Case Closed

• One •

Detective Constable Lucy Baker pushed through the London crowds toward the Scotland Yard building. The traffic on the streets had built up, just like any other morning, to a shouting, shoving cacophony of noise. She wanted to be past it all, and locked away in the Mystery Room with case files all around her.

On that morning, Lucy was stopped by Hilda Pertinax, her instructive boss, in the lobby. It seemed as though she had been waiting a while.

"Lucy, can I have a word?" Lucy followed the older lady to a nearby room, where she went in and shut the door behind her.

"How do you do it?" Hilda fired at her, the second the door shut behind them. Lucy, startled and puzzled replied,

"D-do what?"

"Five closed cases were sent from your office to mine each day last week. You single-handedly put 25  criminals behind bars in five days. Not even the Commissioner himself is that good! How. Do. You. Do. It?"

Alarmed, Lucy took a step back. Hilda  had never spoken to her like this before. She almost seemed, well, jealous. Hilda had a clever mind, but often spent more time bossing around her minors - as was her chosen job - than actually working to solve a case. Out in the field however, few could equal her deductive powers. Alfendi Layton and his assitant, Lucy Baker, were the major exception.

"We're not doing nowt' out of the ordinary Hilda, I swear! To be honest with you, the Prof solved most of the cases whilst I were at 'ome asleep. Practically lives in the Mytsery Room, 'e does!"

Hilda sighed, and her face fell. "Nothing's changed then, he's been doing that for years. Some say he lives for his work, and I don't doubt it. I was hoping you could make him see sense?"

It was asked as a question, but Lucy knew it was nothing of the sort. She had tried, it was true, but dealing with the Prof when he got defensive was a lot harder putting a criminal behind bars.

She said uncertainly, "Um, do you mind if I get upstairs? The Prof won't be 'appy if I'm late. I don't want to get on his bad side!" They both laughed for a minute at her partially intended joke.

Hilda let her leave grudgingly; "Take it easy!"

"I'll try!" Lucy called back.

Not worried about angering the Prof as much as missing out on a case, Lucy took the stairs three at a time. He didn't even stop when Florence (sneezing as always) and Sniffer (talking nonsense to Dustin) wished her good morning. Finally, out of breath, she reached the door of the office, only to be greeted by the scene she met most mornings.

The black blinds were drawn across the windows, making the room dark and gloomy. Papers were scattered across the floor, but on the desk were case files, all with huge red crosses on the front. Six cases in one night, on his own! That was hard work, even for the Prof. Lucy let out a low whistle as she flicked through the folders. These were tough ones too! No wonder he was out cold. She looked over at the sofa to see Inspector Alfendi Layton fast asleep, with his trademark white lab coat crumpled around him. His curly hair was a deep purple; that was a relief, at least. She preferred to wake up Placid Prof, as Potty often grumbled insults as she roused him. Although what he said usually didn't bother her, it was not the best way to start a day at work, as the Prof would remain Potty and irritable for most of the morning.

Pulling up the blinds, Lucy decided to act on Hilda's instructions. She would try and get the Prof to take a break today, though this kind of idea rarely improved the situation. As was said, the Prof was so focused on his work that he never 'took a break'. Even mentioning the idea to him immediately banished Placid Prof, and Potty Prof took over to shout at whoever had suggested it. Not a very pleasant experience for anyone, Lucy thought.

While pondering over the best way to wake him up while keeping the peace, there was a sharp knock on the door. She jumped at the sudden noise, as did the Prof, who leapt off the sofa, his wild hair a bright shade of crimson. Lucy groaned audibly, and head for the door.

"Morning Prof,' she sighed over her should, only to be met by a scowl and a muttered comment.

At the door stood the Commissioner, who, whilst strict, was a good character and a working friend of both Lucy and Alfendi's.

"Good morning Lucy."

"G'morning sir," she trilled.

The Commissioner laughed at her bubbly enthusiasm. No matter what, she was always smiling.

"Alfendi, could I borrow you for a while? It's important."

Alfendi muttered something under under his breath. Before running his hand through his now purple hair. The Commissioner frowned.

"Are you alright Alfendi? You look a mess!"

It was true. The Prof's curly hair was falling from its ponytail, straggling down his neck. Dark rings under his eyes suggested many nights of little sleep. His clothes were tatty and creased, not to mention the random newspaper cuttings sticking out of every pocket. Lucy often wondered what else might be in there.

In response, Placid Prof muttered yet again, but loud enough that Lucy could catch the words, 'so would you... that many cases.'

"You know Alfendi," the Commissioner started, "you haven't taken any of your annual leave yet. You should really have some time off, see your family."

Lucy held her breath, watching the Commissioner's two fatal mistakes call Potty Prof back into Al's head.

"What would you know, sir? Haven't seen you on a case since Forbodium Castle. Lost your... touch?"

The Commissioner, used to Potty Prof's hurtful comments, only said, "I'd like to remind you, Inspector Layton, that it is not my job to work in the field, that is your job. As for Forbodium Castle, I had to put my team in danger because of your foolishness. Now will you please come with me!"

Alfendi glanced at Lucy, who, surprisingly, looked on the verge of tears. Placid Prof put a hand on her shoulder. "Sorry Lucy." He forgot how much the events of that night at Forbodium Castle scared and upset her. It had been four months since they were nearly killed at the Castle, but for Lucy it would never be easy to think about.

As he followed the Commissioner from the room, he smiled slightly and pointed to a stack of folders on the desk. "I left a few for you." It was so simple that no one would think anything of it. But to Lucy it was everything.

Working that hard, Potty Prof wouldn't have spared a thought for anything other than the cases. But he thought that she might like a go at a few of them, showing that he was thinking about her, what she wanted. As far as she knew, Potty Prof cared for nothing other than his work and himself. It was like Florence had said. She was making him soft.

Alone, she laughed at the idea. The cases were tough, but do-able. Time flew past as she finished one, two, three, four cases! A new record, for her. Seven hours since the Prof had left, she was still in the office alone. Her mobile buzzed.

Don't wait for me, I'm not returning tonight. - Al

Lucy stared at the text for a while, confused, before returning to the next case at hand.