A New Mystery at 221 Baker Street

Chapter 16: Buckingham Palace

AN: Transcript provided by Ariane DeVere/ Callie Sullivan

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John and Alice looked at each other as they were led through a maze of hallways in Buckingham Palace. After what seemed like forever, the two found themselves in a large sitting room. Alice sighed when she saw Sherlock sitting on one of the sofas, still wrapped up in his bedsheet. On the coffee table in front of him, sat a pile of his clothes and a pair of shoes. He looked at John who held out his hands as if to say 'What the hell are we doing here?'. Sherlock shrugged and moved over so that the three of them could fit on one sofa. Alice sighed and sat down on the couch. John followed suit, looking around at the ornate decorations. He sat next to Alice, who was now wedged between the two men.

John glanced over to Sherlock, failing to see any signs of him wearing underwear.

"Are you wearing any pants?" John asked, slightly nervous to hear the answer.

"No," Sherlock responded, proud of himself.

"Okay,"

All three of them let out a burst of laughter.

"Buckingham Palace... alright," Alice said through her laughter.

"I am seriously fighting the impulse to steal an ashtray," John confessed, making the three of them laugh again. "Seriously Sherlock, what are we doing here?"

"I don't know," Sherlock grinned.

"Here to see the queen?" John joked.

All three turned at the sound of Mycroft entering the room.

"Apparently yes," Sherlock declared. The trio began laughing again. Alice was better at hiding her giggles better than the boys on either side of her.

"Just once can you behave like grownups?" Mycroft questioned, his voice full of disdain and annoyance.

"We solve crimes, John blogs about it, and Sherlock is currently only wearing a sheet. I wouldn't hold out to much hope," Alice stated, grinning from ear to ear.

Mycroft stepped forward, standing across from the trio. "I was in the middle of a case, Mycroft," Sherlock bitterly said, looking up at his older brother."

"What? The hiker and the backfire? I glanced at the police report; a bit obvious surely," Mycroft provoked.

Alice looked up at Mycroft, "Transparent, hence why John and I were sent out to the countryside for the case. Why did you even bother looking at it?"

Mycroft looked at Alice for a few seconds, unsure of what to say, before turning his attention back to Sherlock. "Time to move on then," He leaned down and picked up the pile of Sherlock's clothes. Mycroft sighed, annoyed at his younger brother's behaviour. "We are in Buckingham Palace, the very heart of the British Nation. Sherlock Holmes, put your trousers on." Mycroft said sternly.

"Whatever for?" Sherlock asked, shrugging.

"Your client,"

Sherlock stood up, his hands clutching his sheet. "And my client is?"

"Illustrious..." Another man said as he entered the room "...In the extreme." John and Alice immediately stood up in respect. "And remaining, I have to inform you, entirely anonymous," The man turned to Mycroft, "Mycroft,"

"Harry," Mycroft walked over to shake the equerry's hand. "May I apologize for the state of my little brother?"

"Full-time occupation, I imagine," Harry joked, causing Sherlock to scowl. "And this must be Doctor John Watson, formerly of the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers,"

"Hello, yes," The two shook hands.

"My employer is a tremendous fan of your blog, particularly enjoyed the one about the aluminium crutch," Harry complimented before moving over to Alice. Instead of shaking her hand; Harry bowed slightly and kissed her knuckles. "And you must be Alice. It is a pleasure to meet you,"

Alice smiled back at the man. "Likewise, sir,"

Harry continued to smile and turned to Sherlock. "And Mr. Holmes the younger. You look taller in the photographs,"

"I take the precaution of a good coat and short friends," Sherlock said curtly. He looked at his brother in disgust. "Mycroft, I don't do anonymous clients. I'm used to mystery at one end of my cases both ends is too much work," He turned round to Harry, "Good Morning,"

Sherlock began to make his way out of the room, walking past Mycroft who stepped on the sheet trailing behind him. The sheet began to fall but Sherlock caught it before is rear-end was exposed to the rest of the room.

"This is a matter of national importance; grow up!" Mycroft angrily scolded.

"Get off my sheet!"

Mycroft cocked his head, taunting his younger brother. "Or what?"

"Or I'll just walk away," Sherlock threatened.

"I'll let you,"

Alice, who had enough of the scene in front of her, walked up to the brothers. "Boys, please, not here," she pleaded.

"Who. Is. My Client?" Sherlock seethed, still holding his sheet around his waist.

Mycroft, who had now stepped off of the sheet, looked sternly at his brother. "Take a look at where you're standing and make a deduction. You are to be engaged by the highest in the land. Now for God's sake!" he yelled before calming down, "Put your clothes on!"

Sherlock took a deep breath but still stood his ground.

Alice rolled her eyes and walked to the coffee table. "Where is the nearest restroom?" Alice asked, picking up the pile of clothes.

"Down the hall and to the left," Mycroft said.

"Thank you," Alice said, grabbing Sherlock's hand and dragging him behind her. The three men looked at each other, speechless.

Alice shoved Sherlock into the private bathroom and placed the clothes on the counter next to the sink. She rummaged through the pile and handed him his underwear and trousers. Once Sherlock took the clothes from her hand, she turned around and covered her eyes. "Because of your track record, I have to be in the same room to make sure you actually do as your told." After a few minutes, Sherlock let out an awkward cough, signaling that his trousers were on. Alice turned around and rolled her eyes. "Do you honestly need my help to put on your shirt and suit jacket too?" She handed him his shirt and jacket and left the bathroom.

Sherlock obliged, slightly wishing that he could apologise to her. She was one of the few people who could see through him. But for some reason he couldn't see through her. Alice had her barriers up, not as much as she had when they first met, but some were still there.

Once dressed, he walked out of the restroom to see Alice by the door with her arms folded, waiting for him. "Alice, I..." He began to say, before being interrupted.

"I know you could easily tell where you were going. The hair from the corgis and expensive suit should have been enough. Every worker here has a bit of the shedding at the bottom of their clothing. Is your petty feud with your brother so important that you insist on arriving and sitting in Buckingham Palace in just a sheet?" Alice waited for a response while Sherlock buttoned up his jacket. Getting no response, she sighed and grabbed his wrist. "Come on. They've been waiting for us long enough,"