Prompt #15. Old Friends From The Yard: Have a long-suffering inspector (Lestrade, Gregson, Athelney Jones, original character) show up or even feature in your work today.

Third time's the charm, right? My first attempt went nowhere. My second attempt went so far I had no hope of finishing it today, but the third attempt became this. Hope you enjoy :)

Builds on entry 4: Visiting Amusement


"What in the world—?"

The familiar voice carried from the front room, and I hurried toward the entry to find Lestrade staring open-mouthed at our small visitor. After so many years, he knew not to bother knocking. We always left the door unlocked when we were home.

"Hello, Lestrade. I hope we did not miss a telegram?"

The question sparked a fleeting glance at me. "I was in the area…" He trailed off, attention still locked on the animal. "Since when did you get a mongoose?"

"Since Henry Wood requested we watch Coco for a few days," I returned with a chuckle, waving him toward the armchairs. "Holmes is out with his bees, but I can call him inside if you like."

"He saw me on the road," was the distracted reply. Most of Lestrade's attention remained on young Coco. "I never thought to see you with any pet, much less a mongoose. How does Mr. Holmes like having her here?"

"He will never admit how much he enjoys watching her play," I smirked. "He wanted to take her to the meadow until I reminded him how easily Coco would wander off."

He let out a laugh. "I always figured Mr. Holmes more of a cat person."

"Why would he want a pet that acts like him?"

"Why would I want a pet at all?" Holmes asked over Lestrade's laugh. He closed the door behind him, unable to cover wry amusement beneath feigned irritation. "They demand attention and monopolize the day to prevent one from accomplishing anything useful."

"The way Coco has kept you from seeing to your bees?"

One finger disregarded my wordplay as if beside the point. Only a desire to watch the young animal had kept him from leaving the cottage before midday. "Yes, and you from the writing you wanted to do this week. Life is a lot simpler without an animal."

"More boring, too. You have not complained about the days being too long for almost a week now."

A harrumph answered my tone, though he focused on Lestrade instead of continuing our bickering. We both knew his true opinion of Coco did not match his spoken one.

"Why are you working a case for the Yard?"

Twice in ten minutes, we had caught Lestrade off guard. He stared for a full second before throwing his head back in a hearty laugh. "How did you know I came about a case?"

"It is not Saturday," I said when Holmes directed the question at me. "You have ink on your hand that most often results from frequent note taking, and your hat has the wrinkles from you worrying the brim all the way here." I waited for him to check his hat before I smirked. "Most telling, though, is that your badge is sticking out of your pocket."

Utter surprise wiped curiosity from his face as he checked his shirt. "I thought I'd hidden that!"

Holmes' mouth twitched in a suppressed grin. "So what does the Yard calling you out of retirement have to do with next week's festival?"

"Nothing." He tucked the brochure deeper into its pocket but fidgeted for a long moment. The eventual answer hit the air nearly inaudible. "Two officers are being accused of burglary, assault, and…attacking a woman. They have no alibi, and all the evidence points to them. Some of it too well. I think they are being framed, as does the superintendent, but we cannot prove it. You have solved more than one of these cases over the years."

Holmes leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled in front of his mouth as I had seen so many times since that first case. "What are the facts?"

Lestrade shook his head. "I need you to come with me. As I am not officially a Yarder anymore, I could not bring the file, and I believe you will want to see the house, anyway. Mrs.—The woman has promised not to touch anything until I or the superintendent says otherwise."

An involuntary glance found where Coco hunted treats beneath the table, furtive as if wishing we could leave the animal behind but knowing better than to ask. He would not need to deal with caring for Coco. Why would he—

Unless he knew her owner. Someone else had requested the animal's absence recently, and the connection brought a horrible realization.

"We will recognize the woman, won't we?"

Lestrade nodded once. "I did not know Mr. Wood had another mongoose, but yes, Mrs. Devoy was attacked in her home late last week, and everything the invaders left behind points to two Yarders. Will you come?"

"Of course," I replied when Holmes nodded once and stood. "Just give us time to pack a bag. You might throw the rubber snake around for Coco. If you tire her out now, she will behave better on the trip."

I ducked into the back bedroom without looking back—or revealing my wide grin at Coco's happy squeaks. Lestrade had not hidden his interest nearly as well as he wanted to. This would give him a few minutes' privacy to play as he would not in front of Holmes or me, and we would not have to worry about Coco getting into something while we packed. My worn valise landed on my bed as I started gathering enough for two or three days.

Mrs. Devoy might get a surprise when Coco arrived in the presence of the Yard. I dearly hoped she was not behind this somehow.


Don't forget to drop your thoughts below :)

Lady Nerds-a-lot: Thank you!

Fireguardian22: (chuckle) no, certainly never dull, though I imagine some days she wishes they were