Two Worlds Collide

A Dr. John Watson Story

Based on Sherlock Holmes created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Chapter 1

Bronte Walsh and Emma Ryan are best friends who were both very career driven.

Bronte was hired as a psychiatrist to a prominent practice in Seattle, WA at the same

time Emma was recruited for a history professor job at the University of Washington.

They chose to buy a house together to ease the cost of living since they were both

moving to a new city for their new positions all the way from Tampa, FL.

Their home was modern, more so than either would really describe as their style, but

they loved it. Each woman had their own room, big enough for a desk, and a third

bedroom where they kept a futon in case anyone ever came to visit. The best part of

their little condo was the roof that came off of their living room. They set up two seats

with blankets to get cozy for their frequent coffee and wine dates, depending on the time

of day.
“Emma, this is our one free day of the week and you really want to go to The Elliott Bay

Book Company again?” Bronte asked, half whining as she spoke.

Emma rolled her eyes, “I need more research for my thesis and don’t pretend like you

don’t love that store.”

Bronte let out a small laugh while she pulled on her boots, there was rarely a warm day

in Seattle, “You’re right. Let’s go before I change my mind. You are aware I’d like to

spend my spend my entire day in bed,” she joked, though both women knew she was

partially serious.

“I do know that,” Emma replied, “Get in the car,” she fake ordered her friend.

Emma drove them to the bookstore where the women parted ways once they were

inside, well after they acquired a cup of coffee because they both needed fuel to shop

and read. Emma moved toward the history section where she would be able to further

her research on Abraham Lincoln while Bronte wandered around until she found a rare

set of first edition novels.

Bronte ran her hand over a few of the volumes sitting before her until one, in particular,

caught her eye, a copy of The Hound of the Baskervilles. She picked it up and looked it

over before opening it to read the first pages which quickly turned into her taking a seat

on the floor and falling deep into the story. This was always one of her favorite books.

“Did you find something you liked?” Emma’s voice interrupted Bronte’s reading, “I was

sure you would have asked me to leave already,” she teased, taking a seat next to her.

Bronte closed the book and passed it to her friend, “I found a first edition of The Hound

of the Baskervilles. It was one of the first books I ever read and remains one of my
absolute favorites. Maybe someday I can afford this copy,” she mused while Emma

looked over the old novel.

“Can you imagine shelling out this much money for a book?” Emma finally spoke, “Even

as a book lover, this is steep.”

Bronte nodded, “I would have to have a really good reason, that’s for sure,” she

changed the subject as Emma tried to hand back the novel but she gestured for her to

set it back with the others. “Did you find everything you needed?” she asked.

“Mostly,” Emma answered, “There are still plenty of resources out there I could use but

these will do for now. Do you wanna get dinner before we head back to the house?”

“One hundred percent, yes!” Bronte responded, “All this reading has me starving. How

do you feel about sushi? It’s great because it’s quick and you and I both have plenty of

work to get to once we’re home.”

Emma grinned, “Shiro’s?”

Bronte nodded and they both got up from the floor to make their way to the restaurant

for drinks and sushi.

Later that night as The Elliott Bay Book Company closed, things inside grew strange but

no one would know just how odd until the following day…