A New Mystery at 221 Baker Street

Chapter 36: The Trial of the Century

Episode Transcript provided by Ariane DeVere/Callie Sullivan

***

Alice shifted in her seat once she notice a familiar face watching her in the gallery. "Are you alright?" John whispered.

"It's just nerves. I'll be fine," Alice whispered back. John nodded and they turned back to the court below.

"A consulting criminal," The prosecuting lawyer said as Sherlock stood in the witness box. "Your words. Can you expand on that statement?"

"James Moriarty is for hire," Sherlock said flatly.

"A tradesman?"

"Yes,"

"But not the sort one would call to fix their heating,"

"No, he's more of the sort who'd plant a bomb or stage an assassination. I know for a fact that he has done the first one at least five times on unsuspecting civilians,"

"Would you describe him as-"

"Can't," Sherlock interrupted.

"Oh dear God," Alice whispered as she and John watched from the upper-level gallery.

"Can't do that," Sherlock continued, "You're leading the witness," He nodded towards Moriarty's lawyer, "He'll object and the judge will uphold. It's a basic tactic really,"

"Mr. Holmes," The judge said, already irritated.

"Ask me how, how would I describe him? What opinions have I formed of him? Do they honestly not teach you this? Anyone who watches a crime show would do better,"

"Mr. Holmes, we are fine without your help," The judge reprimanded.

"How would you describe this man- his character?" The prosecuting lawyer asked, trying to get back on track.

Sherlock stared at Moriarty, "James Moriarty isn't a man at all- he is a spider at the centre of a criminal web with thousands of threads and he knows exactly how every single one of them dances,"

Jim nodded his head and smiled slightly, approving Sherlock's description of him.

"And how long..." The prosecutor began to say.

"No, no, no, that's not a good question," Sherlock motioned up to the gallery. "I swear, the journalists up there could provide a better interrogation,"

"Mr. Holmes!" The Judge chastised.

Sherlock turned back to the prosecutor. "How long have I known him?" Alice began to rub her temples, trying to soothe the oncoming headache. "We've met twice, about five minutes in total. I pulled a gun; he tried to blow me up. I felt we had something special,"

The judge began to laugh. "Miss. Sorrel, are you seriously claiming this man is an expert after knowing the accused for just five minutes?"

"Two minutes would have made me an expert; five was ample,"

"Mr. Holmes, that is a matter for the jury to decide," The judge argued.

"Oh, really?" Sherlock questioned. Alice and John nervously looked at each other.

"He's screwed," Alice mumbled as she buried her head in her hands.

Sherlock looked up at the gallery to see John shake his head before turning his attention to the jury box. "One librarian; two teachers; two high-pressured jobs; the foreman's a medical secretary; seven are married and two are having an affair with each other."