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Andrews UK - Kate Workman

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77 pages

English

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Erik has returned and has brought an interesting character to Holmes's attention: Dr. Henry Jekyll. It appears Jekyll is experimenting on an unsanctioned patient in an effort to prove his theories concerning human nature correct. But who is the patient he's found? Is it his mentally ill father, shut away for years in an institution? Is it Simon Stride, the jealous former suitor of Jekyll's fiancee? Or could it be the mysterious, unsavoury murderer, Edward Hyde, with whom Jekyll seems to have intimate knowledge? Sherlock Holmes, along with Erik and Watson, investigates this bizarre case. Holmes uses a very unorthodox method that brings him to the brink of insanity as he delves into the mind of a man obsessively devoted to his work. Will Holmes's own mind crack under the strain of this case?

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Publié par	Andrews UK
Date de parution	22 novembre 2011
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781780920160
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0374€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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Title Page

I WILL FIND THE ANSWER

A Novel of Sherlock Holmes

By
Kate Workman

Publisher Information

Published in the UK by MX Publishing
335 Princess Park Manor, Royal Drive, London, N11 3GX
www.mxpublishing.com

Digital edition converted and distributed in 2011 by
Andrews UK Limited
www.andrewsuk.com

© Copyright 2011 Kate Workman
The right of Kate Workman to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998.

All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without express prior written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted except with express prior written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1956 (as amended). Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damage.

The characters portrayed in this book are fictional and resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and not of MX Publishing.

Cover artwork by www.staunch.com

Dedication

This novel is dedicated to, of course, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson, who first thought up these characters and gave them to the world. I’d also like to acknowledge the masterful musicians, songwriters, and singers who put together the musical Jekyll and Hyde, especially for the songs This is the Moment and In His Eyes, which initially got me addicted to the soundtrack when I listened to them again back in 2008.
In addition, I’d like to dedicate this novel to Andrew Shainberg, who didn’t want me to write a particular short story for a class, so instead I wrote the short story that soon blossomed into this novel.
I also have to thank Edward Schwind, who gave me the highest compliment a writer can ever receive - a non-reader looking forward everyday to reading the next handwritten segment I’d gotten done. And of course, mistakenly reading my handwriting in hilarious ways. I’ll never forget such gems as: “arm-hands” and “’Jekyll tried to and he farted??’ ‘Um, that says “failed.”’ ‘Oh. I knew that!’”

Lost in the Darkness

Sherlock Holmes,
I never expected our paths to cross again. However, at the present time I’m forced to stay in one of London’s seedier regions, near a harlot house. No, you have no cause for alarm. I’m not indulging in the ladies’ ‘talents’; after all, who of them would have me?
I’ve seen something that I believe would interest you. You once commented on the singularly unique expression of determination and focus on my face when I compose music. ‘Like one possessed,’ I believe was your term. I have seen that same expression on a young gentleman several nights ago as he left this dreadful place. Not your normal sort to go to a house of prostitution, either. This man was too clean. Too wholesome. Of course, you can never tell what may be lurking underneath the surface. You and I both know far too well that men are masters of deceit. Indeed, especially after living in this part of the city, I have found so many more than just I have a reason to wear a mask. Though in their cases, it’s not an actual covering.
To get to the main point, I believe this man is worth investigating. I do not know what his demons are, or if ones even truly exist, but his expression was too much like mine to put aside lightly. I hope we can rendezvous and investigate this together.
Erik

Erik had sufficiently raised my curiosity, so I responded immediately, requesting more information. He came to Baker Street with a plethora of it but, as with any good mystery, his responses raised more questions than answers.

“Holmes. Good to see you again,” he said when I walked in to 221B the night after my reply was sent.
With a wry smile, I set down my cane, eased myself into my chair, and reached for my pipe. “Erik. Did you pick the lock on the door or the window?”
“The window. It seemed a safer way for me to gain entry. I wouldn’t frighten your housekeeper half to death if she came up and saw me in the hall.”
I gave a short bark of a laugh. “Mrs. Hudson? You don’t expect me to believe, after just admitting to sneaking in my window, that Mrs. Hudson would see you if you didn’t wish to be seen?”
Erik smiled behind his mask. “No, I suppose not. I would be safely in the shadows long before she had even an inkling I was nearby.”
I struck a match and as it flared to life before my eyes, I said, “You’re quite like a spider, aren’t you? If for nothing more than gravity seems to have no bearing on you.”
“I’ve compared myself to one on numerous occasions, yes.”
I lit my pipe, and as tendrils of smoke began to rise, I requested, “Why not tell me of this extraordinarily focused and determined individual?”
Erik nodded and sat on the couch opposite me, stretching his long legs in front of him.
“Have you heard of a man, both a scientist and doctor, named Henry Jekyll?”
I rubbed my chin and thought through the vast library of peoples’ names and professions I had in my mind. “I don’t believe I’m familiar with that name, no.”
Erik’s eyes gave away his surprise. “I wonder if you are slipping in your knowledge of contemporary figures in science, or if he is that unknown a man.”
“The latter is more likely, but I admit, either is possible. Wait a moment. Let me check my files.” I caned over to my bookshelf and pulled out one of my casebooks on criminals, people of importance, and random professions that I’ve felt were valuable to have information on. As a matter of fact, there was a file marked “Jekyll, Henry.”
“Here he is. Henry Jekyll. I don’t have much. It simply says that a few years ago, he received an award in the form of a cane given to him in recognition of his achievements as a doctor and scientist. Obviously, I have failed to look over these files recently. At least, the more obscure ones.”
“You have been focusing on Moriarty and those connected with him?”
“Yes. And much to my dismay, I‘m not having any success.”
“Have you dealt with any cases that bear his mark?”
“That’s just it. There have been several, but none give me the chance to catch the one pulling the strings. I’ve become increasingly frustrated with the police because of this. All they care about is that the ruffians outwardly responsible are off the streets, never realizing there are scores of others just waiting to step into the fray.” I sighed, then turned my attention back to the matter at hand. “Please, continue.”
“Well, I initially saw this man on the thirteenth. For the next two days, I observed him and that night, wrote to you. All he seems to do is work in a laboratory he has in the basement of his residence. He’s been conducting some kind of experiment and the only time I saw him leave was when he frantically raced to the pharmacist, the only man able to give him a new supply of the rare chemicals he needs.”
“’Frantically raced?’ That’s a fascinating description.”
“One deliberately chosen. He ran like a man possessed. It was almost . . .” Erik trailed off, and I could see he wanted to choose his words carefully. “It was almost as if he was running towards something, but at the same time, away from something. I had to be incredibly stealthy that night. Most people, when they have a destination in mind, don’t bother to look behind them. Jekyll, on the other hand, continually glanced over his shoulder, as if expecting someone - or something - to follow him.
“I’ve also seen three men and one woman continuously come and go, usually talking in the sitting room of the house, discussing their worries for Jekyll. I’ve been able to surmise that one man is Jekyll’s butler, another a lawyer and old family friend, and the last is the father of the woman, who is Jekyll’s fiancée.”
“And what of this experiment? What does it pertain to? Could you discern anything concerning it?”
“Only that it has something to do with human nature. From the way two of the men were speaking, Jekyll has gone before a Board of Directors at a hospital, begging them to allow him to use a mental patient as a human subject. They’ve continuously refused him. From what I overheard, he’s recently found a subject not sanctioned by the Board, and the butler has heard screams and the sound of someone crying in the basement late at night. Sometimes they both seem to be Jekyll’s voice, but he can’t be sure. It sounds too distorted. I’ve never heard Jekyll’s voice, but I’ve heard the screams and cries.”
“Intriguing . . .” I murmured. “Is there anything else you know?”
“Unfortunately, no. Those are the facts as I’ve learned them. My speculation, however, is that whatever this experiment is, it’s torturing someone. You know I’m familiar with torture methods. I’ve no qualms about inflicting them on deserving souls, but . . . Holmes, shudders ran down my spine when I heard those screams. Whoever Jekyll found does not deserve this treatment.”
I steepled my fingers in front of me, my pipe dangling from my lips. The bare particulars of this case thus far fascinated me. Erik was right to bring it to my attention. I took the pipe from my lips, doused it, and set it aside. “I must meet this man.”
“I was hoping that would be your response. After all, of the two of us, you’re the only one who could gain legal entry to the house.”
“With my assistance, you shall, too, Erik.”
He gave a sarcastic laugh. “Oh, indeed, because people are so quick t