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Joan raised an eyebrow at the way Jamie hovered.
“Can I help you in any way, Jamie?” Joan asked, smiling sweetly at the criminal mastermind.
“Actually,” Jamie nodded, “we can both agree that I was extremely valuable in solving the case against Elana March, right?”
“You were very helpful and sped things up a lot, yes.” Joan confirmed.
“Good.” Jamie grimaced, as if she disagreed with Joan’s simplification of her services but didn’t know how to complain about it. “And we can agree that I offer insights that you’d be hard-pressed to pick up on your own.”
“You’ve covered a formidable share of interesting facts over the course of your career , if you want to call it that way.” Joan conceded. “So, yes, your unique perspective on Elana March’s world has been helpful.”
“Perfect.” Jamie smiled. “So why not make our partnership a long-term thing? More than just one case or consultation.”
Joan’s gaze fell on the mirror behind Jamie, where she knew the Captain and Marcus were listening to their conversation. The mirror reflected the constellation of Auriga that both Sherlock and Jamie had reported to her.
Jamie was offended that Sherlock had only noticed something was wrong because of a mole and not because of all the other discrepancies in her story.
“Well, you’re a criminal with multiple life sentences, you understand that you can’t live alone?” Joan smiled.
The Captain, she and Marcus had already discussed how to handle Jamie’s unhealthy interest in her.
And they had already made arrangements for her future living arrangements, not that Joan was going crazy with joy at the thought.
“I completely understand.” Jamie smiled. “But you might want a roommate.”
“And why would I choose the one with multiple life sentences ?” Joan asked, tilting her head.
“I am interested in you, and I was wrong to assume you needed the recognition of a superior mind to do your job.” Jamie shrugged, her blonde hair having grown out a bit and now falling down her back in neat curls. “Plus, I know how to use a gun very well and would be useful for your consultations and as a bodyguard.”
“Right.” Joan snorted. “But you’re forgetting that you only took action against Elana March out of personal vengeance .”
“I don’t understand.” Jamie said, speaking through gritted teeth.
“No?” Joan smiled softly. “Let me help you remember , then. Elana March, wife of your warder, replaced after his indiscretion nearly led to more of your followers finding out about your daughter. Also, Elana March was previously the Fuller household’s maid. It wasn’t hard for her to pretend to be pregnant and offer the baby to her employers, before disappearing from the radar for a few years and returning as a boss’s wife.”
Jamie’s lips tightened. “How did you find out?”
“They must have gotten the information about Moriarty’s secret son from someone, the voice pretending to be you on the phone.” Joan shrugged. “Elana wanted to make sure she had no more competition in the supervillain field.”
“But she underestimated you.” Jamie smiled again, raising an eyebrow at Joan.
“I assume she was a little racist, too.” Joan replied. “But, well, she’ll have all the time she needs in prison to think about not underestimating others.”
“I’ve had time, you know?” Jamie smiled. “And I don’t see any reason why you should say no.”
“Well, what makes you think I’d want to live with you?” Joan asked.
“You enjoy my company.” Jamie replied, leaning back in his chair. “And we wouldn’t be here unless the possibility of living together had been discussed. Or are you trying to make me believe it wasn’t?”
“It was.” Joan admitted. “A lot of discussion during the investigation, which varied depending on the information you provided and how quickly you did it. I especially appreciated it when you did it way before the test results came back, one time.”
“See?” Jamie smiled. “I can help.”
“Okay.” Joan sighed. “No murders and no supervillain work in the house.”
“Don’t worry.” Jamie laughed. “I have enough intellect to exploit naturally occurring murders .”