The Son of Sherlock Holmes

A Study In Pink Part Two

Zyair lies on the floor face down groaning every now and then. "Dad?" he starts. "I'm all out as well." Sherlock tells him. "Yeah because you just used the last three. Can't believe that Mrs Hudson took my straights." he complains getting up off the floor as John walks in. "What are you doing?" John asks Sherlock. "Nicotine patch. Helps me think. Impossible to sustain a smoking habit in London these days. Bad news for brain work." Sherlock explains. Zyair goes and starts raiding the kitchen to see if he can find some on his stash. "It's good news for breathing." John tells Sherlock. "Oh, breathing. Breathing's boring." Sherlock tells him. "Is that three patches?" John asks. "It's a three-patch problem." Sherlock explains. Zyair rools his eyes and walks back in lying on the floor again. Sherlock looks at his son and chuckles slightly. "Not funny." Zyair groans.

"Well...? You asked me to come. I'm assuming it's important." John asks. "Oh, yeah, of course. Can I borrow your phone?" Sherlock asks. "My phone?" John questions. "Don't wanna use ours. Always a chance that the number will be recognised. They're on the website." Sherlock explains taking off Zyair's hat and starts running his hand through his hair. Zyair leans into his hand and smiles slightly. "Mrs Hudson's got a phone." John points out. "Yeah, she's downstairs. I tried shouting but she didn't hear." Sherlock tells him. "I was the other side of London." John tells him. "There was no hurry." Sherlock assures.

"So what's this about – the case?" John asks. "Her case." Sherlock tells him "Her case?" John asks. "Her suitcase, yes, obviously. The murderer took her suitcase. First big mistake."Sherlock tells him. Zyair looks up to his dad and gives him a look. Sherlock nods and let's Zyair curl up on the sofa next to him. "Okay, he took her case. So?" John asks looking at Zyair. "It's no use, there's no other way. We'll have to risk it. On my desk there's a number. I want you to send a text." Sherlock decides. "You brought me here... to send a text." John sighs. "Text, yes. The number on my desk." Sherlock tells him as Zyair shifts slightly so he can put his face in his Father's neck.

"What's wrong?" Sherlock asks noticing John look out the window. "Just met a friend of yours." John tells him. "A friend?" Sherlock asks. "An enemy." John corrects himself. "Oh. Which one?" Sherlock asks him as Zyair looks up in interest. "Your arch-enemy, according to him. Do people have arch-enemies?" John asks confused. "Did he offer you money to spy on us?" Zyair asks before. "Yes." John confirms. "Did you take it?" Sherlock asks. "No." John shakes his head. "Pity. We could have split the fee. Think it through next time." Zyair tells him sitting up and walking into the kitchen. He grabs a glass of water and walks back to his dad and John. "Who is he?" John asks. "The most dangerous man you've ever met, and not my problem right now. On my desk, the number." Sherlock tells him chucking Zyair his hat back.

"Jennifer Wilson. That was... Hang on. Wasn't that the dead woman?" John asks. "Yes. That's not important. Just enter the number." Zyair tells him. "Are you doing it?" Sherlock asks. "Yes." John responds. "Have you done it?" Sherlock adds. "Ye... hang on!" John retorts. "These words exactly: "What happened at Lauriston Gardens? I must have blacked out. Twenty-two Northumberland Street. Please come"." Sherlock tells him standing up and grabbing the case from the side. "You blacked out?" John asks looking up. "What? No... No! Type and send it. Quickly. Have you sent it?" Sherlock asks. "What's the address?" John asks. "Twenty-two Northumberland Street. Hurry up!" Zyair tells him.

John sends the text and looks at the case Sherlock and Zyair are looking through. "That's... That's the pink lady's case. That's Jennifer Wilson's case." he realises. "Yes, obviously." Zyair tells him. "Oh, perhaps we should mention: we didn't kill her." Sherlock tells him. "I never said you did." John tells him. "Why not? Given the text we just had you send and the fact we that have her case, it's a perfectly logical assumption." Zyair asks. "Do people usually assume you're the murderer?" John asks them. "Now and then, yes." Sherlock responds.