45 Outtake: Sebastian 4 (1/2)

”I think that will be all?” Her further words registered with me, much to my amusement. She sure knew how to deduce a scene.

”You're wrong. How would you solve the case?” I wanted to know as well. It didn't escape me that she looked straight at me as if looking past the one-way mirror and peering into my soul. I stood there stunned before I could conjure my nerve and speak into the microphone.

”Miss Lewis, you may leave. We will call on you if there are any further questions.”

.

Jameson ran to me in haste and handed me the sheet of paper that Miss Lewis had passed him. He was ecstatic about something, what I didn't know, but it seemed important. By the time I had glanced at the paper, he had already rushed out without greeting me. I was irritated but chose to put my concentration on what was written. The name of the convention and Dr. Singh's name.

It startled me. I pulled out my phone from my trouser pocket and dialled his number.

”Dr. Singh, this is Sebastian speaking. Do you know of Evie Lewis?” my voice was panicked. I had never seen her in class, and this level of knowledge usually meant she was part of the department but had never showed up for my classes. Was that why I remembered her name? From registers where she hadn't shown up? Or was it that my classes were not to her liking and she opted for someone else. Had Mr. Singh got her as an intern while I was stuck with this good-for-nothing who was possibly not going to amount to anything in life?

That would indeed be sad.

I couldn't let such a talent slip out from under my hands, speaking so eloquently about a situation while she had stumbled upon it and analyzing her surroundings immediately showed inherent expertise in her.

Had she not taken my class because of the types of courses I taught? Surely, such a brilliant girl couldn't be only interested in adolescent delinquents.

”Sebastian, why do you sound so breathless?” he asked from the other side, confused by my excited state.

”Dr. Singh. Evie Lewis,” I said, far too excited for my own good. He was stunned into silence for a couple of days.

”Did she get into trouble? Did she ask for me?” the older man seemed excited at the prospect.

”She found a body and had a nice chat with my assistant. She gave an alibi that I need to check on.”

”Oh yes, we returned yesterday. Is she okay? Do I need to bail her out?”