Fandom Traveler (Sherlock Holmes)

The Great Game (Part 4)

"What ... like the Connie Prince murder – he-he arranged that? So people come to him wanting their crimes fixed up, like booking a holiday?" John asked.

"Novel." Sherlock said softly, his face full of admiration.

John looks at him in disbelief, then turns and looks at the TV screen.

"Huh."

He jerks a finger towards the screen and Sherlock looks up to see Raoul de Santos being bundled out of Kenny’s house by police officers. The press are there and are shoving each other as they struggle to get close to Raoul and take photographs while interviewers shout questions. The headline on the screen reads: “Connie Prince: man arrested.” Raoul is shoved into the back of a police car. John looks round at Sherlock, who is looking down at the pink phone.

"Taking his time this time." Sherlock said.

Vaness finished cooking and served them food, "told you you'd have time." She said to Sherlock as she gives him a plate of food.

He looked at it, sneered but accepted it. He really didn't eat when on a case but there was no arguing with Vaness.

"Anything on the Carl Powers case?" John asked as he accepted the plate Vaness gave.

"Nothing. All the living classmates check out spotless. No connection." He answered.

"Maybe the killer was older than Carl?" John suggested.

"The thought had occurred." Sherlock replied.

"So why’s he doing this, then – playing this game with you? D’you think he wants to be caught?" John asked.

Sherlock presses his fingertips together in front of his mouth and smiles slightly. 

"I think he wants to be distracted." He said.

John laughs humourlessly, as he take a bite.

"I hope you’ll be very happy together." John said after a few seconds.
 
"Sorry, what?" Sherlock asked.

"You sound jealous John." Vaness teased, calming them both.

John and Vaness lock eyes for a moment.

"We've talked about this." Vaness told John.

"You're still disappointed." Sherlock deduced.

John took a deep breath. "No, I'm not, not anymore." He said.

Sherlock frowned.

"Oh" Sherlock said.

Sherlock and John stare at each other for a second but then the pink phone sounds a message alert.

"Excellent!" Sherlock said excitedly.

He picks up the phone and activates it. The phone sounds one short pip and the long tone, and a photograph appears showing a river bank.

"View of the Thames. South Bank – somewhere between Southwark Bridge and Waterloo." Sherlock said as he reaches into his jacket for his own phone.

"You two check the papers; I’ll look online ... " he said to them.

John finished his food quickly, then went to Vaness, who was at the sofa, browsing the newspaper.

"Do have a clue for us, Vaness?" John asked hopefully.

She stayed silent, contemplating .

They were going through the pile of newspapers on the coffee table while Sherlock’s phone shows timed reports from the Waterloo area, giving tide times, police reports and other information.