Six years before ASiP, Mycroft becomes aware that Sherlock has befriended a Scotland Yard officer named Lestrade. He attempts to have the man fetched to the usual warehouse - but Lestrade actually rejects and then evades Mycroft’s agents. This happens three times. Mycroft eventually has to resort to breaking into Lestrade’s house at night in order to speak to him personally.
From the foot of Lestrade’s bed, he offers the man money - which is angrily declined. He challenges Lestrade’s intentions towards Sherlock, and is told precisely where to stick himself. He leaves their encounter convinced that Lestrade is wholly honourable, very loyal very quickly, and altogether an excellent associate for Sherlock to have acquired.
An uncomfortable few years pass.
Mycroft hears on the grapevine that Lestrade’s marriage collapses due to infidelity - the woman, he concludes, must surely be insane. Even during these very public and painful difficulties, Lestrade continues to care for Sherlock as if Sherlock were his own brother.
When Sherlock vanishes from the world, to dismantle Moriarty’s organisation from the shadows, Mycroft pours agents into assisting him in this endeavour. It leaves The Network in dire need of new blood. Recruitment becomes such a priority that the armed forces, the old universities and the police are all contacted, and asked to recommend people - real people - from their ranks for whom this sort of dangerous work might be suitable. Candidates must be of sufficient bravery, emotional stability and fortitude to handle threatening situations on a daily basis, while also seemingly ordinary enough to pass unnoticed through the world.
Scotland Yard supply the names of a number of possible recruits.
One in particular catches Mycroft’s eye.
