It Started With Stealing | Sherlock Holmes

64 - Hackers & Guys

There was another knock at the door drawing all their gazes away. Each looked at each other before Rita opened the door again. One of the staff members stood there, swaying on the balls of their feet.

"Hi. Just wanted to let you know that we'll be hosting a mini party in the entertainment quarter bar from six p.m. onwards to try and lift some spirits - of course, you don't have to come if you don't want."

"Oh, well, thank you. My roommate and I will give it a think." Dr Rahat nodded politely before shutting the door again.

"That's actually useful." Elizabeth commented.

Both Rita and Sherlock questioned, "Useful how?"

The thief smiled as she explained her thoughts to the two who were eager to understand and plan.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

"And finally at five past seven, Grayson Sandborn has left the cabin." Rita sighed as she kept an eye on the CCTV.

"Only Grayson?" Elizabeth's brow bunched up as she looked at herself in the mirror, applying her dark red lipstick once again.

"Yep, only him. But it does look like he is headed to the entertainment quarter - like you thought."

"So Elizabeth and myself will head down - "

"And you will watch from afar." She interrupted Sherlock sternly, "Only follow if we head out of the quarter."

"I've said already that I promise I won't do anything to jeopardise this mission for you."

"Including not being jealous."

"When have I ever been jealous?"

Elizabeth's eyebrow raised higher than the French Arc de Triomphe at this question, "Let me think - "

"Okay, okay." Sherlock raised his hands in defence, "I understand your point."

"Good."

"Don’t forget your purse!" Rita's voice leapt into the brief quiet, "The perfume's in there to avoid any unwanted situations."

The thief nodded, smiling, as she picked up the petite rose gold purse, "Thank God you reminded me." Elizabeth approached the door with Sherlock but threw a look back to Rita, "I'd say let us know if anything bad is going to happen but uh - "

"No coms. You're on your own." Rita nodded, "But don't worry - you're Elizabeth Parrish and you're so badass you won't need me chatting in your ear."

The thief breathed a laugh before she left, "Thanks."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

"You look...good." Sherlock had said when they had left hers and Rita's room.

Elizabeth looked at the detective, quirking her eyebrow as they walked, "As opposed to not normally looking...good?"

Flustered by this, he tried to defend himself, "No - no, that's not what I meant - I - you look nice."

"As opposed to not looking nice normally either?"

"I - "

She chuckled to herself, "Relax. I'm messing with you."

Sherlock looked like a lost puppy,  "Messing with me?"

"Yes, Sherlock." She paused, "Thank you for the compliments."

"They were okay compliments?"

"Yes." She affirmed.

"And - you're sure? Because sometimes we, as humans, say things that we don't think we mean but actually the subconscious has ways in which to express these inner - "