28 – Do Not Introduce a Chinaman (4)
The job that James Moriarty could present to society was a Mathematics professor at Oxford Christ Church University. However, what he genuinely considered as his true profession and mission was a crime consultant.
Especially, long before he grew his organization to its current size, the crime consultant role began after he left the Holmes family and momentarily parted ways with his beloved disciple, Sherlock, three years ago. Or to borrow words that the child Sherlock would like, it was crime advice.
Moriarty himself put forth the name ‘M’ out of remembrance for Sherlock. Of course, he would never have used it if it was not named by Sherlock. This name was a naive code that revealed the innocence of a child.
However, sometimes, that helped. There were people who couldn’t unravel the simple truth because it was too boldly reminiscent of Moriarty’s ‘M’.
There should never have been an incident connecting M and Moriarty himself. Nobody should know that the ordinary mathematician and professor, James Moriarty, is M or that he united a crime group in West End.
Of course, there were clear practical difficulties. At least among the criminals, a bigshot like Fu Manchu could invest a bit to figure out the identity of James Moriarty.
In fact, that Chinaman sent an invitation directly to James Moriarty himself.
But someday, there will be nobody left to do so. In order to ensure that, this event was a stepping-stone for a leap.
Therefore Moriarty, as his profession required, had to focus. He was an adult who knew that not only joy follows from work life, so he had to quietly greet the fool before his eyes.
About a month ago, the eldest son of Fu Manchu came to visit M. Generally, those who sought M received advice via letters in predetermined locations and persons. But given his position, Moriarty, at the time, advised him while listening to his voice directly.
Of course, his partner couldn’t see Moriarty’s face at that time. The consultation proceeded in a confession room that Catholic priests were likely to use, with a wall blocking the view of the other side.
The worry that the eldest son of Fu Manchu brought at that time was an unbearably dull matter. It was a common crime-related matter which a fool was likely to bring.
At that time, Moriarty could see that the eldest son of Fu Manchu was feeling anxious. With a simple investigation, Moriarty could know about the issue surrounding the successor in East End.
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The advice that the eldest son of Fu Manchu sought from M was about a new smuggling route to win over Fu Manchu’s favor.
The issue was resolved quickly. But for the future to come, Moriarty subtly sowed a seed of unease in his mind. It wasn’t a difficult task.
It was something naturally worth considering if they were ever threatened for the position of the successor. He merely helped a little. It was the attitude of an educator to give the fool something to think about.
That’s why the second time the eldest son of Fu Manchu visited M, Moriarty could provide advice face to face.
Not only because the partner already knew his face due to Fu Manchu’s invitation. It was inefficient to hide his face from one who was soon to die.
“Mr. Robinson, it seems we meet often these days.”
“Professor Moriarty.”
The eldest son of Fu Manchu frowned as if displeased, facing Moriarty as he was led into the room.
He was a man in his forties and resembled the old king enough to be recognized as Fu Manchu’s son at a glance. Especially, he was a perfect Oriental, and it was evident that he was a son born from a fellow immigrant when Fu Manchu left his homeland China to settle in Great Britain.
Robinson.
Chinese immigrants often needed to register their citizenship with British names, and Fu Manchu was no different.
People never called his British name, but the name officially registered in the UK office was William Robinson, and naturally, all his children were Robinsons.
However, Moriarty couldn’t remember the name of the eldest son of Fu Manchu. Of course, if he combed through his memory palace, he could, but he didn’t want to bother for the fool before his eyes.
“By the way, is it okay for her to be here?”
The eldest son of Fu Manchu, looking at Moriarty’s left, began to speak. Moran, dressed as an apprentice maid, stood there and attempted to bare her teeth at his gaze.
Of course, Moriarty’s gesture forced the girl to shut up. Instead, she glared at the professor, but the professor casually ignored her.
It had not been a week yet, but thanks to the strict training provided by the old maid after he took her to his residence near Oxford, there was a noticeable change.
Even the wolf girl who had refused to submit to the weak was powerless in front of the wisdom of the old, and Moran herself had to pretend to obey in order to survive.
Of course, pretending to obey was Moriarty’s conclusion.
“She’s a child learning to be my secretary, so it shouldn’t hinder any business, thank you for your understanding.”
“Hmph, you really do have peculiar tastes, and must be why you sent such provocations. Your provocation was received very well.”
As if to let out his irritation, the opponent tossed a letter towards Moriarty’s desk. It was written ‘From M’ on the envelope, but the provocation was the problem, as Mr. Robinson put it.
Moriarty felt relieved that at least Mr. Robinson had the intelligence to understand the provocation as a provocation.
“Dear me, Mr. Robinson. Dear me!”
“But you came here as a client, didn’t you?”
“Really, the tongue spins quite elegantly. Yes, indeed.”
Mr. Robinson let out a short sigh. A brief silence.
But as he had already somewhat steeled his heart, he opened his mouth. Of course, the tremor in his voice still hinted at his remaining anxiety, which he couldn’t hide, much like a coward.
“In truth… As a son, I wanted to believe you were speaking nonsense, but… That day, seeing my father struggle with your question, as a child, I could be certain. As an heir…he is considering that baseless youngest son over me.”
Even if Moriarty had been Fu Manchu, it would have been the same.
The man before him was foolish, therefore easy to manipulate, and he was just an average human being. Of course, the youngest boy, too, was likely just as foolish.
But it was logical to think that the successor should be the one who shared his blood as a sorcerer in order to preserve what he had built.
However, like all old kings make mistakes, Fu Manchu was already old and dying.
Such a foolish act. Moriarty couldn’t help but be thankful that she was a single woman with no offspring to inherit anything.
“So… What advice did you seek from me, Mr. Robinson?”
“Weren’t… you already aware? Because you… started it all.”
“Oh, not at all. I only asked to secure a future client. I must be clear about that. It’s your choice to come to me, Mr. Robinson.”
Watching this, Moran involuntarily swallowed. Although he still thought of her as weak, he had to admit that she occasionally looked scary.
And Fu Manchu’s eldest son, who used to throw tantrums while staying in East End, nervously whispered.
“I want to get rid of father.”
“Of course, you do. You’re the eldest son, aren’t you? It’s the same in the UK as in China, the eldest son is supposed to inherit everything. That’s your rightful claim. And fortunately for Mr. Robinson, the time is right.”
“But I wonder why you would willingly help me.”
Stupid people often confuse their dullness for sharpness, asking about things that they should obviously confirm. Therefore, Moriarty gave him the prepared answer.
“To be honest, it’s in my best interest to help you. Let’s say I was ‘cooperating’ with Fu Manchu. You must know, it’s not truly a partnership, who likes such a thing? I want to help you reclaim what is rightfully yours, in exchange for a small share and equal cooperation, Mr. Robinson.”
Apparently satisfied, Mr. Robinson nodded and started to plan with Moriarty to find what might have already been lost.
Of course, Mr. Robinson was merely the listener.
And surprisingly, Mr. Robinson, who seemed to be capable of thinking a little bit, asked about the biggest potential flaw in the plan.
“However… even if my father doesn’t consider the worst scenario, he might detest me…whether he would willingly come to a dinner arranged by me…”
“Old China had a beautiful tradition called ‘burial with the master’.”
“What?”
“It’s something I briefly heard at a seminar by a fellow professor who studies China. When emperors or kings died, they would bury the family and servants together. Shouldn’t we follow this tradition?”
“What…are you saying…”
Moriarty smiled.
“You don’t plan on sharing the power, do you? Since they are half-brothers and sisters, there won’t be any issues with removing them right? Invite one more person, your sister, she’s your only sister, right? Let’s invite the woman too.”
“Sure…that might clear suspicion, but… Will that dame comply with my orders…”
“That’s my job.”
“What?”
“To persuade her.”
Moriarty confidently answered as she brushed her hair back.
“So, Mr. Robinson, Dr. Fu Manchu, you, and I, in a gathering where the latter two are murdered and the remnants in East End are cleared at the same time, that’s the plan, Mr. Robinson?”
“But… what’s the reason for telling me all this so easily, Professor Moriarty?”
Susan Robinson, Fu Manchu’s only daughter, looked at Moriarty questioningly after listening to her story calmly.
