Apologies for not responding to this comment sooner, puckrobin! I got a bit snowed under with the other comments for this post and losing my internet connection at home for two days didn't help. Fortunately, I was reminded of your comment when dubghall gave a response herself. :-)
Like dubghall, I really like this theory. I'm not sure if I agree with it as I'm still thinking it through. I did think it was strange that they let Moriarty go. I thought maybe it was because they weren't getting anywhere with him or had no grounds to hold him -- if such rules apply in Mycroft's world. I guess my problem with this theory is that I have a hard time picturing Moriarty as a victim himself. I mean, I accept that he might have played into the Holmes brothers' hands by destroying his own identity, but I think he was already on a path of self-destruction. He killed himself without a moment's hesitation at the end. Saying that, I can see Sherlock taking advantage of Moriarty's demise when he returns. I think it's a brilliant idea for Sherlock to take over Moriarty's gang and destroy it from within.
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