Dear Prof,

Thanks, Prof! I'm gonna use the machine a bit. Nobody, except for Dustin and Flo know that I've been sneaking here on my breaks to use it. Flo thinks its funny you even let me touch it, let alone come into the space you call your office for the past seven years. Apparently you're normally very territorial.

When I told Flo about what you did to your fellow patient, she laughed and muttered something about how only you would be that much of an idiot, but conceded to say that it was fine. I can't believe you'd do that, Prof! Well, actually, I'm not but that was still really mean to threaten that woman. Some people take talking as their safety, to quell the darkness of silence.

Hmm...Maybe we could do a phone call sometime, since a visit is too high of a reach at the moment. It's not like I'm all the way across the world, so it'll be easy. When was the last time you had visitors, Prof? Besides Flo, she says she hasn't seen you in awhile. Though do I hear a hint of care in the words you put about Flo havin' to take a risk to see you? Hmm. ;)

I'm going to respond to you as much as I can, as many times as I can, Prof. Sod what you think about your presence, even though you just gave me some evidence as to why your presence is bad...but truthfully? I enjoy your company! I told you that I wanted a pen pal for awhile. Drug addict or not, you're still a person. 100% human! I think. Are you like a vampire or something? Heh, I'm joking. I don't think any level of previous drug use or anything, really, can make me believe that they don't deserve the kindness of company and conversation.

I'm not surprised at your description on why you went into the career you did. Makes sense and all. We're kinda similar! Well, I didn't think much of the whole blood thing or the inner workings of criminals, but hey, to each their own! I don't judge. :)

You said you wanted to learn about a case, so how about one that just wrapped up? This young man by the name of Jack Potsby was murdered and you wouldn't believe what happened! I wish I could send you the whole case file so you can make your own conclusions before I tell you the conclusion, but I can't. I'll probably be very reticent in the details, so I'm just gonna get to the basics and the way I solved it.

But it's okay, basically Mr. Potsby was stabbed by someone while his wife was takin' a shower. We had three suspects and you know, Inspector Dartwright was stumped for hours, unsure of how it even happened! There was no murder weapon! None! You shoulda seen how much coffee he drank tryna figure it out.

It wasn't until I snuck out and used the Reconstruction Machine, gave it one big look, and realized that it's possible that the weapon...was the type to melt! Well, the conclusion I came up with was that it could vanish at first. The melting part came after much thinking and deducing.

Using the machine, I found a scrap of card that oddly looked it used to be a knife! And you know, it took me a bit to piece it together and boom! I figured it out. The wife had a motive, you see, to kill for money from the husband's end! She let it slip when Inspector Dartwright and I were interrogating her and it all clicked! That's kinda why I went explorin' on my own. I realized that maybe she'd melt the weapon in the pasta they were supposed to have! Well, lack of pasta, really. There were no bowls, no nothing to solidify why there was just boilin' water.

I let her have it the following day. You wouldn't believe the way she crumbled and Inspector Dartwright just stared at me like I gained three heads! But I was right! She admitted it easily enough after I hit her with a bunch of explanations-she never left her apartment, the pot which would definitely have traces of Jack's blood, and the mould! Florence helped too with Forensics, so it really put the wife in...hot water. Heh. Blimey, she looked so upset and called for her lawyer. It was crazy! I wish you were there to have seen it. :D

I'll let you know if we have more cases that are as interestin' as that! I'm tellin' ya, Prof, I'm learning more from the Reconstruction Machine than Inspector Dartwright. Don't let him hear that. He'll be in a strop.

Lucy Baker

P.S. No, I don't have anyone in my life in the way you're sayin'. Where'd you get that notion? I've never really had the time. Inspector Dartwright's been makin' moves as though I can't see his flirtations even though he tries to be brash to hide it. I don't really like it, but he has enough morals to not pursue a relationship and make the workplace uncomfortable. But I just know he's tryin', Prof.

P.P.S. Are you guys allowed to go outside? Maybe you should enjoy the sun. It'll be sunny for the next few days! Perhaps you will like it. I know I do. :)