Sherlock had looked into Erna's back groujd briefly but was more interested in observing her actions in London. To find out who JM was he would need to dig deeper. He was sure the initials could not be Moriarty yet perhaps part of his game. He had a few contacta in the states that he called in favors to. Within the hour he had information from her humble begins in the small town of Stroudsburg, PA to her graduate work at Penn State University. One note caught Sherlock's eye. Her advising Professor took a sudden leave of absence and had more recently been reported missing. An intermin Professor Victor Roterbart was brought in during the absence. He is the one who helped Erna with her topic for her dissertation pointing her towards the Moriarty case. His last name was also German which translated to redbeard.
"I believe that is Sherlock's brother, Mycroft Holmes." said Lestrade sipping his coffee.
Erna had asked him to meet before her first session.
"What did he ask you?" asked Lestrade.
Erna knew she couod not say or he may figure out Sherlock was coming to her for sessions which would violate policy. "He was asking just basic chit chat but he creeped me out a bit so I took his picture in case it came in handy."
"Well, I don't find that too hard to believe." he said. "You have a lot of sessions today?"
"Just the usual. How's your day looking?"
"A few cases to run by Sherlock so I'm mentally preparing myself for that." he said chuckling. "Otherwise I'll be writing reports most of the day."
"Well, becareful and thanks for meeting." she said.
"Anytime for you, Erna." he said.
"Thank you, Greg," she said grabbing her coat and heading to the office. Lestrade followed her out.
Erna had made it to the end of the day. A few clients cancelled including Jen. Erna was concerned but since she rescheduled for the following week she didn't let it bother her. Her last patient was a new one. A man by the name of Franklin George Klatt. He came early which was a good sign. Erna felt it showed the client was ready to seek help. The man took a seat across from her.
"Hello Mr. Klatt. May I call you Franklin?" she asked.
The man kept his head lowered and avoided eye contact. Erna waited. He seemed agitated. She scribbled the note on her paper. She looked up to see a gun shaking in Franklin's hands pointed at her.
"Franklin, may I call you that?" she asked.
He said nothing as it continued to shake. Erna knew he could accidentally shoot her as the gun shook unsteadily in his hands. She tried to calm him.
"Frankln, put down the gun and we can talk about this." she said in a calm tone. Inside she was plotting her move. She wasn't behind a desk and trying to duck behind Ella's was too risky. She needed to disarm him.
"No. I have to do this." he said trying to convince himself..
"Why?" she asked.
"To save my family." he said trying to steady the gun.
"Is your family in danger?" asked Erna.
"Shut up." he yelled.
Suddenly the office door opened, "Ms. Halbeck-" said the voice.
Erna took the moment of distraction to throw herself at Franklin grabbing the gun in his hands and sticking her finger behind the trigger preventing him from firing. Franklin looked at her in surprise and fury.
"No!" he screamed. "No! You have no idea what you've done. They'll die! They'll all die!"
Erna stared at him as the gun was removed by another set of hands. She looked up to see Sherlock towering over them as he took the gun. He pulled Erna away from the man as he struck him with the gun knocking him unconcious.
"Call the authorities now!" he shouted at the receptioniat who had followed after him trying to stop him from interrupting the session.
"I was in a session." she said to him.
"Are you alright?" he asked. "Please answer me honestly this time." he said referring the mugger.
"A bit shook but fine. I did have that under control." she said.
Sherlock gave her a look she felt was condescending. "Interesting, trouble in London seems to seek you out."
"We'll take it from here." said an officer walking through the door. "Is everyone ok?"
"Yes, his gun is over there." said Erna pointing to the desk where Sherlock laid the gun. "Mr. Holmes helped me disarm him."
The two men cuffed the now concious Franklin, grabbed the gun, and left.
"Curious." said Sherlock.
"How so?" asked Erna.
"They didn't even take our statements." said Sherlcok. He dialed his phone. "Lestrade, do you know of any officers by the name of Wilhelm and Giles? They would be on duty at the present and escorting a Mr.-" he paused looking at Erna obviously looking for the name. Erna handed him the file. "Franklin George Klatt. He will be booked on gun charges for aggravated assault. Please call me once confirmed." he abruptly ended the call, "Let's hope your boyfriend can sort this quickly."
"He's not my boyfriend." she said walking to the desk and throwing the file down. She became aware of Sherlock next to her. She turned to him. "What? What was it that caused you to interrupt a session besides your narcissism?"
"Tell me about your time in the states?" he pressed.
"No." she said. She was not in the mood after what just happened.
He quietly studied her. She ignored him and grabbed her jacket to leave. She walked past the front desk. "Sandra, will you be ok? I'm leaving." said Erna. Sandra just smiled at her.
"Of course. And Mr. Holmes, that was so brave." she said fawning over the man Erna saw next to her.
He awkwardly smiled back.
"Sandra?" said Erna trying to get her attention, "You'll be ok?"
"Yes." she said pulling her eyes from Mr. Holmes, "yes." she said with her permanent smile, "Are you two leaving together?"
Erna said no as Sherlock said yes. Erna rolled her eyes. "See you tomorrow, Sandra." she said walking to the door. Erna paused, "Sandra, did the police ask you any questions?"
"No." replied Sandra staring at Mr. Holmes as she answered. Sherlock opened the door for Erna. "Curious." he said softly enough for only Erna to hear.
Erna walked into the street. Sherlock hurried before her to hail a cab.
"Escorting me home is not necessary. " she said.
"I thought it would give us time to talk." he said waving his arm for the oncoming cab. "Provided this one isn't driven by your mugger." the cab stopped before them. "Oh good, it's not." he said opening the door for her. She reluctantly got in. She knew there was no point in arguing and she was in no mood for talking.