When the cab left Sherlock in front of Stoke Moran's rusty gate, it was already dark and only the sparse light of a window on the second floor was visible from the garden.

It was lucky there weren't close neighbors, at least he could avoid the hassle of masquerading as a vagrant, not to mention there was no need to give up on his beloved clothes.

His outfit was the result of thorough research of colors and fabrics that could express intelligence, good taste, and elegance. There was no space for sloppiness in his work, so the same had to be for his clothes.

But returning to the matter, the detective had a mission and not much time to act.

Ever since he stepped inside the garden, Sherlock felt as if there was something amiss. He was absolutely sure no one had seen him and he paid attention closely to hide his identity from the cabby, it would be uncomfortable to be placed there after his not really authorized trip in the house.

If he was right, Miss Stone was away for a gala and the stepfather was alone. With Annie's interest and her lack of attention on her purse, it had been easy to obtain a detailed list of engagement the stylist had programmed for the week, so if tonight was a failure he had other chances to catch the culprit in action.

What he failed to mention was the deliberate danger he was putting Miss Stone on. John would surely scold him for playing with other people's lives and Annie... he had the idea she would be disgusted by Sherlock.

Not that it mattered, but if he wanted to keep her close and use her as a source of information he had to play correctly his cards. The detective couldn't bear crying women and the blond journalist was particularly upsetting to observe quietly.

He had even kept his meeting with Mycroft and Joseph Harrison a secret to avoid a shock for the girl, something he usually didn't do for anyone no matter how important or sensible the person was.

Now that he was waiting for his man to show up, Sherlock wondered if there was really something wrong in his brain lately.

There was no need to keep a work relationship with a journalist when he had Lestrade and John to inform him, but under her unhappiness and plain character, Annie had something that pushed Sherlock to involve her, as he did with John at the beginning of their friendship.

He even wasted his time at her dead fiance's funeral, but he let himself think it was a way to avoid Mycroft, who had been very eager to find Joseph and the naval treaty.

Indeed, Sherlock Holmes had something going on in his brain. Maybe it would be a good idea to speak with Annie about their agreement.

As soon as the case was closed, they would go separate ways and he would return to the top of his performance.

The morning after, Lestrade had been called urgently by John. Apparently, Sherlock was ready to give him the name of the murderer but they had to meet at Stoke Moran where there was a new crime scene.

"Now, tell me exactly what possessed you to let Miss Stone inside this mortal trap. And why you were spying like a stalker from the window!"

"I needed to find a good point of observation because I had all the pieces but no idea of how to catch the murderer. Have you seen the tent in the garden? Everyone thought a vagabond was living there and Mr. Roylott let him stay, but everyone from the beginning told me he's a misanthrope, unpleasant, and deeply attached to the wealth left by Miss Stone's mother. So, why? No reason to be so kind and give a piece of land to homeless people"

"Okay, then? The vagabond is the assassin" John said, "But last night he murdered Roylott too. If he was paid to kill the stepdaughters and make Roylott the sole heir, there would be no reason to eliminate the same man who promised to compensate him. Miss Stone is alive, so no money"

"It was the plan of the assassin, but my presence here stopped him just in time" Sherlock gloated, "Miss Stone had to die, but Roylott's murder had been planned even before. I did my research on him and it seems he had had a first wife during his time in Calcutta. The woman died there and after two decades he finds a new woman, rich but already a mother. Apparently, he left a mess there, suspected of intentional poisoning a couple of people, including the first wife"

"So the thing Annie told us about his passion for exotic animals was true. He really bought a viper and used it to assassinate his stepdaughters"

"What if he had a child from his previous marriage? It would explain the need to kill Roylott too" Annie offered, receiving a scathing glare from Sherlock and an interested one from Lestrade ad John, "Sherlock said that the inheritance is the reason for these murders, so it's obvious the family had to die for someone else external to have the money and the land"

"Just search for Roylott junior" Sherlock glared at her and stomped out of the living room, "Miss Stone will be safe as long as she doesn't return here"

The detective felt cheated. No one before had ever stolen his moment in front of everyone and he could feel John's smugness even with his back turned.

"Miss Harrison, come with us. We have things to discuss"

"I forgot to mention your brother's successful arrest last night. My brother Mycroft will contact you for one last meeting with him if you wish, or he will simply send Mr. Harrison straight to his cell in a high-security prison" the detective said, his back resting comfortably against his favorite chair.

"But..."

"Now that the case is officially closed and the MI6 will take over in searching the treaty, there's no need for you to stay around. No payment is required since I investigated your fiance's death, Mycroft will compensate for my efforts"

The journalist felt confused at the number of words Sherlock was piling over her and barely heard John protesting at his friend's callousness.

"It's fine, John. Mr. Holmes is right" she said to the shorter man, "I have no intention of staying in touch with him too"

The detective felt a pang of disappointment at her eagerness to cut herself out of the picture, but he supposed it was in line with the character. An irrational lack of ambition mixed with an annoyingly good brain wasted on a tabloid, something that Sherlock didn't understand. It was obvious the meek woman would be a total waste of time and effort if she wasn't ready to fight him back verbally as John did daily.

The strong character was what he appreciated more than anything else and Annie Harrison didn't have a speck of it.

He watched her walking out of the flat with a stoic frown. Not even John's disappointed glance was enough to make him rethink his decision.

As for John, he was convinced Annie could be a turning point in their lives with her soft and sweet personality, but Sherlock was stubborn and not ready to face a simple fact that the woman had touched his heart.

Never he had gone so far to protect a client's feelings as Sherlock did for Annie.

Went to Percy's funeral, caring for her as she fainted in their flat in front of Mycroft, letting her tag along on a crime scene.

John Watson wasn't blind and in the short week and a half they knew her, Annie had impressed her image in the detective's mind.

"I wonder how much time you'll spend pouting like a child, John"

The doctor didn't reply, but he was ready to bet Sherlock would call her soon.