A New Mystery at 221 Baker Street

Chapter 35: Ambushed in the Bathroom

AN: Episode Transcript provided by Ariane DeVere/Callie Sullivan

***

"Boffin. Boffin Sherlock Holmes," Sherlock exclaimed as he slammed the latest edition of 'The Daily Star'on the coffee table with the other papers and magazines that mentioned him. The trio had dealt with the press before, but this was a new level of public interest. Their rise in popularity was due to Sherlock solving high-profile cases. It was a famous painting that started their spree; ever since, Sherlock was referred to by the media as 'The Reichenbach Hero'.

"Everyone gets one," John said as he flipped through the newspapers.

"One what?" Sherlock asked.

"A tabloid nickname. I'll probably get one soon,"

"Page five, column six. Why do they always use the one with the hat?" Sherlock asked as he held up the deerstalker. "I don't even wear hats,"

"You read it?"

"I skimmed,"

John nodded and turned to page five. "Confirmed bachelor John Watson?" He mumbled to himself as he read the newspaper article. "What the fuck are they trying to say?"

"What kind of hat has two fronts?"

"It's a deerstalker. And they are used to shield the sun from one's eyes and neck," Alice explained as she walked into the room. "And John, don't worry, now all the ladies know you're free," she laughed.

"Says the 'Mysterious Beauty'," John retorted. "I know it's pointless to ask, but why on earth do you know the use of the two visors?"

"I'm full of useless knowledge. But listen, you guys will have to be more careful now," She took the paper out of John's hands and placed it with the others.

"What do you mean?" Sherlock asked as he tossed the dreaded hat to John.

"For starters, that is no longer a deerstalker, it's a Sherlock Holmes hat. People recognise you now. You're practically up there with Poirot and Henry Lee," Alice walked up to Sherlock and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Just find yourself a little case this week, okay? Something in the 6-8 range,"

"This'll pass. It's only a matter of time until something else happens," Sherlock said before he gave her a peck on the forehead.

"Yes, but until something does happen, you need to be control of the narrative. One toe out of line and the media will turn on you. They'll believe anyone for a good headline," She moved her hands onto his chest and pushed Sherlock into his armchair. "I have some errands to run. Can you both try not to make the evening news while I'm out?"

"We'll do our best," John responded in a joking tone. "But I'm not making any promises,"

"I'll take it," Alice gave Sherlock a quick peck on the lips before leaving the flat.

**** Cue Moriarty Breaking Into The Tower of London, Bank of England, and Pentonville Prison ****

***Five Weeks Later***

Alice fixed Sherlock's tie in the boys' living room. He had been called in as an expert witness for Moriarty's trial. John and Alice were attending as moral support and to make sure Sherlock behaved himself. John stood in the doorway, waiting for the couple. "Ready?"

"As we'll ever be," Alice replied as she grabbed her purse and headed down the stairs. The trio was met with journalists and photographers as they exited the building.

"Remember," Alice said as the three sat in the police car on their way to the trial. "don't be clever and just keep everything simple and to the point,"

"God forbid the expert witness at the trial should come across as intelligent," Sherlock said sarcastically.

"Intelligent is fine, just don't be a smart arse," John commented.

"I don't even know why we are doing this," Alice mumbled, "We already know the verdict,"

*

Sherlock stood in the bathroom at the Old Bailey court house. As he finished washing his hands, a young woman wearing a deerstalker walked up behind him.

"You're him,"

"Wrong toilet,"

"I follow all your cases. Sign my shirt, would you?" she walked closer to him revealing her excessive cleavage.

"I tend to have two types of fans: 'catch me before I kill again' and 'your bedroom's just a taxi ride away', you're neither,"

"Oh? Then what am I?"

"Those marks on your forearm: edge of a desk. You've been typing in a hurry. The pressure's on and you're facing a deadline. Not to mention the deliberate smudge of ink on your wrist and the obvious recording device in your pocket. You're a journalist,"

"I'm liking you,"

"You mean I'd make a fantastic feature: Sherlock Holmes- The Man Beneath the Hat,"

"Kitty Riley. Pleased to meet you," Kitty said as she took off her hat and offered her hand for him to shake.

Sherlock looked at it in disgust before looking back at her face. "I'm going to save you the trouble right now. No, I won't give you an interview," He pushed past her as he headed for the door. "And no, I don't want any money,"

"You and that girl, Alice- what is going on between you two?" Kitty asked as she stopped him from leaving, "There's all sorts of gossip about the three of you. Private lives can easily become public,"

"Is that a threat?"

"You're going to need someone on your side to help you set the record straight,"

"And you think you're the girl for the job,"

"I'm smart and you can trust me," Kitty tucked her business card into his breast pocket. "What do you see?"

"I see someone who's desperate for their first big scoop so that their editor will finally notice them. The skirt you're wearing has been hemmed twice; it's the only posh one you own. And your nails; you can't afford to have them professionally done often. I don't see smart and I definitely don't see trustworthy. But I'll give you a quote if you like," Sherlock reached down and took the recorder from her pocket and held it up to his mouth. "You...repel...me,"

Alice and John were waiting outside Courtroom 10 for Sherlock.

"What's taking him so long?" John asked.

"Maybe he's trying to get all of his snarky comments out of the way. If only he could do that on..." Alice trailed off as she saw Moriarty walk past her.

He was dressed in a fine gray suit and  escorted by uniformed officers. He managed to briefly make eye contact and smile at her. James Moriarty couldn't help but smile. The princess in his fairytale had come to see the villain at his best. Though she was currently protected by the hero and the knight, Jim made sure that would change in the near future. This time, the villain would win. Alice had first caught Moriarty's attention when she was still with the CIA. She had single-handedly managed to hack into the security system of one of his clients. After he researched her and pulled some favours, he was impressed. A child prodigy, sharpshooter, and cybersecurity master; it was a dream come true. His heart exploded when he saw her solve the cases that were meant for Sherlock. She was smarter than the consulting detective and that meant that she was perfect for him: for James Moriarty. Together, they could dominate the world, and he would give her the world.