about him."

"Who? John?"

"The King, who else? Why I want to know more about John?"

Irene is silent. It seems Holmes doesn't have a clue about John yet. It's a good sign. No one could keep a secret from Holmes.

She racks her brain for a while. Apparently she knows only a little about the King.

Irene confesses, "I only know he loves to stay in Ritz London or Mayfair Hotel when he's in town. And he sometimes takes art classes when he's bored."

Holmes asks, "Do you keep the things he gave you?"

"No. When I rejected him, I sent all of them back to him. Well, except one."

He asks, "Where is it?"

"It's just an ugly vase. I forgot where to keep it. Don't think he would want it back. It seems like a failed project from his art class."

"Give me the key to your apartment. I want a complete thoroughly check."

Irene hesitates. She wants to be there with him. So he wouldn't rummage her stuffs too much. Yet, in her studio apartment with him, alone?

They could end up in bed. Not searching missing object. She doesn't need more complications in her life.

"Fine. Here are the keys. Don't mess up my stuffs," warns her.

Holmes takes the ring of key.

He says, "No worries. Probably you'd only miss a panty or two."

"Holmes!"

"Just kidding. Or maybe not. See you soon."

The detective leaves the kitchen. Irene sighs. She needs to count her lingeries later.

Holmes already figured out the culprit. The real jewel thief. All he needs now is the hard evidences.
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Who's the thief?

Holmes and Irene are emotionally mated (connected), not physically yet. They have special bond between them.