Reilly And I Meet For The Last Time?

In three days, I was able to leave word for Reilly and we met in the bar at the Cumberland.

“It’s rather interesting news, Reilly. She’s been examined by a group of excellent psychiatrists and their diagnoses concur.

“On the positive side, she’s suffering under a benign delusion and can function rather normally. However, on the negative side, she’s reverted to a semi-childlike condition and as one of the psychiatrists put it rather colloquially, she might be “an easy mark”.

“There’s also a prognosis that as she ages, she’ll do as Merlin did and “you then”; that is she’ll become intellectually younger and younger.”

“So what do they say can be done?”

“Nothing right now. She’s an English citizen, physically quite healthy, as I attested, and she should be permitted to live her life as she chooses.”

“So she’s to be set free?”

“Yes, in two days, in fact. Yesterday I was able to lease a very nice flat for her. I’ll see that she’s moved in and settled. Don’t worry about that.

“I just wish I had a way of looking after her on a daily basis.”

“Don’t worry. I may have an answer for that,” Reilly said.

“I know better than to ask what; but I also know it will be done.”

“Now, how many times in these last few years have I said that we’ll probably never see each other again; and each time been proved so terribly wrong?” Reilly asked.

“Too many.” We both gave a knowing chuckle and he extended his hand.

“I won’t say it this time,” Reilly said.

We stood, shook hands, and I returned home.

A little while later, in a quite different part of London, Reilly had another reunion.

“Again? You’re here again?” Holmes asked as Reilly came through his office door, guided up the steps by one of the usual.

“I promised I’d let you know about Anastasia and that’s what I’m here for.”

Holmes listened carefully and then said, “Yes. As before, I can have someone watch her. It will be done.”

“Holmes, will you ever become yourself again?”

“I’m exploring new and unconquered worlds here. And Watson must always be safe.”

“But Holmes, the danger is passed. The men will never trouble Watson or his family.”

“But we cannot be sure, can we?”

After a moment’s pause, “No, we cannot.” But he knew that Holmes was using this as an excuse.

“So come and join me. Become me. Holmes became Clay. Reilly can become Clay.”

“No, Holmes, no.”

Holmes said no more. He simply shrugged in his chair then stood and shook hands with Reilly; who then went back down those stairs.

And as I write this, I never saw Reilly again. He was correct this time.