Seeing Charlotte busy by the phone with her displeased profile, Russell was montarily at a loss for what to say. Just monts ago, Charlotte had tearfully (though she hadn't actually cried) accused him of lying to her. Yet in the end, he had covered it up with another lie.
Now what should I do…
He silently picked up the teapot and poured warm black tea into her empty teacup.
Sorry, Charlotte. Forgive . This is the last ti.
The call connected quickly, and Lestrade's voice ca from the other side.
["Hello, Scotland Yard."]
"Lestrade, it's ."
Charlotte's voice was concise and to the point.
["Charlotte?"]
Lestrade paused for a mont upon hearing the familiar voice. ["Why are you calling? Is there any new developnt regarding the professor's case?"]
"Let's put that aside for now." Charlotte said, "Send all the materials related to the Hannigan case to Baker Street imdiately."
["Huh? Weren't you the one who was supposed to handle the Hannigan case?"] Lestrade sounded even more confused. ["aning, you were the one who reached a conclusion and then withdrew from this matter, right?"]
"I changed my mind." Charlotte said, "If you want the case solved quickly, send the evidence right away."
["But we're still investigating…"]
"Then send all the information you've already identified." Charlotte interrupted him impatiently. "Don't make say the sa thing twice. If you have ti to spare, go investigate who leaked the information to the newspapers. If you can't catch the wanted criminal, catching the person spreading false information shouldn't be too difficult, right?"
After finishing, she hung up without hesitation, slamming the receiver back into place.
"Are you satisfied now?"
Russell looked at her, unable to help smiling as he refilled her glass.
"What are you satisfied about?"
Charlotte glanced at him and gave a small snort.
"That tabloid report was just infuriating. Do you find The Guardian's report even more unpleasant?"
And sure enough, Russell once again received a look of exasperation from the girl.
"If she can do it, then I can do it too."
Russell smiled at the competitive look on her face and didn't touch the topic any further. So things were better left unsaid. If he said too much, this proud cat would only hiss at him.
"Well then," he said, pushing the freshly brewed tea toward Charlotte. "Now it's ti for the great detective's deduction. I'm very curious whether the culprit will be found first, or whether Mary's clarification report will be published first."
"When did she say it would be?"
Charlotte picked up her teacup, blew on the rising steam, and asked.
"They didn't specify, but it will probably happen within the next day or two. We should know by Saturday." Russell said, then glanced at Charlotte. "Soone might need to work harder."
Hearing this, Charlotte glared at him.
Never seen soone so full of self-righteousness while making others work for free.
"Huh… work for free? Are you teasing ?"
"Instead of that, why don't you first think about how you want to thank ?" she said.
"Hm? Then how about asking him to write you a thank-you letter the next ti I see him?"
"Anyone who wants a thank-you note from a thief can keep it for Mary." Charlotte curled her lips in disdain. "If you really care about , instead of sending a ssenger, you should co to Baker Street yourself to thank in person."
"Understood. So how should I express my gratitude?"
He asked.
"Starting tomorrow," Charlotte said, setting down her teacup and looking at Russell. "Until this case is solved, I'll leave my breakfast, morning newspaper, and afternoon tea to you."
"..."
Russell was montarily speechless.
"And the answer is?"
"Before I answer, there's one thing I should tell you," Russell said, pointing to his backpack on the sofa. "I'm a student, so I can manage breakfast and the morning paper, but afternoon teati… does that an I have to co all the way back from Imperial College?"
"Then breakfast and the morning paper will be enough. I won't make things difficult for you." Charlotte said. "Wake up at 7:30 a.m. If I don't see it…"
"You didn't see it?"
"Then His Majesty will learn that you had an illicit affair with Moriarty and invited him into Buckingham Palace."
"…"
Russell was stunned by her sudden threat and couldn't speak for a while.
"Mycroft didn't say anything, so why do you have the right to say such things?"
"Because I know about it."
Charlotte sank deeper into her chair, arms crossed, looking languid yet smug.
"You can also report and make your beloved brother pay the price for deceiving the Emperor."
Russell countered. He would find a hundred ways to completely exonerate himself and pin the responsibility on her.
Charlotte remained unfazed. Instead, she gently reminded him.
"In that case, you would not only have to bear his responsibility, but also the responsibility for my breakfast and morning newspaper."
"..."
In the end, Russell had no choice but to raise the white flag in defeat.
Seeing his frustrated and powerless expression, Charlotte's irritation eased a little, and a triumphant smile appeared on her lips.
"So," she picked up her teacup again and blew on the steam. "Deal?"
"Deal."
Russell sighed.
It's just waking up early. No big deal. When I was in high school, I had to wake up at 6 a.m. every day!
Just then, Mrs. Hudson's voice ca from downstairs, followed by loud, repeated knocking on the door.
"Charlotte! Soone's looking for you!"
"Let him co up."
Charlotte answered without turning her head.
Soon, a young police officer in Scotland Yard uniform rushed up, panting, carrying a thick brown docunt bag in both arms.
"Miss Hols," he said, carefully placing the file folder on the coffee table. "This is all the information regarding the Hannigan case that Inspector Lestrade asked to deliver to you."
"Understood," Charlotte nodded. "Thank you for your hard work."
The officer said nothing more, saluted, and turned to leave.
Russell's gaze fell on the file folder, then shifted to the pile of docunts about Lloyds Bank beside it.
"Looks like soone's going to be busy for the next few days."
"Much more interesting than listening to boring theories in the classroom."
Charlotte said as she picked up the newly arrived file and deftly broke the seal.
"Alright, let's get started," she said without looking up. "Since you're my assistant, can you make a cup of coffee right now?"
"I knew it."
Russell stood up and walked over to the table where the coffee can was kept.
At that mont, Charlotte's voice ca from behind.
"Black coffee, no milk."
…
…
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