"Come in, please." Holmes called out with suddenness. I wondered why he would say such a thing, when the door opened with a surprising quiet.
In entered a man who seemed somewhere between living and dead. He was there and certainly alive, yet he reminded me of the men who, sadly, did not return from the war. His eyes were somewhere between green and blue, that they could easily be mistaken for either.
"You have nothing to be afraid of, sir." My companion told the stranger. "I assure you, you shall suffer no harm here. Would you like some tea?"
He sat across from Holmes like every client prior, with a similar confusion having seen his detective skills.
"Yes, please."
"Watson, Mrs. Hudson will be up any moment now. Please take the tray when she does." His attention returned to the possible client. "Now, what is your name, pray tell?"
"Janus."
"Ah, like the Roman God. Though your accent doesn't seem Italian."
"It was given to me by a friend."
At that exact moment, Mrs. Hudson had entered, as Sherlock predicted. At this point, I should not be surprised. Yet I find my self so, regardless.
"More than a friend, I assume." Despite having accepted the offer for tea, his eyes now drilled into my friend.
"How exactly do you know so much?" He asked in an accusatory tone. I felt the need to defend Holmes, but he placed a hand up to stop me.
"I can tell from the almost imperceptible footsteps and your posture that you have been beaten and abused most of your life. The clothes that almost fit you indicates you've recently gained some confidence. And the gentleness in your tone when speaking of your 'friend' suggests you have a deep respect for them. A mentor, perhaps."
He seemed almost afraid at his life being an open book. He looked around our small apartment, almost observing as Holmes would do.
"I apologise for upsetting you, as I seem to have done. Though with your glare hovering over my lab, it seems you are more intelligent than most people are aware."
His eyes grew more narrow. Not murderous, but more as though he was deciding how to continue.   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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