Face the Odds

Chapter 7: Track

Sherlock sat examining the pieces of plaster under a microscope while Lestrade informed: "Another two have been smashed since the Welsborough one. One belonging to Mr Mohandes Hassan-"

"Identical busts?" John questioned, and Lestrade nodded as he explained: "Yeah, and this one to a Dr Barnicot in Holborn. Three in total. God knows who'd want to do something like this."

He glanced at his watch, while John pointed out: "Yeah, but some people have that complex, don't they? An idée fixe."

He looked at Sherlock pointedly as he continued: "They obsess over one thing and they can't let it go."

"No, no good." Sherlock replied flatly, missing the jibe at himself entirely. "There were other images of Margaret..."

He broke off, raising his eyes as he questioned: "Margaret...?"

"You know who she is." John sighed, and Sherlock finished: "-Thatcher, present at the first break-in."

He picked up a different piece of plaster as he continued: "Why would a monomaniac fixate on just one? Ooh!"

He broke off with an excited exclamation as he stared at the new piece of plaster, and John asked: "What?"

"Blood." Sherlock explained, quickly examining the piece under the microscope. "Quite a bit of it, too."

He looked up at Lestrade, asking: "Was there any injury at the crime scene?"

"Nah." Lestrade replied with a shrug, while glancing at his watch again.

"Then our suspect must have cut themselves breaking the bust." Sherlock mused, before he ordered: "Come on."

He packed up the small piece of plaster with the blood on it, while Lestrade asked in surprise: "Holborn?"

"Lambeth!" Sherlock corrected, and Lestrade repeated incredulously: "Lambeth? Why?"

"To see Toby." Sherlock replied, and John said easily: "Ah, right. Who?"

"You'll see." Sherlock replied mysteriously, and John shrugged: "Right, are you coming?"

He looked over at Lestrade, but Sherlock interrupted before the DI could reply: "No, he's got a lunch date with a brunette forensic officer that he doesn't want to be late for."

"Who told you?" Lestrade asked, staring at Sherlock in shock, and Sherlock answered easily: "The right sleeve of your jacket, plus the formaldehyde mixed with your cologne and your complete inability to stop looking at your watch."

John leaned in to smell Lestrade, realizing Sherlock was right, while Lestrade gaped and Sherlock finished: "Have a good time."

"I will." Lestrade said firmly, glancing around at the other two one more time before he started to leave.

"Trust me, though, she's not right for you." Sherlock added casually as he typed a message in his phone: 'Busy?'

"What?" Lestrade questioned, and Sherlock called louder: "She's not the one."

Lestrade blinked before saying sarcastically: "Well, thank you, Mystic Meg."

He walked out, hurrying away, and John asked Sherlock curiously: "How do you work all that out?"

"She's got three children in Rio that he doesn't know about." Sherlock answered, still texting, and John snorted as he asked: "Are you just making this up?"

"Possibly." Sherlock grinned, before turning and walking out as well.

"Who's Toby?" John called as he hurried after Sherlock.