Chapter 3
John soon gave up and went to the kitchen, "Either of you want tea?" he turned to address Irene "or did you only come for "dinner"?" he rolled his eyes as Irene smirked again.
"I wouldn't want to break that special something you two have" she replied enventually.
Sherlock ignored this but John gave an exasperated sigh, "We're not a co-" but Irene's eyes had already returned to Sherlock and John gave up.
After a few minutes John brought over tea, itching a spot on his face, only to discover Irene had vanished, Sherlock dislodging himself from the last of the ropes.
"Where did she go now?"
"Didn't see. Probably home. Wherever that is." Sherlock took a cup and took a long drink.
"And here was me thinking you couldn't fall for anyone" John muttered under his breath.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Sherlock frowned.
"Just make sure you don't get mixed up in whatever business she has this time"
Sherlock had been thinking the exact opposite. He wanted to find out what she would do next, now her protection was gone.
"Although I suppose it must be nice to find someone who can deduce like you can" John smirked, but avoided his glance.
This irritated Sherlock a lot and he looked John up and down quickly;
Tea with sugar: John doesn't take sugar. Late night. Needed something to wake him up. Too drowsy this morning to remember to by coffee.
Washed shirt and tie: New job today.
Continuously itching cut on face: Cut himself shaving. In a rush.
Checked watch twice despite large clock in kitchen.
Conclusion: Date last night went well. New job today which he is in a rush for yet he still remains here. Wouldn't stay just to taunt Irene. Faint jealousy at not being my sole attention. Typical John.
Sherlock smirked in the comforting knowledge that no one could deduce like he could.
"Something on my face?" Sherlock stared at him just a moment longer.
"Actually there is a smudge of lipstick by your right ear" Sherlock shrugged disinterested as his phone buzzed. "Shouldn't you be leaving for work John. Where was it you work now?"
"The clinic on Harley Street...Why-?"
"Lestrade? No I'm not busy. Yes….I doubt that's a coincidence. Anderson would say that. Address? I'll be there right away"
"What's happened?" John checked his watch again.
"A young boy's father was killed yesterday. Shot with a rifle owned by the father. The police suspect an unknown robber as expensive jewellery from the ex-wife's dressing table was taken. The young boy was assaulted it seems but he's too traumatised to speak to the police"
John raised an expectant eyebrow waiting for Sherlock's deductions "well?"
"The wife most likely killed him after their bad marriage led to an even worse divor-"
"He was killed by the boy. That boys "assault" marks were inflicted by he father. The father was abusing him after the rocky divorce. The wife didn't get what she wanted so she stole back the jewellery but that's unrelated. As cold-blooded as this may seem I'd tell them to go easy on the boy. He'd had a tough childhood so Lestrade will have to be gentle. The boy will be too shocked to feel remorse at the moment and for the love of God if you keep staring at me like that I will permanently move in here to irritate you both more".