Dear Prof,

Alright, so I wasn't wrong. Good to know.

I accept your apology, Prof. I can't really say anything to make you stop because that's not how the whole addiction thing works. I also won't pretend to know how it feels to want to go back to something like that because I've never been in that position.

Nevertheless, your honesty is well enough to ease my worries. You had me scared there. Really. You know how hard my heart dropped upon hearing you doing drugs? I don't even want to write about it anymore, it makes me really uncomfortable. I also don't want to really tell you how I figured out that your drug-addled letter was indeed you on drugs—not that I don't trust you, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, Prof. :(

You said you wanted to know about me and the stuff you talked about? Which, by the way, is something I'm not going to consider a "luxury." Remember, I told you that you deserved to be treated like a human being, regardless of you being in rehab? It'd like to keep it that way. People make mistakes, Prof. You're human. I won't withhold information or stop talking to you because of a mistake. You're learning from it, aren't ya?

Anyway! Back to the topic at hand: I like mystery, you already know that. Sherlock Holmes is a pretty solid choice, but I'm kind of the type to be willing to read anything. But I'm also the type to buy a buncha books but not actually read them...it's one of my greatest weaknesses. Don't tell anyone! I used to be really obsessed with collecting books, but collecting books and reading books are two very different things. It took me awhile before I finally told myself, "Lucy, you're being a downright berk if you keep buying these books without thought! Either read them or take a different route home that doesn't have a bookstore en route!" It's safe to say that I did end up reading more than I could chew that year. Still enjoyed it though! Cried and smiled a lot, that's for sure.

To be honest, any good mystery is fine to me, so long as it's written nice and makes enough sense. I think that's in part to why I like working for the Yard. Constant mysteries come every day, in and out without an answer, all wrapped in a neatly tied bow—well, a case file. Saves me the trouble of buying a lot of books, haha.

Though, I think the first book that got me into mystery was called The Westing Game. I read it when I was twelve, I think. It's by Ellen Raskin. Perhaps you've heard of it, where there are pairs that are trying to solve a mystery in order to inherit $200 million and a company. I'll admit that it vexed me the first time I read it, but I understood it after a second read. I think that's why I really like working at the Yard. I get the same feeling I got back when I first read that book: vexing confusion in the beginning, but immense satisfaction at the end of solving it.

Hmm...Oh! I almost forgot to tell ya. I went to that cafe you talked about and I tried their coffee and muffins. They are to die for! Blimey, Prof, you shoulda seen it. The way the woman's-Jenny-eyes lit up when I explained that I was at your recommendation? (I wear my Scotland Yard badge as clear as day on my hip, so she asked if I knew ya.) She told me that you were her favorite customer! According to her, you didn't hide behind lies and she knew you were the type to tell her if her stuff was rubbish and I heard a lot of recipes went through you before you left. Is that true? I can only imagine how much Jenny was feeding you every break and your mouth stuffed with a muffin. :P

Maybe when I visit you I'll get you some muffins from Jenny's. She said that she misses you a lot, but knows that you're probably occupied. I didn't have the heart to tell her why you've been absent-just said you've been way too busy to come down.

Hmm...are you allowed visitors yet? I would think that it'd take awhile before they'd let you because of what happened, but I wanna give you some muffins.

What about a phone call? Can you take those or are you restricted as well?

I hope to hear from you soon. Really. I do.

Lucy Baker

P.S. Keep yourself in the vicinity of someone in this next week or so. I have a surprise! A good one, I promise. :D