She brushed her hair, not sure what to do and finally knotted them on either side, like a ponytail that was not completed. She rummaged around in her purse for the pair of glasses she liked to wear on undercover situations. She actually walked right out of the police station with them. Slipping them on she pressed a hidden button and it began to record both sound and visual. If she was going to be working as a private detective, she would have some cool gadgets.

Using the small compact mirror she smiled. Her hair was bright red, making her stand out, as did the slightly rounded glasses. No one would think she was a smart detective who had solved her share of murder cold cases, with her specialization in weapons used in those crimes. She loved guns. They were quick and decisive, destructive and cruel, yet also enough to warn people to not come closer, and be a passive tool she carried with her at all times. Her 9mm was resting on the bottom of her purse and she figured it could stay there; nothing seemed to be very dangerous.

Except Sebastian.

The suspect.

The one who couldn't really face the crowded rooms of nobles above them.

She would be working as a maid.

Mey-Rin shut the door to the small bathroom and turned into the wide kitchen, the back of the man who had made her feel so ready to splay herself on one of the stainless steel tables and be taken hard and fast… Oh okay, we will call Horice tonight and get a good fuck in. The bastard. Maybe Fretion would be up. He always boasts he makes the woman sweat as he fucks them. She shook her head, sure that if she even made a move on the man who was now plating some kind of food, he would take offense and perhaps show he really was a murderer. It would make her job easier. But she would not be paid. And she would be dead. Yes, but would my body be slated of its need?

"I am surprised that a refined lady like yourself would talk about such lewd things, even to yourself," Sebastian's voice said, interrupting her steady sexual thoughts.

"Excuse me?" she squeaked. She was sure it was all in her head.

"Many pardons, Ms. McCaw, I simply have very good hearing."

She walked over to where he stood, still moving silently, a knife poised over a roast, and she made sure to keep a table or so between them as she watched him expertly cut into the tender meat.

"Doesn't the Earl have a cook who can do that?"

He turned and smiled a little. "He does. But the cook can't do this. He is rather too quick to be delicate and care about presentation of the food. His palate is rather…" he paused, searching her face and then smiling slowly, "plain and not very exciting. I am sure you would not like it at all."

Mey-Rin stood still, her brain only slowly clicking back into gear after being examined by the butler. He was handsome and sexy, as she first described, but the amusement in his eyes… she could not see much when those eyes were on her, and she looked away, down to her own uniform.

"Ah, thanks for the clothes, by the way."

"What kind of butler would I be if I could not provide the necessary garments for you to properly blend into the party?"

"I would have put on a nice dress with a low slung back with some kitten heels, as 'blend into the party' wear. This," she swept her arms down the outfit, "is for the maid. I am not a maid."

"No, you are a detective," he conceded. He continued to plate the food and paused and looked at her. "Are you not curious to what I am being accused of doing?"

She shrugged, "I figured Earl Phantomhive would give me a briefing." The blue eyes of the noble flashed, or a de-briefing.

"I am accused of making three men disappear. A delicate way of saying I murdered them and the police can not find their bodies. I, however can show you their bodies," he said, sliding a plate of food so finely placed together, she wasn't sure where to look as she took in the meal and then his words.

"Wait, what?" she said, slowly looking up. She backed up a bit - he was really close.

"I can show you where we placed the men, they are not lost."

"Are they dead?" she said, backing up a bit as he almost took another step towards her. He seemed to glide as he finally placed his foot down and stood tall, as a cultured butler and gentleman, waiting on his masters' orders.

"That I am not sure of."

Mey-Rin swallowed. She dug deep - she was a trained marksman, could take men this man's size down to the floor in a few well placed kicks, and had solved hundreds of murder cases. Yet she was scared of this man - the power he had over her in such a short time. His dark hair and light skin, his black and dark grey butler suit and vest were no longer inviting. He smiled and she watched as - she swore they were - slightly pointed teeth came into view.

"Back up," she said, her police voice coming out clear and strong. "Please back up."

And he did. He backed up three steps and stood still a good three feet from her.

"Explain."

"What would you like to know?"

"How -"

"Sebastian! Where is the food!"

The Earl was walking down the stairs and interrupted her question. Of course she saw a flash of relief in Sebastian's eyes as he turned and looked at his master. Mey-Rin felt she would be having a lot of questions unanswered by the end of the night.

"Have you plated the food? Ah, I see, good," he said, now joining them in the middle of the kitchen, beside a long line of plates, each a work of culinary art. The butler must have gone to school to be so good, she mused, and filed it away to check into the butler's past.

"I shall walk you quickly through the duties," the Earl said, turning towards her. He offered a hand to her and she took it, not sure why it was offered and why she took it. "Please know, what ever you hear tonight, I am retaining your skills to help build a case why my butler is innocent. Many of my guests have heard the case in the press, but they don't know my man the way I do."

"The press? I haven't even heard of this case," she said, looking back towards Sebastian, still standing still, now looking over at her.

"Not the traditional press. My circle of influence and friends can be classified as less than typical for my status. I deal with many criminals in the city, but am not one."

"I have heard that line before," she muttered and then bit her lip. Not nice to insult the clients, Mey!

"Yes, I am sure you have. However, I speak the truth. To prove it, I have this letter from the Queen that has outlined my mission from her about dealing with the underbelly of the land." He slide a right hand into his breast pocket and took out a cream coloured envelope, flicking it in front of her as if he was James Bond, handing her a key card to his hotel room.

She took it and took back her right hand, sliding her finger under the sealed flap. The waxed seal was indeed the Queens' emblem, but a criminal could do that. In fact, she reminded herself, a criminal could even forge the letter. Deciding to analyze it later, she tucked it into the pocked of her maids' uniform. "I suppose I will have to trust you."

The Earl's face lit up a bit as he smiled. "Sebastian, get the dumb waiter filled, and Ms. McCaw, please come with me. We shall give your new disguise a test."