THE NEW SHERLOCK HOLMES

THE NEW SHERLOCK HOLMES The problem would begin when some doctored photos would come to light. The problem, which these photos would cause was due to the fact that the photos depicted members, of the royal family, involved in lewd, sexual, and provocative, situations. The problem, with which Scotland Yard was tasked, was either the retrieval, or destruction, of the photos. This left the venerable Inspector Lestrade with a puzzle to solve. According to the report, which Lestrade had received, Mi-5, or MI-6, had canvassed the property, in question, where the photos were being held. The extortionists motives were clear. If the royal family did not abdicate, within a specified period of time, the photos would be "leaked", to the media. Even if un-true, the specter, of doubt, might cause serious distrust, of the royal family. When Inspector Lestrade would be told "We have considered every avenue, available. The only answer, which seems plausible, at this time, is a tacticle, nuclear, strike." When the inspector would say "See here, my good man, there are villages, in that area. No one is setting off a nuke, without warning the public, and a general evacuation." The instructor would inform Lestrade "IF we issue such a notice, then we are playing into the terrorists hands. They can evacuate, before the civilians are gone. What we need is something a bit less than orthodox." When Lestrade would say "Tell me, you DONT mean HER." The instructor would say "For someone, without security clearance, she has the finest retrieval record, in the empire." Lestrade would say "Let me guess. You want me to contact her, strictly on the Q.T." The instructor would say "You do catch on, quickly, inspector." With that, the instructor would leave the conference room, leaving the inspector to ask his subordinates "Do we know where Sherlock Holmes is, at this time?" Thirty minutes later, Lestrade would arrive at one of the most well-known addresses, in the world: 221-B Baker Street When the venerable housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson, would invite the inspector into the residence, she would caution him "Sherlock is in one of her moods. All of that cat-and-mouse stuff. Not right, for an upstanding citizen." When Lestrade would thank the elderly woman, and make his way up the stairs, to the room, which he knew, so well, he would be surprised when he found the space vacant. The furnishings were, all, present, as if Sherlock Holmes had just stepped out, for a walk. Lestrade knew that he might have to wait for the "detective". How long? Who knows. It would not be until after some time, that Lestrade would check his pocket watch, asking "Where the devil?" This would be the moment, when a sleek, slender, form would appear, from the background, saying "Welcome Lestrade. I can see you are as "patient" as ever. By the way, I, still, prefer that you NOT smoke that vile tobacco, in my rooms. If you must smoke, use one of the tobaccos, which I prefer." When Lestrade would say "Dear me, I thought you gave up smoking, a good while ago." Sherlock would say "While I, no-longer smoke, I do not object if visitors indulge. Just smoke something which is not vile, to the senses." This is when Lestrade would say "Now, see here, Holmes, I did not come here, to have you trashing my preferred smoke. I came here because..." Sherlock would say "You are here regarding a case. A case, which Parliament has not had the ability to resolve. A case, involving some fake photos, of members of the royal family. The fear is that, IF the photos go public, no amount, of denial, will protect the royal family. Your job is to enlist my services, in order to "retrieve" the photo's, with as little embarrassment, as possible." When Lestrade would add "You should know that there are those, in authority, who are not in favor of your methods." Sherlock would say "Tell me something I do NOT, already, know." When Lestrade would ask "Will you take the case?" Sherlock Holmes would turn her head, as if in a light wind, saying "For the empire, ofcourse." When Lestrade would return to Scotland Yard, he would walk into a storm, of debate. A storm, which the man had expected. In the conference room, a speaker would be saying "She is a criminal! She was convicted of drug charges. There is no way we will allow her on our team." Lestrade would say "For as long as I have known Sherlock Holmes, being a "team-player", as you call it, has not been in her nature." While even Lestrade knew that it WAS true, that Sherlock Holmes had been convicted, of drug charges, and sentenced to serve five years, in detention, the inspector knew that there was much MORE, to the story. For Sherlock Holmes, being arrested, and charged, had been part of a plan. A plan, known only to Lestrade, and a few, select, people. Sherlock had made a point of going to a drug dealer, whom Scotland Yard had under watch. In order to make certain that the charge would "stick", Sherlock had made certain to obtain the Coccaine, in her pocket, from a very reliable source. This way, even if the "junk" she bought, on the street, was less than "pure", she could make sure that the police found the REAL substance. Sherlock was glad she had planned for this since, when she bought, from the dealer, in front of the police, she found that the pack she had bought was about 95% flour, and only 5% Coccaine. As a result, when the police arrested Sherlock, she had told them which pocket to search, for the REAL drug. The point, in going into prison, undercover, was to expose whether, or not, prison guards had, in fact, killed inmates, then just dumped bodies down the sewers. If the guards were innocent, Lestrade wanted absolute proof. Proof, which Sherlock Holmes could only gain, from behind bars. While the final report stated that it was a known FACT, that Sherlock Holmes had found, and reported, the evidence, that the guards had been framed, it was un-fortunate, that the mastermind had fled Great Britain, before an arrest could be made. Still, Sherlock Holmes had asked the police NOT to release her, at that time. According to official records, Sherlock's real name was Tabitha Holmes. The reason why she bore the famous name was due to a combination, of the family, she had been born into, and her ability, to solve cases, which no one else could solve. Un-like most criminals, who see prison as a place to "cool their heels", until release, Sherlock had used her time, behind bars, to meet, know, and understand, the skills sets, of the finest criminals, which Europe could create. When the prison warden made regular reports, stating that Sherlock Holmes was "conspiring", with some of the nations worst criminals, and these reports reached Lestrades desk, with workers asking "Whats going on?" Lestrade would, only, say "She knows what she is doing." Lestrade was correct. During her stay, in prison, Sherlock Holmes had learned from the very "best"? Everything from Cat-Burglary, to auto-theft, and computer hacking. At her out-mate review, Lestrade would have the reports suppressed, of her interractions, with other prisoners. The prison warden might have been opposed, to this, except for one reason. Due to what would turn out to be aged piping, and degraded seals, tanks, containing a "crowd control" gas, had mixed with tanks, containing "fire control" gas. The resulting mixture would be deadly, if inhaled. Un-fortunately, the prison gates had been programmed to prevent prisoner escape. This is why, when the warden ordered the gates open, to prevent gas-related deaths, the 21st century computer system, built into the prison, decided that the evacuation was, in fact, an escape attempt. As a result, even the Warden, and guards, were locked inside the prison, as the computer announced "Riot in progress." When the warden shouted, at the computer "OVERRIDE", the computer told the warden "Overrides dis-engaged. Riot MUST be contained." It was when the guards were asking the warden "How much time do we have?" That Sherlock did not like the answer, anymore than guards, or inmates did. The problem, that the prison had, that day, was that, among both prisoners, and guards, there was no one, of a slim enough build, to slip through the ventilation system, and shut off the gas. That is, not until Sherlock would ask "Where is the gas coming from?" The warden, with a cotton mask over his mouth, would point at a building, and say "There." A guard would point out "Sir, under roit conditions, the doors are disabled. Even our keys wont work." This is when Sherlock had spotted a grated vent. Now, her skills, learned in this prison, would be put to the test. Using skills, learned from a former acrobat, turned small time crook (after reaching a certain age) Sherlock had, acrobatically, swung herself up, to the vent, kicked it open, without it falling (learned from a former, high rise thief), and made her way into the vent. Sherlock had listened, and learned, that this was an air-cycling vent. This was to keep the air fresh, even within all of the concrete. Moving more like a snake, than a human, Sherlock had made her way, un-detected, past a battery of sensors, and into the storage area. Knowing she had only seconds, before the thick gas would kill her, Sherlock would grab a workers safety mask, and sinch it, tight, to her face. Now, sure, she DID receive a microscopic breath, of the gas, but her coughing passed as fast as it had come. Knowing that lives were "on the line" (even if they were law-breaking criminals), Sherlock found what she sought. Namely, sealing tape, and flexible hoses. Attaching one end, to bio-hazzard disposal units, and the other end, in both directions, to the tanks, Sherlock directed the deadly gas OUT of the prison, and into industrial strength air cleaners. The tanks would vent as safely as possible, even as the gas, in the venting system would be back-flushed, back to the building, then vented, through the filters. No lives would be lost, that day. The boring part, for everyone, in prison, was the DAYS that it took the computer geeks to disable the computers, allowing water to flow, and the delivery of food. While Sherlock declined any fan-fare, she did accept her release papers, and was on her way. Still, in the modern day, Lestrade would listen to managers, who would insist that "The woman is a convicted drug user! She cannot work with the police. That is in violation of the law." While Lestrade KNEW that Sherlock Holmes HAD used drugs, in the past, her goal, was, always, clear. Each time she took a drug, she made a list, of everything that she used, and how administered. Sherlock then kept a detailed account, of the drugs true effects, on her body. (NOT the supposed affects, as claimed by America's Drug Enforcement Administration). The D.E.A. was NOT happy, with the investigators reports, in medical journals. Especially those reports which stated that "Only LONG-term, Chronic, use, will result in claims, as promoted by the D.E.A. Casual users will have little to no side effects." It was not until Lestrade heard Dr. Watson's name being used, that the inspector began paying attention. Sure, Inspector Lestrade KNEW, from evidence, that Dr. John Watson was a medical doctor, and that he had been called, to combat duty, in the "endless invasions", of the Middle East, when other, combat, doctors had been injured, or died. Inspector Lestrade also knew why John Watson had been disabled out of the military. One day, Doctor Watson had no-sooner hot-wired five humvee's, for transporting wounded soldiers, when, the next day, after a morning raid, by American forces, on an Islamic temple (Where, it was CLAIMED, that insurgents were taking refuge), and the Americans had bombed the temple, when the soldiers realized that the "insurgents" were just as well-armed, as the Americans were. When American bombs reduced the temple to powder, infuriated members, of the local community, had opened fire, on the Americans, from all sides. Those soldiers, who survived the morning THOUGHT they were safe, inside a heavily defended American base. The problem was that the destruction, of the temple, brought the full RAGE, of locals down, even on the camp. Without a weapon to fight with, Dr. John Watson had made a fateful call. A call which no one would disagree with. The doctor hid under a mound, of dead Americans, as locals reduced the camp to ruins. (Ofcourse, American media was forbidden to speak about the temple bombing, yet made PLENTY of mention, of the "terrorist assualt", on the American base) Still, it was not until John Watson noticed that guns were no-longer firing, around him, that the doctor was prepared to resume his duty, providing medical attention, to injured soldiers. To his complete dis-belief, not one person, in the camp, had been left, alive. The doctor was in the middle, of a pool, of blood, and piles of bodies. No matter how long, or HARD, the doctor searched, he found no one alive, except himself. It was not until after a series, of American missile strikes leveled what was left, of the village, that an American patrol found the doctor. By this time, John Watson was so far "out of it", that HE was drugged, and sent to be med-evac. Even upon his return, to Great Britain, the doctor remained so "caught", in the memory, of the blood, and death, that he had to be sedated, until he was just short of comatose. A brilliant doctor, a fine soldier, and a good, odd-jobs man, was left in the psych ward, with doctors having no idea how to bring his MIND home, from the battle. It had not been until Sherlock Holmes got hold of the man, and had him FIGHT his way all the way from his deployment, through the massacres, and restraining the man, as the doctor screamed "WHY did I SURVIVE?! I SHOULD be DEAD, right NOW! WHY ME!!!" Sherlock had held the man, in a vice lock, as she asked "Yes, Why YOU?! WHY DID you survive?! What made you SPECIAL!" When John Watson crumbled to the ground, at Sherlock's feet, Sherlock would speak softly, as she asked "Name, rank, and serial number, if you please" It was then that John Watson repeated what he remembered. This is when Sherlock would tell the man "Face your demons! Take control! You are alive. Take control! You cannot change the past! You CAN help people, now! What will it be?! Help the living, OR rot in here!" All that John Watson could think of, at that moment, was to ask "Was I a coward, to hide among the dead?" Sherlock would say "You were un-armed, and under assault. Your desire was to ride out the attack, then tend the wounded, RIGHT!" It was when John Watson had said "Yes, I needed to tend the wounded. I hid because I had no weapon. I expected to spend days, treating the wounded." When Sherlock would ask "How many wounded DID you treat, on the battle-field?" John Watson would stumble as he said "I think, maybe 1,000. Maybe a bit more." When Sherlock would insist "How MANY of these soldiers LIVED to return home?!" John Watson would say "I think maybe 100 died, during, or after transport." Sherlock would emphasize "So, 900 soldiers came home, ALIVE, due to YOUR efforts. Even I would call that an equitable trade. 900 people, who are ALIVE, today, thanks to you. Dont you think its time for YOU to come home, now?" John Watson had to think about this, for awhile. John Watsons therapist would be astonished, yet delighted, when the formerly un-receptive patient had asked "Would you check the records, and find out how many patients I aided, who made it home, safely." When the therapist would look into his file, and say "Very impressive. Rendered medical, and evacuation, aid, in over 35 missions. Stole military vehicles, to transport wounded. Rendered care, under enemy fire. You know, John, if I did not know this to be fact, I would wonder if I were reading either General Pattons, or Field Marshal Rommels, record." When John would say "Just doing my job, ma'am." Lestrade remembered that, after Sherlock Holmes had ripped the man out of a living nightmare, Doctor John Watson had returned to his former self, and was seeking a new life, as a civilian. Like so many victims, of the Middle East invasions, once the people came home, they wanted no more part, of the military. What Lestrade had found so humourous was the fact that, as Sherlock began handling more cases, of bizzarre, human, circumstances, Sherlock began to call, regularly, on the good doctor. It was because of Sherlock Holmes that Doctor Watson became, first, an observer, and advisor, to the detective, then, as his "soul" returned, Doctor Watson began returning to physically aiding the detective, in the proper gathering of evidence. Nowadays, Doctor John Watson was a more-or-less, regular companion, to the detective. Not that Sherlock needed medical attention, very often. It was the fact that, those, around the woman, needed care, when Sherlock was too focused to remind people, of potential hazzards. Sherlock was most grateful, when Doctor Watson began saying things like "Atleast in battle, we KNEW what to expect." Sherlock had, only asked "What fun is there, when you KNOW what to expect. Isn't it the element, of danger, of the un-certainty, which makes us feel ALIVE." Doctor Watson would only say "I dont know who is crazier. You, for being who you are, or ME, for hanging around." Yes, Sherlock Holmes, and Doctor Watson, made an extremely effective pair. No doubt, this is why Parliament wanted this, distinguished pair, to handle this case. According to the information, which Scotland Yard had provided, the trip, to collect the evidence, would be a "piece of cake". Even Sherlock Holmes was not stupid enough to believe this. This is why, with Doctor Watson in tow, Tabitha (a.k.a. Sherlock), would activate her own "network", of "eyes and ears". With a small chunk of "food expense" money, in hand, Sherlock would visit various parts, of the city, making "contact" with cabbies, street-performers, newspaper venders, the (supposedly non-existant) homeless, and various others, Sherlock would offer a small "retainer", to each person, saying "You know what I want. Information, on those photos. That, and information, on those, who possess them. Remember, the BETTER the quality, of the information, the better the reward will be." This was all the "nudge" that people needed, to find the highest QUALITY, of information, for the detective. Since Sherlock knew that many businesses would not allow these people inside, it was a well-known (if secret) fact that, if information/assistance, proved most satisfactory, that sources would return home to find deliveries, of food, and personal, items. Now, the "game" was, really, afoot. The question of just how reliable Scotland Yards sources were. While Tabitha awaited word, from her "network", the detective did NOT sit still, at all. Doctor Watson never got over watching how, when not researching a case, that Tabitha was, constantly, refining her skills, learned in prison. Her outfit was, always, skin hugging. Doctor Watson had only inquired, a single time, if Sherlock planned to use the outfit to set others "off-guard", while she passed. Tabitha had corrected the doctor, saying "This outfit allows the most freedom of movement. If you are aware, of another outfit, which would allow as much, or more, freedom, then I am listening. Now, while awaiting word, Tabitha was flexing, and stretching, for coming combat. (Doctor Watson had returned to doing daily, military-style, exercises, since coming into Tabitha's life.) It would be a coule of days, before the "network" yielded results, yet the results seemed worth the delay, as the "agent" spoke, to Sherlock, of the differences between what Scotland Yard THOUGHT was true, and what was, actually, true. After this conversation, the detective, and the doctor, would be on their way, to meet with Inspector Lestrade, when they would find the inspector being berated, by some bureaucrat. It would seem that Lestrade was being berated, for not moving FAST enough, in apprehending the blackmailers. The rationale, for this: A picture, supposedly of a young, crown, prince, dressed in some kind of feathered costume, and "torturing" a victim, with whips, and bats. While the picture was digitized, to make it SEEM more realistic, the problem was that, FACTUALLY, the picture was impossible. The reason: At the very time, when the photo was, allegedly, taken, the prince, along with his family, were attending a social affair, for visiting royalty. Even her majesty, the Queen, was in presence. For security reasons, no one was to know, about the gathering, until the next days news. Add in the fact that the picture seemed to be taken, on one end, of the empire, while the prince was at the opposite end, and Parliament wanted to know WHY Lestrade was not making more progress. When Lestrade had asked "Why bother making a scene, about this. We KNOW the prince was present, at the gathering. We can bring in over 500 witnesses, to the fact." All that the bureaucrat would say was "Close this case, immediately! Send in special forces, if you have to. Bomb the place off the map." This would be when Sherlock would say "I would advise AGAINST such an assault." When the bureaucrat would ask "Tell me, "detective". Why would you advise against an assault?" Sherlock would say "That would provide im-proper motivation, for rumors, that the photo MIGHT be genuine. Otherwise, WHY bother with an all-out attack?" When the bureaucrat would say "May I presume, YOUNG woman, that YOU have a better plan, in mind." Lestrade would mutter "Dont bet against it." Sherlock would say "As a matter of record, I have coordinated a plan. With the aid of Doctor Watson, here, I intend to enter the location, where the photos are being kept, and, without firing a single shot, I intend to destroy all of the evidence. In the name of their royal majesties, ofcourse" When the bureaucrat would ask "May I presume to inquire about your motivation?" Sherlock would say "At present, an international criminal, named Natalya Novaskia, is enroute, to attend an engagement, at the fortified residence. On the surface, the gathering will be a fund raiser, to benefit the victims of the endless invasions, of the Middle East." When the bureaucrat would say "Yes, yes, we are aware of such information. How would you intend to proceed, in this matter." Sherlock would say "Elementary. With the aid of Inspector Lestrade, and his department, I am suggesting that Novaskia be "delayed", due to "questions, regarding some recent "purchases"", which will be found in her car. If Lestrade agrees to assist, then I will take Novaskia's place, at the gathering, and access, via the interior passages." When the bureaucrat would look at Lestrade, all the inspector would ask Sherlock was "Will twenty-four hours be enough, to accomplish your task?" Watson would say "If it takes us HALF that long, then we will have failed." Lestrade would say "If it saves lives, AND the reputation, of the crown, count me IN. I will have the Novaskia woman detained, at her entry point." This is when Sherlock would say "Very well inspector. Now, I must go, to DRESS for the part. There is plenty of work, to be done." Watson KNEW what this meant. While the doctor was cramming himself into a formal tux, Sherlock would be busy, transforming herself from "able detective", and into "ravishing beauty". Still, it was times, like this, when Tabitha both thanked, and HATED, her parents, for making the girl take dance lessons, during childhood, and her teens. Tabitha had hated waltzes, concertos, and all of that "high-brow" stuff, since, if it was played just a bit too slowly, it caused drowsiness. This is why Tabitha had built her own, home, music, collection. She preferred soft, to medium, 70's, rock. While she understood that Bach, Beethoven, Brams, and so on, had written, for heads of state, she preferred to fill her time with soft rock. This was never more true than when dressing for formal occassions. The times, when a formal dress had NO sleeves, and women were appearing, dressed in the finest jewels. While her mother had Sherlock's ears pierced, during childhood, telling the girl that "Young ladies should present themselves, properly, to both society, and potential mates." For as long as Sherlock could remember, her mother had spoken of the mating process. Sherlock wondered if her mother really believed that all that women were were sex objects, to fulfill mens desires, and to raise yet another generation. Or, COULD it be that, generations, of expectations, had caused the woman to act, automatically, with no, conscious, effort. Had her mother been "programmed", by her grand-mother? If so, how many generations did the "programming" go back, in time? What Sherlock knew, in the present, was that, while her ear-lobes remained pierced, she never used the holes, for jewelry. Instead, Sherlock preferred clip-ons. Quick on, and quick off. After slipping into her "work-clothes", Sherlock then set about finding the right dress, to cover her suit with. She needed a dress which was both "feminine", and easy to remove, what it was time for work. While Sherlock was doing all of this, Watson was busy, checking, loading, and "padding" his own weapons, inside his vest. Watson remained impressed that Sherlock had been thoughtful enough that she asked an armaments manufacturer to create a suit, which could not only deflect small calibur arms, but had "shielded" pockets, which scanners would "pass over", as though regular material. After the call, from Lestrade, saying that Novaskia was "in hand", Sherlock, and Watson set out, for the gathering, looking, to all the world, like a modern day couple. Scotland Yard had even managed to fax a copy, of the gatherings invitation, to Baker Street, cautioning Sherlock "Novaskia claims that NO one gets past the front gate, without an invitation." Sherlock would say "I expected that." Since neither Sherlock, nor Watson, maintained an automobile (and it would look suspicious, arriving, in a cab), Scotland Yard had agreed to allow the detective to borrow an impounded car. Sherlock had left the signing OUT, of the car, to Watson, while she checked the auto's interior. Watson would not prefer the way the mechanic would ask the detective "Any chance you might return THIS one, to the garage, in one piece?" Sherlock would say "THAT, my good man, depends, entirely, upon our host." On the drive, to the estate, the two would review their plans, for the evening. If all went well, Doctor Watson would be a "wall-flower", keeping watch, over both the guests, and the host, while Sherlock completed the assignment. If things went "south", it would be Watsons duty to secure their escape route, and to mangle any attempts at capturing the detective. By the time the duo reached the estate, Watson would notice the first hint, of trouble, just as Sherlock did, herself. In short, THESE gate guards were not the normal rent-a-cops. These men were built like a cross between a marine, and a football player. It would be Watson, the former, military, man, who would notice the biggest problem, with the guards. Watson would note "Sherlock, did you notice? The guards are not wearing regular pistols." When Holmes would say "Yes, I noticed. American M-16 series. Banana clip fed." Watson would say "Not just banana-clip fed. Did you see the SIZE of those clips? I would wager a years worth of my earnings that those magazines hold full-armor piercing rounds." Sherlock would add "Raises the question. Are they trying to keep people OUT, or IN?" Sherlock was a bit disappointed, when there was no valet parking. The parking attendant just showed each driver where to park. When Holmes and Watson climbed out of the car, a security officer (also wearing an M-16, with extended, banana clip), came forward, saying "Good evening, fair lady. May I trouble you for your invitation?" When Holmes presented Novaskia's invitation, the guard would say "Welcome. Enjoy the party." No sooner had Sherlock said "Thank you." when the guard turned on Watson, saying "With apologies, sir, unless you, also, have an invitation, I am to request that you remain with your car." When Sherlock would say "Officer, this man is my assistant. If I transact functions, within the gathering, he will record the information." (Not exactly the "truth" yet not a lie, either.) Still, the guard would say "With apologies, ma'am, I am under strict orders to allow no one to enter the party, without an invitation." Watson would tell Sherlock "I will be fine, really. I will wait, right here, by the car. If that is fine with the officer." The guard would say "Thats fine. By the way, if you find you have need, we have some first class "facilities" just down, past the end of the building." As a result, Sherlock Holmes would be entering the party, with-OUT back-up. It would be up to her to "wing it", or die. The only "good thing", about this party, was how many men wanted to dance with Sherlock, claiming "You are the most radiant woman, here." While classical music filled the room, Sherlock would use the dances to "scope the room". When men dipped her, she scanned the ceiling, as well. From what Sherlock could see, just about every entrance, in this place, was covered by camera's, and gratings. These black-mailers were serious, to the max. Time for plan "B". Slipping away from the party, and into the kitchen, Sherlock would toss her ball gown into a hamper, then don some workers clothes. If this plan worked, she could access to building, through the mechanical room. Her plan, now, was to bluff her way into the mechanical room, find the vent entrance, then dump her work clothes, and enter the air ducts. While attempting to ignore more than a few leering looks, from men, Sherlock made her way into the mechanical room, and to the entry point, of the vent. Sherlock smiled at the fact that, whomever designed this room had not bothered to grate the vent, since it was about twelve feet above the floor. Thanks to Sherlock's time, in prison, she noticed what a construction contractor would, never, notice. While there was no ladder, in place, Sherlock found that clamps, and other protrusions, would make for an easy climb, to the vent. While there was no need, for silence, in removing a grating, Sherlock DID find herself in a somewhat confining space, in the air duct. This is when she was relieved that she had her cat-suit on. While Sherlock slipped through the vents, as quietly as a kitten, outside the entrance, Doctor Watson was relieved, when another driver produced some drink, saying "We may be in, for a long wait." After that, a bit of rum turned into a casual conversation, with most drivers asking how LONG such benefits would last. One driver would caution "One night, I slept, in the car, since my mistress spent an entire night, in a party." Another driver would say "My master lost his position, after spending atleast a full evening, at such a party. That is why I am with a new master." While the conversation was allowing John to be less bored, while all of the drivers listened to party-goers, enjoying themseles, Sherlock Holmes would have spent 45 minutes inside the ducts, looking for the room that she wanted. While she found the room, she found herself feeling so impressed by the quality, of these crooks, that Holmes decided to video the entire room. She knew that, even if she stole the "evidence", currently in the possession, of the black mailers, it would take less than three hours, for the black mailers to create new "evidence". While Sherlock's sources were correct, about the fact that, when the detective activated a self-destruct program, within the computers, that an alarm would be sounded, there was one thing, which no one, except for the blackmailers, knew about. Even as Sherlock returned to the air vent, and began making her way to an exit shaft, from the pparking lot, John Watson would have to give her bad news. As Sherlock was saying "Prepare for extraction." Doctor Watson would say "About that, I have some bad news." The news being that, at the time when the alarm had sounded, the drivers, who wondered WHY they had been encouraged to park, in this location, found out the reason. As the alarms had sounded, the drivers had stood, in amazement, when spikes, of steel, would rise, from the ground, puncturing all four tires, on each car. When drivers went to call their employers, another voice would join each conversation, saying "This is a precaution, in case any of you are involved in the un-folding theft." When Sherlock had informed Watson to "Go to Plan C", Watson would ask "Plan C? I didn't even know we had a Plan B." Sherlock would say "You are a military man. Improvise! I will join you as soon as possible." After Watson looked at the cars four, flat, tires, the doctor realized why the Scotland Yard mechanic had asked "Any chance of returning this one, in tact?" Doctor Watson MIGHT have considered a nearby Land Rover. There was just one problem. HOW to clear the truck of the six guards, who waited within. Doctor Watson, next, considered a nearby tank. Watson knew that this tank was a relic, from World War Two. A King Tiger, if the doctors memory served. People kept them as lawn ornaments. No way would the tank be either functional, or efficient. Doctor Watson was left to scratch his head, until he heard Sherlock whisper, in his ear "I am heading for the roof." "Swell", Watson thought. To get to the roof, of this place, the doctor would need an airplane. But, that had to be nonsense. Even if he found an airplane, there was no room, on the roof, to land, or take off. What Doctor Watson needed was an "elevator". Something, which could RISE, to the roof, land vertically, then depart, vertically. Doctor Watson was just asking himself "Where am I going to find an elevator?" when he held a very familiar sound. The sound, of helicopter prop-wash. The doctor tried not to get his hopes up, figuring that, IF a helicopter was coming, it would be one of those hyper-complex, civilian, versions. No-doubt having key-code access. It was not until the helicopter came close did the doctors hopes rise. The approaching helicopter was a MIILITARY-style helicopter. One, of the very type, which the doctor had, once, hot-wired, to fly wounded soldiers out of danger, when "insurgents" began blowing up ambulances. It was not until Sherlock reached the roof, and called out "John, where are you?" That the doctor would say "On my way. Just be patient." Moments later, when the military helicopter was preparing to land, a security guard appeared, on the roof, and Sherlock would shout "GO!", at Watson. As Doctor Watson would move the helicopter AWAY from the building, Sherlock would do a "hire-wire" act, jumping, from cover, and catching the helicopter strut, as Watson veered away, and applied power, even as guns began shooting at the departing helicopter. While Watson was correct, that this helicopter was DESIGNED, and BUILT, to withstand small arms fire, the problem was that Sherlock was, still, outside, fully exposed, on the strut. When Sherlock did manage to climb inside the cockpit, some moments later, and put on her own helmet, asking Watson "May I inquire in regards to our original mode of transportation?" Watson would explain "When the alarms sounded, some kind of steel spikes rose, from the ground, and flattened all of the tires, on every visitors car. A voice, then informed us "In case any of you are involved in this."" Sherlock would say "So, my informers were correct. These people are VERY WELL equipped." Watson would say "As criminals go." Sherlock would say "Ofcourse, that is what I meant." Obtaining permission, for the helicopter to LAND, at Scotland Yard would take Inspector Lestrades every once/second, of time, between the time, when Sherlock called in, and the helicopter arrived, at Scotland Yard. During the debriefing, Sherlock had emphasized that the problem was dealt with, but only for the moment. The machines, which the black-mailers had, was very easy to come by, on the open market. Even the photograpic forgeries would be no problem, for Photo-Shop, or other computer programs. When Inspector Lestrade would say "If this is all fact, then HOW do we put an end to this?" Sherlock would say "Elementary, my dear Lestrade. We pitch our net, and hook the ring-leader. Until we place "Mr. BIG" behind bars, he, OR she, will just set up, someplace else." When MI-5, or 6, would ask "HOW do we catch this "Mr. BIG"?" Sherlock would suggest "We KNOW WHO was at that party. I have video, as proof. I suggest that Scotland Yard allow ME to use the departments own software, to create our own fakes. Make the party guests feel "violated", and see how long it takes either Mr., OR Mrs. BIG, to come forth. When MI-5 would ask "Why should this BIG person even CARE, about some party-goers?" Sherlock would say "An operation, of this scope, and effort level, MUST have multiple backers. No doubt, that was the REAL reason for the party. To raise operating capital. Investors are needed, for such an operation. Multiple investors, if my hunch proves correct. These are people who do NOT WANT scandal, of any kind, connected to them." Lestrade would add "I think that what Sherlock is saying is that, if we expose the activity, the investors will "vanish", as will the black mail. After all, even black-mailers need income, to finance themselves, between pay-off's." Sherlock was correct. As soon as the media began running stories, about those who MIGHT have been involved, in the "benefit", Sherlock's "network" would inform her that the backers, of the black-mail, had fled the empire. The royal family would be safe, once more. The empire would live, to see another day. As for Sherlock Holmes, she did as she, always, did. She converted her financial reward into hard currency, then sent shipments, of food, and other, personal, supplies, to each of those who had aided, in the case. The "network" had taken care of the detective, again, and she made certain that they were rewarded, for their work. As for Doctor John Watson, the charges, of delivering a STOLEN, military, helicopter, were dropped, once it was known WHERE the doctor got the helicopter. After all, HOW was the doctor to know that the helicopter was black-market goods? Inspector Lestrade would have the charges dropped, in return for a favor, from the doctor. "Sir, I will see that your record is cleared, on this condition. Since you have flown helicopters in the past, and present, may I encourage you to apply for a regulation pilots license?" John Watson had been about to ask "What would I need a pilots license for?", when the reason occurred to him. Legally, even under her majesties government, flying any airborne vehicle required such personnel to have proper, flying, credentials. No one was allowed to fly, unless certified. The only reason why John Watson had not been prosecuted, to date, was because the doctor had only flown, when lives depended upon him. Parliaments only request was that the doctor have a regulation permit. Add this, on top of his, regular, studies, in keeping his medical license up-to-date, and the work Watson did, with Sherlock Holmes, and the doctor wondered if he would have time, for a "private life", ever again. "The game is afoot. Tally-HO!"