The following evening brought out the usual high society crowd in droves. Each dressed in their finest to impress, young Saguru Hakuba included. He’d forgone wearing the deerstalker and ‘classic’ Sherlock outfit in favor of a black tux with burgundy vest, both because the costume was technically inaccurate and because he wanted to show off as he had been unable to adequately do the night before. If there was ever a time to be a pompous ass, a function like this was it. 

He stood near his client as they greeted the guests, but could not keep himself from glancing periodically at the painting in question. Truthfully, he was a little nervous. He much preferred to work with cold, dead corpses that weren’t going anywhere, with paper trails coated in inherent flaws that he could inspect to unearth the truth. This robbery business… It was well enough and fine, but he was no athlete made to chase over buildings and up walls. And their riddles? Exhausting. But he did as he clients bid him to do, and so steeled himself for the evening.

Hakuba nodded politely, charming smile fixed into place, polished and friendly as was expected. Despite the mixed blood, he had good breeding on both sides, which went a long way with the rich crowd. ‘Oh, both sides of the family are rich? What a fine young gentleman!’ 

It was difficult not to think about that while taking the hands of the ladies to kiss and the men to shake, nodding hellos, bowing, and offering bits of trivia about themselves to confirm that, yes, he was supposed to be there, he did belong, and he was a damn good detective there was no need to worry. 

But where of the girl from the night before? She was new. Jeanne. He hardly knew anything about her except that she was interesting and very suspicious, both of which he enjoyed. Surely, she would show. 

He hid a sigh and turned to his client, raising a faint brow at a whispered request, then moved away to seek out a server. Asked to retrieve drinks? He wasn’t a butler. But he did as he was told, slipping into the crowd, disappointed bitterness hidden away.