Stanley Hopkins

I think Gregson was grateful that we took a cab. I am certain the driver did not appreciate either Gregson's injury or the huge dog that was now trailing after Lestrade instead of me.

It was almost amusing to watch the dog-beast, who came up past the man's waist, following close on his heel as happily as if it were out frolicking in the grass, while all the while Lestrade steadfastly ignored the thing.

He really didn't like Mercy. Kristina hadn't been kidding about that. He barely managed to suppress a shudder as the beast jumped up onto the seat beside him in the cab and rested its head on his lap and hand. He let Mercy be, though, except for the fact that he moved his hand to rest on top of the creature's head.

The cab stopped, and we dismounted. I helped Gregson down, and Lestrade actually waited for the dog to get out before he stepped down. He paid the cab driver, and we approached 221b Baker Street.

A shot rang out; a second later I lost my hold on Gregson as a cry forced its way past my lips. Something bit into my shoulder and spun me around, and everything went black.

Tobias Gregson

Lestrade steadied me then knelt by Hopkins' now still form. He was still looking for the shooter even as he checked Hopkins' for a pulse. He found it, and relaxed. Then he caught sight of the would-be murderer.

"Fetch!" He barked out a command, and to my surprise that huge beast that had been following him around tonight took off after the man.

Holmes, Doctor Watson, and Bradstreet had heard the gunshot and come running down. Lestrade caught sight of the doctor, nodded, and took off after the dog.

"I've got them." Watson assured Holmes and Bradstreet, and they too took off. I staggered, no longer able to ignore how light headed I was, and moved to lean against the wall of the building.

Watson was bent over Hopkins, examining the injury.

Giles Lestrade

I had just enough time to register that Mercy had stopped howling before I plunged into the empty building and found myself face to face with a pistol.

"Nice doggie you've got there." Someone jeered. I looked over; the man had bribed the dog with a bone of some sort, and had slipped a rope around its neck while the idiot chewed on its prize.

I looked back to the man with the gun, and gaped.

It was Lewis.

He grinned. "I see you've met my poor brother." He said cheerfully. "Poor fool really messed up, offering to tell the Yard everything in exchange for protection." He shook his head with false sorrow. "But we talked to him, and gave him a chance to redeem himself. He was a good man. He took that chance."

He frowned at me. "Your lot were getting too close to our operations anyways." I didn't reply. As disgusted as I was by his actions, as long as the man was going to stand there and explain everything, I wasn't about to argue with him. "But you wouldn't give up. You wouldn't believe that your boy had killed the man, and you were still close on our trail."

He shrugged. "So now we have to finish you off." He grinned. "All of you." He stepped back a few paces. "I don't want to get blood on my suit, you know." He commented. "Now, Inspector, you are going to die."

"I don't think so." Someone slammed into me as the gun went off; I felt the bullet graze my temple as we went down.

Mercy went wild; he hadn't actually considered me to be in danger up until now. He threw himself forward, dragging the hapless man at the other end of the rope with him, and set upon Lewis.

Bradstreet was there and diving into the fray. Sherlock-

Sherlock was scrambling up and dusting himself off. "Are you all right, Inspector?" He inquired.

My hand went to my head, but the bullet had merely grazed the skin. I was bleeding, but that was all. "I'm fine." I said, and we went to help Bradstreet clean up the rest of this gang.

"Sit!" I barked the command at the dog. Mercy whined, but obeyed. Lewis was in no condition to cause any more trouble. "Good boy." I patted the dog on the head.

Bradstreet was eyeing Lewis. "I'll go get the Doctor." Was all he said.

Disclaimer: Sherlock and the boys at the Yard do not belong to me.