The Science of Sacrifice//Book Four

Chapter 13~ Nagging Sensation

Teddy's P.O.V

As soon as Claudette's mother had arrived to collect her daughter I made my way back upstairs, my mind on the newspaper that I had found in my office. Why would anyone write something like that? Why would Kitty say that my brother was a fraud? What proof did she have?
I mulled this over in my mind as I exited the elevator and walked down the corridor. As I walked, though, I heard Lestrade and Sally talking.

"The footprint," Sally said, and I began to slow down, tip-toeing towards the corner so I could ease drop. "It's all he has. A footprint."

"Yeah, well, you know what he's like- CSI Baker Street," Lestrade replied.

"Well, our boys couldn't have done it."

"Well, that's why we need him. He's better."

"That's one explanation," Sally said, and my eyes narrowed at what she was implying.

"And what's the other?" Lestrade asked before I stepped around the corner and into their line of sight.

"Hello," I said stiffly, my gaze passing over Lestrade and landing on Sally. Her eyes met mine and she didn't look away, even when I sent her my iciest glare. "Where are the boys?"

"Uh, they've gone," Lestrade answered, looking warily at me. I didn't blame him, either. "You didn't see them on your way up?"

"No, I must've just missed them," I replied, taking a step forward and crossing my arms. "So, I guess that because they're gone now is a good time to talk behind Sherlock's back, huh?"

"Now, Teddy-" Lestrade began, but Sally interrupted him.

"Don't tell me that you haven't been thinking the same thing-"

"Of course I haven't, I never would!"

"Only he could have found that evidence," Sally snapped, waving one arm around. "And then the girl screams her head off when she sees him- a man she has never seen before... unless she had seen him before."

"Wh-what's your point?" Lestrade stammered, looking from me to Sally, his eyebrows furrowed.

"You know what my point is. You just don't wanna think about it."

"That's because it's stupid and completely insane!" I snarled, my temper spiking. I couldn't believe that Sally was accusing my brother of being the kidnapper! Sally and I had never been best of friends but for awhile now we had been quite friendly with each other. We had hardly any problems with each other. That had all changed now though. All of that had been chucked out the window.

"Why would Sherlock do that? Why would he have any reason to do that? He wouldn't and he hasn't!"

"The girl screamed-"

"So obviously the kidnapper looks like him!"

"Or maybe the kidnapper is him!"

I took another step forward, my eyes flashing in anger. I would've taken another step had Lestrade not grabbed my arm. With a quick look from Sally then back to me he spoke, steering me towards his office.

"Right, that's enough, in my office, now."

"You should get Phillip up here, he can vouch for me," Sally said, sauntering towards Lestrade's office. I scoffed, flipping my hair over one shoulder as I made my way into the office.

"Oh, great, now we'll have two idiots in one room!"

As Sally called Anderson I stood in the corner of the room, nostrils flaring as I tried to keep my temper under check. I thought about what Sally had said and soon I began to wonder:
If she could be convinced that it was Sherlock who kidnapped Claudette and Max, then anyone else could be too.
With a shock I realized how exactly Jim was going to end my brother.

It starts with the newspaper saying that they know the truth about him. Next is the scream, the scream that planted the idea in Sally's head. Then comes the accusations then the arrests. The papers will have a field day taking pictures of him as he gets taken into custody. Soon his reputation will be in tatters, scorched and black from the flames, Jim's flames that he set alight in the first place.
I'll burn the heart out of you.

I finally realized what my ex was doing and suddenly I felt my stomach drop. I hadn't realized that Anderson had arrived and was currently speaking to Lestrade until Lestrade replied.

"You're not seriously suggesting he's involved, are you?" Lestrade asked.

"I think we have to entertain the possibility," Anderson said slowly. I pushed myself away from the wall and shook my head.

"No, you're wrong," I said, pointing at Anderson then Sally. "You two are completely and utterly wrong! Can't you see? This is Jim! This is all Jim! He planted this idea into your heads and now all he has to do is wait for everything to unfold."

"Where's your proof?" Anderson said, glaring at me. I blinked, tilting my head to the side.

"Where's my- oh, you have some nerve," I sneered, stepping forward. "I only have my entire life with him as proof that he is not the kidnapper! What do you have? A scream from a scared little girl who probably didn't even realize that Sherlock was a different person?"

"That's enough to be going with, though," Sally snapped. "Lestrade, what if we're right? What if we're right and you do nothing about it-"

"But you're not right-" I began before Lestrade interrupted me.

"Teddy... I think... I think perhaps we should..."

I stared at Lestrade, my eyes wide with shock. At first I thought that I had heard him wrong. It wasn't until I saw the look on his face that I realized I hadn't.

"Not you too," I whispered, a frown on my face. "No, come on Lestrade! You can't be serious-"

"We'll just go over and bring him in quietly-"

"Lestrade-"

"And then we'll question him about it."

"You sound as though you've already made up your mind about it!" I snapped. Lestrade winced slightly and I swallowed, a hint of guilt fluttering over my face. It wasn't right for me to get snappy at him. I knew, deep down, that Lestrade didn't really have a choice in the matter. If he didn't go Sally and Anderson would probably go to someone else and then Lestrade would get into trouble for not doing his job. If he did go then I'd get angry and Sherlock would feel betrayed. No matter what he chose someone would get upset or angry.

"Are you coming or not?" Lestrade said softly, looking down at the ground, as though not wanting to see my facial expression. I drew in a breath, knowing exactly what he was really asking me.

Are you coming to arrest your brother or not?

"Fine," I said, unable to keep the edge out of my voice. Sally and Anderson walked out of the room and Lestrade stood, walking around his desk and towards the door. He waited for me to go first and as I walked past him I swear I heard him say he was sorry. I didn't know for sure though so I didn't reply.