Only Yours

38

Joseph Moriarty's P.O.V

Eddy opens the door for me and I step out, grimacing as my brightly polished shoes land in the dirt. 'Who parked in the mud?'

The driver gulps. 'S-sorry Sir. Won't happen again.'

I carefully exit the mud and look through the window at the man. He's young, I suppose, twenty six or seven. 'You have a baby daughter?'

His face flushes with pride. 'I do. Three months old.'

I smile at him and turn away. 'If that happens again, I'll put a bullet through her brain.'

His smile drops off his face and he gawps at me. As usual I get the sense of satisfaction of knowing I put that look on his face, I have the power to destroy him...but I cannot savour it. I am here on business.

Eddy follows me to the large wooden doors of the decrepit warehouse. 'Are you sure this is right, Boss? It looks a bit...you know.'

I laugh at Eddy's insolence. I suppose it's part of the reason I keep him around, he's awfully funny. 'I am right, Eddy. I'm always right.'

And indeed when I open the door, a plush red carpet and chandeliers greet us. One of seven (armed) guards steps up towards me and attempts to touch me.

'Joe Moriarty. I am here on behalf of my father, Jim Moriarty.' I say confidently, expecting him to move out of the way.

'Code?' he says. I frown; I don't like people disrespecting me. 'Botulinum.' He nods, obviously disappointed I got it right. He likes violence, the psycho.

Then again, can I talk?

'Go to the end of the corridor and turn left. There is a large portrait directly in front of you with a guard in front of him. Say the password and you will be allowed in.'

As I walk through the large hall, heading towards the portrait, Eddy catches up with me. 'This place reminds me of a Doctor Who episode. The one in the library?'

I smile as I remember the episode. William and I watched it together at his flat. He'd been scared, hiding behind my arm-

Shut it, Joseph. You hate him, remember? You are here to take him down.

I put on my business face as I approach the door. 'I don't think I remember that one, Eddy.'

I tell the guard the password and he steps aside for me. I adjust my suit, slick back my hair and step through the gap.

Inside are two men and a guard. One is smaller, wearing thin wire glasses, balding, a suit. The other is tall with straight black hair, his back to me.

The smaller one, without looking up, says, 'Hello, Mr Moriarty. If you would kindly leave your plaything outside and shut the door behind you.'

I do as he says, bristling a little at being told what to do. Eddy doesn't look happy about it but steps outside and mouths, 'call if you need me.'

I won't need him.

The smaller man comes towards me, scanning me quickly. 'Hmm. Interesting.'

He's deducing me.

No one has deduced me since...well. William.

As if reading my thoughts, the man adjusts his glasses and mutters, 'William.'

I struggle to keep my face still and the man laughs.

'You are a smart man, Mr Moriarty. Two pressure points. Impressive.' He holds out his hand and I grasp it firmly. 'Charles Augustus Magnusson. I already know who you are. Joe Sebastian Moriarty.'