After the thanks, it did not take Watson long to come to the point. Beating around the bush wasn't in his nature. "Might I impose on your for a favor?"
"Certainly," Bradstreet said without hesitation.
"I'd like to see him."
It took Bradstreet a moment to realize who "he" was. He sent Watson a sharp glance but the doctor looked his usual -- calm and reasonable but with an underlying streak of steely determination. What are you about, Doctor?
"Prisoners are allowed visitors," Watson pointed out when the inspector didn't answer right away.
"Yes, but what you're asking . . . is it wise?"
"We're at Scotland Yard, he's behind bars, Inspector Lestrade will be distracting Holmes for the next fifteen minutes, and I give you my word that I have no plans to accost him."
"Fifteen minutes, you said?" Not that Bradstreet was afraid of Holmes but he'd just as soon avoid a tongue-lashing. It was undignified, at best.
"I asked Lestrade to ask Holmes about the Pearson case," Watson replied with a faint smirk. He paused. "I would like to see him myself, face to face," he added in a low, flat voice.
Or man to man, on a level footing, Bradstreet finished mentally, nodding. Whatever the risks involved, it was worth the healing benefits.
