'Will, Doctor Bloom just called. They're saying Abigail can leave now.' Will had been expecting the news for a long time. He just never though it would be so soon, when he was so unprepared.
'And go where, Jack?' he said, not attempting to hide his anxiety. He would do anything in his power to protect Abigail Hobbs.
Doctor Lecter stepped forward.
'Can she stay with Doctor Bloom?'
Jack shook his head.
'Alana's out of town for a couple of days. They said they can keep her for longer if no-one can take her in.'
'AND WHAT? Force her back into that hellhole when she KNOWS there's a chance of freedom? Do you know what that will do to her?' Will yelled, forgetting completely his position. Jack, while furious, could fully understand his outburst. After all, he had slowly started to see himself as her father.
'Will...'
'Will's right. Abigail Hobbs needs to be out of the Facility.'
'Abigail Hobbs has nowhere else to go.'
Will looked around desperately.
'There's gotta be somewhere.'
'It can't be with you or Doctor Lecter. God knows what she could do if she was left alone for as long as I need you.' Suddenly, John started to rush towards them.
'Sorry, I don't mean to eavesdrop,' he spluttered, gasping for air, 'I just heard you need someone to babysit?'
'In a way, yes...' Will said, not wishing to elaborate. Even with his liking of John, he doubted he could be of any use now.
'Well, Sherlock's brother is taking a holiday this week. He could look after her until this Doctor Bloom gets back.'
As though he'd just revealed himself to be a genie, Will stood gawping at John. If this was true, he was saved.
'Mr Holmes?' he shouted to John's partner, brooding in the corner of the crime scene. He looked up at the sound of his name. He sighed heavily and began to approach the group. He disliked being disturbed when he was thinking.
'Yes?'
'Your brother-'
'What about him?'
'Would he be able to look after someone for a while? We'd pay him.'
'Mycroft is not a child-minding service.'
'Please.' Will begged. He was desperate. 'Please just ask him. She's 18, she could feed herself, it'd be like she wasn't even there.'
'She's 18, for Christ sakes! I'm sure she could manage by herself!'
Will swallowed, not trusting himself to burst out at Sherlock's ignorance. He began again.
'She's just come out of a psychiatric facility. She's liable to become very unstable if we keep leaving her on her own. She's an orphan and the most she'll expect is someone to talk to. Please.'
Pity and sentiment didn't work of Sherlock Holmes, but a warning look from John made him rethink his answer.
'I'll ask. I can't promise he'll say yes.'
Will gasped in relief.
'Thank you so much! You're a lifesaver.'
Out of the corner of his eye, Sherlock could see Hannibal's discreetly confident smirk. This was just the beginning.