[Extract from Library Night Patrol by Sergeant…]
At the loud shattering of a glass, the constables nearby moved immediately to the assumed source: Constable Minami's area. Arriving at the scene, they found the constable sitting listlessly on the floor. I, too, immediately responded with more constables with me and shook the female constable to her senses and interrogated her about the chain of events. Constable Minami exceptionally recognized the intruder of the night, and by the mention of the name, she sobbed.
Sir, it was Eli Ayase.
Next day; day off from the night shift duty, Kotori stirred off of her heavy slumber. Opening her eyes, memories of last night crashed back rapidly.
Seconds… Minutes… Hours have passed. The gray-haired still lay spiritless on bed. Until now, she found it unbelievable. What is she doing there? Why is she hindering with someone's private and confidential property? Has she really turned her back away from justice? Has she really become…a thief?
Tears welled up from her golden eyes.
But… I'm glad… She's alive… and well… Somehow…
The next day, Kotori came to Scotland Yard. Entering the precinct, her co-workers stared at her intently. She kept a cool, austere face but she could feel the chill through her spines.
"Superintendent said he wants you in his office," a fellow constable said as she arrived at her desk. With a salute and a small smile of thanks, she immediately went to her boss's office, hopefully running away from the dreary gazes.
The superintendent's eyebrows were about to cross as Kotori found him, reading a report. She knocked, and the gruff voice of her boss told her to proceed in.
"Unfortunate events, Constable Minami," he sighed heavily, shaking his head. "Nasty business."
"D-Deep apologies that I let her—the intruder escaped away from me again," Kotori said in a shaky voice as her eyes became watery. "I-I'm not even doing my job right. And… And..!"
"I understand, constable. I understand," the superintendent said in a gruff but gentle voice. "We still can't believe it as well until now. The whole Yard even believes that Ayase has completely turned her back from us."
"I...don't…believe…"
"I know you don't. You're one of the few who still believes at her."
Kotori raised her head with a lightened but confused expression on his statement when someone knocked the door. As her boss stared at her, she gave a nod.
"What is it?" he asked as he waved the constable in.
"A phone call for Constable Minami, sir. Originally the caller was looking for Ayase—."
"Yes, yes, Johnny. You may take the call, Minami."
"Sir—."
"Leave it to us, constable. We'll get to the bottom of this."
As Kotori left the superintendent's office, her fellow constable led her to the Yard's hotline phone where her caller was connected in. With a salute and word of thanks, she rushed and picked up the telephone.
"Hello, Constable Kotori Minami speaking."
"Ah, Miss Officer!" a familiar voice responded.
"M-Miss Nico Yazawa?!" Kotori gasped. "The florist in that flower shop!"
"No, the florist in the pawn shop," Nico snapped sarcastically. "Aagh! No time for jokes! Please come to the shop! I don't trust any coppers here except you and that—that voluptuous blonde!"
"E-Ehh?! A-Alright… I'll get there as soon as I can."
"JUST. COME. IMMEDIATELY!"
After reporting back to her superintendent and got permission, Kotori rushed to Nico's flower shop. As she reached the place, she suddenly had a surge of feelings…that it was just yesterday when they solved a case successfully here. Yes. With…Eli.
"What's with the sad face, Miss Constable?"
A timid voice pitched in, interrupting Kotori's thoughts.
The familiar face of the former pawn clerk appeared on the constable's sight as she snapped out.
"Millie, what are you up to now?"
The recognizable fussy voice emerged out as the person herself Nico Yazawa came out of the shop.
"Oh, constable, there you are!" she said with a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness you're here. Where's that blonde partner of yours?"
Kotori fell silent as her face etched with sadness and grief.
She then gave a brief account of Eli's whereabouts. Nico and Millie gasped.
"I-I never thought—," Nico exclaimed. "I can't believe she would turn evil! Nico nii is scared!"
"Stop it, Nico," Millie retorted. "Think of Miss Constable's feelings! Also, don't forget that Inspector Ayase saved us from the gallows."
"G-Geh!" the small florist stammered. "I-I guess you have a point…"
"Don't worry, Miss Constable," the florist assistant added as she held Kotori's hands. "I believe that Miss Ayase is not a thief. She did not betray the law or you. There must be a reason…something!"
"What are you guys meeting about?"
A shrilling bossy voice interrupted in. A redheaded woman; clad in black corporate suit with golden linings, a tiny top hat clipped on her hair bun, and scarf tied around her neck, emerged out of the flower shop doorstep. With her fists clasped and twitched, flaming eyes, Kotori guessed this is the trouble Nico called.
The twin tailed florist growled at the redheaded visitor.
"And YOU'RE still here?"
"I am not leaving until YOU give back my suitcase!" the redheaded shot back.
She's probably a flight attendant, Kotori thought. And Miss Nico is accused. Again.
"E-Excuse me," she stepped in after a few deep breathings. "But can we get inside the shop and tell me what happened?"
As everyone came back inside the shop, Kotori turned to the civilians.
"Now," she began. "Who will start?"
"Miss Officer," the redheaded responded. "This young lady has stolen my things from my suitcase and stuffed with flowers!"
"What do you think am I, a skilled magician!?" Nico shot back. "I'm a bloody florist and I've been working here all day!"
"M-May I know your name first?" Kotori added.
"Does it matter?" the redheaded snapped. "I just want my things back from this thief!"
"Oh please," Nico refuted back. "You can't even do the most basic moral request."
The redheaded lady's face turned red in anger as she pouted. Kotori cannot help but to wail in a corner. Just do what Eli used to do on investigations!
"Maki Nishikino," the redheaded gave in. "As if it's going to help retrieving my things!"
"W-Well then, Miss Nishikino," Kotori said, clearing her throat as she regains composure. "Why do you think Miss Yazawa, the florist, stole your things?"
"Well, because…of…this!"
As Maki answered, she dragged a dark blue leather suitcase and opened it. Purple flowers flowed out, as if it was stuffed there full.
"These are purple hyacinths," she added. "And their store has purple hyacinths! Of course I would be accusing her!"
"I swear, constable, I didn't do it!" Nico said pleadingly. "You can ask Millie that I was working here the whole time. That's why I called you of hoping the inspector would clear things up the second time. Now she's not here, you're my only hope!"
Kotori can feel herself in cold sweat. That's true. I'm Miss Yazawa's hope. Hope like she did it.
But Eli is already—!
"Alright," she said. "I'll do my best to solve this case."
Nico gasped happily as she smiled.
"This is ridiculous!" Maki demanded angrily. "She's obviously the thief! Why would you cover up for her?"
"If you think about it, Miss Nishikino," Kotori replied. "Miss Yazawa's shop isn't the only one selling purple hyacinths, yes?"
The redheaded flight attendant was about to protest but then hesitated.
"Well then," Kotori continued. "Are you sure that's your suitcase?"
"I—," Maki stammered, looking back at the suitcase. "I don't know."
"Miss Constable," Millie interposed. "Do you think her suitcase got switched?"
Nico and Maki gasped at the florist assistant's assertion. Kotori, with her fingers on her chin, nodded discreetly.
"What places did you go at, Miss Nishikino?" she asked.
The redheaded protested for a moment, but still gave in.
"Of course, from the airport," she answered, crossing her arms. "…To this mall."
"What transportation did you ride to arrive here?"
"A taxi, of course."
As Maki responded to Kotori's interrogations, her violet eyes suddenly lit up.
"Now that you've mentioned it," she muttered.
"What? What is it?" Nico and Kotori simultaneously asked.
"I remembered that there's this fancy sports car parked near the taxi I called," Maki began explaining. "I think I giggled?"
Nico spit a laugh.
"What the heck was that!?"
"Shut it, I'm not finished," the redheaded growled. "I remembered I giggled, because the female driver of the car has the same case as mine!"
"Miss Constable!" Millie exclaimed.
"Where did you last saw the sports car?!" Kotori asked hurriedly.
"It was really a noticeable car," Maki replied. "It drove the same lane as the taxi I'm in. But as soon as we arrived, she drove it to the upper parking lot of the mall."
