Guarded

Not even 2 hours later, I had a flat full of furniture and an appointment with a cleaning crew in 2 days. I plopped down on the sofa and began to read Wuthering Heights while I waited. Sherlock had returned 30 minutes ago, so I was currently waiting for John to return to the flat.

Soon after, I heard the door open and close signaling that John had also returned. I began to leave my flat as soon as I knew that he would be in 221B. I slowly and quietly ascended the stairs, stopping when I was close enough to hear their conversation but still hidden.

"Well?" I heard John ask. "You asked me to come. I'm assuming it's important."

A few seconds later, Sherlock responded, "Oh, yeah, of course. Can I borrow your phone?"

"My phone?"

"Don't wanna use mine. Always a chance that the number will be recognized. It's on the website."

"Mrs. Hudson's got a phone."

"Yeah, she's downstairs. I tried shouting, but she didn't hear."

"So Spencer didn't hear either?"

"I didn't ask Spencer."

"Why not? She's downstairs, too."

"There's something about her, John. I'll figure her out after this case."

"What do you mean? She's a fine woman, and she didn't even flinch after you deduced her. You said some harsh things, as well."

"Exactly, John! Everyone else, even you, get defensive after the first time I deduce them, but not her. Why?"

"I don't know either, Sherlock, but I was on the other side of London and raced back here thinking this was an emergency."

I stopped listening to their conversation for a moment. Sherlock was suspicious of me. Perfect. He'd be coming to me sooner than I expected. I began to listen to their conversation again when I heard John begin to speak.

"Just met a friend of yours."

"A friend?" Sherlock asked, confused.

"An enemy."

"Oh. Which one?"

"Your archenemy, according to him." I smirked. "Do people have arch-enemies?"

"Did he offer you money to spy on me?"

"Yes."

"Did you take it?"

"No."

"Pity. We could have split the fee. Think it through next time." I almost laughed aloud when I heard this.

"Who is he?"

"The most dangerous man you've ever met, and not my problem right now."

With that, I decided to softly creep back down the stairs into my flat. Once in my flat, I sat back on the couch and continued to read. I grinned as I heard the two men leaving and my phone began to ring.

"Hello... I don't know where they're going... I can't stand on the stairs and listen all day... Yes, Sherlock asked John to come back to 221B because he refused to come ask me since he hasn't figured me out yet... Yes, I know he'll be coming to me sooner than I expected... Updates to follow. Goodbye."

Now it was just time to wait for those men to return from whatever adventure they were on, so I grabbed my book and continued to read.

About an hour later, I hear a pounding on the door. Confused, I set my book down and walked into the hall as Mrs. Hudson opened the door.