The rise of Sherlock Holmes

by DAN MONTY

  “What? Why would he kill a man because he stole his lighter?” I asked and Holmes shook his head.

  “No. He didn’t kill Boris because Boris stole his lighter. This was a crime of madness. He hated Boris, he said that everyone hated Boris, but that is unlikely to be true, especially given that even Mason didn’t hate the man. No one did, only Jack Barker hated Basil, and it was all because he knew Basil was a better designer. Basil however designed robotic limbs, which leads me to the other thing I discovered in Jack Barker's office. I noticed when Jack got up to fetch me water, he had robotic legs. I have read that they can make a man run faster, increasing his stride tenfold, and in some cases, they are able to extend, making a man seem taller. Mason Sternwick did not kill Basil Borthwick, Jack Barker did, and I fear we must move fast to find him, Watson. I believe the man is quite mad and likely suffers from what you might call Lycanthropy. He believes he is the beast and I believe he will kill again!” Holmes said in closing.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN: ATTACK OF THE WEREWOLF

  That night, Holmes and I returned to Paddington again, this time to stake out the MYFX building. Holmes had the wild notion that Jack Barker might kill again and Holmes wanted to see if the wolf would come out again.

  We waited on the rooftop, watching and waiting for Jack to run out of the building, but we seemed to be having little luck. It was after midnight and we had been watching the building for five hours.

  “Holmes, we can’t wait here all night. An innocent man is in the custody of Scotland Yard, and we can’t go after this thing alone, especially me with my bad leg. Come on, old boy! Let’s go home.” I said and Holmes kept staring at the building across the street, the lights of which all were out. Lightning crashed in the dark skies over our heads and it began to rain as the glowing traffic flew over our heads offering spots of illumination on the otherwise dark rooftop.

  “Holmes!” I said, growing frustrated.

  “No Watson! I know the wolf will return! I must see it with my own eyes!” Holmes said as the rain poured over us, soaking our clothes.

  “You’re losing it Holmes! There is no werewolf and you know it! It’s a silly man in a costume and if he’s what you say he is, he is mentally ill and extremely dangerous! We can’t face this man on our own when he’s dressed in that form. If he’s truly mad, then he believes he is a werewolf! People that suffer from such psychosis and delirium can become extremely violent and uncontrollable! Now I urge you, let’s bring Lestrade into this and go after the man and not the bloody monster!” I said but Holmes shook his head, his face drenched with water.

  “I had him, Watson! Curses, I had him! And he slipped right through my fingers! If we inform Scotland Yard of this, he will elude them and perhaps take a few of them with him! The man must be stopped by my own hands! I must face the man alone!” Holmes insisted, sounding a little delirious himself. I shook my head in disbelief.

  “You’re being foolish! You could wait in this mess all night and catch nothing but your death in cold! I tell you, man... He is not coming! Even if he does we are no match for him! We must take him at the light of day!” I insisted as a great howl bellowed in the night, followed by a roar of thunder.

  There, perched on a gargoyle on the MYFX building, was indeed a werewolf, howling and leering right across at us.

  “My God in heaven!” I exclaimed, in complete shock as the very real look of the creature made it difficult for my mind to process it as anything but real.

  “I told you, Watson! Look at it! It’s every bit as real to see as Mrs Hudson and those girls described! See those razor sharp teeth and black fur! Those razor sharp claws! It sees us, Watson! It sees its prey with watchful eyes! Now, the hunters become the hunted!” Holmes said and I nodded.

  “Yes Holmes! That’s exactly what I was afraid of!” I said as the great beast leapt from its perch on the stone gargoyle, silhouetted by the moonlight, the great beast lunged towards us, leaping atop a floating car and then to another, making its way towards our rooftop.

  “Thoughts?” Holmes asked as the rain pelted down around us and I grabbed him by the shoulder.

  “RUN!” I screamed as we ran across the rooftop, the great wolf beast in pursuit.

  *****

  Holmes ran ahead, much faster than I. It was likely due to all those nights sneaking out and prize fighting at the local warehouse. Yes, I had known for some time that Holmes had engaged in some rather unique pastimes, which was just as well for it seemed to keep him on his toes and rather make him rather spry.

  We ran through the London streets, splashing through puddles and dodging traffic that flew low over the street. We ran straight for Paddington station and leapt over the turnstile, narrowly avoiding security guards.

  “Oy there! Stop you!” they hollered after us as we ran through the white pristine station, the charging creature pushing through them and we heard them cry out behind us as the great beast chased us through the station.

  “Where are we going?” I asked loudly to Holmes who pointed to the shuttle bays.

  “The shuttle to Baker Street station!” Holmes said as we ran up the escalators, dodging pedestrians. The wolf man closed in behind us, roaring as it ran up the escalators towards us.

  As we approached the shuttle, it was taking off. Holmes leapt onto it, grabbing a railing as it lifted off the ground and he reached down to grab my hand. I leapt upward and he pulled me to safety, the two of us hanging on to the railing of the white shuttle as it flew out of the station tube. We has almost cleared it when the werewolf lunged for us, climbing onto the side of the shuttle as we lifted off into the rainy night sky.

  We climbed around the shuttle as it flew over London, the vile creature swiping its claws at us. It got close to Holmes, snarling and swiping at him with its razor sharp claws. Holmes kicked it hard in the chest and it fell backwards, hanging onto the rail with a single hand.

  Holmes and I climbed to the top of the shuttle, the neon city a blur beneath us. The rain stinging out faces like cold, wet needles as we struggled to hang on to the rails of the roof of the shuttle.

  We could hear passengers inside the shuttle screaming as the great beast climbed around the shuttle and the pilot suddenly tilted the shuttle trying to shake it off, but the wicked thing was hanging on for dear life. We flew towards Baker street station, passing through the tube that would take us into the station, the pilot losing control of the craft as it shot through the tunnel, sliding into a wall.

  The shuttle slid along the inside of the station coming to a stop against a white wall with a red circular sign saying Baker Street Station. Holmes and I were thrown clear from the shuttle, and Holmes smashed his head against the white tiled wall.

  I climbed to my feet, ready for anything but the creature was gone. I watched as the shuttle doors slid open, its passengers running out into the station screaming. Then, I ran over to Holmes.

  “HOLMES! HOLMES!” I yelled, but he would not respond. I tried desperately to catch my breath, reaching for my cell phone. Holmes opened his eyes and I closed my cell phone.

  “Am I dead?” Holmes asked, looking around at the white walls.

  “Not yet I fear. Can you get up?” I asked and Holmes quickly got to his feet.

  “Where is it? Did you see it? Is it dead?” Holmes asked in a sudden panic and I sighed.

  “It’s gone, Holmes. It’s gone.” I replied. The two of us stood on the platform of Baker Street station surveying the damage around us. It was so hard to process the events that had just unfolded.

  “Let’s go. Holmes? Let’s go!” I demanded and I led Holmes out of the station, heading for home.

  *****

  We stumbled up the steps towards the sitting room of 221b baker Street , our soaked clothes and shoes sloshing, filled with water.

  Mrs Hudson approached us, a look of shock on her face.

  “Good God! What on earth? Where have you two been?” Mrs Hudson asked and I tried to calm her nerves.

  “What’s t
hat? Oh our clothes? Yes, well we just... went for a walk in the rain, Mrs Hudson that’s all. Nothing to worry about! Nothing at all! I told Holmes it looked like rain, but you know how he gets. Bloody stubborn that one!” I said and she relaxed a little.

  “Well you look like you’ve been swimming in the Thames! The pair of you, honestly! Off you go! Go and have a warm shower! You’ll catch your death in cold!” She said and I closed my eyes, sighing as I recalled saying that to Holmes myself.

  “Yes, Mrs Hudson. Will do!” I replied, following Holmes into the sitting room.

  Holmes and I had changed into warm clothes and sat by the fireplace drinking port as we sat there in our pyjamas and dressing gowns. Holmes wasn’t speaking much, but I had a good mind to say several things.

  “I told you! I told you! What were you thinking? We could both have been killed!” I said and Holmes drank his port and didn’t reply.

  “THAT... thing, could have easily snapped us in two. Honestly, what was your plan, Holmes? Seriously? We were unarmed and no match for him! We could have died tonight, all because you wanted to see the bloody thing! It was utter madness! Not to mention the rain!” I went on. I sneezed, giving Holmes a rather dirty look.

  “He knows we are hunting him now. The game is over!” Holmes said, back to his depressed self again. I sighed, throwing down my port and placing the glass on the table between us.

  “We know who the killer is, Holmes. That’s what’s important. We were never meant to slay the dragon, only establish what The dragon was!” I said.

  “Wolf...” Holmes muttered and I rolled my eyes.

  “You know what I mean, Holmes! Now listen to me! And I swear I am only going to say this once. In future, as your doctor, if I make a request of you, you will do as I ask or this... whatever this is... It’s not going to work! You may not wish to go on living, Holmes but I have plans for my future! I’d like to find a girl! Settle down! Have a life! I can’t always be chasing you into the darkness, Holmes! I won’t!” I insisted and Holmes seemed cut by this.

  “Oh, I’m sorry if I’m holding you back from a better life, Watson! I truly am!” Holmes said.

  “You call this a life? You solve these... mysteries, Holmes. You run out into the night chasing monsters and madmen, and after you’ve found them you go back to being miserable until the next madman comes along! That’s not living Holmes! That’s chasing the darkness! It’s madness and you need to have more in your life! For God sakes man! Didn’t you ever want more? You can’t live like this, Holmes! You’re wasting away, and you’re dragging me down with you!” I said, sighing and taking a breather.

  “I’ve turned down two job offers from hospitals, Holmes. Two. I have decided to accept the third. I’m needed at the hospital. They are looking for doctors and I need to go where I am needed most. I... was going to wait to tell you. I will stay here with you and help out where I am needed but... Holmes you need to think about what you want out of life, because I assure you, you are wasting it. I won’t let you waste mine" I said, getting up from my seat and walking to the stairs leading up to my chambers.

  “I had him, Watson! Now he is gone! Gone!” Holmes called after me. I closed my eyes, shaking my head.

  “You need to stop chasing problems my friend, and start finding solutions to your own!” I replied, walking up the stairs and stepping into my chambers, slamming the door behind me.

  I fell into my bed, laying there awake and staring at the ceiling. I felt bad for saying half of what I said to the man. The sad thing about it was, I felt even worse an hour later.

  I could lie to him and even myself, but I cared for him deeply. I knew that if I ever left him I would of course miss him. He had become my closest... my only friend. Whether I liked it or not, I was bound to this man for life and I knew it. Sherlock Holmes was in crisis and right now he needed me more than ever. I could not abandon him, but nor could I allow him to drown me in his misery.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN: JACK BARKER

  The next morning was met with silence from the sitting room down stairs. Holmes was up and dressed though, loading a pistol with bullets. He glanced up at me and smiled as though the events of the previous night were forgotten.

  “I’m sorry about what I said...” I started but Holmes shook it off.

  “Not at all. Let’s just forget about it for now. We have a werewolf to catch. I have already informed Lestrade and he will meet us there. We have a duty to bring this case to a close, and that is precisely what we are going to do. I have made some other observations, however which I will disclose in time. It would seem that I have been somewhat blind Watson. I will explain later. How did you sleep?” Holmes asked and I sighed.

  “I could have slept better. I felt guilty,” I said quietly and Holmes smiled, putting his pistol into his pocket.

  “You worry too much my friend.” Holmes replied and I nodded. I couldn’t help but be curious about his latest observations.

  “So, have you made further developments regarding Mr Barker?” I asked and he nodded his head.

  “I have indeed. I will say, he is quite an actor this man. Clever and a master of misdirection. He is swift and nimble, able to create such a remarkable performance with no effort at all, wouldn’t you say, Watson?” Holmes asked and I nodded in agreement.

  “I agree. His werewolf performance was terrifying! So utterly realistic! He had me fooled! If I’d have not known who he was, I might be inclined to believe he was a werewolf too!” I admitted, Holmes nodding in agreement.

  “Indeed. A true performer!” Holmes said as he ushered me out of the sitting room and down the steps to catch a cab.

  We arrived at MYFX Studios and met up with the good Inspector Lestrade, Holmes bringing him up to speed with the evidence we had uncovered and the deductions Holmes had made based on the evidence. We stepped into the elevator, heading up to the twenty third floor. Upon exiting the elevator, Lestrade spoke to the secretary while Holmes and I entered the office, which was empty.

  “He’s not here!” I exclaimed and Holmes covered his mouth with his finger. There was a low mumbling sound and we exchanged glances, Holmes walking over to the closet and opening the door. There inside, was Jack Barker, bound and gagged.

  “Good God!” I exclaimed and Holmes quickly untied him, removing the gag from his mouth. The man panting and sweating, trying to calm himself.

  “You have to stop him! He’s mad!” Barker exclaimed as we helped the shaking man to his feet.

  “Watson? Allow me to introduce you to the real Jack Barker!” Holmes exclaimed and I shook my head.

  “I’m sorry, what?” I asked and Holmes turned to Mr Barker.

  “Perhaps you’d care for a cigarette to calm your nerves, sir?” Holmes offered and Barker refused.

  “I don’t smoke! Why is there cigarette butts on my desk?” He asked and Holmes smiled.

  “Holmes, what is going on?” I asked as Lestrade walked in, looking a little confused himself.

  “This is Jack Barker, the other man is an imposter. At first I was certain Jack Barker was indeed our man, until I recalled the Zippo lighter, an identical Zippo I recalled from an earlier case, used by a lady who had fooled us before. She too was in disguise, an associate of one Jefferson Hope if you recall. He had utilised an illegal holosuit if you remember and turned out a brilliant performance. Award worthy even. Of course he was in fact an actor, so such a performance was not a great deal of effort. I then deduced that the actor who had bested us before had bested us again, disguising himself as Jack Barker, firing the employees that became suspicious, even Mason informing us the man was not himself. He used a sophisticated suit of his design to kill Boris after he had stolen a lighter from his desk, which naturally our actor feared may incriminate him, as the real Jack Barker did not smoke at all. This man is innocent. Our real killer, however is still on the loose! His name? Brandon Chase!” Holmes said finally, pointing to the poster.

  “That’s him! He tied me up and gagged my mouth! However
will you catch him?” Barker asked and Lestrade shook his head.

  “Don’t you worry yourself about that, Mr Barker! We will find him!” Lestrade said.

  “The imposter told us all the suits were accounted for, is that true?” Holmes asked and Barker shook his head.

  “He took the prototype. Said he’d make some modifications! Last I heard, he was staying at the Green Man! Most of the cast and crew are staying close by,” Barker said and Holmes nodded.

  “Then we shall find him there!” Holmes said, turning for the door. I told Lestrade to stay with Barker until the ambulance arrived. Lestrade agreed and I followed Holmes out of the office.

  *****

  The Green Man was full of people as we entered the hostel, rushing over to the manager.

  “Brandon Chase! Where is he?” Holmes asked and the man at the desk looked confused.

  “Room two, why?” He asked and Holmes called out to him as we headed for the stairs.

  “You might wish to call the police!” Holmes said as we ran upstairs.

  The two of us pulled out our pistols, standing by the entrance to room two.

  “Are you ready?” Holmes asked and I nodded, holding my gun at my side.

  Holmes kicked the door inwards and we held out our guns. There was Brandon, holding a gun to a man’s head as he backed away towards the window. The young captive was in his twenties, no doubt a tourist. He spoke with an American accent, as the English Brandon sweated beads of bullets, his face scratched and bloody, no doubt from our recent chase.

  “Steady, gents. I’d hate to make this young man my second victim. Might be an awful mess. Drop those guns or he gets it!” Brandon said as Holmes raised his hands, tossing his weapon to the floor.

  “Let’s not do anything rash, Brandon. There’s no need for more violence. Let him go.” Holmes said quietly and Brandon fumed.