Chapter Text
Mrs. Hatano was already getting ready for bed when the doorbell rang. In her nightgown she went to greet the unusually late visitors. Much to her surprise, it was Wato, supported by Police Sergeant Shibata.
“Wato! What is this?” Mrs. Hatano asked.
Wato shook off Shibata’s supporting arms and stumbled into the drawing room. Mrs. Hatano followed her, anxious with worry.
“Shouldn’t you be at the hospital? I heard you were injured!”
“No hospital,” Wato mumbled and slouched down on the couch. She curled up hugging a pillow with a deep sigh, and Mrs. Hatano hurried to cover her with a blanket.
“She insisted she did not want to stay overnight at the hospital,” Shibata said, walking into the room after them. “The doctor said it was fine to bring her home, but someone should stay with her, and make sure to call the doctor if anything seems off.”
“Ah,” Mrs. Hatano said. She looked at Wato who seemed to already be fast asleep. “Then perhaps we should move her to my bedroom for now.”
“Leave her on the couch.”
Startled by the voice behind him, Shibata turned around. Sherlock had quietly appeared at the doorway.
“Sherlock,” Mrs. Hatano said, crossing her arms. “I think it would be best if—”
“Leave. Her. On. The. Couch.”
Her voice seemed to silence even the already quiet night. Mrs. Hatano pinched her lips together. It was no use trying to argue.
“Well, then.” She ushered Shibata to the door. “It was very kind of you to personally escort her back home.”
“Yes, well, I was told—” Shibata glanced at Sherlock who slowly turned and stared him down with a stony expression. “Umm, she is an important witness, after all.”
Sherlock turned back towards the room. Mrs. Hatano shook her head at Sherlock’s back. It was not like she was really fooling anyone.
It was a good while after Mrs. Hatano had retired to her room until Sherlock finally moved from the doorway. With soft and quiet steps she walked over to couch and crouched down on the floor. Her hands trembled slightly as she clung tightly to the edge of the blanket covering Wato, as if needing to make sure it, or her, did not disappear. She closed her eyes, resting her head on the edge of the couch.
“I told you to not get hurt.”