John's mind is tormented by a storm of swirling emotions. He shivers, but not because of the cold.

Blood streams from the cut in John's wrist, and his consciousness is fading rapidly. He isn't quite sure why, but he pushes himself to try maintain consciousness. Although he is aware that it would be better if he were shot while unconscious, he feels obligated to try stay awake for some reason. He doesn't want Mary to have to see him like this, so he wants to be as strong as possible, even until the very end.

Cautiously, Lestrade starts to speak. "Please, let Doctor Watson go. He… he isn't a threat, he's unarmed. Just tell me. What do I have to do? I'll do what you want, just leave him alone."

Wilson shakes his head. "No. I will not. Because as soon as I do, you would proceed to arrest me. And that is NOT going to happen, do you understand? I will NOT be outwitted by a stupid idiot who calls himself a policeman. I am smarter than you. All of you. So I will not be humiliated like this. Never."

Suddenly, a look of bewilderment appears on Lestrade's face. He unconsciously steps forward.

His penetrating stare confuses Wilson.

"Stop! Don't come any closer!" Wilson is clearly surprised.

"You. I recognize you… You're James Wilson, aren't you? You heartless…" Lestrade's voice trails off as he tries to contain his anger.

Wilson nods proudly. "Yup. And I fooled you all. You didn't expect a thing. Although I must say, I'm not terribly surprised by your ignorance. Scotland Yard isn't exactly the most intelligent group of people."

Lestrade's eyes flash with fury. He clenches his fists, trying to hold back his anger. Any outburst on his part could cause Wilson to shoot John.

An evil smile forms on Wilson's face. He is clearly taking pleasure in watching Lestrade try to stay calm. He chuckles.

"You are just proving my point right now. Just another policeman, aren't you? You're so caught up in your own childish anger that you've not even paying attention to the person you are trying to save," he taunts. Lestrade's gaze shifts back to John.

"John…" He gasps slightly, surprised by the severity of John's wound. Guilt invades his mind. Maybe Wilson is right. He isn't being a good inspector or a good friend right now.

John struggles to a sitting position and looks at Lestrade.

"Inspector," he stammers, finding it hard to speak. Lestrade flinches empathetically as he watches John. John continues. "Don't let him get in your head. He's wrong. He's just trying to distract you. Just listen to me. It… it doesn't matter what happens… to me. Just… keep Mary safe. Don't let Wilson get away. Tell Mary I love her, okay? Keep her safe for me. Just leave."

Lestrade shakes his head. "No, I'm not just going to let that happen. Don't talk like that." He looks back at Wilson furiously.

"What do you want? Just tell me what you would like me to do. I'll do anything. Just let Doctor Watson go. Please, just let him go."

Silent, Wilson bites his lip. A few seconds pass before he speaks.

"You want to know what I want? Well, I'll tell you. First of all, I will not be arrested. If you want Doctor Watson to stay alive, you will let me go. And you will not follow me."

He pauses and grins. "Hmmmmm…. What else do I want?" He says in a mocking tone.

"Oh! Yes. You will resign your position as Inspector for Scotland Yard. But before you do, you will fire every single policeman that worked the case. Every last one. You will discard all evidence that you have collected from the case. All of it, including the bodies. And I want all the money from every bank in London."

"That… I don't know…" Lestrade is shocked by Wilson's demands. There is no way that he can meet them, but if he says so, Wilson is sure to shoot John.

"Please, Wilson. You know… Maybe I can do something else? Isn't there anything else you want? I'll quit, if that's what it takes. I just…"

"No." John interrupts quickly. "I… I don't want you to quit. I don't want you to meet any of his demands. I don't want you to listen to him. Just let him do it. Please… please, I'm begging you. What are you going to accomplish? He'll… he'll just get away. He'll probably hurt someone else. I don't care… what happens to me. Just make sure that Mary is safe. And don't… don't let him get away. You can't. Please…" His voice gets softer as his condition continues to worsen.

Lestrade is silent. He doesn't know how to respond. Of course he doesn't want to just let Wilson go. The man is threatening his friend and, based on the circumstances, he probably had something to do with the murder in the alley. Maybe he even murdered both 'Sherlocks'. It would be torturous to let a man like that just get away without any punishment. Especially since there is a high chance that he will commit another crime.

'But what choice do I have?' he asks himself. If he doesn't let Wilson go, John will be shot. And after that, there's a high chance that Wilson will shoot both him and Mary. But even if he let's Wilson get away, there's virtually no chance that he will be able to meet the rest of Wilson's demands. And he's pretty sure that Wilson knows that. He just doesn't know what to do.

"Please… Just let him go…" Lestrade pleads. There's really nothing he can do now. He feels completely hopeless.

Wilson shakes his head. "No. I will not. You have two choices. Either you give me what I want, or Doctor Watson dies. It's that easy, Inspector. Now choose. Which will it be?"

Lestrade bites his lip. "I… I can't..." he moans.

"Fine then," declares Wilson. He tightens his grip on the gun. "You don't have to. I will."

"NO!" wails Lestrade. He lunges for the gun. John cringes.

A gunshot echoes through the alley.

Horrified, Lestrade looks down at Wilson. What he sees shocks him.

Wilson is slumped over on the floor of the alley.

Wilson, not John.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks so much to Nimara Portmac and ThePenguinApocalypse for your reviews! I really appreciate any reviews, comments, or suggestions. Thanks for reading ;-)