Countdown all over the world

Rebecca's small hands tightly clutched Holmes' hair.It's like the little curly hair on his forehead, what an interesting toy.

For the third time, Watson looked at his friend in disbelief, and let the little girl mess up his hair like this.

Watson's gaze was as real as it was, and doubts were almost written on his face.

Holmes curled his lips and looked over, "Even if you read it ten times over, it's impossible to change the reality that has already happened, Watson."

Annie looked at Holmes with amused indifference and even disgust.Even she did not expect that with the help of Holmes, the adoption procedures would go so smoothly.

After all, it is not easy for Anne to adopt in her current state.She is ready to fight for a long time, at worst, go to the orphanage a few more times to take care of Rebecca first.

"Sister." Rebecca turned her head away, smiling innocently at Anne with her small face.Even, a few immature deciduous teeth can be seen in the small mouth.

Yes, after Anne adopted Rebecca, the relationship between them was not mother and daughter, but sisters.

God knows how Holmes did it, at least Annie was relieved to not be called mother so early.

Holmes glanced at Anne beside him without any trace.Annie was looking at the little girl in her hand lovingly, her eyes seemed to be shining.

Just looking at it like this, Holmes felt his heart soften.It was as if a very light and soft feather brushed against my heart.Itchy, but also a disappointment that makes people want to grasp but can't.

Thinking of this, I suddenly felt a pain in my scalp.

Holmes pursed his lips and looked at Rebecca in his arms. The little girl looked at him innocently with wide eyes.

Annie smiled, took Rebecca from Holmes' arms, bent down to support her, and walked to her little bed step by step.

"Go to bed earlier, Rebecca." Annie sat beside Rebecca's small bed, covered her with the quilt meticulously, and said with a smile.

The little girl nodded obediently, her two little hands tightly grasped the edge of the quilt, she looked at Anne, and said nothing.

Annie pursed her lips and smiled: "Wake up, my sister will take you to see a doctor..."

Annie glanced at the numbers above Rebecca's head, and her heart sank slightly.But she didn't show anything on her face, bent down and gently kissed the little girl's forehead, and then closed the door for her with a smile.

Watson, who was still standing there, was a little stunned for a while before recovering.

Holmes said, "I know you have many questions..."

As he said that, he was about to show Watson the adoption information when he suddenly paused.His keen sense of hearing made him turn his head away, and he was seeing Annie's good afternoon kiss to Rebecca through the crack of the door.

Anne gently kissed Rebecca's forehead!

Holmes watched and pursed his lips.He didn't speak, just touched his forehead quietly.

Well, Anne flicked her forehead before.Holmes, who not only didn't get a goodnight kiss, but also got flicked on the forehead, felt a little unhappy.

Watson, who was waiting for the next words, watched helplessly as Holmes put away the materials he was going to hand him.Stretched out a hand, stunned in the air.Watson, who was completely forgotten by Holmes, felt hurt.

After Anne settled Rebecca, she walked out and saw Watson and Holmes with solemn expressions.

She raised her eyebrows, walked over, and poured a cup of tea for each of the three.

Holmes sat down and looked better after taking a sip of tea.

Annie looked at Watson: "Sherlock Holmes should have told you about Rebecca?"

Watson, who didn't know anything yet, looked at Holmes gloomily, but got no response from Mr. Detective.Holmes even drank another sip of black tea very comfortably.

Watson, who was neglected, looked at Anne and shook his head: "It's not too late..."

Annie was a little surprised. She blinked and glanced at Holmes who looked normal.Only then slowly opened his mouth to explain to Watson, skipping over the things in his orphanage, and quickly explained Rebecca's situation clearly.

Only then did Watson nod his head. He could naturally see that the little girl's complexion was abnormally pale and slightly out of age.

"Genetic disease, is it serious?" Watson asked.

Annie lowered her eyes and nodded silently.

When I first saw Rebecca, the number above her head foreshadowed her short life.Goodbye this time seems to be even less than before.I don't know what the little girl has been through these days.

For a while, the atmosphere was a little dull.

Holmes put down the teacup in his hand and glanced at Anne who was in worry.He wanted to say a few words of comfort, but because he had never been good at this way, Holmes decided to give up this way.

"How's the tracing of the homeless man?" He looked at Watson.

Watson, who was called out suddenly, took a step back. He took out an envelope from his bag and handed it to Holmes.

The careful doctor glanced at Anne, and then said: "As we expected before, the homeless had frequent contact with some people before he really started following Anne. The most suspicious one is a professor."

Annie turned her head and asked, "He's a connoisseur. It's normal to have contact with the professor. Is there any doubt?"

Holmes looked at Annie who had recovered, and heaved a sigh of relief.

He took Watson's envelope, opened it and looked at the documents at a glance.

"It's surprising that a person who studies oil painting appreciation has a close relationship with an assistant of a professor in the Department of Mathematics." Holmes said, "Although, this assistant seems to have a lot of connections?"

Annie glanced at the portrait in the information, and clearly saw the exquisite dress of the assistant lady.

"So, is there anything special about the people this assistant contacts on a daily basis?" Annie asked.

Watson shook his head: "The time is short, and I haven't had time to collect information about her. But..."

Both raised their heads and looked at Watson.

Watson continued: "This assistant, I go to sit in this coffee shop every weekend. Maybe we can try our luck?"

The coffee shop Watson was referring to was not far away, only half an hour's drive from Baker Street.

Annie nodded and agreed: "I'll take care of Rebecca first."

Holmes put his hand on the table and tapped lightly a few times: "Mrs. Hudson will be back later. You can hand Rebecca to her first. We will set off at night."

He pointed to the location of the coffee on the map, and said, "Take a look at this lady assistant who has a lot of friends."

Annie nodded, greeted Watson, then turned and went to the room to take care of Rebecca.

Watson looked at Annie's back and disappeared into the stairwell.After getting closer to Holmes, he lowered his voice and asked, "I thought you hated children?"

Holmes glanced at Watson, wondering if he was right or wrong: "Childish, noisy, and even crying. What's there to like?"

Watson looked at his friend with interest in his eyes: "Then why did you help Annie with the adoption procedures?"

Holmes did not want to continue with Watson on this boring question.He picked up his pipe, tapped the excess ash, waved his hand at Watson, and returned to the room first.

Watson, who had long been accustomed to Holmes' routine, didn't feel anything.Even, from the back of Sherlock Holmes, he keenly saw the hint of running away.

"My old friend..." Watson said with a smile, "Anne is really special to you."

That little girl with a pair of deep blue eyes is indeed lovable.It's not like the children Holmes met on weekdays, who are always crying and annoying.

However, this is not the reason why Holmes decided to help Anne adopt.At the root of it, what moved him slightly was the slight light in Anne's eyes when she saw Rebecca.

Taking care of Rebecca seems to make Annie feel at ease?

Holmes thought very simply, since it seems to be good for Annie, he should help her.It doesn't take much to think about.

……

There is one biggest problem with the practice of sitting on the sidelines.

There is a long wait.

The three of them sat in the corner of the coffee shop. Watson, who had already drank two cups of coffee, could not sit still and moved back and forth a few times.

Holmes, who closed his eyes to rest, opened his eyes, looked at Watson and said, "Where you want to go, you should turn left when you go out."

A bit of embarrassment appeared on Watson's face, but it was hard to deny it.

He stood up and walked out as if fleeing.

Annie pursed her lips and looked at Watson's back: "Does Watson often do this?"

Holmes nodded: "Every time."

Seeming helpless, he shrugged and looked at the empty coffee cup that Watson had finished drinking: "Actually, I've said it many times, just let him sit quietly."

"But he thinks that is more obvious and easy to be discovered?" Annie raised her eyebrows.

Holmes nodded.

The waiting time is actually a bit boring.Annie leaned back in her chair, her eyes wandering a little.

"The professor, what's his name? Is there anything special?" she asked.

Holmes pursed his lips: "I haven't had any interaction with him before, but I always feel that something is wrong."

"What's his name?" asked Annie.

Holmes looked at the assistant who had already entered, his eyes focused.In his mouth, he answered in a low voice.

"Moriarty. James Moriarty."

……

When Watson came back, as expected, there was no one in the original seat.

All that was left was the empty coffee cup he had finished drinking, and he stayed quietly on the table waiting for Watson's return.

"Of course." Watson said helplessly, patting himself on the head.

Every time I come out to work with Holmes, there is always one or two things that happen that make him lose the rhythm.Of course, every time something like this happens, it's mostly a moment for Holmes to show off.

Watson rolled his eyes, and simply sat down on the spot.

"How long do you think he will be able to see us?" Anne leaned close to Holmes' ear and whispered in an extremely intimate gesture.

Holmes pursed his lips and smiled slightly.

Turning her head away, the bracelet was on Anne's waist.Gently exerting force, let Annie stick to her arms along with her own strength.

"It is estimated that there are three seconds left before he will look over." Holmes said, "Three, two, one..."

Watson, who was sitting there, glanced at the new hiding place of Holmes and the others.

"Shh!"

Before Watson was about to stand up, Annie put her fingers to her lips and made a quiet gesture.Watson looked in the direction of Anne's other finger, and it landed on the assistant whose back was facing him.

He nodded and slowly leaned back in the chair.Sitting on the spot in a very comfortable posture.

Watson looked at the coffee cup on the table and smiled as if mocking himself.Pick it up and put it in your hand.

Sure enough, the note at the bottom of the coffee cup fell into Watson's hand.

"The fish is coming, wait here. SH"

The new seat chosen by Holmes was not a whim.Watson, who had quite a lot of experience, looked at the layout of the coffee shop and smiled helplessly.

He sighed, and followed Holmes' arrangement with peace of mind.He even raised his hand and asked the waiter for another cup of coffee.

"He's always like this." Holmes shook his head helplessly.

Annie raised her eyebrows: "I ordered another cup of coffee..."

Holmes has a light brown wig on his head, and he wears glasses.Leaning Annie in his arms, she smiled wantonly.

It is difficult for anyone who knows him to see his identity at first glance.

After all, who would have thought that Mr. Holmes would appear in the coffee shop.How about sitting there enjoying time with your girlfriend?

Annie pursed her lips, and tidied up the fake tattoo that Holmes had just attached to her: "I think your disguise is considered professional?"

Holmes paused as he looked at the assistant's eyes. He looked at Annie with doubts in his eyes.

Annie looked at it with a half smile, and Holmes smiled sweetly with the arm around her waist.

"So, this is the most flexible disguise you have ever adopted?"

Holmes looked at his arm belatedly, and nodded with his usual expression.If you don't look at the tips of his red ears, it's well concealed.

Annie teased her a few times, and then mercifully let go.After all, it would be bad if Mr. Detective was really pissed off.

Annie turned her head, looked at the assistant who was slowly drinking coffee, and narrowed her eyes slightly.

The woman in work clothes looked at her pocket watch.It seemed that she was waiting for some moment, although her eyes were not obvious, but she secretly observed the behavior at the door every few seconds, it was very obvious that she was waiting for someone.

"Who is she waiting for?" Annie asked in a low voice.

Holmes didn't speak, but looked around the coffee shop with blazing eyes, and then embraced Annie.He even buried his face in Anne's hair, an intimate act like sniffing.

"She's here." Annie leaned over cooperatively and said in a low voice.

Holmes watched the woman look away, and let go of Anne stiffly.His face was burning a little red, and he nodded silently.

The fragrance of the hair seemed to be still lingering in the nose, which made Holmes, who rarely really got close to girls, feel a little embarrassed.The itch in his heart unconsciously controlled the poor detective, making him feel a little thirsty.Picking up the water glass on the table, he drank several sips before recovering.

Although Annie was a little shy, she was okay.

Watson, who saw all this, stayed where he was in shock, a little bit overwhelmed.

Watson, who had been broken up many times, couldn't imagine that Sherlock would make such progress before himself.This made Watson feel a little frustrated, and he drank a few more mouthfuls of coffee before putting it down resentfully.

"You're here." The assistant stood up.

The attention of the three of them was diverted all of a sudden.

The visitor was wearing a long windbreaker, a style that was only popular this year.The man's carefully groomed hair is neatly placed on his head, staying in their respective positions.

The man sat down with a smile, kissed the assistant's hand, and whispered something.

The two, like a couple, talked intimately for a long time.The assistant took the man's hand and saw him off at the door of the coffee shop.

"Going?" Annie asked.

Holmes watched the assistant come to the stage, put down a few silver coins and leave.

He nodded and pointed to the door.But like a fish, he nimbly swam among the tables and walked to the front of the stage.

"This is really a good coffee shop." Holmes spoke broken French English, chatting with the people in front of the stage.The subordinate took one of the three coins left by the assistant when the man was not paying attention.

"The weather is really good." The person standing behind the stage responded with a smile, "Do you need another drink?"

Holmes waved his hand and tipped generously: "No, my fiancée is still waiting for me."

He nodded, turned and left the cafe.

Standing behind the stage, the person who had been quietly wiping his cup raised his head with a smile.She seemed to have seen something interesting, and there was interest in her eyes.

She patted the person who collected the money in front: "Do you still have the coins just now?"

The two coins in her hand made the woman purse her lips and smile.

"Sherlock Holmes..." she murmured in a low voice, looking at the two coins, as affectionately as if seeing a lover.

The three people who left the coffee shop did not know what happened behind them.

Watson looked at Holmes angrily: "I have said many times, don't always walk so fast when you are acting!"

Annie pursed her lips, deeply feeling that this was not a suitable place for her to be.She pointed upstairs and smiled too softly.

"Well, I'll go up and see Rebecca. You guys talk first..."

After speaking, without waiting for the other two to respond, he turned and went upstairs.

Holmes seemed to be planning to follow Anne naturally and go upstairs to leave this place of right and wrong.But was held back by Watson, who looked back at him helplessly.

"What is the matter?" asked Holmes.

Watson's eyes widened, and his excitement couldn't have been more obvious.It's not the look of exasperation before.

Holmes pursed his lips and shook his head helplessly: "Your question is very meaningless, Watson."

"You have to finish listening first." Watson said, "This is the first time I've seen you hugging a girl with such a happy smile on your face."

Holmes seemed startled by Watson's description, and he rubbed his chin.From the table, he refilled his pipe a few times, and took a deep breath on the pipe.

With an indifferent look, he looked at Watson: "Boring."

Watson smiled and looked at Holmes. The detective turned around and left as if he were fleeing.This made Watson extremely happy. This was the first time he saw Holmes bewildered.

It made him feel very happy.

Even Mrs. Hudson's announcement that Sherlock Holmes would provide breakfast for the week ahead did not dampen his excitement even an iota.

Watson pursed his lips and smiled, and picked up today's newspaper.Sitting on his bench, he quietly read.

Of course, the other person who got the news was not so happy.

"I thought this matter was over?" Holmes asked dissatisfied.

Mrs. Hudson rubbed Rebecca's little head affectionately, and said with a smile: "Of course not, right? My little Rebecca!"

Lying on the bed, Rebecca blinked with innocent blue eyes.

She asked in a childish voice, "Do you need my help?"

After finishing speaking, he tugged at the hem of Holmes' coat: "I can boil milk."

Holmes, who hated drinking milk the most, really wanted to shake off his hand on the hem of his clothes, and simply turned around and ran out.

However, looking at Anne's interested eyes, Holmes was very sensible and did not shake off Rebecca.Otherwise, Sherlock Holmes would not want to mess with Anne, who was protecting the little girl.

"Okay, I can help you." Annie said.

She looked at the back of Mrs. Hudson leaving, and whispered: "It seems that Mrs. Hudson likes Rebecca very much!"

Holmes tugged at the hem of his clothes in disgust, trying to save his clothes without leaving a trace.But Rebecca took it very seriously and never let go.

Holmes was so angry that his nose was blowing, but he was too embarrassed to explode in front of Annie.

He just increased his strength a little bit, and pulled back his hem furtively.As soon as Rebecca's hands left the hem of her clothes, Holmes took a quick step back, far away from the reach of the little girl's little hands.

Seeing Rebecca not crying or fussing, Holmes secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

Annie suppressed a smile, watching the two children's scramble, she kindly didn't open her mouth to expose it.

"So, what did you discover today?" Annie asked immediately after the two came out.

Holmes produced the coin, which gleamed in the sunlight.

He smiled and said, "I found out, a lot."

The author has something to say: This chapter is fat~~~

6000 words (including more than 1000 additional articles)

For every 100 more work income, and every 1000 more article income, the pudding will be updated~~~