Can't Stay Away (BBC Sherlock) -2-

34. The Lie in Leinster Gardens

"They've clearly got you on some strong stuff for you to be saying this, Sherlock," I snapped. We were outside in Leinster Gardens. This place looked built for the rich on both sides. "Why would you say that?"

"I saw it, Rachel. You honestly didn't believe that I didn't see my shooter, did you?"

"Not for a second." I crossed my arms over my chest. "You've only told me that Mary was the shooter; you never gave me any proof."

It was hard to wrap my head around the idea. I couldn't picture her doing anything violent; she was too sweet for that kind of thing.

"I smelled her perfume when we were in Magnussen's office. She and only one other person wore that type of perfume, and it was Mary. I saw her."

I shook my head. "That can't be true. Why would Mary want to break into Magnussen's office and try and kill him? Why would she shoot you?"

"He obviously has something on her, that's a good enough motive. Right now, we've got to get some others to join us before I tell you everything." Sherlock swayed slightly.

"I should take you back to the hospital."

"Don't, I'm fine."

"Sherlock, you look like hell."

"I can't go back there now."

"Just accept that you need help!"

"Right now Lestrade, John, and no doubt others will be looking for me. The help can come later. I'm going to get a hold of your father now."

"What makes you think he'll listen to you?" I hovered at Sherlock's side. "You need to at least be inside so you can sit or something. Come on."

While Sherlock got a hold of my dad, I escorted him into one of the places in Leinster Gardens. He gave me instructions on where to guide him. We ended up in a room with a projector.

"What's that for?" I asked.

"You'll see."

While Sherlock explained vaguely what he told me to my dad, I fiddled with my pendant on my throat. If Sherlock was telling the truth, and Mary did shoot him, she had a lot to answer for. What did Magnussen have on her? What did she do that was so horrible?

This was going to kill Dad. I would never have the heart to tell him that Mary shot Sherlock, even if I wasn't sure it was true. Dad loved her, and she was expecting. How could I trump Dad's happiness with that grim piece of news?

This was why Sherlock was going to tell Dad, because he could handle it.

"Alright," Sherlock said once he was off the phone with my dad. "John will be here shortly."

"This is going to tear him apart," I moaned, rubbing my face. "You better hope he doesn't give you hell for this."

"He may since I recruited you here."

"Why did you anyway?"

"I needed a crutch."

"Wow, so it has nothing to do with the fact that my stepmother shot you and has an awful past?"

"It's partially that."

During the time we waited for Dad to get to Leinster Gardens, I helped Sherlock back outside. I couldn't believe he escaped a freaking hospital just to expose who Mary really was to my dad and me. Sherlock had to care a lot about my dad if he was doing this.