The Coffee Shop

Chapter 15 - Thursday 6th April, 21:09

"Stop. We're here." Mycroft said.

Sherlock parked the car a little haphazardly, and the four men got out. They were finally at the docks, and the place was teeming with life.

"We've got to sneak in." Sherlock murmured lowly.

For God's sake, Sherlock." Lestrade said. "Let me handle it."

A man wearing a blue jumpsuit approached them. "What is your business here?"

"We're on a mission. Police." Lestrade told him, holding up his government identification. Mycroft did the same.

The man looked at both their IDs with scrutiny, then nodded.

"Alright. What are you looking for, exactly?"

"Actually," John began, "We were hoping to borrow a speedboat."

"You're joking."

The four of them stood resolute.

"...Okay, you're serious. Righto. You better come with me."

So they walked behind the man, and people looked, wondering what Sherlock Holmes, his brother Mycroft, the Detective Inspector Lestrade and Doctor Watson were all doing there. Without knowing it, regarding them all, they fascinated everyone.<p>The man continued to lead them. "I'm Jack. You'll meet Terry in a moment - he's in charge of the speedboats. Do you need a tutorial?"

"You mean how to drive the boat?" Mycroft confirmed. "Yes, I think we will."

"It can't be that hard." Sherlock said.

"You could barely drive the car earlier," Lestrade remarked.

"He's got a point, you know." John chuckled.

"Shut up."

And they walked out onto a platform, where a row of speedboats were docked.

"What's all this, Jack?" A man with red hair came up to them.

"Police. They require one of the speedboats."

"Blimey, okay." He turned to Sherlock. "Do you know how to drive one of these things?"

"Show me how." Mycroft interjected. "I don't trust him."

Sherlock scoffed. "Thanks, brother mine. Such loyalty."

"Oh Sherlock..." Mycroft started.

"Enough! You two can argue later. Focus on finding James, that's what's important." Lestrade told them. Sherlock looked down at his shoes, then up again, at the boats.

"Which one is fastest?"

"They're all equally fast. But if you want my opinion, I recommend that one. It's good for beginners, and it does what it says on the tin." Terry said.

"Excellent. We'll have that one then."

"Hold your horses," Jack said. "Where are you planning to take it? And for how long?"

"We suspect the man we're following is headed for the English Channel." Mycroft said. "It may take hours."

"And it's dark. This can't wait?" Jack said.

"That boy is depending on us to find him. The more time we spend not looking, the more dire his situation becomes," Sherlock informed him. "So no, this cannot wait."

Jack looked at Sherlock, then let his eyes travel to John. He nodded at Lestrade, and regarded Mycroft warily.

They certainly weren't mucking about.