Author's notes: Thanks to my reviewers, Silvarius, Iara, and Mary Christmas!

The next morning Lestrade went up to Jessica's apartment early, to see if Fenwick had returned. She knocked once and Jessica opened the door immediately, pointing to her window. Beth cautiously peeked and sure enough, he was there. Why is Moriarty doing this to her? she thought. What neither of them knew was that Fenwick was reporting to Moriarty directly as they spoke.

"Master, zee yardie has returned to the girl's apartment. How do you wish me to handle her?" he said, over a comm-link.

"Leave them alone for the moment. The proper time to strike will arrive eventually. Follow them when they leave." The professor replied coldly and calmly. Meanwhile in the apartment, Jessica nervously waited on the couch. She was practically dancing in anticipation.

"Is he still there Beth?" she asked. Her friend merely nodded before bolting for the door. Jess jumped up and ran after her, but stopped at the door and went back inside to wait. She didn't have to wait long. Through the window she could see Lestrade was repeatedly kicking the oak. She gasped as a figure dropped heavily into the bushes below, shook its fist and shouted something and then ran off. Lestrade made a show of dusting herself off before coming back inside, utterly calm and composed.

"Come on, let's go. We'll get some coffee on the way to the Yard, my treat." she offered, holstering her ionizer.

"Okay." And on that note, the pair left the apartment. While in her cruiser, Lestrade contacted Holmes at Baker Street, informing him of Fenwick's continued presence.

Holmes asked for the addresses of the girl's two other friends and Jessica freely gave him the information, though she was unsure of any connection. First on his list was Melissa. He learned from Lestrade that she was the youngest of the three friends. Apparently Jessica treated her like a little sister, which was how she treated both of her friends (much to Sigerson's chagrin, Beth had added). He decided to take Watson along for the interviews. His experience with women did span three continents, after all. Not to mention the moon.

"I can't believe someone's intentionally frightening the girl, Holmes." he said quite simply, navigating a corner in the hovercoach.

"Nor I." Holmes replied cryptically. Hurry Watson, we need more details and I believe they lie with these two."

Their first visit was to Melissa, who was surprised and relieved that someone was finally helping her friend. They learned that Jessica was originally from the United States and had moved to New London as a toddler. Lestrade had been on her transport, and they had met then. The news seemed to surprise him very little.

Sigerson was next on the list. Holmes was rather amused at her name, as he had used it as an alias long ago. He was even more amused when she filled Norwegian explorer' into the occupation field on the statement forms. Smirking, she erased it just enough so it was slightly visible and put down her true occupation instead.

She was unfortunately unable to tell them any more than they already knew: her friend had been nervous of late, and had taken up the habit of continually looking over her shoulder when the three were together.

###

Lestrade and Jessica had arrived at the Yard a while before Holmes was even out of bed. At the moment, Beth busily typed up her statement with the information she got last night and with the new details Jess was giving now.

"You overheard us last night didn't you?" she asked, changing the topic abruptly. Lestrade stopped typing and turned to face her.

"What?"

"When I was talking to that man who came with you last night. You heard what I told him. I was scared out of my wits, you know."

"Yes, I know and yes, I heard. He felt it was necessary to find out what was troubling you despite your trouble around strangers."

"Thanks, Beth." Lestrade wasn't sure what she was referring to: for taking up the case, for buying the coffee, for answering the question... She couldn't be sure. She smiled back at her now-beaming friend.

"Anytime, squirt. Anytime."