Vatican Cameos (A BBC Sherlock Fanfiction)

3. Blud

MYCROFT'S OFFICE.
*********************

"I think I'll surprise John. He'll be delighted!" Says Sherlock.

"You think so?" Says Mycroft.

"Hmm. I'll pop into Baker Street. Who knows – jump out of a cake."

"Baker Street? He isn't there any more. Elisabeth is the only one that stayed."

Sherlock looks surprised.

"Why would John be? It's been two years. He's got on with his life."

"What life? I've been away." Says Sherlock.

Mycroft pretty much rolls his eyes without actually rolling them.

"Where's he going to be tonight?" Asks Sherlock.

"How would I know?"

"You always know."

"He has a dinner reservation in the Marylebone Road. Nice little spot. They have a few bottles of the 2000 Saint-Emilion ... though I prefer the 2001." Says Mycroft.

"I think maybe I'll just drop by." Says Sherlock.

"You know, it is just possible that you won't be welcome."

"No it isn't. Now, where is it?"

"Where's what?"

"You know what."
Not-Anthea apparently also knows what, because she immediately appears in the open doorway holding Sherlock's Belstaff coat. Sherlock smiles with delight, and slides his arms into the sleeves as Not-Anthea lifts it into position. She has even already popped the collar for him.

"Welcome back, Mr Holmes." She says.

"Thank you ..." Says Sherlock, popping the collar again.

He turns to face his brother.

"... blud."

EVENING. THE LANDMARK HOTEL.
**********************************

Sherlock approaches the door to the restaurant, handing his Belstaff to a member of staff. Waiters open the doors for him and he walks in. The maître d' steps forward.

"Sir, may I help you?" He says.

Having only glanced briefly at him, Sherlock has gone into full-blown deduction mode:

Expectant Father

The man's phone beeps a text alert.

"Your wife just texted you. Possibly her contractions have started." Says Sherlock.

The man fishes his phone out of his pocket, looks at the screen and hurries away. Sherlock smiles smugly to himself.

Nearby, John is sitting alone at a table, checking the inside pocket of his jacket before taking a drink from a glass of water. Sherlock looks across the room at him, then hesitates. A waitress picks up some menus from the bar and walks across in front of him.

"'Scuse me, sir." Says the waitress.

Sherlock's attention is drawn to the bowtie she is wearing as part of her uniform. He looks to a nearby table where a couple are sitting. There is a glass of red wine and a glass of water to the man's left. The man has his back to the door but Sherlock can see him reflected in the water glass. As John picks up the wine list and starts looking at it, Sherlock smiles to himself again and walks over to the side of the other couple's table where he picks up the glass of water and pours it down the man's front. The man – wearing a white shirt, black jacket and a bowtie – recoils and cries out in shock.