Entry 37

"Shirleigh, Love," Miriam stood tall as a few others walked up to stand on either side of her. Among them were Mr Hudson and Shivani Moran. One whom I found myself familiar with, the other I had only met once by happenstance. There were two others whom I didn't recognise at all. One being a well-groomed young man, and the other was a shorter, older woman with grey hair. "There's...something I need to tell you."

The confused look on Shirleigh's face told me that she truly did not have any idea what was going on.

"We are a part of a covert government agency which I formed many years ago to investigate strange and unusual crimes around the world. We are The Diogenes, and we are currently investigating the matter of the Basque Country werewolf as it may be tied to a larger scheme." Miriam paused, and she averted her gaze. "And because...I didn't want you to handle it."

Shirleigh remained silent, no doubt processing the words coming from Miriam.

"These are the other members of The Diogenes, some of whom you are already familiar with.

"Hudson is in charge of our covert operations. He can get in anywhere undetected. That is, until I detected him one day when he was carrying out a mission, and I totally almost ruined it. The two of us go further back than you think. I'll tell you more about it one day.

"Moran is my marksman. You know who she is. She was very close with Jade Moriarty. We may not always see eye-to-eye, but I can always count on her to be a good, clean shot.

"This is Valentino Smith, whom I have told you about in the past, Shirleigh. He is the renowned cyclist I helped from a stalker whilst I was taking care of some business affairs in Italy many years ago.

"And she certainly doesn't need any introduction," Miriam turned to me as the older woman stepped forward. "This is our grandmother, Louise Holmes. She is where Shirleigh gets her mastery of disguise and understanding of French. She is something of a chameleon, let me tell you. You'd never be able to spot her in a crowd if she didn't want you to."

Stunned into silence, I couldn't do more than stare at the group before us.

"The Baskerland Werewolf was a case that I knew was bound to dredge up those horrible memories from your past," Miriam continued, turning to face her sister. Her jaw tightened, a solemn expression painting her soft features. "I wanted you to stay away from all of this because I didn't want you to experience all of that pain again. All of that trauma. I wanted to handle this before you caught wind of it, but I knew I couldn't have this ceremony and not invite you without you growing suspicious. It is incredibly difficult to hide things from you, you know."

Shirleigh had yet to say a word.

"Wait..." I said aloud. "I apologise, but something about this doesn't sit quite right with me."

Miriam inquisitively tilted her head.

"I feel like—from what you have just said—you have been attempting to bury Shirleigh's trauma for her."

Miriam hummed, then nodded her head.

"But why would you do such a thing? Unresolved trauma can have long-lasting effects not only on a person's mental well-being but also on their physical health..." I paused, realising something. "In your attempt to help your sister, I fear you may have caused more damage."

Miriam's shoulders slumped, and before I knew it, she had burst into tears.

"I didn't...even...think about it...like that...!" Miriam cried uncontrollably. She threw herself at Shirleigh and flung her arms around her. "Sherrie, I'm so...so sorry! All I ever...wanted...was to protect you! I wanted to be...a good big sister...but I just...made things worse...!"

Suddenly feeling incredibly guilty, I tried to find some way to resolve the mess I had unintentionally created. That was when Shirleigh gently pushed Miriam away from her. She opened her mouth but shut it before she could say anything.

"What..." Shirleigh began, then paused for a brief moment. It appeared she knew that she might regret asking the following question. "What exactly happened...back then?"

Miriam struggled to control her hiccups as she desperately wiped her face with the cuffs of her dress sleeves. If she dabbed at her cheeks with any more fervour, I feared she would wipe the skin from her bones. I watched how Hudson attempted to get her attention to use the handkerchief he was trying to give her.

"I suppose I should explain everything," said Miriam between sniffles. "Do you remember anything at all?"

Shirleigh slowly shook her head.

"Shirleigh..." I took hold of my partner's arm. There was a foreboding sense of dread building in my stomach. I was just as much in the dark as my companion seemed to be, so I was unsure of what to expect. "Are you sure you want to hear this?"

"It is just as you said, Watson," she looked down at me. "I believe the key to understanding myself lies with my sister."

I nodded and released her arm, backing away a few inches to give her some space. I had actually started for the door, just as the rest of Miriam's group had done, to give them privacy, but Shirleigh had grasped my wrist. She never looked at me, her full attention fixed on her sister before her, and I stayed by her side.

Neither of us was prepared for what Miriam had to say.