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

[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.]