"There may also be a possibility that it's a burglar breaking in," Russell said. "It all depends on whom you choose to believe."
"Where is he hiding?" Charlotte ignored Russell's witty remark and asked.
"He's hiding like a parasite in Mrs. Joy's house next door, then using a trap to sneak into Ms. David's house."
Russell shared his discovery with Charlotte. Hearing this, Charlotte raised her eyebrows, got up, and headed to the bedroom.
As soon as she entered, her eyes were drawn to the bookshelf. The shelf was shifted slightly right, making just enough space for a person to slip by. Through this space, one could go directly into Mrs. Joy's bedroom. The central part of the wall was just big enough for a person—it was no wonder they'd dismissed this spot at first, since it was blocked by the bookshelf since the beginning.
Charlotte stood up, left the bedroom, and returned to the living room. She glanced at Russell who was pinning down Lucas, and suddenly she became interested.
"I never thought you'd be so skilled."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Russell replied.
Then Charlotte turned her gaze to the phone in the corner. As expected, the phone line was cut, and the internet was down as well. She held the broken cord for a while, carefully examined it, and then let go.
Just then, a shocked voice came from the doorway.
"My goodness, what are you doing?!"
Both turned and saw the entrance filled with people. Charlotte's flying kick had nearly torn out the apartment's entire wiring.
[The neighbors who witnessed your violence were thrown into panic and confusion. Malice level +40.]
"Uhh... I'd like to explain what happened, but before that..."
Russell stopped, ignoring the system notification ringing in his head, and smiled at the elderly people at the door.
"Would someone please call the police first?"
…
Five minutes later, a Scotland Yard vehicle arrived. As Lestrade entered, his gaze immediately landed on the battered wooden front door.
"Nice kick," he commented absently, then turned his eyes to Russell, Charlotte, and Lucas.
At this point, Lucas's limbs were bound, his head lowered, the very picture of silence.
"So..." Lestrade pulled out his cigarettes, but under the eyes of the elderly present, quietly put them back.
"Would someone please explain what happened here?"
"Do you remember a woman named Holly David?" Charlotte asked.
"Holly David..."
Lestrade hesitated, then nodded.
"Ah, yes. The woman who claimed her house was haunted. Isn't this her place?"
He looked around, and a sudden realization dawned.
"What are you doing here?"
"We caught the ghost," Russell said, gesturing at Lucas with his chin.
"He broke in, hid at Mrs. Joy's, then snuck in here to steal cookies and milk from the old lady."
"Furthermore, while Holly was out, he came and performed obscene and perverse acts in her house."
Lestrade's expression grew more complicated hearing this.
"You said he came to her house, but how did he get in?"
"Just check the bedroom, you'll see," Charlotte answered. She offered no further explanation.
Lestrade, confused, entered the bedroom and returned moments later, looking shocked.
"My God..."
He stared at Lucas, wondering how he had pulled it off.
"Uh... Inspector, let me be clear. That passage was there from before. He didn't build it," Russell said.
"He just found it and took advantage."
"How did you know what I was thinking?" Lestrade looked at Russell.
"It's written on your face," Russell shrugged.
Lestrade unconsciously touched his face, caught himself, and awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Well... I'll take it from here," he said, waving his men over.
"Take him away."
Two officers picked Lucas up, who had accepted defeat. As they passed Russell, Lucas paused.
"I just... I just love her..." he murmured, as if making a final plea.
"Save that for the judge, or better yet, tell Holly David herself," Russell replied, uninterested in his excuse.
"Let's see if she'll buy it."
With that, the last spark faded from Lucas's hollow eyes. He gave up resisting or arguing and let himself be dragged away by the police.
[Lucas suffered a deep loss of confidence, and his malice level increased by 60.]
After Lucas was taken away, Lestrade was called over by the building's manager. The supervisor seemed to say something, and when Lestrade returned to them, he looked perplexed.
"So, what do you want to do about this?"
"Just deduct the consultation fee. No need for pleasantries," Charlotte replied, unperturbed, hands in her pockets, already preparing to leave.
Russell blinked, glanced at Lestrade, and seeing no reaction, hurried after her.
"I didn't know you charged a consultation fee," he asked with amused curiosity.
"What else can I do? Mycroft isn't sending living expenses," Charlotte shrugged.
…
The two boarded a carriage back to Baker Street.
"Russell, why are you back so early today?" Mrs. Hudson asked, a bit surprised.
"Not many classes today; I came home early," Russell replied, following Charlotte upstairs.
"How did you and Mary Morstan come up with the idea to work for this?" Charlotte asked as she sat on the sofa.
"It was a coincidence, really," Russell answered, pulling over a chair. "While discussing this matter, Professor Fields found us. Mary, in despair, presented the issue we'd just discussed as an academic debate."
"And then?"
"Professor Fields took an interest and started analyzing the problem. Mary and I decided to add more constraints, examining further, until we reached our conclusion. That finished our final project—for which, if you have any conscience, you'll help draft the proposal."
"If you have the courage to submit it, I have the courage to write it," Charlotte retorted flatly.
"Or are you hoping I'll present your paper in your place?"
"...Let's just forget it," Russell shrugged.
A pause. Russell seemed to remember something.
"By the way, why did you kick the door in and pull a gun? Gave me quite a shock."
"..."
Charlotte said nothing, quietly sipping her cold coffee, her porcelain cup hiding her expression.
After a long silence, her voice finally echoed through the room—so light, low, and quick it was almost fleeting.
"I just... don't want to have to find another assistant."
…