Mystrade-ish

[brotherthine]

It is quite one thing, to steal a painting, or a bracelet, or even missile plans.

It is quite another to steal an actual person; a living, breathing human being with skin that can be bruised, veins that can be sliced open, and a body open to all kinds of abuse. To steal a painting is to incur a loss of property, to steal a person is to steal someone else's hopes, dreams ... perhaps even their will to keep going.

Now, Mycroft was not going to say to anyone that Gregory Lestrade was all that to him, but he would openly say this; whoever kidnapped Lestrade would not be leaving their long prison sentence with many parts at all, if any harm had come to him. Which was why he agreed to speak with the kidnappers himself -- because anyone who would harm Lestrade was going to be marked for later.

It also gave him a better idea of how to break Lestrade out of this boxed in warehouse, but first? The most important thing.

"Before we discuss payment, I want to see Gregory Lestrade." He stated to the first masked kidnapper. "Now."

Comments

[crimogen]

[Bring kidnapped was not something Lestrade had on his bucket list, but here he was all the same - having been kidnapped. Needless to say, it hadn't been the most pleasant of experiences, but at least he wasn't dead. Which was probably the only good thing he could see in this situation. Besides that, though...

He tried not to think too much about what was going outside right now. He overheard that somebody had apparently come for him, which he assumed was somebody from the Met. God, the Met. That was going to be hell to deal with when if he got out of this situation in one piece.

While Lestrade was in his spot thinking, outside the kidnapper that Mycroft was talking to only let out a snort.]

You can see him once you make the payment, Mr. Holmes. Just be sure that you're holding up your end of the bargain, and we'll hold up ours.

[brotherthine]

[Mycroft's eyes narrowed in a way that anyone who knew him spelled trouble, but the smile on his face was as congenial as a welcoming basket of muffins. He put his umbrella down in front of him, resting the tip down so he could lean forward on it. His tone was calm, almost friendly, as he spoke to the snorting kidnapper.]

I apologize, I did not realize I was dealing with rank amateurs. Allow me to explain -- proof of life is in fact, absolutely necessary in these transactions. One is not going to pay for something that they know is damaged beyond repair. I am not about to hand over a million pounds for a dead body.

[Again, that warm, almost fatherly smile.] You do understand, don't you? No picture, no video, nothing? Then this deal is off and I walk out of here with your money without looking back. That is your choice, not mine.

terrible terrible tags i am sorry

[crimogen]

[The words barely seem to scare the other party at all, because all that he really does is let out a sound of amusement before shrugging in an almost careless manner.]

We keep to our word, Mr. Holmes, you can at least count on that. You give us the cash, we'll return the Met safe and sound. If you don't want to trust us, its your loss.

It's cool! Gives me a chance to use Iceman

[brotherthine]

[Yes, this would be the point where Mycroft allows his smile to abruptly disappear, and his cold blue eyes go glacial as he take his umbrella up, gripping the handle as he steps towards the kidnapper.]

I do not trust you, sir. I do not trust you as far as I could conceivably throw you. So let me make this clear - if I hand you this satchel of money, and I find out that Lestrade has anything more than a mild skin irritation? I will find you. I will find each and every last one of you. I will find your families. I will find your friends. I will unearth every enemy you have, every person you have ever owed a single shilling to. I will raze the earth around you, and leave you in the ashes.

[He took another step forward, his voice as frozen as his expression.] Trust in that, and show me Lestrade. Now.

yeaaaah iceman

[crimogen]

[Nobody could just ignore a threat like that, not even a common criminal like the one that Mycroft is facing down now. There's a noticeable finch on his face this time despite the fact that he's wearing a mask, and the man takes a step back after those words, the uncertainty emitting from him nearly tangible.]

Christ, fine, if you're so bloody insistent about it-- [He turns over to his companions at the back, giving them a signal so that they can bring him over.

Once they get the message and go off to do so, he turns back to Mycroft.] There. Happy now, mate?

[brotherthine]

Yes. I am that insistent.

[Mycroft's tone could have sliced through stone, and he stood with absolutely ramrod straightness as he waited for them to bring Lestrade forward. His next words dripped with menace.]

And you had best hope I am "happy". Inspector Lestrade?

[crimogen]

Hold your high horse, sir, he's coming.

[The words are dripping with annoyance, because christ they just wanted money, they didn't sign up to face a nutjob or anything like that. Why couldn't things just be simple?

After a moment two similarly masked men come out from the door behind, Lestrade being lugged over with them. Aside from some bruising and lack of hygiene, he's pretty much in one piece.]

[brotherthine]

My high horse is not what you should be concerned over...

[Mycroft let the threat in that linger on the air. He only moved forward when he saw Lestrade, something flickering across his gaze. Then his gaze narrowed on the bruising.]

You ... hurt him.

[crimogen]

[Hey, hey, no false accusations now. The lead kidnapper raises a hand to stop Mycroft before he can say anything else.]

We didn't hurt him. He hurt himself there while trying to get away at first. It's not our business.

[Lestrade rolls his eyes here in the back - because while technically true, it's not as if he wanted to get injured.]

[brotherthine]

[Mycroft's lips twisted into the faintest of smirks, before he turned to the lead kidnapper.]

Your money is in the satchel behind the door. You have ... [He lifted his arm, showing off his expensive Cartier watch.] Five minutes, before this place is swarming with MET officers. I suggest you take that time to leave. Swiftly.

[He kept the kidnapper's gaze.] Because if the MET does not find you, I will.

[crimogen]

[Well and that, as they say, is that. The kidnapper only inclines his head.]

May we never meet again.

[It's the last thing he says before he gestures to the others, and all of them make a quick job of skedaddling away with the ransom, more than glad to leave Lestrade behind as they make off with their spoils.]

[brotherthine]

You had better hope not.

[Came out Mycroft's little sing-song, keeping his gaze on Lestrade and not on the fleeing criminals. After a moment, and listening to the sirens, he folded the umbrella on his arm and moved forward to offer his free hand to Gregory to help him up.]

Are you quite all right?

[crimogen]

[Well, at least all of that's over. Lestrade would love to say he can relax now, but he just mostly feels tired. Very tired. So the help up from Mycroft is appreciated, even if it is a tiny bit embarrassing. But he's too tired to care.]

I'm fine. [He says, once he's up on his feet again.] I'll be better once these ropes are off me, though.

[brotherthine]

[Mycroft reached into his suit pocket, taking out a small pocket knife and flicking it open, so he could start working on the ropes.]

Then let us get them off of you. [He sighed.] I apologize. It took us longer to find you than I would have liked.

[crimogen]

[Lestrade shifts and leans a little so that Mycroft has less trouble cutting the ropes, letting out a huff at the apology.]

Don't worry about it. Must have been hard on everyone, having to put off everything for this. [He probably has a lot to make up for once this is over.]

[brotherthine]

[Mycroft worked on the ropes, trying to make sure he did not slice open Gregory's skin.]

Nonsense, Gregory. We were all ... concerned about your safety. Even Sherlock put everything aside to find you. [Which said something right there.] Frankly, I could not think of anything more important to do.

[Which ... also said alot about Mycroft's state of mind right now himself.]

[crimogen]

[Lestrade purses his lips together here, unable to not react to what Mycroft said. Truth be told, he isn't too sure how to respond to this. It wasn't as if the kidnappers were trying to kill him or anything, after all.]

Well, I'm sorry, all the same. [There are other things he should probably say here, but he'll leave it for later.] I'll make up for it once this is over.

[brotherthine]

[Mycroft finished sawing through the ropes, carefully pulling them loose. He tossed the rope aside, and resisted the urge to rub the man's wrists for him.]

You are safe. That is all we need. We should see that you get medical attention however.

[crimogen]

[Once the ropes are undone Lestrade lets out a small sigh of relief, and he rubs at his wrists, grimacing at the marks left there.]

Yeah, I know. [Not that he thinks he needs it, really, but standard procedure and all that. Lestrade knows better than to protest against it.] Is the Met tracking down the kidnappers though, at least?

[brotherthine]

[Mycroft's gaze narrowed on those marks, before he looked up to Lestrade. Still here, still fine. No reason to get ... vicious.]

[Except perhaps viciously gleeful.] My dear fellow ... that money is tagged. They've probably been picked up already.

[crimogen]

[Ah. Well. He should have expected as much.]

Well, that's one case closed then. [He sighs and rubs at his marks a bit more before forcing himself to stop, dropping his arms at his sides.] Thank god.

[brotherthine]

[Mycroft folded his fingers around his umbrella again, tipping the man a brief bow.]

Good. Then off you go, my dear inspector. [He gave him a long, almost thoughtful look.] Are you going to be all right?

[crimogen]

[What a question, Mycroft. 'Are you going to be all right.' Really.]

I'm alive. [Is all that he says, giving a shrug.] So yeah, I'm all right.

[brotherthine]

[Well, now Mycroft was going to give him a faint eyeroll.]

I am concerned, that is all. [He snorted softly, gesturing him to walk first.] I am glad you are all right.

[crimogen]

[Well, he didn't mean to be rude. But its hard to not be a little sarcastic right now.]

I'm fine. Really. [Considering how it could have ended worse, Lestrade is glad enough that he got out fine.] Go and worry about something more important.

[brotherthine]

Gregory, honestly, nothing is more important to me than your safety, except Sherlock's safety. [Mycroft huffed his breath, as he opened the door for the man.] Come along, ambulance coming.

[crimogen]

[Lestrade makes a bit of a face at that. Words are like are... not what he expected to hear, but oooookay. He's just going to assume its stress or something.

Mycroft opening the door also makes him pause for a bit, but he gets over it quickly before his awkwardness becomes too obvious.]

Uh--yeah. [First things first.] Thanks.

[brotherthine]

[It was the stress honestly -- Mycroft never would have admitted such things even under extreme duress -- but his sleep had not been the best lately. He realized it, felt himself internally wince ... and then saw Gregory push it aside.

Well, that did it. Right there. Even when he was completely obvious, Gregory was just going to ignore it.]

Yes, yes, you're welcome. It's a door, Inspector, not the Crown Jewels. [He sighed, waving the other man through.] Let's just get this overwith, shall we?

[crimogen]

[Well, they've all had a bad week, more or less. Neither of them are in the best state of mind at the moment.

He huffs at the response, but gives a nod all the same.]

Yeah.

[He's more than ready to get this whole thing over with.]

[brotherthine]

[That was completely fair, and hopefully Gregory would remeber that when Mycroft is in ... a more contrite mood.]

Good.

[He lets Lestrade walk out, and be summarily surrounded by his men and women, allowing himself to go to the background.]

[crimogen]

[Lestrade would protest at the bodyguards, but honestly at this point he just wants to lie down somewhere comfortable and sleep. He's had his fair share of excitement for a while already.

So he just lets the bodyguards lead him out of the building and to the ambulance, where the medics give him a look over to ensure that he's fine. (Although Lestrade would tell them that yes, he is indeed fine.)]

[brotherthine]

[Mycroft went to move towards his car, to leave, but then the police officers surrounded him. He sighed, and stood, waiting to answer any and all questions. Explaining all the details he had gathered from the kidnappers (one of them was fighting Parkinson's, another one had three children).

He glanced over where they were getting him over to the ambulance.]

[crimogen]

[Lestrade pretty much just puts up with all the standard procedure that goes on, answering the medics and reluctantly accepting the shock blanket they drape over his shoulders. It's a bit hard to not emphasize with Sherlock now, remembering all the way back when the other also had to put up with this. Still, at least he's not being a prat about it.

The medics ask him a few more questions, which Lestrade replies before they seem satisfied and leave him alone. Finally not badgered by people, he sighs and rubs the back of his neck, wincing at the bruise there.

What he wouldn't give for a smoke right now.]

[brotherthine]

[He is finally able to get away from all the pesky questions, and in that time he's lost sight of Lestrade. He slipped behind some police cars, and sighed as he reached into his suit pocket. He tucked a cigarette between his lips, and lit it.

He sucked in a breath and let out a puff of smoke.]

[crimogen]

[Oh, sure, Mycroft, just rub it in, why don't you.

After being left alone Lestrade takes the moment to brood in silence, though it doesn't last that long. Mycroft reappears, this time with a cigarette in-between his lips, and the sight of that has Lestrade longing even more for a smoke. He rarely lets himself indulge in one now these days, but after a situation like this? Hell, he better deserve one.]

[brotherthine]

[He will, thank you very much.

However, he will not be selfish. When he sees the way that Lestrade is looking at him, or more precisely, the cigarette -- he sighs and walks over. He flips open the silver case, arching an eyebrow at the detective inspector.]

Just one. John would murder me otherwise.

[crimogen]

[Oh. Well, he was fine without it, but if Mycroft is offering...]

He'd only murder you if you offered it to Sherlock. [He mutters, but accepts the cigarette anyway.] Thanks.

[brotherthine]

[Mycroft lit his cigarette, and shrugged his shoulders.]

Well, I have in the past ... but only in extreme circumstances. Holidays, murders, that sort of thing.

[crimogen]

[Those words more or less earn a small snort from Lestrade's end.]

Well, as long as John doesn't know. [And Mycroft probably knows better than Lestrade where to draw the line here.]

[brotherthine]

[Mycroft took another long, satisfying puff off of his cigarette.]

Whatever John doesn't know, will not hurt me.

[He smirked faintly.] Which is truer than I want to really go into.

[crimogen]

I can guess. [He hasn't seen that much, but from what he has witnessed and can guess out... well. It's not too much of a surprise, at this point.] Don't worry, I won't tell him.

[brotherthine]

As always, your digression is appreciated, Inspector. [Mycroft drawled out, putting the cigarette to his lips and drawing out the smoke carefully.]