The case of the mysterious journal

Rain blushed and tried to down play it, "It's just in my nature. I am always observing, making notes wondering can I use this in a story."

Sherlock looked at Rain studying her as John sat beside her placing his hand on her knee, "It was an excellent observation. Miss Davis a very good skill to have."

Rain blushed deeper enjoying John's hand on her knee as he continued, "We have indeed known each other for sometime."

Rain lowered her eyes, "I don't know if it is a skill."

A beeping went off. Inspector Lestarde looked at his phone, "Damn it's the yard." Gathering his things he said good bye, "Miss Davis it was a sincere pleasure."

As he left an odd quiet settled as Rain was left with two very attractive men. Sherlock broke the silence, "Well, I assume you wish to engage me in some matter? Or were you just stopping by for tea?"

He seemed annoyed and on a level that bothered Rain.

Taking a breath she gathered her self, " Yes. See Mr. Holmes; I was offered a chance to be a guest professor at the University of York and one of the reasons I took the spot as a guest professor was in hopes of researching an ancestor of mine-"

Sherlock raised his hand cutting her off, "Miss Davis I am a detective, not a genealogist."

John tensed up beside Rain.

She sat straighter reaching for her files, "I am aware of that Mr. Holmes. The ancestor in question is Irish Meg Shannon."

Sherlock perked up as Rain went on, "As you know she had ties to a Victorian era crime organization only known as 'M'."

She handed photo copies to John.

Rain looked at her lap, "I found her journal after my great aunt took me in. It always fascinated me. So, when I was asked to be a guest professor for a term I jumped at the chance."

John handed Sherlock the papers and asked, "What subject are you lecturing on?"

Rain smiled, "Basically the history of erotic writings. It has become so main stream now and it really flourished here during the Victorian era."

Sherlock stood and went to the tea tray, "And you picked me because?"

Rain balled her fists and held her breath a moment before addressing him, "Mr. Holmes...your knowledge of 'M' is better than any one in or out of your field."

Sherlock briefly smiled, "You do have a bit of fire to you; like our Irish Meg."

Surprised and caught off guard Rain relaxed, "I suppose I do."

John took Rain's hand, "In the past false journals have appeared. It isn't the first time someone has claimed relation to the group."

Rain frowned, "I hadn't thought of it that way. I suppose it would be like in America every other white girl claiming to be some tribe's lost princess." She pouted.

John tilted his head, "That's an odd phrasing?"

Rain gave him a sad smile, "I grew up on a reservation. I am a mix of Cherokee and Blackfoot with Irish added for color. We don't have royalty the way Europeans do...did. I come from warrior stock though." She sat up straighter showing off her 5'9 full figure. Rain knew she wasn't a slim waisted waif. She could hold her own if need be.

Sherlock looked at her, "You grew up poor bullied for how... European you looked and then you lost people you cared about when you were young; which didn't help."

Rain sat back and sighed, "Guess I had that coming." She looked at Sherlock, "My parents and little sister died in a car crash. And yes I was bullied for looking so," Rain reached for her tea, "European as you put it, though white trash and cracker was what was most commonly called."

Rain sipped her tea before setting it down, "What gave it away Mr. Holmes?" She tried keeping the sadness out of her voice, but her blue eyes sparkled with unshed tears.

Sherlock slowly got up and sat beside her taking her right wrist in his hand and turned it over and traced the anhk tattoo that hid the scar where Rain had tried to take her life.

The gesture was intimate sending flutters of desire through her. "Like recognizes like Miss Davis." Sherlock did not let go right away and Rain nearly embarrassed herself by leaning in to kiss him when John's voice pulled her back into the real world. "How did you find the journal?"

Rain turn backed to John who looked as if he had just been watching a much more taboo exchange. "I went to live with my mother's aunt...my great aunt. The journal was just in a random box her mother brought over with her. Her mother, my great aunt's mother was Meg's niece...if the journal is true."

The two men looked over Rain as if exchanging thoughts telepathically. "Miss Davis," Sherlock stood, "I will read these copies and if authentic I will help."

Surprised Rain jumped and hugged him, "Oh thank you Mr. Holmes!"

At first he stiffens then hugs her back before slowly slipping out from her grasp, "Miss Davis where can we reach you?" John asks. Rain smiles and writes down her hotel, office on campus and phone number for them. She hugs John before leaving as well. "Thank you so much."