Against the Odds

Chapter 21: Baskerville

The trio drove in the early morning light on the moor, having spent the night on the train. Sherlock was behind the wheel, Marie beside him while John sat in the back. They all stared out silently, Sherlock focused on driving while John and Marie took in the moor around them.

They stopped just at the edges of the moor, and John murmured as he consulted a map: "There's Baskerville." He pointed out the facility and then the village Henry was from as he peered at the map: "That's Grimpen Village. So that must be ..." He check the map again and then nodded at the area he'd been looking at: "yeah, it's Dewer's Hollow."

Sherlock peered around and he suddenly pointed to an open field around Baskerville that had danger signs on it. "What's that?" He asked and John peered at the symbols through his binoculars as he said slowly: "Hmm? Minefield?"

Marie looked at him and he handed her the binoculars. She peered through with narrowed eyes as John pointed: "Technically Baskerville's an army base, so I guess they've always been keen to keep people out." Sherlock continued to look around as he muttered: "Clearly."

They drove through to Grimpen Viallge, heading for their hotel. Sherlock parked them and as they walked towards the hotel, passing the restaurant, they saw a young man acting as a guide addressing his group. Marie peered down and saw a sign beside the guide that read: 'Beware the HOUND!' There it was again- that word.

She listened as the guide finished off: "Don't be strangers, and remember ... stay away from the moor at night if you value your lives!" The group chuckled as they dispersed. Marie hurried after John and Sherlock, and she saw John watching Sherlock amusedly as Sherlock tightened his jacket, raising the collar.

Sherlock noticed, and muttered lamely: "I'm cold." Marie smiled as John suppressed one of his own, but as they walked into the inn, John and Marie exchanged smirks. John went ahead to get their booked room keys while Sherlock puttered around, examining the vegetarian restaurant.

Marie had gone ahead to sit outside, and she was observing the tourist guide from earlier. He was a youngish man, probably around her age, and he was currently on his phone but heading towards a vacant table.

As he hung up and sat down, Marie walked over to him. "Mind if I join you?" She asked as she flashed a winning smile. He glanced at her before doing a double take. He nodded slowly, his eyes raking her body. She chose to ignore that, sitting opposite him where she could see Sherlock was watching intently.

"So, what's a pretty girl like you doing out here on your own?" The guide asked and she smiled as she replied: "Oh, just looking around. I heard about the hound," she indicated his sign, "and thought it might be interesting. But it can't actually be true, can it?"

The boy lifted his brows at her as he replied: "What if it was?" He asked and she smiled coyly as she said flirtatiously: "Now, look here. I don't doubt your dashing looks are enough to fool some," his lips had curved at that and Marie leaned a little in as she said coquettishly, "but even then, I have to say I doubt it."

"Oh yeah? What if I said I had proof?" He asked and she pretended to blink in surprise. "You're pulling my leg." She giggled and he smirked as he whipped out his phone, leaning in to show her something on it.

"No, I'm not." He said mysteriously as he flicked through his phone. "I've seen it. Only about a month ago, up at the Hollow. It was foggy, mind – couldn't make much out." He showed her a fuzzy picture and she raised her brows.

"You trying to impress me with that, big boy?" She challenged and he grinned as she'd leaned in closer to him. John had joined Sherlock outside, and the pair were slowly making their way over to where Marie was sitting.