The Danger of Deduction

Chapter 7

They got back to London, but to John's amazement they didn't head to Baker street, but to the New Scotland Yard instead. Once there, they went straight up to Lestrade's office. They knew the way to it all too well now.

They found the Inspector buried in folders, files and documents piled on his desk. They were the reports of the last closed cases Sherlock had helped with. It was always a pain in the back filling out forms trying to explain how the cases were solved while avoiding mention of the curious methods the consulting detective had used. But, his paperwork was literally piling up, so Lestrade had decided to at least finish the ones from last week.

He looked up when the door swung open, and seemed surprised to see them there.

"Lestrade" said Sherlock skipping courtesies "I need ten spy cameras"

Both the Detective Inspector and John just stared at Sherlock for a few seconds. Lestrade's mouth slightly opened. Then he cleared his throat. He was well aware Sherlock wasn't kidding, so he didn't even bother asking him.

"I am sure you know the kind of trouble I would get into just for trying to authorize you one" he said completly serious "ten?" he shook his head in disbelief "they're all the cameras we've got in here"

"I know" said Sherlock bluntly

...

"And you're not telling me why you need them"

It wasn't a question.

Sherlock watched briefly Lestrade's face.

"I am giving them back to you in 48 hours" he assured him

Lestrade looked doubtfully at him

"I can get you five" he finally said "and it would be extrao..."

"I need ten" interrupted Sherlock

Lestrade let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes for a second. Then he stood up and distractedly started to sorting out the papers on his desk.

"Ok" he said when he made up his mind "I would spend weeks wondering what had you done with them If I don't give them to you" he said with a smile

"Five minutes" He said and left the office

John turned to Sherlock.

"What's all this about?" he asked folding his arms

The consulting detective took his time before answering

"There are two things I need to understand, John" he finally said without looking at him

"The misterious footprints" nodded John toughtfully

Sherlock turned to him with an annoyed look on his face

"The Misterious Footprints?" he asked scornfully "Really?"

John blushed a bit. Right, it was perhaps a little too soon to think about a title for his blog.

"What... what are you going to do with the cameras?" asked John a little too fast. Sherlock remained silent. John rolled his eyes.

"I won't interrupt you again" he said with a smirk

In that moment Lestrade got back with two black plastic bags.

"Cameras" he said lifting the small bag on his left hand "Monitors" he said now lifting the bag on his right "I've got to get them back in 24 hours, Sherlock"

Sherlock nodded, took the bags and left the office.

John sighed and followed.

He turned to Lestrade when he was at the door.

"Thanks" he said, and watching all the paperwork on his desk he added with a smile "Have fun"

Lestrade half smiled.

"You too" he said after listening the well known called from below

"JOHN!"

The doctor smiled and with a goodbye wave of his hand he hurried down to meet his impatient friend.

"Where are we going now?" he asked once again in the car, as Sherlock checked the contents of the plastic bags.

"We are getting back up" he said, apparently satisfied with the cameras and monitors.

He fastened his seat belt, and drove towards the poorest parts of London.

"Nice" remarked John raising his eyebrows.

They pulled over in front of an abandoned house. The door was open. Sherlock entered confidently, with a bit tense John following him. They got to a large room that could have been the living room if it had had any furniture.

They suddenly listened hurried steps aproaching to the room from the door in front of them.

"It's me" said Sherlock barely rising his voice.

The door swung opened immediately and to John's surprise, a 13-year-old-boy came in runnig. He was all dirty and ragged, but visibly excited.

"Sherlock, sir!" he exclaimed, skidding to a stop in the center of the room where he stood at attention and saluted.

"At ease" exclaimed Sherlock, and the boy lowered his arm "Where is Joe?"

"He put me in charge, sir. Just for today" said the boy with a firm voice, and after a little hesitation he added "He had to see someone, you see"

Sherlock frowned and looked at the boy intently, dreading that his best man could have gotten on drugs again. The boy hold his gaze, although he blushed a little.

"Your sister?" said suddenly Sherlock, a little confused. The boy only simled.

"Oh" Sherlock returned to his emotionless expression, taking out of his pockets a little notebook and a pen.

"I could have sworn he wouldn't have the courage to talk to her" he stated while writting neatly 10 different addresses on the notebook.

"Yeah, well. She was the one who talked to him" answered the boy shrugging

Sherlock ripped out the sheet of paper and gave it to the boy.

"I need them to go to these addresses, in pairs and without risks" Sherlock gave him the small plastic bag with the cameras "These are spy cameras. They can wear them like brooches or pins. They have to hide them as best as they can"

Jhon watched frowning. In the very instant that the boy closed his hand around Scotland Yard's only 10 cameras, John had the horrible impulse of snatch them away. But the moment passed, and the doctor suddenly felt bad for not trusting his friend's helpers. They had certainly proved their loyalty countless times now, and the fact that Sherlock trusted them should be enough for him.

"Here" Sherlock gave him an envelope, which John suspected had their payment "Congratulate your sister for me" he said with such a cold and emotionless voice that made John smile.

The little boy salute him once more, turned around and splint out of the room. The fear of him stealing Lestrade's cameras was quickly replaced for a weird uneasiness.

"This is really dangerous, Sherlock" John was still watching the door where the boy had left "You should had warn them..."

"I did. They just go in pairs when the situation is dangerous"

John still looked nervous.

"We'll be watching them" added Sherlock grabbing the big plastic bag with the monitors.

Again in the car John asked "What are those addresses?"

"Posible meeting points for the terrorists"

"And how on earth did you get them?"

"Looking for patterns on their lasts incursions. They've always avoided highways and principal avenues, for example. As well as rural provinces... the prefer abandonded places within large cities"

"The Ministry of Defense is on the White Hall" John remembered him

"That's an obvious exception, John, they had to rescue their leader"

John remained silent for a while

"And do you think we can find them in 24 hours?"

It was Sherlock's time to remain silent now.


"So... " John was leaning on the kitchen table watching Sherlock's fast and precise movements. He was accomodating the monitors and cables in which they would observe the homeless network movements

"...you really think they are still in London?" he asked "They did attack one of the most secure buildings of London. And they just rescued his boss from a questionable syringe-type interrogation... and they are after all an international organization, I would have left this place as soon as possible "

Sherlock nodded "That would be logical" he said "However, there are some indications that at least one of them remains in London. Remaining here was perhaps the best option they had"

Sherlock smiled at John's confused face

"The agents" he explained "They operate internationally too. And right now they are probably wasting all their time and money looking for them in the remotest corners of the world, while they just wait here until it's safe to leave England"

John thought about that theory for a moment, then he frown.

"What indications?"

"People talks" he said "Their clothing is not very common, and it specially draws attention within the slums"

"Ready?" asked him Sherlock conecting the last of the monitors

"Of course" answered John and pulled a chair...


"Oh! I missed you Holmes" ñ_ñ

Ahhhh... I've really missed this, I love writting, and the last month was so... slowww and horrible, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting...

Oh well... the story is finally getting somewhere... and I have a week off the school (with a lot of homework of course, but anyway) 'Till next chapter!