Good afternoon fellow fanfictioners, how are we today? For some unknown reason, I seem to be in a peachy mood. Although, it could be due to the Monty Python movies I've been watching lately! "Nudge nudge, say no more!" " Ni "! Ahem,

Anyhoo, disclaimer - don't own Holmes etc., only a few dvds (I would own LOTS if they were actually available mind you!)

Here is where the plot starts to take motion. (I think) . . .

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I gasped in horror. Poor Claudette! She must have fallen and been hit by the passing hansom cab, trampled under the immense weight of the horses. A small crowd had already formed around her body.
"She's dead!" a young man shouted. We dashed to the scene of the crime. Greenwood knelt down and held her hand "Claudette!" he uttered in disbelief. A nearby constable must have received word as a short while later, Lestrade rushed up to Holmes and I.

"What happened here? I've talked to the cabby, who said she seemed to come out of nowhere - then collapsed. He only managed to see her a second before . . . you know . . . and he couldn't stop in time. I hear you were some of the last to see her" we both nodded.
"She appeared rather uneasy before leaving the house" I reported "quite unwell".
Poor Claudette. I had known her since she and Greenwood became engaged all those years ago . . .I shook my head solemnly. She had been a fine woman.
"Oh, there's another thing." Lestrade started "we detected some sort of chemical on her lips and breath." He paused. "Well, not breath as such, obviously, as she's dead and all . . ." Holmes held a finger for pause, noticing my grievous expression.
"Erm, sorry for putting it so bluntly Doctor. I take it you know the lady then?" I nodded. Lestrade cleared his throat "Sorry. Ahem, so, where is this husband of hers? I think I'd like a word" Holmes pointed to a nearby set of stairs, where Greenwood sat, his face deep in his hands. Lestrade nodded and hastily made his way towards him.

"Holmes, what do you think Lestrade is up to?" I asked. "Well,they have detected an unknown chemical on Mrs. Greenwood's lips, although goodness knows how they came to think of it, so it appears some fowl play was afoot."
I gazed into his eyes, wondering what he was playing at. Greenwood? What? Never. "But why on earth would Greenwood want to kill his wife?" I exclaimed in frustration. Holmes shook his head with amusement. My blood began to heat up, as if a fire was growing inside me. "What!" I demanded coldly.
"My dear Watson, have you not been paying a single ounce of attention to anything which has been said today? I have said it, Greenwood knows it - our conversation at Marcinis?" He prompted, in what I could tell was exasperation. I waggled a finger at him, and paused for thought, struggling in my attempt to recall what had been said in the past few hours.

"I will finally be able to marry my darling, beloved Emily."
"it's no good. It is against the law for a husband to marry their divorced wife's sister. Unless . . . she were to die, then, and only then, would you be able to marry Emily"

* Dear readers, please forgive this old man for a temporary lapse of memory. But all the same, it just seemed too fantastic.

I shook my head violently "No Holmes, he wouldn't do that, go to such desperate measures. He's a good, respectable man. I've known him for years, we even - " "Served together at Afghanistan?" Holmes concluded innocently.
This was too much. "Now is not the time for your tricks Holmes! I'm -" Holmes held a palm up for pause "I know dear fellow, but the evidence is slightly mounted in his direction. You must be aware of what Lestrade and the other fools of Scotland Yard must be thinking Watson. Most probably something like this:

One - He gave her a draught of (at present) unknown chemicals - even I'm not entirely sure what it may have been at this moment in time. There are many of that particular orange tinge - which have both positive and negative results when consumed by a human. Unfortunately the glass has already been washed by her maid so we may never know for sure. The autopsy will reveal something, though there are a number of factors that must be considered before jumping to conclusions.

Two - he gave her this draught only moments before she died.

Three - Motive - as already discussed. Even the Yard will discover the possible motive reasonably soon. This, is most damning.

Four - witnesses. Also, I have a feeling the maid will not provide the most kindly portrait of her master, you saw her reaction to Greenwood. She was most dedicated to her mistress."

I looked at him helplessly "So, do you think he did it?" Holmes smiled back reassuringly. "Although I do not usually jump to conclusions, I find it difficult to believe that Greenwood murdered his wife. Soon to be divorced or not."
Relief washed over me. "Why is that Holmes?" I wondered out loud.

"Because my dear Watson, he is an intelligent man of science. Only a complete imbecile would attempt to commit any crime in my presence and expect to get away with it!"

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Okey dokey, hope that was all right. Thanks again forthe nice reviews, they have all been extremely useful and help boost my non-existent self esteem!