Hello! Thanks for taking the time to read my story! It make take a chapter or two for it to really pick up! I need to introduce the case before the fun can really begin, so stick with it! :) I also would like to add that I am American and I apologize for any American slang or lingo that might make it's way into the story! This is all written from John's perspective and this takes place right after the Hounds of Baskerville. Pre-Reichenbach

Chapter 1

August.

I stretched my arms as I made my way down the stairs. As usual Sherlock had beaten me to breakfast because no matter how early I got out of bed, he was always there before me. I was convinced he didn't sleep and breakfast was the only meal I could ever count on him eating regularly. He was usually too busy or simply couldn't be bothered during the day to eat. I worried about him sometimes and it was easy to deduce how he stayed so thin.

"Morning." I said as I took my seat across from him at the table.

"So it is." He said curtly as he stared down at a page of the morning's newspaper.

I knew better than to provoke a conversation when he was in this sort of mood so I resorted to staring out the window. It was a beautiful day; the type of day you'd only see during the summer in England. My peaceful thoughts were quickly interrupted by the sound of rustling paper. I stared at Sherlock as he manically flipped through the pages of the newspaper. After a few moments he stopped, folded the paper and slammed it down on the table. He let out a long sigh, "Nothing interesting…again!"

It had been about two weeks since we had returned from our adventures in Dartmoor and Sherlock had been become increasingly irritated as the days went by. No new cases had been presented to us and Sherlock attempted to fill his time with his studies, but we both knew that could only occupy his mind for a short time. He needed real stimulation. He needed a case. "Sherlock," I soothed, "it's only a matter of time before someone comes to us with a case."

Sherlock frowned, "it's been ages since we've had a case!"

I rolled my eyes, "Don't be overly dramatic. It's only been less than two weeks!" I sighed, "Remember what happened last time you complained about being bored? I ended up in a darkened pool with a bomb strapped to me!"

Sherlock smiled, "Ah yes. Those were the fun times. Those were an interesting couple of days. Good cases. Good for brain work."

Before I could reply there was a soft knock at our door and Mrs. Hudson appeared in the living room. "Hope I'm not interrupting!"

"Of course not." Replied Sherlock, "there's nothing to interrupt…nothing exciting is going on…"

She glanced at me and I shook my head and encouraged her to ignore his comment and for her to continue. "Well Sherlock, " she said, "My niece is coming to London later today and she would like to meet you."

Sherlock gave an exasperated sigh and rolled his eyes, "Mrs. Hudson, please tell your niece that I am flattered in her interest in me but I'm not the dating-"

"No, no, no," Interrupted Mrs. Hudson, "she has a case she'd like you to look into. There was been a robbery of something very value where she works and no one knows how the robbery took place."

"Oh!" Exclaimed Sherlock, with a glint in his eye "then by all means send her our way!" He stood up and began pacing the room, "if you would be so kind could you tell me what as stolen?"

Mrs. Hudson gave Sherlock a look full of shock, "you read the papers don't you? You didn't see the article?"

"What article?" Asked Sherlock with a look of intrigue.

Mrs. Hudson walked over to the table and pulled out a section of the newspaper then handed it to Sherlock. "This is the Sports section!" He scoffed, "there is nothing of interest to me in this part of he newspaper."

"Read the headline." She replied.

Sherlock stared at the paper for a moment then looked back up at Mrs. Hudson, "you're niece is involved in this scandal?"

"Oh yes!" She replied quickly, "she works for the owner! They are all devastated and thoroughly confused of how it all took place."

"What scandal?" I asked impatiently.

Sherlock handed me the paper and the headline immediately jumped out at me.

Champion Race Horse Stolen in the Dead of Night