CHAPTER 26

"You're a moron."

The intern looked at her as if Alice had just grown four more heads. "Excuse me?"

"Done." Alice said shortly. "Now, let me see them."

"Ma'am, I don't think-" The intern started again, but she cut her off.

"I have an appointment." Alice said. "I'm Detective Kirkland."

"D-d-d-detective Kirkland?" They stared at her with wide eyes.

Alice resisted the temptation to roll her eyes or slap the intern. "I don't have time to sign an autograph. Move it." The intern didn't protest this time, watching as Alice stomped away.

Dark wooden hallways passed as she stormed her way down the main hall. It's been a week since Alice walked in on the horrifying bloodshed in her home. It's been a week since her world has started falling apart. She can hardly think straight nowadays. She never knows whether what she's doing is right or wrong.

Alice had been even more snappish this past week than ever in her whole life.

She cussed out Francis for not adding rum into her tea (Even though he had been doing it to help her, and it wasn't good for her health, so she should stop, anyway.), and Alfred had already had to confiscate five cigarette packs from her, also for her health.

People started moving away from her every time she passed by, which, while not being all that stranger from normal, she knew that it wasn't out of begrudging respect like it usually was. No, it was out of fear.

Alice reached the Council Room. She didn't bother knocking, they knew it'd be her. She flung the giant doors open, startling the council members.

The three stared at her for a long time, before recovering. It was no use trying to argue with her, though. They'd known her and her father for over forty-five years, and they knew it was absolutely useless to get a Kirkland to take orders from you.

Nonetheless, the head council member still tried. "Ms. Kirkland, will you ever understand that we are not to slam open doors? Especially, mahogany."

"I understand perfectly well, sir, but given that I don't give a shit, I suggest you get used to it." Alice commented dryly.

Another council member rolled their eyes at Alice. "We've been getting reports that you've been...out of order."

"Out of order?" She felt her eye twitch. What right did any of those tossers have to talk about her attitude? Did they have a missing family, kidnapped by a mass murdering psycho?

The council members flinched. "We understand your situation, however." An old member sighed. "And we've agreed that we'll let you off the hook, unless...any of this behavior continues. At that point, we believe it would be best for everyone if you were taken off of the case."

XXX

"Quoi? Vous vous déplacez sur?"

Alice didn't look at Francis. "I think...It might be best for everyone." She looked up at him. His soft features were laced with worry and concern. He'd been more careful around her the past week, watching in case she'd burst into tears at any moment. She wasn't some water balloon just waiting to burst.

"You zink zere's a connection between…"

Alice nodded, grabbing her violin from the corner of the room. "I can't let what happened to them happen to you and Matthew." She paused before turning back to look at Francis again. What an idiot, Alice though, but it had no malice in it. She had finally called Lovino again and had gotten him guard Francis' apartment, though she had several doubts on how useful the fucktard was, right now. "You know my phone number, so if anything happens, just call me… Yeah?"

Francis managed a smile for her, but barely. "Oui." His heart hurt. He was watching her drift away from him, he had been for a whole week. Francis didn't want them to go back to the way they were before, but more than anything, he didn't want to see her go through the pain alone.

"Alice, I-" He stopped. Now wasn't the time for any of that.

"Yes?"

"...Just…" Francis sighed. "Just call me if you need anything, oui? I mean it."

Alice half-heartedly smirked. "Of course. You're my assistant, after all."