The Phone

Sherlock's eyes were closed as he listened. He listened to the footsteps around the caravan, listened to their movements as they got ready for bed. Listened hard to the muffled conversation, further away, about someone staying up to keep watch in case he tried to escape, or in case John found them. He listened as the first set of footsteps, a young man's, approached his door, and then stopped outside it, while the other footsteps retired to bedrooms. He listened to the faint thrum of music through headphones as his guard tried to keep himself entertained. Then he heard the faint snores, as he failed. He heard another set of footsteps, approach, and then walk away again. A few minutes later the smell of coffee drifted through the caravan, and the footsteps returned. The snores were replaced by a small gasp as the lad was woken.

"Go to bed Luke. I'll keep watch." Nina said softly.

"Are you sure?"

"I can't sleep anyway. And obviously you can. No point us both being up."

"Right. Thanks Mum, see you in the morning."

"Goodnight."

The whispered conversation died out, and there was a soft bang against the door, as if Nina had sat down and leaned back against it. The smell of coffee was strong, and very appealing. Sherlock's mouth suddenly felt very dry, and he became very aware that the last drink he'd had was a cup of tea Molly had made him before they left that afternoon.

"Smells good. I wouldn't mind a cup myself. I am rather thirsty." Sherlock said to the closed door, knowing she would be able to hear.

"There are taps in there you know." She replied, though not harshly. There was a smile in her voice.

"That is true. But coffee would be much nicer." Sherlock playfully returned.

There was a soft chuckle from the other side of the door. "I suppose it can't do any harm to get you a cup. How do you take it?"

"Black, two sugars. Thank you"

Again Sherlock heard her walk away, and heard her movements in the kitchen. She returned a few minutes later, bringing the smell of freshly brewed coffee, just the way he liked it. She knocked softly on the door, but didn't open it yet.

"Alright, I'm going to open the door and put the cup on the floor. You just stay back, alright? I don't want no funny business." She told him firmly.

"Wouldn't dream of it." He assured her, keeping his word and staying where he was as she opened the door and slid the plastic cup (one from the top of a thermos he observed) filled with coffee into the room. Through the gap he saw her cup on the floor outside, in a regular mug. Obviously she was being cautious, not giving him anything he could smash and use as a weapon. Not that it was necessary, but he admired her good sense anyway.

"Thank you" He said again, shuffling over once the door was closed, and mimicking her position on the other side; sitting with his back against the door, nursing his coffee cup in his bound hands, careful not to spill any. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes; Sherlock giving her time to relax, before making his next request.

"Do you have my phone?" He asked, injecting as much innocence into his tone as possible.

"It's out here, yes. Why? I'm not giving it to you." She replied suspiciously.

"I didn't think you would… I was just wondering. Molly is really insistent on me keeping it on me now, in case she needs me. Has she tried to text? She'll be worried if I don't text back." He told her, now injecting warm concern into his voice. It wasn't difficult, he was concerned, but wouldn't let it show if he didn't think it could be useful.

There was a pause, before Nina agreed, in a carefully controlled voice, "I'll check for you. But if there is one, you tell me what to type, and I do it. Deal?"

"Thank you. I just don't want her to worry." He milked it for what he was worth. He was getting through to her, he could tell. Making her sympathise. If Molly had left any message, the response he was planning would seal the deal.

He heard the tell-tale tone his phone made when turned on, confirming his suspicion that it had been turned off. It was less than a minute until he heard her gasp slightly, and he smirked victoriously.

"No texts but… you have missed calls from her. And a voicemail." She said nervously.

The smirk dropped right off Sherlock's face, and he could feel the blood draining from his cheeks. If Molly was phoning then in must be something serious, and he didn't like the possibilities. Miscarriage, premature birth… whatever it was, he should be there.

"What does she say?" He asked urgently.

He heard the message playing, but it was too muffled for him to hear. The message was only short, but still he was left in agonising suspense afterwards, and Nina seemed speechless. He heard her footsteps moving away and felt a desperate panic.

"What does she say?!" He demanded again.

The footsteps came back, and Nina opened the door. Or rather tried to, as it was stopped by Sherlock sitting behind it. He quickly shuffled back to allow her entrance, settling back against the bathtub. Nina came in quickly and crouched in front of him, holding a pair of scissors, ready to remove his ties.

"I'm going to let you go, but before I do, I need to tell you something. And hopefully you can pass it on to the police when you turn us in." She took a big breath before continuing. "I never wanted to be part of this. My code, it was meant for much more innocent purposes. Love notes, y'know. That's how it started. Me and Tom's secret little way of communicating. But then… there was the kids, and business wasn't going too well. Debts mounted, you know how it is. Or maybe you don't." She eyed his expensive clothing sadly. "We were desperate, our house had already been repossessed, and we didn't have the money for even a caravan like this." Her eyes glazed over with memories, before snapping back to him. "So that's how it started. Just one big heist, just so we could finish paying up our debts and put a roof over our heads. But when it all went well… Tom enjoyed it too much. He wanted to do it again, and again. It was nice to have the extra money, I have to admit, that's why I didn't protest, but I was uncomfortable with it. But over the last few years… since the boys started getting involved, I really have wanted to stop. We don't need the money anymore, we make more than enough from the shows. I kept trying to tell them, but it was always 'just one more'. Now they don't listen at all. I've considered leaving a couple of times, or even wishing we'd get caught but… it's my family. You know? I just couldn't…. but maybe I should have. They'll probably disown me for this anyway but I… this has already gone too far."

And with that, she cut his ties, before helping him to his feet. He held her gaze as she did so, giving her a firm nod, telling her that he understood.

"I should have known." A fiercely angry voice interrupted them from behind. Nina spun to face the door, allowing Sherlock to see past her. Tom stood in the doorway, betrayal written all over his angry face. And in his shaking hands he held a gun, pointing back and forwards between the pair of them.

AN: Sorry evil cliffhanger I know... what am I saying, I'm not sorry :p

Thanks and welcome to my new readers and reviewers. And to all my other reviews of course, much appreciated as usual :D