The Reichenbach Plan

Chapter One: A Tooth for a Tooth

Ronald Adair stared at the papers in disbelief. He had spent the better part of three weeks diving into financial records, ownership records, and other corporate documents. The result was staggering. Hidden down a convoluted, and almost obscure path of documentation, he finally had the proof he needed. He placed the paperwork in an envelope and prepared to place them in the safe.

He never made it

DI Lestrade stared down at the wreck that had been a promising member of Parliament. John Watson was kneeling down next to the head which had a small hole in its' right, and missing a large portion of its' left. He sat up and removed his gloves, "I can't add anything to the coroner's findings. Cause of death is exsanguination caused by a high velocity round. Who found the body?" A somber Lestrade nodded toward the side room, "His mother, she had heard the body fall, but found the door locked." The butler forced the door and they discovered him like this. It appeared the shooter's first shot was low, still looking for that bullet, the second caused the damage we see here."

"Come in, Lestrade, tell me you are not that ignorant."

They both glanced up at Sherlock Holmes who was staring at the window. His glance back at them was one of impatience. "The desk has papers held down by several heavier objects, which means this window was in the habit of being opened. The paint in the window guides indicate that the lower windows stopped about an inch and a half below the upper window. That would make up the difference between the two." With a handkerchief around his hand he lifted the lower pane till the holes lined up. Lestrade looked at the holes and then at the building in the far distance which was the only one in line of sight from the window. "We have secured the apartment where we think he shot from. I take it you would like to view it?" Holmes nodded and twenty minutes later was in an empty apartment. Food wrappers and drink bottles lined the floor. There was an area on the carpet that showed where a person had knelt down to take the shot. Lestrade indicated to where several bottles laid filled with yellow liquid, "We have taken samples and hopefully will have DNA" "It will do no good" Watson chimed. "What do you mean?" Lestrade asked. "It means..." began Holmes, "...that even Watson, whose powers of deduction couldn't even power a torch, can see through this facade. This murder shows careful planning, and you expect it not to extend to his nest." Watson, nodded, "I've had conversations with snipers from when I was in Afghanistan, They would never be this sloppy." Holmes bounded out the door leaving Watson and Lestrade gasping in his wake. He bounded up the steps until he burst forth onto the roof, setting off an alarm. They found him kneeling near the edge. "I know a few people who would love to push you" Lestrade said chuckling. "The list is steadily growing, to now include the American CIA," Holmes said without looking up. He indicated a place where a bits of black rubber was lightly caught in the concrete. "This is where he went over the edge, he lined it so as to not leave trace of his cable. He used the already in place system of anchors from the building's window cleaners." He sighed, "This creates a a greater problem, We are looking for a man with military training, most likely special operations. He fires a custom rifle, prepares his own bullets, and I would cross reference big game hunters. I would look for his calling card, this will not be his first kill."
As the men were leaving, the press assaulted them with questions. Above the noise a voice cried out rather drunkly, "I see the murders of Members of Parliament get special treatment, Inspector. Why did you not send for the great Sherlock Holmes when you were investigating Parker's murder. Do you think you are greater than the Author of the Good Book, who says he is concerned even with the death of sparrows?" The speaker was a man in a dirty army jacket. Both legs terminated at the knee, and his face also showed signs of shrapnel damage, leaving his face in a permanent smile. "Pay no attention to him Mr. Holmes," Lestrade said through gritted teeth, "...that man should focus on getting himself sober than police business. Holmes stared at the man for a second, and gave him a barely perceptible nod.
A few days later, Lestrade summoned them to his office. "We found the killer's calling card." He indicated an evidence bag on the desk. Watson picked it up and looked a small pieces of bone in the bag. "Is that a tooth?" He asked. Lestrade nodded, Our forensic techs say that it is a human left canine, more specifically, your Mr. Holmes." Holmes brought his hand to his cheek, "I lost that tooth two years ago in a fight in the tube station with a certain Matthews, I never knew what became of it." "Based on the lead in pieces of the tooth..." Lestrade said, "...it appears to have been placed in the bullet." Watson grabbed the edge of the desk, his other hand traveling up to his shoulder. "I know that M.O." Holmes nodded, "As have I" their answer came out in unison:
The Tiger