by DAN MONTY
“You stupid bastard! Think you’re real smart, don’t ya? You let my friend die, and now you want to come after me? No! Not bloody likely! You! Drop your gun too!” He demanded and did as I was told.
“See, all this time I thought you were Watson!” He said, looking at Holmes.
“Then I realised you were in fact Sherlock Holmes! It seems we are both guilty of deceiving one another. Well played, Holmes.” Brandon said and I recalled weeks earlier when Brandon had dressed as the old woman in an attempt to get the ring from Holmes. Naturally, Holmes had advertised the ring in my name, so Brandon had thought he was Watson.
“Let the man go and we’ll talk. Take us instead. Two for one, what do you think? It’s us you want, Is it not?” Holmes asked and Brandon nodded, shoving his hostage out of the room.
“Yes, good point. Now I have you both. It’s my turn for revenge now, Holmes! I might just paint the word RACHE on the wall over your corpses! My friend Jefferson Hope would have loved to see that! I was looking after him, you know? I cared for him! He was so keen to best those two Mormons, that I said I’d do anything to help him. That’s when he sent me to get the ring off you. I gave one of my best performances ever! Had you two right fooled, I did! But Hope was a good man. I gave the ring to him in the cab and I ran for it! You tried to catch me, but I was too fast! Later, I heard Hope had been arrested and I knew he would die. I knew I could no longer help my friend, the only man that thought my acting was truly brilliant. So I decided to infiltrate the MYFX Studio. I had worked on a film where I played a werewolf. My favourite role! I planned to steal one of the old suits and modify it, reconstructing its mechanical jaws and rendering it lethal, but I did more than that! I took over the studio, tying up old Jack Barker and using my holosuit to perfectly copy his body, right down to his fingerprints! Marvellous invention that is! I fired all the people that became too suspicious, but when Boris stole my lighter, that was it! I knew you lot were smart and if you found it, I’d end up like bloody Jefferson Hope. So I fired him, then I used my modified suit to rip his bloody arm off. I knew people would be terrified, and I loved it! I loved it! Of course after killing Boris, I noticed the witnesses and forgot all about my bloody lighter! My guess is you found it. Well done, Mr Holmes. Cracker of a job! Maybe now I’ll kill you and copy your body!” Brandon said and Holmes smiled.
“You could indeed! Of course you would have my body, but not my mind!” Holmes said, charging for Brandon suddenly as Brandon fired a bullet, shooting Holmes in the arm.
I don’t know what came over me, but I swung my fist, punching the man hard in the face. Brandon was dazed and I hit him again, sending him toppling to the floor.
Holmes had fallen and he sat up, holding his shot arm. I ripped some of my shirt sleeve off, using it to tie around his bloody arm. Holmes was laughing.
“All this time, Watson. I had no idea you had it in you!” Holmes said and I smiled.
“What were you thinking, Holmes? You could have bloody died!” I said.
“Impossible! You were with me.” Holmes said quietly.
I was touched. Holmes didn’t often express gratitude, but when he did, it melted my heart. I slapped him on the shoulder and he groaned.
“I’m sorry! I was just being brotherly!” I said and Holmes frowned at me.
“Nonsense! You’re trying to kill me! Help me up" Holmes said and I smiled, carefully helping him to his feet. Suddenly Gregson lead in a group of police and Brandon was handcuffed. Gregson looked at Holmes.
“Alright then, boys?” Gregson asked and we nodded.
“Nice going gents. This bastard is going away for a long time!” He said, pulling Brandon to his feet and forcing him out of the office.
“Gregson actually congratulated us!” I said and Holmes Smiled.
“I’m sure that will never happen again, Watson!” He groaned as I threw an arm around my good friend and helped him out of the room.
*****
It had been two months after the gruesome events in Paddington that I had returned from my book tour that had extended to most of the country. My account of our adventures was complete, the first volume in any case, and I returned to Baker Street wearing a new suit and sporting a finely trimmed moustache and a new top hat.
Holmes was stepping into the house on Baker street that evening, and I crept up behind him as he fumbled to open the door.
“Hello Sherlock!” I said and the man froze, noticing my silhouette on the door. He turned around slowly and I smiled at him.
“Oh thank God it’s you! For a moment I thought you an assassin sent to destroy me!” Holmes said, turning the handle and opening the door, allowing me to pass.
Holmes and I ascended the staircase and walked into the sitting room. I removed my top hat and placed it on a table as the two of us sat opposite each other on our chairs. Holmes glancing at me up and down.
“You’ve grown a moustache. Good Lord, man!” Holmes said and I laughed.
“Oh it’s nothing, merely a new look I’m trying.” I said as I reached into my suitcase, pulling out a book and dropping it onto the small table between us. Holmes looked at the cover and his eyebrows rose.
“A study in Scarlet, an account of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Dr John Watson. A lengthy title, old boy. I thought we agreed to keep it simple. A Study in Scarlet would have been perfectly fine! Gracious, even Scarlet would have sufficed!” Holmes added.
“Well I happen to like the title. Besides, it’s the first edition, and my first book. I thought we might celebrate.” I said and Holmes folded his arms.
“I don’t feel like going out. Besides, you just got back.” Holmes said as a dog ran up the stairs and licked Holmes’ hand. It was a small terrier and it only took a minute for me to realise what had happened.
“You bought Mrs Hudson a new dog!” I exclaimed with a smile and Holmes narrowed his eyes.
“I did no such thing! Lies I tell you! The filthy creature has roamed in off the street. Take care not to get too close, it might have rabies!” Holmes said as Mrs Hudson walked into the room, embracing me.
“It’s wonderful to have you home, Doctor! He’s been a right mess without you!” She said and I looked down at Holmes.
“Really?” I asked Mrs Hudson.
“Outrageous lies! The woman has been sniffing glue I tell you!” Holmes said, lighting a pipe.
“I like your dog, Mrs Hudson!” I said and she smiled .
“Mr Holmes bought her from the city. Lovely of him, isn’t it?” she asked and I smiled at her.
“Oh yes, quite lovely.” I replied, patting the dog. Mrs Hudson walked towards the entrance to the sitting room.
“I’ll go and make you both some tea! Welcome home doctor!” She said and I sat down opposite Holmes. I glared at him with a smile on my face as he fought desperately to avoid my glance.
“That was nice of you, Holmes. Thank you" I said and Holmes merely smoked his pipe.
“You are welcome. I trust you’ll be leaving again soon, no doubt to work at the hospital?” Holmes asked and I shrugged.
“Actually, I thought I might stay. I mean, there will be other cases and I’m sure you’ll need some help. Unless of course it’s not to your liking?” I asked and Holmes cleared his throat, tapping on the arm of his chair.
“No, no. I’m sure it’s fine. You know me, I would never complain. Always thinking about everyone else. No problem at all.” Holmes said and I grinned, pointing to the book.
“I signed that for you, by the way. Think of it as a gift!” I said and Holmes smiled. I grabbed my suitcase, running upstairs to unpack.
I got changed into my pyjamas and gown and let out a sigh. I had to admit it felt good to be home.
The sound of cheerful violin came from downstairs in the sitting room. It was the Swallowtail jig and I tapped my feet along to the music as I unpacked my things.
Yes. It felt good to be home.
EPILOGUE: ONE WEEK LATER.
Life had b
een uneventful for a time and I had enjoyed it very much. Holmes had indulged in his various peculiar habits, but nothing really worthy of mention.
Our friendship had strengthened and I was glad I had not decided to return to the hospital. In truth, I felt my place was by the side of my friend and associate Mr. Sherlock Holmes. I won’t say he changed his habits, for that certainly was not the case, but he was making an effort to improve.
On the day of our visitor, I awoke to him laying on the floor again, which was becoming a habit of late. I also should note he was dressed as a woman, his face barely recognizable beneath the makeup. I stood over him and he glared up at me looking most peculiar.
“This is not what it looks like. I urge you to remain calm,” Holmes said and I sighed.
“Why are you dressed like a woman?” I asked and Holmes closed his eyes.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t notice" Holmes said and I smiled.
“How could I not? Now come on, out with it.” I said and Holmes frowned.
“I was hired to follow a man who had stolen a necklace. I was informed he would expect a man to be to following him so I improvised. Any more questions, Mr nosy?” Holmes asked and I shook my head. Truthfully I had no interest in knowing any more on the subject. Holmes was often wearing bizarre costumes and disguises in order to carry out certain work.
There was a loud knock at the door and Holmes rushed to get changed. It was just as well too, because Mrs Hudson was ushering a beautiful woman up the stairs. Her hair was long and blonde, her hands well gloved and she wore a beautiful white dress.
“There’s a lady to see Mr Holmes, Watson.” Mrs Hudson said and I smiled at the woman. Frankly I was having a great deal of trouble not looking at her.
“Yes well he’s just getting changed. My name is Doctor John Watson,” I said, extending my hand which the woman shook without a moment of hesitation.
“Mary Morstan” the woman said with a polite smile. I smiled back, probably looking a little foolish but I couldn’t help it. She was beautiful.
Holmes finally walked out of his room and noticed the woman standing there.
“This is Mary Morstan,” I said and Holmes looked her up and down.
“I see, and what can I do for you madam?” Holmes asked and he sat in his chair, Mary sitting opposite him.
“I came to you, Mr. Holmes because you once assisted my employer with a domestic complication. Mrs Cecil Forrester, if you recall? She said she was most impressed with your skills,” Mary said and Holmes tried to recall the case, oblivious to the lipstick on his mouth.
“Ah yes! Well, it was a rather simple case. She’s very kind.” Holmes said as I pointed to the lipstick on his mouth, which he quickly wiped off with a handkerchief from his pocket.
“She didn’t think it was so simple,” Mary replied and I laughed.
“Oh, well Holmes has a habit of saying that of most of his cases. He’s truly rather modest, Miss Morstan.” I replied and Mary nodded in understanding.
“I see, well in any case, you will surely not say the same of mine. I can’t imagine anything more strange than the situation I find myself in!” Mary added and I folded my arms, looking down at Holmes.
“Trust me when I say this, Madam... We have seen just about everything! Please, proceed.” Holmes said.
AFTERWORD
I wanted to write this book for several reasons. First and foremost I wanted to write something that I felt would be out of my element. I wanted to retell a story I loved and grew up with, but put my own spin on it and prove to myself I could do it.
I also loved the character and thought it would be a great character to play around with. My intentions were honourable however, I wanted to be true to this beloved character, while at the same time find a way to make him my own and do something unique and original.
I had stories I wanted to tell, but I really wanted to adapt the first Sherlock Holmes novel. A Study in Scarlet was always a favourite of mine and I loved the way it was written. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was such a wonderful writer with a truly brilliant mind, his stories leaving the reader guessing until the very last few pages and I loved his books. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Holmes and Watson, their banter and wit always made me smile.
This book was intended to somewhat reboot the world of Sherlock Holmes for a new generation of fans. I wanted it to have subtle science fiction elements, but retain the methodology and class of the original stories. I found it most refreshing to write a book that could be read by a younger audience too. I didn’t want to pollute the language of Holmes with curse words or excessive violence, though I did take a little licence with action and attitude.
It was a wonderful experience writing this book, the two parts of which entwined by certain clues, thus creating a truly unique story, while still remaining faithful to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original book.
I also drew the cover by hand in bed one night. I felt that I always liked those old hand drawn sketches that you’d see in the old Holmes books. The cover was really my own take on that. A lot of the book relies heavily on misdirection; that is to say it guides the reader to possible conclusions which are not actually the correct solutions. The cover is an example of this, the reader assuming the shadowy figure is sinister, when in actual fact it is Watson’s shadow.
I had never written anything in the vein of mystery and suspense either, so for that reason as well it was an experience I enjoyed and would like to have again some day.
In closing, I would like to thank the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for creating such a wonderful collection of stories and books that the world is now free to explore and reinvent. Sherlock Holmes will live on forever in literature, comics, films and television and without the brilliant mind of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, it would never have been possible.
The game will go on!
Dan Monty
(Melbourne, Australia, 2021)