Hello Detective

The Reichenbach Fall Part 2

Within a few days Moriarty was to be tried at the Old Bailey, and Sherlock was named a witness for the prosecution. I stood in his living room, putting my coat on and preparing to leave for the court house. The police were escorting Sherlock there, so I had come to pick him up.

"Ready?" I asked, as I was about to open the door, knowing there would be a bunch of press outside.

"Yes." He answered and I pulled the door open. I had brought some officers, to keep the press at bay, to let Sherlock and I get to the car safely and efficiently.

Sherlock opened the door for me and I slid in the back before him. He closed the door and the car was off.

"Remember–" I began before Sherlock cut me off.

"Yes." He said quickly. I was supposed to brief him and make sure he didn't do anything stupid.

"Remember. Don't try to be clever–" I began but he cut me off again. I wondered if he was nervous.

"No." He turned to look outside of the car.

"And please, just keep it simple and brief." I pleaded.

"God forbid the star witness in the trial should come across as intelligent." He whined.

"Intelligent, fine. Just try not to be a smartass. I don't want to have to bail you out because you couldn't control your mouth and the judge threw you in contempt of court." I said.

"I'll just be myself." Sherlock stated.

"Are you listening to me? Sherlock, please." I sighed, and the car pulled up to the Old Bailey. I left him to go find John. He was already seated, so I sat down next to him.

"How is he?" He asked.

"I think he's going to be okay. We'll see if he behaves himself." I smiled, and the trial had begun.

"A consulting criminal." The Barrister began, Sherlock was now on the stand after some opening statements.

"Yes." Sherlock replied.

"Your words, can you expand on the answer?" She asked.

"James Moriarty is for hire." Sherlock said, keeping his answer simple, behaving thus far.

"A tradesman?" the barrister asked.

"Yes." Sherlock answered.

"But not the sort who'd fix your heating." she clarified.

"No, the sort who'd plant a bomb or stage an assassination, but I'm sure he'd make a pretty decent job of your boiler." Sherlock said, eliciting a laugh from everyone.

"So far so good." I whispered to John, he nodded.

"Would you describe him as–" the barrister began but was cut off by Sherlock.

"Leading." He said shortly.

"What?" she asked, surprised.

"Can't do that. You're leading the witness. He'll object and the judge will uphold." Sherlock said.

"Mr. Holmes!" The judge sighed.

"Ask me how. How would I describe him? What opinion have I formed of him? Did they not teach you this?" He asked rudely.

"I think you jinxed it." John whispered to me as I shook my head when Sherlock looked up to me.

"Mr. Holmes, we're fine without your help." the judge scolded.

"How would you describe this man, his character?" The barrister asked.

"First mistake, James Moriarty isn't a man at all. He's a spider. A spider at the center of a web. A criminal web with a thousand threads and he knows precisely how each and every single one of them dances." Sherlock said grimly.