"I got the new case," announced Dan, not even trying to hide the pride in his voice. "And, Chloe, it is THE case."

Chloe immediately guessed whit he was speaking about. "You mean… Benitez case? Oh, Dan, that's huge!"

Benitez was a contrite dealer who agreed to cooperate with the police. His connections were wide, himself – clever and apparently truly repentant and the operation promised big success for all involved.

"I will get my own team and a free hand to lead the operation," Dan eye's sparkled with excitement. "Chloe, I think that might be a beginning of real boost for me."

"You deserve it. Congratulations," Chloe patted his shoulder, but for a short second her face fell. There was a moment she hoped to get the Benitez case herself. Of course, after Palmetto she knew her chances decreased but still…

Dan noticed her expression.

"Chloe, I know you had your own hopes connected to Benitez, but you must understand, that you won't be getting good cases if you do not show that you are a team player."

"I thought it is about being a good cop, not a team player," retorted Chloe.

Both," stressed Dan. "Besides – you won't get anything serious as long as you are working with this club manager," he pointed at Lucifer, who just walked into the precinct and made himself comfortable behind Chloe's desk. "He promised Monroe to help her in the elections, and she wants him safe and satisfied, as long as he likes to play a cop. And your role would be to babysit him."

"He is not playing. He is really helping," replied Chloe, but deep inside she knew, that Dan was right. No one would assign her to the serious case with the "civil consultant" as a partner. Absolutely unpredictable civil consultant.

"Listen, Dan," Chloe cleared her throat. It was not easy, but she had to swallow her pride and ask. "Would you take me to your team in Benitez case?"

Dan run his eyes aside. "Sorry. I chose the guys already. Look, it is not that I think you wouldn't cope, it would be just strange to work together now, with all this divorce stuff in the air... "

Right... Chloe nodded trying not to look too bitter and retreated to her desk.

While walking, she discreetly watched Lucifer, now rummaging through the drawers of her desk. Once again, she smiled at her previous doubts. Here, at the precinct, he looked perfectly normal. Well, a bit overdressed and handsome above average, but that was all. No shadows, no wrath, no red flickers. Just an eccentric man, perhaps a bit weird, but at the moment the only one at the precinct willing to work with her.

"Hi. You are an early bird today, " she smiled to welcome him.

"And you have a terribly boring desk, Detective," complained Lucifer. "I hoped you would be hiding some naughty stuff in the lowest drawer," he winked knowingly. "And what is this? The photo of this little monster of yours, to discourage you from going home too early? You should rather keep the photo of Detective Douche, as a reminder of how not to choose the man next time. "

"Yes. Whatever," Chloe absently shrugged her shoulders.

Noticing her dejection, Lucifer eyed her more cautiously. "I see that Detective Douche is boasting all-around about something in the most obnoxious way?"

"He got a good case," Chloe tried to appear oblivious.

"And what did we get?"

"Nothing interesting," Chloe shrugged her shoulders again and tried to smile. "I won't need you today. You have a day off."

"But you have something in this folder here," Lucifer pointed at the pile of documents she was keeping, trying to see the cover.

"It is really nothing," Chloe replied honestly. "Just a shop burglary. Crap case. It could only show you how tedious the police work usually is."

"I see," Lucifer sighed and nodded. "Tedious is not a feature I find alluring. Farewell then. There are indeed a few exciting places awaiting my presence."

He stood up and turned to exit. Chloe moved her attention to the workday ahead of her and started to arrange the papers on her desk when she heard him saying:

"Homicide."

She raised her head noticing that Lucifer is again standing over her with a questioning look on his face.

"Excuse me?"

"Homicide. You are in the homicide section. Why are you doing the burglary case?"

"Formally because there was a warning note left at the crime scene. Punishable threats," replied Chloe with a sour smile. "And practically because… well, they don't want to give me anything better."

"I see..." nodded knowingly Lucifer and smirked. "Everyone hates you for your Palmetto calamity, right? Even your douche-y ex?"

"Oh, just get lost!" muttered Chloe. Why had he always to be so blunt?

"Oh no, on the contrary. I have just decided I am going with you."

"Why? I told you it will be boring," Chloe gathered the papers, the badge and purse and looked around in search for the car keys.

"So, you will quickly do your boring case and then we will go and have some fun." Forestalling her protests, he added quietly. "Don't show them, they managed to make you feel shunned. It won't help if you hide in a corner to snivel."

"I do not hide and I do not snivel," Chloe replied angrily. She definitely didn't feel like 'having fun' in Lucifer's company - she even preferred not to ask what kind of fun he had in mind – but at the very same moment she saw Dan gathering a few men – probably his new 'case Benitez team'. They were laughing and preparing to leave the building. To have breakfast together? To celebrate future success? She would also like to be a part of the team. This team, or any other. However, things being as they were at the moment, she wasn't. And she didn't want to be alone.

"Fine. Let's go," she growled, heading to the elevator.

"That's the spirit. Head's up and smile," praised her Lucifer. "Appearances are not that heavy to bear. However," he added when they exited the building, "this time we are going in my car. I won't risk you leaving me alone at the end of the world again."

"So that you could leave me instead? No thank you."

"I won't, I promise. And I won't even be able to lock you in the car," he smirked. "There is no roof. Besides, I have better music."
Chloe didn't reply. Her irritation grew again, as she saw Dan and his colleagues standing at the parking, talking. Dan looked at her and Lucifer and even in the distance, she saw the pity in his eyes. I am loser, that's what he thinks. Loser at work, loser at home, Chloe thought with regret, that quickly gave place to anger. To hell with it. No snivelling. She raised her head and tried to smile.

"Let's hurry," she said to Lucifer. "The sooner we go the sooner we are done."

Lucifer followed her sight, looking at Dan and his friends, with such knowing expression as if he knew, what was happening in her head. For a moment she glared at him, daring him to comment, but he kept silent, only grinned as if saying" I am all in the game", and took her arm pulling her toward his Corvette. She let him because she noticed that Dan stopped laughing and now it was he who was following her with his eyes. When Chloe took her place in the car, Lucifer, with a truly devilish smirk on his face, leant over her correcting the seat belt, lingering for a moment in her personal space. Somehow, he managed to make this small gesture appear more intimate than the actual touch, and – however low it was – Chloe couldn't help but enjoy the perplexed expression on Dan's face.

Then engine started simultanously with the sounds of the song Lucifer chose and for a moment Chloe closed her eyes, enjoying this small victory and speed of the drive. If she wanted to keep appearances of having fun, she was certainly in a good company.

When they reached their destination – small family shop with herbal medicine – Chloe energetically pressed the ring.

A few times.

And no one answered.

Chloe felt intrigued. The owner was informed about their visit. Was the burglary so insignificant, that he forgot about the police? She had a hunch something else happened. She rang again, once more in vane.

"May I?" asked obligingly Lucifer, reaching for the doorknob. "Perhaps it was destroyed during the burglary."

"Go on," agreed Chloe looking around. She knew that it was much more likely that the lock would turn out to be broken if Lucifer was the one to check it.

"Here it is," her companion pushed the door open. "After you."

"Hello!" called Chloe entering the building. "We are…" the words died in her throat when she saw a motionless, bloodied body in the middle of the floor.

Her heart clenched with regret and compassion for another life that was ended prematurely in this town. She also immediately felt a pang of regret – perhaps if she came earlier this tragedy could have been avoided?

However, deep in her mind was also another thought, that she was very ashamed of and she would like to push it immediately aside – but of course, Lucifer had to shamelessly voice it aloud:

"It seems that your crap case has upgraded, Detective."

The forensic team arrived at the shop in less than an hour. Now they were bustling around, examining the body, taking photos of the crime scene. Lucifer was more interested in the wares that were sold in the shop, rummaging through the paper bags with herbs and jars with ointments. The forensics sent him angry glances, trying to take pictures of the shelves before he managed to rearrange them. Well, it was good enough he was not trampling the body.

"His name was Jeremy Mitchell," Chloe read the ID they found in the victim's pocket. "Jeremy Mitchell was the owner of the enterprise. He reported the burglary in the morning?..." She looked questioningly at the forensic specialist, who was leaning over the body.

"Not possible," one of them shook his head. "The guy was killed more than 8 hours ago. Definitely at night."

"So, when the burglary was reported, this man was already lying here, with this… something in his throat. What is it exactly? A knife? A cleaver?..." she took a closer look at the curved blade with two handles on both ends

"A herbal knife," the forensic technician pointed at the little table with a wooden board and several tools similar to the one that was still stuck in the victim's neck. "Such blades are used to chop herbs."

"So, the accidental tool. The murderer grabbed what was at hand. This would suggest the crime committed under strong emotions. Hey, are you listening?" she called to Lucifer, now looking through the crushed bottles on the floor.

"Amazing," sighed the consultant. "That was a very well equipped shop. They had things I haven't seen since decades, and certainly not on this continent." He kneeled on the floor and raised the shard of the broken jar, to examine whatever remained of its contents.

"Drugs?" asked Chloe, leaning to see it closer. She felt no smell, but her throat immediately started to scratch.

"Carefully, Detective," warned her Lucifer, putting the jar aside. "You might not want to inhale to much of this one. No, not exactly drugs. Not all of them at least," he smirked pointing at the jars on the counter. "These are more like toxins. Of natural origin, but still… Oh, and these men here might make use of their funny uniforms? You know, the ones with such stupid helmets, that make them look like crazy beekeepers?" he pointed casually at the forensics team, himself continuing the survey of the shelves.

The forensics team exchanged unsure glances.

"Put the safety uniforms on and search this place for the illegal substances," sighed Chloe. "Lucifer, unless you will put the uniform on yourself, you must leave this place." Seeing the well-known amusement appearing in his eyes, the detective added sharply. "We already established that you are not bulletproof, remember? I am not going to check whether you are poison resistant."

"And here I thought we were never to speak about it again," he chuckled. "I am certainly…" he started, but then reconsidered as if he reminded himself about something and stood up. "Fine. I'd rather bathe in toxins than put on something so ridiculous," he stated, leaving the shop with her, lingering only for a short moment by the jars at the counter.

Well, that was easy, thought Chloe with surprise. Apparently, the incident with the bullet taught him something.

When they exited the shop, he stated with consideration: "The most interesting is who and why called the police. Our murderer? Acting under remorse, he could confess the killing… but the call was only about burglary? And the threatening note? Was it really there?"

"Yes, just at this rummaged table." Chloe pulled out the phone and showed him the photo of the note. Whoever saw the note, must have also seen the body," she added slowly.

"Death's door is open," read Lucifer aloud and started to laugh. "These are threats? More like some imbecile trying to write a poem."

"Not everyone is as good at threats as you," snorted Chloe, irritated. How could he always be so flippant, even with the victim's body still lying in the shop just behind their back? "However for the cops, this looks like threat enough."

"Yes, I am aware of your limitations," sighed Lucifer. "So, who benefits?"

So far, Chloe only managed to learn that Jeremy Mitchel had a wife. Probably, she was the one to inherit after him. Besides, the shop had two owners, the second one being his brother. That gave them, for the good beginning, two people to speak with. Of course, Lucifer immediately claimed the brother to be a potential perpetrator, transferring his own experiences with his complicated family to the case. Chloe wanted to mention something about the world not revolving about him but bit her tongue. He would probably prove otherwise.

"Still, we are to visit the wife first," she said only. "Let's…" her phone rang she picked up the call. After the short conversation, she sighed helplessly. Trixie's doctor rescheduled the visit. To be on time, she should pick up her from school immediately. That's why she should have taken her own car. Even if she asked Lucifer to drive her to school, they three wouldn't fit into his vehicle. Single mothers and Corvettes simply do not match.

Well, her child still had also the father. Let Mr-perfect cop-Espinoza do his job also in the family range.

To her surprise, Dan didn't protest and agreed to take Trixie to the doctor without any malicious comments. Apparently, the recent professional success made him eager to prove himself also as a father.

"I finished. Let's go to the wife," Chloe said to Lucifer, who looked at her expectantly as if demanding praise for waiting so patiently while she was dealing with her pesky family business. She glared at him sharply. "Oh, and whatever you snitched from this shop – do not take it at least until you are driving, ok? "

Lucifer's expression changed into the picture of hurt innocence and his hand with a little paper quickly dived back into his pocket.

The conversation with Dorothy Mitchell was a draining experience. She didn't know about her husband's death yet and Chloe hated to be the one bringing the relatives of the victim tragic information. It reminded her too much about her own loss, the death of her father. What's worse, this desperately crying and sobbing woman was also a potential suspect, and it was up to Chloe to observe and judge her reaction. It doubled her discomfort.

And simultaneously she had to keep in check Lucifer, whose growing impatience – and absolute insensibility to Dorothy's emotions – threatened he could say something absolutely uncouth.

Usually, Chloe didn't mind scolding him for his bigger and smaller transgressions. Most of the times, he obeyed and she started to treat it as proof of his respect. After all, it was obvious that he didn't have to, that he could follow his whims and get away with everything. And yet, he usually relented to her. Somehow, it warmed her heart.

Today, however, she was too distressed to have the patience for him. Dorothy was sobbing, bringing herself at the verge of hyperventilation, telling how wonderful man her husband was, and how she loved him.

Chloe patted her back and handed her one tissue after another, while simultaneously casting warning glances at Lucifer, who with obvious disgust tossed himself in the cosy living room.

"I wasn't worried when he didn't return home yesterday," confessed Dorothy. "I would have never thought something wrong happened. I just assumed he decided to stay at the shop overnight. Sometimes he used to do it, when there were a lot of orders… there is a small room at the back, with a bed in it."

"I bet he made use of it," commented Lucifer quietly, with a wink than made Chloe disgusted and angry. Using the moment, when Dorothy reached for another tissue, she looked at her partner and spoke voicelessly: 'Shut up'.

"We had so many plans…" sobbed the widow. "We wanted to visit my sister in Ontario… and he was to repair the porch… and… oh, Jeremy…"
Lucifer swirled impatiently and rolled his eyes. Then he leaned over Dorothy and, intercepting her sight, asked, his voice now knowing and silky: "Tell, me Dorothy. What do you…"

"Oh no, no," interrupted him Chloe. "Dorothy, excuse us for a while." She pulled Lucifer to the adjacent room.

"Do not do this to her," she whispered angrily. She couldn't accept forcing this woman to lay her soul bare in the most tragic moment of her life. "There is no need."

"She is holding something back," whispered Lucifer, but stepped aside.
Chloe returned to Dorothy and addressed the issue of wares that were sold in the shop.

"Mrs Mitchell, some of your products look like toxic extracts. Do you know whether some part of this merchandise was illegal?"

"Of course not!" exclaimed Dorothy. "Jeremy… imported extracts… and venoms for medical treatment and cosmetics… but all was legal. Here. " she handed Chloe a thick folder with documents. Then she took a breath, as if she was willing to say something else, and resigned, only repeated: "Everything is here." Having said that, she lowered her eyes to the floor.

At this moment Chloe knew Lucifer was right. Dorothy was hiding something.

She felt a gentle touch on her shoulder and raised the head to meet the questioning look of her partner. She knew what he was thinking about. Slightly, oh so slightly that she could pretend later to herself she didn't do it, she nodded.

"Dorothy," asked Lucifer quietly, yet in his voice was an irresistible pull. "What do you desire? What does such a decent wife of a respectable husband, living in such cosy nest at the suburbs want from life?"

"I wanted to age with Jeremy. Here, together," whispered Dorothy. "I wanted to have a nice, clean and safe house. And my husband, to be with me. I… I wanted to know him. All of him."

Chloe furrowed her eyebrows, hearing the last sentence.

"And?..." stressed Lucifer.

Something in Dorothy snapped.

"And I want that bitch out of his life," she spat and sobbed again, this time angrily.

"The bitch? He had a lover?" asked quietly Chloe.

"No," Dorothy sniffed her nose, wiped the tears out of her eyes and strengthened. Surprisingly, after the breakdown, she looked stronger. "I would prefer that. Margot, the woman who imported all this shit for him," she waved her hand toward the folder in Chloe's hand. "He was so… intrigued by her. I never fascinated him that much. I hate that bitch," repeated Dorothy with an empty glance.

"This case is getting more and more interesting, Detective," observed Lucifer on their way back. "The family store with exotic poisons. The owner reporting burglary when his earthly shell was already stiff and cold. Death's door nonsense note. And so far, we have three possible suspects. The grieving jealous widow, the bitch Margot and the brother.'

"It might have been someone else, out of the family circle. A competitor. A customer. We will check the books, but I am already certain that some part of this merchandise wasn't legal. Tomorrow we are going to visit Margot. Margot Jensen. I need to establish her address, but I hope to find it in these documents."

"Very well," agreed Lucifer parking in front of Chloe's house. "But my bet still goes to the brother. Goodbye, Detective," he smiled, driving away.

Chloe entered the house. Dan and Trixie were already at home, eating spaghetti for dinner. At this homely picture, her heart clenched painfully. A family. Why didn't they manage to build it? Why wasn't it enough, neither for her nor for Dan? Why weren't they like Dorothy Mitchell, who wanted only to get old with her husband?

"Hi," she said with a smile. "What did the doctor say?"

"The monkey is fine and healthy," Dan smiled back. "Listen, Chloe, I want to apologize for the morning. I didn't want to hurt you."

"That's fine. You were right. We shouldn't mix our problems with work," replied Chloe. She looked at Trixie, her little face all in tomato souce. Perhaps it could be enough. At the moment, she almost wanted it.

Dan watched her a bit unsurely. "Chloe, do you recall that barmaid from the LUX? Maze?"

"Yes," Chloe tensed immediately, torn from the contemplation of domestic bliss. "How do you know her?"

"I met her while I was checking the books of the LUX," replied Dan blushing terribly. Chloe didn't blame him. It would be hard to find anyone, no matter male or female, who wouldn't blush around Maze. "Anyway, she called you and said she wanted to apologize for some disagreement you had."

"I don't believe it," Chloe shook her head. "Maze does not do apologies."

"I don't know," Dan shrugged his shoulders. "She something about not knowing that you and Lucifer are going to work together. I guess she just wants to clear the air. Look, she invited us to the LUX tomorrow, they are doing some blues evening. It is going to be calmer than usual and classy. She said we would like it."

At first, Chloe felt a sting of regret, that Lucifer didn't mention anything about blues evening. Damn, she wouldn't mind him inviting her!... But Maze? Why did she do it, why specifically did she invite her and Dan, as if they were still together? Then she realized that Dan probably just answered her home call and Maze extended the invitation. Well, that was awkward. They didn't date anymore.

"Would you come?" asked Dan, sounding suddenly very unsure.

Chloe looked at him, and at Trixie, looking from her to Dan… Was there some shadow of hope in her brown eyes?

"Yes, why not," she replied, clearing her throat to sound more casual. "Tomorrow, right? It can be fun."