Prompt: A case involving a manger

From: Book girl fan

A/N: I only own Mother Superior and Sister Danica.

…..

"Hm, this is most peculiar, eh, Mr. Holmes?" Said I, dusting my knees as we examined the ground by nativity scene outside St. Lucy's.

"Quite so, Inspector," Holmes murmured in reply.

"Find anything?"

"The robber was a tall man, about 6'0 to 6'4, has size ten shoes, and has a limp in his left foot." Announced Sherlock Holmes, tucking his magnifying lens in his pocket. "Hm, clearly the theft of this manger has more to it than I imagined. Thank you, Lestrade, for piquing my curiosity."

"Nothing to do with me, sir," I replied, offering a hand to the man so I could aid him to his feet. Mr. Holmes took it and levered himself up.

Nodding in gratitude, he turned to the Mother Superior, who had emerged behind us.

"So, Mother, Superior, you say the manger was stolen the day before the theft of the Noel diamond hit the news?" I asked, carefully.

She nodded. "Yes, sir. We imagined it was just a cruel and heartless prank, but not everyone agrees."

"And who disagrees, Madam- erm, Mother Superior?" Holmes asked, and I started to chortle into my sleeve at his reddening face.

"Just Sister Danica," Replied the nun, gracefully ignoring my stifled giggles and Mr. Holmes glaring at me.

"Ah-ha!" Exclaimed Holmes. "A first cousin once removed of mine, I believe. She would have reason to believe something big is afoot."

"If Sister Danica is indeed your cousin, Mr. Holmes, I feel sorry for you," Mother Superior remarked dryly.

"How is that?" I whispered to Mr. Holmes, confused.

"Sister Danica is a charitable young lady, but not one for quiet," Mr. Holmes smiled. "Many of my family members have reason to believe her chattiness have made her parents drag her here. She is also good at archery, and fencing, and-

"Stop, please!" Moaned Mother Superior. "this child will not keep silent even during prayer- she always chats to her neighbour!"

"Well, guess she got 'love thy neighbour' down to a pat," I chuckled.

"She has," Smiled Mr. Holmes. "She is the granddaughter of my aunt Cass, I believe you'll be familiar with her, Inspector?"

I was- the woman gifted me a scarf once, and I also had to rescue her from accidentally angering the members of the Diogenes Club. Well, I helped Mr. Holmes to do so, as she wandered in and started trying to talk to members, so Mr. Holmes and I had to frogmarch the poor lady out before Mycroft Holmes got involved.

"Yes, I remember her, sir." I said, and in my head, I added, 'it's bloody hard not to,'

Mother Superior reluctantly summoned Sister Danica. Once she arrived, I was stricken by her green-grey eyes, her refined manner, and her bubbly zeal.

"Oh, Sherly, it's good of you to come! Welcome to St. Lucy's! How are you? Who's your friend with you? Are you here to solve the mystery of the stolen manger?"

Mr. Holmes calmly answered his talkative cousin's questions.

"Now, my dear," he said, uncertain whether to address her by her name alone or include her title as Sister, seeing as they were family, "I wondered what you could tell us about the thief?"

Most of her response was the same as before, but she had a key- and very unusual- detail to add.

"Inspector, Sherly, the man was carrying a dove's nest!" She said, eyes wide.

"Indeed?"

"Yes, Sherly! I have friends in the trees"- here, I thought I heard Mother Superior utter unholy words about the birds- "and just recently, some doves raised chicks which fledged just last week! Their nest was still in the tree, till the night before the papers announced the theft!"

"Go on," Said Holmes.

"I would've sparred him, Sherly, kept him away from the church and my friends and sisters- but he was only interested in that manger, he was! Just took it, tipped out baby Jesus and ran, no thought whatsoever for what he'd done!"

There was a pause, before she added. "I did rescue baby Jesus if it's worth mentioning. Got left in the rain, he did, and"-

"Sister Danica!" Snapped Mother Superior. "I warned you about letting your tongue wag, have I not? What would the good Lord say?"

"I am certain He did not recommend stealing priceless French diamonds from the British Museum." Replied Mr. Holmes, in a steely tone. "Now, Sister Danica, may I ask what happened to the bird's nest?"

"What- oh! I couldn't tell for sure, Sherl, what with the rain, but I think he threw it."

"Hm," Said Holmes, "I think he stole the manger to smuggle the Noel Diamond about him until he could get to safety."

"Hardly a sensible thing to do," I mused.

"Never said he looked the smart guy," Added Sister Danica.

"Thank you both for your time," Said Mr. Holmes, tipping his hat. "I had best be on my way and see what progress I can make into this case."

"Oh, thank you, Sherl, you are a"- but Sister Danica was interrupted by a glare from her superior nun.

"We shall return in two days, at most," added Mr. Holmes. "with the answer to this case, and hopefully, the Noel Diamond and your manger, too.

"Oh, could you bring the doctor with you when you next come?" Asked Sister Danica. "the inspector seems a nice fellow, but I would love to meet Doctor Watson, Sherly! I loved his stories!"

"Sister Danica!" Hissed Mother Superior, but Mr. Holmes looked surprised, before a soft smile danced briefly on his lips.

"I will," he said. "I shall pass on my regards to the good Doctor when I see him next." He said fondly.