Mary's question was light—so light it felt like the wind could blow it away.
But it was also heavy, as though it took all her strength to say it.
A faint blush rose across her pale cheeks, like she'd been kissed by the sunset.
Russell looked at her—at the calm she pretended to wear, and the tension and expectation that leaked through anyway.
"Hmm… let me think…" Russell rubbed his chin, deliberately dragging it out, eyes drifting to the distance like he was genuinely considering it.
"That depends on whether Charlotte decides to send me running errands.
And there's a quiz next week. If I fail, it hits my participation score. I should probably review."
"I see," Mary murmured. Her voice didn't show much—except her shoe stopped drawing circles.
"That sounds… exhausting."
Just as she was about to find an excuse to end this slightly awkward exchange, Russell looked back at her, wearing that familiar lazy grin that somehow always managed to be irritating.
"But," he said.
He paused, dangling the answer in front of her.
"If someone's willing to treat me to afternoon tea—and help me review for next week's quiz…"
He shrugged lightly.
"I don't mind sacrificing a bit of sleep."
Mary froze for a beat.
The evening breeze lifted a strand of her silver hair. The blush on her cheeks deepened—bright, almost vivid.
For a moment, her scarf felt unnecessary.
"'Sacrificing'?" Mary repeated, tilting her head slightly, her smile turning sly. "That word isn't quite right, Russell.
If it were just an ordinary outing, you could say you're sacrificing rest—I wouldn't argue.
But if it helps you pass next week's quiz… what should you call it?"
"Uh…" Russell blinked. "An honor?"
Mary's smile curved.
See? The kid's not dumb.
"Then it's settled." Her eyes brightened. "Saturday at two o'clock. Phaeton Tea Room. Do you know where it is?
Kensington area. Quiet place. The sign is obvious."
"Of course." Russell nodded.
"Then it's a deal." The smile in Mary's eyes grew clearer. Behind her back, her fingers finally relaxed, no longer tangled together.
"And don't be late like last time. My time is valuable."
"Don't worry. I'll be on time." Russell promised.
"Good."
Satisfied, Mary turned and walked toward the gate with noticeably lighter steps.
"See you Saturday."
She headed the opposite way, her pale skirt swaying softly in the breeze, every step like she was walking on clouds.
"Yeah," Russell watched her back and added quietly, "see you in class tomorrow."
Mary paused for the briefest moment. She didn't turn back—only lifted one hand and gave a small wave behind her.
Russell stood there until she disappeared around the corner of the building. Then he turned toward the gate as well.
The sunset stretched his shadow long. He was alone—yet somehow didn't look it.
"Afternoon tea and studying…" Russell muttered, half-amused, half-resigned.
Compared to trading blows in an underground vault, something as simple as an ordinary day felt… more troublesome.
But he didn't hate it.
Not at all.
Russell pushed open the door of 221B Baker Street. The scent of cookies hit him immediately.
He followed the smell and found a plate of fresh-baked biscuits on the table.
"Mrs. Hudson, you baked again?" Russell said as he picked one up and popped it into his mouth.
Crisp. Nuts and chocolate chips.
"Russell, you're back." Mrs. Hudson's voice came from the kitchen. "Good timing. I baked a batch—take them upstairs and share with Charlotte.
She hasn't come down all day. She needs to eat something."
"Roger that," Russell called back, then carried the plate upstairs.
A few steps later, he heard a familiar violin from the next room.
The melody was fast and messy—like someone pacing in circles over an unsolved problem.
Russell listened at the door for a moment, then knocked.
The violin cut off instantly. Charlotte's voice followed.
"Door's open."
Russell pushed inside and saw Charlotte set the violin down, her gaze immediately landing on the cookies in his hands.
"Mrs. Hudson said you haven't eaten all day," Russell said, tossing the plate toward her.
"Still thinking about the Professor?" he asked.
"Yeah." Charlotte caught a cookie and bit into it, then looked toward her information wall. "Any progress?"
"Some. Not much." Charlotte shook her head, chewing as she spoke. "I went back to Scotland Yard again today. Hauled out everyone except the lunatic and questioned them one by one."
"And?"
"And I got an address."
"An address?" Russell frowned, walking to the table with the teapot and grabbing tea without ceremony.
"What address?"
"The place Bilson used to contact them." Charlotte spoke calmly. "Use Earl Grey. Don't take Ceylon."
"Oh." Russell swapped tea bags mid-reach.
"An important detail like that—and you only got it out of them today?" Russell asked. "So what was Lestrade doing all day yesterday?"
"Getting crushed by Lloyds, dealing with a press conference, and finding a psychiatrist for that lunatic."
"And then…?" Russell set a cup of tea in front of Charlotte.
"Then I went to the address myself." Charlotte said flatly. "A little bar in Southwark."
"You went alone?" Russell frowned. "That area's a mess."
"And whose fault is it that someone was in class?" Charlotte replied matter-of-factly. "If I went late, the lead might've vanished."
So it's my fault for attending school, is it…
Russell twitched a corner of his mouth and took a sip of tea.
"Well?" he asked. "Anything, Detective?"
"No." Charlotte shook her head without embarrassment. "Bilson left in a hurry. He didn't take much—just valuables he could liquidate quickly."
"And the letter?"
"Burned." Charlotte said. "Just ash now. Useless."
....
My Patreon : patreon/RuneA
If you want to read the novel in advance, you can subscribe for early access. I also have many more novels in my collection that you might be interested in
I upload ten novels a day, with 3 to 4 chapters per title depending on the length. If you're following a particular series, please wait your turn a little
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it