Disclaimer: I'm not so sure, but I believe the copyright of the original case files are in the public domain... but I don't know when it comes to fanfiction involving the BBC version. Whatever, in any way, I don't own 'em.

Where Pathways Meet

2. A Scandal in Manhattan

Chapter 7: The Present

~oOo~

John had to face an enraged Sherlock Holmes when he came back to the flat.

"What is up with you?"

Sherlock pointed at John's face. John stepped in front of the mirror, and scrutinized himself.
A Scarlet Red lipstick was gleaming on his right cheek. Apparently, somehow Adler sneaked a kiss before he knew.
Sherlock stomped towards John, took a tissue then rubbed it off his face.

"Where have you been?"

Sherlock said, as if nagging. John placed the box on the table, then blurted out.

"Irene Adler, is married."

The flat was suddenly sunk in silence.
After a few minutes, Sherlock slowly asked.
"...What?"
"Quentin Belissario."

John took out the box. It was Scarlet Red, just like her lipstick.
"She gave me this."

John threw the box at Sherlock. Sherlock catched the box perfectly, without any hesitation. He opened the box, just to find the phone he failed to obtain few days ago. He took the mobile in his hand, apparently lack of words. A note was placed under the mobile. An expensive piece of paper. Sherlock took out the smooth paper and unfolded it.

"MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES.-You really did it very well. You took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had been told that if Timothy employed an agent it would certainly be you. And your address had been given me. I have been trained as an actress myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of the freedom which it gives. I came down just as you departed. Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was really an object of intrest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Then I bumped into your fascinating dear friend John.
"We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when you are reading my note. As to the photograph, your client may rest in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. Timothy may do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly wronged. I leave the photographs in case somebody may care to possess: and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes.
"Very truly yours, IRENE Belissario, nee ADLER"

Informed of everything, Wernheim exclamated in admiration.

"What a woman-oh, what a woman!"

He accepted the mobile Sherlock handed him.
"To where she would have departed, Mister Holmes?"

Two hours ago, John read the note after Sherlock finished it and fell into his mind palace. He asked the same question-and Sherlock blurted out after some time passed.

- Hong Kong.
- ...Hong Kong?
- The key code to the vault was 999077, zip code to Hong Kong. Presumably her lover-now, husband, may found an occupation there. According to Mycroft's files, she frequently mailed to a 999077 area. Perhaps about the residency problems or so...

And he fell into silence, yet again. It remains a mystery, that how Sherlock came to the conclusion that it was the key code, but John was a loyal man-he never doubted Sherlock, especially when it comes to his deduction skills.

Sherlock looked directly into Wernheim's eyes.
"It was my duty to find the photographs, so I suppose none is left."

Sherlock said coldly, but Wernheim seemed indifferent. But John knew. Sherlock was protecting Irene Adler-is it because she is the only woman who defeated Sherlock? An unknown emotion slowly emerged upon the surface of John's heart. But yet again, John presses it down, conceals it and zip it up-it should not be his.

"Why she, would give up the photographs just now?"
"She may need some time before she leave the country. But now she left, and no more shield is needed."
Wernheim nodded.

"I cannot thank you more, Mister Holmes."
He took out his chequebook, then scrawled the longest figure John had ever seen in his life.
Wernheim tore the cheque out and handed it to Sherlock.

"Please, for your effort."
"It's okay."
"No, please. I insist."

Wernheim somehow made Sherlock to accept the cheque, then leave the flat.
But after a few minutes, Mrs. Hudson came up then whispered.

"The gentleman wanted to speak to you, John."
"...Me?"

Mrs. Hudson nodded. John was startled that Wernheim ever wanted to speak to him, as he supposed himself was merely a sidekick.

"Yes. Just, come down."
John felt Sherlock's piercing looks on his back, but he left the flat. He followed Mrs. Hudson down the staircase, and found the billionaire on the doorstep. Mrs. Hudson disappeared into whereever just to leave them alone. After her skirt left their sight, Wernheim cleared his voice then spoke.

"Mister Watson. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I am, too."
"I heard you helped Mister Holmes on the case. You went to Club Sabrina?"
"-Ah, I had."

The man's eyes were piercing. Still inhumane, cruel, but beautiful.

"Are you, perhaps, involved in any kind of relationships?"

John doubted his ears. What on earth is this rich man asking me?
John pondered for a little, then decided to trust his judgement.
"Um, none at all."
He answered slowly.

Wernheim pushed his hands inside his jacket then produced a name card.

"This is my personal number. If you ever come to the States, or... Hhmm... You've got an e-mail account?
May I have the honour to be informed of it?"

John was still stunned, and scrawled his e-mail account down an expensive jotter with a luxurious pen. What am I doing? He questioned himself, but he was so bewildered to think straightly. After John finished writing, Wernheim took the jotter then smirked at him.
"I heard you graduated Eton then moved onto UCL medical school. I'm familiar of your academical accomplishments. I want an intellecutal spouse... Somebody told me, brainy is the new sexy."

Wernheim winked at John, then stepped over the threshold. John stiffened on the place, unable to move for a considerable amount of time. What just happened?

~oOo~

Sherlock opened the drapes. He watched the billionaire step out of the flat, then looking up.
Their eyes met;the alphas exchanged a knowing look, a look of wariness. The billionaire stared back at Sherlock for a while, then stepped into his expensive car.
The luxurious car drove a way smoothly, and Sherlock never removed his eyes from the car until it disappeared around the corner. He stepped back from the window side, then stumbled back to his armchair. Just then, he heard the door opening.
A familiar face popped in, through the crack of the door.

"Sherlock, what do you want for lunch?"
John, it is. Sherlock stared at John for a moment.
"...Anything."

John sent a look of doubt, but Sherlock said nothing. The young omega's head soon disappeared. Sherlock fell into his thoughts.

Irene Adler's perfume showed herself... The first impression, a dangerous pleasure. Her splendid beauty woos whoever it is, as the individual come to know her. Tube rose, then an ample aroma of the roses. But after a while, after a considerable amount of time passed, after the glamour and artificial masks have faded out... What is left, is a pure, delicate almond scent. In the floral language, what almond means is- true love.

"What a woman―oh, what a woman!"

_ A Scandal in Manhattan, Case Closed

A/N: You may feel this chapter shorter than others, but I had to end it here just to divide the chapters. I promise, the next chapter will be much longer than this.
So, how do you think about the case? I've spent some time straightening up this case... but, as I not being a professional writer, there may be flaws...
Please, be kind to point them out.
I really appreciate any words about my story, short or long.

The new part will start: Part 3, and it will be titled Interlude. Ratings will go up 2 or 3 chapters later.
Then, thank you for reading my story! The next chapter will be up in few days, at least I hope so!
Oh, and if there's anybody reading my story chapter by chapter every time I upload it, thank you so much. I know how much it is hard to wait for a story.
Thank you so much for your anticipation.

Footnote_(1): The note Irene Adler left is inspired by the one in the canon. I rearranged it through the AU filter.
Footnote_(2): Anyone noticed the quote from BBC in Wernheim's words, "Brainy is the new sexy?" ;)