Sherlock insisted they stop by 221 B before her apartment. Erna sat on the couch at 221 B in silence. Sherlock made her a cup of tea. He sat typing away at his computer.
Erna heard footsteps rushing up the steps of the apartment building. She jumped to her feet.
"It's Lestrade." said Sherlock not looking up from his typing. No sooner than he finished the sentence Lestrade rushed theough the door.
"Erna? You alright?" he asked taking her hand. Sherlock watched to interaction. Erna pulled her hand from his. Sherlock was intrigued.
"Don't worry. Yes, I'm fine." she said patting his arm and sitting back down.
"Erna, you've been through a lot." said Lestrade sitting next to her. " You need a place to stay?"
"She's staying here." said Sherlock. "I've secured the room upstairs for her. It's been vacant since John left." said Sherlock still typing.
"You ok with that?" he asked.
Erna nodded yes. "No. I will be fine at my apartment." she said as she looked down at her tea. She was nervous to be staying in the same building with Sherlock. She knew it was not just an act of kindness. She knew Sherlock was looking into her background.
"Erna, do you need anything?" he asked.
"No, Greg, I appreciate it but right now I just need a good nights sleep and to get back to work tomorrow." she said.
"Erna, you didn't hear?" he asked.
She looked at Sherlock and then turned her attention to Lestrade, "Hear what?"asked Sherlock.
"Ella's office was burglarized." he said.
"Ok." she said.
"I'm putting a few officers to keep an eye out for you. I think someone may be targeting you."said Lestrade.
"The officers aren't necessary but if it makes you feel better."said Sherlock.
Erna gave Sherlock a scolding look.
"Yeah, well, it does." said Greg. "I need to finish my shift. I'll call you later. Please call me if you do need anything or Sherlock gets on your nerves." he said smiling at her.
"Did you find the officers and Mr. Klatt?" asked Sherlock.
She returned a smile to Lestrade as he kissed her forehead.
"A word, Sherlock?" said Lestrade stepping outside the flat. Sherlock followed him.
"The officers weren't ours and Klatt was found dead along with his family." said Lestrade. "The initial scene makes it look like a murder suicide."
"Your thoughts?" asked Sherlock.
"I need your help without upsetting Erna." he said.
"Erna can handle it and we may need her help." said Sherlock. Lestrade was surprised. "She is astute."
"Alright. Are you sure she is ok here?" he asked. Sherlock just stared at him. Lestrade nodded and turned to leave.
Sherlock walked back into the room to see Erna putting on her coat.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"I need to go to the my apartment." she said.
He put his coat on, "I'm coming with you."
"Not necessary." she said walking to the door. He gently grabbee her arm to stop her. She turned to him.
"Someone is after you but you know this." he said narrowing his eyes.
"Stop." she said pulling her arm from his grip. She hurried down the stairs as he followed. He hailed a cab as they both got in.
"Have you read my file?" he asked as they sat in the cab. She looked over at him as he kept his gaze forward. She felt like chuckling but restrained herself.
"I skimmed it." she said. "I prefer to form my own thoughts about you."
"And?" he asked.
"And I am curious why you came to the office." she said.
He turned his attention to her, "I had a feeling you needed me."
"Or perhaps the feeling was you, needed me?" she countered.
He gave a slight grin. "Why do you think Mr. Klatt targeted you?"
"How would I know?" she asked irritated. "Shouldn't you already have the answer?" she said striking out when she knew it was not him she was mad at. "I'm sorry."
He ignored her apology and stared forward, "I will." he said referring to the answers. He gently laid his hand over hers giving a slight squeeze. He kept it there. He noted she did not pull it away.
She looked at him. "Are you testing me?"
He looked at her. He was taken aback that she noticed.
"I pulled my hand from Greg's for my own reasons. I'm not pulling away from yours because I have my reaons. I'm not sharing the reasons with you because they are mine." she said turning to stare out the window. The cab was unable to pull up to Erna's apartment. The street was flooded with sirens and police cars aa they saw smoke billowing. Sherlock paid the driver and they got out. Erna had a sinking feeling in her gut that was confirmed as they moved closer. Ella's apartment building was engulfed on flames. She stared stunned at the scene. Sherlock watched her. Now was not the time to press her yet part of him said now was the time for honest answers.
"Do you think they are ok? The others in the building?" she asked as she stared at the building in shock.
Sherlock put his hand gently on her back. "I'm sure they did all they could to clear the building."
She looked up at him. Her eyes filled with tears. She felt helpless. A feeling she did not enjoy. She knew in that moment he saw right through her.
"I'm taking you back to Baker Street." he said as they turned to walk away.
Sherlock received a barrage of texts from Lestrade once he found out about Erna's flat.
"Your boyfriend is a bit overprotective." he said setting down his phone.
"Sherlock." she said irritated at his constant insinuation. She calmed herself. "Then what do you call yourself?" she asked.
He looked at her confused by her statement.
"Well you brought me here to live right under your nose?" she said.
"Maybe I care?" he said.
"Or maybe you look at me as a case? You don't really have an off switch for that, do you?" she asked.
"I already know your story." he said.
"Interesting," she said, "and?"
"You're running from your past." he said as her heart sank. "you were successful in the states but it wasn't enough to gain acceptance from your peers, no, family." he corected himself. "You had a client there. One that you became emotionally attached to. Something happened. The client never returned? It wasn't that you couldn't help them. They couldn't help themself. Not everyone who seeks your services seeks help." he took a breath to continue as Erna interrupted.
"Enough. " she said in a demanding tone then softened as she realized he was still reading her, "enough for now, I need some sleep." she said.
"Yes, I suppose you do. Uhm," he walked down the hall and returned with some clothes. "I know they aren't your size but hopefulky they will do. I can take you to some shops tomorrow." he said.
"Thank you." said Erna. "Thank you, Mr, Holmes."
"Erna," he said as she turned to leave. "You are safe here. Sleep well."
She nodded and headed to the room.