Sherlock led John back down the stairs of the dormitory.
"So where are we meeting him?" John asked.
"Just a place I used to spend a lot of time studying. I believe normal people would call it a 'hang out'. Except that usually involves other people. Only I knew about the space," Sherlock said. "Or so I thought."
Sherlock walked down the second set of stairs into the office, where the saw the RA tied up and gagged, though appearing uninjured.
John started towards the RA, but Sherlock stopped him with a hand on the shoulder.
"We can deal with her once we're done with him." Sherlock said. "I'd prefer no one interrupted our meeting."
John hesitated a moment, but did as Sherlock said.
Sherlock opened a door that said 'Staff only' and slipped in, John following behind him.
He walked past the water heaters and the central heating units to the back of the small room.
The only reason that the dormitory had this room was for the housing of utilities, so they didn't go in unless something was broken or needed replaced.
The rest of the time, Sherlock could use it.
It was a dimly lit room, only a few bulbs hanging over head to lighten it, and even then shadows of maintenance equipment played all over the walls and floors, causing it to look much darker, much creepier, than it actually was.
Moriarty was standing there, waiting.
"So here we are." Moriarty said.
"Yes." Sherlock looked around at the room.
It looked much as it had before, very little changed, with the exception of it appearing that they had replaced some of the water heaters.
"If the bomb is what you're looking for, you're not going to find it here. It's strapped to the foundation." Moriarty said. "Just like on all the other buildings."
"Of course, I'm not. You're too smart to leave it where I could get to it." Sherlock said. "What I'm looking for, is the button that will start the timer."
"How do you know it's not already been started?"
"Oh, you're much to much fun for that..." Sherlock said.
"Well, you're right about that." Moriarty said, the last word spoken in a sing song voice. "I've attached the timer to the light switch in room 221 of the Chemistry lab... Our old classroom."
"221. You were my partner for a few experiments. We always used the B station. 221B. Funny how things can just line up so perfectly, isn't it?" Moriarty said.
"Yes." Sherlock cautiously.
"Professor Brough, do you remember him, Sherly-locks?" Moriarty grinned.
Sherlock dug his mind for the name. After a bit of looking, he found that he did remember.
"Yes, and don't call me that." Sherlock said. "Professor Brough was my Advanced Chemistry teacher. He's the one who gave me the idea to become a consulting dete-"
Sherlock paused, the memory falling over his mind.
"Oh." He mouthed silently.
"But he didn't actually mean it, did he? He was being sarcastic, it was a joke. But you took it seriously, and made it work." Moriarty said. "Professor Brough was your favorite teacher, but he despised you. Hated you for mixing his pure science with the uncertainties of the world. Well, you won't have him to worry about anymore. He still works here you know, still in the same classroom. It's been redone though. It looks quite nice actually. It's a shame that it won't be once I'm finished."
"When Professor Brough walks in, he'll turn on the light." Sherlock said. "There will be a brief period of time, then..."
"Bang." Moriarty supplied. "And he'll never even know what he's done. There will be too much damage and chaos, by the time they start investigating... I'll be long gone."
"And you'll have sent your message to the world." Sherlock breathed. "Brilliant."
"Oh, isn't it?" Moriarty smirked.
Then an alarm bell in his mind palace. Sherlock couldn't yet place it, but there was something that was setting those alarms off.
"Something's wrong." Sherlock said.
"Obviously." John muttered.
"No, not just this, something else." Sherlock said. "There's more to it... Something to do with the timer... give me a second."
Sherlock withdrew into his mind palace, and did a check on all his systems to find which alarm was going off.
Section 5.
The memory section.
Sherlock scrolled through the possible causes before he found it.
He opened his eyes.
"You did account for the fact that he always comes to his classes 15 minutes early?" Sherlock said, looking at Moriarty.
Moriarty was about to respond when he stopped, his mouth still slightly open.
"I never knew..." Moriarty stuttered, "I- I was always late..."
"Well it looks like your dramatics backfired on you." Sherlock said. "When does the class start?"
When Moriarty didn't answer John grabbed him and pinned him to the wall by the throat.
"Answer him. Now." He repeated, his voice threatening. "Or it won't matter for you anymore."
"It- *chokes a bit* It starts at 2:30." Moriarty said.
"Then it will be about 2:15 that he gets there..." John trailed off.
John released him, Moriarty gasping as he was able to breathe properly again.
They all stood there a moment, looking at each other.
"What time is it, John?" Sherlock said.
John looked down at his watch.
"2:10."
A/N: So a little bit shorter of a chapter than usual, but I hope you enjoyed it. Get ready for the climax! This is one story that will go out with a bang! But don't worry... There will be a sequel...
