The 12 Christmas Riddles
Chapter 11
A/N – I loved this Broadway show.
A/N – I figured a longer chapter would be better then two short one.
Upon arriving at 221B both men exited the cab while John paid the fair. The cab driver was still watching Sherlock in his costume. Sherlock had amazingly spent the whole trip talking about the mechanics of firing cannons and climbing ropes.
"Would you like to change and meet down here in say…. Five minutes?"
"Make it 10, see you then!" Sherlock took off through the front door, barely stopping to say good afternoon to Mrs. Hudson who was on the stairs.
"Just put milk in your fridge dears, not your house keeper though"
"Yes Mrs. Hudson" not sure who replied, Mrs. Hudson shrugged and went back into her own flat.
20 minutes later found Sherlock at the front door looking at the note sticky taped to the door. At least it wasn't announcing a crime in progress. Lestrade would not allow another explanation of the same man falling out the window seven or eight times…
Find all 10 puzzle pieces, they are bright green and along the path we took from Angelo's that first night. Except you need to take the path in reverse to find them. Be careful and see you soon. - JW
Sherlock looked around him for John. Somehow the man had slipped past him. He really was off his game.
Sherlock followed the path exactly, even across the roofs and down the walls. He found pieces an inch in length and width is places that were so obvious it was not funny, but then there were some that were trickier. Sherlock had found that there were ten places that stood out, using his mental mind map; the trickiest where the ones that required digging or searching through things. In all Sherlock arrived at the restaurant within thirty-five minutes of leaving Baker Street. Angelo was waiting for him.
"Ah Sherlock, my favorite patron! I have prepared your usual table for you. John said to tell you he would see you soon, the rest of the puzzle along with your coffee are on the table, follow me please"
Sherlock knew where he was going but decided to be polite, not wanting to hinder his chances at getting through the puzzle.
Sitting and immediately starting to put the puzzle together, Sherlock found that the pieces did not go together as easily as first thought. It took him five minutes, a horrendous effort he felt to get the whole puzzle. Upon doing so he called Angelo over.
"See, done. Envelope please."
Angelo passed over a vial of clear liquid and smirked wi[ping a paint brush out as well.
"Your puzzle is the message, this will reveal it, please do not get it on the floor, Mr. John informs me it may eat through the floor"
This was a pleasant surprise, where had John found this chemical? What was it? He would have to save some for later to experiment on.
Painting the puzzle lightly, Sherlock found a picture of the London Concert Hall revealed, a photo of John photo shopped in with a speech bubble 'wish you were here!' The only show playing at the moment was 'The Lion King' but no body knew he wanted to see it.
More word appeared to the side:
Riddle ten
The tickets can be found,
Where winter ends and summer begins,
But the ice still holds strong no matter the season.
I'll meet you here and we'll continue to the theatre afterwards –JW
P.S The show starts at 8pm, see you soon.
Ice? Ice? Ice skating, people like being cooler in summer, and love skating in winter, but autumn and spring seem to be forgotten when it came to skating.
Hailing a cab he asked for the Hyperdome Snow Globe. Supposed to be the best ice-skating ring around, and only 3 blocks form the theatre.
John was out the front. Holding out skates to his friend.
"They're in the middle, we have 40 minutes, and so dear friend, I suggest you skate hard and fast"
Sherlock entered the dome and looked, he had only ever been in here on cases, and never socially. He had never skated socially, sure he'd been with school but as the bullies had pushed and poked him and his teachers ignored him he had always just moved to the sidelines and watched. His flashback ended as he tied the last bow and stood. He headed to the ring only to find John waiting for him again.
"Shall we Sherlock?"
"Lets go get those tickets John."
The two friends skated around the ring three times, John doing a few jumps and small tricks before going to the center and getting to the tickets. A figure skater was waiting for them and handed them over.
"Have fun tonight gentlemen, your taxi awaits."
"Come on Sherlock, we haven't long to get there and we still need to return our shoes."
Once inside the taxi, Sherlock was watching out the window as the world went by. They arrived at the theatre with ten minutes to spare.
The entered and took their seats. The show began.
When the show had ended John lead Sherlock, who was still almost clapping and smiling like he had a triple murder to solve, backstage and straight to George Asprey.
"Hi George, great job tonight, you nailed it buddy" John said taking the mans hand in a strong shake.
"Thanks John, this must be Sherlock, what did you think of the show buddy?"
"Amazing, truly amazing, I want to see it again." Sherlock gushed.
"We'll see Sherlock, do you have anything for us George?"
"Certainly, here you are pal."
Sherlock, ignoring the glances of other cast members, tore open the envelope and started to read aloud.
Riddle eleven
So shoot me Mr. Holmes
Instead of the Wall
It's late at night
There's only one place that legal
That would put you in chains.
"A shooting range John, really?"
"Yup, you ready?"
"Can I use your Gun?"
"No Sherlock."
"Can I use your bullets?"
"No Sherlock"
"Will teach me to shoot properly John?"
"Yes Sherlock"
Sherlock took off again, John was wondering where all the energy was hidden in his lanky form; but only briefly before taking off after him.
"See you round George! Thanks for the help tonight!"
John followed Sherlock out the back doors.