Fight for Me

Chapter 39

After being offered the job, despite Lydia being up front that this was only meant as a temporary place of employment until she could begin touring again, Lydia was immediately shown the ropes once all of her paperwork went through. It wasn't too difficult, especially since Lydia had worked in a cafe similar to this one before for a brief while through the Rose Foundation.

She finished up her shift that Saturday and returned to the flat to find two clients talking to John and Sherlock. Not wanting to get in their way, she tried to slip unnoticed into the kitchen. However Sherlock met her gaze and beckoned her over to have a listen to what the clients were saying.

Lydia knew immediately that they were a couple from their close proximity on the couch and how the woman's arm was snaked around the man's. They were more than just lovers as indicated by the rings sitting on their left hands, clearly married. They had just arrived as well, their coats still wet from the rain outside so it was apparent that Lydia hadn't missed much.

"We've tried the police, but they keep insisting that they are working on it as hard as they can," the wife complained, her voice shaking with emotion. Lydia scanned her body, looking for any sign of lying, having been taught to not trust anyone's words at face value. But either these two were tremendous actors or they really were in trouble.

"And when was the last time that you saw Amelia?" John asked, making Lydia understand that they were looking for someone. A child based on their age and how desperate they were to seek outside help.

Now fully invested in this case, Lydia realised that she was just standing awkwardly to the side. There were really no other good places to sit where she could get a good view of the clients to make sure they were not making anything up and her feet were sore from standing in heels all day. Although a little uncertain if Sherlock would be ok with her stealing part of his chair, she rested on the arm of it to take some weight off of her feet. He glanced up at her, but said nothing, allowing her to remain there for the time being.

Meanwhile the husband was answering John, "it's been four days. I know that may not be any reason to panic, that the police could be doing their jobs, but we know with each day it's less and less likely that she'll come back to us safely."

"That is in the case of kidnapping, why are you so sure that that's what this is?" Sherlock questioned, watching the man carefully as he answered.

"Amelia would never just up and leave, she's not like that. She's only eight and she's got no where to go. I know she's been kidnapped, Mr. Holmes."

John frowned, "but no one has reached out for ransom?"

He shook his head, "I don't know why they kidnapped her, but I know that's what happened!"

"Sounds like a boring case, a four at the most, not worth me travelling all the way to Wales. Have a nice day," Sherlock spoke curtly, standing suddenly and nearly knocking Lydia off balance in the process.

But she quickly recovered and grabbed Sherlock's arm, "you're really going to let a little girl remain missing because it's not interesting enough?"

"My mind needs stimulation, not cases that will take ten minutes to solve. You can't save everyone."

"I may not be able to, but you can. And you're not even going to try!"

"Mr. Jones was correct, if little Amelia was kidnapped, it's likely that she is already dead. Therefore this is not my problem."

Lydia slapped Sherlock before she even realised what she was doing and growled, "can't you get your head out of your arse for five seconds and see that there is a little girl who needs you? This isn't about 'stimulating your mind,' this is about saving a life!"