Spoiler alert: The Blind Banker
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Chapter 6 in which Sherlock comes in terms with having a partner
"Because I had a row, in a shop, with a chipping pin machine" said John in adorable fashion. It was incredible really how cute was that all flustered and angry. Sherlock discovered that he enjoys in angry John so he winds him up from time to time just to keep him upset.
"It just sat there and I yelled at it abusively" he explained further.
Sherlock hid away dropped the sword and said nothing at John noticing notch on the table. Usually, he would explain, he did like to show off but he discovered he doesn't enjoy as much in concerned John. And John did get concerned about all sorts of things, he was that sort of a guy, he felt obligated to feel and form opinions about his surroundings. Notch on the table was bad, fighting with a man with a sword just to refuse a dull case would be considered stupid and dangerous. But for some reason asking him to do Sherlock's chores was ok, he did grunt about it but it kept him feeling useful. And John feeling useless isn't something Sherlock enjoys.
John came in still agitated and slammed his laptop over Sherlock's fingers claiming his property and finally sitting and calming down. It was dull when he switched to job talk, it would be less dull to withstand Sebastian and solve the small case of breaking and entering.
"I have to go to the bank" Sherlock declared finally deciding to investigate the possible fun motive for such actions.
As expected John followed behind him all assertive and observant, and quiet for a change, even his thoughts calmed down. It was easier to think that way.
Sebastian's friendly demeanour was obnoxious as usual; his way to pretend everyone is on his side like he is pleasant kind of a guy.
"My friend Dr Watson" Sherlock slightly emphasized word friend and naturally Sebastian took it with and a question mark at the end noticing anomaly like a friend in his life, but of course John backed out instinctively diminishing him on the colleague. Sherlock didn't appreciate his chameleon quality at this moment.
Of course, Sebastian took charge over the conversation demining Sherlock and his abilities to an anecdotal tale about their dull lives and sex life.
"We all hated him", he said and kept talking so Sherlock didn't say likewise.
He hated that life at University, everyone so consumed with trivial things and affairs. The only reason he ever exposed them is to keep them out of his business and on a safe distance.
As usual, he reduced his observing powers to a joke and he did what he avoids to do, he lied looking him in the eye just to see that short glitch of the wrong assumption that made him finally cut the pleasantries and on to business for which he needs him.
"We had a break in," Sebastian declared.
Sherlock was full of enthusiasm piecing together scraps and bills into the picture of Van Coon's last day; he looked around searching for the last clue when he bumped into John. He ruined the whole pursuit pointing at the shop across the street. It was like cheating, he had a diary with direction and address. Then in the shop, John discovered their cypher was the ancient Chinese numbering system. It all connected together into a smuggling business from China. It looked like someone got greedy.
"Remind me, when was the last time it rained," Sherlock asked John looking at the wet yellow pages leaned against the door beside Lucky Kat, smuggling drop off place. It had to be connected, or it was at least suspicious.
Sherlock was preoccupied with noticing small things inside that flat; things that could tell him something about the intruder that came before him. He didn't want to let John in just yet; he could walk over some small clue.
"Stupid, stupid, it's obvious," said Sherlock to himself realizing the intruder is still in there with him.
He didn't feel fear, he rarely did when he was processing and thinking, after all, he could take down a man with a sword barehanded, and after all, he knew where the intruder is hiding. But it turned out he was wrong. Strong hands caused a scarf over his neck and he tried to call out for John, but his voice was lost and he felt darkness clouding his eyes. When he thought he was over the pressure was gone and the killer went leaving in his pocket black flower like one in Van Coon's mouth.
He was still dizzy and his voice still didn't return when he opened the door but he tried to talk and act as nothing had happened.
"Are you getting a cold" John asked concerned forgetting his anger in a flash. It was embarrassing enough to be unable to crack that code he had no desire to look defenceless and to have worried John by his side.
Like that wasn't enough John was the one to find rest of the message and in his blunt, simple way he was smart enough to take pictures of it on his phone. After that Sherlock's attempt to jog his memory looked silly. It wasn't easy to have a partner; he can see you when you're struggling to get to the answer. Sherlock has to get back in his game, he is good at this. With that determination he stood watching at the pictures, looking at now exposed numbers but they didn't tell him anything. He needed the expert, and the only person that could be an expert was Soon Yi Lao, she had to be. In her records there were no signs of travel, she wasn't the mule, she was the one to evaluate pieces.
It seemed like he got back in the museum finally noticing the small thing that stood out, two pots were shiny, not just one like yesterday.
Hope my background thoughts of Sherlock's behaviour in this one isn't too far off,