Michael Holmes: Secret Son of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 28: A proper time to die

"There is another question that remains, however – a big one, a huge one: how would you do it? How would you kill someone in public?" Sherlock ponders the question as he walks around the room, deep in thought. Michael looked towards John and Mary, who were in distress. Suddenly, Michael's eyes widen, jumping out of his chair with his new theory. "The invisible man!"

"What?" Sherlock raised an eyebrow and answered almost immediately, snapping out of his trance and walking towards Michael. Michael wasn't sure if the theory may be right and he was having second thoughts about the idea, and when the detective leaned even more closer and stared at him with a serious expression he gulped.

"... Remember?" Michael whispered in a softer tone. "The invisible man with the invisible knife. You know... the one who tried to kill the Guardsman."

Sherlock gasps as straightens up. "You... might be right." Sherlock took a step back as he muttered. "Oh, it was not just planned.... Planned and rehearsed." He said as he lift up his head and glanced at Michael, before quickly continuing with his 'speech'.

"Ladies and gentlemen, there will now be a short interlude." He skids to a halt in front of the top table and turns and holds up his glass. "To the bride and groom!" A little uncertainly this time, the guests stand up and raise their glasses. "The bride and groom."

Sherlock then turns and starts making his way through the guests who are now blocking the aisle as Michael followed behind his father. "Excuse me, coming through! Consulting!" John quickly turns and takes Mary's head in one hand and kisses her. "Stay here." John told her before going off with Sherlock and Michael. Mary hesitates for only a few seconds, then decides to jump up and follow them.

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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.

Sherlock rattled the door handle of Room 207 as he yelled at the major. "Major Sholto? Major Sholto!" He slammed the door in panic. "Major Sholto!" He repeats once more, but no movement by the major was made.

Sitting on a chair beside the bed and speaking loudly enough to be heard through the door, Major Sholto prepared himself for what may come. "If someone's about to make an attempt on my life, it won't be the first time. I'm ready."

John walks towards the door. Sherlock steps back, shaking out his right hand and flexing the fingers. "Major, let us in." John said. "Kick the door down." Mary told her husband.

"I really wouldn't. I have a gun in my hand and a lifetime of unfortunate reflexes." Major Sholto remarked. "You're not safe in there. Whoever's after you, we know that a locked room doesn't stop him." Michael said. Sholto stood up as he realised what they meant."'The invisible man with the invisible knife.'"

"I don't know how he does it, so I can't stop him, and that means he'll do it again."

"Solve it, then." The major said stubbornly. "You're the famous Mr Holmes. Solve the case. On you go. Tell me how he did it and I'll open the door."

"Please, this is no time for games. Just let us in! You're in danger!" John shouted. "So are you, so long as you're here." Major Sholto said as Sherlock paced back and forth across the landing. "Please, leave me. Despite my reputation, I really don't approve of collateral damage."

"Solve it." Mary said to the three of them. "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?" Sherlock said, frowning. "What's she talking about? Get your wife under control." He turned to the army doctor.

"She's right." John replied.

"Oh, you've changed!" Sherlock said, and even though it was just for defense, Michael could see a tint of sadness in his eyes.

"No, she is!" Watson repeated, standing his ground. "Shut up. You are not a puzzle-solver – you never have been. You're a drama queen. Now, there is a man in there about to die. The game is on, SOLVE IT!!"

Sherlock went back into his trance, his eyes blinking as he reviewed the entire Bainbridge case once more, then his eyes flung open again. "Major Sholto, no-one's coming to kill you. I'm afraid you've already been killed several hours ago." He said after a while of silence.

"What did you say?" The major couldn't help but feel absolutely confused now.

"Don't take off your belt." Michael said, after catching on with Sherlock's deduction. Sherlock turned to Michael, slightly impressed that he managed to catch on so fast.

"My belt?"

"His belt, yes. Bainbridge was stabbed hours before we even saw him, but it was through his belt." Sherlock explained to John and Mary. "Tight belt, worn high on the waist. Very easy to push a small blade through the fabric and you wouldn't even feel it."

"The-the belt would bind the flesh together when it was tied tight ..." John tried to understand the situation. "and when you took it off ..."

"Delayed action stabbing. All the time in the world to create an alibi." Michael said.

" So – I was to be killed by my uniform. How appropriate." Sholto stands up and looks at himself in the mirror on the wall. "He solved the case, Major. You're supposed to open the door now. A deal is a deal." Mary stated. 

"I'm not even supposed to have this any more. They gave me special dispensation to keep it. I couldn't imagine life out of this uniform. I suppose – given the circumstances – I don't have to." Sholto paused. "When so many want you dead, it hardly seems good manners to argue."

"Whatever you're doing in there, James, stop it, right now. I will kick this door down."

"Mr Holmes, you and I are similar, I think." Major said, letting out a soft chuckle. "There's a proper time to die, isn't there? And one should embrace it when it comes – like a soldier."

" Of course there is." Sherlock gritted his teeth. "Of course one should, but not at John's wedding. We wouldn't do that, would we – you and me? We would never do that to John Watson."

Sholto closes his eyes. Outside, Sherlock steps away from the door and John walks closer, leaning towards the door and listening for any sound from the room. He straightens up and takes off his jacket. "I'm gonna break it down." John said, clenching his fists.

"No, wait, wait, you won't have to." Mary said. Just then, the door opens. Sholto glances briefly at Sherlock, then lowers his eyes before looking at John. " I believe I am in need of medical attention."

John let out a sigh of relief. "I believe I am your doctor." He follows Sholto as he turns and goes back into the room. Giving Sherlock a quick smile, Mary and Michael follow him. Sherlock closes his eyes for a moment, then follows them.