Sherlock Holmes Blood Orchid

by John Pirillo

  Chapter Thirteen: Founder’s Hall

  “Dear God in heaven!” Inspector Bloodstone howled, hurriedly backing away from the dead male they had pulled from the pile of heavy chairs.

  Constable Evans felt his stomach do flip flops.

  The other constables dropped back, some crossing themselves as the man’s body began to shrivel up and turn to wood.

  All about them the various cult members’ bodies were all turning to wood.

  Chapter Fourteen: 221B Baker Street

  Mrs. Hudson let out a happy screech of pleasure as she unwrapped a huge box with a beautiful red and yellow bow at its top.

  She flung its top aside and reached down into the box and brought out a duplicate of the antique vase that Challenger had broken at the hospital.

  Challenger sat at the table the box was upon, smiling broadly. He had a huge bandage still on his head and a cast on his left arm.

  Mrs. Hudson, in her zeal and rush of affection, grabbed him in a bear hug.

  “Oh God! Martha! You’re killing me!” Challenger roared.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. So sorry!” She sobbed starting to go teary eyed as she realized how she had hurt him.

  Challenger put a hand to her cheek and pressed it gently. “Mrs. Hudson, I would suffer any amount of pain on this earth if it meant seeing you happy!”

  “Here! Here!” The others gathered about her joined in.

  Watson took her hand and squeezed it. “Challenger told us where to find a duplicate of the one that he so wisely used at the hospital…”

  “Smashed her right in the kisser, I did,” Challenger laughed.

  Watson scowled at him. “And Harry had Jules and Verne fly him to France to find its duplicate and purchase it.”

  “With donations from all of us,” Conan spoke up, an infectious grin on his lips.

  Holmes smiled. “And I’m sure Challenger would use this one just as wisely were the need to arise.”

  Mrs. Hudson grabbed the vase and hurried for the exit. “Not if I can help it, thank you!”

  The men roared with laughter as she left the room.

  Harry clapped a hand on Challenger’s shoulder. “You did well, Challenger. Whatever gave you the idea of gifting that plant woman with the vase of flowers?”

  “Try having every part of you locked down tight and see if you don’t grab whatever you can reach…” Challenger explained. “…And it also explains why my left arm went out of its socket. Remind me next time to just scream very loudly. I’m not double jointed like you are, Harry.”

  Harry barked with laughter.

  Holmes yawned. “I’m grabbing some sleep while there’s still a chance of it.”

  Harry gave him a worried look.

  “Oh, don’t worry, Harry. I suspect they are running like frightened animals at this point with tails tucked between their legs.”

  “Apt description,” Challenger laughed.

  “Here, here!” Conan joined.

  Harry, thought wasn’t convinced. “You don’t know this cult like I do, Holmes. They’re persistent.”

  “Yes, I am sure they are, Harry, but for now, I choose to resurrect my strength to battle them another day.”

  Watson growled. “With our luck, that’s more than likely to be long before we get any real rest.”

  Holmes smiled and left for his room.

  Mrs. Hudson returned into the room with a huge tray of steaming scones and a pot of steaming coffee. She set it down on the table.

  “Now. Maybe we can finally eat in peace for once before this day is gone too!”

  Challenger didn’t respond. His head had sunken to his chest. He began to snore.

  “Watson?” Mrs. Hudson asked, but he was already seated and his head on his arms. He began to snore.

  “Where’s Holmes gone off to?” She asked.

  But Harry and Conan were too busy stuffing their faces with the warm scones to answer.

  Mrs. Hudson yawned really big, stretched and smiled.

  Without anyone noticing, she left the room, went straight to her own apartment, then kicked off her shoes, shed her clothes and slipped into her bed for a well earned rest.

  She might not go about chasing villains and monsters, but she still needed to be strong for when the boys did.

  She smiled and then shut her eyes.

  Sleep claimed her with welcome arms. And believe it or not, she actually got a good day’s sleep.

  As to the night…that’s another story.

  Author's Note

  I first read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's wonderful spread of detective stories when I was still a child. I didn't own books, so I read them at the public library, or at my school library. There was no Internet of Things, no Internet at all at the time. I was very into books as a child, always a loner of sorts. Even though I loved people, I was somehow always more in love with books. Call me bookworm then. Now bookworm writer. Maybe.

  I went through the entire adult library in my hometown as a child, reading everything from fiction to non-fiction, science fiction to fantasy, and classic literature to modern. It didn't matter. It was words on paper. I loved the smell of books. Still do, even though I cater to electronic books at this time.

  This is all a back-story of sorts to give you an idea of why my Sherlock Holmes while based somewhat on the canon of Doyle, are nevertheless much more than that. What would be the point of repeating what's already been done?

  No, rather I saw this writing experience as an opportunity to allow my imagination to romp in his playground, but take elements from other famous authors and stories I've loved over the years.

  Obviously, there are copyright issues when it comes to living authors, so even though I'd love to play in their yards too, that is forbidden territory. So I have contented myself to take my love of classic literature...Doyle, Verne, Wells, Dumas, Shakespeare and pour them into a mutual melting pot. Kind of a United States of Literature, so to speak.

  Whereas the Sherlock Holmes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle functions out of London, England in the Victorian period; mine exists in a parallel world where all the authors who have ever lived and all their characters are alive at the same time.

  Therefore, if you see me including Houdini and Sherlock together, Challenger and Conan Doyle, it makes more sense if they were alive on that world and not this one.

  As a person of with a strong scientific background...I wrote a treatise on reaching other dimensions (parallel worlds) as an 8th grader, which my Physics teacher was knocked out about...I believe quite strongly in an unlimited universe, where an infinite number of parallel ones/dimensions exist at the same time.

  When I was in India I found that some there adhere to the belief that everything that man can do or imagine exists in a vast cosmic tapestry so that we do not so much physically exist, as mentally/spiritually move through that infinite tapestry, each choice we make...right or wrong...creating a branching point that we must follow, even though there were already an infinite number of other ones. Very close to the parallel world/alternate dimension approach that many scientists are now coming to accept as a reality.

  When I was a kid the scientists barely believed in 4 dimensions...length, breadth, height and time. Now as an adult there is talk of at least 9 known dimensions.

  But getting back to my stories, what makes them relevant and different is that I can populate them with any science, any character, any famous figure, writer, artist or whatever and they all fit! They fit because I created them. For fun. For pleasure. To be able to play on a field of dreams with no end in sight.

  So as you read my stories, dear reader, keep in mind that the Tesla car in my story is not Elon Musk's electric car, but a vehicle invented by collaboration between Thomas Edison and Nicolas Tesla in my invented world. It runs not by electricity as we know it, but by a different energy discovered by Tesla.

  In my world Sherlock Holmes is not the first one of the story, but one of several. Watson, likewise. Just as Spock was duplicated i
n the Star Trek series of movies to continue their worthy stories, so have I decided to include devices that will stimulate our imagination, take us to places we could never have gone before, and allow me to interject from time to time some of the wonderful insights I have been honored to receive as a maturing adult. So death exists in my creation, but it has many permutations and outcomes. All exciting and mysterious.

  Following this is a description of major characters, as well as items used exclusively in my Baker Street adventures.

  Glossary of the Baker Street Universe

  A list of players, places and things that take place in the Baker Street Universe created by this author as the playground for his fantasies...and hopefully your own as well.

  Bollocks…A common word used by the British to indicate something was nonsense, trash. An expletive.

  Drat, dratted…A swear word similar to damn to indicate frustration.

  Tosh…Sheer nonsense and also an unkind reference to the upper class at that time.

  Tesla Car...Device built by Ford in collaboration with Nicolas Tesla. Powered by a new form of energy unknown to our world yet.

  Tesla devices...created by the team of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Nicolas Tesla. Anything from lamps to frigs, to cooking devices. You name it; they've probably invented it in my world.

  Moriarity...one of many. Professor Moriarity lives on in many and various manifestations for the sake of conflict, as well as invention and discourse. Where would a great detective be without a great villain to oppose him? While I don't feature Moriarity all the time, be warned he lurks behind the scenes! A lot!

  Sherlock Holmes...Young man in his early twenties, comes from a humble home and a good upbringing. Precocious with a perfect memory. Not the cold fish of the Doyle series. Much kinder and humorous. Still with many of the same characteristics, but softened with a gentler personality, without losing the edges that give him an engaging purpose and deductions that are truly amazing at times.

  Watson, Doctor John...hero of the China Wars. Lost first love in China. Now in love with Mrs. Hudson. Loves Holmes like a brother. Doctor. Never without his black bag in which he carries his medical supplies and forensics tools that he and Sherlock often use in their investigations. Stocky with a bit of a stomach because of his love of scones, which I constantly use as a play of humor about the man.

  Mrs. Hudson...not just a landlady anymore, but an integral part of the detective team...supplying support, as well as emotional and sometimes physical support. The glue that binds Watson and Holmes together. Again, in her twenties like Watson and Holmes. Lovely, but not beautiful, except of spirit. Kind and resourceful. Very shrewd and intelligent.

  Lady Shareen…Lord Graystone’s companion. A beautiful woman with a huge heart. She is responsible for helping women achieve social and financial equality. She also works to uplift the poor and homeless.

  Professor Langston…the Invisible Man…a well meaning doctor, who concocted a cocktail of chemicals that has forever altered his atomic structure such that he can turn invisible at will, though during emotional times of stress he can lose control of his visibility.

  Inspector Bloodstone...a cantankerous policeman who has raving red hair, and a temper to match at times. Works with Holmes a lot, but prefers to work on his own. Distrusts some of the intuitive moments of Holmes, but in the long run will go with what he reveals as Holmes is more often right than wrong in his deductions.

  Constable Evans...the long lost son of Inspector Bloodstone. Also red haired, like his father, but with no temper and a great personality. Everyone likes him.

  Queen Mary of Scots...has never existed. Instead, this one is a derivation of Mary, who was beheaded and Victoria. Much more intelligent, progressive, but a leader in every sense of the word.

  Magic...exists in this world of Sherlock as does science. Both are equally as relevant to the action and scenery of the stories.

  Fairie...a land that exists in parallel to Sherlock's world and through which Lord Graystone (Lord of the Jungle) came through to become part of the Baker Street Brotherhood.

  Fairie is richly endowed with magical creatures and monsters, Elves, fairies and other fun things, as well as endless realms of green Amazon like lands. Dragons. Which have played a part in several of my first stories and a few later ones.

  Nicolas Tesla...a genius who has dedicated his life to upgrading the quality of life for everyone on the planet. Witty, charming and dangerous.

  Harry Houdini...swarthy, suave, into magic in every way...physical and the real thing.

  Professor Challenger...very tall, built like a bear, flaming red beard and hair. Quick to temper, but a kind man with a great mind. An adventurer beyond measure.

  Captain Nemo...a reformed pirate with a mind that grasps mechanics that rivals Henry Ford and Nicolas Tesla. Is famous for his extremely powerful weapon of the sea…the Nautilus.

  Jules Verne...a genius when it comes to theories and fiction, blonde, extremely friendly, caring and adventurous. Teams up often with H.G. Wells, a friend he grew up with. Designer of the Master of the World, which in another set of Victorian adventures he uses to fight an invasion from Mars.

  H.G. Wells...a brilliant writer and navigator. Contributes to the flying device Master of the World and its ability to fly through space and time. Very British and a bit stuffy at times.

  Alexander Dumas...a French friend of Jules in one of the worlds I've created for Jules to explore in unique adventures that do not include H.G. Wells. Huge man with a lust for adventure and fighting.

  Henry Ford...still an arrogant man, but more willing to help others, and often times teams up with Tesla to do projects. Not prominent yet in my stories, but working on it.

  Master of the World...a huge flying machine that resembles a cross between a dirigible and a submarine that travels utilizing String theory, with an engine that converts string energy into fuel that can thrust the ship between parallel worlds, as well as back and forth in time. Created by Jules Verne, but later on improved by H.G. Wells after their battle with the Martians detailed in my prior series starting with Invaders.

  Lord Graystone...my version of Tarzan, but instead of being raised by apes, he was raised by a bull dragon. Highly educated and a loyal supporter of Queen Mary of Scots and husband of Lady Shareen. Sponsors numerous charities for the poor and unwanted. Champion of Fairie.

  Hyde...Doctor Jekyll performs an experiment on himself that separates the evil portion of him into a unique entity. This entity is pure evil and also pure energy. It can possess anyone and once having done so, become that person. Cause them to do the unthinkable to achieve its evil plans.

  Doctor Jekyll...a kind, young teacher who has made a horrible miscalculation and created an abomination of himself….Hyde! A creature that is pure evil.

  Dracula...not the Bran Stoker version, but my own. Misunderstood, not eternal and drinking human blood when no other choice is possible.

  Conan Doyle…the dead Sir Arthur Conan Doyle brought from our world to the alternate reality which he is reborn into, healthy and young once more. Also, an integral part of the great detective’s team at times.

  Baker Street Brotherhood...a team of operatives who, upon occasion, help out Sherlock and Watson in their missions. Some of the more notable ones are Lord Graystone (Lord of the Jungle), Madame Curie, Dracula, Professor Langston (The Invisible Man), Professor Challenger (also a Conan Doyle character), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself (reborn from our world to the new one without losing awareness of himself), Lady Shareen (our equivalent of Indiana Jones), Jules Verne and H.G. Wells.

  Obviously, there are many, many more, but these are the most frequently guested characters in my stories and novels.

  Author’s Note

  If you want to keep abreast the latest news, follow me on my author site: www.johnpirillo.com.

  Connect with me at @johnpirillo

  Friend me at my facebook page: John Pirillo, Author.

  Join my Baker Street Un
iverse group to get things I don’t usually share with others, and to hash over the universe I’ve created with me and fellow authors and readers. I’ll be having very special giveaways, advance copies, and autographed work as well as other surprises to my friends who join me there.

  The Baker Street Universe Facebook group page is: a place to interact with me on a frequent basis.

  Review Request

  If you found some pleasure in reading my work, please take the time to create a review on Amazon and anywhere else you feel to do so.

  Thank you very much for doing so.

  Other Works by the Author

  Sherlock Holmes Collections

  The Sherlock Holmes Mammoth Fantasy, Murder and Mystery Tales Volume One

  The Sherlock Holmes Mammoth Fantasy, Murder and Mystery Tales Volume Two

  The Sherlock Holmes Mammoth Fantasy, Murder and Mystery Tales Volume Three

  The Sherlock Holmes Mammoth Fantasy, Murder and Mystery Tales Volume Four

  The Sherlock Holmes Mammoth Fantasy, Murder and Mystery Tales Volume Five

  The Sherlock Holmes Mammoth Fantasy, Murder and Mystery Tales Volume Six

  The Sherlock Holmes Mammoth Fantasy, Murder and Mystery Tales Volume Seven

  Sherlock Holmes Ten Minute Mystery Stories

  Sherlock Holmes Ten Minute Mystery Stories Volume Two

  Sherlock Holmes Standalone Stories

  A Strange Thing on a Strange Day

  Ascension (aka The Angel of Death)

  Case of the Face of Death

  Case of the Hall of Darkness

  Baker Street Adventures

  Beast of North York Moors

  Bloodstone of Amandor

  The Hungry Blade Strikes Again

  Case of the Butterfly Princess

  Sheridan Holmes: Curse of the Serpent King