Lestrade quickly changed into her uniform and ran a brush through her hair.

As she set the brush down, a small box fell to the floor. She picked it up and held it close to her heart. Then, making a decision, she opened the box, lifted the diamond and emerald ring out, and put it on her third right finger. It still fit, which was surprising, and an odd feeling coursed over her. She ignored it and left the apartment.

When she arrived at Holmes' place, she walked right in. The three Irregulars were standing, and hovering, around a woman who had her face in her hands. She appeared to be crying.

Holmes came in from the kitchen carrying a cup of tea. "Here you are, Miss Johnson," Holmes said gently. The woman looked up at Holmes and smiled her thanks.

Lestrade gasped. "Kris?" she asked, "Is that you?"

The woman stared at her in shock. "Beth? Oh my goodness!" She pulled Lestrade into a huge bear hug as Holmes and the kids looked on in amazement.

"It's been forever," Kris said, grinning from ear to ear, her plight apparently forgotten.

Lestrade nodded, her grin just as big. Then she frowned. "What happened?"

"Do you mean why I'm here, or why I never called Tom?"

"Both, but the latter can wait."

The sad look returned to Kristen's face. "Do you remember that necklace Tom gave me as a going-away present?" At Lestrade's nod, she continued, "It was stolen. Except that I can't figure out how. None of the locks on the doors had been broken, and there was no sign of anyone even being in the room where I keep all my jewelry. Nothing else is missing."

"Why did you come here instead of to the police?" Lestrade questioned.

"I did go to the police, and when I told them about it, they said that I must have misplaced it. So I came here."

Lestrade turned to Holmes. "Okay, now what do you need me for?"

"Watson is visiting a friend for a while, and you are the only other person I know who can do a proper DNA scan."

Lestrade sighed. "I should have known. Well, at least it's something to do to keep my mind off...." Her voice trailed off.

"Off what?" Wiggins asked.

"Nothing important," she said hastily.

Holmes smiled, as though he knew exactly what she was thinking. "All right, the first place to go is where the necklace was last seen."

Holmes stood up and the rest of them did as well. To Holmes and the Irregulars' surprise, Lestrade didn't protest their tagging along.