A/N: Thanks for the support of this story! Now that spring semester is over, I hope to be able to write with more frequency!

Beati Quorum Via Integra Est – 2

As they made their way to the aquarium, John continued to indulge his curiosity.

"So, what is this institute of Mycroft's?"

Sherlock sighed, "It's one of his many government projects. The Institute recruits various international students, and British students with interests in international affairs. The students come from various universities around the country, but mostly from London. They take various courses together, political science mostly, as well as collaborate on various projects. It's all part of what Mycroft calls 'soft power,' and strengthening British ties with countries around the world. After they graduate from university, the international students go home with fond ties to Britain. The British students tend to migrate into government jobs that can utilize their expertise and foreign contacts."

"I can see why the murder of one of the students would be a severe blow to its reputation," mused John, "what I can't figure out is why you agreed to assist Mycroft in solving it."

Sherlock gave John one of his more unsettling grins, "Oh, Mycroft made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

"Which was?"

"After this, he will owe me a favor! This is something not to be missed. Plus, it may turn out to be a case of interest. We'll soon find out."

"That's it? You did it for a favor? That doesn't seem very typical of you."

Sherlock scoffed, "Use your imagination, John. A man with Mycroft's power and influence? I intend to take full advantage of his debt to me, when I choose to collect on it."

By this time they had come to the door of the aquarium. Apparently, they were expected because a policeman opened the door before Sherlock was able to knock. They were taken quickly back to where Lestrade was waiting beside the young woman's body. Before entering the area, Sherlock scanned space and studied the floor carefully as he stepped gingerly over toward the Detective Inspector.

"Lestrade, be sure and have electrostatic footprints lifted before any more of your buffalo tromp through here," he said. "With the rain last night, even Anderson might be able to lift something of importance, particularly here – and over here." Sherlock pointed at various smudges on the floor.

Lestrade grimaced but said, "Thanks for coming out so early."

Sherlock waved impatiently, "So what have you learned so far?

"Right," replied Lestrade, "according to her fellow staffers who found her: she's a student, Indonesian citizen, twenty-one, and female; looks like she died by strangulation. Her purse was in her locker with money in it, ID says her name is Mira Bai. That hasn't been officially verified yet. We'll have her positively identified once she's transported from the scene."

Sherlock nodded then turned to John, "Would you mind taking a look?"

John knelt by the body, filled with an odd mixture of emotions. He was used to death, both as a doctor and a soldier. He was always pleased to be able to apply his expertise on behalf of Sherlock, and was always warmed by his approbation. However, he felt a slight twinge of guilt over feeling pleased to be afforded such an opportunity. The poor girl was dead, after all!

He pushed his moral quandary aside and focused on examining the body in front of him. He was careful and as thorough as he could be, without having any proper equipment. After some minutes he stood and gave Sherlock and Lestrade his conclusions.

"Right, well, of course an autopsy will need to be done to get the finer details, but from the marks on her neck, it looks like the attacker grabbed her by the throat, from the front, and choked her."

"With one hand?" Sherlock questioned as he knelt beside the body and began examining her neck with his magnifying glass.

"Yes, just like this," John demonstrated, grabbing his own throat and squeezing the two sides between his thumb on one and his fingers on the other.

"Yes," Sherlock murmured, "there's a single mark under her left ear below the jawbone, and three – no – four on the other side. He practically left fingerprints."

"Any other marks?" asked Lestrade.

"I didn't see any," said John.

"None," confirmed Sherlock standing up.

He glanced around the area surrounding the tank, "Did any of the staff report anything out of place? Any sign of a struggle?"

"No," said Lestrade.

"Be sure and question them carefully on that. Let me know if they report anything missing or out of place."

Sherlock then spent the next half hour carefully studying the floor and other surfaces of the room, including the glass of the aquarium tank. He pointed out several footprints and other marks on the floor that he indicated Anderson should document.

"Don't let any of the staff leave before you take their shoe prints," he stressed.

"Yes, Sherlock," Lestrade agreed tiredly.

"Once you've confirmed her identity, round up as many of her friends as you can find. I'll want to talk with them."

"Sherlock, I can't let you interrogate suspects," protested Lestrade.

"Right now we have no suspects," countered Sherlock, "I'm hoping to find one for you."

"I can't let you have free reign over a police investigation."

"Lestrade, just listen for a moment. You aren't going to take the fall for this one if anything goes wrong. If I fail, it won't be on your head, it'll be on my brother's. So just relax and trust me."

Lestrade still looked mutinous.

"If you have a problem, take it up with Mycroft. If he tells me to quit my investigation, I will. Until then, I suggest you cooperate with us."

Those seemed to be the magic words, because the fight went out of Lestrade's eyes immediately and he placed the call to bring in Anderson and the rest of the forensics team.

"Text me once you have a positive ID," Sherlock called as he left while beckoning John to come with him.

Lestrade acknowledged him with a wave.

Once in the taxi headed back to Baker Street, John attempted to get Sherlock to speak about the case. It wasn't always easy, as Sherlock often protested that he didn't like to speculate without facts. However, John felt confident in the medical evidence that he had seen for himself. It gave him an opening.

"Judging by the spread of the finger-marks, I'd say we're looking for a pretty big, strong man."

Sherlock nodded, "Yes, able to grab a woman and hold her one-handed and squeeze the life out of her. There are also some fairly large footprints on the floor, if Anderson is competent enough to retrieve them."

"Anyone meet that description on the staff of the aquarium?"

Sherlock sighed, "I'm counting on Lestrade to be able to figure that much out. If not, of course I'll look into it. And by me looking into it, I mean you."

Sherlock smiled at John.

John rolled his eyes, "Of course you do."

TBC