Entry 32

It has been nearly a week since the incident that landed me in the hospital and exposed a crooked overseas monarchy. My wound has fortunately healed without any issues. It may have been the assistance that I received from my companion that allowed as much.

Shirleigh often checked in with me, even when I insisted that I was doing fine and would bring me something that I needed to prevent me from overexerting myself. It was quite an interesting thing to see, her change in nature. She still carried that enigmatic aura, which was something that I believe would never go away, but she seems to be making an effort to be more conscientious about how she may come across to others. Although she appeared to be doing all right from the outside, I have little doubt that her mind is running amok with thoughts about the string of cases that we have participated in. I did my absolute best to try to get her to talk to me about what was on her mind, but she always dismisses the thought with a shake of the head.

It was currently an overcast and chilly morning. The wind brushed its hands through the leaves atop the trees, most of them floating gently to the ground from the repetitive motion. It was a morning that made me want to huddle in front of the hearth with a blanket and a good book.

I was not huddled in front of the hearth with a blanket and a good book.

In fact, I was currently surrounded by the cold, concrete walls of an interrogation room alongside my partner and Officer Gregson. Across from us was Stephanos Angelopoulos, looking rather weary from recent events.

"This isn't helping your case, y'know," Gregson stated, a hand placed on her hip.

We had been in this room for quite some time. How long, I wasn't sure, I just knew that Shirleigh wasn't the only one growing impatient.

"I really can't say much more," Angleopoulos insisted. "The boss has ears everywhere. If I say anything more..."

Gregson scratched her head and sighed.

We left the interrogation room and convened in a nearby meeting area. The other officers around us were hard at work at their desks. Some of them rushed to and from different rooms down the hall. I couldn't help but wonder what occupied them, given that crime rates were on the rise, but we currently had enough to think about at the moment.

This was only my second time down at Neo Scotland Yard, or any police station for that matter, so it was interesting to see the inner workings of the system. Although it became clear that there was a gloomy atmosphere that hung above everyone's heads, the longer we stayed. I recalled Shirleigh and Lestrade mentioning how the police chief was a crooked man who exercised power simply because he possessed it. Scotland Yard was the leading metropolitan police station in terms of crime-solving rates, but in recent years, it has tanked in its ranking. Chills ran down my spine as I wondered if he was currently in his office.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think there's much else we can do, Miss Holmes," Gregson apologised. "Even those we have arrested in the past are unwilling to say anything because of what their 'boss' might do to them or those close to them."

I was seated across from Officer Gregson at her desk while Shirleigh remained standing.

There was only one person who was willing to give us information regarding this 'boss', but even then, we did not have much to go on. If only she were still with us...

"It is one thing to commit crimes oneself," Shirleigh suddenly began. "But to have someone else commit them by hanging something over their head... It is an entirely new evil."

"I am still unable to visit Evelyn?" I asked. It has been over a month since the person I saw as a friend was arrested after it was revealed that she was the Whatechapel Murderer. When I had attempted to visit her after the fact, the constables informed me that she had been transferred to a solitary confinement cell after an incident occurred. "Is she alright?"

"I apologise, Miss Juniper, but I'm afraid Miss Evelyn won't be allowed any visitors any time soon. As for her condition, I am also not at liberty to speak about."

My shoulders slumped as I thought about what could have possibly happened.

🙤♔🙦

"Shirleigh, Miss Watson."

Mr Hudson stood tall at the front desk and greeted us with a lukewarm smile. It was clear that he wanted to keep the mood light, but amidst recent happenings, it proved a bit difficult. Though I did notice a glimmer in his eyes as I approached him. Shirleigh headed toward the staircase.

"These arrived from your sister," Mr Hudson called out, and Shirleigh froze in her tracks.

Mr Hudson handed me two envelopes, ones I have never seen the likes of before. It was heavier than the ones I was used to, and gilded embossings decorated the perimeter. It became evident that whatever was contained in these envelopes was of great importance.

I walked over to Shirleigh and handed her one of the envelopes as we made our way up the staircase.

"What do you think it's about?" I inquired, searching the drawers for a letter opener.

"I am not entirely sure, but I doubt it is short of something worthy of the highest praise," Shirleigh said.

After having found the letter opener hidden away underneath a stack of papers on a side table, I reluctantly split the envelope open and retrieved the contents that were inside.

"My word!" I exclaimed. "Shirleigh, this is amazing!"

Shirleigh retrieved the letter opener from my possession.

"It's an invitation?" Shirleigh wondered as she opened the envelope, and I could see in real time how her eyes sparkled after reading over the letter that was inside. She smiled and placed a fist on her hip. "Nothing short of the highest praise, indeed."

It was for a moment that we forgot the perils and tragedies that had transpired not long before.

We had received invitations to a celebration where Miriam would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the work she's accomplished around the globe. The celebration was to be held at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, in the autonomous Basque Country. She had previously mentioned needing to visit the community when we met, but I don't even think she knew what it was for.

"What's the matter?"

Shirleigh's initial pride had dissipated, an uncertain expression replacing it. She seemed to be contemplating something.

"I am unsure of what I should wear for such an occasion..." she admitted. "It has been many years since I have been to an event such as this. At what point is something considered 'too fancy'? 'Grandiloquent'? Is there a possibility that I dress too casually compared to everyone else?"

It never would have occurred to me that something like picking an outfit to wear would ever plague my partner's mind, but I was glad that this was taking up her attention rather than other matters.

"Well, the ceremony is in a week's time," I reread the invitation. "We can go shopping and figure out what to wear until then. I believe we are more in need of a break, anyhow."

It made me warm inside to see Shirleigh's eyes light up at my suggestion. She would never admit it, but she is desperately in need of rest.

"Oh, it has been feeling a lot better as of late," I answer, and I shake my leg in front of me. "My mirror therapy sessions with Maxwell have been aiding me a lot more than I initially thought. It also appears that you were right..."

Shirleigh hummed inquisitively, still keeping the pace of our walk down the cobblestone.

"The mind is truly a magnificent thing," I recalled her words from back when we first met. I remember the two of us convening in the kitchen one morning, discussing the Whitechapel Murders and her lack of food consumption. "It can cause great fears and rid of them just as easily. Oh, look! How cute!"

Approaching us from the other side of the pavement, a woman was taking a stroll with her dog. It wasn't small, but it wasn't large, either. It was covered in shiny, golden fur reminiscent of wheat fields, and its eyes were dark like truffles.

I hurried over to greet the owner, hoping I could give the canine a few head pats.

"Shirleigh, do you like dogs? Come look at this—"

I turned to look over my shoulder at my companion to find her completely frozen. It was difficult to read her expression as the sun beamed down from overhead, causing shadows to form dark pools where her eyes rested. But in those pools, I could make out the aquamarine irises as they glinted in the Sun's rays. She was staring directly into the dog's eyes.

Her brows knitted together, and I noticed how her jaw tightened. It was then that I suddenly remembered something Miriam had mentioned.

Any mention of dogs?

Did something happen to Shirleigh that involved a dog? I wasn't quite sure, but it seemed clear enough that whatever the connection was, it wasn't good. I gave a slight bow to the dog's owner, thanking them for the chance to meet them, before returning to my partner's side.

"What's the matter?" I asked. "You suddenly seemed troubled."

Shirleigh shook her head, strands of her chestnut hair draping over her shoulders. She looked back at the dog and its owner as they continued down the sidewalk, and I noticed how she twitched before turning back to face me. I watched her regain her composure; it was interesting to see her do so in front of me.

"I'm fine," was all she said, and she continued her stride down the sidewalk with me at her heels.

🙤♔🙦

"That is such a lovely colour on you!"

I gushed at my partner's nails, admiring the jet black polish dancing on her pale fingertips. When the light caught them just right, tiny specks of golden glitter winked like stars flickering in the night sky.

"I-it's just black," she said sheepishly. I couldn't help but notice the unusual stammer in her speech.

The two of us had left the nail salon and were now on the hunt for something to wear for the ceremony. Brick and mortar buildings lined either side of the cobblestone street, most of them independently run by families or newly-declared entrepreneurs. I would occasionally get sidetracked and marvel at old antiques displayed in shop windows or be lured by the scent of fresh pastries lingering in the air.

When I realised I was becoming easily distracted, I repeated to myself that we would retrieve what we came for first, and then we could explore. So it took me by surprise when I noticed that Shirleigh was the one who was suddenly led astray.

I had walked a few steps before realising she was no longer beside me. I turned around, scanning the broad streets, bustling with the colourful citizens of London.

After a moment of surveying the area, I spotted my partner in front of a bay window a few shops down from where I presently stood. I slipped through the crowd, and upon drawing closer, it became apparent that she was transfixed on something in the window. Her hands were folded in front of her, and for once, her posture came across as more relaxed. Her eyes were wide, and they seemed to glitter as she stared at whatever it was that was on display.

When I finally came within close proximity, I followed her gaze through the window pane. It didn't take me long to find what had captured her attention.

A dress as white as fresh snow stood tall against a tall, ornate mirror.

"We can go in here if you want."

Before I could finish my suggestion, Shirleigh turned to me with an eager look in her eyes.

We ventured into the boutique, and we were immediately entranced by the various dresses and gowns that lined the walls.

Shirleigh was drawn to a black gown sprinkled with golden glitter, while a long, scarlet dress caught my eye.

"I was going to head down to Guildford to see the Stoke Moran Travelling Circus, so it gutted me to hear that they cancelled the rest of their dates for England because something horrible happened. I figured I would go to the annual fantasy ball in Oxfordshire, instead. I was positively chuffed when I spotted this gown, it's quite the bee's knees! I couldn't pass it up."

I overheard one of the customers speaking with the employee at the desk whilst she was finishing her transaction. The conversation piqued my interest, so I approached them to inquire about the incident in Guildford as Shirleigh continued to sift through the never-ending sea of gowns.

"Pardon me," said I, gaining the attention of the lasses. "What happened in Guildford?"

"You haven't heard, have you?" The lady purchasing the dress turned to face me. "Something bloody terrible happened to one of the members of the circus. There hasn't been much news of it, yet, but I heard that one of the lads in the marching band had been murdered! By one of his own at that! Blimey, it chills me just thinking 'bout it! Absolutely dreadful, innit?"

The sound of the clotheshangers sliding on the racks from behind ceased, and I could tell that Shirleigh had overheard what was said. As if to confirm my thoughts, I heard her approaching with shuffling steps and she appeared beside me.

"I assume they have yet to catch the culprit, hearing that much news hasn't been heard?" she asked, taking on that usual stoicism I was so accustomed to seeing.

"You're right about that there, guv. The officers can't seem to suss out who did it. All they know is that it had to have been someone underneath that circus tent before opening hours. Can't even find the murder weapon."

When I looked up at my partner, her eyes lit up for a wee moment, and she clapped her hands together.

"What do you say to one more mystery before our trip, Watson?"