It's the reveal of the big bad today. I liked your guesses and some of you got it spot on. Maybe the Consukting Detective is rubbing of on us all.

Chapter 21

Molly was discharged from hospital two hours later. She'd had her skull, collarbone and wrist X rayed and the doctors were satisfied that there were no breaks or fractures and that short of a bad headache there was no concussion or lasting damage.

Caring for someone was not something which came naturally to Sherlock but he found he didn't want Molly to be any more miserable or uncomfortable than she already was so he did his best to look after her. She was soon installed in his bedroom, which he found he rather liked, along with her cat Toby who Molly had insisted they pick up on the way; he found he liked that rather less, at least at first. Thankfully as they had arrived at Baker St Mrs Hudson had come out of her flat and quickly taken over bustling about providing Molly with tea, soup and various magazines to help keep her occupied.

'Thank you but really I think I'm just going to have the soup and tea and then sleep. I just feel ridiculously exhausted.'

Sherlock left her to eat but he couldn't resist going to half lie half sit on the bed next to her as she slept. He was still finding his emotions a little overwhelming and he found being with Molly and knowing she was safe calmed him. So he lay there thinking through the current ramifications of the case and what he needed to do next. He couldn't and wouldn't let sentiment affect his focus.

Lestrade had been true to his word and he had forwarded on all the information he had been able to gather about Jason Fletcher, the dead assailant. It seemed he wasn't an orphan but he had been estranged from his family since he was sixteen. They'd thrown him out after a prolonged period of drug use and hadn't seen him in nearly ten years, just the occasional phone call to let them know he was still alive. There was nothing much known about him until three years ago when he had reappeared seemingly cleaned up and with the money to pay himself through college and get himself a trainee position at Barts as a lab and morgue assistant.

Sherlock figured he had a good idea what had happened to Jason in those missing years and the result of it had sealed his fate.

By the time he came out of his mind palace it was dark and Molly was stirring. He slid down and lay on his side facing her as she rolled over and opened her eyes.

She smiled as she saw him but winced at the way it pulled the skin around her swollen eye. 'Hey.'

He smiled back. 'Hey to you too. How are you feeling?'

She wrinkled her nose and Sherlock found himself wanting to kiss it. 'Not that great but I bet a kiss from you will make it all better.'

He chuckled. 'I suspect it will take another dose of painkillers but I'm happy for you to try the kiss first and see if it works.'

He moved closer and bent his head so he could press his lips to hers. He tried to keep the kiss chaste, not wanting to put Molly under any pressure given her injuries, but she opened her mouth to him and used her good hand to pull him closer, moaning into his mouth and making him wish they could go further.

Reluctantly he pulled away ignoring her mewl of complaint. 'Not until you're well Molly Hooper.'

'I'm well...I promise.'

He grinned and shook his head. 'No you're not. Here you go, here's some water and your next dose of tablets.'

He sat up and passed her the items from his bedside cabinet watching as she dutifully took them before lying back down.

She turned her head to face him again. 'So, how's it all going? Did you track down David like you wanted to?'

Sherlock scowled. 'Yes, but it was to no avail. He isn't the handler. There must be someone else. Someone we haven't yet considered. Who else is there from Mary's past?'

There was silence for a moment until Molly piped up. 'What about Janine?'

Sherlock frowned. 'What about her? Mary only got close to her to be able to gain access to Magnussen in a not too dissimilar way to myself.'

Molly shook her head before stilling with a quiet 'ow'.

'No, I think you're wrong. They're still friends. I forgot to mention but she was at Mary's house when I went round. They seemed very chummy still.'

Sherlock went quiet as he thought through the implications of what Molly was saying. Could he have got Janine all wrong? Could she be a bigger player in this game than he'd ever considered? And if so how had he so fundamentally underestimated her?

By the time he came out of his mind palace Molly was asleep again. He slid off the bed without disturbing her and went through to his front room rearranging the documents and information on his wall to match this new piece of information. It all worked...it all pieced together. It looked as though Janine was Mary's handler. She wasn't just Magnussen's PA she had manoeuvred herself into that position for a reason...to gain information or to control Magnussen...he wasn't quite sure yet. Was she still a cog or was she actually the engine? There was only one way to find out.

He picked up his phone and scrolled to the text from the unknown number.

Well played Janine. I think it's about time we meet up to discuss retirement plans. SH

It was just after midnight and he wasn't sure whether he'd get a response any time soon but it only took ten minutes.

Finally Sherly only took you best part of six months. Be at the pool where you met Jim in two hours. Jx

So he'd been right and it looked as though Janine had been close to Moriarty...girlfriend, wife? He shook his head neither of those felt right. Jim had been gay, of that he was sure. So what was she to him...there was only one feasible option remaining and it made his eyes widen and his mouth open in a silent 'oh'. Sister...she had been Jim's sister.

He wasn't stupid enough to go alone so he called John.

'What the fuck...Sherlock it's the middle of the night.'

'I wouldn't have rung if it wasn't important John.'

He heard a huff and then some words from Mary.

'It's Sherlock...I don't know...go on what do you need?'

'I need you to come on a job with me. I think I've found the person behind the attack on Molly and they want to meet at 2.00. I'll pick you up in a cab about quarter to.'

There was a deep sigh and a beat of silence. 'Fine. I'll be ready.'

An hour later and they were both in the cab with Sherlock bringing John up to speed about the developments. He was careful not to mention Janine's connection to Mary. He wanted John fully focused not worried about his marriage...there'd be plenty of time for that later.

'I can't believe Janine is Jim's sister. I mean she seemed so...I don't know...normal. She was Mary's bridesmaid for god's sake.'

'Yes, but Mary only chose her to get close to Magnussen. We've been through this.'

'So you think Janine was already a plant in Magnussen's office...for Jim? But Jim was dead.'

'Obviously Janine was trying to carry on his work, keep the network going. Right, we're nearly there. I need you to have my back. You brought your gun?'

'Yes.'

'Good. Stay out of sight for now until I know how safe it is, but don't let Janine know that you're there.'

John quickly disappeared into the shadows and Sherlock checked his watch. It had a sense of almost deja vu as he pushed open the doors and walked into the pool room. It was just as it had been that night except this time he knew John was with him and safe. Plus Molly was home being cared for by Mrs Hudson and watched over by Mycroft's men.

He had contemplated whether Janine would have marksmen like her brother but it seemed unlikely. He had all but obliterated Jim's empire beyond this small programme and he believed that Janine was running on bluster and bravado. She was probably aiming on blackmail...money in return for security to help her rebuild. He just had to scope the extent of it, find the centre and shut her down; child's play.

He watched the reflections of the water ripple across the ceiling as he waited for Janine. He didn't have long to wait. She came through the same door Jim had but the way she walked and held herself was different from how she had been when they had been "dating". She'd been good, he'd give her that much credit, she had completely fooled him with her shallow, fawning girlfriend routine.

She was dressed in red. A figure hugging shift dress which accentuated her curves and looked good with her colouring but he didn't find her attractive. Intriguing yes; sexy no.

'Hi Sherly, I have to say I was surprised to get your text. I wondered if you would ever figure it out...and I wonder how much you do know.'

Sherlock took a couple of steps forward but stayed a good couple of metres away. That dress might look figure hugging but he had no doubt there was a gun close to hand.

'I know you're Jim's sister. I know you were using Magnussen for your own ends and I also know about Mary.'

Janine nodded her head. 'I'm impressed. You know the weapon I have at my disposal and yet you are still here, risking your blogger. Although as I said there's a new weak link now isn't there?'

He wanted to tell her to stay the hell away from Molly but it would just give her the ammunition she wanted. So instead he put on his best poker face and lied. 'What can I say, she was easy and I found I needed some sexual satisfaction.'

Janine smiled and shook her head. 'But we both know there's more to it than that Sherl. I tried to get you to sleep with me for weeks and you didn't bite once.' She turned and walked away before turning back. 'Most men are easy. They're led by their dicks. I just have to open my legs and they're mine to do with as I please; but not you. You were different. I see what Miss Adler saw in you. But little mousy Molly seems to have snared you good and proper and that's what makes you weak. That's what will put you into my hands to do what I want.'

He narrowed his eyes. 'So what is it that you want from me? Money...I'm not that rich. I'm too well known to be a good criminal...so what?'

She laughed, a rich throaty laugh that made Sherlock have to bite back a curl of his lip.

'You still don't get it do you Sherl. It's not about you, it was never about you. Magnussen told you what it was about. Did you think that was his plan? Before me he had just been interested in the sex lives of celebrities and sordid politicians. It was me who told him he could have so much more. You already know what this is about Sherlock.'

For the first time Sherlock felt the same dread that he had with Magnussen. That feeling of the rug being pulled from under him. He had to clear his throat before he could speak. 'Mycroft.'

She clapped her hands. 'Finally, it's always been about getting to Mycroft. If I have you, I have him and I currently have two weak links for you; John and Molly. Hmm, I only really need one but maybe you need a demonstration of my resolve. Agra, you can bring him out now.'

Sherlock heard the door open behind him and he spun on his heel to see John being pushed through the door; a gun held to the back of his head by a very dangerous and controlled Mary.

Dun, dun, duuunnnn. Another cliff hanger to leave you guys with. We're getting into the final stages now and I'm so glad you've all stayed with me. As always I'd love to hear what you think...pretty please xx