[ WP ] A blizzard strikes during a massive comic book convention , completely isolating the building and the attendees , most of whom are in costume . Then there is a murder . And as you made the mistake of dressing up as Sherlock Holmes , everyone expects you to solve it .

Eric held up his hands trying desperately to silence the crowd. 
 
 `` I do n't know what you expect from me. There's no possible way I could solve this murder --'' 
 
 `` Without my help!'' Dr. Watson exclaimed, pushing his way through the crowd. 
 
 `` C'mon old chum, just another case for us to solve! Now let's have a look at the victim.'' Dr. Watson winked. 
 
 The crowd had gathered around the body of an older gentleman dressed as Dr. Who. 
 
 Blood had pooled around the body staining the garish blue carpet. 
 
 Dr. Watson knelt down and began his inspection, he muttered to himself as he worked. 
 
 `` Lacerations, stab wounds, store bought costume, not a *real* enthusiast.'' 
 
 `` Well Dr. Watson, what's the verdict?'' Eric asked. 
 
 `` He's been stabbed Sherlock.'' 
 
 `` No shit Sherlock,'' Eric snapped. 
 
 `` No, you're Sherlock, I'm Watson.'' 
 
 Eric pressed his face into his hands and took a deep breath. 
 
 `` Okay, is there a murder weapon nearby? Any kind of evidence? Was there a struggle? Were there any witnesses?'' 
 
 `` Ah! The game is a foot! Great ideas Sherlock! I'll work the crowd and see if I can find anyone that saw something.'' 
 
 Watson approached a group of costumed onlookers and began his inquiries. Eric knelt down beside the corpse avoiding the blood. He lifted the jacket and saw the origin of the blood and a metal badge hidden inside of the jacket. 
 
 Gingerly, he reached in and removed the badge. New York Police Department. 
 
 *The man was a cop? * 
 
 Conventions brought all kinds but this could n't be a coincidence. Why would someone target a cop at a convention? He pocketed the badge and searched the rest of the body but did n't find anything else. 
 
 He had more questions than he had a few moments before and no where closer to an answer. 
 
 `` Sherlock! Sherlock!'' Watson rushed over, `` another body has been found!'' 
 
 `` Really?'' 
 
 `` Yes you would say that... `` 
 
 `` I would say what?'' 
 
 `` Something about the plot maybe?'' 
 
 Eric stared at Watson with growing impatience. `` Neither of us are going to say it. Just show me where the body is.'' 
 
 `` Of course Sherlock. It's right over here. Where the plot... *thickens. *'' 
 
 Eric pushed through the pair of double doors to a service hallway. Fluorescent lights illuminated the body at the end of the hall. 
 
 `` Same as before?'' Eric asked. 
 
 Watson nodded somberly. 
 
 Even though this man had also been stabbed the setting made it seem much harsher. The blood did n't get to soak into carpet here, instead it glistened in a crimson pool on waxed white tile. Somehow it was more real, more visceral. Bile rose in Eric's throat as he investigated the body. He did n't want to be playing detective but bodies were piling up, he might be able to stop the killer before another body was found. 
 
 `` There's nothing here,'' Eric said turning to Watson. 
 
 He nodded. 
 
 `` A dead end then?'' 
 
 `` It appears that way. Let's go back to the main room. We should force everyone to stay together.'' 
 
 `` Quite, quite.'' Watson spun on his heel and walked down the hall. 
 
 Eric was about to leave when a smudge of brown at the bodies ankle caught his eye. He looked over his shoulder and saw Watson exit through the double doors. Eric lifted the pant leg up and discovered a small revolver tucked into an ankle holster. 
 
 *A badge, a gun. Were they both cops? * 
 
 He pocketed the small snub nose revolver and walked back to the main hall mulling over the connection. 
 
 When he pushed his way through the double doors he was greeted with pandemonium. Costumed characters were screaming at each other, a fist fight had broken out, tempers were flaring all across the room. 
 
 `` We're all going to die!'' 
 
 `` A killer on the loose!'' 
 
 Concerned shouts came from everywhere. 
 
 `` BE QUIET!'' Eric screamed over the din. 
 
 His words cut through the noise and after a few seconds people quieted. 
 
 `` Everyone is going to stand in a line. Now!'' 
 
 It was like herding cats but after a few minutes a rough line of costumed heroes had formed in front of Eric. 
 
 `` Why are we doing this?'' Spiderman asked. 
 
 `` Each of the victims was stabbed to death. That's messy business. Our killer must have blood on their hands. Now let me see yours, gloves off Spidey.'' 
 
 `` Excellent idea!'' Watson chimed in from behind Eric. 
 
 Spiderman tugged his gloves off and showed Sherlock his blood free hands. 
 
 `` Stand over there against the wall.'' 
 
 One by one Eric examined each pair of hands and found nothing. Not a single drop of blood. 
 
 `` It was a great idea, apparently the killer is craftier than we originally thought,'' Watson said. 
 
 `` Apparently.'' 
 
 Eric took a deep breath and ran back through the day. A body was found in the center of a crowded room full of costumed patrons. A second body had been found in a maintenance hallway. No one had seen anything, or heard anything. Both men were likely police officers which meant that they were n't here for the comic books. They were here to arrest someone. But who? Eric had checked everyone. Well, everyone except himself and... 
 
 His eyes snapped to Watson. He was holding his infamous cane in gloved hands. 
 
 `` Watson!'' Eric called out. 
 
 `` Yes, Sherlock?'' 
 
 `` I do believe I have solved the case.'' 
 
 Watson eyed Eric skeptically. 
 
 `` It was so obvious I ca n't believe I did n't figure it out sooner.'' 
 
 Eric gestured to two large buff men dressed as Conan and Bane. 
 
 `` You see, the one thing that connected each murder,'' Eric paused allowing the two men to get behind Watson, `` was you.'' 
 
 `` Sherlock! Surely you're grasping at straws now.'' 
 
 `` Hold him.'' 
 
 The two men grabbed Watson's arms. He resisted for a moment but knew he was unable to break free. 
 
 `` There is nothing like first-hand evidence,'' Eric said with a smile as he pulled Watson's black leather gloves off. 
 
 Dried blood was caked to his hands. 
 
 `` That blood is from inspecting the bodies! You saw me do it yourself!'' 
 
 `` Are you sure it is n't from this?'' Eric asked as he picked up the cane from the floor. With a twist and a tug the top of the cane slipped free revealing eight inches of sharpened steel. 
 
 `` The murder weapon,'' Eric said triumphantly. 
 
 Watson's demeanor changed immediately. The soft spoken English accent vanished. 
 
 `` I guess I underestimated you nerds.'' 
 
 `` That's enough of that, tie him up and wait for the police.'' 
 
 Watson struggled against the two men and screamed as they dragged him into a private office. 
 
 *This is the part of the story where the hero gets the woman, * Eric thought as he looked out at the relieved faces of the gathered crowd. 
 
 Then he remembered where he was. 
 
 *Dammit. * 
 
 -- - 
 
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