Loving a Holmes

Wedding Day: Part Two

When Mary and I catch up to the boys, they are on a half-landing part way up the staircase, Sherlock stands with the tips of his fingers against his temples and his eyes screwed closed. John paces impatiently beside him. "How can you not remember which room? You remember everything."

"I have to delete something!"

Mary and I run around the corner and pelts up the stairs in between them, Mary is holding up her skirt with one hand to stop herself from tripping over it. As the two of us pass we speak at the same time. "207."

The boys chase after us and Sherlock quickly overtakes us. Mary takes John's hand and we hurry after him. Reaching the second floor, Sherlock knocks on the door of Room 207 and tries the handle. He rattles the door handle. "Major Sholto? Major Sholto!" He slams the flat of his right hand repeatedly against the door.

We can hear Major Sholto speaking loudly through the door. "If someone's about to make an attempt on my life, it won't be the first time. I'm ready."

John walks towards the door. Sherlock steps back, shaking out his right hand and flexing the fingers. "Major, let us in."

Mary stops behind him. "Kick the door down."

We hear Sholto through the door again. "I really wouldn't. I have a gun in my hand and a lifetime of unfortunate reflexes."

Sherlock walks closer to the door again. "You're not safe in there. Whoever's after you, we know that a locked room doesn't stop him."

"The invisible man with the invisible knife."

"I don't know how he does it, so I can't stop him, and that means he'll do it again."

"Solve it, then. You're the famous Mr. Holmes. Solve the case. On you go. Tell me how he did it and I'll open the door."

John steps forward. "Please, this is no time for games. Just let us in! You're in danger!"

"So are you, so long as you're here. Please, leave me. Despite my reputation, I really don't approve of collateral damage."

Mary and I look at Sherlock, as he paces back and forth across the landing. "Solve it."

"Sorry?"

Mary sighs. "Solve it, and he'll open the door like he said."

"If I couldn't solve it before, how can I solve it now?"

"Because it matters now."

"What are you talking about? What's she talking about? Get your wife under control"

John sighs. "They're right."

"Oh, you've changed!"

"No, they are. Shut up. You are not a puzzle-solver – you never have been. You're a drama queen." Sherlock's mouth drops open and he stares at him. "Now, there is a man in there about to die. 'The game is on'. Solve it!"

Sherlock bares his teeth at him, closing his eyes, thinking, a few moments later he opens them again. He steps over to Mary, takes hold of her head in both hands and kisses her forehead. "Though, in fairness, he's a drama queen too."

Mary and I nod. "Yes, he is."

"Major Sholto, no-one's coming to kill you. I'm afraid you've already been killed several hours ago. Don't take off your belt.

"My belt?"

Sherlock turns around and talks to the three of us. "His belt, yes. Bainbridge was stabbed hours before we even saw him, but it was through his belt."

I nod and continue his thought. "Tight belt, worn high on the waist. Very easy to push a small blade through the fabric and you wouldn't even feel it."