"What are you doing?" Sherlock exclaimed seeing all the people occupying his sitting room.
"They are about to leave and I think i'm in detention…I thought you said your girlfriend was the nice version of you… She dragged Anderson out by his ear!" Lestrade said in a quiet manner not wanting Maria to come out of the child's room.
"She is unless you anger her. Now why are you here?" Clearly amused.
"Well I knew you'd find the case. I'm not stupid."
"You can't just break into my flat!" Sherlock exclaimed.
"Be quiet she's going to come out…and you know you can't hold evidence, and I didn't break into your flat."
Sherlock looked down the corridor seeing Maria trying to put Mia asleep before turning to Lestrade. "You're scared of her?" He said amused, the people slowly filtering out of the flat. "Why?"
"It was meant to be a drugs bust. But your lady friend was quick to assure me that because I didn't go by the book, the suitcase cant be used in court meaning if we catch the killer he could go free. She gave me an ultimatum to dismiss the officers and sit here waiting for you or call the person in charge and all of our work will go to the gutter… evil that one." Lestrade explained. Sherlock closing the door behind the last officer.
"No. It was pure genius. She was bluffing… Now get off my chair." Shooing Lestrade away.
"What are you talking about!" A whispered yell came from Lestrade.
"Lestrade I've only been in London for 2 months, do you really think I know the number of your boss." Maria said from the doorway, smile in place.
"You tricked me, I could have you arrested for meddling in a police investigation."
"You could…But I can also have you arrested for police misconduct and breaking an entry." To which Lestrade stuttered on his words once more.
"Ho-How would you kno-
"Her brother is obviously a police officer." Sherlock interrupted looking at Maria amused, quite impressed. She can handle herself quite well.
"Lawyer actually." She responded, Sherlocks ego diminishing a bit.
"Sherlock, there's someone here for you?" Mrs. Hudson emerged. "Maria dear what was all the fuss about the officers?"
"It was nothing Mrs. Hudson, Ill see who it is. " Maria said, seeing as John no longer had his cane. "It's probably Angelo." She said sharing a knowing smirk with Sherlock as she heard the doorbell ring again. Exiting the flat, no longer hearing the boys conversation.
"Anyway we found out who Rachel is." Lestrade said continuing to explain the situation.
With Maria
"What are you doing here?" Maria said, trying to not let her emotions dictate her at the moment. "Sherlock caught you…you should be in prison." coming face to face with the cabbie, who wore a confused look before understanding.
"Your Sherlock Holmes little lady friend…I think you overestimated Sherlock, he thought the killer was the passenger." He said watching the realisation wash over Maria's face. "I was meant to get Sherlock. But you will do… Get in the cab." He said pulling out a gun. Maria attempted to deduce if it was a fake or not but the shadows surrounding the man were not helping her, so she slowly stepped into the cab.
With Sherlock
"It says the phones here, that cant be right." John said.
"Maybe it fell out of the suitcase…" Lestrade offered.
"It couldn't of, I saw it… I don't miss anything… Where the hell is Maria!" He exclaimed. "Mrs. Hudson!" He called.
"Oh what is it Sherlock?" Mrs. Hudson said exiting the kitchen.
"Who was at the door?"
"Is this really important at the moment Sherlock." Lestrade said, in which Sherlock ignored.
"Your taxi Sherlock." she said.
"My what?" He said before realisation bloomed on his face and he rushed out of the flat and into the London streets, no cab or Maria in sight. "Damnit!" He shouted kicking the wall.
"Sherlock, whats going on?" John said, following his friend, Lestrade behind him.
"Its the cabbie…" earning confused looks from the two. "He's the murderer, its the cabbie…And Maria just went with him." He said mournfully. Lestrade quickly calling up police to the scene.