Molly was released from hospital the next morning, and was back at work in a matter of days, getting almost as restless as Sherlock in the time she was forced to stay home and rest. It was on her first day back at work that Mycroft made his appearance in Baker Street. He strode in, carrying a manila file to find Sherlock and John busy sorting through data for a case. As soon as Sherlock saw the file in his hands though, he dropped what he was doing, getting straight to his feet .
"You found someone." He stated, holding his hand out for the file.
Mycroft ignored his outstretched hand, and walked round him, sitting in Sherlock's armchair, and casting a questioning glance at John. Sherlock moved to stand behind John's chair, glaring at his older brother, but nodding that what he had to say could be said in front of John.
"Indeed I have." He informed them. "Moriarty did an outstanding job in wiping his own records, leaving no trace of his past behind… except one article."
"Which is?" Sherlock demanded impatiently.
"An adoption form. For…" He opened the pile and squinted at the name. "Miss Kaitlin Moriarty. Only daughter of his brother we believe. Both her parents died in a car accident when she was 5 and at home with the babysitter. James, or 'Jim' Moriarty has been her legal guardian ever since."
"How could they let a psychopath like Moriarty adopt a child." John interrupted in disgust.
"It was a long time ago John, it wasn't known that he was a consulting criminal back then. She's 11 now." Mycroft corrected him.
Sherlock filed this information away in his mind palace, as John continued to protest. "But they know he is now. Surely they could … revoked his custody or something."
Mycroft sighed long-sufferingly. "It's really not as simple as that John, not when it comes to social services. You can't remove a child from their legal guardian just like that. He's never actually been convicted of a crime, and there's no evidence that the child is in any danger from him. He's very regular in taking her for health checks every six months and she's perfectly healthy, physically and mentally."
"Oh and that's enough for you is it?" John snapped.
"I'm no happier with the situation than you are, John, who knows what dubious morals he's teaching her, but I'm just explaining how legally there is nothing we can do to remove her from the situation. Although to be honest, right now I'm more concerned at what Sherlock intends to do should I hand over any more information about her, than I am about her current living arrangements." Mycroft's eyes fixed accusingly on his little brother.
Sherlock snapped out of his mind palace at the sound of his name. "Me? Why are you concerned about me?"
Mycroft raised his eyebrows, giving his best 'I'm-no-fool-so-don't-take-me-for-one look. "It's hardly a difficult deduction Sherlock, he tried to kill your wife, it's only natural that you would feel the need to respond in kind, but-"
"You really think I'd let him do that?"
"As if I'd be so petty."
Sherlock and John both cut Mycroft's misguided notions off at the same time, glancing at each other as they realised they were talking simultaneously, before cutting hard stares back at Mycroft.
"My mistake." Mycroft apologised. "But if not revenge, what are you planning on using this information for?"
"To draw him out." Sherlock explained "He was hard enough to find and keep track of before, now it's nearly impossible. You saw how he dealt with Molly, a poisoned card, he's keeping his distance and staying out of sight, probably while he builds up a new network to replace the one I destroyed. We can't wait for that to happen, we need to draw him out now, and this is how we do it. He uses those I care about to get to me because it works, and it'll work on him too. Of course we don't want to hurt the girl, but if we can take her hostage and make him believe we would, then we might just be able to lure him out."
"That's quite a bluff. Sure he'll swallow it?" Mycroft challenged.
"When you're a parent, it's too big a risk to take. He'll swallow it." John said confidently, his eyes dark and far away, no doubt contemplating the lengths he'd go to for his own daughter.
Mycroft nodded, willing to take John as an authority on it. "Very well. But I hope you understand how risky this little operation of yours is going to be. You'll be operating well outside the law, and if word gets out you've kidnapped the girl they'll be looking for you, anything involving a child does create rather a commotion until the child is found. And don't think you can count on me to bail you if it all goes wrong, once I hand this file over, I can have no further part in this."
"Good, the last thing we need is you underfoot." Sherlock quipped, stepping forward and holding his hand out again for the file. Mycroft gave him another serious glare, not handing over the file just yet, and Sherlock sighed in response. "Don't worry Mycroft, I'm well aware of the dangers, and have no intention of allowing anything to go wrong. " he reassured him caustically.
With a small huff of annoyance Mycroft extended the files to Sherlock, who snatched them out of his hand and immediately started scanning through, memorizing the information. With a curt nod to John, Mycroft got up, letting himself out. Once he was gone John took a big breath himself, before looking back at Sherlock.
"So this is it then? We're really doing this. Kidnapping a minor." He rubbed his hands over his tired eyes.
"View it as a rescue mission. We're doing what is best for her, as well as ourselves, it's a win-win situation." Sherlock reassured him, handing the folder over to John once he'd finished reading it. "Take that home, study it, and have Mary do likewise. Tomorrow we begin."
AN: Well, I finally have it all planned out n my head where this is going, just getting it down on paper is the hard part. Thanks for all the continued support, seriously it means a lot to me :)