The दिन of the trial arrived. Sherlock finished dressing and went downstairs. He was nervous, mainly for Joan. He found her in the living room with Joseph.
'Hey.'
'Hey, आप ok?'
'A little nervous.' He sat down अगला to her. 'You?'
'Not too bad, just don't want to face her attorney.'
'I know, but we've done nothing wrong. We have nothing to fear.' He took Joseph's hand. 'Uncle Mycroft's looking after आप today, go easy on him.'
Joan giggled as Mycroft came out from the kitchen.
'I'm sure uncle Mycroft can look after him for one afternoon.' Joan handed Joseph to him. 'We'll be just fine, won't we?' Joan got up and went upstairs to change. 'You nervous?'
'Not really, mainly for Joan.'
'Why?'
'I just think the attorney will be और harsh on her then me, आप know how Irene feels about her.'
'I'm sure she'll be fine.' He sat down अगला to him. 'Besides she got the whole New York detective force behind her and you.' Sherlock smiled then look at Joseph.
'I suppose your right.'
'When am i not?' Sherlock kissed Joseph's head.
'You be good.' He went to the bottom of the stairs. 'Joan, आप ready?'
'Coming.' She came downstairs as he held out her कोट for her. 'Thanks.' He placed it on her and then did his own. She went and kissed Joseph. 'Be good, keep an eye on him.'
'I'll be fine.'
'I wasn't taking to you.' Mycroft heard Sherlock laugh. They both left before Mycroft could say anything.

When they arrived, they sat outside for a moment thinking about what to say and what not to say. After a while Gregson came and got Sherlock. He kissed Joan before going in, as he left she couldn't help but worry, Sherlock wasn't one for people judging him या his work.

'Mr Holmes, how do आप know Ms Adler?'
'Ms Adler and i are old acquaintances.'
'Could आप elaborate on that?'
'We met in लंडन some years पूर्व whilst i was working on a case.'
'Was she a suspect?'
'No, she was helping me with some enquiries.'
'And how did your relationship with her progress?'
'We met up a couple of times after that.'
'Did your relationship become sexual?' The judge interrupted her.
'Mrs Johnston, why is this relevant?'
'My client told me about their relationship, i'm just making sure.'
'Carry on.'
'Thank you, your honor. Would आप like me to ask the सवाल again, Mr Holmes?'
'That won't be necessary. Yes, we had a sexual relationship.'
'And how long did it last?'
'A couple of years. Until she faked her death.'
'After that आप turned to drugs, am i right?'
'I did. I've bee clean for over a साल now.'
'So how did आप feel when Irene turned up at आप doorstep?'
'I was angry, confused.'
'Then she planned to run away with आप she gave आप plane ticket to London. How did आप feel?'
'I was tempted but never used it.'
'Because आप were on the run from the police. '
'I was, it was a misunderstanding.'
'Then recently your fiance claimed she tried to kill you.'
'She did.'
'But we've got your घर CCTV footage. A few months ago, आप shared a किस with Ms Adler. So how do we know it wasn't your fiance who tried to kill you?'
'She didn't know about the kiss.'
'How do आप know she didn't? She could have watched the footage, saw what आप did and thought about your punishment.'
'Joan is not like that.'
'Or this could have all been cooked up द्वारा the fact that she left you, आप were angry and आप wanted revenge.'
'Why would i poison myself?'
'Because your fiance's an ex-surgeon, she could easily save you.'
'Joan was pregnant at the time, she wouldn't risk her health या the baby's.'
'Irrelevant.'
'Irene is working for Moriarty. One of the world's dangerous criminals, he tried to kill me and my brother a couple of weeks ago.'
'Which has nothing to do with her. Also speaking of Moriarty, He's provided a statement for us. He says' Irene asked me to help fake her death as she was in an abusive relationship and she wanted out.'
'He's a liar. I never laid a finger on her.'
'No और questions, आप honor.' Sherlock looked over at Irene, who was watching from her stand. She gave him a devilish smile. He knew when Joan was up here next, it wouldn't end well.

'Mrs Watson, what is your relationship with Ms Adler?'
'I thought she was a friend.'
'Thought?'
'She tried to kill my fiance. I don't regard that as friendship.'
'How do we know आप and your fiance hadn't already planned this?'
'We had और important things to worry about.'
'How did आप meet Mr Holmes?'
'I was his sober companion. Then after a few months i became his partner then his girlfriend.'
'So आप don't know anything about his personal history?'
'Some, not alot. He's a private person.'
'Well, we have a statement from Moriarty, about why he helped Ms Adler fake her death. He कहा that she told him she was in an abusive relationship and wanted out.'
'Sherlock isn't like that. He wouldn't hurt anyone.'
'How can आप be so sure?'
'I know and trust him well enough.'
'But आप कहा it yourself, he's a private person. So how much do आप really know?'
'If i didn't trust him, i wouldn't be marrying him now would i? If he was as abusive as she claims he is, do आप think i would stick around? I would have taken our son and left. He's a good person and a fantastic father, so whatever's she told आप is a lie.'
'No और सवालों your honor.'
Joan looked up at Irene and smiled, she won that round.

They met up in the court yard.
'Hey, आप ok?'
'Yeah, i think i managed to win that round. What about you?'
'Moriarty gave a statement.'
'I know, she told me.'
'I never touched her like that.'
'I know, that's what i said. I told them i wouldn't be with आप if आप were really like that. So, hopefully the jury will see through her.'
'I hope so.' Joan hugged him. They stood there for a moment thinking about what might happen if Irene got released.

It was Irene's turn in the witness box with Sherlock in the stand.
'Ms Adler, could आप please described आप relationship with Mr Holmes?'