Vatican Cameos (A BBC Sherlock Fanfiction)

11. My God!

In his hotel room, Moran opens a briefcase and lifts the lid. Inside is what is clearly a detonator – it has a small screen, a number pad, a slot for a key, and a button. A couple of keys lie beside the device.

While Elisabeth continues lifting seat cushions, Sherlock looks around the carriage and then takes a few steps along the aisle before realising that a floor panel is loose. As John looks down at the latest batch of explosives, Sherlock takes off his gloves and bends to the panel, forcing his fingers into the gap and lifting it. Underneath is a device massively larger than the ones under the cushions. While John takes several deep nervous breaths, Sherlock props the panel up against the wall of the train. The three look down at the massive device, then John looks up at Sherlock and Elisabeth.

"We need bomb disposal." Says John.

"There may not be time for that now." Says Sherlock.

"So what do we do?" Asks John.

"I have no idea."

"Well, think of something."

"Why d'you think I know what to do?"

"Because you're Sherlock Holmes. You're as clever as it gets."

"Doesn't mean I know how to defuse a giant bomb. What about you?" Asks Sherlock

"I wasn't in bomb disposal. I'm a bloody doctor."

"And a soldier, as you keep reminding us all." Says Sherlock, waving his flashlight at him.

"You?" Asks Sherlock, looking towards Elisabeth.

"They must've taught you how to defuse bombs."

"Nope." She says

"What?"

"I can't. I don't know how."

John looks down at the countdown clock currently frozen at 2:30.

"Can't-can't we rip the timer off, or something?" He asks.

"That would set it off." Says Sherlock.

"You see? You know things."

Sherlock turns away, sighing.

In his room, Moran types the code 051113 onto the number pad. He inserts one of the keys into its slot and turns it. The device beeps. He releases the key, then reaches the Button and presses it.

In the Tube carriage, all the lights come on and the countdown clock on the main device begins to tick down. The trio look around in shock, and John groans.

"My God!" He says.

Sherlock paces away from him.

"Why didn't you call the police?" Asks John.

"Please just ..." Says Sherlock.

"Why do you never call the police?" Shouts John.

"Well, it's no use now." Says Elisabeth.

2:15

"So you two can't switch the bomb off. You can't switch the bomb off and you didn't call the police." Says John.

He turns away for a moment, then turns back again. Sherlock looks at him.

"Go, John." Says Sherlock, pointing towards the driver's cab.

"Go now."

"There's no point now, is there, because there's not enough time to get away; and if we don't do this, other people will die!" Says John