Disadvantageous

Chapter 37

"Well, Sherlock, I know this isn't much to go on, but do you have any thoughts?" Lestrade asked as Sherlock came back into the room.

He bit his tongue, resolving to keep some of the information to himself, "I think it's fairly obvious that this was something to do with the Rose Foundation. Ms. Stinton was clearly trying to revive it, to take over the family business. However, whoever she reached out to for help decided to kill her instead. I'd assume that we are looking for a former member, which doesn't narrow the list down significantly as many of them were released from prison a while ago, but that would be a place to start as they left behind very little physical evidence."

"Do you think Lydia would be able to shed any light on the situation?"

"Lydia?" Sherlock repeated, fear immediately running through his veins. Lestrade couldn't have possibly had the connection between her and the crime scene, could he? After all, Sherlock doubted Lestrade had ever picked up on the perfume that she wore, never mind having smelt the lingering traces in this room.

Lestrade found his reaction rather odd but answered anyway, "yeah, since she was part of the Foundation. Maybe she had more of an idea who would have done this?"

"Yes, well, she's tried very hard to forget her time serving the Foundation, I'm not sure that she would be as helpful as you would like. But I will certainly inquire into if she has any insights and pass them along to you if she does."

At that moment, Lestrade's mobile went off and he sighed when he saw the number calling him. Bringing the mobile up to his ear, he answered, "Detective Inspector Lestrade."

"Yes, but you already knew that," came his next response, his voice twinged with the slightest annoyance.

After a pause, Lestrade nodded, "as you wish, we'll pack up immediately."

Sherlock cocked his head at this response, wondering if it was truly possible that his brother was getting involved. After all, there were very few that had the authority to tell Lestrade to clear a crime scene. Perhaps Lydia and Mary had been careful to cover their tracks after all.

"Alright, this crime scene is changing hands so I'm going to need everyone to leave the space and forget that you were ever here. It's a matter for national security now," Lestrade announced to his men, starting to usher them out. "Please leave all of the evidence that you have collected as well as the memory card for the camera, nothing can leave this room."

"National security?" John asked, looking over at Sherlock.

He gave a nod, "looks like my dear brother has decided to get involved."

"So we're still going to solve the case though, right?"

"Don't need to worry about that, I already know who killed this woman," Sherlock replied, giving Lestrade a nod before leaving the room.

John stared at him in shock before coming back to his senses and quickly rushing after him. When he finally caught up, he asked Sherlock, "what do you mean you've solved it? Where was your big reveal, your time to show off?"

"'Fraid Lestrade got booted off the case before that could happen. But no matter, I'll see what my brother can do with it before I show him up. You should go home, get some rest. I'll see you later."

John didn't seem convinced, but had no time to question Sherlock any further as the detective hailed down a cabbie and disappeared inside. Left still quite confused, he waited for his own so that he could go home and see Mary and Rosie. If he was lucky, he might even be able to catch a few extra hours of sleep as well.

As for Sherlock, he received a text back from Lydia informing him that she had just woken, but that she hoped that he'd be able to solve the case quickly so he could come back home. What he didn't see, however, was the fear that ran through her upon reading his initial text. She had hoped that Mycroft would have contacted Greg before Sherlock got involved, but she was afraid that Sherlock was being led to the very crime that she and Mary had committed. But perhaps it was a different case, perhaps there truly was nothing to worry about.