My Association with Sherlock Holmes

My Association with Sherlock Holmes part 3

"Miss Turner," I said, turning towards her,"I have asked for your particular assistance for the soul reason that you have no idea who James Moriarty is. Now, this may prove useful, or disastrous. On any account, he will soon learn that Mrs. Hudson has taken a new tenant. He will undoubtedly figure out precisely who you are and why it is that you reside at Baker Street. He will conclude that you have an association with me, and he will target you," I watched for a reaction, but was surprised when she only took an unsteady breath and nodded understanding. I took it as a sign to continue,"My experiments are as follows:"I propelled myself to stand and began to pace in front of her, making deductions from her behavior.

"You are currently young in age, twenty- eight at the very most. You have ivory green eyes, and striking red hair. You are simple looking, and yet your mannerisms suggest private tutoring. I have already decided that you were of a wealthy family, and yet who did the fortune go to after your parents' death? Not to you, obviously, for you now live with your aunt. Then who inherited this vast estate you spoke of?"

"My, brother, but I fail to see how this is of any--"

I silenced her with a hand over her mouth,"Brother, you say?"

She nodded. I crouched so that we were eye to eye,"Explain," I removed my hand, and placed it on her wrist, taking her pulse.

"Um," her pulse slowly began to speed up,"well, papa left Richard the estate, because Richard is now his only son, and the eldest anyway. He and I are the only surviving children. Our older brother, Adam, passed away about five years ago. He was, killed by a madman in the streets of London," she took a shaky breath and her pulse slowed,"The last time I saw him, he looked up at me and whispered something about an I.O.U. I still don't understand what he meant by it." She watched me as if I were mad. She tried to twist her wrist out of my grasp, but I tightened my hold and looked at her palms.

There were ink smudges on her fingertips and the side of her right hand. She had been writing. She wore a ring on her left pinkie. A simple silver band with a sapphire shaped like a heart. It matched her locket. Her pulse quickened to an alarming rate.

"Sherlock?" John watched me with an alarmed frown,"Sherlock, what are you--"

I massaged my thumb against her palm,"You're afraid, Miss Turner."

She looked down," Very," she whispered. She glanced at Mary and John, who both seemed very intrigued with what was happening.

"Afraid of what?"

She looked at me with a sad expression,"Whom."

"What?"

"Afraid of whom, Mr. Holmes," she glanced at the Watsons nervously. Ah, so she was self conscious of her fear. I scowled at the couple and motioned for them to leave the room. They were surprised, but left anyway. I knew that they'd still listen in, through the door, but that was just the way they were.

Now that we were left alone, I grasped her shoulders and tried to give her a reassuring smile,"Go ahead, tell me who frightens you."

She bit her lip and looked down at her lap,"I'm afraid of," she gave a nervous laugh,"It's silly, honestly," she attempted to free herself from my grasp.

"No! It's really not! Tell me," She stood, and began to push past me. I stood, as well and followed her, grabbing her hand. She just shook her head. I could see her frustration mounting.

"Mr. Holmes, really, it's nothing to--"

"It is absolutely something to worry about! If you're afraid then I can't conduct my experiments! and I have to--" my irritation was steadily increasing as well. Why were women so stubborn? Out with the information, already!