As for the conclusion of the stolen tiara, the owner of the pawn shop was arrested for tax evasion and human trafficking. As enforcers of the law, we still had Millie and her boyfriend throw to jail but shortly bailed out by the old woman of the flower shop. In exchange, Millie worked at the flower shop to help Nico.
I cannot forget Eli—my partner's conversation with the couple:
"Nice choice of flowers, sir," she said, approaching the young man.
"I guess that's where you all figured it out," he said sheepishly.
As the couples were taken away, I approached her.
"Is this about that question about me talking to flowers?" I asked.
She chuckled.
"Have you heard about the language of flowers?"
"Do you mean about each of the flower's meaning?"
"Exactly. Do you know where the tiara was placed?"
"Yes. By the vase of marigolds."
"Did you know that marigolds means 'cruelty'? Our couples sure know how to start a so-called rebellion subtlety."
Morning came. An alarm clock rang loudly, followed by a tired grumble and a click. Silence. Except the shifting of the sheets and soft mumbles.
Minutes have passed. It was total stillness, until a loud shrieking voice shattered the peace.
"Uwaaaa! I'm late!"
They gray haired jumped off her bed, slipping on the wooden floor with a thud. After continuous whinings from her bathroom to her dresser, Kotori Minami started off of her flat. Calling a taxi, she rushed her way to her workplace, Scotland Yard. After fixing her signature hair mysteriously from all the bed hairs, Kotori ran to the building. With the click of her timecard, she sighed heavily.
"Safe~"
"You were almost in a brink there, Constable Minami," a co-worker greeted by as she entered the building.
Kotori nodded, chuckling nervously as she greeted her 'good morning' with a salute to her co-workers in the precinct. A man approached her as soon as she took a seat on her desk; its their—her boss, the superintendent.
"Good morning, Constable Minami," he said in a deep voice, sipping his cup of black coffee. "You aren't with Inspector Eli Ayase?"
"I'm afraid not, sir," Kotori responded with a stiff salute.
The superintendent waved off her greeting, looking at her for a moment.
"Don't give me that sad look, Constable," he said with a soft but hearty chuckle. "You might be thinking that I'm always giving attention to Inspector Ayase."
"No, sir, I didn't intend to—"
"I do believe that you're learning so much from her," he continued, interrupting his subordinate. "You'll be able to grab the ropes soon. Don't worry."
After a few briefing, the superintendent left. Kotori sighed heavily.
That's right, Kotori pondered. I'm a rookie constable partnered with the ace inspector Eli Ayase. She has solved a lot of cases. The high-ups have attempted to promote her to Chief Inspector. But she keeps declining them. 'Kindly', as they put it. I wonder why...
Speaking of, she continued, blinking as she snapped out of her senses, finding herself staring at Eli's desk next to hers. Isn't she getting late?
Morning passed after numerous of high-ups coming to Kotori to inquire about her blonde partner. But for some mysterious reason, she hasn't showed up. They frowned, hopeless as they thought that this gray haired female constable won't be able to do her job well without Eli. After countless of apologies she gave out, Kotori's heart ached. She wanted to help. But she understood what's in her superiors' minds; that she's useless with her.
Noon passed by. Eli still hasn't showed up in the Yard.
Did she fell sick? When she thinks about it, she does not know where she lives, nor did she have anyone living with her. I actually don't know anything about her.
Kotori bit her lower lip as she found herself unable to concentrate. She didn't even notice that the superintendent approached at her desk again. She covered her mouth before she could scream in astonishment.
"Inspector Ayase hasn't called in sick...yet," he said, handling Kotori a doughnut. "It is worrisome but also troublesome."
Kotori cannot help but to agree, except that its more worrisome for her partner. The superintendent then ordered her to patrol an area for the rest of her shift than crowding herself with boring paper works. With diligent but weary spirit, Kotori did his orders and left her desk.
But Inspector Eli Ayase hasn't showed up since.
Days. Weeks have passed. The blonde ace inspector hasn't stepped in Scotland Yard since the tiara case. Of course, the high-ups were disheartened that one of their best investigators has mysteriously disappeared… or left without any notice or trace. The superintendent had Kotori partnered with another inspector. But since, she wasn't able to assist well in investigations no matter which inspector she was partnered with. Soon, the gray-haired constable was dropped to patrolling duties to prevent extermination from her work.
Kotori deep down was thankful for her demotion because this is the most fitting job she would do…at this moment. She did try her best to work with the other inspectors but she feels better when she's working with…her.
Also, Kotori decided this would be a good idea to start off from scratch to higher position. Alone.
With the hopes that she could try and investigate Eli's sudden disappearance soon…
Days. Weeks have passed once again. Kotori was slowly improving in her work. With the old superintendent regularly rooting on her, she feels happy to herself, even though deep inside, she still lingers for…
Kotori has been receiving countless patrol duties which she successfully fulfills each of it. This time, her boss—the superintendent had her assigned in a night patrolling in an old library with a team. Kotori found this as a good opportunity to hone more of her skills at work.
After her boss gave her half day off to regain much energy, its already her night duty. She passed by the station first for briefing, then they drove off to their location.
Kotori was feeling nervous. She had never patrolled at night where most of the crooks are out. But as she gazed through the car door window, London at night looked magical. People walking on pavements to their own businesses and streets are still crowded with countless of vehicles; Kotori found the lights beautiful, as if cheering her up to her duty. And also…
I wonder how she is doing… I hope she's fine and safe…
Before she knew it, she had already calmed down and her nervousness seemed to disappeared although they've already arrived at the library. As they left the car, their sergeant briefed them a moment before they could go to their respective positions.
The library has two separate buildings. The left building is the main library, while the right side contains rooms of offices, halls, and laboratories.
With a flashlight in her hand, Kotori went to the right building, walking to the stairs to the third floor, where her position is. For patrolling purposes, each constable has the duplicate room keys of each floors they are assigned. The grey-haired first came in a conference room, with the wooden tables and chairs aligned straight to a large blackboard on the wall. Wide paned windows had the moonlight illuminated in, dispersing the dark away. They also have to rummage all cabinets, desks and darker corner to check, except the locked ones, for it has the authorized personnel's important papers that the authorities cannot touch. After roaming to a couple of rooms like offices and laboratories, she moved onto the next room. But as she inserted the key, she felt strange. The door was already unlocked. Kotori felt nervous, but she tried her best to contain her composure.
A thief? she thought, as she pointed her flashlight to the keyhole. It wasn't concealing enough to the naked eye but Kotori could see light scratches, as if it was pick-locked thoroughly but hastily. The gray-haired constable gulped as she placed her ear on the surface of the door. She could hear a muffled tapping of a computer keyboard. She turned to the sign above the door. It was the owner of the library's office.
Kotori thought through her next action discreetly, but she was internally panicking. With a courageous nod, she turned off her flashlight and opened the door slowly without making any faint noise. In a corner, the typing noise was where the source of light. As Kotori moved carefully, she could see a shadowy figure in front of a laptop.
"W-Who goes there!?" she hollered.
Human nature is interesting. Human instincts are always first to act before you think of what supposedly to act.
The intruder was alarmed, turning around to constable Kotori.
And the next occurrence shuddered Kotori Minami.
