How They Met Alice (BBC Sherlock Fanfiction)

Chapter 14

“And you’ve stolen another voice, I presume.” Sherlock asked into the phone.

“This is about you and me.” A bus drove noisily in the phone.

“Who are you?” Sherlock asked again, losing patience. More traffic went past. “What’s that noise?”

“The sounds of life, Sherlock.” The young man answered. “But don’t worry...I can soon fix that. You solved my last puzzle in nine hours. This time you have eight.” In the office, Lestrade was talking into the phone.

“Okay...Great.” He said, putting the phone down and heading towards the door.

“We’ve found it.” He announced. Sherlock’s phone had gone dead. The gears in my head were turning as we followed Lestrade out the door.

Close to the river, the police had arrived at a large open space where the car was found. Forensics officers in protective clothing were working on the car as Lestrade lead Sherlock and I towards it. John and Sally Donovan were walking along behind us.

“The car was hired yesterday morning by an Ian Monkford. Banker of some kind; City boy. Paid in cash.” Lestrade said, looking over notes. Sherlock looked closely as they passed a woman talking with a female police officer. “Told his wife he was going away on a business trip, but he never arrived.” He continued. As Sherlock, Lestrade and I reached the passenger door of the car, Sally turned to John. I pretended to not notice but listened carefully.

“You’re still hanging round him… and her…” She said distastefully.

“Yeah, well...” John began.

“Opposites attract, I suppose.” She said, looking at Sherlock and me.

“No, we’re not...” John tried again.

“You should get yourself a hobby – stamps, maybe. Model trains. Safer.” She interrupted, going to stand beside Lestrade as Sherlock leaned into the car to look at a large amount of blood smeared over the island between the two front seats. I opened the glove box on the opposite side.

“Before you ask, yes, it’s Monkford’s blood. The DNA checks out.” Lestrade said, feeling good about himself for thinking ahead. I found a business card in the glove box and took it out, giving it to Sherlock and closing the lid. I straightened up and walked back to the proper side of the car.

“No body?” I asked, more for Johns sake of understanding than mine.

“Not yet.” Donovan said bitterly.

“Get a sample sent to the lab.” Sherlock commanded Lestrade, who nodded. Sherlock and John walked away and when I saw what they were doing I decided to stay next to Lestrade; Sherlock pretending to be someone else properly weirded me out. Lestrade turned to Donovan and looked at her pointedly. She stared back at him indignantly but he held the look and she grunted in exasperation and stomped away. I smiled and looked over to Sherlock, shoving my hands in my pockets. Sherlock walked over to the woman who was talking with the police officer.

“Mrs. Monkford?” He asked. She turned to him tearfully.

 “Yes.” She answered. She looked at Sherlock and John and sighed. “Sorry, but I’ve already spoken with two policemen.”

“No, we’re not from the police; we’re...” John began. Sherlock held his hand out to her, his voice tearful and tremulous.

“Sherlock Holmes. Very old friend of your husband’s. We, um...” As she shook his hand, he looked down as if fighting back his tears.  “...we grew up together.” He choked. I chuckled and Lestrade gave me a funny look.

 “Sorry. Sherlock is…” I laughed. “…acting.” I finished. He looked at the two and smiled, but immediately went back to his work.

“I’m sorry, who? I don’t think he ever mentioned you.” Mrs. Monkford asked.

“Oh, he must have done. This is ...this is horrible, isn’t it?” Sherlock asked, still tearful. John looked away, trying somewhat unsuccessfully to keep his face neutral. Seeing me laughing wasn’t helping. “I mean, I just can’t believe it. I only saw him the other day. Same old Ian – not a care in the world.” Sherlock smiled tearfully at her.

 “Sorry, but my husband has been depressed for months. Who are you?” She asked, getting a bit offended.

“Really strange that he hired a car. Why would he do that? It’s a bit suspicious, isn’t it?” By now Sherlock had tears running down his cheeks and I had to cover my mouth to quiet my laughter.  

 “No, it isn’t. He forgot to renew the tax on the car, that’s all.” Mrs. Monkford said, very confused.

 “Oh, well, that was Ian! That was Ian all over!” Sherlock said, feigning to reminisce.

“No it wasn’t.” Mrs. Monkford argued. Instantly Sherlock’s fake persona dropped and he looked at her intensely.

“Wasn’t it? Interesting.” He said, turning and walking away. I ran up to them as She glared after Sherlock. We headed to the police tape as a female police officer went over to Mrs. Monkford.

“Who was I talking to?” I heard her ask. I smiled a little bit, and Sherlock appreciated me taking what he just did so lightly compared to John.

“Why did you lie to her?” He asked.

“People don’t like telling you things, but they love to contradict you. Past tense, did you notice?” Sherlock answered, taking off a glove to wipe the tears away.

“Sorry, what?” John asked. I held back a sigh.

“He referred to her husband in the past tense. She joined in. Bit premature – they’ve only just found the car.” I explained.

“You think she murdered her husband?”  John said, surprised.

“Definitely not. That’s not a mistake a murderer would make.” I said immediately. Sherlock nodded.

“I see. No, I don’t. What am I seeing?” John asked, shaking his head. As we walked past Donovan she called out,

 “Fishing! Try fishing!” John turned around and gave her an exasperated nod before following us again. I smiled.

“Where now?” John questioned.

“Janus Cars.” Sherlock said simply, handing the business card to John. “Alice just found this in the glove department.”

Two chapters today, look at that! I must be on a roll :)