Kneel

Case 26

  "Ah, there you are. Time to go, we've got a case to solve." Lucifer waved his hand at me, and I paused while eating my pudding. "Why are you giving me that face? Come on, don't just sit there."

  "Lucifer, I very clearly cannot go anywhere."

  "Sure you can. Just stand up, put one foot in front of the other, and off you go." He waved his arms toward the exit, and I sighed.

  "I still have another 24 hours. Whatever the case is, Chloe and Dan can deal with it."

  "Yes, well, they're already on it, but I figured you're much better than Detective Douche, so let's go." Lucifer looked down at me as I took another bite of my pudding.

  "24 hours is 24 hours."

  "Bloody stupid is what it is. I don't even know why you checked yourself in here, it's absolutely ridiculous." Lucifer waved his hand at the room around us while putting his other hand on his hip.

  "It's just a precaution. Well, more like an evaluation and a precaution."

  "For what? What could you possibly need to be in the loony bin for?"

  "Because, as shitty as it sounds, I think I finally snapped." I said while swirling my spoon in the pale yellow pudding. "I mean, seriously, what's more believable- me snapping after living a good portion of my life in a demon cult, or you actually being the Devil?" I scoffed.

  "....Is that why you're in here?"

  "I mean, yeah."

  "Well, simple fix then! I am actually the Devil, so-"

  "Lucifer." I rubbed my forehead in frustration. "I can't leave, and I won't. Not yet. I....I need to get my bearings on things again because clearly, I've gone off the rocker at least a little bit. Whether it's just the stress or my past coming back to kick my ass, I need to deal with this. I would have gone to Dr. Linda, but she's currently hospitalized, so this was my second-best option." I gestured to the room around me while looking up at Lucifer.

  "But-"

  "I'm serious. Just....come back in 24 hours. I'll be figuring out if I'll be staying longer or not then."

  "You can't just stay here, that's nonsense."

  "If I need to be here, then I will stay." I said firmly, and Lucifer's expression went firm.

  "What about Morningstar? Who's watching him while you're here?"

  "Chloe."

  "You left your cat around Maze? She just might eat him for breakfast!"

  "Ha, ha." My tone was dry.

  "Okay, look. What if I can get you time to talk to Linda? Hm? Will you leave here then? When your bloody 24 hours are up."

  "How would you even-"

  "The good doctor is able to come and go now. So, what'll it be?"

~

  "And why is Linda in your penthouse?" I asked while standing in the elevator with Lucifer.

  "Haven't you seen the view?"

  "Got drunk to it."

  "Well enough." Lucifer nodded, and the doors opened. Stepping out, I spotted Dr. Martin.

  "You didn't tell me she's in a wheelchair. She should be in the hospital."

  "She's fine, she's got a hot nurse named Benjamin looking after her. Doctor! The ginger is here." Lucifer grinned, but my eye was caught by what was on his piano.