I awoke the next morning a bit confused about my whereabouts. The last thing I remembered was reviewing some reports. I rubbed my eyes, trying to make sense of my surroundings, finally realizing that I had fallen asleep on the couch. And then I remembered. Holmes.
I quickly got up and walked to the study. He wasn't there- or anywhere in the apartment- but a note was taped to the computer screen, written in a steady, precise hand. Dr. Watson:
I did not want to disturb you, as you were asleep.
Thank you for letting me access the database under your login. I have found what
I was looking for. This case should be wrapped up shortly. However, I do have one
last favor to ask of you.
No doubt you have noticed how the victims bear great physical resemblance to you.
Does the name "Austin Reingold" mean anything to you?
I will stop by your office later this afternoon to see the toxicology reports.
J. Holmes Victims? Austin Reingold? No, it couldn't be. There was no way… was there? My head began to spin.
Compose yourself!
I glanced at my watch. It was already 7:30, and if I didn't hurry, I would be late for work; I didn't need Anderson haranguing me this morning and adding to my headache.
Autopsies are painstakingly slow- there's no such thing as a careless medical examiner (at least, not one who wants to keep his job). Every little thing detail has to be taken into account and documented. Yet this morning was rather bizarre; the autopsy seemed only a verification of every single one of Holmes' theories the previous night. However, I had discovered something that previously escaped both our inspections last night, and I couldn't wait to show him.
Holmes showed up around three with a file under his arm. It didn't look like he got any sleep, but he was still as energetic as ever. "So, Dr. Watson, what have you got? Is it poison?"
I handed him the toxicology report. "Yes. They did find a lethal quantity of Dalamane, which is a sedative only available in hospitals, in her bloodstream," I summarized.
"Anything else?" He thumbed through the report.
"She didn't ingest anything. I found a puncture mark on her back under the right shoulder blade. The mark corresponds to an injection- and given the placement of it, there was no way she could have injected herself."
"Yes, I'd expected you to find it sooner or later. Now, about Austin Reingold?" Holmes' face was eager.
I gulped. "What about him?"
Holmes eyed my reaction carefully. "You know him." It was a statement more than a question.
I nodded.
He placed the file he had brought with him on my desk in front of me. "Open it, Dr. Watson."
AN: Hmmm... should I move this storyline along faster? What do you think? Let me know!