Erna had contemplated not folowing up about her arm but decided to go throuh with it anyway.
"Good to see you again, Erna." said Dr. Watson.
"Good to see you." she replied. .
He pulled the bandage back to look at the wound.
"Your arm looks much better." he said. "No fever. I think we can let it go for another two weeks. Just finish all the antibiotic and I will see you then." he said making notes on his computer.
Erna put on her cardigan and toyed with asking about Sherlock.
"Dr. Watson." she said softly.
"Yes." he said turning to her.
"You worked with Mr. Holmes on the Moriarty case. Is that correct?" she asked.
"I did, yes." he said somewhat reserved.
"What was your impression of him?" she asked.
"Insane. He was insane." he said abruptly. She felt the need for clarification.
"Mr. Moriarty? He was insane?" she asked.
He just smiled at her. "Sure."
The way he answered had her wondering. He seemed to be a bit hostile about the topic but she got the feeling it wan't Moriarty who drove the hostile feeling.
"I'm sorry. I'm writing my dissertation and my interim professor suggested the case. I was just trying to locate thos with first hand knowledge. " she explained.
"Well, Sherlock has knowleege." he said.
"I was trying to use Mr. Holmes as a last resort." she said.
"So you're smart." he joked. "Uh, look, I don't have a lot of time here to discuss but I can meet you either tomorrow or the weekend. Here is my number. Just let me know."
"Thank you, Dr. Watson." she said.
"What education are you pursuing?" he asked as she walked tonthe door.
"My doctorate in psychology." she said.
"Wow, well, if you don't want to question your life'-s course then steer clear of Sherlock. I'm sure Greg has shared that he can be a bit of a popmus arse." he said.
"So I've heard. Again, thank you." she said. She got the feeling Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes were not in good terms. She reminded herself she needed to read his file.
She returned back to the office. She had three clients that afternoon. Sandra greeted her. "Erna, your clients cancelled." she said, "I was just going to text you."
"Really? All three?" she asked. She had never had it happen.
"Yeah. I guess yiu can just enjoy the afternoon. Maybe call that cute DI that's always coming round." she teased.
"Funny." she said. "Maybe sight seeing around London. I haven't taken the time to do that yet."
"Well, have fun. Rest up for tomorrow. " she said referring to the fact that tomorrow was her weekly appointment with Sherlock.
"Cute, Sandra. See you tomorrow." she said as she headed out. She realized she really had no idea where to go. She knew there were sights to be seen but wasn't sure where to start. She could as the cab driver but then he may take the longest route for the highest fair. She let out a sigh. She could just go home and relax too. That sounded like the best option. She hailed a cab. It stopped. She felt she was really getting the hang of flagging these down,. She opened the door to get in. The cab driver turned to welcome her. She saw his face. His broken wrist. She stumbled back bumping into someone. They caught her fall. The face. Her mind flashed back the mugger. It was him?
"You ok?" asked the man who caught her. She snapped from her thoughts. "Decide against the cab then?"
"Yeah, think I'll walk." she said staring down the road as she watched the cab drive off until it was gone from her sight.
"Walking? I thought you would've learned your lesson." said the voice behind her. She slowly turned to see Mr. Holmes. "I thought therapists weren't supposed to lie." he said.
"Lie?" she asked.
"You're not ok. You look as though you've seen a ghost." he said. "A ghost drivig a cab."
She just smiled at him and began walking. She could hear his footsteps follow after her. "I'll be walking with you."
"No." she said.
He ignored her and continued to walk with her.
"I'm not a case." she said.
"I never said you were." he said.
She stopped and turned to him. "Then why are you following me? Not just now but that day and I assume everyday? What were the odds, Mr. Holmes, that you would be behind me today as I hailed a cab?" she said looking at him, "I do believe Baker Street is five blocks south."
"Brushing up on your London streets. Good." he said.
She found his attitude irritating, "Good-bye, Mr. Holmes." she said walking off. He saw the cab on the street behind them. He must have circled around. Just as he turned to direct Erna's attention away he saw her staring at the cab. She ran to the street directly in front of it stopping the cab. Sherlock pulled her from the front of the cab. She pulled herself from his grip and walked to the driver's door. The man cowered staring at her. She had no plan except she was mad..
"I'm so sorry! I'm sorry!" he exclaimed.
Sherlock took note that Erna stood ready to punch the man. The rage in her face and stature made her nearly unrecognizable. At his words she softened. He took note and pulled her from the road. She shrugged his hands off of her struggling to compose herself. "I need to go home."
"I'm walking you." he said.
She looked at him and could see there ws no point in arguing. The two walked in silence.
Erna felt guilt as they neared her apartment. She had not been nice to Sherlock but he was her client. Her guilt was coupled with her confusion of the remorseful mugger/cab driver. She knew she was not dealing with the emotion of it all. It was becoming habit. As she unlocked her apartment door she turned to Mr. Holmes, "Thanks." she said. He nodded. "And maybe you should see Tom instead of me? He's a good therapist."
He smiled, "See you tomorrow."
Sherlock texted Lestrade that he may want to check on Erna. A minite after it was sent his phone rang. He preferred text but saw it was Lestrade.
"Yes." answered Sherlock.
"The mugger? He was her cabbie?" he asked.
Sherlock knew he would need to speak slow for Lestrade's comprehension, "She hailed a cab and noticed the driver was her mugger before getting in. She was visibly shook so you may want to check in."
"Ok, thanks. You think there is more to it?" he asked.
"No. The mugger was quite remorseful." he said.
"Did you happen to be anywhere near the scene?" asked Lestrade.
"I may have." he said.
"Then his remorse had to do with you." said Lestrade.
"I did what was necessary." he said.
"Necessary?" said Lestrade. Sherlock ended the call. He knew Lestrade would go on. Erna was bothered seeing that man tonight but her reaction went beyond what he would've expected. The anger and rage was not fueled by this isolated event. There was more. More that she had securely locked away. The mugger was a side note but a note all the same.