Gregson debated sending a message home to Lestrade's wife anyway. The sad truth of the matter was that they simply could not afford to have Lestrade home sick right now.
They could, however, confine the man to his office, paperwork, and a pot of tea, and they did. Lestrade was actually feeling poorly enough that he didn't bother arguing. He didn't have the energy to do so anyway, and he really couldn't bring himself to care much about anything by that point.
"I wish we could get one of those calm spells that Mr. Holmes complains about." Hopkins commented as he and Bradstreet crossed paths in the hall. "Did you know the Superintendent has taken on a case or two?"
"And Lestrade has reluctantly turned over a few to Smith and Adams." Bradstreet offered in reply before he was gone.
The two Constables were more than Capable, Hopkins knew. They'd been working closely with Lestrade for years, and a person had to be a complete idiot not to have learned something during that time.
Adams and Smith both probably could have been promoted by this time, if they had wanted it. But they were young, and seemed to be content to bide their time.
Evans, though not as bright as Smith or Adams, was also rapidly on his way to becoming more than capable of dealing with whatever was thrown his way. His common sense was perhaps a bit lacking at times, but a few memorable lectures from Lestrade or Gregson, or even from Jones (if properly provoked), could eventually make up for what the man lacked.
Hopkins couldn't open his mouth anymore without hearing Lestrade telling him to hold his tongue half the time.
The Constable in question was approaching Hopkins now. "Mr. Holmes is here, Inspector." Evans was not one to forget to tack on that Inspector, or Constable, or Superintendent, not while on the job. "Inspector Gregson is out, so I took the liberty of redirecting him from Inspector Lestrade's office to yours." He hesitated for a fraction of a second. "Was that remiss of me, Inspector?" He asked.
Hopkins shook his head and mentally rearranged his plans for the day. "Not at all, Evans." He assured the Constable. "Thank you."
Disclaimer: Sherlock and the boys do not belong to me.
