Chapter II

As the weeks wore Anna became increasingly dissatisfied. Mr.Brisnell refused to go quietly and Anna’s days were occupied in meetings with her boss and Mr.Brisnell himself. Sean and Steve had not been able to get through to him and he had threatened legal action. The situation was quickly spiraling out of Anna’s control. To make matters worse the toaster oven was still being used in the most inappropriate manner. Anna had come to the conclusion that only a nefarious mastermind could orchestrate such a perfect, and annoying, crime. Over the weeks this matter had not had Anna’s full attention. With the absence of clues in the first days and no ideas on how to pinpoint the subject, her interest waned. The smell had become almost a part of the office now; her nose now acclimated to the burnt odor. The business with Mr.Brisnell had not helped matters either.

The breaking point came one Thursday afternoon. Anna had gone to the kitchen to prepare her midday sandwich, toasted bread with watercress and freshly sliced turkey, when she confronted by the smell again. She checked her watch, it was only noon, much too early for such a strong odor. She pushed open the door and a terrible sight greeted her. The toaster oven was beyond repair. It’s top was completely blackened; there were char stains on the floor as well. Again a single slice of toast had been left behind as if to mock her. This could not be tolerated. Her wholesome lunch could not be made now. Watercress and turkey on untoasted bread? The idea was laughable. She bellowed for Steve. He quickly came running in, clumsily knocking over the napkin dispenser in his haste. He was a tall, hulking brute. His fair hair parted on the side, he stood nearly three heads above Anna. He could easily crush her in one of his ham-handed fists, but he cowered in fear before her, quaking a little as he looked down at her little figure. Anna pointed imperiously at the toaster.

“Do you know anything about this?” she bellowed again. Steve jumped and moved his slow eyes to the oven. He shook his head slowly from side to side, he wasn’t a big talker. Anna sighed and brought a hand to her temples.

“Get Sean in here for me.” Steve nodded hastily glad to be away from Anna’s fierce gaze. If Steve was the brawn of the team Sean was definitely the brains. He was a specialist in the martial arts and a meticulous planner. His figure was slight, but he was quite tall. He had ebony skin, creamy brown eyes and curly black hair, he was the literal embodiment of the phrase tall, dark, and handsome. Sean had a cautious respect for Anna, as the two had similar tastes and similar brain fortitude. Sean sauntered in with Steve trailing in his week. Steve stood back near the door, his eyes never leaving Anna’s face. His head bobbed to an inaudible rhythm and his presence was quickly forgotten by the other two. Sean had already taken in the scene and was almost as disgusted as Anna. He enjoyed toasted bread as much as the next man and this travesty upset more than he liked to admit. When he saw her open her mouth to speak, he stopped her with an upraised hand. Anna closed her mouth and folded her arms on her chest. Sean approached the toaster, his hands clasped behind his back. He inspected the inside and knelt down to examine the char marks on the floor, he swept a finger across it and rubbed his fingers together. He looked up at Anna.

“This isn’t right,” he said simply and returned his gaze to the floor. She was surprised by his speech. Anna always felt Sean held a slight contempt for all them, but she couldn’t help respecting him for his attention to detail. She looked at his bowed black head and thought that perhaps she didn’t have to solve this case alone. Steve nodded slowly in the background.