Chapter Text
It had been a very busy day filled with constant running about to various locations and conducting enquiries necessary in the eyes of my closest friend, Sherlock Holmes. I trailed him throughout the day, listening to his observations as he tried his best to explain to me his findings that day. First we went to the crime scene where the murder of a very profitable and well known businessman had taken place late under the cover of darkness. I saw the body with my very own eyes and was asked by Holmes to investigate the cause of death. After a close up examination, I came to the final conclusion that the fellow had passed from a very serious head injury at the back of his head. There was even the man’s blood splattered on the table where he presumably knocked into before bleeding out. It was a little difficult to know if this was an accident or something that happened purposefully, at least for me, but Holmes was very focused upon the fact that it a murder. The man was publicly known to have many enemies, business rivals to be more specific. Anyone of them could have done the deed but of course it would not be wise to jump to conclusions.
Once Holmes had declared that there was nothing more to see at the crime scene, we set out to talk to the business rivals and some of them said to never having seen the victim in the recent months due to his increasingly busy schedule. In fact, he even neglected his health in order to attend to his work, something the wife disapproved of greatly.
”Henry Pally was known to be a little bit forceful in his ways, always insisting that he should have things his way as his methods were the best methods. At least, that’s what the rivals told us.” My companion said as we were cruising through the streets of London in a carriage.
“He yells at his wife, right?” I asked.
”Only when he becomes very frustrated. He never dared raised his voice on normal occasions. This wife of his is still willing to stay with Pally even when he was at his worst.”
”Such devotion.” I remarked.
“On the coffee table in the house, you did see me pick up a stack of papers, did you, Watson?”
“Yes I did. Mrs Pally exclaimed and told you to immediately put it down because it contained confidential business information.”
”No worries, my dear Watson. When the lady wasn’t looking I took a glance at its contents and found something that could be of incredibly good use. I have already informed the good inspector Lestrade about what I saw.”
”What did you see?” My curiosity was piqued.
”Many of them were receipts, but the one that really caught my attention was the paper detailing a business meeting with one Freddy Colster.”
That name instantly rung bells in my head. In my army days I have constantly heard of this name coming out from the mouths of the recruits, and the talk of this name had increased when we were dispatched to Afghanistan.
“I recall this name very well, Holmes! He is one of the England government’s top weapons supplier!” I turned to my friend who gave me an agreeing nod.
”Yes. I knew this name would be very familiar to you.”
”But why would a general goods supplier have any business with a weapons supplier?”
”That is a very good question. However, I am unable to answer that now because I do not have enough evidence, but I think we shall be getting what we need to fill this gap in the case at our next destination.” Holmes replied with a nod. Then he raised his hand up to the roof of the cab and knocked the top with his fist quickly, before sticking his head out of the window and calling out for the carriage man, “We are burning daylight here, good sir. We would appreciate the quicker speed!”
We arrived in the business district of London and stopped outside a factory that had dark grey smoke coming out from its many chimneys. I stood there in place for a little while to take in the sight of this big and magnificent weapons factory after the cabby had left before my arm was tugged on by Holmes who was trying to rush me through the double doors.
“Mr Colster is ready to see you both now, Mr Holmes, Dr. Watson.” Freddy Colster’s secretary spoke in a sweet voice and a file marked ‘Schedules’ in her left arm. She gave a little bow before reaching for the door and opening it to let us in.
I laid eyes upon the man who was the talk of the army. He sat in his office chair behind his desk. Skinny arms on the table in a polite fashion. He had a moustache that I could see was recently very neatly trimmed. He ushered my friend and I into two chairs.
”Francine, would you be so kind as to get our two guests some drinks? What would you two like? Coffee? Tea?” Colster asked with a smile on his face.
“We do not require refreshments,” Holmes turned to me, “Unless you want something, Watson?”
Upon the mention of my name, Colster raised his eyebrows and set his gaze on me.
”No thank you.” I spoke, and the secretary closed the door behind her as she left.
Holmes settled in his seat and shifted himself forward a few inches, then asked, “I think you know why we are here, Mr Colster. We hope we are not taking up too much of your time by agreeing to meet with us.”
”It is no problem at all Mr Holmes. I have always wanted to meet you and I just can’t believe that I get the chance to do so.” The man spoke. I could see his eyes fixing upon me as he raised his hand towards me.
“Dr. John Watson, is it?” He asked.
I stuttered a little, “Yes. I have heard of you, Mr Colster, but you have heard of me?”
”Yes I have. You were remarked as a very proficient surgeon in the army, Dr. Watson. I heard you saved the lives of many men during that terrible war.”
”It was simply within my job scope.”
Colster turned his attention away from me and back on my friend, “The news spread fast. Pally’s wife, Irina, notified me when she found his body. The poor girl, having to see something like that. I was so shocked to hear of my possible new business partner’s death. I thought the world wouldn’t be so cruel to a man like him.”
”Death will come for us all, Mr Colster. We are here to know the exact details of your dealings with Mr Pally. I understand that you both had developed a rapport with each other at a social gathering, and had continued to see each other frequently to discuss how you two could advance your businesses.”
”Correct. Our cousins were close friends.”
”Your businesses have absolutely nothing in common at all. So the question had to be asked, why did he think of going into business with you?”
”Well, you see Mr Holmes, business is all about progress as it also affects the type of product or service a customer receives, and it always had been this way. We were discussing about the benefits that our possible new business relationship would bring to the both of us. You see, Pally’s business expands into different parts of the world, while mine in England, specifically the government, and by going into business with each other, we could bring each other’s companies into whole new territory. For him, he can obtain new business strategies from me as he had always wanted to make his products much better and he thought he could learn the most about doing so from a weapons supplier, since weapon suppliers are always in the midst of upgrading their products. As for I, I could get in touch with other governments of the world and supply them with what I supply for England since Pally had always been in the good books of various governments.”
”I don’t think the England government would appreciate you supplying other countries with weapons, Mr Colster.” Holmes said.
”Exactly. That is why this idea has to be properly revised over and over again so we do not cause conflict within third parties.”
“Could you tell me one of the issues you two faced?”
”Ah yes, recently Pally has been bring up all sorts of potential problems and I always try my best to mend them, only for him to pick out another flaw. I have been very kind in dealing with him and fixing all the problems due to his ever growing schedule. I was giving him lots of time to set up dates for his new factory openings all over the country. To be completely honest, it has gotten a little bit frustrating. But nevertheless, I knew I shouldn’t be too petty about it. At least his business is thriving.."
”I think that is all I need to know. Thank you, Mr Colster, have a good evening. Come on, Watson.”
We left the factory as Holmes placed himself in deep thought. Before we headed back to Baker Street, Holmes made a stop at the telegram office and sent one off to Inspector Lestrade to inform him about his new findings. For the rest of the night, we stayed in our rooms.
"Are you going to eat? Your food is going to get cold. Mrs Hudson wouldn't like that."
"In a moment, Watson. Do not worry about me." Holmes said with a smile, then he placed his fingertips together and closed his eyes as sunk into his armchair. I tried my best to keep quiet as I ate my meal knowing that my friend would prefer silence during this time.