14. The Female of the Species

Complete story — includes the ending

Elana March tells Joan she had Andrew murdered in revenge. Sherlock enlists Detective Bell to help him find two missing pregnant zebras stolen from a zoo. A trademarked color provides the first clue; the color is only used on delivery vans for one company. They eventually find the zebras, who have given birth. They also find a veterinarian, shot dead; he was forced to help with the induced premature births. They later find a quagga, which went extinct over a century before. The zoo's staff are gathered at the police station. Sherlock identifies the real murderer, a PhD student. The killer escapes police surveillance through an old speakeasy tunnel. Realizing that the student needs to raise funds for his getaway, Sherlock wins the online auction for the second quagga and sets a trap. Later, Joan receives a letter from Moriarty. It says that she had Elana murdered because Moriarty feels that she will have further interactions with Sherlock, and secondarily Joan as well, so no interloper can be allowed to interfere. Despite the confession, Sherlock doubts that they will find any evidence to connect Elana's murder to Moriarty.