Lucy was running down the street on her way to work. She gasped and clutched the paper bag she was holding.
"Mornin', Commissioner!" She yelled as she ran up the stairs. When she reached the door to the Mystery Room, she could hear Alfendi yelling for some reason she didn't know and opened the door. Before she could even register what was in front of her, something knocked her down and she dropped the paper bag in her hand.
Arf! Arf! "Oh, stop!" She giggled as she felt a big, wet tongue on her cheek. She opened her eyes. A small beagle was standing on her with a furiously wagging tail.
"Wot's this?" She looked up to see Potty Prof with his arms in the air.
"The commissioner had a "brilliant" idea that we need a crime dog so he brought me this damn thing!" Alfendi said with air quotes. He knocked his head against the filing cabinet a few times. "He's made my whole morning hell!"
"But 'e's so cute!" Lucy stood up. "Oh! I forgot, I brought you some crumpets!" She looked around for the paper bag that she had dropped, but saw that it was already ripped open by the small dog, who was eating happily. "Er- I did." She scratched her head brushing off the incident, "does 'e 'ave a name?"
"Satan?!" Potty Prof yelled at the dog. The beagle sensed the tension and started to whimper.
"Prof, that's 'nough now." Lucy looked at the sweet dog and stroked his put his hand on his forehead and his hair turned purple.
"Sorry, Lucy, I'm not much of a dog person."
"Then 'ow come the Commissioner gave 'im to you?" Lucy asked changing the subject.
"He said he found the dog on the street this morning with no collar on. He met me in my office early this morning to hand him over. Apparently, I'm supposed to look after him while they try to find the owner. Everyone else is off on duty solving a case and they couldn't have given him to Florence, she has terrible allergies. That's how he got stuck with me."
"Poor pup. While e's 'ere, I think we should give 'im a name. It might make 'im feel better." She looked at the dog for a moment. "'ow about Crumpet?" Alfendi looked at her peculiarly. "Well, e's eatin 'em aren't e'?" She laughed. Placid Prof slightly chuckled. "Sure, that will do."
He walked back to his desk feeling a little calmer about the situation. He looked over at Lucy. She wasn't wearing her normal outfit today. Instead of shorts, she was wearing a black skirt. "Y-you look nice today." Alfendi blushed, suddenly very interested in the floor.
"Ah, I actually forgot to ta do me laundry!" Lucy laughed. "But thanks an'way, Prof!" She held Crumpet in her arms and brought him over to Alfendi. "Lucy what are you doing?" Alfendi started to get nervous as the dog became closer.
"'E wants to say 'ello!" Placid stuck out his hand.
"Please, no." He said sternly, but gently.
"Ok then." She set the dog down. "Any new cases?"
For the rest of the day, Lucy and Alfendi tried to work on a couple of cases, but didn't seem to get much work done because of the puppy. Potty Prof had been out almost constantly all afternoon. Ring, ring!
"Oh, I'll get the phone." Lucy jumped up and ran over. "Oh, 'ello commissioner! What?...I'm not sure 'e'll be 'appy about that...ok, ok. I'll make sure 'e's alright." "Lucy I think that's the longest conversation you've ever had on the phone!" Lucy dismissed his response and picked up Crumpet.
"They 'aven't found 'is owner yet. The commissioner needs us to look after 'im a lil while longer." The inspector was quiet. He sighed loudly. "Fine." He said somewhere in between Placid and Potty.
"Don't worry! I'll take care of Crumpet. 'Owever, there is one little prob." Alfendi looked up. "My flat doesn't 'low pets, so we couldn't bring 'im back there." Alfendi couldn't resist the puppy dog eyes - Lucy's eyes, not the wild animal's.
"Alright, we'll take him over to my place. My apartment complex allows pets." He finally gave in. Lucy put the dog down and ran over to hug Alfendi. "Thanks Prof! " 'Oh, how lovable she was.' He thought and then hugged her back tightly causing his heart rate to increase.
About half hour later, they were standing outside, ready to go. Crumpet didn't have a leash so they used an old rope that was in the evidence locker from a previous case. "Heel." Lucy commanded of the dog, but sadly, Crumpet had other things on his mind such as a squirrel in a nearby tree. Crumpet tugged at the leash, but Lucy held a firm grip on the rope. Crumpet whined and continued to walk beside her.
"Lucy, you're awfully good with dogs I must say. You've only known him a few hours and he's already listening to you." Alfendi was truly surprised.
"You have to be tough with 'em. Show 'em who's boss. But be careful, one slip up and you've lost 'im." Right at that instant Lucy saw something dash away in the corner of her eye. She looked and saw a taunting squirrel running ahead of them. Crumpet saw with wide eyes and dashed after it. Lucy was hurled forward and she started to chase after the dog. She gripped her end of the rope which was the last three inches. With Crumpet chasing the squirrel, Lucy chasing Crumpet, and Alfendi trying to help Lucy with the leash, they soon all found themselves tangled in the rope and knocked onto the ground. Arf, arf! Crumpet barked as the squirrel got away just in the nick of time. Crumpet tried to run, but tripped over his end of the rope. Lucy and Alfendi had landed in a small pile with Alfendi hovering over Lucy.
"Oh, oh, Lucy! Are you alright? I'm sorry, er- I didn't mean to..." Alfendi had a bright flush over his face. Lucy noticed he was Potty, but also looked very concerned for her. Lucy stared at him for a moment.
"Yeah, I'm alright." Lucy blushed back. Alfendi quickly stood up, but got caught in the rope halfway there. "I told you we didn't need the whole dang rope..." Potty muttered under his breath. He started to untangle himself and then helped Lucy up. They were both brushing the dirt off of their clothes when Alfendi looked over to his right and noticed something. He walked over and picked up the item. "Your hat." Placid said politely to Lucy and she began to re-leash Crumpet.
"Oh, thanks!" She looked and smiled at him. How bright and warm her eyes are in the sun Alfendi thought with sudden emotion. he quickly composed himself as he noticed Lucy talking.
"Ready?" She asked and linked arms with him. He nodded. "Alright, take two!" She exclaimed.