Curtain Falls | tag: richard/casual

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

The detective's expression was grave as he turned his back on Richard. The mayor was somewhat surprised at this action but made no comment, his triumphant smirk still lingering.

As Holmes turned to face him once again, however, face flooded with colour, Richard's smile faltered. He took Holmes' change in hue to indicate anger, and as well he might, the situation considered. As his adversary spoke, however, his smile returned in full. This was just too amusing.

'What do you think you know?'

Richard chuckled.

"I don't think I know, detective, it is so. You take drugs; illegal ones. And what's more, I have proof. During my little investigation I checked your medical files...all the notes were signed by one doctor and one doctor only...doesn't that strike you as a bit suspicious?"

[philosopher]

The man had truly observed, credit where credit was due. The fact was, that Richard had both heard him and seen him; but he was a wretch devoid of all feeling, who consulted nothing except his own interest. He had made sure that the late Mayor would be carried out of the way, there to perish by a most miserable death, and that he would succeed in command of the city.

Foiled in his hopes, though immediately he was turning things over on Holmes to secure this command. Disillusioned, he looked steadily, almost with lost enthusiasm, at the Mayor, so curiously transfixed and isolated in his wicked character. Holmes, who received this discovery with the effect of a punch, did manage to smother it down as subtley as he could - but could not refrain from observing in low tones. In times like this, he would sink his hands into his pockets and flex for cigarettes. He felt the flat of the box on his left hand fingers, but chose not to. What a quiet world it would be if everyone would smoke.

Holmes retorted at the conclusion of Richard's speech, 'I didn't come here to talk about me!' His voice darted with the ferocity of a mad cat. Perceiving the danger of the host. 'Look, Mister Murder, I've dealt with far worse then you.' His voice receded, as if he had removed to a greater distance. 'So if you're trying to scare me, you're wasting your time.'

The stiff, motionless way he was stood and the clammy hands suggested otherwise. Richard's work was, so far, accomplished - and Holmes was, as a matter of fact, very scared.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

'I didn't come here to talk about me! Look, Mister Murder, I've dealt with far worse then you.'

Richard didn't laugh at this, though his continued smirk indicated his amusement well enough. The fury in Holmes' voice...Richard knew he was right. He'd touched a nerve. The detective was clearly furious, and this amused the mayor no end. This was playing out even better than he'd imagined it would.

"I never said you hadn't," he replied, eyes glinting with a mean mixture of pleasure and pride. The tables had turned, he was in control, as he should be. "But you don't know the half of it."

'So if you're trying to scare me, you're wasting your time.'

Holmes' somewhat quieter tone didn't go un-noticed by Richard; he didn't sound all that convinced. He had to be lying; how could he not be? Richard had the power to ruin him. Then again, Holmes could just as easily ruin Richard. But that wouldn't happen if the youngest Plantagenet had any say in the matter.

The great detective was afraid; Richard could see it even as Holmes tried to hide it. He'd seen fear before, far too many times for one lifetime to handle and hope not to have it affect one.

"If you aren't afraid yet, Detective, you may be soon enough. I have by no means finished. This little habit of yours cost the state a criminal, one Dalls Winston, as I recall. Quite a blemish on your stainless record, I should think."

He paused, setting the needle down on his desk, its impact lessened now the conversation was moving onwards and the initial shock was sinking in.

"Actually, your record wasn't all that stainless before Winston got away, was it?" he continued. "The murders in Turkey being a prime example."



ooc: I was going to introduce stuff one bit at a time but thought to keep things going I should have him reveal more. Hope that's OK. ^^ Epic post as ever. :3

[philosopher]

Holmes looked for an outburst of some kind from Richard - in fact he was praying for one. At least then, it was quick and cut. But the man was hanging in the moment, dragging out the suspense and furthur agitating the detective. Setting his sober thoughts in a whirl to his own peril. With a sigh between words, he said, 'God,' Lolling his head back from force of habit. 'You don't half drag things out.'

What power there was in that wicked voice. He had never rightly heard it before, never, save that instant at the dinner many months previous, what devil was whispering in his ear? At last a change came. With his head slightly turned, and his eyes sidelong looking, Holmes received Richard's further works with deeply struck notes. Listening like a man possessed, he heard mention of things that were never to be mentioned again. Holmes did not argue the facts. It was not his province, but his doctor's, to guide his career, and he was content to remain in comfortable ignorance of the complications of his self-inflicted ill health. However, he would not allow himself to remain in that detached attitude. Forcing indifference, he cleared his throat.

'How, the hell, can you know that?' He asked the question sternly, the subjects painful in his mind.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

Richard expected another outburst from Holmes but instead the detective sighed, almost as though he were bored with the conversation (although naturally, considering the subject in question, this was impossible).

'God. You don't half drag things out.'

The smirk Richard wore almost became a grin at this, though he managed to control it. He had to admit, he prefered Holmes' current way of reacting to a mere outburst. It was much more interesting this way, for certain. And he could not deny that Holmes' words rang true. But then he wanted this time of triumph to last, and who could blame him considering what was at stake?

Best find the enjoyment where he could, in case it all came crashing down. Not that it would.

'How, the hell, can you know that?'

Richard couldn't help it. He laughed. He realized soon enough he was overacting to the point of being a stock villain but found he hardly cared as his laughter became words. He tapped the side of his nose in a near over-exaggerated fashion before speaking.

"Oh, I have my ways, Holmes. Working for the government certainly has its advantages."