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Chapter 4 - A Study in Pink

Sherlock:

“She thinks I’m brilliant.” I say with a smile to John as we walk home. “Like you. Except she praised me more than you do-out loud.”

“She doesn’t know who you really are, Sherlock.” John objects. “And…you seemed hesitant when you said that you knew something about her. Something, Sherlock. You usually know lots of things about people. What about her? Was she different or did you know more than one thing? You’re not really the type of person to…holds back on what you say-especially when making observations about people.”

“Deductions." I correct. "She was hard to observe.” I admit. “For some reason I don’t know anything about her! Only the detective work, but that was a guess and she confirmed it! How can I not know anything about her? This is...bad that I only know one thing about her! And I don’t like not knowing. For some reason, she’s the only person I’ve ever met who I just…don’t…know anything about!” I conclude.

“Interesting. But I’ve been meaning to ask you, why did you make a fake name for yourself when you met her?”

It’s so simple!

“Well she wants to be a detective. She wants to work with Sherlock Holmes and she doesn’t know she’s met him! Oh this will be fun! I wanted to know more, so I created a fake name.” I explain, gesturing with my hands as I talk.

“How will it be fun?” John asks.

“Oh, just because. Besides, she could be a possible recruit for our detective work! She made correct conclusions when she observed me. Clearly destined to be a detective! And she could also be another possible flat mate! Tonight I might actually see something.” I say.

“What do you mean by that last part? See what?” John asks.

“I’m going to watch her actions, who knows, maybe I’ll find out something more about her.”

“You’re going to stalk her?”

“On the contrary, I’m going to observe her. There’s a difference, John! Now, you go and catch a cab back to Baker Street, I’ll be on the roof observing. Or...you can join me.”

“The roof?"

"Yes. Was I not clear about that before?"

"Jesus Sherlock." John says. "Fine. I’ll come.” He says after a few moments of delay.

“Great! Hopefully we’ll see something tonight. Otherwise it’ll all be for nothing and I’ll have to try another night.”

Not long afterwards, John and I are laying on our stomachs, propped up on our elbows, watching for when Katherine exits the pub to go home. After a minute, she does walk out of the pub in a pair of light blue jeans, a black long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of shoes with heels a couple inches high. Her gray jacket is folded over her arm as she walks down the street. Her long wavy blonde hair out of its usual ponytail, reaching down to her waist.

“What exactly are we observing about her?” John asks quietly.

“You will see…hopefully. There’re a couple of idiots-“

“According to you everyone is an idiot.” John interrupts.

“These ones are definitely idiots-drunk ones too, and they will hopefully bug her. They are not far from where she’s at.”

“Why do you want that?” John asks.

“You will see. If my theory is correct.” I say, not looking away from her.

As I suspect, the two drunk men lumber out a little ways from the building she’s walking by.

They yell an odd assortment of things to her, some flattering, some unflattering, and some unflattering but mean to be flattering. She ignores them and keeps walking. One of the men yells something particularly unflattering to her. She turns around quickly and slams the man against the brick wall. One arm across his neck. He struggles, and she leans forward, one of her legs stretched out behind her as an attempt to keep him against the wall.

She says something to the man, which I believe is a warning as to never speak to her again. With that she stands up straight and walks away as if she never did anything.

“That is what I wanted to see! John, I believe Miss Harrison could be of help to us. She doesn’t need to work in that dull pub!” I jump up and walk away, climbing down the ladder to an alley by the street, not waiting for John to catch up.