Against the Odds

Chapter 30: Separated

John got off his phone just as Marie's rang. She answered it quietly as John informed Sherlock: "So, still got some friends on the Force. It's Lestrade. Says they're all coming over here right now, queuing up to slap on the handcuffs: every single officer you ever made feel like a tit, which is a lot of people."

Sherlock just sat in his armchair with his hands steepled before his mouth. Both men turned their heads as Marie snarled: "What?"

They looked at her and Sherlock stood in alarm as he took in her stiffened posture. But at that moment, Mrs. Hudson walked in with a knock. She glanced at them, noticing the tension and she asked: "Oh, sorry, am I interrupting?"

John shook his head while Sherlock moved over to Marie as she hung up her phone. Mrs. Hudson handed John an envelope as she explained: "Some chap delivered a parcel. I forgot. Marked 'Perishable' – I had to sign for it."

Sherlock and Marie glanced at the envelope and stiffened as they recognized the seal. Mrs. Hudson continued obliviously: "Funny name. German, like the fairytales." She murmured while John hastily opened the envelope. He reached in as Sherlock and Marie walked over slowly, pulling out a gingerbread man.

"Burnt to a crisp." Sherlock murmured as John held the cookie in shock. John asked as they heard police sirens wailing: "What does it mean?" Sherlock didn't answer, turning to Marie urgently as he asked: "Who was that on the phone."

Marie's eyes filled and she shook her head. Sherlock grabbed her shoulders, shaking her a little as he demanded: "Who was it?!" "Sherlock!" John scolded while Mrs. Hudson gasped, but he ignored them as he focused on the woman before him. A tear slipped down Marie's cheek as she whispered: "Mycroft."

"What, why?" John asked confused but Sherlock let go of Marie's shoulders, staggering back a little. "Sherlock-" Marie began, taking a step forward but he cut her off as he ordered: "Get out, go!"

Another tear slipped out while John turned to his flatmate incredulously as he demanded: "What are you saying?" Marie was shaking her head defiantly but Sherlock ordered as he gripped her shoulders: "Go, if the police catch you, there will be nothing we can do."

Just then the doorbell rang urgently and a voice shouted: "Police!" Mrs. Hudson glanced between the three anxiously as she murmured: "I'll go."

John was looking between his two dark-haired friends, brows furrowed as they heard the police clamouring downstairs. Marie's face had become agonized but Sherlock said firmly: "Marie, go."

With one last despairing look, Marie slipped down the hall, disappearing into Sherlock's bedroom just as Mrs. Hudson scolded downstairs: "Don't barge in like that!"

John left as well, going downstairs to help Mrs. Hudson as he demanded: "Have you got a warrant? Have you?" Sherlock stood still for a moment, feeling Marie's loss keenly as though her absence by his side was causing a physical pain in his heart. But he just quietly moved to pick up his scarf as he heard Lestrade say tiredly: "Leave it, John."

Sherlock wrapped the scarf around his neck as Mrs. Hudson was scolding: "Really! Manners!" Sherlock pulled on his coat just as Lestrade walked in, flanked by several officers. Lestrade said firmly but with an apologetic look in his eyes as he snapped handcuffs on Sherlock's wrists: "Sherlock Holmes, I'm arresting you on suspicion of abduction and kidnapping."

"He's not resisting." John interjected, his arms folded in defiance. Sherlock said quietly: "It's all right, John."

John snapped angrily: "No, it's not all right. This is ridiculous." He glared at Lestrade accusingly and Lestrade's shoulders sagged. But that wasn't all. Lestrade asked, defeated: "Where's 'Rose-Marie'?"