Upstairs, Major Sholto opens the door to his bedroom and walks in. He lays his sword on the bed and then undoes the zip around his suitcase. Lifting the lid and laying it back, he picks up a folded shirt on the top of the contents and puts it down inside the lid. On top of the rest of his clothing is a large pistol. He picks it up.
Downstairs, on a half-landing partway up the staircase, Sherlock stands with the tips of his fingers against his temples and his eyes screwed closed. John paces impatiently beside him.
"How can you not remember which room? You remember everything." Says John.
"I have to delete something!" Says Sherlock.
Mary and Elisabeth run around the corner and pelt up the stairs.
"207!" Says Elisabeth as she and Mary go past the boys. The boys chase after them and Sherlock quickly overtakes Mary. Mary takes John's hand and they hurry after him and Elisabeth. Reaching the second floor, Sherlock knocks on the door of Room 207 and tries the handle.
"Major Sholto? Major Sholto!" Sherlock Shouts.
He slams the flat of his right hand repeatedly against the door.
"Major Sholto!" He calls out once more.
"If someone's about to make an attempt on my life, it won't be the first time. I'm ready." Says Sholto, loudly enough that Sherlock and the others can hear.
John walks towards the door. Sherlock steps back, shaking out his right hand and flexing the fingers.
"Major, let us in." Says John.
"Im kicking the door down." Says Elisabeth.
"I really wouldn't. I have a gun in my hand and a lifetime of unfortunate reflexes." Warns Sholto.
"You're not safe in there. Whoever's after you, we know that a locked room doesn't stop him." Says Elisabeth.
"'The invisible man with the invisible knife.'" Says Sholto, quoting young Archie.
"I don't know how he does it, so I can't stop him, and that means he'll do it again." Says Sherlock.
"Solve it, then." Says Sholto
"I – I'm sorry?" Asks Sherlock.
"You're the famous Mr Holmes. Solve the case. On you go."
Sherlock straightens up, his eyes rapidly flickering from side to side.
"Tell me how he did it and I'll open the door."
John steps forward again.
"Please, this is no time for games. Just let us in! You're in danger!" Says John.
"So are you, so long as you're here." Says Sholto
Mary watches Sherlock as he paces back and forth across the landing.
"Please, leave me. Despite my reputation, I really don't approve of collateral damage."
"Solve it." Says Mary.
Sherlock stops and looks at her.
"Sorry?" Asks Sherlock
"Solve it, and he'll open the door, like he said."
"If I couldn't solve it before, how can I solve it now?"
"Because it matters now."
"What are you talking about?'
He looks at John.
"What's she talking about? Get your wife under control."
"She's right." Says John.
YOU ARE READING
Vatican Cameos (A BBC Sherlock Fanfiction)
FanfictionVatican Cameos, A code word reactivated as Sherlock Holmes returns to London. Jim Moriarty is dead, but evil still lies deep within the streets of London. And The Baker Street Trio are needed more than ever.
