If... Then...? || Sherlock BBC

1

It was a specifically cold day to which Evelyn woke up with a struggle. The clock showed 5:30 AM. After all those years, the nightmares were still hunting her mind. None of the therapist she has ever been to managed to help her. It's a curse of a psychologist. She rubbed her eyes to help her wake up. They were still swollen from crying in the middle of the night. She slowly got up and with a lazy movement and headed to the bathroom. When she turned on the light, in the mirror she saw her dirty-blonde hair in complete mess. The redness and blush around her eyes emphasised the warm green of them. She sighed and started getting herself into order. She took a long cold shower, brushed her hair and teeth and put on some concealer, mascara, and lipstick. Her hair was up to her shoulders and wavy, just normal. She put on a dark green jumper with a turtle neck and black trousers. Now the clock showed 6:00 AM. She was not a morning person but she couldn't go back to sleep. Her previous work wanted her to be in the office by that time. She put a kettle on a stove to boil some water for coffee and in the meantime went downstairs to get a morning newspaper from her mailbox. When she opened front door, a chilly breeze entered her flat letting Evelyn get some fresh air. She loved cold for two reasons: it was nostalgic to her and she could wear comfortable warm clothes. She quickly grabbed the newspaper and went back up to the kettle whistling. She made herself coffee with milk and sat down by the table and started reading the news. It has been a month since she left her previous job but she had pretty good savings which allowed her for a lack of job for a while. Her goal now was to stay away from any controversy until getting back to work. Obviously in a different place.

About 10 minutes into reading the newspaper her phone started ringing. It was an unknown number. She still decided to pick up.
— Evelyn Laurier, yes?
— Hello Evelyn. — the voice said. Evelyn froze and her face lit up. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. An old friend of hers. — I hope I'm not disturbing.
— Mycroft! I didn't expect a phone from you at all! How did you get my number? I changed it a month ago. — she wondered and didn't try to express her happiness.
— You know that I have my ways. — She could tell he was smiling as well. — We haven't talked in a while. How are you?
— Not so bad. — That was a lie. — Everything seems to be going well and...
— Do you sleep well? — he interrupted.
— Yes. — That was also a lie. — The nightmares has been getting better... — Also a lie. — ...and I did quit my job recently but it was worth it. How about you? How about the head of England? — she chuckled.
— I'm doing well. Thank you for asking. — he said politely.
— So, what's up with the sudden call? We haven't been in contact for a while.
— I wanted to ask how was London for you since you moved from Washington D.C.
— You're at least about 3 month late, but thanks. It has been good. — they both laughed. — Much better for my likings.
— I was wondering if you would like to catch up and have a dinner together? — he asked.
— With a pleasure. Are you available at 6:00 PM? — she smiled.
— That's perfect. I will send you the location later. It was good to talk to you again, Evelyn.
— It was good to talk to you too, Mycroft. I'll see you at 6:00 then. — and they hung up.
Evelyn was excited to see a familiar face once again. It didn't happened to her a lot as she wasn't on good terms with her family. She knew Mycroft from a banquet which happened 3 years ago. They got along and Mycroft was the one to seed an idea in her head about coming back to London. That was the best advice she ever got. Evelyn went back to reading her newspaper and sipping her coffee. She was looking for something exciting to do. Her phoned buzzed. She new Mycroft has sent her the address. However, shortly after another buzz resounded. Evelyn picked it up to see what it was.

"Are you free? I need and advice on a case"
Greg

She saw a text from Greg Lestrade. A smile appeared on her face. They first met shortly after finishing college 10 years ago. They renewed their contact after Evelyn came back to London, which is why he had her new number. He has been a big support for her all these years. They trusted each other deeply as they used to work together for 3 years in Scotland Yard until Evelyn moved to the United States.

"What's up?"
Evelyn

___

"We recently caught a guy that is suspected for working for a gang we've been trying to catch. He's a pretty good liar"
Greg

___

"I'll be in Scotland Yard in 10"
Evelyn

She put her phone into a pocket and threw her coat on. Finally something exciting was happening. Evelyn's eyes sparked immediately. Who could've known that not having a job would be so boing? She got her keys and locked the door of her flat. Getting a cab at 6:45 in a centre of London was not difficult and Evelyn was soon on her way to see the detective inspector Lestarde.

Evelyn kept her word and appeared in Scotland Yard in 10 minutes. It's been a while since she's been here. Many renovations were done as well as many new faces arrived to this institution. It was almost unrecognisable after 5 years, although some parts stayed the same. Evelyn headed to the main hall where Greg's old desk was. From there she could see an office of which the door said "D.I. Gregory Lestrade". She quickly went up to them and knocked.
— Come in! — she heard and opened a door.
— Hey. So what do you have for me? — Evelyn sat down on a chair by his desk.
— Hey! Thank you for coming! — Greg said with a smile on his face.
— No problem. — she smirked. It was still too early for her but her brain was already on higher functioning.
— So... like I said, we have a suspect which we think might be working for a gang.
— Why is he a suspect? — she asked.
— This morning we found a corpse and his fingerprints matched to the ones left on its clothes. It was not a very successful act on his part. We have no proof if he is a part of the gang as they don't have any characteristic markings. They're like a group of... assassins?
— Assassins? — Evelyn tried to hide her excitement. — Can I see his files?
— Yes. — Lestrade opened a drawer in his desk and threw them in front of Evelyn. She started looking at it and especially the photo.
— Was this taken this morning? — she asked pointing on the man's face.
— Indeed. Right after arresting him. — Greg nodded.
— He's young... — she stared intensely into the headshots. Greg got used to it however, it wasn't the same as it was before she moved to America.
— You got better at it.
— At what? — she was thrown off.
— At... this... analysing... — The room was silent. — Sorry, keep going please.
— Thank you. — she quickly answered and went back to what she was doing. — There isn't much I can say. It is good that it was taken right after arresting him because he still have emotions visible on his face. He was scared and felt guilt. I can only tell you that he was forced to do it. I might be able to tell you more from a video of an interview... but I assume something else is better. I want to see the crime scene first. — Evelyn said and looked back at Greg.
— Can do however... — he stopped to look for right words to choose. — ...I invited a friend to help me there. I hope it won't disturb you?
— Shouldn't be a problem. I just need to check one thing. Shall we go? — she got up and started walking to the door.
— Naturally. — Greg followed her out.
After few steps Evelyn's curiosity won over her.
— What friend if I may ask?
— Sherlock Holmes. You might have heard of him.
— The one of the front page this morning? Only saw the name. I don't read front pages. They're just gossips.
As they started approaching Greg's car, he said:
— Oh, and one more thing. He usually comes with his friend. Dr. John Watson. — he opened the door to get in.
— So two people... — Evelyn sighed.
— Yes.
— You lied to me. — Evelyn made a sad face after which they both giggled and got into the car.