Lessons Learned

Untitled Part 25

John had some time to plan out his next attack. He was locked in. So, he had tied Moriarty up tightly. He searched the master criminal's pockets and found no key to unlock the door or weapon other than the knife. Confident bastard, John thought. He double checked the ropes to make sure the man hadn't wormed his way out of them and decided simple was best. He picked up a chair leg and decided it would make a great weapon to brain Seb with when he arrived.

The door had a small glass panel in it, so John pulled Moriarty's struggling form away from the window. No one looking in would be able to see anything amiss. He'd picked up the wrecked chair and tossed the broken bits directly under the door. Hopefully, Seb would be in too much of a hurry to bring Sherlock in to notice he no longer sat bound in the chair. John had only one chance to subdue the big man, and he knew he had to strike swiftly and sharply.

He'd removed the tie from around Moriarty's neck and stuffed the man's expensive handkerchief deep into his mouth and tied it tightly to keep him from crying out and warning Seb. Now, antsy and nervous, John waited for the Seb's return. He avoided looking at Moriarty for fear he'd see something that might unnerve him.

After another thirty minutes, London traffic was absurd, John finally heard the double set of footfalls outside the door. He braced for action. Moriarty began groaning through the gag, and John was sure Seb would hear it. He hoped the man would think it was him groaning in pain.

The door opened, and he saw two stiff arms holding a gun come in. It seemed Seb's hackles had been raised, and he entered the room ready to defend his employer. But John slammed the door shut on them and at the same time, hit Seb's hands sending the gun flying out of his grip. To his surprise, the man grunted again and slumped forward into the space between the door and jam. John used his whole body to slam it on his ex-commander and crush him one more time.

John pulled open the door, ready to hit him again but found the man bent over unconscious. Sherlock stood behind him, wide-eyed, breathing heavily and tightly clutching his joined hands together. "I hit the back of his neck," John.

"Thanks, Sherlock," John said and grinned. "You did great. We got them both. Here, help me get him in here and we can tie him up too." John searched the big man's pockets and found a set of handcuffs, John and Sherlock's phone and another pistol. Together, they stood him up enough to secure his wrists to the same overhanging bar that Moriarty had threatened him with earlier. They'd just got the cuffs secured when Seb's eyes opened, and both stepped back and out of reach of any kicking legs.

"Boss!" Seb said when his gaze landed on Moriarty's prostrate form tied on the floor. "You okay?"

Moriarty glared and yelled obscenities behind the handkerchief. John wasn't too keen to find out what the words were.

Seb appeared relieved, only worried for Moriarty's safety. He glared at John fiercely. John knew his life would mean nothing if this man could get free.

"Here," John said handing Sherlock back his phone and pocketing his. He placed one of the pistols in the waistband of his jeans and handed the other to Sherlock. "Just in case," John said. "Safety's off," he pointed to the safety lock and Sherlock rolled his eyes.

"I know how to fire a pistol, John," he said and cast a nervous look at James. The man, it seemed, still had some power over the detective and it made John want to walk over and kick James in the head. Hard.

Sherlock punched in Mycroft's number and spoke a brief message to him. "Yes, he's subdued. Send in your men."

"So, you had a plan?" John asked.