Chapter 3 - "I Could Burst With Pride."

The Gardner's Home, Manhattan NY 6:30am

"Richard was a good man," Mary Gardner sniffled, "I don't understand why I didn't think of the possibility before. Last year before he was arrested, he had suddenly become very interested in Christine Thomas. I wasn't sure what to think since we barely knew the girl and he had nearly become possessive. Now it all makes sense..." Tears continued to pool in her eyes, the thought of her husband seeing another woman came perfectly clear now.

"So your husband was having an affair?" Gregson clarified.

"I believe so, that is the only explanation I can come up with to clarify his actions. He must have been seeing Jane Thomas, Christine's mother." Watson's eyes grew wide; it all seemed too perfect.

"Did Richard have any friends?" Sherlock blurted.

Mary, taken aback by his outburst answered uncomfortably, "Um, yes, one." She blinked and stood to grab a photograph that Sherlock had already seen. "Jerry Rigley, they knew each other since high school. I'm pretty sure he was the only guy Richard ever kept in touch with." She moved to sit back down on the sofa.

Watson gapped at the picture. His resemblance was striking. "Sherlock," she whispered, "we need to look into this guy. I think he was the one I saw 'Jane' hand the money to." He nodded in response

"Thank you Mrs. Gardner, that is all we need." Sherlock then turned to march out her front door. When everyone had left the building, Sherlock faced Watson and gave her the look she recognized as, 'you're a detective, tell them what you think!' She spoke up knowing that Sherlock must agree with her. Well at least partly.

"I have reason to believe Jerry Rigley was working closely with Gardner. We need to investigate him and question him as soon as possible. Mary claimed that she had no idea Richard had been bailed out, which means a friend had to have done so. Jane Thomas or Jerry Rigley."

Without hesitation the three other detectives took her word and set back towards the cop car. As Gregson stepped on the gas, heading in the direction of the precinct she grinned to herself. She felt better and better about her new job everyday.

Time flew by and the images beyond the car windows blurred. Soon, they reached the Police Station and Bell immediately went on the search for Jerry Rigley. Finally calming himself down, Sherlock took a seat beside Watson awaiting Mr. Rigley's arrival. Ten minutes passed and Watson got up to go and get some coffee.

"I'm going to get some coffee, should I grab some for you?"

"Please do." Sherlock replied with a tired look.

She went towards the coffee machine with two empty cups and pressed down on the button. Hot coffee poured out instantaneously. While Watson poured their coffee, she let her mind wander off. Why would Mr. Gardner frame one of the two only friends he had, especially if he was seeing Jane? How could Mrs. Gardner not know that her husband was bailed? Surely she would've called him or his friends or vice versa? Of course, all their phones might've been off but Mary could've at least visited her husband if she thought he was still in jail. It just didn't make any sense. Without even noticing what she was doing, she grabbed two cups and headed back walking very slowly with her heels clacking. When she reached Sherlock, he peered up and smiled.

"Well Watson, I can see you've made progress."

"Why would you say that?"

"Well, by the looks of your empty coffee cups I suspect you took the wrong cups while you were in deep thought, correct?"

Joan sighed and sat down, throwing the empty cups in the garbage can beside her. She stared blankly at the wall in front of her but Sherlock watched her curiously.

"It just doesn't make any sense. How do we know for sure it was Jerry Rigley who was guilty? I mean there are three possibilities. Mrs. Gardner, Mr. Rigley or Jane Thomas. Just because you didn't smell the same perfume on Mrs. Gardner doesn't mean that she's not guilty. I'm starting to doubt that Rigley was even the person I saw at dinner."

"You know I absolutely HATE it when a detective doubts him or herself." Sherlock paused some solutions coming to his head, "but I guess this time will be an exception. We should explain your theory to Captain Gregson. We'll go from there."

Gregson listened carefully to what Ms. Watson had to say. Scratching his chin, and adjusting his glasses he switched his focus to Holmes. He smiled weakly and nodded. Gregson nodded as well. They decided to question Rigley first in case Mrs. Gardner planned to lie and so they waited for Bell to arrive with the culprit.

Soon, after an hour of absolute silence, they heard Bell and Rigley coming up the stairs clearly arguing about the crime. As Bell entered the interrogation room with Rigley, the two detectives and Gregson followed.

Once inside, Sherlock began to ask him simple questions as to where he had been the past few weeks. Of course, like any other criminal, he denied that he was anywhere but home. As conversation began to progress, Watson couldn't stand it anymore.

"Mr. Rigley. I strongly suggest you tell us the truth about everything. That way, the NYPD can solve this mystery quickly and it might help you as well. All of us in here want to finish this business just as fast as you do. If you decide to not cooperate with us, consequences will be severe and you will cause trouble to those who have history and made contact with you." She said in a harsh whisper.

Mr. Rigley tugged at his collar and swallowed. "Alright. I'll tell you everything."

It was after the conversation with Mr. Rigley that the two policemen and the detectives walked out leaving a handcuffed man to the other police officers. As Bell and Gregson began to go and get Mrs. Gardner, Watson and Sherlock sat down, awaiting her arrival.

Joan sighed, "I'm glad we got that over with."

Sherlock looked beside him at his companion. Her eyes shined a beautiful sparkling color and he smiled faintly. "Well done Watson. That was really something back there. I've never seen you like that before."

"He was getting on a bad side of me. I don't think people will like it if I show that side of myself."

"I don't know... I think I quite like it. It gives people a sense that you have power as well. I could burst with pride."

"Wow Sherlock. That was very..."

"Exquisite of me?"

Watson laughed and blushed. Holmes smiled and for a minute, there was a spark of light between them. A long period of friendly talk emerged then. Suddenly, after a small moment of muteness, the doors flew open revealing Bell, Gregson and a handcuffed Mrs. Gardner.

Gregson smiled slyly, "may we have a word, Mrs. Gardner?"