Sherlock Holmes: Criminal Ties
Chapter 1: The Case
A/N: I don't own Sherlock Holmes, but it would be kinda cool if I did! Enjoy! Sorry it's a little short, one can only think so much at one in the morning.
It was past midnight in the dark streets of London, and the predicted storm had just arrived. It was raining hard, there was thunder, lightning, wind, the whole nine yards. The streets were quiet, and all seemed well. Suddenly, a loud crash was heard all around the block, as a dark figure leapt out of a window with a large knapsack slung over their shoulder and landed on the roof of a separate building. The constables on the street immediately took action and went after the thief.
There had been an unusually high amount of pickpocket activity as well as thievery in recent months. There were rumors about the dodgy thief, as well as articles in the newspaper, about the mystery of who they were and where they came from. Nobody knew exactly who he/she was, because the only recognizable feature was a top hat they always wore, and a cane often carried by the notorious thief. Even the most renowned inspectors and detectives couldn't track them down.
Anyway, as the thief jumped across rooftops, and dodged gunfire, they came to a dead end. The distance between the building they stood on and the one in front of them was too great to jump. The constables were catching up with them, so they had to think fast. Suddenly, a clothesline came into view that led onto another building. The thief wasted no time in jumping off the rooftop, and sliding across the clothesline using their cane, the knapsack still on them.
After that, the constables lost the thief. They didn't bother chasing them to the wharf, because it was so crowded with ships.
"I swear, one of these days we'll get that little devil," said one of the constables. "Every criminal gets caught eventually."
"Not this one, Jerry. That one's been giving us trouble for months now. We've tried the most renowned detectives in England, and none can trace 'em." Another one told his partner.
"No matter, boys. We'll get 'im...'er...it, next time." That said, all walked away, cursing under their breath.
Sherlock Holmes was up early the next morning, reading the newspaper, when a knock came at the door, and in stepped Dr. Watson. Holmes had heard about a bunch of robberies and stolen wallets, and it intrigued him. He hadn't had a case in three months, and he was getting bored.
"Good morning, Holmes." Watson greeted his old friend and proceeded to remove his hat and coat.
"Always good to see you, Watson." Said Holmes, still focused on the paper. He was reading an article about the mysterious thief/pickpocket that had everybody so worked up.
"I see you're reading the article about that thief everyone's talking about. The police have been after it for months." Watson stated, sitting down.
"It's a girl, Watson." Holmes told him.
"Excuse me?" Watson seemed a little confused.
"The thief is not an 'it,' it is a 'she.' You can tell, look," Holmes got up and sat next to Watson to show him he details. "This photograph here was taken last month on a half moon, and you can see the moonlight outline the figure. You can see the long hair here, which is a dead giveaway."
"Yes, but you can also see that they have the physical build of a man. Women are not built like that Holmes, and I'd think you would know that. Also, what woman would wear a top hat and a man's jacket?" Watson reasoned.
"First of all, it's not a woman, it is a girl. Possibly of age thirteen, maybe fourteen, very tall for that age, might be around five foot eight, and with a sort of brown hair color," Holmes presented. "And secondly, she obviously does not have any family or accomplices, otherwise she wouldn't have to steal in the first place, so she is like a lone wolf. She has the loot all to herself, the little dodger, and Lord knows what she does with it."
"Alright, Holmes, let's say this is a girl you're talking about. How would she..." Watson was interrupted by another knock on the door. Holmes went to open it, and an old woman stood before him, obviously upper class.
"Mr. Holmes! Thank goodness. I have been robbed last night. It's that wretched thief! Agh! If only those incompetent policemen would actually try..." The woman was rambling, so Holmes interrupted.
"Madam. What exactly has she stolen? Judging by your attire, I would assume some jewelry, perhaps money or a wallet?" Holmes was dead on. This lady wasn't the first to tell him about the thief.
"She?"
"Yes, madam, the thief is a girl. And not a typical one at that." He replied.
"My ring and several diamond necklaces were stolen. Please, sir, help me find them!" The lady was practically begging, but maintained her upper-class ladylike attitude.
"Hm. Watson! Bring me the newspapers from the past week!" Holmes requested. Watson rolled his eyes and gave him the papers.
"Ah, here we are. In the past week, three priceless rings, sixteen wallets, and countless amounts of jewelry have been stolen by the same thief. She always seems to steal from upper-class residents, which I can understand." Holmes explained.
"Mr. Holmes, you don't need to do your little 'DNA testing' right now. Just please let me know if you find anything." The lady exited the room, and left the building.
"She was getting on my nerves." Watson said.
"Everybody complains about that damn thief. I just hope I can get a lead on her." Holmes responded.
"So you're going after her then?" Inquired Watson.
"Absolutely. High class people sometimes give me a headache," Holmes wasn't kidding, either. That lady annoyed him. "And you are going to help me."
"No, Holmes. I'm done with that. Mary doesn't appreciate me going on these 'adventures' with you."
"Figures, the old 'ball-and-chain' doesn't approve." Holmes said quietly.
"Holmes! I am saying 'no' on my own accord! I don't appreciate you insulting her like that!" Watson argued.
"I was not insulting her, I was simply stating that she is holding you down and is taking control of your mind." Holmes denied.
"No matter. I assume you're free this evening?"
"Absolutely." Holmes confirmed.
"Boxing match?"
"Wonderful."
"Punchbowl?"
"My favorite."
"Good. Mary is going out tonight with a few friends, so I need company. 8:30?" Watson said, putting his hat back on.
"Meet you there." Holmes told Watson as he left.
Holmes got out the missing items ads, and read through them for the millionth time. He also read the other articles, when something came to his attention. In the ad announcing a ball at the palace, was a picture of it. He looked a little closer, and saw a girl wearing a top hat and neck bandanna in the passing crowd. After he grabbed a magnifying glass and looked closer, he could barely see her hand in a man's back pocket. If this was the pickpocket, then she must be the same thief giving everybody trouble.
Holmes checked the date on the newspaper, and saw that it was from last Thursday! That meant the ball was on Friday! He had to get out and get a lead on her. He grabbed a coat and hat and leapt out the window onto an awning, and then jumped onto the street and got going.