dmims Chapter 222: The Valley of Fear (5)
Chapter 222: The Valley of Fear (5)
“Excuse me.”
“Yes, what brings you here... Oh?”
To thoroughly verify the details published in the morning newspaper, Charlotte journeyed to the police station in Pennsylvania, where the incident had occurred.
“Could you be... Charlotte Holmes?”
“... Do you know me?”
Charlotte asked, directing a puzzled look at the officer who had seemingly recognised her and extended a hand with a pleased expression.
“Of course, A Study in Scarlet and The Adventures of Charlotte Holmes are bestsellers that are famous not only in America but in France also.”
“... I had no idea that they were that good.”
“It’s an honour to meet you. I am Inspector MacDonald. But what brings Miss Holmes here...?” 1
At the inspector’s further probing, Charlotte breathed a tired sigh and pulled out a newspaper.
“... What’s this?”
“My business pertains to an incident reported in today’s newspaper. I came here to gather some information as this police station has jurisdiction over this incident.”
“Oh, have you decided to operate internationally now?”
“Not at the moment.”
She explained, a sombre look in her eyes.
“It’s just that the peculiarities of my situation have left me with no choice but to involve myself internationally this time.”
“Hmm... I see. I’m curious what kind of incident has moved a famous figure like Miss Holmes.”
“There’s no need to explain. You can see for yourself.”
With that, the inspector bowed his head and eyed the newspaper Charlotte had laid down.
“Ah... Are you talking about this assault case?”
“That’s right. I want to receive all the possible information regarding this case.”
“Um... It doesn’t seem like a significant enough incident for someone of your stature to handle.”
“Appearances can be deceiving, and what seems trivial might hide a chasm thousands of miles deep.”
“... Well, I understand. Given your reputation, I’m sure you have enough reason to involve yourself in this case.”
Just as the inspector was about to speak further,
“In my personal opinion...”
- Squeak...
Suddenly, the door behind them opened, and someone entered the police station.
“..........”
And with the entrance of the speaker, silence ensued in the police station.
“Well, well, well... who do we have here?”
In the silence, a familiar voice laden with mockery addressed Charlotte, who wore a dark gaze as she looked at the figure.
“At this point, it might as well be regarded as stalking, Holmes.”
“... Only it’s you who sought me out this time.”
The owner of the remark was none other than Professor Jane Moriarty, wearing an expression as dark and cold as Charlotte’s.
“Were you anticipating the route I’d take? Quite impressive, if I say so myself.”
“Ha... Nonsense.”
Understanding that they had to see each other’s insufferable faces even in another country, the pair of women’s faces soured into annoyance. Moreover, the atmosphere in the police station grew markedly colder due to the hostile aura they exuded toward each other. řΆΝỐΒËȿ
“Um... Excuse me, but who might you be?”
“... I am Professor Moriarty.”
In the tense scenario, the inspector hesitantly asked the professor regarding her identity, not recognising her. Immediately, her expression changed as she addressed the inspector in question.
“I’m just an ordinary university professor.”
“... Not mentioning this time that you’re a professor at the August Academy, a celebrity in the world of academia for your papers on asteroid dynamics and the binomial theorem that also gave you immense fame at a relatively young age?”
Charlotte interjected with a mocking tone before the professor could talk further.
“When have I ever boasted about that?”
“Ah, and while on a teacher’s salary of 700 pounds a year, you also display a 40,000-pound painting in your study. It’s a mystery where that amount of money came from.”
“I’ve never told you about my salary, nor have I shown you my study.”
“... There are ways for a detective to find out.”
“Such as breaking and entering?”
And their quarrelling resumed once more, for what it seemed to be the umpteenth time.
“Well, even if it’s you, I didn’t think you’d go as far as to spout your vain delusions in front of a police officer. There are laws against defamation in both America and Britain, for your information.”
“Shall I tell you an interesting story? In the 1750s, there was a woman named Julia Wild...”
“A real figure who wielded considerable influence among London’s villains, lending them her wisdom and organisation for a 15% commission fee.”
“Oh, you’re quite knowledgeable.”
“However, one thing I don’t understand is... why they would commit such an act...”
“... Thank you for the information.”
“Much appreciated.”
The two women rose from their seats, leaving the inspector absolutely bewildered at their sudden action.
“Are you leaving? Then you must be careful.”
Inspector MacDonald, looking slightly worried, cautioned them and offered her advice.
“The Vermissa Valley is currently known by the locals as the Valley of Fear. The gang residing there is violent and savage, and even the police can’t exert their full force at that place.”
“”.........””
Charlotte Holmes and Professor Moriarty paused for a moment, then slowly turned around.
“Thanks for the advice.”
“But it was completely unnecessary, to be honest.”
“.......!”
At the brief display of hostility that abruptly surged out of the pair of women, the inspector, without even realizing it, almost drew the pistol she carried.
- Squeak...
“Phew...”
As the two women quietly left the police station, she exhaled softly and murmured under her breath.
“... I’m not sure what’s going on here, but it seems to me that the name of the valley will probably change back to Vermissa Valley very soon.”
.
.
.
.
.
Meanwhile,
“... Is it just my imagination?”
Adler, feeling a sudden surge of anxiety, had taken off his wig and placed it beside the bed to scratch his head.
“I suddenly feel an ominous chill crawling all over...”
Just as he was reaching out to transform back into Irene Adler.
- Clatter...!
“Rookie, are you hurt anywhere?”
“Dear Irene, feeling worn out?”
“That bastard, we’ve already beaten him thoroughly but maybe...”
“.......!”
Suddenly, the door of the boarding house he was staying in began opening abruptly,
... They’re ripping off the door with force alone?
Adler was utterly astonished by the strength of the members who somehow managed to break the door despite it being securely locked. With that realisation, he hastily scrambled to put the wig back on his head to impersonate a woman again, lest they find out about his secret.
“O-Oh, you’ve arrived...?”
He greeted the leader and the members who had come to find him with a forced calm smile, but,
“””.............”””
For some reason, the bright smiles that had been plastered on everyone’s faces just moments ago were now gone, an ominous foreboding.
“Why, why are you looking like that...?”
Sweating at the sudden change, Adler looked at the women with a pitying look and asked in a bare whisper.
“... You’ve put the wig on backwards.”
“Ah.”
Carelessly, he spun the misaligned wig back to its original position at the leader’s comment, only realising what he did after he was done with the deed.
“””........”””
Silence filled the room after the stunt.
“... You were a man?”
“See, I told you he smelled like a man...”
“Hmm...”
In that silence, the members locked the door behind them with a sinister smile while inching toward Adler. He, in turn, inched away from them as much as he could while his whole being trembled in fright.
“Ah, but I’m a woman...”
Of course, he had walked himself into a dead-end with no way out.
Footnotes
1. Since most of the major or minor named characters in the novel had their genders changed, I am assuming MacDonald is also a woman and keep it as such unless I find evidence /genesisforsaken