You See But Do Not Observe

DEDUCTIONS

CHAPTER FIVE : DEDUCTIONS

He tossed his coat onto the floor and grabbed the bathrobe hanging off a chair. John dutifully hung up his dropped coat and Serena walked inside behind him.

She interested him. She was keeping so many secrets. She only let him see exactly what she wanted, no more, no less.

Like her emotions. She showed them all; anger, sadness, happiness, determination. But she only showed the surface of them, the actor's façade. He had no doubt she felt those emotions, but he knew they went deeper.

She knew something. Her exchange with Lestrade. He never would have known if Lestrade hadn't given it away. And even he didn't leave enough clues for Sherlock to piece it together.

One thing was positive; Serena was the key to her own puzzle. And she didn't seem eager to share.

Did he admire her? Maybe. She wasn't brilliant like him. She thought on her feet while he plotted out each move. She had cleverly disguised herself right under his nose on the street. He resented that. He had barely recognized her when she walked into his apartment.

She didn't play the game on the scale that he did; no, she controlled her own private game within herself.

"Tea?" John asked.

"Yes, please." Serena said.

"Have a seat." John said, and Serena bent her legs.

"No, not there!" Sherlock shouted, and Serena froze.

"Why?" She asked, moving to a different seat.

"Experiment." Sherlock said.

"Sherlock..." John said exasperatingly.

"I was bored!"

John sat next to Serena on the couch, and Sherlock looked at them. John's gaze lingered on Serena's dark brown hair a moment too long to be platonic.

"John, I think the kettle's going off." Sherlock said.

"Don't be ridiculous." John shot him a glance that suggested he knew exactly what he was doing.

The kettle began to whistle, and Sherlock looked pointedly at the kitchen. John got up silently and Sherlock could hear sounds of water pouring.

Serena stared out the window absentmindedly. Sherlock could almost see her mind working. If only he could be in there with her, he could see what she was keeping from him...

"Here's your tea." John said. Serena's hand closed around the mug. John's fingertips stayed too long on the mug, touching her hand. Serena smiled softly, and she murmured a thank you. Sherlock rolled his eyes and heaved a sigh.

"What!" John said, releasing the mug.

"Oh, stop flirting with the clients, will you?" Sherlock said, folding his arms.

"I wasn't...i wasn't flirting, Sherlock." John said to Serena, who smiled in an it's-okay sort of way. He looked relieved.

"Mr. Holmes, look, I'm confused as to why I'm here." Serena said.

"You are connected to this case, obviously." Sherlock answered.

"I doubt it."

"You personally knew all three of the victims."

"So did five other doctors at the place where I work. I was the only one who didn't accepted their suicides." Serena said.

"Why are you so determined to be unconnected?" Sherlock asked.