Files

The next day when Lucy entered the Mystery Room, she could only find Alfendi there. He was taking a quick nap on his desk with some paper sticking to his face. Lucy smiled sweetly.

"Poor thing doesn't get any sleep." She thought. She crept past him and began to pick up the pieces of paper lying on the floor. She was nearly done when she saw something peculiar on the Prof's desk. Beside him was a case file with an alarmingly large amount of paper sticking out. Lucy thought nothing of it, until she saw a small picture peeping out. It was Elsie.

"Hm. Wouldn't hurt too much to take a quick peak." She said to herself. She put the paper she'd collected in a pile on the floor, and gingerly took the file out from next to the Prof. Like he was reacting, he made a grab for the file in his sleep. Instead his fingers wrapped around Lucy's arm. She swallowed her yelp back.

"Alright Lucy lass. No big deal." Lucy put the file between her legs and carefully unwrapped the Prof's fingers from her arm. She grabbed a nearby lamp and placed it into his hand. Alfendi clutched the lamp, and hugged it in his sleep.

Lucy giggled at the sight. Ugh, if only she had a camera...She plonked herself down on the couch and started to read.

Elsie Lacros, Female Age 18, 5'2" feet to 114 lbs.

"Right, so that's the basic stuff. So why are there so many documents in here?" She turned the page.

Address: Unknown, Family: Malcolm Lacros-Brother, Occupation: Trainee Detective Constable & Part-Time Care Worker.

"Malcolm must be her brother. Elise did mention having one didn't she?" Lucy looked closer at the next couple of documents. The odd thing was that most of them weren't about Elsie herself, just her family history. The Prof was right about one thing; Elsie's family did have a long gang related history.

A small file fell out of the case file. Lucy picked it up. This one was about Elsie's brother, Malcolm. "Might well read this one too." She laid Elsie's file next to her then began to read. There was a small photo attached to the front of the file as well, but he certainly didn't look too nice. He had roughly cut jet black hair with several piercings on his ears and nose. His clothing mostly consisted of street punk attire, with plenty of chains.

Malcolm Lacros, Male Age 37. 5'9" feet to 205 lbs.

Address: Unknown, Family: Elsie Lacros-Sister, Occupation: Presumed Gang Leader of the 'Chemical Cobras'.

The guy sent shivers up Lucy's spine. "Ain't he chavvy?" she mused. Unlike Elise, he also had a criminal profile.

Previous offences: Three counts of arson, assault on an officer and member of the public, and perverting the course of justice.

Criminal assessment: Malcolm Lacros is an extremely violent and unstable man. He was released on parole after serving three years in prison but has since broken it and remains at large. Approach with extreme caution.

There was a knock at the door. Lucy quickly stuffed the files together and put them in the nearest filling space she could see. "Yeah?" Elsie peaked her head in. "I'm late again aren't I?"

Lucy motioned her in. "Course not. I normally come in 'n hour late. We all have bad days." Elsie looked towards Alfendi who was still sleeping on his desk. "How long has he been like that?"

Lucy giggled. "Honestly I don't know. The poor thing never gets any sleep."

"He looks funny."

"He does doesn't he?" Elsie sat down next to her with a wide grin. She reached inside her bag and pulled out a small camera. She pointed at the Prof and mimicked taking a photo. Lucy caught on, and nodded. The stood up and got closer to Alfendi. Elsie took the lenses cap off, held it up to her face and...

SNAP.

Alfendi jolted up in a startle. She saw Lucy and Elsie laughing hard on the floor. "What are you two doing?" he said in a confused tone.

Lucy wiped the tears from her eyes. "You should have seen the look on your face!" Alfendi looked at her like she was crazy, until he saw the camera in Elsie's hand. He reached up to his cheek and pulled the sheet of paper of. Then he realise he'd been drooling over a lamp. It all made sense to him. His hair suddenly turned red.

"I'll have your tongue for this Baker!"

"Oh calm down Prof, it ain't like we're gonna develop it."

Elsie suddenly smiled weakly. "Actually I've got several pictures on here already that need to be developed." Potty Prof growled in rage. He looked like he was going to murder Elsie.

"I won't show anyone, I promise." She crossed her heart. "What goes in the Mystery Room, stays in the Mystery Room."

Lucy finally stopped laughing. "Well said. Besides Prof, what did you think we're gonna do? Stick it up in the 'allway for everyone to see?"

"Yes!"

"We'll just put it up in the Mystery Room. It was just torture not to take a photo." Potty Prof growled in response. "Fine then! Just make sure it's here by the end of the week."

Elsie saluted. "Yes sir." She smirked.

"But for that, you two can do paperwork today." Lucy yawned. "Aww, come on Prof. We didn't mean nothing."

"No excuses. Besides," Placid Prof made a comeback, "you've got mountains stacking up. Might as well get it over with."

"Well, if you put it that way...alright then." Lucy walked over to her desk. "Elsie, could you help clean up until we get a desk for you?"

"Sure. Where do you want me to start?"

"We need to organise some of them case files first. Then clean all the paperwork off the floor."

"Sounds good to me."

A few hours in, and most of the paperwork was done. They all lay in neat piles on the desks for Elsie to pick up and put away. Lucy typing the last piece. "Phew, all done." She walked over to the window. "Just open this for a bit of air..."

Alfendi noticed this. "Lucy wait!" It was too late. A strong gust of wind came in and blew paper everywhere. Lucy slammed the window shut. "Oh, sorry guys. It was just so hot in here."

He grimaced. "Don't worry. It won't take too long with all of us doing it." He got on the floor and started to pick the pieces up.

"He's right Lucy." Elsie beamed. "Besides, I memorised most of the pieces you guys wrote. We'll sort this out in no time." Lucy shrugged and got on the floor too.

After they had picked up all the pieces, Elsie got to rearranging all of them to a pile. Lucy collapsed on her desk chair and fanned herself. "How can it be so hot in December?"

"Well this room is normally closed so it's understandable for it to be hot." Alfendi replied. He had already taken off his lab coat and hung it up on the coat hanger. Lucy groaned. "Ugh, I can't take this no more." She ripped her jacket off and threw it over to coat hanger.

"Elsie, aren't you hot? It's boiling in here!"

She shook her head. "Nah, I'm fine."

"But you're wearing your scarf and jacket. Surely you must be-"

"I'm fine." Elsie snapped. Lucy looked at her in curiosity.

"Sorry, it's just I'm not really hot, that's all." She went back to sorting out the paperwork.

Alfendi sat back in his chair in deep thought. There was something wrong with Elsie alright. He'd have to keep a closer eye on her.

Thank you to everyone who's reviewed, favourited or followed this story so far! You guys are awesome!

So I'm going to add several more chapters soon, hopefully before October. Thanks again!