The missing Elementary episode 'A nose knows' PART TWO

Detective Bell turns around mid way through his phone conversation, ‘Hey, you just leaving?’ 

Sherlock stops at the door and looks puzzled. ‘Detective I fail to see why you would need our help. A dinner party turned heated argument, a thorough canvassing of Mr Watanabes life and a matching of the prints will produce the killer.’ Sherlock gestures with his hands, ‘It’s all a bit mundane is it not?’

Bell looks exasperated, ‘I didnt ask you here to help with the murder, I asked you here to see this.’ Bell gestures at the kitchen table.

Sherlock and Joan look at each other and head to the kitchen table. Bell opens the laptop that was sitting on the table. The screen blinks into life and pictures of Sherlock and Joan appear on the screen.

Watson gasps.

‘To continue the cooking metaphor Watson, the plot has indeed thickened’

Cut to the brownstone.

Sherlock stands by his printer waiting for a new sheet to finish. Taking the sheet he proceeds to the wall of evidence display and pins it up. Watson comes in and stands next to Sherlock.

‘Mr Wantanabe was a moderator for an online forum only recently created. They have taken to calling themselves the irregular irregulars. A group dedicated to finding out more about us and our work.’

‘Well that is creepy’

‘Indeed Watson, despite our best efforts to avoid the limelight it would appear word of our exploits is now grist for the cheap voyeurism that passes for entertainment.’

Watson walks up to the display and reads off of one sheet, ‘“Joan Watson’s top five outfits. Is Joan Sherlocks lover.” We need to stop this.’

‘Fear not Watson by the end of this case I will have dismantled this group and returned our lives to the privacy we are due. I will not let some secret cabal of internet sleuths put our lives on display for their own edification.’

‘Where do we start?’

Sherlock rips down one particular sheet and hands it to Joan.

Joan reads then looks up at  Sherlock, ‘Harlan Emple gave them an interview?!’

‘I believe it is time we paid Harlan a visit and gave him a refresher on what the word secrecy should mean.’

Cut to cab ride.

Sherlock's phone rings and is placed on speaker phone. ‘Detective?’

‘Hey prints came back and you're not going to believe this. These prints have been turning up at crime scenes for the last few years. FBI have profiled this killer to be an international assassin. Their M.O. is to use everyday items to kill the victims. Seems Mr wantanabe must be mixed up with some pretty powerful players.’

‘Watson and I are on route to an irregular who may have some information. We will keep you apprised of what we find.’

Sherlock puts the phone away. ‘It may be time to reassess my relationship with Mr Emple.’

Cut to Harlan Emple’s apartment block.

Sherlock and Joan approach the door and notice it is open. Sherlock slows and nods at Joan. Joan takes out her baton and extends it with a flick of the wrist. Sherlock presses himself to the wall and edges up to the door. With one hand he pushes the door open and quickly takes a peek. Then, when nothing happens, they both enter. 

‘Harlan?’ asks Sherlock loudly.

Harlan's apartment is trashed.

‘Looks like there was a struggle.’ notes Watson.

Sherlock kneels down to examine the flecks of blood on the ground.

‘Sherlock.’, Watson is pointing to the table. On the table is a note with Sherlock's name on. Watson reads the note. ‘I knew you would arrive first. If you want to see Harlan Emple alive again you need to do exactly what I say. No police or Harlan dies. Return home and I will communicate via the irregular irregular forum. I need you to get a message to Moriarty. I heard you are able to get letters to her.’