The atmosphere inside the carriage was enveloped in silence, broken only by the rhythmic clatter of the horse hooves and the steady roll of the wheels on the cobblestone road. As the carriage traversed the uneven terrain, my heavy eyelids repeatedly succumbed to drowsiness, only to be jolted awake each time the carriage hit a rough patch. I stole a glance at Adam, who sat across from me, his gaze fixed on the passing buildings outside the window. The soft glow of the streetlights cast a gentle light on his profile. His verdant eyes fluttered as well, The carriage gradually came to a stop outside the cream exterior of Adam’s office. We jumped out and Adam put his gloved hand above the coachman’s, dropping a few coins.

Adam lugged up the damp stairs to the front entrance. He unlocked the black iron door and held it open for me as we entered. The lights were suddenly turned on and burnt my eyes. Once they adjusted, I saw Adam approach a black closet door with a deep sigh and open it. With a bit of rustling, he grabbed out what was supposed to be my uniform. A brown puffy dress with a corset and black leather heeled boots and white gloves with a small brown tophat, on top of which sat a pair of goggles. Assumingly for my future investigations.

“Just put this on. No arguments this time.” I couldn’t argue even if I wanted to. I was much too tired. With a groan, I grabbed the outfit from his hands and went into the bathroom.

I puffed up my skirt and laced up my boots then looked at my reflection. Besides the hat, it wasn’t that bad. I left the bathroom to find Adam sitting at his desk, head resting on his hands.

“Are you done?” He asked.

“Yup,” I answered.

“Well then.” He lifted his head. All that’s left is the head to Scotland Yard. This is the first time you have been here I’d assume. Ironheel and the other detectives will be there so behave yourself.

“Is the four-eyed one you don’t like gonna be there?” I hummed, bringing my finger to my chin. Adam looked caught off-guard.

“I-I’m not sure. But you don't have business with him anyhow.”

The Yard was a bit misnamed. A huge white stone building stood over me, contrasting the black iron supports. Windows dotted the building on all sides, some dark with the curtains drawn. The large steep brown roof hung over the building creating a dark shadow over the courtyard dotted with people and hedges. The voices of bobbies and detectives drowned in the sound of the retreating carriage. A young serious-faced bobby approached Adam and I.

“Ironheel has requested your presence, Detective Clarke.”

“Of course. We’ll be there right away.” The bobby retreated.

“Time to become an official forensic scientist!” I hummed as I followed Adam into the entrance of the building.

As we entered the building I was met with the sound of men in their cubicles typing away at typewriters. The small white desks were blanketed in paper. On the floor, small cardboard boxes lined the legs of the desks, also filled with papers. Bobbies rushes room to room delivering messages and finished paperwork. I couldn’t help up be grateful this wasn’t the job I was offered.

“Come on.” Adam broke me out of my thoughts and led me up a flight of stairs.

I gasped for air. The “flight of stairs” turned out to be six. Even Adam leaned against the wall to catch his breath. I’d hate to be the man who’d have to climb up and down every day.

“His office should be down here.” Adam pointed down the carpeted hallway towards an office on the right.

As we approached the door Adam knocked hesitantly. A soft thud and rustling were heard inside until the maple door was opened by the ample man

“Clarke!” He threw up his bulky arms. “How the heck are ya’?

“Fine,” Adam responded dryly.

Ironheels strong gaze fell down unto me.

“Ah, young lady. All is well I hope?”

“Indeed.” I nodded.

Ironheel suddenly clasped his enormous paw on Adam’s shoulder,

“How rude of me to keep you two waiting! Come in! Cecil, put the tea on if you may.”

The color from Adam’s face drained the mention of the man’s name. As I entered the room I was met by the strong scent of cologne and the sight of the man from the previous night. He wore the same black hat with a charcoal tuxedo. His coffee coat was deposited on a nearby iron coat rack. After setting down the tin kettle he turned slowly to meet Adam’s distraught gaze.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“How unexpected.” He said with a hint of amusement. Adam didn’t respond.

Cecil turned around and began humming to himself as he grabbed teacups.

“Ah, sit down, sit down!” The chief motioned to a nearby red velvet couch. Adam sat down and I sat down next to him. With a creak, Ironheel sat down in a similar colored loveseat. Not young after, the black-haired man came over placing a white porcelain tea cup in front us, winking at Adam. Adam inverted his gaze.

“So, did you hear about the situation?” He inquired.

“Yes. Lady Lotusburg…” I trailed on.

Ironheel nodded gravely. “Indeed. You shall meet the suspect today. A young student of the name Violet Yoshida. Twenty years of age I believe.” He motioned towards Cecil, who was leaning against Ironheel’s desk. With a nod, he picked up a thick file off the neat pile of papers on the desk and handed it to Ironheel.

Ironheel flipped through the file. “Ah, yes. The cause of death was a hit on the head from a blunt object. Curiously they found traces of poison in the noblewoman’s system. Cyanide to be exact.”

“But the student couldn’t have aqquired the poison,” I added.

Ironheel snapped his fingers in confirmation. “Quite right. That’s the kicker here.” Ironheel handed the file back to Cecil who placed it back in the designated spot on Ironheel’s desk.

“I’ve already explained this to her.” Adam stated timidly

“Ah! Then why not say so before, my good man?” Ironheel laughed. “I’ll shut my trap and let Hans explain the rest!”

Oh boy.

“Of course, sir.” Cecil smiled. Adam did the opposite.

Cecil stood by the door, waiting. Me and Adam followed him out.

As we descended back down the stairs Cecil turned to me.

“You’ll be examining the crime scene. Surely Adam told you that much?”

“Err, not yet.” I coughed. Adam winced.

With an amused sigh, Cecil turned back around. “Of course not. Before you talk to Miss Yoshida you need to examine the crime scene and any evidence of course. I’ll accompany you as per my orders.” Adam took in a sharp breath and sped up to walk beside Cecil.

“When did the Chief say this? The crime scene was supposed to be taken care of!” Adam snapped in a harsh tone. Cecil seemed uninterested.

“Just a few minutes ago he was informed the rest of the Yard was done with the scene. Of course, forensic scientists need to examine the scene of crime. Surely you knew this?”

“Surely I did,” Adam replied harshly. “As I was told, all relevant evidence was collected.”

“That will be for her to decide.” Cecil trailed off and began twisting his midnight hair around his finger.

When we got outside Cecil turned to Adam.

“Won’t you fetch us a cab, Adam?” He asked with fake politeness. Adam groaned but did as he was told.

I looked up at the sky, putting my hand over my eyebrows to block the sun. It was an unusually sunny day. The nonstop sound of carriages rolling back over stone and forth and bobbies chatting in the courtyard filled my ears. The sky was a magnificent blue. Cecil was still humming to himself, completely ignoring my presence. Soon later, Adam returned with a cab just down the street.

“To the Lotusburg manor!” Cecil yelled to the coachman. We got into the carriage, I sat on the far end of the leather seats with Adam next to me. Cecil sat across from Adam on the opposite side. As the carriage drove down the street, I became increasingly aware of Adam’s attempt to avoid Cecil’s gaze, who stared right at him.

“So,” Cecil began. “Excited to be back during fieldwork?”

Adam turned towards the window. “Of course.” He replied.

Huh?

“You were absent?” I asked turning to him.

Cecil answered for him. “Oh yes. Quite a tumultuous matter regarding our old boss..”

Another thing Adam didn’t tell me about. Of course.

“Um, what happened with your old boss? Adam never told me anything related to this.” I said in a safe tone. Adam shot me a look.

“Hardly a surprise,” He laughed airly “But I’ve never been one to conceal the truth so I guess I will tell you he said flapping his hand.”

Adam began to protest. “Cecil, you know you shoul-”

Cecil cut him off. “Apparently, our previous boss, Chief Enfield was intentionally tampering with evidence and crime scenes to frame people she did not quite like or people who escaped the hands of the law or got a not guilty verdict which she believed they didn’t deserve.” He looked at Adam with a peculiar smile. “Allegedly, some of her coworkers helped. However,, no sufficient evidence was produced to solidify this theory. However, one of her coworkers was caught was tampered evidence. After claiming he didn’t know, he was simply put off of field duty for three months.”

“And that was-”

“Your dear Adam, yes!” Cecil laughed, ice-blue eyes gleaming with amusement. “Surely he didn’t know. You wouldn’t do such a thing would you?” Cecil sneered.

Adam's gaze was fixated on him with a steely stare. “It seems you missed a few important details, Cecil.” He retorted sharply.

Cecil yawned. “This discussion grows tiresome. We are almost to the manor anyhow.”

I looked out the window. A large grand house was slowly approaching.

“Ah, and before I forget,” Cecil added as an afterthought. “My new assistant will be here too. He will walk you through the crime scene as he’s already been here. Me and Adam have some important things to discuss.

Adam let out an exasperated sigh. “Do we now?”