Before we begin: So I gave Adele the age of fourteen at first. Change of plan. She's now thirteen, because a) She doesn't act like a fourteen year old, and b) I can't see her as fourteen anymore. Just remember that, because past stuff comes up here. And Sherlock and Lestrade have known each other for five years, according to the interwebs. There are some slight problems with timings in the first one, but yeah.

'Hansel and Gretel.'

Adele glanced up at Sherlock to find him staring into space. Thinking? Most likely. Or more, having an argument with himself in his head.

'It's a stupid kid's story, isn't it?'

'Yes. It was in the book I re-wrote, but it was too unrealistic to bother looking at.'

'If you say so. What happened in it?'

'Two children and an evil stepmother, breadcrumbs and breaking and entering. Not worth my time.'

Well. Could be, considering that Hammet now had kids called Hansel and Gretel out to get them. Unless he'd just used the names.

'Where these kids blond, by any chance?'

'No idea. Why?'

'Wondering why he chose those names.' No normal mother called their kids Hansel and Gretel, for God's sake. 'Scaring us? Or me?'

'Who knows?'

Sherlock, John and Adele were sitting around a table in Scotland Yard. Donovan had been surprisingly calm about the whole thing, although Adele had been on the receiving end of a lot of evil looks and muttered insults. Lestrade had begun to look conflicted so John, being John, had told him to explain to Donovan without any interruption from either Sherlock or Adele, and try to ask her what had actually happened. Then, as Lestrade had so kindly put it, then the smartasses have a go. This had been met by a scowl from Adele. Anderson was still hovering around, which was more funny than annoying. Watching him trying and failing to slip under Sherlock's radar was hilarious, and John looked ready to punch him. Although Adele would probably beat him to it.

'I don't see the point.'

Lestrade walked in just as Sherlock was about to speak. Sherlock scowled at him, but didn't object to Lestrade sitting down. Sherlock probably appreciated having Lestrade helping anyway, considering that Mycroft wasn't going to be much use. It would be helpful to find out exactly where he stood, but chances were that Mycroft wouldn't give a proper answer. Most likely, he would say that he did it for some reason that would be beneficial in the long run, and then launch into some sort of lecture about something or other, only for everything to drag and an entire day to be wasted. Adele made a mental note to ask Sherlock or John to go and ask.

'Why is he doing this?' Adele could tell that Lestrade's question was directed at her. To be perfectly honest, she didn't really know herself. She shrugged and nodded in Sherlock's direction.

'No idea. He might know.'

Sherlock looked up. 'What? Why?' Lestrade also looked pretty confused.

'Well, Mycroft's involved, isn't he?' Only Sherlock appeared to understand. Adele had forgotten that neither John nor Lestrade had been there when Hammet had explained. Or sort of explained. 'You weren't there. He's friends with 'Lock's brother. Make of that what you will.'

Lestrade frowned, as did John. Adele was trying not to smirk, but it was difficult. Sherlock looked murderous. Great.

'So his brother is involved?' Lestrade asked slowly.

Adele shrugged again. 'Doubt it, but he still might be. Or at least, he might be able to inform us as to why Hammet's bothering with this.'

'Have any of you spoken to him?'

'Of course not. It's Mycroft. First things first, none of us want to speak to him. Second, John probably won't appreciate being sent to talk to him again. Third, he won't give us an actual answer, and forth, if he is involved, we leave ourselves in a position in which Mycroft might tell Hammet and then Hammet will do something else.'

Sherlock frowned. 'Do you have any evidence to suggest that no one wants to speak to him?'

'Yes. You're his brother, and you two don't exactly get along. John gets annoyed when you make him go and find Mycroft, so that rules him out. Mycroft and Lestrade? As far as I'm aware, they've never met. And Mycroft thinks I'm a pain. And I think he's a condescending idiot. There's no one else.'

'Alright, enough. What about Hansel and Gretel?'

'Two kids he's got out to freak Adele out. One of them clearly doesn't want to, or finds it boring. So we might be able to use that.' Sherlock was staring at the ceiling as he spoke, occasionally letting his eyes flicker down to the table.

'How?' Lestrade sounded sceptical.

'Get the kid over here, interrogate them.'

'Then what?'

'Think, Lestrade. They won't be any use to us. We can easily assume that the kids' old enough to be locked up.'

'You want me to frighten a child?'

'With all honesty, you were pretty scary when I first met you.' Adele grinned at Lestrade. 'Shouldn't be too difficult.'

'Thanks. But-'

'And remember, it is your job. And the quicker you do it, the less likely it is that he'll hurt more people.'

'What?'

Had Sherlock not mentioned this? Damn. 'Hammet said he'd get pretty much everyone I know. If you act quickly, chances are he won't be able to. Sherlock, did you actually tell him anything past Donovan?'

'He said-?'

'I forgot to tell you, sorry.' Sherlock piped up. He didn't look sorry at all, more highly amused. Lestrade looked petrified, and John had a just plain concerned. 'It's not important, anyway. John?'

John looked up, surprised. 'Hm?'

'Opinions?'

'Oh. Well. We could ask Mycroft. I mean, I don't mind asking him.'

'You don't mind? You're prepared to sit in the same room as him for more than five minutes and actually have a conversation?' Adele asked in surprise. Mycroft wasn't as annoying as Anderson or Donovan, but he was still an idiot.

'It might benefit us.'

Adele shrugged. 'On your own head be it.' John didn't even respond to that. Adele turned to Sherlock instead. 'Why's Mycroft co-operating with Hammet?'

Sherlock shrugged. 'Doing each other favours?'

'That's one of the great things about you. So specific.'

'I am specific. When I have enough information.'

'When do you want me to talk to Mycroft, then?' John asked, his voice slightly raised. Lestrade looked slightly annoyed.

Adele hadn't ever really liked nor disliked Lestrade. He could be incredibly annoying and quite stupid, but sometimes he wasn't too bad. The first time she had met him, Adele had decided almost immediately that he wasn't as clever as Sherlock, and that he wasn't worth speaking to. That, and the fact that Lestrade obviously didn't have much experience with children. Especially children with more knowledge than himself. Because of this, Adele had refrained from speaking to him for weeks, until she had become so bored that she had to talk to him. Either Lestrade or Anderson, and anyone could guess which was a better conversation.

'Today. Now.' Sherlock wasn't even looking at John. In fact, he was staring out of the window. John rolled his eyes.

'Okay then.' He got up and went over to the door. 'Hang on- What am I supposed to say?'

'Ask if he has anything to do with all of this. But don't be so direct.'

'Right.' John left. Now only Sherlock, Adele and Lestrade remained. Adele decided that she should probably have a word with Donovan. Hammet might have mentioned something, and if Donovan had heard it, Adele would hopefully be one stop ahead.

'Donovan.'

'Yes. You want to talk to her?'

'Obviously.'

'Be nice. She's just had a gun pointed at her head, remember.'

'Fine. Is that code for both of us to pretend to be really sympathetic?'

'Yes. Be nice. I mean it.'

Adele sighed. When would Lestrade learn that being nice was boring and not going to get them anywhere? Probably never. Still, she followed Lestrade and Sherlock next door, to find Donovan glaring at her.

'Freak junior.'

This wasn't fair. 'You said I had to be nice!' Adele almost yelled at Lestrade. Lestrade, conflicted, shrugged.

'Just try to have a conversation without either of you yelling too much. Both of you.' Adele glared at him, but Sherlock gave her a warning look. He was going to be nice? This would be interesting.

'Fine. You might as well just let Sherlock do that talking.' Adele crossed her arms and glared back at Donovan, who looked pleased with herself. Idiot.

'I will. This will be quick, don't worry. Couple of questions for you, if that's okay, Sally?'

She nodded, although Adele doubted Donovan would actually answer them.

'Did you see two blond children while you were there?'

'One.'

'And…?'

'Boy. Blond.'

'We know that. Anything else?'

'He was just sitting there. Didn't say much.' In her head, Adele swore. Sherlock seemed happy with this. Hm.

'Thanks. Lestrade, we're going now. Chances are that we'll see you later.'

Lestrade began to protest, but Adele gave him a warning look. She shot a grin at Donovan, who responded with a death glare, and followed Sherlock out.

'So that was…?' She asked, once they were outside.

'Mildly useful. I think John might have gotten more out of Mycroft, though.'

'Don't get your hopes up. It's Mycroft.'

As a taxi pulled up, Adele could have sworn that out of the corner of her eye, she saw the blond kid once more.

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