The Pink Case

Elaina was aroused by the sound of a slight groan. She cracked open her eyes and was greeted by the sight of Sherlock's arm thrown over his eyes and his sleeve rolled up to reveal three nicotine patches. Elaina laughed to herself until she realized that his arm was covered in nicotine. Leaping up she shook the detective's arm. He lifted up his arm and looked up at her with sleepy eyes.

"Do you have death wish?" Three patches! You must be crazy." Elaina choked out.

"Ah. You're up."

"Yes and you are slowly killing yourself. How long was I out?" Elaina questioned.

"About an hour." Sherlock answered.

"Hmm. I never really sleep. I apologize for disturbing you"

"It's fine." Sherlock waved nonchalantly at her. "Judging by the bags under your eyes you were 3 days overdue for a nap. Honestly you still look horrible. You should go back to sleep."

"I'm okay. I'm used to functioning on little to no sleep. Where's Dr. Watson?"

"I shot him a text. I need to use his phone." Sherlock confessed.

"Why not use your own?" Elaina wondered.

"In case the number's recognized. And I didn't want to wake you up."

"You should have just woke me up. Dr. Watson might be halfway across London right now."

"It's fine. The text I sent was perfectly acceptable."

Elaina grabbed his phone. "'If convenient come to 221B.' 'If inconvenient come anyway' 'Could be dangerous?'" She read aloud

She quickly typed in another message to Dr. Watson and noticed his contact name was John.

"Excuse me Dr. Watson, this is Elaina. You met me last night. Please don't rush over here. Sherlock is fine." She pushed the send button as Sherlock grabbed the phone out of her grasp.

"That's not true!" Sherlock exclaimed.

"Then why are you lounging on the sofa, covering yourself in nicotine?"

"Because it's impossible to maintain a smoking habit in London." Sherlock answered bluntly.

Elaina stared flabbergasted at him. This man was unbelievable. She felt a spark of dislike in her gut.

"Ugh. I look horrible. I'm running back to my flat to grab some clothes and shower then I'll come back." Elaina announced.

Sherlock hummed in acknowledgment before closing his eyes again. Elaina dashed out of the flat and haled a cab.

Sherlock opened his eyes some 30 minutes later and looked about the vacant flat. He heard the steps creak and he sat up in anticipation only to flop back onto sofa discovering the footsteps belonged to John. He felt disappointed. Why? Because he was expecting Elaina? The idea was ludicrous and made him snort.

"What are you doing?" John asked

"Nicotine patch. Helps me think. Impossible to sustain a smoking habit in London these days. Bad news for brain work." Sherlock answered

"It's good news for breathing." John replied
"Oh, breathing! Breathing's boring."
"Is that three patches?" John said

"It's a three-patch problem."
"Well? You asked me to come, I'm assuming it's important."
"Oh, yeah, of course. Can I borrow your phone?"

A softer pair of footsteps padded up to the flat. John's eyes widened noticeably as the curvy ex-assassin waltzed in. Elaina had changed into a floaty yellow tunic with black leggings. She had put foundation under her eyes to mask the tired bruises under her eyes. She smiled at the man, quickly deducing he was army doctor from Afghanistan, had a sister with a drinking problem, and he craved adrenaline. Elaina instantly took to the man.

"Doctor Watson is it? Elaina Robinson." She said, lowering her voice to a seductive purr. She had learned how to deal with men and had flirted her way into the United States F.B.I. system. She mentally shook herself. She was past charming random strangers to get what she wanted. It was all in her past. She adjusted her voice but not before noticing Sherlock glaring at John with something resembling jealousy. "How are we doing in Afghanistan?"

"Did you tell her?" John asked staring at Elaina in disbelief.

"No he didn't. But your tan screams Afghanistan." Elaina replied.

"Wow Sherlock. Where did you find her? She's so like you!" John announced.

Elaina grumbled and John recoiled at the look of hatred in her eyes. In a flash the anger was gone, replaced by gooey seductiveness. "Oh yes. Darling Sher was just too good of an opportunity to past up. He's just so… down to earth." Elaina shot Sherlock a look telling him to play along.

"Um… Ellie is just delightful." Elaina cringed at the nickname before gasping a bit as Sherlock drew her into his chest and she felt her head being pushed into his shirt. She snuggled close and burst out laughing at the shock on John's face.

"Okay enough!" Elaina giggled. "It's nice to meet you."

"Wait you two aren't… you're not really…"

"No of course not John." Sherlock added in his deep baritone voice, "All joking aside we found the case."

Elaina drew it out from under John's chair.

"Ms. Robinson if you would please send a text."

"Sure" Elaina answered, pulling out her mobile.

"Enter the number on my desk. Then type these words exactly. 'What happened at Lauriston Gardens. I must have blacked out. 22 Northumberland Street. Please come'."

"Done" Elaina said, snapping her mobile shut. "Who did I just text?"

"That's the case. That's the pink lady's case" John croaked.

"Yes obviously. And maybe I should mention Elaina and I didn't kill her."

"I never said you did"

"Why not? Given the text I just had Elaina send and the fact I have her case, it's a perfectly logical assumption."

"Do people usually assume you're the murder?"

"Now and again, yes."

"Wait!" Elaina blurted, "Did I just text a murderer? What good will that do?"

"A few hours after his last victim, and now he receives a text that can only be from her.
If somebody had just found that phone, they'd ignore a text like that," Elaina's phone began to ring. "but the murderer would panic." Sherlock announced, slamming the suitcase shut.

Sherlock grabbed his Belstaff coat and grabbed Elaina's trench coat as well. He held it out and she slipped into it

"Dear Mr. Holmes. Are we traveling to where I think we are traveling?"

"Depends on where you think we're going."

"Northumberland Street." Elaina answered.

"Very good Ms. Robinson."

John's eyes widened as he witnessed Sherlock flirting with Elaina. He hadn't known the man long but Sherlock Holmes didn't strike him as a romantic fellow. John grinned and followed them out of the flat.