London Runs 7: He was an Arse

John gives her a wide berth after her little show in the cabin. She kind of regrets that now. No matter how many explanations she gives, John doesn't believe her.

She sticks the sticky note on the wall that has the initials "P.C" with a drawing of the metal box of cigarettes. Sherlock had tried to bring it home with him, but Lestrade had taken it as evidence. Sherlock is sitting on the couch staring at the wall where all the information lies stuck to it. Sticky notes, pictures, newspapers, information on whaling, and anything on Peter Carey.

"How did you know he didn't smoke?" John says cautiously.

"Keep up, John. There was a distinctive lack of smell even though he lived alone. There was no ash residue and no traces of it outside" Sherlock says snapping up and walking around. Thankfully he has let go of trying to watch her every move, too wrapped up in the mystery.

"he could have been trying to stop. What says he didn't use to smoke?" John says crossing his arms stubbornly.

"doubt it" Sherlock says dismissing it.

Adeline grimaces but agrees "There were plenty of bottles on the cabin, but no cigarette butts or boxes"

"Right, what then?" John says snapping.

"Now we interview people" Sherlock says grabbing his coat and going to the door. Shikako and John scramble to get theirs and keep up. Really? She thinks amusedly. If Shikamaru could see her like this – she tunes out her thoughts and joins them on the taxi. John is rigid beside her.

They arrive at a house not far from the cabin. The wife and daughter's house of the dead guy. They wait patiently while they come to the door. Well, she and John are patient, Sherlock's foot shows how impatient he is.

She expects crying and people grieving. She doesn't expect the young woman who looks well rested and unpreoccupied.

"Sarah Carey?" She opens the door fully and motions them to come in.

"Inspector Lestrade said you would come. Aren't you that famous detective?" She says brightening. Shikako makes a mental note of it.

"Yes, yes. Now your father…Did you kill him?" She gapes at him in surprise but then scowls "no. you didn't did you. Even if he was a particularly distasteful man"

"No, I didn't" She says crossing her arms, no longer welcoming "I wish I could have though. I'm happy the bastard is gone"

Shikako intercepts Sherlock before they get kicked out "Mr. Carey. Did he have any enemies?"

The young woman scoffed "not that I know of, but he was an arse. I wouldn't be surprised if he had plenty"

After that they can't extract much more information. They pile back into a taxi to go see another person.

"She hated her father" John says, his lips pursed "He was abusing her and her mother". Adeline agrees. The way Sarah stood, her body, and the way she spoke told a story of abuse. She remembers the angry marks on the walls of the cabin. It must have been horrid to have him as a father.

The second man doesn't let them into his house. His house has a clear view of the cabin though, and the information he has is golden.

"I heard 'im scream about tea time" He says pushing his glasses up "It wasn't rare, that's why I didn't call the police. He always went into these rages when he was into his cups, you see" he said nervously. He knows Peter was abusing his wife and daughter. "I did call the police when I didn't see him out fishing. He always went out at 3:00PM like clockwork. Didn't matter if he was falling over or it was rainin'"

Adeline was already turning to leave when Sherlock added "And you didn't see anything irregular?" his eyes already far away.

"Nah. Wait. Maybe. I didn't think much of it at the moment. I saw a man by the window. Thought it was him, but the hair was different. It was much longer"

John is the one that stops Sherlock from cutting into the man this time and thanks him.

"Well, a weird man with longer hair is our possible killer" John says "someone call the news"

Adeline can't help but chuckle. John smiles at her a bit more easily.

London Diarrhea is back. Haha. Thank you for all the reviews. I'm glad you guys liked! Sorry about not updating sooner, but I'm trying to adult. I am almost done! I graduate in May.

Please tell me how you like it!