The Jack of All Trades {Sherlock Holmes}

Chapter Six

Evelyn stared at the acrobat, not noticing John's attention on the curtains for a moment, before being distracted by the acrobat again. She paused, thinking and straining her ears. Was that grunting she heard? She looked towards the curtain as Sherlock fell through the curtains.

He fell straight over the edge of the stage and onto the floor a few feet below it.

"Oh my god," Evelyn exclaimed as the warrior from came flying out of the curtains, a knife in his hands. Almost on reflex, Evelyn raced forward, crashing her shoulder into the warrior, sending the knife out of his hands. 

The audience fled as John helped Sherlock, watching Evelyn interestedly as she kept up with the warrior. Blocking each swing of his arm, she rose her leg, sending it directly into his temple, a loud cracking sound echoing out.

Barely winded, Evelyn stood over the warrior as he fell to the ground, grunting and almost unconscious. Sherlock was finally up, pulling off the right shoe, revealing the same lotus tattoo that had been on the other bodies.

Evelyn quickly helped Sherlock to his feet, before being pulled along by John as Sherlock raced ahead. She looked back for a moment, and she could've sworn that the Opera Singer was watching her.

~~~~~~~~~~

Bewildered, Evelyn followed the boys as they chased a man, D.I. Dimmock she found out, around his office.

"I sent a couple of cars. The old hall is totally deserted," Dimmock said.

"Look, I saw the mark at the circus," Sherlock insisted. "That tattoo Evelyn saw on the two bodies; the mark of the Tong."

"Lukis and Van Coon were part of a- a smuggling operation. Now, one of them stole something when they were in China; something valuable," John continued.

"These circus performers were gang members sent here to get it back," Sherlock insisted. Slowly, Evelyn got herself caught up by connecting the dots in her head.

"Get what back?" Dimmock asked. Sherlock bit his lip, looking away angrily.

"We don't know," John muttered hesitantly.

"You don't know..." Dimmock repeated.

"Yes," Evelyn said. "They don't know. All they know of is the gang members. They haven't had much evidence to figure out what they're after!" Sherlock watched her, a little surprised at her outburst.

"Mr. Holmes," Dimmock sighed. "I've done everything you asked. Lestrade, he seems to think your advice is worth something. I gave the order for a raid. Please, tell me I'll have something to show for it- other than a massive bill for overtime."

~~~~~~~~~~

"So, this is your place," Evelyn said, running her hand along the wallpaper as she climbed the stairs.

"Uh, yes," John said, following Sherlock up, seemingly worried about what Evelyn would say. He was surprised when she smiled.

"I like it." John blinked twice before smiling and walking into the living room. Evelyn stared at the pictures over the fireplace as they removed their coats.

"They'll be back in China by tomorrow," John announced.

"No," Evelyn muttered. Sherlock made eye contact with her, as John turned his head towards her. "If they're after something like you said, they most likely won't leave without what they came for."

"Yes, we need to find their hide-out; the rendezvous." Sherlock walked closer to the photos, staring at them intensely. Evelyn walked over to the table, looking at the books resting upon it, forgotten by the other too.

"Somewhere in this message it must tell us," Sherlock muttered.

"Should I leave?" Evelyn asked quietly.

"Yes, it would be better to study if you left now," said Sherlock, simultaneously as John said, "No, no, you don't have to go." Sherlock grit his teeth before looking back at the photographs.

"He's kidding," John assured. "Please, stay if you'd like."

"Alright, then," Evelyn suggested. "Is it just me who's hungry?"

"Oh, god." Evelyn frowned at Sherlock, slapping his arm quite hard, causing him to flinch and grab it momentarily. 

"Shut up, and be nice."