Chapter Three

In Which Sherlock Finally Gets A Case

Friday, April 4th, 2014. Approximately 1:27 am

A CASE! A CASE! FINALLY A CASE!

And a good one at that. A kidnapping of three very important business figures. The CEO of a very large make-up company, the head researcher in a line of popular pharmaceuticals, and the daughter of the head of a bread company, who just happens to be next in line for the throne. The Yard was foolish enough to think they could handle this without me and only came to me for help when they had screwed up enough to let one of the captives die. Then again, the death left several large clues.

First of all, the killer/kidnapper is foolish enough to leave the weapon behind. While they didn't leave any finger prints, it is no matter. I have concluded from shoe size and stride in the mud outside the warehouse where the victim was found that the culprit is either a woman or otherwise a very petite man. There were also strands of hair about 6 cm in length to help with this conclusion found on the victim's shoulder.

Inside the warehouse was not only the victim, stabbed in the chest with a small, every day knife you could find in any kitchen, but also three chairs with ropes tangled on the floor. There were traces of blood found on the ropes that I'm sure match that of the other two victims.

The Killer took their time, as the place was immaculately clean of any other evidence. But this only went to prove that the death of our dear CEO was not an accident. It's a sign, a warning that we're getting close.

Oh how I do love a good case! I think I'm starting to understand why John enjoys writing this all down, my Mind Palace is an extraordinary way to keep track of information, but this – this keeps the excitement alive, beyond the facts and clues. I'm still missing something though. Where did the killer move the other two? And what is their motive? I must return to my Mind Palace now. I have the missing link I just can't see it yet.

April 5th, 2014

I'm not a praying man, but I can't help but thank whatever god there is for finally giving Sherlock a case. I won't go into details, as I'll end up just repeating myself on my blog, but I can say that I haven't seen Sherlock this alive since before the fall. He doesn't realize it himself of course. This is another case, a good one in his book with a triple kidnapping, one of them turned murder, so of course he'll be excited. Then again, he never saw anything wrong with himself to begin with.

I tried to point some of these things out to him, the way he muttered to himself, had trouble sleeping, lack of appetite, the way he was easy to startle and most of all how he just seemed all around… haunted.

He countered that this was all normal, and when I argued back that only some of it was - for him at least – such as he is normally impossible to startle and the whole deal about being haunted, he snapped that he had faked his own death by jumping off a hospital, of course he's going to be haunted. He then stormed off into his room and slammed his door, ending the argument.

Have I mentioned that he has been more irritable lately as well?

Nevertheless, it was the next day (yesterday) that Lestrade came in with the case. There are few times I have been more relieved. Sherlock was up all night last night trying to figure it out, and I would be lying if it didn't make me happy. Knowing I was going to be no help, even if I wasn't exhausted, I went to bed and found him still working this morning.

He's a little worked up that he can't get it yet, but that's just Sherlock and I'm smiling even as I write this. I'm glad he hardly notices me at the moment, I would hate to have to explain myself. Not like he would understand.

Anyway, I have faith that he'll solve it. He always does.

Friday, April 11th, 2014. Approximately 2:06pm

It's been a week. A week and still nothing, not movement, not new clues or leads. I will give the killer credit, they are smart. Yes, very, but everyone makes mistakes, and it's only time before this one does too.

If only they would make a move!

This whole lying low business is infuriating and I'm sure John has noticed. He stepped out to buy milk about half an hour ago and not only his footsteps were a little harder than normal and the sound of the door closing was enough to bring Mrs. Hudson out asking if everything was alright. I'm not quite sure what I did to set him off, but I will have to remember to apologize later, he will be expecting it.

April 11th, 2014

Sherlock really set me off today. Snapping at me like that. Like it's my fault that the case hasn't been solved yet! Sometimes it's a wonder how I ever handle that man.

I set out to buy milk and I'm feeling a little calmer now. It also helped that Sherlock apologized when I got home. I got the feeling that he wasn't quite sure what he was apologizing for, but I wouldn't expect him to. Still it was nice for him to remember that it was the appropriate thing to do.

I think he's getting better, if only a little. In what way, I'm not sure.

Monday, April 14th, 2014. Approximately 11:54pm.

Finally solved the case today. No more deaths, but a ransom note was sent out to the Yard demanding money. A shame really, I believed her to be above such pettiness. But of course this was her mistake. Using the note, I tracked down a Ms. Angela Sampson and her captives in a foreclosed building on the east end of London. She felt cheated in some way by each of her captors and demanded payment. All very childish. Wish she could have done better. I'm a little ashamed of myself for taking so long to solve this.

Went to dinner at Angelo's afterwards for the first time since my return. Angelo, as always insisted on putting a candle on the table, John started to protest the usual, but eventually fell silent. I have yet to conclude whether he just doesn't have the energy anymore, sees the pointlessness of his protests (people are going to talk and spread their rumors despite what he says) or if it was simply something. Perhaps it is something I will have to investigate next time I'm bored.

Another note, John's nightmares have seem to be getting worse recently, even now I can hear him in his bedroom quite clearly. It's amazing that he doesn't wake Mrs. Hudson. I feel that I should help him, being his friend, or whatever it is that I am considered, but I am not sure how. I am not particularly certain I'm exactly the one for the task either. This is something I will have to find a solution for as quickly as possible. An idiot knows that his therapist isn't doing anything for him. Is he even still seeing her? I will have to ask John when he wakes up. If he is, I'll have to tell him to fire her.

Perhaps Lestrade has an answer, or as a last resort, Mycroft, and I repeat, AS A LAST RESORT. But if it comes down to it, Mycroft might have the answer, I will not let my hate for the man interfere with John's well-being. John always comes first.

Mycroft would be laughing right about now.

Hello dear readers! Thank you so much for sticking with this, I'm so sorry it took soooooooo long to get out, but I really hit a block with it. That being said. This story is not plotted in any way so chapters will be slow coming, just a forewarning. For an update in the status in my stories, check out my profile. That being said, I greatly appreciate reviews and favorites and follows. Please and thank you! Thank you again for reading!