The Mikaelson of Baker Street

Chapter 8: A Study in Pink: pt 5

John: What are you doing?

Nikki (almost sounding bored): Reading.

Sherlock (calmly): Nicotine patch. Helps me think.

(He lifts his right hand to show that he has three round nicotine patches stuck to his arm and it was these that he was pressing against his skin to release the substances more quickly.)

Sherlock: Impossible to sustain a smoking habit in London these days. Bad news for brain work.

(He loudly clicks the 'k' on the last word.)

John (walking further into the room): It's good news for breathing.

Nikki (dismissively, since she didn't really need to breathe): Oh, breathing. Breathing's boring.

(John frowns as he looks more closely at Sherlock's arm.)

John: Are that three patches?

Sherlock (pressing his hands together in the prayer position under his chin): It's a three-patch problem.

(He closes his eyes as Nikki continues to run her fingers through his hair. John looks around the room for a moment, then looks down at Sherlock again.)

John: Well?

(Sherlock doesn't respond and Nikki doesn't answer.)

John: You asked me to come. I'm assuming it's important.

(Sherlock still doesn't respond instantly, but after a couple of seconds, his eyes snap open. He doesn't bother turning his head to look at John.)

Sherlock: Oh, yeah, of course. Can I borrow your phone?

John: My phone?

Sherlock: Don't wanna use mine. Always a chance that the number will be recognized. It's on the website.

John: Mrs. Hudson's got a phone. Or what about Nikki?

Nikki: It's in my flat and Sherlock didn't want to get up. (smiling down at her mate)

Sherlock: Yeah, she's downstairs. I tried shouting but she didn't hear me.

John (beginning to get angry): I was on the other side of London.

Sherlock (mildly): There was no hurry.

(John glares at him as he gazes serenely at the ceiling before closing his eyes again. Eventually, John digs his phone out of his jacket pocket and holds it toward him.)

John: Here.

(Without opening his eyes, Sherlock holds out his right hand with the palm up. John glowers at him for a moment, then steps forward and slaps the phone into his hand. Sherlock slowly lifts his arm and puts his hands together again, this time with the phone in between his palms. John turns and walks a few paces away before turning around again.)

John: So what's this about - the case?

Sherlock (softly): Her case.

John: Her case?

Sherlock (opening his eyes): Her suitcase, yes, obviously. The murderer took her suitcase. First big mistake.

John: Okay, he took her case. So?

Sherlock (quietly, as if to himself): It's no use, there's no other way. We'll have to risk it.

(Raising his voice a little, he imperiously holds the phone out towards John, still not looking at him.)