A Study in Lavender: Queering Sherlock Holmes by Katie Raynes, Joseph R.G. DeMarco, Lyn C.A. Gardner, William P. Coleman, Rajan Khanna, Michael G. Cornelius, Vincent Kovar, J.R. Campbell, Stephen Osborne, Elka Cloke Page A

doctor’s first duty is always to his patients.”
    “Oh, I see.” Mrs Nyland considered my words for a long moment before nodding. “I must admit that does sound rather like my brother. He often worried about being a disappointment to me, as if such a thing were even possible. And he was always very conscientious regarding his finances.”
    “Perhaps if we were to exhume your brother’s body we might discover the exact nature of his illness,” I suggested carefully.
    A look of distaste contorted Mrs Nyland’s pleasant features. “Oh no, Dr Watson, I shouldn’t think that is necessary. My brother has suffered enough.”
    “Of course,” I answered solemnly, hoping to disguise my relief.
    Mrs Nyland took a deep breath, composing herself. It was obvious to me our appointment was at an end and it seemed I had reached the conclusion of the terrible ordeal. I felt as I imagine a tightrope walker must as he nears the end of his slow, careful journey.
    “Thank you, gentlemen,” Mrs Nyland said. “Your assistance has meant a great deal to me. You have lived up to your reputation Mr Holmes.”
    Sitting in his corner, Holmes acknowledged the compliment with a slight nod.
    Mrs Nyland stood, gathering her things and making ready to leave. “And Dr Watson, you’ve been so very kind to me. My gratitude seems so small a thing next to the compassion you’ve shown.”
    Escorting her to the door, I replied. “Not at all, Mrs Nyland.”
    She stopped in the doorway, turning to me. “Oh, gentlemen, I almost forgot. In my brother’s secret drawer, were there any documents? I only ask because he’d spoken to me of amending his will.”
    I stumbled, searching for but failing to find an acceptable response to her innocent question.
    Holmes rose from his seat and approached Mrs Nyland as she stood in the doorway. “What exactly did your brother say?”
    “Well, he mentioned that he had visited our estate in Brighton with a friend who was much taken with the place. He asked if I would be offended if he altered his will to allow his friend – I did not catch the man’s name – the estate’s guest house.”
    “And what was your answer?” Holmes asked.
    “Of course I didn’t mind. My late husband left me well cared for financially and any friend of Adam’s is naturally a friend of mine. I bring it up now because I visited Adam’s solicitor yesterday and he made no mention of any such bequest. I had been looking forward to meeting one of Adam’s friends but, well, I suppose it doesn’t really matter.”
    “Nevertheless I shall make enquiries,” Holmes assured the
widow.
    “You’ve already done so much,” Mrs Nyland protested.
    “It is nothing, “ Holmes assured her. “I shall contact you with my findings.”
    “Thank you ever so much, Mr Holmes.” She turned to me. “And you as well, Dr Watson.”
    And then she was gone. As the door closed I walked over to the chair by the fireplace, collapsed into it and filled my pipe with rough-cut tobacco Holmes stood by the door, waiting until he had heard Mrs Nyland descend each of the seventeen steps and exit to the street before risking speech.
    “Well, Watson,” Holmes said. “A masterful performance! I feel I should report your new-found abilities to my brother Mycroft. The Empire’s diplomatic corps has need of men with such skills!”
    “Holmes,” I said wearily, forlornly hoping to divert his inevitable reaction.
    “Truly, Watson, I stand in awe. You spoke not a single lie and yet managed to conceal the truth of her brother’s death completely! When you suggested she might disinter her brother’s body I was positively breathless! Such a gambit! And it worked exactly as you hoped, ensuring she would make no further enquiry into the state of her brother’s health. How can she? To do so she must chose between forcing a physician to break his solemn oath or dragging her brother’s corpse back into the light of day. Well played, Watson, you’ve an unexpected