Dark Secrets (Sherlock x Reader)

The Next Puzzle

''It's okay, Sherlock. I was overwhelmed by emotion and I blurted it out. That was untactful of me.''

''You didn't mean it then?''

''No, I meant it. I'm just saying, you don't have to reciprocate.''

''Well, I do.''

''Hm?''

''Love you. I do.''

You shut your eyes, resting your head against him. You couldn't help but smile at his vulnerability. ''I know,'' you said eventually.

He nodded. ''Good. I uh- I wanted to inform you of that.''

''I'm glad you did.'' You turned your head to look at him briefly before leaning in for a soft kiss.

You broke apart when Sherlock's phone rang.

He answered. ''Yes?''

''We got her,'' Lestrade's voice boomed. ''She lives in Cornwall. Two men broke in wearing masks, forced her to drive to the car park and decked her out in enough explosives to take down a house. Told her to phone you. She had to read out from a pager.''

''So she's safe now?''

''Traumatised, but safe.''

''Excellent work, Inspector. I'll be in touch.'' He ended the call.

''And?'' you asked.

''They found her uninjured.''

''I can't believe what she had to endure. How cruel can a man be? It sickens me.''

''It's all part of the game.''

''A cruel game.''

''Yes, but we have to play it nonetheless.''

You sighed. ''I better get a nap in before the next call. I'm drained.''

~

Three short pips

One long one

''Four pips,'' Lestrade pointed out, leaning back in his desk chair.

You were gathered in his office in the early hours of the morning, preparing yourselves to take on the next puzzle in Moriarty's game.

''First test passed, it would seem,'' Sherlock said blankly. ''Here's the second.'' He held up his phone, showing a new photograph of a car with its door wide open on the driver's side and the number plate clearly visible.

Lestrade leant in to take a closer look. ''Looks abandoned. I'll see if anyone reported it.''

Donovan entered the office, holding up a phone. ''Freak and Freak's girlfriend, it's for you.''

You grabbed the phone from her, sending her a nasty glare before putting the device to your ear. ''Hello?''

''It's okay that you've gone to the police but don't rely on them,'' the voice of a young man spoke.

Sherlock stood next to you, his head pressing against yours, a frown evident on his face.

''Who is this?'' you asked. ''Is this you again?''

''Clever you, guessing about Carl Powers. Or was it Sherlock who did all the work? I thought you were smart, (Y/N). Was I wrong?''

''No,'' you said sharply.

''I never liked Carl. He laughed at me, so I stopped him laughing. I did it for you, too. He wouldn't be able to push you anymore.''

''How do you know me?''