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BLACK SHERLOCK
Written by: Disordered Thoughts
Chapter 14: My Lady
Melfiuelle Forte looked at her list for the second time making sure she haven't forgotten anything to buy. It was Sunday and usually she do the market on Sundays.
Loaf of Bread
Milk
Tea
Coffee
Dozen Eggs
Parsley
Butter
Flour
Mint Chocolate (For Alice)
She untied her apron and hanged in on the hangar, then she fetched her petticoat and put it on. Then she took out her umbrella and grabbed her basket. Before she could leave, Count Izrael Craig appeared with a letter in his hand. "Mademoiselle Forte, going out?" he asked. Melfiuelle smiled and said, "Yes Count, I'm doing the market today."
"Ah yes, I forgot. It's Sunday, well anyway, could you possibly do me a favor?" Izrael asked. Melfiuelle nod her head and said, "Of course sir." Izrael handed her the letter and replied, "Can you kindly deliver this Chief Wesley? It's the report about the murder at Lexus Mansion the other day."
Melfiuelle took the letter and placed it inside her pocket and said, "That won't be a problem. I better go now Count and oh, Alice apparently is still sleeping. Shean have already took her breakfast in her room." with that she left.
CHIEF WESLEY'S OFFICE
Chief Robert Wesley, for a 35 years old Chief of Police of London, he doesn't look his age. His black hair isn't donned with a single gray hair, few wrinkles and his blue eyes shine like a young teen who longs for an adventure. He is reading Insp. Huntington's delayed reports about the current pick pocketing at Rupert Market. Apparently, the young Inspector apprehended the wrong pick-pocketer. Actually, the man he caught was no pick-pocketer. He is wondering whether to give the mission to Black Sherlock. "Nah... this is such a simple case, Huntington could handle this by himself." He thought.
He was in to reading the report that when he heard his door opened, he exclaimed, "Suzette, I told you I'm busy and I can't meet anyone today."
"Forgive Monsieur for my intrusion, I have a letter to deliver from Count Craig." the person replied. The voice was soft and melodic, Chief Wesley knew it wasn't his secretary Suzette. He looked up and there stood Melfiuelle Forte, the personal assistant and mother figure of Alice Wonderland. "Mademoiselle Melfiuelle, forgive me. I didn't mean to be rude."
Melfiuelle shook her head and said, "No need to apologize. I shouldn't let myself in, well, your secretary wasn't on her table and I have to give this to you and I'm kind of in a hurry to do the marketing today." with that she handed Chief Wesley the letter. "Count Craig said, it's his report about the Lexus Mansion Murder Case."
"You mean the Falling Bodies case? Ah yes, Black Sherlock promised to hand me this report today. Thank you Mademoiselle." Chief Wesley replied taking the letter. Melfiuelle bowed down and said, "I have to leave Monsieur."
Chief Wesley stood up and said, "Please Mademoiselle, let me accompany you." Melfiuelle looked at him astoundingly and replied, "Monsieur, you have work!" Chief Wesley flushed red, he scratched his head and replied, "I need a break, and I think I won't be out that long." he then took his coat and hat and said, "Please I insist."
Melfiuelle sighed and said, "All right then, but don't blame me when people started to look for you here." Chief Wesley just only smiled.
CRAIG MANSION
Alice opened her eyes seeing Izrael looking at her. Alice sat up from her bed in an instant and asked, "Izrael! What on earth?!" Izrael gave out a laugh and said, "Such panic in the morning?"
The girl blushed red and stammered in her words, "N-no i-it's j-just...." Izrael then carefully laid the tray of food before her and said, "Breakfast Alice, Shean prepared it." Alice looked at the bread and bacon and asked, "Where is mother?"
"She went to market. It's Sunday." Izrael answered. Alice took a sip of her milk and said, "Ah yes... Izrael, why you're in my room?" Izrael looked at her in such a loving way that Alice felt herself blushing.
"Forgive me for being here, I just want to watch you sleeping." Izrael answered. "You sleep so peacefully, I just couldn't help but to watch you. I feel peaceful when I watch you sleep."
With that Alice touched Izrael's cheek and said, "Oh Izrael... you are so troubled." Izrael closed his eyes as he took hold of Alice's hand and said, "Alice..."
RUPERT MARKET
It's not a denying that Chief Wesley likes Melfiuelle. He has always admired the young woman ever since he saw her. She is graceful, elegant, polite, has a strong will and very much responsible and of course, she makes great tea. That's why Chief Wesley took the opportunity to accompany Melfiuelle on her marketing. He wants to be with the young woman as much as possible. The Chief never mentioned his true feelings to anyone and as far of Melfiuelle, she's oblivious to his feelings for her.
"Monsieur Wesley can you kindly hand over that can of tea?" Melfiuelle asked. Chief Wesley took the can of tea and handed it to Melfiuelle. Melfiuelle thanked him. She then placed it on the counter with all of her purchases. "Chief Wesley, I heard your hobby is to make tea." she exclaimed.
"Ah yes, it's a simple hobby but I enjoy it." Chief Wesley replied. "Really? Why is that?" Melfiuelle asked.
"I find it relaxing. Being the Chief of Police is very stressing. I don't get much relaxation." Chief Wesley replied as he took the basket off Melfiuelle's hand. "Let me do it Madame Melfiuelle."
Melfiuelle smiled and said, "You are too kind Chief Wesley." Chief Wesley shook his finger at her and said, "Robert, call me Robert Madame." Melfiuelle flushed red and said, "Y-yes Monsieur Robert."
"That's better." Chief Wesley replied smiling at her. Before they could leave the market, a young man bumped into Melfiuelle, he held up a hand and said, "Sorry Mam." with that he left in a hurry. Melfiuelle shook her head and said, "A lot of people are in a hurry today." Chief Wesley nodded his head and commented, "I noticed. You are also in a hurry right Madame Melfiuelle?"
Melfiuelle smiled shyly and replied, "I am, the reason is there are a lot of things to do in the mansion. I am very impressed with Shean how he handles things there. Not only that but I am the surrogate mother of Alice. I have my hands full."
"Hands full? Meaning, you don't have time to attend to suitors?" Chief Wesley replied knowingly. Melfiuelle gave him a look, she was rather speechless. She never thought of suitors really. Ever since Alice came to her life, she already have gave her life to the girl, offering all that is her to be the mother-figure of the unfortunate girl, neglected by her father, Alice Wonderland.
Melfiuelle shyly looked away and placed her hand over her petticoat pocket and noticed something. Her purse was missing. "Goodness... my purse... it's gone!"
CRAIG MANSION
Alice peered over the book she is reading. Izrael is busy writing something in his study table. Probably a documentation of some sort. She never really tried to pry on the Count's writing activities. The Count usually write on that thick black book of his. It was really old, and the Count usually have it wrapped in a thick vellum wrapper and tied with cord ribbon after writing in it. Afterwards he would quietly slid it in his drawer. Now he's drawer is locked with some strange lock that requires two keys.
Now Alice never had the chance to see what the keys looks like. The Count has a very good way of hiding it from her view. "Though he trusts me with all his heart, he still has his personal secrets." She returned back to the book she is reading and thought, "I myself have my own secret not yet revealed to him."
Izrael stopped writing. His fingers are getting sore now. He carefully looked at Alice and smiled. The girl enjoys reading books in his study. She favors reading books about the dark arts and of course the books he have about poisons. He could remember their first meeting and he knew that Alice's enigmatic beauty what has really drawn him to her. It was an instant attraction. It was strong and explosive.
He grab his quill again and started to write...
Right now, I am in my study writing. Writing here and stealing time or moments to look at an angel. Yes, an angel by the name of Alice Wonderland. A colleague, a friend and my love. I haven't felt this way since I've fallen in love with Claire. Claire is my past and I know she's somewhere in Paris, happy. Unfortunately, my life didn't turned out to be happy when I lost her. Then I found a new happiness. Not only from Shean but from Alice. Alice brought that dying love in me. She is my Eros, my Aphrodite.
I am afraid that she is not aware of my feelings. On the contrary, I am not an expert of expressing my feelings unlike my Uncle Mil who I can say very flamboyant with it. I hope soon, I would be able to tell her. I hope.
The book he is now writing in, is his diary ever since he was child. It was thick and old. He's very secretive of it and doesn't allow anyone to read it. He keeps it in a drawer locked with two keys. Keys he doesn't show to anyone. That drawer was given to him by his father, the late Duke Evan Craig. Duke. When his father died, he was suppose to take up the throne as Duke of London, however, he was so young at that time and he knew that he is not ready to rule as a Duke. The position was given to nearest kin, his uncle Milford Craig. His father's brother. He became a Count though, and he is very near of his age to become Duke. As a written promise, when he reached 21, he would be Duke of London.
"Though I want to have a bride when I become a Duke" Izrael though, he smiled at his musing. He wrote he last sentence and closed his diary. Then he wrapped it in a thick vellum and stashed it in his drawer, locking it safe. He turned to Alice and said, "I'm finished. You'll stay behind?"
Alice placed the book down for awhile and said, "Yes, I want to finish this book today." Izrael's eyebrow raised and asked, "Now, what is that book you pulled off from the shelf?"
"The Magic and The Art, it was really fascinating. The books says how to turn a human being into a vampire or werewolf. I wonder if this book was written by a Dark Syndicate member." Alice replied looking awed.
Izrael smiled and said, "We cannot say, but I can presume that the Dark Syndicate took some ideas there." Alice sighed and replied, "That's obvious, how I remember Arya." with that sadness crept into her eyes. Izrael placed his hand over the girl's left shoulder and said, "We cannot do nothing for the dead victims of the Dark Syndicate but to pray for their souls and avenge them."
"Yes... avenge them." Alice agreed remembering Izrael's dead father. Duke Evan Craig, murdered by the Dark Syndicate.
CAFE
Melfiuelle is white as sheet. Her purse was stolen just like that. She didn't noticed it at all. But how? Chief Wesley has assumed that it was the young man who bumped into her. The usual technique of pick pocketers. Right now, she is seated in a cafe drinking hot coffee with Insp. Huntington. Insp. Huntington gazed at her trying to open a conversation/
"So... the Chief accompanied you to market?" he asked. Melfiuelle simply nods her head. "Really now? So it's true that the Chief has the hots for this woman." Insp. Huntington thought.
"Did you recognized the young man's face when he bumped into you?" Insp. Huntington asked. Melfiuelle sighed and answered, "Like what I told Monsieur Robert, I didn't saw his face, I only recognize what he was wearing."
"Monsieur Robert? Did she just called the Chief with his first name?" Insp. Huntington thought in surprise. He looked at his watch, it was 10 minutes since the Chief left making him to baby-sit Melfiuelle. "What made Chief Wesley to handle this case? This is supposed to be my case and he's taking it." Then he looked at Melfiuelle who is looking worried and thought, "Maybe because the victim is Mademoiselle Forte."
ALONG THE SIDEWALKS NEAR RUPERT MART
Chief Wesley scanned the surroundings trying to find a man with a white and black checkered top and white pants. That man is also wearing a rag-like bowler's hat. "Of all people that moron to pick pocket, it has to be Melfiuelle." Chief Wesley muttered looking irritated. Luckily, he took his Colt SAA with him, safely tucked in it's holster inside his vest.
"Pray I don't have to use my gun on that man." Chief Wesley thought. "Crap! Where is that man? He should still be here, eyeing for a next victim!" and like a prayer answered, he spotted a white and black checkered top. He walked towards it and perfectly, the person who is wearing it also has a rug-like bowler hat. The person is walking fast towards a woman wearing a diamond decorated hand bag.
Chief Wesley walked on close by. Instinct tells him that this person is going to do the same thing he did to Melfiuelle. The person bumped into the woman and exclaimed, "I'm sorry madam" and walked off. As he did, Chief Wesley noticed that the diamond-decorated purse of the woman is gone. "Bingo!" Chief Wesley's mind screamed.
His feet took off running after the man. He took out his Colt SAA and cried, "You with the checkered top! Freeze! Police!" the man looked behind him and his eyes widened. He gritted his teeth and exclaimed, "Crap!" with that he ran.
Chief Wesley stopped on his tracks, aimed his gun and muttered, "I'm not letting you go." with that he fired. The bullet directly hit the pick pocketer in the leg disabling him. The man fell down on the ground wincing in pain. Chief Wesley approached the man, showing his badge he exclaimed, "You're under arrest for theft mister!"
"C-Chief of Police!" the man sputtered in shock. "Yes and I believe you stole a purse?" Chief Wesley replied. The man then handed Chief Wesley the diamond-decorated bag. Chief Wesley took it and said, "I believe you stole another one. From a lady inside Rupert Mart."
The man sighed and even in pain, he took out a velvet purse. Chief Wesley recognized it. It's Melfiuelle's purse. He took the velvet purse and as a police came he exclaimed, "Put this man in the hospital, interrogate him for accomplices and such." He then handed the diamond-decorated bag to the police and said, "Get this bag to the lady not far away."
"Yes Chief." the police replied. Chief Wesley placed his gun into it's holster, clutching the velvet purse, he walked towards the cafe in where Insp. Huntington and Melfiuelle are.
CAFE
Insp. Huntington took the last drink in his cup as he sees Chief Wesley walking towards them. "Chief Wesley!" he exclaimed. Melfiuelle stood up saying, "Oh Monsieur Robert!"
"Nothing to worry Madame, I got your purse and the thief was reprimanded." Chief Wesley replied handing the velvet purse to Melfiuelle.
"Oh thank you!" Melfiuelle exclaimed taking the purse. She then noticed the holster peeking out of his vest, "Monsieur... you used your gun?" Chief Wesley looked at his gun and answered, "Apparently yes, the thief took of the run and I have to disable him."
Melfiuelle broke into a smile and said, "Oh, I'm glad you weren't hurt or anything."
"Now Madame, I'm the Chief of Police, getting hurt is part o my job but in this case, I don't intend too. I can't have you worried." Chief Wesley replied winking at Melfiuelle. Melfiuelle blushed in an instantly. Chief Wesley turned to Insp. Huntington and said, "Thank you for accompanying Madame Melfiuelle. You head to the hospital, the suspect was taken there."
Insp. Huntington saluted and left. Chief Wesley took Melfiuelle's basket and said, "Shall we? I'll take you home."
CRAIG MANSION DOORSTEPS
"Well we're here. Thank you for your help Monsieur Robert. Thank you." Melfiuelle replied taking the basket from Chief Wesley. Chief Wesley bowed before her and said, "It's my pleasure Mademoiselle."
The door opened and there stood Shean Rivers. Upon seeing Chief Wesley he said, "Chief Wesley, do you have a meeting with Master Izrael today?" The Chief shook his head and replied, "No Shean, I'm just accompanied Madame Melfiuelle here and helped her in her marketing." Shean then looked at the basket and said, "I see, let me have that Madame Forte."
Melfiuelle handed the basket to Shean and said, "Thank you, kindly place it on the counter." with that Shean disappears. Melfiuelle smiled at Chief Wesley and said, "I'll be going now. Thank you for your time."
"No, thank you Madame Melfiuelle." Chief Wesley replied. They bid goodbye, Chief Wesley then went down the steps. Before Melfiuelle enters the door, she called out, "Monsieur!"
The Chief looked at her. Melfiuelle bit her lip and asked, "Can we have tea sometime? Just the two of us, if it's not bad." Chief Wesley broke into a smile and answered, "I would love to, my lady."
OMAKE END