Back at Baker Street again

"Does that mean they have an idea where or who the men are?" John now asked excitedly.

"Of course. Mycroft doesn't know yet that they are part of the Brazilian Mafia and are only here in England for a good reason."

"Yes, and where are they and where is the girl?" asked John, even more excited than before.

"To do that, I would first have to see the scene of the crime where she was abducted or have all the information about the case," Sherlock replied before continuing on: "And now make yourself a cup of tea. You are terribly nervous!"

John then disappeared into the kitchen, snorting.

Sherlock knew that it would be difficult to get the information he needed, but not impossible. He knew who might be able to help him in this. He had never had to ask for help from anyone before, but this required the support of Scotland Yard. He picked up his mobile phone and dialled DI Lestrade's number when suddenly the doorbell rang. He didn't bother, Mrs Hudson would open the door. Then suddenly, there was a knock. Sherlock, who was still waiting for Lestrade to answer, opened the door in his mind's eye when he suddenly stopped.

In front of him stood a little girl and looked at him questioningly.

"A child, what does a child want with me? John," he cried, the mobile phone still on his ear, "there is a child standing in front of the...! But before he could finish his sentence, he froze.

"Hello Mr Holmes!"

All of a sudden, on the penultimate step of the stairs, he saw a familiar face.

"Ms Wilson, what and how...?" Was it possible the great detective was speechless?

John who was now also coming out of the kitchen and mumbling to himself:

"Sherlock, what do you mean a child is here?" Running towards the door, he stopped abruptly when he saw the face of the young woman who came into her flat last night and from whom he thought she was already dead.

"Katie", he was visibly excited and met her to enter.

Sherlock, who could not reach Lestrade, hung up again and stared at the woman who was now standing outside his flat. Katie thanked him and then pushed herself slightly past Sherlock, who was still standing there speechless. Their eyes met briefly and she had never been so close to him before. If he's really as good as he claims he is, he would definitely be able to hear her heartbeat now.

Sherlock glanced into the now empty hallway for a brief moment before reflecting and closing the door.

"Would you like something to drink? I've just put on some tea," John asked the two women in the room.

"I'd love to, and my name is Ava by the way," the little girl replied.

Katie began to tell them what had happened and where she had found her.

Ava? Where have I heard that name before?, Sherlock now asked himself. He watched the little girl a little longer. She had long brown hair, a blue headband and was wearing a school uniform from an elite institution. She looked exhausted, quite pale and her inner surfaces under her hands showed marks of welts. Then she remembered her conversation with Mycroft.

"Are you Amanda Bloom's daughter?" he asked afterwards.

The little girl looked up and visibly her face lit up.

"This is my mummy. Is she all right?" she asked, slightly worried.

"Yes, she is fine. She's just very worried about you."

Katie, who had just been interrupted by Sherlock in her narrative, flashed at him briefly and continued angrily in Sherlock's direction:

"May I continue, Mr Holmes?"

Sherlock, slightly irritated by her reaction, signalled with a slight hand movement that she should continue.

What is it with this woman? Why does she keep snarling at me? he thought, but for some reason was pleased to see Katie back safe and sound.

By the time Katie finished her story, Ava was already asleep. It wasn't until the afternoon, but I guess it was all a bit too much for her. John, who saw the look on Katie's face, only replied that she would take her to his bed so she could rest.

Now only Katie and Sherlock were left. Neither of them said anything. The silence was almost unbearable, so Katie began to break the silence.

"So", she began.

The detective did the same to her: "So?"

"I see that they got my letter" and pointed to the envelope peeking out of his coat pocket.

"Yes" was the only thing he said.

"Well", Katie didn't really know what to say, let alone how to begin.

But before she could even say anything, the tall dark-haired man cut her off.

"Save your explanations. I don't want to know your reasons. They didn't keep their promise. And I see that they still haven't been able to find their brother. If you had waited, you could probably be holding him in your arms right now. But this way, well, he'll probably be dead by now," he explained in a cool tone, without taking his eyes off her.

Katie just sat on the couch, stunned. Was Sherlock Holmes, the highly functional sociopath, as he called himself, hurt? His look seemed almost disappointed, somehow sad. But wait, what had he said?

After Katie had finally regained her composure, she went on:

"She... She...", she stammered "you arrogant and smug ass! How can you say something like that. Yes, I want to save my brother. Yes, maybe I should have accepted her help but I have a plan to find my brother again and I don't need you or her brother to do it! Besides, I did it because I didn't want anything to happen to you and John!

Her eyes were glittering with anger but also because tears were slowly forming.

Sherlock was about to say something back as she continued:

"Stop it! You know what, you're right. You are a highly functional sociopath and I regret that you have come into my life!

She packed her things in a rage, threw a short note at his feet with the address of the men's hiding place on it and was just about to leave when John stepped back in the door.

"What's going on here?", he asked in horror.

At the same time she and Sherlock declared, "I/ Ms Wilson was just leaving."

Katie looked angrily once more in the direction where Sherlock was standing now. He must have jumped out of his chair when she left.

Then she turned to John once more:

"Would you please see that Ava gets home and give her my love. The note has the kidnappers' address on it. Thank you for everything and I'm glad I got to meet her! I wish you all the best!"

Then she gave him a short hug and finally stepped out the door.

John, visibly confused by what was going on, looked at Sherlock:

"Was that just like goodbye?"

Sherlock was also startled by what she said, just shrugged her shoulders.

"What happened here?" he asked afterwards.

"Not now, John," he replied, before grabbing his coat and scarf and disappearing outside as well.

All that remained was a rather confused Dr John Watson.