29 Years Old
"Mr. Bobby Rae Carl was convicted today of murder. His daughter Ellis Carl was brutally beaten to death at the Essex home. John Carl, the civil partner of Mr Carl was said to be deeply distressed at-"
"Sir!" Sherlock shouted over the babbling of the reporters. "Inspector!"
A gruff looking older man stopped and turned to the press. He sighed. "This is a black day for many. The clear signs of negligence should have been monitored more by the social services. Perhaps if it had then Ellis needn't have died."
"- The couple who married early 2003 in a civil partnership had their daughter conceived by a surrogate mother, who wishes to remain unknown at this time for she is a good friend to the couple. She holds the police in high regard for -"
"Detective Inspector!" Sherlock bellowed, following the gruff man.
He turned. "Listen, I don't want to talk to the press." He said. "Any questions may go to the spokesman."
"I'm not press," Sherlock breathed. "I don't think that Bobby Carl did kill his daughter."
"Listen, if you're family, I know you must be upset at the judge's decision-"
"I'm not family," Sherlock replied. "Listen to me, there are clear signs that even you couldn't miss-"
"Are you telling me how to do my job?"
"No, of course not. You've been trained for that. But there are some things that just don't make sense!"
The inspector turned to him. "Like what?"
"John says on the night of Ellis's death, Bobby was holding a bottle of whiskey." Sherlock said.
"So?"
"Well where is it in the evidence?"
"What?"
"John Carl said that the whiskey bottle was used almost like a weapon against him!" Sherlock said. "So where was the bottle in the evidence?"
"What's your name?"
"Sherlock Holmes."
"Well, Mr. Holmes-" The Inspector said.
"Sherlock, please." He replied.
"Well, I conducted a thorough investigation." The inspector said.
"No, you came up with a theory to fit some of the facts instead of a theory to fit all the facts." Sherlock snapped. "What about the autopsy report?"
"What about it?"
"Her bruises-"
The inspector stopped. "What about her bruises?"
"I think she had a bleeding disorder. If she had frequent nosebleeds than that would mean that she died because of a bleeding disorder not because Bobby Carl pushed her down the stairs." Sherlock said.
"That would have been tested for." The inspector replied.
"Not if there isn't a family history of haemophilia." Sherlock pointed out. "If she was bleeding internally then it is perfectly viable that the coroner mistaken the signs for abuse. I also assume that the Carl's friend wasn't aware of her family history otherwise she would have had her unborn child tested."
The inspector stopped and waited. "Go on." He said calmly.
"If Ellis were to say, trip and fall, it would cause bleeding. I do believe that she was beginning to walk. Say if John mistook the fall for his partner actually throwing their daughter-" He sighed. "Listen, I know it's a long shot. He probably did do it. But I'd rather my conscious clear that have the same constant fear that Carl was sent to prison for something he didn't do."
"Alright." The detective said. "Alright. We'll try and get the body released back from the father. It might take some work."
"Wouldn't the coroner have some of her blood left?" Sherlock asked.
"I'm not sure." He shrugged. "Hold on." He dipped back into the crowd.
"- We're getting reports from the spokesman that Detective Inspector Lestrade wishes to perform more tests on the infant Ellis Carl. Ah, Detective Lestrade-"
"No, I can't deal with this right now." Lestrade said, moving away."Mr Holmes!"
Sherlock turned sharply and saw the Inspector get into a car. He followed quickly.
...
"I have no idea why you want to do this," Dr Hooper said pulling out a vial of blood marked with "Carl. E". She handed it over to Sherlock. "I searched all options from every angle."
"I fear you didn't search everything," Sherlock replied, dabbing a drop onto the slide and slipping it onto the magnifying glass. "She has abnormal red cells." He muttered.
"I noticed that," Dr Hooper said. "But on orders I was rushed for time."
Sherlock pulled forth another test tube, letting a few drops of blood spill into it. He then dropped a few chemicals in.
"Those aren't the right-" Dr. Hooper said.
"My own special blend." Sherlock replied. "Molly would you be a dear and fetch DI Lestrade a coffee?"
"How did you know my name?" She asked
"Your name tag," Sherlock replied dryly. "It's not difficult. Oh, where's your spinning machine?"
Molly pointed over at the desk at the far side of the lab. Sherlock smiled "Thank you."
She smiled weakly and left.
Sherlock set the machine and sat down. "We will find out in a few minutes." He said.
"Such a simple test." Lestrade sighed.
"A child had died." Sherlock shrugged. "You were looking for a quick fix. It's understandable."
"Who are you anyway?" Lestrade asked.
"No one particularly important." Sherlock said. "Did you enjoy your time in the war?"
"Beg your pardon?"
"They way you hold yourself says military. Your speech says Sergeant. Yes?"
"How did you-"
"Ah, Molly." Sherlock said. "Lovely thank you."
Molly gave a tiny smile. "Well? What are the results?"
"Mm? Oh!" Sherlock opened the spinner and picked up the test tube. He stared at it then handed it to Lestrade. "Positive." He said. "I bloody knew it!"
Lestrade sighed.
"I'm sorry," Molly said her lip quivering. "I should have done the test."
"A human mistake." Sherlock replied coldly. "Lestrade, I rather think that we should let the officials know and let Mr Bobby Carl continue with his life."
"Yes, of course." Lestrade said, pulling out his phone. "Oi, where are you going?"
Sherlock was pulling on his coat and scarf. "I've done what I needed to do. You have your result and I solved a puzzle. Albeit a very dull puzzle but I solved it none the less." He turned and left.