The deputy narrowed his eyes and studied her carefully. It was common for the young nobility to make unreasonable demands, particularly when they were told they couldn't do something, as they saw it as a chance to display their power. No doubt the deputy, even one as new as this one appeared to be, had already encountered a few of such fools.
Minutes ticked by and Ida fussed a bit with her skirt, trying to get the pale yellow fabric to fall just so over her petticoat. She felt a bit foolish wearing the fancy frock to a crime scene, but she hadn't been expecting to have to help investigate a crime today. Besides, the officer who called her had expressed a certain level of urgency. Had she taken the time to return home to change, it would have taken nearly an hour longer to arrive.
As the silence grew between herself and the deputy, he began to shift uncomfortably from one foot to the other. Ida continued to fuss with her dress until the detective finally grew impatient and asked, "Just how do you know Detective Bowen?"
Ida smiled sweetly and looked up at him, gently twirling her lace-trimmed parasol. "Detective Bowen and I have a...work arrangement," she answered. "He calls on me whenever my services are needed."
The deputy's mouth fell open, his mind clearly trying to sort out what her words might imply, and she tried to mask her amusement. She thoroughly enjoyed teasing the new officers.
"Hey, Johnson!" called another officer, interrupting them. "Let her through!"
"What?!"
"Excuse me," Ida said brightly, gently stepping around the deputy. "I'm afraid I'm quite late now."
She hurried through the small crowd of police and emergency response workers and entered the wide alleyway. It was surprisingly neat, as alleyways go, and only a few bins and boxes lined the wall on the right. The last alleyway she had been called to had been littered with all manner of filth and refuse and had boxes, bins, and make-shift shelters lining both sides of the walkway.
Two of the bins were overturned near the middle of the alley, their contents scattered across the ground and marked by bright yellow tags. She carefully stepped around the marked areas and moved toward the small group of detectives toward the far end of the alley.
"It's about time!" called Detective Bowen, waving her over to the corpse of a young man. "Did your fancy car cause a traffic jam or something? And what's with the dress?"
"My car is currently being serviced, so I had to rely on a taxi service," she answered matter-of-factly, closing her parasol and handing it off to one of the junior detectives. "And I was in the middle of a formal tea party when the officers called. Honestly, I would have been here a bit sooner if not for the young deputy out there."
"If you want to maintain this little arrangement, I suggest you find ways to arrive faster," he countered. "It's been nearly an hour since we called you in. Now work your magic before the coroner loses his patience and moves the body."
"Such a rude way to welcome a Lady who volunteers her services," she commented with feigned offense. "Perhaps next time I should make you wait until after I've finished my tea."
