"That was quite surprising." Came Sherlock's reply after a while.
"Honestly, they should have warned us that we might have to stay, we would have packed an overnight bag. We aren't prepared to stay here overnight. I do suggest packing two or three day's worth of clothes though. Just in case." He felt his friends eyes on him but his silence remained and he was both grateful and resentful for it. Grateful because he wouldn't have to answer any unneeded questions and resentful because, well he didn't want his mind to wander. But he supposed he could use this time to gather his thoughts and try to figure out what exactly was killing these men.
Had he seen a ghost? It was the briefest of moments but it could be it. He had no doubt what Sherlock said about the woman was true, just ghostify her a bit. So, going after taken men, killing them. Was she the other woman and was killed in order to keep her silence? Would explain why she'd target them. Unless…unless she found her significant other with someone else. That would make sense too.
She came home one day and found her husband, most likely, in bed with another woman and that caused her to what exactly? Kill them and then take her life? He didn't have enough information. He'd have to look up what he could online and figure out when the killings started, if there are patterns of it years ago that they weren't connected and see who has died that would fit either of those scenarios.
Either way he had a lot of research to do and he knew with Sherlock around it would be harder if he wasn't somehow occupied. Besides, he didn't spend a lot of time in his room during the day so it would be out of character. He could also take his other laptop and head over to an internet café, he wouldn't dare use his regular one because his luck Sherlock would find his browser history.
Soon enough they were home and he quickly went upstairs to pack his things, making sure to have a separate section for his special items. He grabbed his laptop case and walked down, setting it outside the entrance away from where Sherlock would be able to see before heading in, "Hey, I'm heading out for a bit, just to clear my head." He stated simply. Sherlock didn't even look up from his microscope. John sighed, "Have you at least attempted to pack?"
"Why? This case is fairly simple. Lestrade has already started looking for someone who fits that description. We won't be heading back there."
"Wouldn't bet on that…" he mumbled lowly to himself, low enough that it didn't catch Sherlock's attention.
"Anyway, if you need anything send me a message." He states before turning, grabbing his bag and sneaking it away.
After a good twenty minute walk he stopped at a shop, ordered himself lunch and began to leech of their free net.
He typed in his search for any women murdered in that general vicinity but none came. Next any women who committed suicide. That yielded three results: one which was an elderly woman who had lost the will to live after her husband had passed, another a woman who had been diagnosed with cancer and finally a woman by the name of Constance Welch.
"Bingo."
He read through the article finding out that Constance had two children who were drowned in a tub. Her body was found washed up down the river a few miles down, so safe to say she jumped from there. According to reports they were unsure as to whether Constance actually did something to the children. It seems it had divided the town were half believed she had killed them and then herself. Others said she killed herself when she realized they had drowned. He frowned, he would need to see the case file in order to determine whether or not the children had indeed been drowned. Then he realized the date of the incidents.
"How many…?"
He wondered after a moment, realizing that they were coming on the 20 year anniversary of the death. If she acted up on her anniversary that meant she had been active during these past 20 years around this time. Yet nothing was mentioned of other deaths. Had the police kept those quiet or had she done this because it was five? Honestly spirits could at times be confusing.
He got his mobile out dialing Lestrade. He needed him to find out and he knew he himself would be unable to get the information, least of all while having Sherlock.
"Lestrade."
"Hey, it's John. I just wanted to ask you if anything like this has happened in the area before, over the last 20 years?"
"Not that I know of. What did Sherlock come up with something?"
"Actually no, he didn't. But I'm just curious and working on a theory. Think you can follow through on it and find out?"
"Don't see why not but honestly something like that should have been disclosed right away."
"Yeah well, call it a gut feeling. But I don't suggest asking up front. Just in case, don't want to give the wrong impression. Or if my feeling is right, well don't want to step on people's toes."
"Alright, I'll investigate discreetly. I can expect you guys tomorrow?"
"Yeah though Sherlock is convinced that he won't be needed. Any luck?"
"None at all. The town is too quiet, this is the most it has had happen in years, so I hear." John could almost see the frown, "But with your hunch I don't know…"
"Yeah well, I don't suggest letting Sherlock know that so he doesn't make some sort of excuse to get out of coming back." He jokes.
"That man would do such a thing, I know I agree with that. Alright, well I'm staying here until this is solved. I'll be having my officers switch off so if at any time you need a ride, let me know."
"I think we should be fine but will do, thanks."
"Yeah alright. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Right, oh and Lestrade? Don't tell Sherlock about this. His ego will get offended." He joked. The man laughed before hanging up. John leaned back sighing as he reached to his bag and pulled out his journal, one thing he hadn't touched in a while. He flipped through it, trying to figure out what he was up against when he came across a drawing of a woman in white.
"Oh now that makes sense. So this is what I'm truly dealing with? Should be fun." He said to himself as he began to pack his things before heading out. Funny thing, he actually meant it. Can take the hunter out of the hunt but can't but you can't take the hunt out of the hunter.
When he got back to the flat Sherlock was still at his microscope, apparently he hadn't move an inch.
"I asked you to pass me a pen an hour ago." He stated simply.
"Yeah well, I said I was going to be out."
"Oh where you? When?"
John rolled his eyes, "Never mind Sherlock…" he handed him a pen before heading up stairs. When he reached his room however he felt something was…off. He glanced around, wondering if something had found its way in but nothing. He frowned glancing around but after further observation he simply put his laptop away. Then he made sure everything in his special kit was up to par and completely stocked.
So now all he needed to do was verify his information on Constance, figure out where her body is if it's correct then salt and burn it. "Easy." He muttered zipping up his pack. Except…
Sherlock.
If the consulting detective was with him, it would be a lot harder to investigate on his own. He was usually always at Sherlock's side unless they needed to split up…Or if Sherlock thought this case wasn't worth his time. Perhaps he would be like that and not go? Or maybe he could say he was going out on a date (he did try to go out on those) and head on over himself. While he could interview people over the phone, he preferred face to face as he could pick up on certain cues he had learned over time. He ran his fingers through his hair sighing as he glanced at the clock, it was almost 8 p.m. Where had the day gone? He groaned as he made his way down to the living area where he found Sherlock in his pajamas once again on his mobile.
Once he hung up, "That was Lestrade. One of his officers is missing. He wants us there as soon as possible."
"Missing car too?" Sherlock nodded, "So we going?"
"Yes, I must first change John."
"I hope you packed!" he called out.
Sherlock rolled his eyes, reaching over he pulled a pack he had hidden, "Take it to the car with your stuff, it'll save time." He handed it to him.
As soon as Sherlock's door closed John was off, racing to his room he grabbed his stuff and made sure he had everything before racing down the stairs, putting his stuff at the bottom, followed by his regular luggage and finally Sherlock's. A minute later Sherlock walked out and they were on their way.
Just saw a lovely Johnlock video set to Clarity and it just made my feels act up so I decided to update. Any thoughts? Feedback would be lovely.
