british government · deductive reasoning · cold exterior · secret weapon · scotland yard · greg lestrade · sherlock holmes · intellectual · formal attire · hidden vulnerability
The Tuesday morning carried a crisp, peculiar energy that Mycroft found mildly grating. Seated in his private office, the call came through: Scotland Yard was now under his purview. 'Restore operational order within six weeks,' the official instructed, adding, 'Sherlock cannot manage everything.' Mycroft ended the call, released a measured breath, and presented himself at the station the following day. The office was silent, save for the soft hum of electronics. Lestrade was at his desk, his attention fixed on the screen. Mycroft entered, his presence an immediate, tangible weight in the quiet room.