Sherlock turned down his coat collar before charging into the office, Anderson and Donavan shaking their heads at him.
He stopped short when he saw the girl. She was pale and skinny, with her knees pulled up to her chest, and chin tucked in. She looked up and stared at him with haunting brown eyes. On the table in front of her was a spiral bound school notebook, open to the first page. A pen was resting on blank page.
Sherlock sat down on the opposite side of the table. "I'm Sherlock Holmes, I'm a detective and I'm here to help you."
The girl blinked. She picked up the pen and paused, pen poised. She scrawled something in the notebook and passed it to him.
He glanced down at the page. You're not wearing a badge. Why should I trust you?
This girl was smarter than most, he realized. "Do you trust Lestrade?"
She nodded.
"He needs my help to get to the bottom of this. I'd appreciate it if you helped us. Scotland Yard has a criminal to catch."
The girl slid the notebook towards her and wrote a quick line.
Sherlock read the words after she set the pen down. It wasn't just a bomb.
She gave him a curious look.
He shrugged. "I can read upside-down."
The girl nodded and continued writing. There was a shooting, too. I'm forbidden to talk to anyone about who did it, that's why I can't talk out loud. She didn't say I couldn't communicate. The girl smirked a little.
"She is the killer?"
No. She is Meghan killer is her friend, Amber Moran. The girl wrote.
Lestrade burst in. "Time's up; doctor's orders." He turned to Sherlock. "Got anything?"
"It was not a bombing."
"What do you mean, it wasn't a bombing? The place was in shambles. Glass everywhere; girls crying."
"Blood on everything." Anderson offered.
"It was a cover-up." Sherlock murmured.
"What?" Lestrade asked.
Anderson continued, as if to reassure himself. "We found the actual bomb."
Sherlock shook his head. "Nothing," He noticed the girl's notebook had disappeared. He raised his eyebrows at her but she just nodded.
Lestrade tapped his chin. "She's fine, no physical damage. She's still in shock though, needs someplace to stay…"
"She's doesn't have a family or relatives?" Sherlock asked.
Donavan entered, looking distressed. "The records have been destroyed, sir. There's no way to contact her family." She turned to the girl. "Can't you tell us your name, sweetie? We're only trying to help you."
The girl shook her head.
"She can stay at Baker Street." Sherlock said, out of the blue.
"Sherlock, that goes against regulations. She's a minor and we can't put her anywhere without consent."
"My sister and John's sister are staying with us at the moment, I'm sure they can watch out for her." Sherlock said.
Donavan's eyes widened. "You have a sister, freak?"
"Is she as freaky as you, freak?" Anderson asked.
Sherlock ignored them. "Do you want to stay at Baker Street?"
The girl nodded; smiling.