When he got home, Joan was just out of the shower.
'Hey, where did you get off too?.'
'The police station. we've been broken into.'
'Did they take anything?.' Sherlock shook his head. 'Then why would they bother?.'
'Probably some kid, who was dared but wimped out at the last second. Anyway you need to get dressed, they'll be here in five minutes.'
'OK.' She went into her room. The doorbell rang.
'That'll be them.' Sherlock went downstairs and opened the door. 'Captain Gregson. Detective Bell.' He motioned for them to come in.
'Where do you want us to search?.'
'Just the kitchen.'
'But how do you know...'
'How do i know that the burgler didn't go out the front door? It rained about 11 o'clock last night so the back would be covered in mud and i see no footprints in the front room. However, i now notice some tiny bits of mud where he/she tried to clean up after his/herself. That's how i know Detective Bell.' Sherlock heard Joan come downstairs. 'Hey. You look nice.'
'The police are in our kitchen and your complementing on my outfit?.'
'Just trying to relax and am i not allowed to complement you?.'
'I didn't say that.'
'You certainly weren't complaining last night.'
'Shh!.' She lead him away from the others. 'I'm just saying...'
'I know.' They smiled at each other.
'Holmes.' He went into the kitchen. 'The door was picked but I assume you knew that. There's no fingerprints here they must have worn gloves. However, we have found a hair which we have had sent back to the lab for testing.'
'Thank you Captain.' After they all left, Holmes got a text from Gregson.
No finger prints on envelope either.
'Whose that?.'
'Just Gregson. He's thanking me for contacting him about the "break in" instead of me going ahead and doing it my own.' He looked at Joan.'You have something to tell me.'
'I have to go out tonight. I know we were going to have a night in but my dad's in town and i said i'd have dinner with him and the family. Please say your not mad.' Sherlock chuckle. 'What?'
'Your so cute when you get a flustered. Of course i'm not mad. It's your father, you haven't seen him in ages and i knew already.
'How?.' He tapped his nose.
'Don't do that and thank you.' She gave him a quick kiss and went to get her coat. 'I'll make it up to you. I promise.'
'That's OK. Now hurry up, you'll be late.' She gave him one last kiss then left. Sherlock went upstairs and took Irene's phone out of his drawer. He guessed her password and scanned through the messages. He then took out his own phone and called Gregson.
'Hello Captain, can you trace text messages?.'
'Of course.'
'What about really old ones?.'
'Sure but that will take a little longer. Why?.'
'I'll tell you tomorrow. See you then.' He placed the phone back in the drawer and hoped Joan would never find out.