“Is it you?”, I heard Elliot ask.
“Yes, it’s me.”
I heard the skritching noise again. This time, the door opened. Elliot popped his head out and smiled.
“Come in.” He disappeared behind the door. I followed. This time, not everything was as dust covered. A couple of layers had been dusted of a few cabinets, but there was still at least one layer on each piece of furniture, with the exception of the desk, typewriter, and lamp.
He sat down on the big chair. Now I knew why the dust stopped halfway down.
“‘At the risk of sounding cliched, I’ve been expecting you.’ Artemis Fowl.”, Elliot said simply.
“Pardon?”, I asked.
“It is a quote from Artemis Fowl the relates to the real life. Because, in all honesty, I have been expecting you.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Evidently. I was also assuming that you’d be here due to what you said yesterday.”
“But this was no assumption. I knew you would come, Eliah J. Darkwood.”
How did this little kid know my name? Of course I was in several newspapers, but a child this ragmuffiny wouldn’t be in possession of one.
Elliot saw my expression. “You shouldn’t be so surprised. You’re only front page news on every newspaper.” He pulled one out from under the chair from which he was sitting. He cleared his throat.
“Eliah J. Darwood. Just turned 13 this past summer. Has extremely powerful senses except for taste and smell. Brown hair. Green eyes, oh no that’s bogus, they’re most certainly hazel. 5’ 4”, no no, 5’ 6”, can’t they get their facts straight? Foot size...”
I listened to him read out the list of traits that the newspaper printed, and listened to him make personal comments on the list. The list did get some facts wrong, and Elliot was easily able to point them out. Wow. He really was a bloody detective.
“...what on earth are they thinking on this list!”, he shouted randomly. I jumped. Elliot stared at me.
“Eh..urm, but I digress. You are to prove you didn’t murder anyone, not to listen to me ramble on, aren’t you?”
“Most certainly.”
“Well then. Let’s get started. Since there were not any witnesses, what was your account of that night?”
I inhaled and let out a shaky breath. “That evening she went out to get groceries. Can’t eat air. She said it would only take about 15 minutes, but she didn’t return until an hour later. Due to my sensitivity, I could always hear her when she parked the car.”
I always went to the front of the house to help her unload. This time, however, she ran in, carrying all the groceries and told me to lock the door behind her. She then stuffed everything into the fridge and ran into our parent’s room.”
I looked up and saw that Elliot had brought out a notepad and was writing everything down like one of those over-zealous reporters that spread dirt on everyone. I don’t think he paused to even breathe. I continued.
“I could hear her rummaging around in our parent’s bedroom. She was also talking to herself, but I couldn’t place what she was saying. Too quiet.”
“Says the girl with the sensitive senses.” Elliot said, pointing his pen at me.
I raised my eyebrow. I didn’t like that use of wording.
“ You have a great sense of hearing, and yet you couldn’t place her mutterings.”
“You… have a point! I didn’t notice that!” It was true, I really did not notice that fact. This guy really was a bloody detective!
“I’ll put this in as evidence.” he said. Out went the notepad. He scribbled furiously. Wait… he couldn’t be..
“You’re going to be my defense attorney?”, I blurted out. He stared at me for a second.
“No, I’m afraid not. there are laws in this world, you know. Age restrictions. Silly things.” We sat in the silence.
“Well,” he said, “I’ve things to do and places to be. Do come back tomorrow.”
As I left I took a look around. Something wasn’t quite right. In that moment, I tripped over the carpet. You fool, I thought to myself. You’ve now done that twice in a row.
Elliot looked up. “Be careful.” I nodded and left. I had some sleuthing to do, and it was necessary to solve this case. Though, I first needed permission. This ought to be fun.