Title: The Watson Files
Parings: Sherlock Holmes & John Watson (slash goggles optional)
Trigger Warnings: Canon typical violence and injury
Chapter 10 – Third Item
It had started for Sherlock and I as a simple case involving missing money and potential embezzlement. For Lestrade it had been a relatively straight forward murder investigation. The two cases converged, literally, in the lobby of a rather disreputable office building which was the business address of a particular accountant. Now, I was stuck in a dingy office with a decapitated body guarding the scene while Sherlock and Lestrade had gone to see if they could figure out what had happened to the head.
As I looked around the office I faintly heard a clang followed by a metallic squeal. From the noise I deduced that Sherlock and Lestrade were investigating the bins in the alley below the window. I continued looking around at the office. It was small but functional containing a desk, a computer, and a file cabinet complete with a random assortment of items stuck to its side with magnets. There was a desk chair, what I presumed to be a chair for visitors and the headless body on the floor by the window. I suspected that what Sherlock and I would need to solve the embezzlement case would be in the computer so I sat down to see if I could potentially find anything before the forensics squad arrived to bag and tag everything as evidence.
I realized then, by bumping the mouse, that the computer was actually on. The screen lit up with a standard screen saver with a nice blank box for a password. On the off chance I typed "password." No such luck. Well maybe he'd written it down? I looked in the likely places for a post-it note or scrap of paper. It was not on the back of the keyboard, not on the computer case, not in or stuck to any of the desk drawers, and not attached to any pieces of the desk set. I looked around for other likely places and noticed that the side of the file cabinet and its magnetic hung brick-a-brack was within easy reach. Not that there was anything outstanding; a couple of notes, a faded photograph and a 2 year old calendar open to April. The picture was nice but nothing spectacular so was our accountant lazy, enamored of the particular scenery or…12 characters later I was in and copying the contents of the hard drive to a micro-USB given to me by Sherlock's brother that I kept on my key chain.
I heard another faint clang just as the computer beeped signaling that the operation was complete. I disengaged and pocketed the drive then decided to see if I could see whether or not Sherlock and Lestrade had actually found anything in the bins. I walked over to the window being careful not to disturb the body. I absently noted that despite the condition of the rest of the building the owners had recently upgraded the windows. It was probably a bid to save money as older buildings like this one lost most of their heat through their windows as the walls were already quite thick. At first I thought the window only looked as if it would open because it didn't budge much initially. I wiggled the bottom a little just in case it was stuck and something gave as it started to go up easily.
I hadn't managed to raise the window very far when I was unceremoniously grabbed from behind and pulled backward. I attempted to elbow my attacker then turn and swing however the movement unbalanced us both and we fell to the floor. It was at this point two things happened simultaneously, I realized that I had been grabbed by Sherlock and there was a loud thunk from the direction of the window.
"Bloody hell John," Lestrade said from the doorway. "If you had stuck your head out the window…" he trailed off, presumably he was staring at the body.
I craned my neck to look as Sherlock had not yet released his grasp on me. I could feel his heart pounding as his arms held me firmly. My brain didn't process what I saw at first. The lower half of the window was now blocked by something.
"A guillotine built into the window casing," Sherlock breathed into my hair.
I squiggled around in an attempt to look at him and Sherlock somewhat reluctantly let me go. At that point it was easier to get to my feet and offer Sherlock a hand up. Sherlock took it.
"We'll leave you to it," Sherlock said to Lestrade once he was on his feet, "I'm taking John home. He's had somewhat of a shock and aggravated his shoulder when he landed on the floor."
Lestrade gave both of us a very strange look but I didn't really have a chance to respond as Sherlock, who had yet to release my hand, was maneuvering me gently but firmly out the door. I might indeed been in a slight state of shock because it took me all the way to the lobby to realize that not only had I landed on Sherlock but I'd also landed on my good shoulder.
Author's Note: I don't quite know where this one occurs in the timeline yet. I suspect it's after History Lesson and most likely later than that. Original prompt: Do not take the first cab, nor the second, but the third. Close your eyes. Turn to your left and open them. Now incorporate the third item you looked at into today's work. I saw a calendar that was still on April since I hadn't changed it yet.