A/N - You'll have to forgive me! I'm very much a dialogue-oriented writer hence why some of my descriptions may not always be up-to-par - it's the inner screenwriter in me 😅
All the same, I hope you enjoy ❤
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That night, Sherlock and Elizabeth said a genuine goodnight to each other for the first time in weeks. What they had wasn't fixed completely but they had made progress. And progress was good.
Elizabeth opened her cabin door to find Rita lying on the bed opposite hers. In Elizabeth's bed lay an unconscious and shirtless Mr Silva. She hadn't even considered she would have to sleep with him in the same bed to ensure her alibi would be certain. Setting down the two silver cases on their cabin table she looked over to Rita:
"Do I have to?"
"Well, I can't sleep with him. He will notice if it's a different person." She paused seemingly analysing her, "You really like that Mr Holmes, don't you?"
"It’s complicated."
"Isn't it always? Why is Sherlock Holmes here?"
"Wanted to watch over me. Make sure nothing bad happened to me because you do know that Mycroft has literally zero care for me, right? He doesn't care if I live or die."
"No but Mycroft does care for me. And in caring for me, who cares about you, he has to care for you too by default. He's become gentler in his...old age." Rita smirked.
Elizabeth actually chuckled at this before looking back at Daniel with a grimace.
"I've left his underwear on if that's what you're wondering."
"Ooh yay, one piece of clothing to protect me from him."
"Why? Aren't you planning on wearing anything?" Rita laughed.
"Oh God, yes, of course!" Elizabeth was in limbo between laughing and crying.
"Well, if you think about it..." Dr Rahat stifled her laughter, "There are worse men to share a bed with."
"And yet there are also better men too." She removed her coat, showing off her black nightdress again. She sighed and made her way over to the other side of the bed to climb into.
"I guess I'll hide the cases then?"
"Oh," Elizabeth already had one leg under the covers, "Um, yes, actually if you don't mind."
"Oh alright then. Because I'm nice."
"Sorryyy, thank you."
"Go on, get some sleep. At least it's a double bed rather than a single."
As Elizabeth even contemplated the idea of sharing a single bed she shuddered, "Please, no, that's not what I need my mind to picture right now."
Rita chuckled, "Goodnight, Miss Eva Smith."
* * * * * * *
Sherlock had been up most of the night. He had tried to sleep but tossed and turned and so had returned to his cabin chair where he sat and thought and replayed scenarios and walked through his mind palace updating his information on Elizabeth and himself until the first rays of sunlight peeked through his window.
Morning meant he could go and see Elizabeth again.
He stood up and got ready: showered, brushed his teeth, got dressed, put his wig back on and organised himself before leaving his room.
Sherlock sighed, content with the fact that he and Elizabeth were on better terms now thanks to his honesty. Why couldn't he simply be truthful more often? Why did everything about him have to be a mystery? And to Elizabeth especially?
As he strolled down the corridors, thinking about seeing his Elizabeth again, his ideal thoughts were shattered by a blood-curdling scream. He threw a curious and concerned look behind him. Of course, whatever had happened he didn't want it to be murder. But he would feel like he had had a little more purpose if it was.
The detective zoomed back down the halls, heart pounding as he reached the section that looked out across the restaurants. When he spotted the small gathering of people he made his way down one side of the golden, grand staiecase, pausing on the middle landing to observe and try and spot the cause of distress. The little crowd consisted of mainly staff and some passengers in the largest restaurant opposite the stairs. Some were crying, some were in shock, some were trying to keep everyone calm but all were gazing up and behind him as he stood there.
He turned and sent his gaze upwards too, swallowing hard.
There, between the two intricate staircase lights, secured on the wall by rope, hung the now pale Lucetta Silva, her throat slashed, blood dripping down the silver dress Sherlock had last seen her stumble away in, shoeless, eyes still open wide but dull with death.
For once, Sherlock wished there hadn't been a murder.
* * * * * * *
Sunlight streamed through their room's porthole window like thick honey dripping from a bee hive, pooling just on her face.
Elizabeth stirred, awaking before Daniel and Rita, much to her relief. She just needed some time to herself. Slipping out from under the duvet, she stretched already resolving in her mind to get dressed and ready for the day.
Happy with her black, white-spotted dress and loose hair, she decided a walk would be nice, be it just through the ship or outside on deck. It felt needed after last night's events and Rita did say Daniel would be out for a while. She just didn't think it would be this long but she was glad.
And yes, he was still breathing.
She silently exited the cabin but as she turned, she saw Sherlock headed her way. Elizabeth smiled - were their minds really that in sync with each other for them both to be out of their rooms at similar times? But the light on her face faltered as she saw Sherlock held a more serious and worried look in his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
As he neared her, he gently took her by the shoulders and guided her off to the side, away from her room door, "There's been a murder."
"Oh God, you're like a bad charm. Thought you'd be a bit more...excited though?"
"No. Lucetta - Daniel's wife - was murdered and strung up in the restaurant quarter."
The blood visibly drained from Elizabeth's face, "What? When?"
"I guessed around one or two a.m. judging by the state of her body."
"Jesus...any idea who or why?"
"Yes and I think it's very much linked to the trade between Silva and the Sandborns."
"So you're saying - I - I caused that? Lucetta's dead because of me?"
"No. No, no, no." Sherlock's hands lightly ran down her shoulders and reassuringly squeezed her upper arms, "Did Silva seem like he had to get anywhere last night before you used knockout gas?"
"No, not - not really."
"Perhaps he was too drunk to process it then. I think the trade was meant to occur last night. Why else would the Sandborns make a statement by killing his wife?"
"You have a point but, God, Sherlock, that means Lucetta didn’t have to die. If I had just done that tonight when they had already traded then it might have been okay."
"Elizabeth, it is not - listen to me - it is not your fault. You didn't know."
A shine teased her eyes, "But - "
"No. We're not having this conversation. It's not your fault and that's that."
Elizabeth sighed, rubbing her hands over her eyes, "Okay, but then what do we do? It's inevitable Daniel will find out."
"The staff are going around waking up each passenger and asking them to gather in the entertainment quarter. Security are handling the scene in the restaurant quarter."
"Is there an officer on board that can help? Surely there has to be."
"Not strictly speaking."
Her eyes narrowed at his response.
"DI Lestrade." Sherlock announced to her, taking out Lestrade's police identification from his pocket, "You're not the only pick pocket."
This made the edges of her lips turn up slightly. Then it dawned on her.
"We have someone looking at CCTV."
"Who?"
"Olly. He's the security guard that Mycroft assigned to us. He gave us a radio. It's been off since last night and I guess work meant he couldn't come and find us but he might know more. He should be in the CCTV office."
"That's where we go first then."
* * * * * * *
Elizabeth rapped on the door of the security office, herself and Sherlock awkwardly shuffling outside. The door opened to reveal a man who towered above the two of them.
"Everything alright? You should be with the other passengers in the entertainment quarter."
"DI Lestrade." Sherlock flashed the badge at the guard, quick enough for him to see the police badge but not quick enough for the guard to see the picture, "And this is Miss Eva Smith."
"My apologies, Inspector. If you're wanting to have a look at CCTV then you can, but I'm afraid there's nothing. All we know is that our camera in the restaurant quarter was stuck on a loop."
"I expected as much. Did you check the CCTV at the bar? That's the last place the victim was seen."
"Uh, that we haven't. Come in." He opened the office door wider for the two of them to come in, "Inspector, if you don't mind my asking, why is a civilian with you?"
"She's the woman who last saw the victim head to the bar."
"Right, I see." The guard let the door close before he took a seat at his desk to scan through the footage.
"Aren't there normally more of you in here?" Elizabeth questioned at seeing the lack of an Olly.
"Yeah, three of us at a time normally. Paul's gone down to help manage people and Olly, well," He shrugged, "He never came back from his errand. Can't find him anywhere on cameras either. And no, I don't believe he'd be the murderer. Chap's too kind - couldn't hurt a fly."
"Errand?" Sherlock queried.
"Asked Paul about it. Apparently he never said what but Olly just never came back. Beginning to worry honestly - " He paused, sitting back slightly, "You're joking."
Elizabeth frowned as she watched his screen go black, "What's wrong?"
"The footage has been erased." The guard shook his head.
"Keep looking at the footage." Sherlock decided, "Do you have a spare radio - I'll need you to inform me of anything suspicious."
"You can just take Paul's. It's on the desk there."
Pocketing the radio, Sherlock nodded at the officer, "I'll keep an eye out for Olly."
"Thanks Inspector."
Sherlock nodded at the guard as he opened the door for Elizabeth to go out of. He followed and both waited until the door had closed to speak in the cream-walled corridor.
"I don't like that Olly's gone AWOL." Elizabeth said, concern jittering in her tone.
"No. Neither do I."
"Why didn't you mention the Sandborns to him."
"You still have a mission to complete. I didn’t want to jeopardise it or anyone else by informing them of the now extremely dangerous passengers on this ship."
"Because that fills me with so much confidence when you word it like that."
"You just need to be careful. Which I have every belief you will be. Let’s get back to your room. Perhaps Rita and Daniel will still be there."
* * * * * * *
"Where's Daniel?" Elizabeth questioned as she and Sherlock entered the room to see Rita by the mirror, applying a nude-shade of lipstick.
"I don't know. I thought he was with you?"
"No..."
"He must have left a short while before we got back." Sherlock deduced, "I assume you've been informed you need to - "
"Go to the entertainment quarter. Yes. Why?" Rita's gaze confronted both of them, "I know you both know. The looks on your faces make it obvious."
Elizabeth shared a nervous look with Sherlock before answering, "Lucetta Silva is dead. Murdered last night."
"Oh God...it was the Sandborns, wasn't it?"
"It’s what we can safely assume at the moment." Sherlock answered, "I think Daniel's headed back to his room. I'll check. Elizabeth, head down with Rita - perhaps you can locate the Sandborns while you're there."
"Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?" The thief questioned.
At this, a smile briefly brushed Sherlock's lips, "Now who's worrying after who?"
"Shut up." Her eyes narrowed.
"I will be fine." He insisted, "Go on, head down."
Elizabeth nodded, looking at Rita to see if she was ready. Grabbing her handbag, Rita joined Elizabeth by her side and the three walked to the door. Dr Rahat opened it, allowing the repairing couple through and as they both exited the cabin, the thief's hand gently touched Sherlock's arm.
She said quietly, "Be safe."
"You too."
* * * * * * *
The entertainment quarter consisted of four floors. Each the top three floors had a vast square balcony in the middle that allowed everyone to get a glimpse of each floor. The top floor was mainly for young children and the floor below that consisted of more family attractions while the last two floors consisted of attractions more so aimed at adults: bars, a dance floor, gambling games where people would more often than not lose their money etc.
Normally, these floors would have had passengers relatively spread out but now it was bursting with passengers. Could they even fit all the passenger's within these four floors? Elizabeth didn't think it likely but the security apparently did as they shepherded more people to whatever free space they could find.
Dr Rahat and Miss Smith were sent towards the balcony on the second floor. Elizabeth peered up and then down, taking in the large size of the area and silently wondered how the ship hadn't sunk with everyone gathered in one spot.
"Have you seen Olly recently?" Elizabeth questioned Rita.
"No." She shrugged, "I tried him on the radio this morning to see if he could find Daniel but I got no response. You?"
"Also no." Elizabeth frowned, the anxiety building in her, "When Sherlock and I went to the CCTV office, the guard there said he hadn't been around since yesterday evening."
Rita also frowned but moved on, asking, "So you and him are on better terms again then?"
"It’s - "
"Complicated. You said that last night too. It might be complicated but it's also genius."
"Hm, why?"
"Well the closer you are to the detective and the more protective he is of you, then the less likely he would believe you joined the Forty Elephants."
"I don't think it would work like that with, Sherlock. He is far smarter than about ninety-five percent of the population."
"You never know. I'm just suggesting it would be useful whether you are actually on better terms or not."
Elizabeth nodded. What if this meant she was only getting with Sherlock for that reason now though? No. She missed him. She missed it when there was a them and now they were slowly rebuilding. God, she hoped her plan to infiltrate would go well without any issues. Elizabeth didn't think she could bare it if Sherlock turned on her. But then was that hypocritical considering she had turned on him the moment he had said something that she didn't like?
"Sandborns, twelve'o'clock." Rita motioned with her head to the opposite side of the floor.
The two brothers were stood together on the small performing stage for want of a lack of space, not really phased about all the passengers being asked to gather here. Then again, no one was because everyone was still waiting to be told why they were all here.
"They don't look too bothered."
"They were raised in a gang. I thought they would be used to committing crimes by now. Why else would their father trust them to go and do and job like this alone?"
"But they are not..." Elizabeth looked at Rita as she muttered without looking back, "Totally alone. See in front of the stage - two tall men in black suits. They look like body guards."
"You're right. Always best to have someone else do the dirty work for you, isn't it? That way if anyone is arrested, it won't be the heirs to the syndicate."
* * * * * * *
Having reached cabin five-oh-four, Sherlock knocked on the door, "Excuse me, we're asking all passengers to head into the entertainment quarter as soon as possible."
There was no response. Fishing the master key card out of his pocket, he swiped it over the card scanner. The green light flashed and he opened the door but was taken aback by the overwhelming metallic smell. He saw the glimmer of a ruby pool appearing from behind the other side of the bed and sighed as he walked over. Peering around the bed, he saw Daniel Silva on the floor, clothes soaking in his own blood that streamed from both his slit throat and from two stab wounds on his torso.
Obviously without anything to trade, the Sandborns clearly saw fit that he would be of no use to them.
Now there were two unwanted murders.
* * * * * * *
The passengers' waiting for an explanation came to an end as the ship's coms were switched on, letting everyone hear a grainy crackle before a man spoke.
"Ladies and Gentleman, this is your Captain speaking. We regret to inform you that two worrying incidents have occurred. We are changing course to head straight back to London docks so Scotland Yard can further handle this matter. The restaurant quarter is closed to all civillians but food will be served as a buffet in the entertainment quarter. Detective Inspector Lestrade, who is a passenger on the cruise with us, has a few words he would like to say."
"Good morning." It was Sherlock who spoke as Elizabeth had expected, "I understand that everyone will be feeling on edge after an announcement such as you have been given but there are now rules to take into account: we ask that you travel in pairs or small groups when accessing different areas of the ship; when staying in your rooms, ensure your door is locked; and anything you see that you believe to be suspicious, please immediately report it to a staff member. Thank you for your time."
"That seemed to rile them up." Rita mumbled.
Throwing a glance over her shoulder, she saw that the Sandborns were hissing at each other, scowls upon their faces as they discussed their thoughts between each other. She knew Sherlock hadn't revealed who was responsible or said what the incident was to prevent further panic but even that had gotten a reaction out of them.
"Do we take this as good or bad?"
"Good because now it means they will hopefully lay low. Bad because it may mean less opportunity to get close to them."
People were beginning to move, mainly headed back towards their rooms out of nervousness as to what had happened. Guards were directing people and beckoning single people to them to form an escort group back to their rooms. The flow began to shift the two ladies in the same direction.
"Let’s get back. We can talk more in the cabin." Rita murmured, linking her arm with Elizabeth.