Reading the Gordon Kaluta case file takes only half an hour. Especially with Dan preoccupied mentoring Stephen, Chloe's free to discuss the case with Ella sans any Dan's interferences. Shelly's impressive—that she provided them enough material that Chloe feels she knows Gordon inside out.

Gordon Kaluta was a year younger. Lives with his sister, Shelly, and an uncle. Moved here about three years ago. Part of the perpetually losing football team. Occasionally on loan to the basketball team.

"So, this guy supposedly killed Ramon Valdez?" Ella questions, looking up from the paper at Chloe.

Chloe nods. "Strangled Ramon with his bare hands. Both were intoxicated," she reads off from the file.

Gordon doesn't stand out much. Had a couple strikes for lewd comments and truancy—no violence whatsoever. He was also a member of the LUX Club. Huh. She didn't see that LUX Connection.

She seems to be a magnet for cases with people of LUX. Be it, Lucifer Morningstar, Mazikeen Smith or the late Delilah McCord. And now, Gordon Kaluta.

"There were no other suspects?" Ella asks, munching a bite off her chicken sandwich.

She spreads the papers around the table. Sifts through it until she finds a newspaper clipping of the incident. "Officially, no. Considering the crime was deemed as involuntary manslaughter. No one was there except them both. Not to mention, he was hammered that night."

Ella rubs her neck, "So, why are we investigating this?"

"His sister doesn't believe he did it. Saying he might talk big, act macho but not violent. Oh, and I quote 'dumb as brick'. But—"

"Wait, his sister called him 'stupid'?" Ella cuts her easily off, "But he's in the Academic Decathlon team. Or rather was."

"He was?"

Ella nods. "Yup. His sister also included a list of the Academic Decathlon team members. Gordon's name was there, as well as Philip Smoak." Tapping at one of the papers, she passes the list to Chloe.

"Philip Smoak?"

"Yup. He's the leader now, replacing Ramon Valdez after he died."

"Well, that's the guy Shelly told us to check. You know him?"

"Philip? He was Ramon's best friend. Other than that, not much. The Aca-Decathlon team is very tight-knit. If you're not in the team, they won't spare you a time."

The list isn't long—just six names. Two names are out; one jailed and the other dead. The remaining are long-time members since they established the team. There's a recruitment flyer peeking out from between the papers.

Ella points her sandwich at her. Cocking her head sideways, a brow raised. "You got that look on your face that says 'you have a plan'. Spill it out."

The minimum number of the team is six. She needs to get close to Philip Smoak. That's her chance. She'll be part of the team. Easy.

Tugging the corners of her lips is a smile, Chloe holds up the pink flyer at Ella. "This."

"You want to join them? Like you're sure about this?"

Chloe understands Ella's apprehension. After that one colossal dumb idea with Mister Gilbert—and Ella's beloved car was the unforeseen collateral damage—Ella's less receptive to any of Chloe's ideas.

"Why not?" Chloe says, eyeing the flyer's requirement. Seems easy enough.

"They're pretty strict. Your GPA has to be 3.5 before they even consider your application. Believe me, I tried before when I first started out. Unless," Ella's voice trails off. She pulls her laptop close, wiping breadcrumbs against a napkin.

Her only idea being put to bed before it could even bloom. Her score betrayed her. Never had she thought one day, having an excellent grade will help or break her case. Like now. Damn it.

"Unless what?" Chloe says, drinking down her coffee.

Ella works on the keyboard, clacking away and shifts her attention back to Chloe. "Unless you get Lucifer Morningstar to join on your behalf."

Chloe nearly spits out her coffee at Ella. "Him? As in Prada suit-wearing, Valentino loafers' fanatic, smug teenager with a devil's name."

"Yup. He's actually smart. With average GPA score of 3.89."

Chloe opens her mouth to reply, then closes it. She blinks twice. Lets that realisation—of Lucifer Morningstar possibly a bonafide genius—sinks in. "Are you serious?"

Ella snorts, faux-derisively. "No."

"How did you know this?"

Ella shrugs her shoulders, like it's not a big deal of what she says next. "Hacking into the school's student database isn't hard if you have the right codes."

"Damn."

"Exactly."

She can't seem to avoid getting a case without Lucifer Morningstar being attached to it in some ways. If Ella's right, Chloe's GPA could barely qualifies for the recruitment. She's not under 2.99, but not higher than 3.10 either.

[Somehow, going to Lucifer Morningstar to help with her new case feels like Chloe's making a deal with the devil. Even though, it's for a good cause. Now, she has to 'girl' up and march to Lucifer and get him to say 'yes' by any means necessary.]


Mazikeen isn't surprise to see Chloe Decker rapping her knuckles against the gym's door. In fact, Mazikeen thinks, she has an unhealthy obsession with LUX Club.

"Hey, Maze—" Chloe stutters, with a smile that seems strained on her face. She quickly amends, "—ikeen. Mazikeen. So, is Lucifer around?" She cranes her neck, trying to look pass Mazikeen's shoulders.

Mazikeen doesn't disturb Lucifer if he wishes not to. Not without a good reason. And Chloe Decker doesn't measure up for their definition of 'immediate action'. She utters, "Is he anticipating your arrival?"

"I don't think so," Chloe replies, without letting Mazikeen getting a word in, "I really need to see him. Like right now. You see, I got this—" She rambles on, trying to push her way into gym.

The mortal doesn't budge Mazikeen from her ground. This is child's play. She will not tire easily.

Chloe grunts, attempting to shove Mazikeen—with her full weight on Mazikeen, she sidesteps to allow the blonde entry to the gym. Chloe stumbles on her footing, nearly plants her face on the polished gym floor.

Mazikeen meets curious luminescent ochre eyes. A ghostly smirk plays on her lips. "We have a visitor," she announces, closes the door behind her.

"Yes, indeed we do," Lucifer opens, his lips twitching into a wide smirk.

Chloe quickly stands to her feet. Dusting dirt off from her thighs, she tosses a look over her shoulder at Mazikeen. Flips her hair at Mazikeen, before walking up to Lucifer and whispers, "Can we talk in private?"

Lucifer eyes Chloe with interest. Both hands stuff in his trousers' pockets. "Why all the sudden request of privacy? There are no secrets between Mazikeen and I, don't be shy to tell us. However, let's have a talk in the office."

Mazikeen walks ahead of them. Prepares soda for Chloe and the usual non-alcoholic Chardonnay White Wine for Lucifer. Sets the drinks on the desk, then she stands next to the cabinet, against the wall. Mazikeen cracks Sun Tzu's Art of War open and read. Not a single sound made—no one will notice her except when she moves. She does not breathe.

"So, to what we owe your sudden presence here?" questions Lucifer, motioning at the newly added chair. He takes his place at the swivel chair, sips from his white wine.

Chloe forces a nervous smile on her face. Her hand absentmindedly gesturing in the air. "There's a case I'm working on now."

He lift both brows at her. His lips, a flat line. His displeasure shimmering beneath his lazy façade. "And are you here to accuse me of yet another crime?"

"No," she protests too quickly. Tips of Chloe's ears turning a bright shade of red. She blows a noisy breath out. "It's about Gordon Kaluta."

Lucifer shakes his head lightly. "Gordon Kaluta? Doesn't ring a bell."

Chloe describes Gordon to jog his memory. Mazikeen remembers Gordon well—unkempt black hair, dark rings underneath his eyes and has an uncouth mouth. It's been a while since Mazikeen seen him around LUX. Mazikeen flips a new page on her book.

"Ah, yes. Him. I presume he's dead, seeing how you have acquire a habit to march straight to LUX in the event of any death in this school."

"What? No, he's not dead," Chloe snaps, "He's alive. In jail." She pauses, inhales deeply. "In case you haven't notice, deaths at Vertigo High always seemed to be connected to LUX Club."

"Coincidence," Lucifer simply answers.

"Very convenient to be coincidences," Chloe snorts, crossing her arms defiantly. She closes her eyes. Then rushes her words in a single breath, "I-I'm here to ask for your help. I need you to be part of the Academic Decathlon team." Looking physically ill, as she mentions the words 'help' and 'need' together.

He mulls her words over in a few seconds. He swirls his glass in a clock-wise movement, languid.

"So, what do you say?" Chloe asks, hope swimming in her blue eyes. It's a pity to see that hope crushed.

Knowing his answer before it leaves his throat, half of a smirk twisting Mazikeen's lips. His deep voice mutters, "My answer is no, Decker."

Chloe jumps to her feet. Her eyes widen in exasperation. Nearly spills the soda on her pants. "Why?"

Lucifer shrugs. "Why should I?"

"B-but he's part of your LUX family!" Chloe rebukes—it's a flimsy excuse. Lucifer would never buy such reason. Appealing to compassion he doesn't have, that's bound to fail.

"Whether he's a patron or a member of the LUX Club, it is not my concern."

With that, Chloe storms off from the office. Not before she finishes her drink. Noticing Mazikeen standing at the wall, Chloe thanked her for the drink and slammed the door behind her.

He glances up from his glass, speaks into the white wine. "I can see the disapproval written on your face, Mazikeen. Do speak up your mind."

She closes her book, slips it back into her bag. Mazikeen moves her head from side to side. Sets her eyes on the flame-haired angel. "There's nothing to say."

"Come on, Mazikeen. You know I value your opinion above everything else," he replies, soft and tender, armed with his charming grin. "Why should I involve myself with the human's affair?"

"You are fond of this school," she offers.

Lucifer deflects, "The school ranks the worst among all public schools in the entire state."

"Then you are fond of LUX. Chloe Decker's death will ensure the closing down of this school. And this school is the only one that allows us almost freely reign over its students. Without the School Board poking too close to the nature of the LUX Club and its patrons."

She adds, "And this provides you a valid reason to prolong your avoidance with the therapist."

He sighs—for show. But a smile slithers onto his face, brief before it fades. "You make a compelling argument, Mazikeen."

"You asked for my honest opinion," she says, grinning.

"I did. Anything else?" Lucifer quizzes, lighting a cigarette between his fingers.

"I will say, I somewhat miss him working at the LUX. Good workers are hard to come by these days."

"Very well then, relay to Miss Decker that I will be on board for her plans to liberate the framed student and find the real killer."