How it was done (part 2)
"How is the pain?" a worried John Watson asked.
"The tubes are causing some discomfort. Otherwise, I feel fine," the detective tried to smile.
John turned round to face his friend. "What do you think, Mycroft will find in Sherrinford?"
Sherlock was looking at the ceiling, his right hand trying to comfort his sore side. "Hints."
"Hints?" The irritation on John's face could be seen.
"I am sure Eurus had help with this whole plan. She never could have done it alone," Sherlock explained.
"How can you be so sure of that? She is such a brilliant mind I am sure she planned it on her own."
The detective sighed. "I like when you are trying to make deductions, John."
The blogger looked at him. "Really?"
"Of course, I do. You are almost overseeing the obvious. I like that."
The smile on John's face faded. "Next time you are hurt I will let you bleed to death."
"Don't take it all too personally. It's difficult to get the right information. Even Mycroft hasn't figured it out yet."
"You want to tell me about your deductions?" the blogger asked curiously.
"The fact that she never left Sherrinford is the answer. I am sure she had Moriarty's help. Just think about it for a minute John. A bullet that is actually a magnet? How did she get it? There is no secret lab in Sherrinford and I doubt she would have had the opportunity to create such a bullet in her cell.
This tells me she had help, most likely from Moriarty."
The detective grabbed his laptop and dialled his brother's number.
Mycroft was sitting on his sister's bed, the flashlight still on, surrounded by the glowing letters. He wasn't able to do anything. He couldn't speak, couldn't move. Everything was a blur. For the first time since Culverton Smith, he understood how close Sherlock had been to death. The vibrating of his phone drew him back to reality and he answered it.
"Any news yet?" he could hear his younger brother's voice.
"Nothing that would require your attention Sherlock."
"Liar. I can see all those glowing letters in front of you," the detective replied.
Surprised, Mycroft stared at his phone. "How is that possible? My camera is offline."
A giggle on the other end of the line. "It's so easy to hack your phone Mycroft."
"Are you stalking me? I hope you did find something interesting on my phone then," the older Holmes grumbled.
"No. Didn't expect anything else."
"So why are you doing this?" Mycroft wanted to know.
"Just to make sure I am up to date when you're on a mission," the younger Holmes explained.
"Sherlock, I am always giving you the information you need. Sometimes I just need a little bit of time to come to terms. Not everything is as easy for me as it seems."
"Just tell me, what's written on that wall."
Mycroft started to film the room, so his brother was able to see it on his own.
"So, the bullet was a gift from Moriarty. That means we are looking for a doctor who is working here in Sherrinford. How many doctors are there?"
"Let me think a moment. As far as I remember correctly, twenty doctors were working here on a regular basis and seven more are working here from time to time," Mycroft said.
"Now that is something to start with. I need all files from the doctors working in Sherrinford. Whoever planted this thing in me will regret it for the rest of his life," Sherlock whispered in pain.
"In the meantime, get some rest Sherlock. The more you rest, the faster you are out of the hospital. You know that." Mycroft ended the call and walked back to the control room, where Benjamin was still waiting for him.
"Mr Holmes. So, you are finally back. Did you find what you were looking for?" the guard asked.
"Yes and no. Listen, how is it possible to get a list of the doctors working here?"
Benjamin looked at the taller man with an irritated look. "It's very complicated. Those files are locked in a security room. You can't enter on your own. You need a special permission."
"And where do I get this permission?" the older Holmes wanted to know.
"You have to talk to Amber Larsen. She is the chief of security here. As far as I can remember, she is able to give you access to those files," the guard replied.
Mycroft gave the guard a satisfied look. "Thank you, Benjamin. You really helped me here." He turned round, leaving the control room. The security base was on the fifth floor and when Mycroft finally entered the elevator, he let out a deep breath.
It was already afternoon and Sherlock's silence was worrying the blogger. "Is everything alright?" he asked nearly inaudibly.
"I'm thinking."
"About?"
"The final letter from Moriarty to my sister. Something's not right with it."
John gave him a questioning look.
The detective looked at him, "You want to know, what I think?"
"Of course, I do," the blogger nodded.
"This message was not from Moriarty."
"Wait, wait, wait. What?"
"You heard me."
"How can you be sure of that?" Watson asked stunned.
"Jim Moriarty was a consulting criminal, but he never was much of a romantic guy. Remember? He and Molly were together for a very short time but he broke up with her shortly after."
"You are saying Eurus and Moriarty weren't together all those years?" John was stunned.
"No. But I think the death of Moriarty came as a surprise. Even for my sister."
"Enlighten me, please." John Watson couldn't follow his friend. What was Sherlock talking about?
"I have the feeling that Eurus is still playing a game with us, John…"
Mycroft Holmes was walking through the corridors of the fifth floor, searching for the chief of security, Amber Larsen. A cold breeze was floating through his hair and his skin responded with goosebumps. Sherrinford could be compared with a modern labyrinth. The older Holmes was aimless. Door after door appeared, another corridor followed another and it seemed impossible to find the chief. Because of the size of Sherrinford, Mycroft wasn't aware of every detail of the building, so he grabbed his mobile and looked at the floor plans. While doing so he continued his journey through the fifth floor, not noticing the woman who was also staring at her tablet – unaware of her surroundings. The two collided with a big thud and looked at each other totally shocked.
"I am so sorry. I didn't expect anyone walking around here at this time," she excused her carelessness.
Mycroft, always polite and gentle replied, "I am the one to blame here. I was looking for the chief of security and got lost."
The woman smiled. "Well, you are a very lucky man then." She offered him her hand and Mycroft replied the gesture. "Amber Larsen. What can I do for you Mr Holmes?"
"How did you know my name?" he asked impressed.
"I am the chief of security. I always know, who comes and leaves this place." She smiled at him.
"As you might already know, I shot my sister, Eurus."
The woman still smiled. "Of course, I heard of the incident. Very sad this whole thing. She killed many people, before you decided it was time to end it."
"She also tortured my brother and was about to kill him," he tried to sound self-confident.
"Isn't your brother the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes?" she asked surprised.
Mycroft sighed. "Yes, that's him. Our sister sutured a magnet on his heart and I need to find out, who helped her. It must have been one of the doctors here, so I was hoping you can get me the files of every doctor who is working here and of course the videotapes of the last five days."
The woman looked at him with a sympathetic smile. "I understand that your brother means a lot to you, unfortunately I can't help you. Those files you would like to look at are top secret and only a few people are allowed to take a look at them."
"I am Mycroft Holmes and I'm working for the government. I am sure you can trust me."
"Believe me Mr Holmes, I really would like to help you, but I can't obey orders." She looked at him helplessly.
The older Holmes was biting his upper lip, when the words of his brother repeated in his mind: there is always a solution for every problem. Grabbing his phone, he dialled the number of the highest person he knew. After a short explanation about his problem, the phone was handed to Amber Larsen who took it, listening to the person on the other side. Her face grew white and when she handed the phone back, she wasn't smiling anymore.
"This way Mr Holmes."
They were passing seven other corridors, before finally the room which Mycroft was looking for appeared in front of them. Amber used her card to open the door. When they entered, the older Holmes was surprised to find only a few computers in the room.
"Where are the paper files?" he asked irritated.
"We don't use paper here Mr Holmes. Everything important is safe on hard drives. Every file is also saved twenty times on secret servers. I can send you everything, but it will take a day," she explained.
"This is a matter of national importance, so of course I will be waiting." The older Holmes checked his watch. "It's almost 9 PM now. I think it's better to return to my office, so I can prepare better."
"I will help you in any way possible Mr Holmes."
Mycroft looked at the woman and nodded before he left.
At 2 AM, Sherlock was still busy figuring out the whole situation. He was locked in his mind palace for three hours now and still nothing made sense to him. He was sure, that the magnet was indeed from Moriarty, but he doubted the letters on the wall were, too. Problem was there was no proof yet. He was organizing all of the things he already knew, but it didn't make any sense. Something was missing and he was getting impatient. "No, no, no. That's not what I am looking for," he said, while swiping through all the pictures and information in front of him.
John Watson awoke to the loud thinking of his friend. "Sherlock? What are you doing?"
The detective stopped, his hands still in the air. "I was thinking. Sorry, did I wake you?"
"I thought I was hearing you in my dreams," the blogger moaned.
Sherlock sighed, "There is something we are missing, John. Just a little detail, but I still don't get it."
"You are hurt, you are bored and you aren't allowed to move around either. No wonder you are frustrated," John replied.
"I am not frustrated, John. I am just sure we are missing a piece of the puzzle."
John pointed a finger at him, "Yes, frustrated. Already knew that."
"Stop making deductions, John. It doesn't suit you."
The blogger got quiet and decided to leave the detective alone.
"Where are you going?" Sherlock asked, as he saw the blogger putting on his morning dress.
"Out. I need some air."
The door closed behind the doctor and the detective was left alone.
While John was outside for some fresh air, Sherlock was continuing his journey through his mind palace. He couldn't name what was bothering him, but somewhere deep in his mind an alarm bell was ringing. The buzzing of his laptop drew him back to reality once more. It was Mycroft who had received the files from Sherrinford and was now sending them to his brother via e-mail. When the last part of the document was received, Sherlock typed a short 'thank you' and started to look through the files.
There were 37 files in total and Sherlock started with the doctors working full-time in Sherrinford.
He discovered that most of the doctors were very young and had just finished their time as an intern.
It was clear to the detective very fast that this kind of operation was something an intern would not be able to do. He needed to look for a doctor who had enough experience from years of training. One thing was for sure: Sherrinford had more doctors than Mycroft was told by the guard. There were twenty full-time doctors, yes. But seventeen more doctors were part of this team on a regular basis. Sherlock studied file after file, reading, looking, thinking. Nothing made sense so far.
At the same time, another brilliant mind was doing exact the same thing at a different place. Sitting in his office with bloodshot eyes was Mycroft Holmes, who was also desperately trying to solve the puzzle. Someone was responsible for this mess and he swore he would find the doctor, who did this.
It was already 6 AM and he hadn't slept a minute yet. The older Holmes knew, that this was a family matter and also a matter of national security. Still there was the possibility that Moriarty was still alive, so he couldn't risk being lazy. Yawning he grabbed file number thirty-four and when he opened the digital file, his heart stopped…
At 6 AM another figure was still reading files, searching for clues. When he clicked on the file with the number thirty-four and it opened, Sherlock's eyes widened. At the same moment his laptop got a call from his brother Mycroft, but when he was about to answer the call, the hospital door opened and it wasn't John Watson who entered…
"I thought you were having some days off," Sherlock said calm.
"Something told me it was too risky to stay away from you that long," the friendly voice replied.
"Better say someone…," the detective corrected.
No word was spoken. The only thing audible now was the breath of two men, facing each other in total silence.
"Never expected you being part of it," Sherlock finally spoke.
"Sometimes it's the obvious we are not seeing," the other person replied.
"Seems so. But I don't get it. Why saving my life, when I am supposed to die?"
Steven started to giggle.
"Why is my question amusing you?"
"You still didn't figure it out yet Sherlock, did you?"
Now the detective was all ears. "Figure out what?"
The doctor took a seat and positioned himself next to the detective's bed. "It's not what you think it is."
"So, what AM I thinking?" the detective asked still calm.
"One thing about this whole thing is true. I was supposed to kill you, but it never happened," Steven explained.
"Why? It doesn't make any sense to me. Who hired you?"
"I can't tell you."
Sherlock got angry now. The corner of his mouth slightly trembling. "You saved my life more than one time and at the same time you are trying to kill me. Tell me the sense in that."
The head surgeon sighed and bowed his head, "You were my last hope."
"You planted a magnet at my heart-muscle."
The pressure on Steven was getting unbearable and silently he screamed, "She forced me to do it! I had no other choice! Do you really think after what I have done for you, I really wanted to kill you?!"
Something in Strange's voice was getting Sherlock's attention.
Steven was still sitting on the plastic chair, his hands now covering his face.
"Who is threatening you and what has this person against you?" the younger Holmes tried once more.
"I can't. I really can't. If they find out, I will lose everything."
There it was. The manner of how Steven pronounced the word 'everything' told Sherlock what he needed to know.
"Now the puzzle solves itself," the detective whispered fascinated.
"I never wanted to do this. Please believe me," Strange cried - his body broken like the house of a snail.
"I am asking you again, who blackmailed you?"
"I can't tell you. I really can't."
The detective wasn't giving up, "Answers, now! Or I call my brother and make sure he makes you talk."
"You know, I knew exactly what would happen if I used those scissors. This was the first time I was sending you a hidden message."
"What did my brother and I miss?" the younger Holmes asked confused.
"Medical instruments aren't magnetic…"
Sherlock stared at the head surgeon with a surprised look.
Steven just nodded and looked at him directly. "I used magnetic scissors, which were ordered by me from a company in Poland. It was a special manufacture just for me to save you."
"I nearly bled to death."
"Believe me, If the other case would have happened, there wouldn't have been anything to save. This was the better choice. I knew it was risky but there was hope you would survive."
"Tell me about your pressure point. What is it, you are hiding from me? Money? A sports car?" Sherlock tried once more.
"If I am not playing by the rules, they are going to kill my daughter."
"You… are a father?" the detective repeated surprised.
"You and your brother never checked on me, did you?" Strange asked fascinated.
"Of course not. You saved my life more than once, so why should we have bothered?"
"My wife and I have a daughter. Her name is Hailey and she is all that is left from a time when we were happy. I was working in Sherrinford from time to time, taking care of the heartsick patients. It was just a normal job to earn some extra money for Hailey's future. Well, turned out Sherrinford was more than just a prison."
"Be more specific, please," the detective pleaded.
Strange looked at his patient with an empty gaze. "One day I was called to a female patient with possible cardiac arrest. I was the doctor on call, so I had to take care of the situation. When I arrived at her cell, she forced me into a corner and made it clear that I have to cooperate, otherwise my daughter would die."
"What did she exactly tell you?" Sherlock was getting curious. The puzzle was starting to make more and more sense now.
Dr Steven Strange took a deep breath and started his story, "When she pushed me to the wall, she told me that her friend out there has a lot of trained snipers and they were already observing Hailey. If I refuse to cooperate, they will execute my daughter. She showed me the magnet and asked me about the best way to make sure this thing stays as long in your body as possible. I explained to her how I would do it and all she replied was 'I was told so.' She knew that I was the doctor who saved your life a few times, so she was aware of the fact that I knew your whole medical history. She needed my knowledge. I was forced to make a vow that I would make sure the magnet was placed as soon as there will be an opportunity. After I had completed my part, she warned me to not save you afterwards. If I save you, she will make sure my daughter is killed by her boyfriend's men." The poor doctor started to cry silently.
"I will make the deduction, the two were called Eurus and Moriarty?"
"Exactly. Those are the names."
"But you never met Moriarty in person?" Sherlock questioned further.
"No."
"So maybe this was just talking?" the detective thought.
"They broke into my house, making it clear they exist." Steven said.
"How so?"
Strange rubbed his beard. "We had a dog. Oscar. I found him with a bullet in his head in our garden."
"One more question just to make sure I am getting everything right this time. You now saved my life, but your daughter is still alive?"
"Eurus knew, there were two ways for this magnet to destroy your body. She never expected the first one to happen. When she accidentally broke your rib and it punctured your lung, it was kind of an unforeseen situation. This was never planned to happen, but it did. Thank God. I was treating you the way any other doctor would do. So, there was nothing to punish me for."
"So, when you discovered my punctured lung, you changed the scissors and waited for me. Well, two things are still making no sense. How did you keep the scissors order from Eurus? And why was no one from your team stunned about the magnetic scissors?"
Steven's face seemed paralyzed, "A friend of mine ordered it. Simple, isn't it? As for your second question, I made sure to have a team of young, unemployed interns by my side. They were so shocked by the massive wave of blood which was coming out of your body, that no one remembered the scissors. The only trained doctor was the one, trying to stop the bleeding. He was called after the accident happened and therefore never saw the instrument. You get it now?"
"I do. Very clever Steven. I underestimated you."
At the same moment Sherlock had finished, the door burst open and Mycroft, followed by John Watson and Lestrade, entered the room. "I suppose this conversation is over," Mycroft informed while the inspector of Scotland Yard put the handcuffs on the doctor's wrists.
"Please, don't do this. What am I going to tell my daughter?"
The older Holmes stayed motionless. "What about the truth? Attempting murder on a detective. I am sure she understands, why her Daddy isn't coming home for the next few days or maybe weeks?" The all-familiar grin appeared on Mycroft's face.
"Please. I swear I had no other choice," the head surgeon pleaded, tears streaming down his face now.
Sherlock felt sorry for the head surgeon but stayed quiet. At the moment Steven's only option to survive was in a prison cell with a 24/7 observation. Mycroft had used Morse code in his eyes to communicate with his brother and both had agreed it was best for the doctor to stay in prison until the case was solved and Hailey safe.
Lestrade also knew what the older Holmes had planned and agreed to help. The only one who didn't know yet was John Watson, who was staring irritated at his best friend.
"Never! Never, Sherlock. Not him. You must be kidding!"
The detective sighed, "I was surprised, too."
"How long did you know?!" the blogger asked angry
"Between you leaving the room and entering it again," the detective answered honestly.
"Sherlock, I am NOT in the mood for jokes right now! I just saw a very talented doctor taken away in handcuffs. So, what is going on?" John's voice was getting louder.
The detective took a deep breath and flinched, as another wave of pain shot through his side. "First of all, sit down please. I will tell you the whole story but you need to calm down."
John tried to lower his temper. "Now tell me about Steven. He would never kill a person. He's a doctor."
The detective agreed with the blogger, "You are right. He wouldn't."
"So, why Sherlock, why? I don't understand it."
"Because he blackmailed by Eurus."
The blogger looked surprised, "Blackmailed? The man has lost his wife, so what else is there to stress him?"
The detective stared at the ceiling and sighed, "His daughter, John. Steven has a daughter."