#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Don't make me like you, Lydia. My heart has been broken before" A smile though

ARTEMIS’s voice cuts through the calm as she processes the latest data. “Noticing increased heart rate and elevated pulse when the subject mentioned ‘Tabi’. This could indicate a possible emotional response, such as attraction.”

"Case in point" he says at Artemis ' comment

"Tsk, ARTEMIS, you KNOW what I've told you about commenting on bodily functions." Lydia scolds fondly.

Lydia gives Madern a grin. “We all have our quirks. For now, let’s focus on getting everyone settled. We’ve got a lot to handle, but I’m confident we’ll manage. Staying for dinner? We'll get extra eggrolls.”

"Tempting, but I have cookies to bake and..frankly? I can cook better" he rises with all the gear, "But you guys have a great time. Dario, Lydia, nice to know you. Artemis... you're observant, and thank you for the help."

Lydia gives a warm smile. “Understood, Madern. We’ll catch up another time. Good luck with your cookies.”

Dario, still recovering from the ordeal, looks up with a nod. “Thanks, Madern. You've given me a chance to clear my head and figure things out. And... thank you for not letting me fall too far.”

ARTEMIS adds a cheerful, “Thank you, Madern. I’ll continue to monitor the parameters carefully.”

"I'll be there " He assures Lydia, then a shrug to the nocker "Hey, everyone deserves to be better than their worst moment," And at Artemis's assurances he .. he'

he's got nothing

And out he goes.

He's got cookies to make once he gets the right recipe, items to deliver, and a sgt to fill in.

Danica finds him in the kitchen sometime around the 3rd batch of attempted copycat cookies. Maybe this one will be right, with Marigold's advice to try treacle golden syrup instead of white sugar to approximate the correct texture.

"Heard from Lydia that the thefts have been resolved with all charges dropped." The thane remarks, leaning against the counter.

"They have" he nods "YOu can have the white sugar cookies if you want, wrong texture"

She leans in and picks up a cookie, crunching down. "For a wrong cookie, it's good."

"Care to fill me in?"

"Off the record." She elaborates.

"Thanks. " He says and means it "But I've got to recreate goldene nut clusters"

A brow raise. “I can listen while you bake.”

"Why would you want to listen about golden nut clusters?" Baffled look

A deep breath, and she adds, “about the case.”

"Oh that? Settled. Lydia got her stuff back. "

“And the thief?”

"Returned the goods voluntarily and is making amends"

“Lydia is an Eiunid and I expect her to be cagey. If you wish to work together on future projects, I’d appreciate candor. As I said, off the record. I may be a cop, but I’m good to my word.”

"No doubt, but so am I, and I agreed somethings are on the downlow" He looks at her, "That said... let's say the stakes got a lot higher than mere theft. "

She grimaces. “I cannot in good conscience assign more work that reflects back on myself and our hold if you’re unwilling to share the results. It is your choice, but so be it.”

He arches a brow "Wait, reeflects back? What has been reflected badly?"

"Sorry, Danica. I am not snubbing you, but you seem to doubt my word when I say it went well?"

She sighs, rubbing her forehead. “I apologize. I’m… used to obedience from my subordinates. I forget that you do not work for me nor answer to me. I would appreciate the full story, as I said, of the record. You resolved the issue, and the case stays closed. That’s only fair as I offered to delegate it to you.”

"Yeah, I'm not your subordinate and that's one of the reasons I'm shy about becoming your outside the box detective" he admits "But... yet you DID help me, indirectly, in a way you don't know. I did use the police as a threat as a negoatation tactic. Okay. Not naming names mind..." And he gives a story, but leaves names out, and Grimwald's lolcation out as well.

Then he feels foolish "Right, forgot, Grimwald was mentioned by Julius" He gives the name there. But doesn't mention Grimwald got the goods.