"Maybe it'd be nice if you didn't sacrifice your phone every other case, Sherlock," John bemoaned as he followed his long legged friend down the street, "I can't remember every single number to remind you who to input into your contacts every week!"

"Oh just give it to me, John-"

"Nope! I've got it! I've got it!"

"Very well," Sherlock hid the smirk on his face, taking a few long strides to get further ahead. John sighed with exasperation and hurriedly punched in Sherlock's most used contacts into his new mobile, "Is Lestrade in there yet?"

"Just hold on a second, Sherlock," John puffed and finished typing in the DI's information, "Here."

"Thank you, John," Sherlock plucked away the phone and opened up a new message to Lestrade.

"So we're heading back to the scene?"

"Yes, John, do keep up. The brother wanted revenge on the victim for dating his former girlfriend. He will be at the scene because he left behind a critical clue- his fingerprints were on the floor underneath the body."

"Oh, so he's there to make sure the fingerprints are cleaned up?"

"Precisely." Sherlock noticed that Lestrade hadn't responded but let it go as they hailed a taxi.

About three minutes later his phone vibrated and he quickly took it out. While he guarded his expression, as always, he was shocked by the incoming message.

How did "A" deduce my identity so quickly? Sherlock mused to himself. More importantly, how did I text "A" and not Gavin?

His eyes flitted to John. Of course. In his haste he must have mixed up a few of the digits and thus input the wrong number. Sherlock kept this to himself and replied to A, somewhat curious.

To his surprise, A responded rather elaborately.

I suppose the signature is a giveaway. Sherlock made a mental note as he renamed the contact "A" and put in Lestrade's correct information. He then resent the text telling him to meet him and John at the scene before returning to A.

Sherlock would normally have ended the conversation once he figured out the wrong number text, then blocked the number. But A appeared to be intelligent and capable- and a fellow introvert from what their texts had revealed. And since they had included "A" as their signature, they were immediately more interesting than other accidental recipients.

A was mysterious. And given that he couldn't deduce them in person, Sherlock was intrigued because he couldn't see them. He could only deduce them over text, which made his lips curl. Every once in a while a game like this came along and Sherlock was more than opportunistic. He smirked a bit and responded.

Sherlock smirked. Intriguing.

They arrived at the crime scene and Lestrade joined them, "Oi, Sherlock, maybe give me a bit more warning next time?"

"The original text didn't send I'm assuming because of a temporary dead zone when I first tried to contact you. Now, don't we have a murderer to arrest?" Lestrade and John exchanged glances and followed the lanky detective into the complex.

Their killer knew as soon as he saw Sherlock and John that he'd been found out. He bolted and sliced another officer's arm during his escape. Sherlock gave chase, tailed by Lestrade and John, which lead to an on foot hunt lasting a quarter of an hour. The thrill of it took the brunette's mind off of A for a good while until the killer was apprehended and all their business was taken care of.

Then Sherlock reopened his phone and finally replied to A.

John attributed the smirk on Sherlock's face to a case found in his inbox and said nothing about it. The detective himself was so absorbed in waiting for A's response that he almost walked into a lamp post on their way to the street. John yanked him out of the way, "Watch yourself, Sherlock."

"Mm? Oh, yes. Thank you, John."

"Is it a case?"

"Of sorts, yes."

"Oh? What about?"

"It's simple, really. Just a mental exercise."

"Alright, then," John let it be and exhaled, "I'd better be getting home to Mary."

"Very well. I shall see you tomorrow."

"Likewise, Sherlock." The doctor flagged a cabbie and Sherlock took the second- still engrossed in his phone. Finally A's answer came about halfway back to Baker Street.

"The Game is On, A." He hummed. This should be interesting.

I'm trying a different format for the text convos between "A" and Sherlock. How do you all like it? Also, for everyone who read my previous #Sherlanna series- I'm glad to see you again! Love you all!