Absolutley Demonic

Worth

"What do you mean he's dead!?" Eliot sighed, frustrated.

"I mean he's deceased, Nerissa. Archibald was found outside of his tavern this morning. The local undertaker believes he died from a heart attack. He was old, Nerissa. You should have expected this." Eliot said, with a loud sigh following after. 

"Archie was in his mid sixties....he was healthy...."

"Obviously not, if he's dead now." I couldnt stop crying. Archie was a healthy man...he believed strictly in vegetarianism...and even though he was a bartender, he never drank..

"I want to see him."

"A lady of your stature should not see things of this sort. I am highly against it, but... if it is your wish..." Eliot gave me the address, and I made my way to the mourge. 

The undertaker, a young man named Harold, showed me my dear friends cold, unmoving body. He looked so peaceful..

"The guy died of a simple heart attack, lady. Not much fuss, but there is bruising on his wrists. Looks like its from regular everyday work." 

"He was a bartender. What else could have caused it?" Harold scoffed, and covered his body.

"You sure ask a lot of questions, lady. If this were, say, a kidnapping, then the bruises were from rope or handcuffs." Archie had no criminal record. 

"What of his blood?"

"I dont do that sort of check. Just a physical, lady." Of course. Archie had to get the lazy undertaker who wont do a full-on bodily check. I shoved a bag of coins at the man. 

"Do the bloodwork."

"I told you, lady. I dont do that sort of thing." He said with an irritated face.

"Oh, darling Harold, do it for the pretty lady." An old voice rang out. An old woman stumbled from the stairs, her withered legs creaking softly. Her face gave me a sense of false peace. 

"Im Harold's mother, Elaine. He'd be happy to do the bloodwork, wouldnt you, Harold?"

"...yes, mother.." I smirked and paid the kind woman, giving my gratitude.

I went back into Archies pub, where a small memorial was taking place. I lit a candle for him, and began to search the premises. Everything was in its place, as always. The counter was already dusty. 

"Uh...ma'am..?" I turned to see a young girl, seemingly younger than me.  

"Yes..?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I dont think you're supposed to be in here.." 

"Neither are you." She took in a sharp breath and became flustered.

"I....I can be here..."

"And how is that?"

"I'm...I'm Archibald's daughter...I'm here to clean the pub...." I stared at the young girl. At close inspection, she did have some of his features.

"Ah. I shall take my leave then, miss. Sorry to disturb." Damn. I didnt have a good enough look to find anything on Archie's death. 

"Miss.. If you do find anything strange while cleaning, please, call for my services." I gave her my card and left. There wasn't a point in staying any longer. I hailed a carriage, simply paying fare to Buckingham.

      ~~~

"My, oh my... Someone has had a long, long day, yes?" Jin emphasized each word, as if he were still unable to speak proper English.

"Rather so. If you'd be kind enough to make tea, that would soothe me to the bone." I leaned back over the large chair in my foyer.

"And what kind of tea would m'lady like to have this evening?" He smiled, opening his eyes a smidge.

"Herbal tea. Rosehips. Chai." I held my hand over my eyes, just wanting to sleep for once. It was only a few minutes later that Jin brought my tea, and I sipped at it thoughtfully.

"Jin...."

"Yes, my lady?"

"Please stop mistaking salt for sugar. I'm going to die of a stoke if this keeps up." I held my chest, already feeling heartburn.

"Of course, my lady." He chuckled. Jin was a good man. He came to England as a chinese immagrant when we were but children. I found him interesting, and we became good friends. After coming into service for Her Majesty, I recommended him as a servant, and he came shortly after as my butler. 

I panned over the report papers, describing the scene in which Archibald died. They say he fell right outside the pub, while taking out the garbage that day. Witnesses say the place was packed the whole day, and that the exertion from the weight of the garbage caused his heart to skip and fail. I found many faulty facts in the text, such as the pub being packed all day. When I came into the pub, only 3 or so people were there, counting Archie and myself. A second fault: Archie doesnt take his own trash out. He hired a man to do it, and he was there, thus the third person in the pub. The third fault? It was a Sunday, and The Drowned Mermaid was closed. I only got in because I knew Archie personally. I wrote my notes on the side of the papers, with detailed explanations of how each testimony was false. I sighed heavily, just wanting this to be over. 

Jin peered over my shoulder, and I heard a small gasp.

"Archibald has died? How so?"

"They believe from a heart attack. I think otherwise. At the autopsy, I was told that there was bruising on his wrists, so I suspect foul play."

"I see.." I put the papers in their respective folder, and headed for my room. 

"It's late, Jin. Get some rest. I want accompanyment to the mourge tomorrow." He smiled and bowed. 

"Of course, my lady."

"Jin..Do you think its worth my time? Being Her Majesty's bloodhound..?" I asked, hoping for a satisfying answer.

"My lady, I do believe so. You help the people of England, all while doing what you love." He chuckled. Jin was always right in that sense. He knew what I loved and hated. 

"Thank you, Jin. Good night."

"Good night, my lady."