Dreamlocked

Chapter 6: The Detective

I'm late I know; oopsies! Here's a chapter for you!

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I stepped out of the lift. I glanced at my watch. It read 9:15 now. I bolted down the hallway to the right and flew towards stairs. I didn't hesitate in my stride as the hallway turned into the spiral stairwell. I took the stairs at a new dizzying speed. I finished the stairs and ran out the front door and pushed it shut behind me. The breeze that was blowing went right through my sleeves and goose bumps instantly raised on my arms and I shivered involuntarily. I remembered my coat and shrugged it on. Everything in my pockets settled against my sides and reminded me that I never carried a bag or a purse. I stepped up to the road and hollered for a cab.

A car pulled up almost immediately. I opened the door and climbed in. Comfortably seated I gave the cabbie directions. I pulled back my sleeve and peered at my watch. It read 9:18. Maybe I wouldn't be late, but the traffic might cause a problem. I patted my coat. The left pocket of my coat contained my iPhone, wallet, and keys and my right pocket housed a few miscellaneous objects. I could feel my notepad and the mystery ID in my right dress pocket through my coat.

The cab stopped at my destination. I paid him in exact change and climbed out. I looked at the building I was standing on the damp sidewalk in front of. Scotland Yard. I glanced at my watch again. It read 9:31 this time. I made perfect time. I made my way to the front door and set my hand on the handle; it was new. I pushed it open and entered the building. I looked around the lobby. It was no more and no less busy than it usually was. I spotted several people huddled together on a couch against a wall away from the front doors. I crossed the lobby to the front desk and skirted my way around it. I picked up my pace, Clark was bound to say hello.

"Hey Detective." A masculine voice called from behind the counter. I turned around to face him.

"'Ello Clark." I didn't want to have to talk to him. It was so obvious he was into me from the way he leaned over the counter to talk to me, to the way he tried to get to know me better every time we talked.

"You weren't here yesterday." He stated, but asked it like a question.

"Was that a question or a statement?" I asked him. He looked befuddled. I tapped the counter twice with palm and stepped away. "Nice talking to you Clark, as always." I turned my back on the stunned boy and made my way to the lift.

I called the lift and began to tap my right foot impatiently. My office was higher up in the building. The ride would take a while and I was in between cases so I could end up sitting behind a desk all day. A pair of soft footsteps came up directly behind me. They were probably caused by sneakers of some kind. I turned around to see who was directly behind me in close quarters. I came to face to face with a young ginger man, but not just any ginger, a certain lock-picking, life-saving one.

"'Ello." I said politely.

"Hi." The lift doors opened behind me and I climbed in.

"How are you?" I asked to sound normal. He had told me to stay home after all. I pressed the button for floor six.

"I'm very well, thanks. I'm lost though. Could you help me?"

"Sure. What can I help you find?" What was there to find in Scotland Yard?

"I'm looking for a detective. One of my friends pointed me in her direction." Her? There were only so many female detectives in the building. His description narrowed it down to about twelve excluding myself because I don't know who would recommend me.

"What's her name?" I asked curious now.

"I only have her last name." He sounded sheepish. "Detective Nethers?" What a pleasant surprise. I could keep him in the dark a bit longer.

"I know her. She's on my floor." I spoke evenly to hide my smug feeling. "Her first name is Cassidy by the way."

"Oh. Can you show me where to find her?" He asked.

"Certainly, as soon as the doors open." I said gesturing to the doors

"What is the nature of your visit?" I questioned of my future client who didn't know me yet.

"I have a murder mystery of sorts." He spoke without emotion. Murder was very serious no matter the case.

The lift stopped and as soon as the doors opened I climbed out and the bloke followed.

"Here it is: Level Six." I spread my arms wide to show the many offices on the floor.

"In which one can I find my detective?" He asked a bit impatiently.

"So, she's your detective now?" I teased.

"No! That's not what I meant," he viciously raked his hands through his hair, "I just really need to see her."

"Follow me." I tuned right and began to walk down the hallway there, hands clasped behind my back. He sounded a bit worried about whatever his murder mystery was.

"How do you know so much about Detective Nethers?" He asked a new tone of curiosity in his voice.

"We're so close; we could be considered the same person." I stopped in front of my office door. The placard read 'Detective Nethers'. "She's just through here."

"I was under the impression she didn't have many friends." He stated confused now.

"You're absolutely right." I confirmed as I turned the handle and pushed open the door. I gestured to the threshold and waited for him to enter. He wasn't taking my offer.

"Okay, so, question. Who are you to her?" He sounded very intrigued now.

"Just go inside." I chided him bluntly.

"Fine. Let me be curious or, maybe, I'll ask her myself." He said simply then he went in my office. I followed him and pushed the door shut.

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Hello darlings! Here's a new chapter for you! It's late; suck it up I'm a busy person that almost has three hour oovoo convos. Here the almost? Someone *cough* Summer *cough* just happened to end it before we could finish. No, I won't let it go and yes, I am teasing you. Have a nice day! Be good to one another; see you next time.

~Avery XOXOXO