The Death Game

Chapter 31

-Same day, at 221B-

At 221B, Juliet danced casually in the living room as a tune from Johann Sebastian Bach played in the background. Sherlock's phone began to ring. Knowing that John was calling him, he took it out and hurled himself onto the sofa. On the other end of the line, John had just left the court and was now hurrying along the pavement.

''Not guilty.'' he stated frantically, ''They found him not guilty! No defence, and Moriarty's walked free, just like that.'' John continued as on the other side, Sherlock stared into space, ''Sherlock. Are you listening? He's out. You know he'll be come after you. Sher...''

Sherlock lowered down the phone and switched it off, hanging up on his friend. As he got up from the sofa, he made his way to the kitchen and switched on the kettle. He slammed down a small tray beside it, putting a jug of milk, a sugar bowl, a teapot and two cups and saucers with teaspoons onto the tray. The kettle came to the boil and switched, making the tea, he then took the tray to the small table beside the red armchair.

He then walked over to his own grey armchair and picked up his violin and bow. As he began to play Bach's Sonata No.1 in G minor, downstairs the front door suddenly opened. Moriarty's easily-recognisable shadow preceded him as he slowly walked along the hall and up the creaking staircase. Partway up, one of the stairs creaked noisily and Jim paused for a moment, as did Sherlock's playing.

''It would be best for you if you left, Juliet.'' Sherlock whispered as the woman quickly took her coat and made her way out the door.

Just as Sherlock had stopped playing, he resumed from a few notes before where he had stopped and Jim started to climb the stairs again. Juliet tried to make her way downstairs, but failed miserably as Jim roughly grabbed her arm and dragged her back up the stairs without any gentleness. As Jim finally reached the top of the stairs, he pushed the door open, the music Sherlock was playing suddenly stopped.

''Caught this one trying to run off.'' Jim smirked as he shoved Juliet inside the room again.

''Most people knock.'' Sherlock shrugged, ''But then again you're not most people, I suppose.'' he pointed towards the small table, ''Kettle's just boiled.''

''Johann Sebastian would be appalled.'' the other man replied as he walked into the room and picked up an apple from the coffee table before looking around for a place to sit, ''May I?''

''Please.'' the detective answered with a smug smile.

Sherlock gestured with the end of his bow towards the red armchair. Ignoring him, Jim instead immediately walked over to Sherlock's grey armchair and sat down. Moriarty took out a small penknife and started to carve something into the apple as Sherlock put down the violin and began to pour tea into the two cups. As for Juliet, she was standing there in the middle of the living room with the urge to turn into a mouse and run away.

''Sit.'' Jim ordered sternly as he gestured to one of the chairs to Juliet before turning back to Sherlock, ''You know when he was on his death bed, Bach, he heard his son at the piano playing one of his pieces. The boy stopped before he got to the end...''

''... and the dying man jumped out of his bed, ran straight to the piano and finished it.'' the detective finished.

''Couldn't cope with an unfinished melody.'' Jim smiled widely.

''Neither can you.'' the detective replied, ''That's why you've come.''

''Come on, be honest: you're just a tiny bit pleased.'' the criminal laughed as Sherlock gave him a cup of tea, ''With me... back on the streets.'' he continued softly with a smile, ''Every fairytale needs a good old-fashioned villain.''