Thread by @TheRealDoctorT

“So, what do you think happened here Holmes?” I look to my angular companion. I have my theories, but no answers.

We have reached the point in the investigation where I will be dazzled by Holmes’ intellect. The puzzle pieces are ready.

But Holmes remains silent, pensive. 1/

Finally, he speaks.

“Watson, the question isn’t what happened here. That much has been obvious from the day we arrived.”

My brow arches. “Oh, has it? Could you please enlighten us lesser minds?”

Holmes sounds impatient, “Clearly, Lord Simon Byron was murdered.” 2/

I splutter, “Sherlock, in order for there to be a murder there has to be a body.”

Holmes looks almost pained as he explains, “The body has been hidden in plain sight.”

“But where?”

“Ask the widow.”

“Holmes, technically she’s not a widow yet!

“Fine! The soon-to-be widow!” 3/

I start to object, but the Great Detective has no patience for it.

“Not now Watson! Indeed this ‘disappearance’ was a murder, and a sloppily covered up one too. But that isn’t the question, Watson. That isn’t the question that has been hounding me for days...”. 4/

As Holmes trails off he looks out the window at the expansive estate, the well-manicured lawns and the fountains with their melancholy cherubs.

The scene of a crime.

And a deeper mystery.

I know enough to let this silence grow, until finally I have to ask, “The question?” 5/

Holmes seems startled to be brought out of his little reverie. He looks to me, his steady companion, irritated.

“Yes Watson, the real question we should be asking. Why call us? Any officer of the law worth his salt could have solved this pathetic excuse for a mystery.” 6/

I start to speak but Holmes carries on, standing up from his chair, launching into one of his impassioned speeches.

“You see Watson, there is always a question within a question! A why behind a why... There was no need to summon us to this everyday amateurish crime.” 7/

I finally get a word in, “So you think we’re looking at the wrong suspects?”

Holmes shakes his head, his eyes flashing, “No Watson, we’re looking at the wrong CRIME! Something else is going on here. Something more nefarious than even murder. The why behind the why.” 8/

I shake my head, “I don’t know how you can deduce that Holmes, we’ve barely collected any evidence.”

Holmes sighs exaggeratedly. “My dear friend, have I taught you nothing? We have been surrounded with evidence the moment we arrived. You look, but don’t observe!” 9/

I start to ask another question but Holmes raises one finger, frowning as he looks out the window.

“Well, Watson, I do believe we are about to be summoned.”

“Summoned?”

Holmes nods, a sly smile on his lips. “The game is afoot!”

Someone knocks at the door. 10/

Opening it, I find myself face to face with the heretofore missing Lord Simon Byron himself.

He speaks with a warm smile, “Greetings good sir, you must be Dr. Watson. And I assume your stunned friend is the esteemed Sherlock Holmes?”

Sherlock stands frozen, “No...” 11/

The Lord quirks a brow, “No?”

Sherlock continues under his breath, looking dazed, “No... it can’t be you.”

Sensing impending disaster, I hiss under my breath, “Sherlock, manners!”

This snaps the Great Detective out of his shock, “Ah yes, apologies. I am Sherlock Holmes.” 12/

I have known Sherlock to be many things over the years of our friendship.

One thing I have never known him to be, however, is wrong.

So you can understand, dear reader, why I took some satisfaction in this moment.

For once, he and I weren’t so different.

(To be continued...?)