Decryption

"So, here is a basic scale, consisting of 7 notes, A through G." Sherlock explained, drawing it on a piece of paper as Molly watched over his shoulder, before holding it up to the webcam for John to see also. "That's 7 letters already in place, the perfect starting point for a musical cypher. It's a wonder no one has come up with something like this before."

"Okay, but you can't say much with just 7 letters. So where do they get the other 19 letters of the alphabet from?" John asked, reeling Sherlock back onto track with explaining, rather than marvelling at the code.

"Well for starters there are semi-tones, sharps and flats. Assign different letters to those, and that brings us to 12. With two variations on the sets of notes you would have a 36 letters, a complete alphabet, with notes to spare!" Sherlock told them, getting more and more excited as he went along. He looked back and forth between his two companions, waiting for them to catch on.

"So…. What are the variations?" John asked. It might earn him an insult about his intelligence, but was the quickest way to an answer.

"Isn't it obvious?" Sherlock asked, looking earnestly confused. He turned back to look at Molly, his eyes practically begging her to give him the answer he was looking for.

"Sorry." She told him, earnestly "Perhaps you could explain it to us."

Sherlock gave them both one last disbelieving glance, before the answer burst forth from his lips.

"Note lengths! Crotchets, quavers and semibreves. It took some playing on my part, using more traditional decryption methods, but I finally worked it out. Crotchets, are A through J, Quavers L through U, and then A to E as Semibreves gives u and Z." He scribbled furiously as he talked, drawing out the key for them on an empty music sheet. "Now, listen…" He played the clip from the party again. "Did you get that?"

Again he was met by blank faces.

"Er, Sherlock. I may have played clarinet in school, but I can't work out the notes by ear. And I don't think Molly can either." John told him.

Sherlock closed his eyes for a second, only just biting back a disparaging comment. It could be so lonely when nobody else could keep up with him. Insults were a defence mechanism, but it wouldn't help to push away the two people who at least tried to follow.

"She's saying 'The ring is in the wife's bag. There will be more upstairs.'" Sherlock sighed, letting his eyes open again. "Instructing the other members of the band where to find the jewellery. She and her husband play a few slower songs on their own first, for the first dance and so on, while their 2 younger bandmates, sons by the looks of them, use the distraction to make the heist. Then they return and take their places on stage to play some more upbeat songs for the rest of the evening. Nobody suspects a thing." He explained, the excited smile returning to his face. "Very clever, this case has proved to be more interesting than I originally thought."

"H…how much more interesting?" Molly asked.

Sherlock turned back to her, hesitantly. He winced slightly at his words, knowing there was no way he could take them back now. Lying to her wouldn't work either.

"A Seven. At least." He admits.

Molly pursed her lips, looking sideways. He hadn't known from the start… and it would be childish to insist he drop the case just because it had gotten that bit more interesting. On the other hand though, she had been wishing the case over since discovering about Elsie…

"Well it's a good thing we're almost done then." John said, seeing the tension between them. "We'll just report our findings to the police so they can arrest the thieves, and deliver the jewellery back to the Buckley's when it comes, and case closed."

Molly visibly relaxed, Sherlock didn't look any less uncomfortable.

"Actually John, it's not quite as simple as that. My experience with the police force tells me that most senior officers would be unlikely to take my music cypher evidence seriously. Lestrade of course, knows better, but unfortunately it's not his division. Besides, our thieves have already left his jurisdiction. Even if he did put in a call for us to another DI, they still would not take our evidence seriously. We need something more concrete to convict them. To catch them red-handed if possible." Sherlock explained.

"When you say the thieves have left Lestrade's jurisdiction… they're not in London anymore are they?" Molly was quick on the uptake.

"No." Sherlock admitted. "Their Facebook page suggests the next few shows they will be doing will be in Bath. It's only a couple of hours away."

"Only?!" Molly spluttered.

"Perhaps I should…" John's hand moved on his mouse, ready to close the connection and give them a little privacy.

"No, John wait. Molly, please, you can't ask me to drop a case right in the middle… not when things are just getting interesting." Sherlock pleaded.

"That's what I'm worried about. The baby is so close Sherlock…" Her hand stroked over her bump "Only a couple of weeks left."

"It won't take even a week. I promise. They've got a show tomorrow night, me and John can drive up for it, and be back the same night."

Molly bit her lip as she thought it over.

"Okay. But John, you take care of him for me. Don't let him out of your sight." Molly said, turning to the screen.

"Of course." John agreed dutifully.

"And you… keep your phone on you. Maybe text me, every now and then. So I know you're okay." She told Sherlock.

"Of course, though it's hardly necessary. What could possibly go wrong?"

AN: I just remembered, I meant to ask you guys something. What do you think the name and gender of the baby should be? I know a lot of people go for a son called Hamish, cos of John, but I don't know if I want to do that. So any comments or suggestions in your reviews would be lovely, even if you wouldn't usually review ;)

And because I'm beginning to feel like I'm neglecting my regular reviewers a bit, her are some responces to your more recent comments. (Hopefully I'll remember to do this more often)

superlc529 - I did wonder where you'd gone, but do'nt worry about it, life is life. Thanks for still doing a comment for each chapter though, I do love your lengthy comments. That's not a bad idea actually, having them meet. Might use that later.

Rocking the Redhead - makes you wonder doesnt it?

JoBabeAlly - Thanks :D

ThouArtPenguin - Haha, thanks. Any reason in particular?

Empress of Verace - Welcome aboard, and thanks :)

See you all tomorrow ;)