Finale

Part 3

by Mary Christmas (unicorn_76010 at lycos.com)

Lestrade arrived five minutes later and began talking. "You know who Evan Newman is, right?" At Holmes' raised brow, she continued, "Yeah, well, someone's been sending him threatening notes. He called Grayson and told him he needed a bodyguard, but someone who wouldn't be conspicuous."

Her face twisted into a grimace. "Grayson came up with the bright idea to have an officer pose as Newman's fiancee. And guess who Newman immediately suggested?"

Holmes smiled slightly. "He is a business associate of your brother's, is he not?"

"Yeah, so."

"So perhaps he would feel more comfortable with you than with a stranger."

Lestrade glared at him. "I don't care."

Holmes shook his head. There was no arguing with her when she was in this kind of mood.

"What is it you wanted my help with?" he asked.

Her expression became more troubled. "Actually, I told Newman and Grayson that it would be more suspicious for Newman to suddenly acquire a fiancee than for his business partner's sister and her fiance to hang around."

"And the problem is?" Wiggins asked. Then he gasped. "You want Mr. Holmes to pretend to be your fiance, don't you?"

Holmes felt his eyes widen of their own accord, before he could control the action.

"Well...it can't really be Holmes, because, you know...it would..um..make the whoever's writing the notes...um..more suspicious," Lestrade stammered, embarrassed.

Holmes sighed. He was probably going to regret this, but he said anyway, "I shall of course wear a disguise."

"Then you'll do it?" Lestrade asked, her eyes locked on his, hopefully.

"There are some...intriguing elements to this case...."

Lestrade suddenly wrapped her arms around him in a bear hug, then released him. Her face was a bit red. He was sure his was also. "Uh...thanks, Holmes."

He nodded. "Now, we must think of a proper character to be your fiance."

"What about that Jeff Baker character you used before, Holmes?" Watson asked. He had been watching the both of them and had a slight smile on his face.

"Excellent suggestion, Watson. Jeffrey Baker is acquainted with Thomas Lestrade. It would make sense that he would know Tom's sister."

"What about..." Lestrade began.

"I already have a disguise for him. I used it when I met your brother at The Restaurant. Now all we need to do is determine when to get started." He looked at Lestrade.

"We're going over to Evan's house tomorrow so I can introduce you to him, as my fiance. After that, we start going over there a lot. He's going to plan our 'wedding' since my brother's out of town."

"That will keep us close enough to investigate, without making the note-writer nervous."

Lestrade nodded, then she looked uncomfortable. "There is one downside to all this."

"What is it?" Holmes asked, his mind already covering possibilities and ways to investigate.

"If we don't solve this case before the planned 'wedding', uh...we may have to get married for real."

I just got through watching an episode of Scarecrow and Mrs. King. It inspired me for this part. ;)

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