Author's note: Disclaimer. I try to research as much as I can for stories, but this chapter includes talk about an autopsy. Honestly, I really can't say exactly how detailed an autopsy is, and whether a pathologist can do any hypothesising, so forgive me if you are knowledgeable about this, and suspend your disbelief in allowing me to use my creative license to assume that Molly would make her own deductions.

Wednesday, 14th August 2019

Sherlock kissed Victoria goodbye, then left his mother-in-law's place to head to New Scotland Yard. John had texted him earlier to say he couldn't make it because Kayla wasn't feeling well, and he needed to stay home to take care of her and the kids. Sherlock was a little disappointed, but that was life when you had family priorities. He would have done the same for Molly.

When Sherlock was situated in Lestrade's office, he asked, "So, what makes you think this might be a case of murder, rather than an accidental fall down the stairs?"

Greg pursed his lips. "I don't know, really. Instinct, I guess. Something about the husband seemed kind of...off. I wanted you to weigh in on it, see if you can find anything we missed at the crime scene."

"You have the autopsy report?" Sherlock questioned.

"Right here." He handed the report to Sherlock and said, "Husband said his wife would often get up in the middle of the night to go downstairs to get a drink of water. He says he heard a noise in the middle of the night and got up to discover his wife's body at the foot of the stairs."

Sherlock scanned the page. "Broken neck, multiple contusions consistent with a fall," he murmured. "I'd like to see the body for myself before I do anything else."

"Need a ride to the hospital?"

Sherlock shuddered slightly. He would never enjoy riding in a police car. The last time he'd done so was with John for the ride back to London from Musgrave Hall. "No thanks. I drove here." At least he'd be able to see Molly.

"Alright. Once you're done there, let me know and I'll give you the address where this accident or homicide occurred, and I'll meet you there."

Sherlock nodded and sent Molly a text to let her know he needed to view the body.

Upon arrival at the hospital, he proceeded directly to the mortuary, finding Molly already there, standing by a body bag.

"Hello, love." He strode over to her and gave her a quick kiss before saying, "Now, let's see what we have here."

Molly handed him a pair of gloves, unzipped the bag to expose the woman's head and naked torso.

He looked over her body clinically, mentally calculating her measurements, but completely unaffected by the sight of her well endowed chest area. There were many bruises on her body, of various sizes.

Molly's voice came from beside him. "These bruises. It's obvious that some are more recent than others. Look at the pattern of discolouration."

Sherlock couldn't help smiling a little as he looked at his wife. He had been thinking the same thing. "If you had done the postmortem, you would have made a point of mentioning that."

"Of course. Some of these fading bruises are consistent with those seen in domestic abuse cases. I would certainly have made a note of that."

"It definitely casts a shadow upon the character of the woman's husband. He reported that she fell down the stairs. If he has a history of violence towards her, it may indicate either they had an argument which led to her fall, or he pushed her."

"I don't see much bruising on her face," pointed out Molly.

"That's true." Sherlock placed his gloved hand gently beneath the woman's head and lifted it. He could see an ellipse-shaped impact blow mark on the occipital area of her head. "This kind of blow indicates she fell backwards, not forwards," he remarked.

"I would have hypothesised that, if I'd been the one doing the postmortem."

"That's why you're the best, sweetheart. You don't just state the facts, but present your theories as well." He couldn't keep the note of pride from his voice. "I think I've seen enough."

"Okay." Molly re-zipped the bag. "Want to go get lunch together?"

The offer was tempting. "I had better not. I need to speak to Greg, and I want to get my part of the investigation wrapped up today, especially as we have rehearsal tonight."

Molly looked disappointed, but said, "Alright then, I'll see you at home."

He threw away his gloves and returned to Molly, pulling her into him for a lingering kiss, then left the mortuary.

He had just reached the car when his phone rang.

He answered as he slid into the driver's seat. "Greg, I was just about to call you. I'm finished at the hospital. That woman did not just fall down the stairs in the middle of the night. I believe her husband pushed her or she fell as a result of an argument."

"I'm not surprised," said Greg. He seemed a little distracted. "Look, I was calling to let you know I have to leave work early. Lori's not doing well, and she needs me."

Sherlock's brows drew together. "Not issues with the baby, I hope?"

"No, no, nothing like that. She's just, er, a bit down lately." Sherlock felt a little puzzled at his friend's reticence to explain further, but he waited patiently for Greg to continue. "Anyway, I won't be able to meet you at the crime scene. I can find another officer, though."

Sherlock thought for a moment. "I don't think it's necessary for now. My suggestion would be to have someone look into the husband's background, now that there is probable cause that he committed the crime. I discovered bruising on the body that goes beyond that which occurred as a result of the fall. I believe he was an abusive husband. You might also want to check if there is a recent life insurance policy for the wife, which would give him a motive for murder."

"I'll make sure someone is looking into that before I head home. Thanks Sherlock."

"Glad to be of assistance." Sherlock paused, thinking about the rehearsal in the evening and Lori's offer to watch Victoria. "Will I see you at rehearsal? If Lori isn't up to watching Victoria this evening, I can just ask my mother-in-law if she can keep her for the rest of the day."

"I think I'll be able to get Lori back on track. I know she won't want to miss an opportunity to babysit."

"Okay, I'll see you tonight."

Sherlock ended the call, thinking with some regret he could have gone to lunch with Molly, after all. Oh well.

Instead, he drove to his mother-in-law's to pick up Victoria.

Ruth Hooper insisted on giving him lunch and sent him off with leftovers from the night before. "I should have given you the leftovers yesterday," she told him. "There's far too much for me to eat, unless I want roast beef coming out my ears."

Sherlock laughed. "Well, I won't say no. With rehearsal tonight, it's always a bit of a rush to make dinner beforehand, so heating things up in the microwave is more convenient."

"Rehearsals going well?" she asked, walking with him to the car with the leftovers, while he carried Victoria and the changing bag.

"Very well, actually. Everyone has learned their lines, and Molly only has to prompt once in a while."

At home again, while Victoria took a nap, Sherlock sent a text to John, asking how Kayla was doing. Fortunately, she was feeling better, and John assured him he would be at rehearsal.

When Molly arrived home from work, Sherlock was already feeding Victoria her dinner.

"How did the investigation go?" asked Molly, dropping her handbag onto the dining table and greeting Victoria and himself with a kiss.

"I didn't actually end up going to the site of the accident or murder, as the case may be. Greg told me he had to leave work to look after Lori, so he wasn't available to meet me there."

Molly gave him a worried look. "Is Lori okay? It isn't a problem with the baby, is it?"

"That was my concern also. He said the baby is fine. Apparently, she has been feeling down lately." Molly opened her mouth to speak, but he beat her to it. "He also assured me he and Lori would be at rehearsal."

Molly pursed her lips. "I wonder what's going on? Perhaps I'll have a chat with Lori when I take Victoria to the nursery. Maybe I can help her if she is having concerns about her pregnancy."

"I think that's a good idea. I'm sure I can find someone else to hold the script and prompt someone if they forget their lines. Allison is always there with Archie. I'll bet she would do it, so you could take as long as you need."

"Sounds good. Guess I should throw something in the oven for dinner. We don't have a lot of time before we have to leave. I want to be early to set out the biscuits."

"No need to worry about making dinner." Sherlock gestured over to two plates on the kitchen island, ready to go into the microwave. "When I picked up Victoria, your mother insisted I bring home leftovers from last night's dinner, so I've put them on plates already. I was just waiting for you to come home before microwaving them."

Molly beamed. "She's the best, isn't she?"

He grinned back at her. "No complaints here."

After dinner, Sherlock sidled up to Molly and watched her taking the ginger nut biscuits and shortbread from the containers in which she had put them, onto a large serving platter to take to church for play rehearsal refreshments. "Don't take all of them," he said.

"Alright, I'll leave some shortbread home for you."

He heard the teasing note in her voice and smacked her bum lightly. "You know I meant the ginger nuts."

"If you are going to make a silly comment, when you know perfectly well I'm leaving plenty of ginger nuts here, then I will give you a silly response."

He snatched a biscuit from the container before she could close it and bit into it. At her glare, he mumbled, through his full mouth, "Just checking to make sure they still taste fresh."

Molly shook her head in exasperation. "Just get Victoria out of her high chair so we can get going."

"Yes, ma'am," he said, doing just that.

As they drove to church, Sherlock reached over to take Molly's hand with his free one. Having an automatic car was so convenient. "How did Kaitlyn react to the news that we are having a girl?"

"Oh, she was very happy. She had bet it was a girl, along with five others, so she doubled her five quid."

Sherlock rolled his eyes. He still found it amusing that there had been a pool for their baby's gender.

Sherlock and Molly were the first ones to arrive at the church hall for the practice, and Molly put the biscuits on the side table, while Sherlock held Victoria.

People begin to arrive for the rehearsal. It was going to be a busy one, because the whole cast was to be together for the first time.

Molly placed a hand on his arm. "Sherlock, when Lori arrives, I want to see if she feels like sharing what is going on. If she does, I'll stay in the nursery with her to talk." She reached into her handbag and pulled out the script she always used to follow the action of the play, holding it out to him. "Just in case you need to get help. I'll take Victoria."

They made the exchange, Molly kissed his cheek, and he watched her go to the entrance of the hall to await their friends who had not yet arrived.

Sherlock saw John come in and approach him. "So, did you solve the case?" he asked when he reached Sherlock.

"Let's just say I discovered evidence that it may have been a homicide. I'll let the detectives at the Yard look for evidence I suggested that might incriminate the husband."

"That's great." Sherlock saw John's eyes drift past him towards the door. "Here comes Greg."

Sherlock turned his head and glanced towards the door to see that Greg and Lori had indeed arrived. Greg walked towards Sherlock. He noted that Molly and Lori were heading out of the hall together to go to the nursery in the main church building. He hoped Molly and Lori would be able to talk about any issues Lori might be having.

"Is Lori doing better?" asked Sherlock, when Greg reached him.

John, obviously misunderstanding, said, "Sick wife as well, eh? Hope she doesn't have the same stomach bug Kayla had this morning. At least it only lasted a few hours."

"Er, no, just pregnancy stuff," said Greg cautiously, flicking a glance at Sherlock.

John patted him on the back. "Been there, done that, mate. Those hormones can really get a woman out of balance.'

Greg looked uncomfortable. "Er, yes." Sherlock had the distinct feeling there was more to it than mere hormones, but he merely said, "Well, are you ready to be Peter?"

Greg seemed grateful for the change in subject. "I reckon so."

The men walked off, chatting, and Sherlock looked again towards the door to see if there were still people coming in.

At that moment, Mark arrived, and he went to greet his nephew. "You're doing a great job, Mark. Sorry I haven't had much opportunity to talk to you. There's always so much to do."

"No problem, Uncle Sherlock," said Mark with an easy smile. "It's good practice for public speaking. I'm enjoying it."

Sherlock hoped his nephew would think about the words he was narrating, but he restrained himself from saying so. At least Mark was getting some biblical education.

People continued to arrive over the next few minutes, and Sherlock checked his watch, noting it was time for rehearsal to begin. Molly usually called for the rehearsal to begin when she was there, but she had obviously been successful in getting her friend to talk, or she would have returned by now.

He called a start to the rehearsal himself and was listening to Mark narrate the beginning when he remembered the script still in his hand.

Sherlock quickly walked over to Allison, who was sitting in her usual chair, observing, with Archie by her side, patiently waiting for his first entrance, which would be as part of the crowd gathered around Jesus.

"May I have your assistance, Allison?"

She gave him a surprised look. "Of course. What do you need?"

He raised the script so she could see it. "Molly cannot act as prompt this evening for the play. Would you take charge of the script and follow it to prompt anyone who might forget their lines?"

"No problem at all."

"Thank you."

She took the script and moved her chair a little closer to the "stage" area.

The initial scene with Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus concluded, and Sherlock took his position for the baptism scene with John.

Rehearsal proceeded quite well. In Molly's absence, Sherlock instructed the new actors on their positions for the crowd scene.

Molly had done a tremendous job, he thought, in determining what passages of the Bible could be paraphrased into the narration, and what was actually said by Jesus. One of the parables that Molly had kept in its entirety was The Parable of the Sower, and this was Sherlock's personal favourite. He enjoyed re-telling it to the assembled group of people playing disciples and followers of Jesus.

This scene contained Sherlock's longest monologues.

In preparation for the scene, Mark said, "During Jesus' ministry, he often spoke to the crowd by using parables to teach them important lessons."

That was Sherlock's cue to begin speaking. "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop — a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear."

At this point, Greg, whom Molly had assigned for the line, stood and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in pabarels?"

Sherlock hid a smile as John, who was seated on the floor next to Greg, hissed, "Parables."

Greg looked embarrassed. "Right, sorry. Not a word I'm used to. I keep getting it wrong."

Sherlock smiled encouragingly. "That's what rehearsals are for."

The interruption, however, served to distract Sherlock from his next line. He paused for a few moments, trying to recall it, but Allison, taking her role as prompt seriously, said, "Because the knowledge..."

Sherlock gave her a nod and addressed Peter/Greg. "Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables."

At this point, Sherlock continued, now looking at the people seated in front of him, "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

The people sitting on the floor, including Greg, who had resumed his own seated position, nodded, to show they understood. Sherlock was glad that Molly had been thorough in her script directions, so that everyone knew what they were supposed to do. Several of these people were holding scripts, seeing as it was the first rehearsal.

Molly had deemed the next parable to be worthy of being quoted as well, using the direct text from the NIV, just as the previous parable was a direct quote. Sherlock was grateful that he had always excelled at learning monologues during his time at Eton.

Again, he spoke the words of Jesus.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'

'''An enemy did this,' he replied.

"The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

"'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"

Although the explanation for the parable was done later in the presence of just the disciples, as recorded in Matthew, Molly had decided to make things easier by having the explanation made immediately afterwards.

This time it was John who had been assigned the task of asking for an explanation, and he stood. "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

Again, Sherlock's eyes swept the group of people, his eyes resting briefly on Philip Anderson, who was scratching his chin, looking a little bored. Sherlock really hoped the man would pay attention to the words he was saying.

"The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

Sherlock levelled his gaze at Philip again to say the final line. "Whoever has ears, let them hear."

Philip gave a little start, as if realising Sherlock knew he had not really been paying attention.

They continued on to the feeding of the five thousand scene.

Sherlock saw the proud smile on Allison's face as Archie did his part as the young boy with the loaves and fish perfectly once again.

The walking on water scene followed, and then it was time for a break.

Sherlock took the opportunity to take a couple ginger nuts for himself, then he collected some shortbread to take to the nursery. He reasoned that shortbread would also be easier for Molly to give Victoria as a snack, being softer in texture.

He entered the nursery to find Molly and Lori engaged in serious conversation as Victoria was doing an alphabet block puzzle that was kept in the nursery. Only three letters remained outside the puzzle.

"Sorry to interrupt," he said, holding up the serviette with three pieces of shortbread. "Thought I'd see if you ladies would like a snack, and Victoria too."

Victoria looked up, eyes alight. "Snack" was a word she recognised.

"Thank you," chorused Molly and Lori, as they took a piece each, after which Sherlock walked over to Victoria and handed her the shortbread, piece by piece.

As he did so, Molly asked, "How's the rehearsal going?"

He glanced back to where she sat in the nursery's rocking chair. "Really well. I thought it might be difficult, adding the extra people, but they have all obviously read your script instructions and are doing what they are supposed to."

"Molly," said Lori, "why don't you go back to the rehearsal with Sherlock now? I feel a lot better. It was really good to talk with a friend."

"More," said Victoria, reaching her hand toward the biscuit in Sherlock's hand.

Sherlock broke off another piece of shortbread for her as he heard Molly ask, "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. I think I'm going to take your advice and talk to my midwife about alternative medication to take during pregnancy."

Sherlock looked up from feeding Victoria. He wondered what that was all about, but he knew Molly would tell him if she felt free to do so later.

Surprisingly, Lori, noticing Sherlock's slightly curious expression, added, "Molly can tell you what we talked about. It's not a secret, really, just something I don't share with too many people."

Sherlock nodded and focussed his attention on feeding Victoria the rest of her shortbread. By the time he was finished, it was time to return to rehearsal.

He gave Victoria a quick kiss, as did Molly. "Be good for Auntie Lori," he said, then took Molly's hand, and they returned to the hall.

The rest of the rehearsal proceeded smoothly. It was good that Molly had returned, so she was able to also practise her part as Mary of Bethany. They did not make it to the crucifixion scene, though. That would have to wait until Sunday.

Sherlock and Molly collected Victoria from the nursery, where Lori told them regretfully that she would be unable to watch Victoria during rehearsal on Sunday, seeing as she would be busy preparing dinner for their visit.

"That's no problem," said Molly. I'll see if my mum can watch her after church, and we can pick her up on the way to your place. Mum's pretty flexible. If that doesn't work out, I'll just keep her with me. Not a big deal."

Later, after Victoria had been put to bed, and they had done their Bible reading for the evening, Molly shared her conversation with Lori as they got ready for bed themselves.

"I'm glad we had the chance to talk about it. It really gave me a new insight about people who suffer from depression. I suppose I always assumed that if you were a Christian, you wouldn't have those kinds of issues, because you know Jesus is with you. But now I understand that isn't the way it is. Having faith doesn't make you immune to those types of feelings." She lifted the duvet and climbed beneath.

Sherlock slipped into bed beside her and folded her into his arms. "I have not thought about that either. It's a good lesson to learn, that we all have different burdens to carry, even as believers, and they can be lifelong issues. Some people deal with emotional or mental problems, others deal with physical disabilities. We are just like anyone else, except that as Christians we have the assurance that all our pain and ailments will go away when we get to heaven."

She kissed his shoulder. "For someone who has only been a Christian for a little over two years, you've certainly come a long way in your walk with Jesus."

His hand caressed her shoulder. "I think it helps that we read the Bible together and attend church. I'm still learning, but I agree I've come a long way, because it's important to me. At the same time, God knew what He was doing when He brought us together. Without your influence, I wouldn't be the man I am today. I am profoundly grateful for that, and you."

"And I'm grateful for you too, Sherlock. I love you."

"As I love you, sweetheart."

And then there were no more words between them, as they displayed their devotion with tender caresses and the perfect harmony of two people who God created for one another.

Author's note: what did you think of Sherlock and Molly's deductions? I researched an actual case of falling downstairs and the contusions it produced. So the technical terms are accurate.

The Parable of the Sower is one of my favourites, and I felt it was an important inclusion into the story. Hope you liked it!

Before I publish the next chapter of this story, I will be taking a side-step to publish a one-shot that reveals what Lori and Molly talked about. That will be the third in my Molly the Listener series.

As always, any kindness you can send my way in the form of a review, or by following and favouriting, is much appreciated.