Sherlock's been motionless for nearly an hour now.
Setting out the extended suicide from New York to John and Molly, which only looked like an extended suicide- a guy killed the husband of his ex girlfriend, then the ex girlfriend, and made it look like an extended suicide- he researched the whereabouts of a former colleague of Alice. Sherlock's theory was that the lab technician working on that case kidnapped the pathologist-
Apparently he contaminated evidence and blamed everyone else- saying they were jealous and were trying to get rid of him. The case was taken as an occasion to open disciplinary proceedings- Alice being one of the many eyewitnesses summoned to testify against him. And therefore he blamed her for losing his job.
All this wasn't in the investigation file of course, just an afternote. But when Sherlock contacted Detective Mac Taylor, the chief investigator on the case, explaining the facts and his theory, it gave him immediate access to the suspect's file, confirming his suspicion. Promising to keep the NY lab up to date and to call any time if he needed any further assistance, he started to research the lab technician's whereabouts. But not finding any valuable traces, Sherlock retired to his mind palace, not even reacting when Molly went back to work, nor when John called Lestrade for an update informing him of Sherlock's theory.
John, on the other hand, was restless. Reading over the case he still couldn't understand why a former colleague of Alice would do something like this to her. Sure that guy contaminated evidence and the murderer almost got away, which cost him his job. But it wasn't Alice's fault. And killing the Porters to get Alice? Why would he do that? It just didn't make any sense to John.
His head shot up as he heard Sherlock stand up, frowning he took a look at his watch. Usually the consulting detective spends hours in his mind palace when there are no traces. However, turning to the door, John recognised fast approaching footsteps- DI Lestrade finally came with news, Anderson following him in with his lab case.
"You were right, Sherlock. 'Trent Hargrove' is here. He came to London for an interview in a private lab two months ago, but never showed. He's staying with an older couple a few blocks away."
Reaching over John took the investigation file on the 'Porter suicide' from the DI's hands and walked back to the computer to compare the cases. He felt an icy chill running down his spine over how similar the cases were.
Meanwhile, Sherlock was pestering the poor DI with questions. "Do you know where he is right now?"
"According to his neighbours he came home early in the morning and left two hours ago, though they were not sure where to. I told my colleagues to keep their eyes open-"
"Did you search his flat?", Sherlock's patience was finally running out.
"Sherlock. I believe you that Hargrove kidnapped Dr. Greene, but we have no proof and we can't search his flat without justified suspicion." Shooting Sherlock a look, Lestrade pointed a warning finger in his face. "Sherlock, you're not breaking in."
"Why does everyone assume the worst of me."
"It saves time." Anderson piped in. The forensic scientist was starting to search the whole room for a lead.
Shooting around only now acknowledging the other man, Sherlock turned to Lestrade giving the forensic a sidelong glance. "Remind me. Why is he here again?"
Deeply sighing Lestrade silently counted to ten. He was tired of constantly having to explain the most common things to the consulting detective. And after having to encounter him a second time this day, Lestrade could feel a headache already looming ahead. "Because Dr. Greene was kidnapped and you have to call us if something like that happens."
"Yes, but he's on the forensics team. How could he help in finding Alice?"
"By searching this room, perhaps?", Anderson interrupted again.
"Perhaps? See? He's not even sure what to do himself." Turning to the forensic Sherlock didn't even try to hide his aversion towards him. "I've searched every corner of this room and if I haven't found anything, you won't find anything either."
"Why don't you just relax and let us for once search for your girlfriend-"
"Girlfriend?" Sherlock snapped.
"Sherlock, no-" John started, almost physically feeling his friend losing control.
"This girlfriend is a highly qualified pathologist and highly respected colleague of yours- whereas it almost hurts me physically to call you her colleague. You're way below her level- you're not even on the same continent as her- And right now you're just in the way-" Turning to John and seeing him frown Sherlock stopped in his tracks. "What? Not good?"
"No, you're right.", John answered distractedly, still too absorbed in the investigation file.
"Sherlock, he's doing his job-" Lestrade tried to intervene, but Sherlock would not hear it.
"No, he's preventing me from doing my job." Before he could say anything else, John reached for his arm and held him back.
"I'm sorry, but Sherlock needs some fresh air. We're going to step out for some time and then we're going to figure out how to find Alice, ok? OK." John didn't even wait for Lestrade's answer, finally coming to a decision himself.
Sherlock let himself be dragged out without protest only stopping once they were outside. Turning to John he pulled his arm out of his friend's grip. "What's wrong with you? I'm not going back in there. Lestrade and his forensics can't help and- Wait a moment. Why are you smiling? What did I miss?"
"For such a brilliant detective you can be really dense sometimes. I never said we would go back. All I said was that 'we are going to step out for some time and then figure out how to find Alice.", John said with a meaningful look.
Sherlock blinked, processing the implication. "I think I'm a bad influence on you.", he said thoughtfully, before shrugging. "Why stop now?"
