The Investigation of Missing Margaret Holmes

by marval3

Margaret Holmes simply wanted to visit her brothers, who were both too preoccupied with work to pay her any mind. After an unfortunate turn of events Margaret is taken by a serial killer Sherlock and John were already investigating. Time is running out for the middle Holmes sibling, and doubt begins to flourish if the only way she'll be found is as another victim.

13. Chapter 13

sᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ 10:56 ᴀᴍ

John awoke to an empty flat. The first thing he did was call Sherlock, and frustration blossomed when he heard the ringing echo in the room. He pocketed the man's phone, clicking it on and saw missed texts and a call from Mycroft. Then he slipped on his coat, and headed outside.

He wandered the streets, checking pubs along the way or asking strangers if they'd seen Sherlock Holmes. All he received was a blank look and a shake of the head. After half an hour of searching, he was about to call it quits when by chance he glanced in an alleyway and saw a familiar looking figure speaking animatedly. Relief turned to annoyance and he called sharply, "Sherlock!" and marched into the alley. "Where have you been?!" The man turned towards him, appearing to have something to say, but John was still cross. "You can't just disappear like that. And here," He handed Sherlock his phone.

The detective regarded the object for a moment, slid it into a pocket, then said, "I had a matter to attend to."

"What matter?"

Sherlock inclined his head to the side, and John's eyes moved to see a woman that he hadn't noticed before. She was small of stature, crouching against the wall. Her ragged clothes and unkempt appearance led John to think she was one of Sherlock's connections in the homeless network.

"This is Ms Jones. She called last night, saying she witnessed the recent body being deposited. She's willing to give a description."

John's eyes widened incredulously. "You're joking." He turned on the woman, asking her, "How well did you see the killer?"

Ms Jones' cool gaze flickered up to John. "I saw enough."

"How well is enough?"

"John." Sherlock spoke in a flat tone. "I assure you I already went over this before you arrived."

John was hesitant to not continue, but he nodded in understanding. "It seems too easy."

"Isn't it always? — Call Mycroft." Sherlock swung the conversation in a different direction. When he received a questioning look he elaborated, "Remember? My brother invested his people to find Margaret. He'll want to know about this."

His brows raised in remembrance at the mentioning of Mycroft's involvement in the investigation. As John was dialing, he asked, "What about the Yard?"

Sherlock shrugged dismissively.