The Holmes brothers spent the rest of the car ride in silence, interrupted only by another email alerting Mycroft to the CCTV footage he had requested. Sherlock fast-forwarded through the footage to the evening of the first text. On the screen, John was clearly visible, standing alone in a darkened street. Occasionally he looked at his phone or at his surroundings, as if expecting someone. Eventually John walked away, catching a cab to 221B.
No helpful information. Sherlock closed his eyes and steepled his fingers. Data needed: any identifying information about the kidnapper. Preferred data source: footage of the abductions. Existing data about abductions: last-known location of missing detectives matches addresses texted to John. High probability that they are the kidnapping sites. Also extremely likely that the kidnappings occurred not long after the times texted to John, to create the most incriminating trail of evidence. John receives text, John goes to location, abduction occurs within 30-60 minutes.
"Mycroft, we need CCTV footage from 32 Church Street after John left, 10:30PM to 12:00AM."
Sherlock waited another 20 minutes before hearing the sound of Mycroft's email alert. Sherlock quickly hit fast-forward on the new footage, watching several minutes of static fuzz over Church Street after John had hailed his cab. Then, suddenly another cab appeared in the camera's view, and Sally Donovan stepped out. Sally's behavior was very similar to John's. She looked unworried, casually checking her mobile and looking up and down the street as if expecting somebody.
Sherlock's body tensed as he saw the man approach Sally from behind. Before she was aware of his presence a hand and rag were pressed over her mouth. Considering how limp she became, Sherlock assumed that she had been drugged. Likely chloroform. As soon as she went down an unmarked van appeared on the street. Sally's body was hoisted in, and the man who had attacked her hopped into the passenger seat. Under 40 seconds. Professionals.
Hitting rewind on the tape, Sherlock watched the man approach Sally again. Clothing unremarkable. Hat and hood - mask face. Bulky jacket – hides true body size. Gloves – prevent fingerprints or trace DNA. Then Sherlock saw the man's shoes. He had found his lead.
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