The Beryl Board

At 221b Baker Street, Holmes was playing a lively tune on his keyboard instrument while Watson was at the computer. Diana's phone buzzed, so she left the room to make the call and not disturb Holmes, but not before saying 'Excuse me' and left the room. The door opened and Deidre walked in carrying a package, looking tired.

Holmes: Ah! Deidre. I see you took a short cut down Barrow Street. I hope the Haranguer's' dog didn't chase you too far.

Deidre: (stunned) Okay, Holmes, how'd you do that?

Holmes: Eyes and Brains, my dear. As I often tell you. Barrow Street is the only street between here and the post office being washed today. Your shoes and legs are damp. You're out of breath because that infernal dog is always loose on Barrow Street, which is why I never walk there. (lights flicker) Observe and from what you observe draw conclusions. Mm, one of your compatriots approaches. Shall we practice? Old electrical wiring, the light's always dim when the hall light is turned on.

Just as Holmes predicated, Wiggins came into the room. A yellow mustard stain on his coat jacket and a red lipstick mark on his cheek. But, he wasn't the only one who came in. Diana trailed in behind him.

Diana: Holmes, I need to talk to you.

Holmes: Just a moment, Diana. Alright, Deidre. Tell us where Mr. Wiggins is coming from and what he has done.

Deidre: (to Wiggins) You just ate lunch and you paid for your girlfriend.

Wiggins: (rubs mustard stain off jacket and rubs the back of his head) I know I'm a sloppy eater. But how'd you know about Jacey?

Deidre: By the lipstick.

Wiggins: (flustered) On my cheek? But that was because I asked her to the dance on Saturday.

Holmes: Let that be a lesson to you, Deidre. You can only draw the correct conclusion when you have enough information.

Diana: Okay, enough with the school lessons! Holmes, I really need to talk to you!

But then, Tennyson flew in hurriedly making rapid beeping noises.

Holmes: Calm down, lad! I hear you. News on, please.

Reporter: Top stories. Prime Minister gives birth to triplets. Twelve year old Helton Payne the third sues for emancipation. Details on demand.

Deidre: Helton Payne the third?! He is a pain, even if he is Tennyson's friend. Details!

Reporter: The former head inventor of the world's biggest computer company has sued his father for emancipated minor status. Young Payne claims he has been exploited by his father and wants to be free to pursue his own professional goals.

Holmes: Passions of the heart. There are things that do not change in any age. Love. Hate. Jealousy. Greed. As powerful now as they were back in my day, Watson. Uh, that is my day. Now, what is it you wish to tell me, Diana?

Diana: (points at the screen) THIS is what I wanted to tell you, Holmes! I just got a call from Lestrade asking for your help. A robbery has occurred, and it involves that rich kid on the news.

There came a knock at the door and Holmes allowed that person to enter. An old man, Mr. Holder, came into the room.

Reporter: And so, young Helton Payne the third leaves the safety of his father's home and conglomerate.

Mr. Holder: Two families! Ruined! (sits on the chair)

Holmes: (to Deidre) If you see what I mean.

Diana: Holmes! This is the man who made the call to New Scotland Yard about the very robbery I told you about.

On their way to New Scotland Yard, Watson drove the coachcraft with Holmes seated beside him, and Diana seated in the back with Mr. Holder.

Mr. Holder: I recovered the Beryl Board, but I desperately need you to find the missing piece. I still can't believe my own son would do this to me. He's made poor decisions in the past but nothing criminal like this.

Holmes: Still, all clues point to him as the culprit. You said two families ruined, yours and that of Helton Payne the third.

The coachcraft halted sharply when another hovercraft drove past in front of them, clearly unexpected.

Watson: (irritated) Americans! When will they learn to drive on the proper side of the road!

Diana: (frowns) Watson, I happen to be half-American on my ancestor's side!

Mr. Holder: Young Helton gave me his new processor called the Beryl Board to as collateral for a loan.

Holmes: To start up a new company.

Mr. Holder: How did you know that?

Holmes: Elementary. Leaving his father's company in getting a loan only makes sense if he is starting his own. So, you took the board home?

Diana: How could Arthur bypass the security in your home? Maybe he sabotaged it.

Mr. Holder: My personal security is the highest in New London!

Holmes: Was the highest. (phone rings) I believe someone has tracked you down, Mr. Holder. Computer, phone call!

On the screen appeared the irritated face of Helton Payne the third.

Helton: Holder, you idiot! What have you done with my board?

Mr. Holder: Don't worry, I have it. Just one little problem. A piece, a small corner piece, is missing.

Helton: (angrily) That board is so replicated! News that a piece is missing could devastate the stock market, and you!

The coachcraft finally arrived at New Scotland Yard, where Mr. Holder was greeted and embraced by his daughter, Mary.

Mary: Father, you've arrived! I was afraid you'd abandon Arthur.

Mr. Holder: I couldn't abandon my own son more than I could abandon you, my darling daughter.

Mary: Arthur's lawyer won't let him speak to the police, but he won't speak to me either.

Mr. Holder: Don't worry, Mary. This gentleman is here to see that things are set right.

Holmes nodded by tipping the brim of deerstalker cap.

Mary: If only he could.

A little later, Mr. Holder went to interrogate Arthur himself while Holmes, Diana, Watson, and Lestrade watched from outside at the screen.

Mr. Holder: Was it because I wouldn't loan you money for your art gallery?

Arthur: Burnwell's Gallery has nothing to do with this.

Mr. Holder: Oh, Arthur. How could do this to someone who loves you?

Lestrade: (glances over) Holmes? Where are you going?

Holmes: There is nothing more to be learned here. Come, Watson. Diana. We have much work to do.

After his interview with Helton's father, Holmes returned to his coachcraft where Diana was waiting, but this time she had been seated in the passenger seat beside him while Holmes was behind the wheel. But, two hovercraft vehicles were trailing them by orders of the suspicious Mr. Payne.

Diana: (teasingly) You'd make an excellent grandfather someday, Holmes.

Holmes: (frowns) I was old in my heyday.

Diana: (looks at the screen to see the two hovercrafts) Uh-oh! We've got a tail.

Holmes pushed a button on the dashboard to contact with Lestrade.

Lestrade: Diana...

Holmes: Lestrade, we're on our way.

Lestrade: (suspiciously) And you are...?

Holmes: Lestrade, it's Holmes! (takes off moustache)

Diana: I let him borrow one of my theater costumes.

Holmes: Ugh. As I said, we're on our way. But first, we must escape some unwanted attention.

The coachcraft dodged a monorail and then drove straight downward through an area.

Holmes: Hmm, should be relatively simple.

Lestrade: Holmes? You're not trying to drive again, are you? Diana, is he behind the wheel?

Diana: (nervously) Er...yeah. I didn't want him to drive, but he was most insistent.

Holmes: Ha! It's nothing I can't handle, my dears.

Lestrade: Ugh! Don't do it!

Holmes: Let's see...altitude, yes. Here it is.

But being the bad driver he is, Holmes directed the coachcraft in a different direction to an unfamiliar building.

Holmes: Now where did that building come from? Diana, what do you suggest that I do now?

Diana: Don't ask me. (imitates Holmes) "It's nothing I can't handle."

Even though Holmes refused to let her help, he was having trouble losing their pursuers.

Holmes: Oh, where's Watson when I need him? Perhaps I should've let you drive, Diana.

Diana: (giggles) Now you admit you can't drive! But we don't have time to pull over.

Holmes: Lestrade...

Lestrade: (chuckles) The auto pilot system won't let you crash.

Holmes: Well, that's a relief. Now if we can just lose those flies on our tail.

Diana: Try going to New Scotland Yard. It will keep them away from us.

Throughout the chase, Diana directed Holmes where to go and how to use the wheel with the two hovercrafts right behind them.

Holmes: It has been fun, gentlemen, but I have other fish to fry. So...

He made a sharp turn at a corner, and the two hovercrafts continued their pursuit. The coachcraft flew around a giant building, still followed, and then turned in the direction towards New Scotland Yard. And it worked. The coachcraft landed inside the Yard's takeoff hangar, and the two hovercrafts flew away.

Diana: See? I told you coming here would keep them away.

Holmes: The flies have flown, Lestrade. We shall be there shortly.

Afterwards, the two detectives drove safely towards the Holder residence, with Diana behind the wheel this time. Holmes and Diana met up with Watson, Lestrade, and the Irregulars.

Holmes: I trust you have all found your pieces of our puzzle. Wiggins?

Wiggins: Definite signs of a struggle. But just one set of footprints.

Holmes: (sly smile) How very unusual.

Everyone walked outside to the spot where Wiggins found his clue.

Holmes: Did you scan pick up any DNA traces?

Wiggins: I only found readings for the family members. (scanner beeps loudly) But there's hovercraft radiation all over the roof and wall.

Lestrade: Security monitors proved that both Arthur and Mary came from inside the house.

Wiggins: I think there was a third party on the roof!

Holmes: A party, indeed. Most interesting. Tennyson, you reviewed the security footage?

Tennyson beeped in response, and everyone walked back inside to the security room to look over the monitors. Tennyson beeped and whirred in explaining what he had found. The monitors only showed a white dove flying across one screen to a different one.

Holmes: Excellent, Tennyson. Just as I suspected. (Tennyson beeps) Yes, right. Deidre?

Deidre: I followed Mary like you said. Mary's got a boyfriend. Dress is rich, but I don't think he is. Trying too hard to be arty.

The pictures on the monitor displayed of Mary giving George Burnwell money, and then both of them caught kissing and George leaving afterward.

Diana: That's George Burnwell! Why is Mary giving him money? Didn't Mr. Holder refuse Arthur money for George's gallery?

Deidre: It looks like Mary's been dating George without her Daddy's permission, especially loaning him money without his knowledge.

Holmes: Good work, all. Now we must get everyone involved to the Burnwell Gallery.

Lestrade: They may not want to come, and what do we tell them?

Holmes: That we have solved the case, of course. You will bring Arthur.

Lestrade: Greyson won't like it, eh, but what else is new.

Half an hour later, everyone arrived at the Burnwell Gallery. Holmes, Diana, and Watson. Mr. Holder, Mary, and Helton Payne the third. Lestrade brining Arthur in handcuffs. George was at the computer when he noticed that company had arrived. Since he heard the case had been solved, he secretly placed a remote control in his pocket.

Holmes: I see everyone is here. Might I suggest we begin with the obvious. Mary Holder, how long have you been seeing George Burnwell behind your father's back?

Mary: (denial) What are you talking about?

Holmes: Do not deny it, we have pictures.

Diana held up camera with the pictures of Mary loaning George money, then exchanging a kiss, before departing. Mary gasped in surprise, and Mr. Holder reacted 'What?' in deep shock.

Holmes: (to George) I'm ashamed of you, Mr. Burnwell. Your gambling debts are no secret on the Moon, or here. Good enough reason to ask your friend, Arthur, to invest in your gallery. But you could get to Holder's money through his son, so you used his daughter instead.

Mary: What is he saying, George? (runs to George)

George: This is too ridiculous for words. Who are you going to believe, Mary?

Holmes: (disgusted) I'm sad to see that there are still men who use love to twist a young girl's heart against her family, and even her own wishes...and make her a willing partner in their criminal schemes. I fear that Burnwell is just such a man. And how Mary is just such a girl.

Mary turned away from George, tears streaming down her face in betrayal whilst the man she believed loved her had only used her.

Arthur: Don't believe him, father! I did it! Leave her out of this!

Mary: Arthur, stop! You can't keep protecting me! Arthur didn't steal the board, I did. (to Mr. Holder) You forbade me to see George but I loved him. When I told him about the board, he said we could run away, make a new life together on the Moon.

George: (furiously) You stupid...!

Lestrade: (points ionizer at him) Save your breath for your defense. Your under arrest. Watson?

George: (to an approaching Watson) Zed off!

Lestrade: Don't get cliché, Georgie-Porgie. Come along, like a good little boy.

But the man wasn't going down without a fight. George took the remote control out of his pocket as he raised his hands in the air.

Lestrade: Don't try it!

George: (slyly) It's nothing...just a remote control.

Holmes: NO!

Too late. George pressed a button to activate the lifeless robots in the gallery. Lestrade looked at the robots in surprise, which gave George the chance to escape to his hover-motorcycle, but Holmes pursued him.

Lestrade got kicked by a robotic winged horse when she tried to follow. George got on his hover-motorcycle. Holmes nearly caught up with him until the robotic horse took him by surprise. George escaped on his hover-motorcycle. The other robots began approaching the Holder family, threateningly.

Helton: I can stop them!

Helton rushed to the computer and quickly tried to shut down the robots, to no avail.

Watson: (leaps over robotic horse) I'll stop Burnwell! (trips over wire and falls)

Lestrade: (rushes to the exit George left) Ugh! It's too late!

Diana got picked up by one of the robots but she swung her legs towards the head, knocking it clean off. The robot fell and so did she, but there were more live robots coming at her and the others.

Diana: Aah! There's too many of them!

Holmes had been thrown off by one of the robots, but then he noticed a long electrical cord leading up to where he knew was the only way to shut down the robots. Just as the robots came closer to the frightened Holder family, they stopped. They had been shut down at last.

Mr. Holder: (relieved) Thank you, thank you!

Helton: (surprised) It-it wasn't me.

Holmes: I hope you don't mind. I took the liberty of unplugging the art.

Holmes was the one who saved the day, having discovered the electrical cord needed to be unplugged so the robots would no longer be a menace.

Diana: Where's George?

Lestrade: Ugh! I lost him.

Watson: (hat stuck over his head) I say! Who turned out the lights?

Diana covered a smile to Watson's misfortune but she immediately got serious once Holmes spoke.

Holmes: Now, two things must be down without delay. We must intercept George for he surely has the missing piece of the Beryl Board and is about to sell it. But first, we must contact Young Master Payne's father. (using a voice enhancer to sound like George) Payne, I've got the Beryl Board, but the price has just gone up. (phone rings) Play message.

Mr. Payne: (on fuzzy screen) It's extortion! I'm already on my way, with the price with agreed on and no more...

The message was immediately turned off. Mary looked incredibly guilty while her father put a comforting arm around her as Arthur looked on.

Holmes: Proof, that Burnwell stole the board to sell to Payne's father. I suspected as much when Payne had me and Diana followed.

Lestrade: Cute. All we need to do is call back and say - uh, where was that we were meeting again?

Holmes: Not necessary. (holds up a tracking trip)

Lestrade: You bugged him? (chuckles) No wonder we get along so well.

That night, the group of detectives caught George at the park and waited for Mr. Payne to show up. When he did, he realized he arrived too late as Lestrade had caught George and tried to get away, only to be caught and arrested by Watson.

Later, everyone met up at New Scotland Yard where they needed answers and the facts about the case.

Mr. Holder: But how did you manage to fool everyone, Mary?

Holmes: Tell him, Mary. It will do you good.

Mary: (broken) I-I was a fool! I believed him! I can't, Mr. Holmes!

Holmes: Then I will. It was easy for Mary to bypass the home security system. Mary stole the board and planted it on the roof. She loot the roof sensor readings, then used a freeze frame to block the camera where George will drive. Tennyson correctly deduced that the bird either shot straight up out of camera range and back down, or the second camera was tampered with to cover criminal activity. George arrived by a hover-motorcycle, but Arthur was restless after his father turned him down for the loan. He went outside to think, saw George taking the board, and leaped to grab it.

The rest was that during the struggle, Arthur managed to recover the board except for the small corner piece, but he set off the security alarm when he fell back onto the roof. Mary witnessed everything in shock. George smirked, knowing Arthur would take the fall for his precious sister and drove away. Arthur looked back in time to see two security robots coming for him.

Mary: (sobs) I-I can't believe I ever trusted him.

Mr. Holder: (upset) Oh, Mary.

Helton: What do you mean evidence?

Lestrade: (enters with Helton) You'll get your piece of the board back after the trial. In the meantime, it's in the safe hands of New Scotland Yard.

Helton: (frustrated) Oooh, I'm gonna...I'm gonna...I'd better get reduced interest on that loan for this.

Diana: Even if he is Tennyson's friend's, Helton is still a pain.

Mary: (to Lestrade) Are you going to take me away?

Lestrade: Yes. But it seems unlikely your father will press charges. I'm sure the judge will be lenient.

Lestrade took Mary away, who cooperated willingly to accept her punishment.

Mr. Holder: Don't worry, my dear. I'll be along in a moment. (to Arthur, apologetically) Arthur, how unfairly I have treated you. I only wish I could make it up to you. I know, I'll buy you a gallery for you. Burnwell won't be needing it.

Arthur: Thanks, but no thanks, father. I'm gonna have that gallery but I'll do it on my own.

Mr. Holder: (proudly) That's my boy.

Holmes: (to Watson and Diana) Take key, my friends. Even if children have made mistakes in the past, they still need to be listened to and respected.

A little later, the trio drove back to Baker Street by coachcraft.

Holmes: Like the Holders, the Paynes must learn that along with love and forgiveness are what keeps a family together in this age or any other.