Halloween Sherlock: Volumes 1-3 by Liz Hedgecock

Author:Liz Hedgecock [Hedgecock, Liz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: box set, british detective, crime, dark, detective fiction, English, Halloween, London, mystery, paranormal, scary, Sherlock Holmes, short stories, thriller, vampire, Victorian
Publisher: White Rhino Books
Published: 2018-10-09T04:00:00+00:00

VII

‘You’re sure no-one’s here?’ I asked, glancing along the alley.

‘On the contrary,’ said Holmes, setting his jaw as he worked on the lock. ‘I hope to find three people. At the very least.’ He selected another pick. ‘Aha!’ he muttered at the click. He applied light pressure to the door, and it opened inward. ‘Now we shall see.’ He closed the door behind us, and presently I heard the rrrrrrip of a match striking. Holmes shielded the flame, and we inspected our surroundings.

We were in a hall with several glass-panelled doors leading off. The first office was the clerk’s, and there we found a candle, just as Holmes’s match began to fade. ‘The fates favour us, Watson,’ he smiled.

We passed from room to room; a larger, more elaborate office labelled Director, with sample medicine bottles in a cabinet; a cloakroom; a kitchenette. ‘What are you looking for, Holmes?’

‘A locked door,’ he whispered. He tried the door marked Works. ‘We are getting somewhere.’ The lock-picks came into play again, and we entered a huge room crammed with equipment. Holmes walked quickly past the long tables, the huge vats, the cupboards full of bottles. ‘This is not it.’ I followed him to the door at the end, trying not to wince at the noise of our footsteps. I was sure my heart could be heard in the street.

Holmes turned to me. ‘Before I go on, Watson, you must return to the hall. Detain whoever enters; shoot them if you must. I shall accompany you.’

I nodded, and swallowed. Holmes walked back with me and relocked the front door. ‘That should give you fair warning,’ he said. ‘I shall continue my quest. When you have them, shout.’

‘I will,’ I said, hoping I was as brave as I sounded.

‘I know you will.’

Holmes retreated, the light travelling with him. He closed the factory door, and I was plunged into a darkness which became thicker every second.

I took out my revolver and checked each cartridge. I stood ready, and counted a minute in my head.

Nothing happened.

I counted another minute, and another. I considered sitting down. It would be hard, cold, not much better than standing. Perhaps if I leaned on the door… I let my head rest on the wood.

The door rattled, and my heart caught in my throat. I stepped away, raised my gun, and waited.

Scuffling outside, and muttering.

Please don’t let there be two of them. Or more. I longed to summon Holmes, but it was against my orders.

A key in the lock.

Click.

The door opened. I could just see the shape of a top hat. The figure stooped. A small ugh of breath, and it straightened. He was carrying something. Something quite large.

I moved further back, hardly daring to breathe, as the man stepped over the threshold. He stooped again to release his burden, then turned the key in the lock.

I aimed for the wrist, and cracked the gun down with all my force.

‘Aaagh!’

‘Holmes! Holmes!’ I cried. I reached out, catching a lapel. ‘Don’t struggle, or I’ll shoot you.

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