"You're Roman, right?"

The young man jumped in his seat, knocking some of his coffee to the ground as he spun around staring wide-eyed up at Logan. "Uh... Yeah, I'm Roman."

Logan nodded, leaning against the wall. "Archie said you might be able to help me."

"H-He did?"

"Yep," Logan said, nodding slightly and narrowing his eyes. "Apparently, you're the second-best thing to happen to this place."

"You being first, of course," Flattered Roman, regaining the confidence Logan had seen back in his old office.

Logan shook his head. "No, that spot is reserved to the decent coffee machine."

Roman nodded. "Fair point. What can I help you with?"

"According to Archie," Logan sighed. "I can't claim who the murderer is without at least looking at the crime scene first. But I don't want to get back into murder after last time." Roman nodded, wincing slightly like most did whenever the incident got brought up, even if no one but a certain few knew the details. "So he said that you were to help me."

"Huh? Why?" Frowned Roman.

Logan glanced down the corridor before looking back to Roman. "Because your resume says you excel in athletics."

"What does that have to do with anything-"

"I'm getting there," Logan growled, shutting Roman up. "I'm scared to go back, I'm only twenty-nine and I don't want to nearly die again. I skimmed over your resume, you have a proficiency in everything, ranging from sprinting to boxing. Also, you're a good detective, due to records. You solved the Portsmouth kidnappings."

Roman nodded slowly along with Logan. "So? Do you want me to be the Holmes to your Sherlock? You don't even need me, you've never needed help."

"I don't need help!" He snapped defensively. "I need-" Logan paused, swallowing his pride. "Assurance."

~'^'~

They sat in the First Class carriage of the train, speeding blindly past villages and hamlets. Roman was listening to Hamilton, whispering the lyrics to a song that sounded like it was about sex or an affair. It was a little uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Logan was reading Agatha Christie books. When he had been growing up, he'd always guess along the way. The guessing turned to actual detection and soon he was narrowing down suspects just by reading the first chapter. That was how he had gotten into detecting.

Currently, he was reading, 'The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd'. It was phenomenal, and he had obviously read it before. Logan allowed himself a moment to wonder if Roman had read murder books, or watched a lot of 'Death In Paradise' and that was what had urged him to become a detective. Maybe he'd ask.

"Roman," He said simply, making the younger glance up. "What made you decide to be a detective?"

Roman grinned, sitting up. "Well, for you, I'm guessing it was reading so many murder books, which slowly got you trying to figure out the murderer before the characters and then you were too into it to try to find another profession. You sign up for police detecting work and you ace it."

"How did you-" Logan began.

"Simple, specs!" Laughed the other. "You're reading Agatha Christie. The book looks worn and well used, but there's no sticker saying it was from a charity shop, or even a slight tear in the cover that could suggest it's second hand. But, there is a groove sticking out of the cover and I can recognise that it's your name that you wrote on the inside front cover of your paperback book as a kid or teen." Logan listened in mild surprise, nodding slowly, as Roman continued to explain. "You're the bookish type, I saw more copies of Agatha Christie's' book in your backpack when you opened it to get out that one. Judging by all the interviews I saw about you on TV and your attitude, I just filled in the gaps and, poof. Reasonable estimate."

Logan smiled, his respect for Roman growing. "I see what Archie meant about you being a great detective. Half of the dimwits back at our station wouldn't even know to check if my book had become worn."

Roman smirked. "I am probably one of the best," He flattered himself, cockily.

The older raised an eyebrow. "I'm guessing you came here because of a play or musical about murder or investigations? Maybe, 'An Inspector Called'?"

"Ye-uh, yes... How did you know?" Roman trailed off.

Now it was Logan's' turn to smirk. "You may be one of the best, Roman, but I have been knighted for my detection work. Obama was excited to shake my hand. If that doesn't speak for my accomplishments, then what can?"

Roman laughed again, relaxing. "I see. So, not only are you a smartass but you also have some of America's' best presidents giddy just to shake your hand for the cameras."

"I truly am amazing, aren't I?" Logan quipped, looking out of the window as the conversation ended. Maybe working with someone wouldn't be so bad.

And he'd be lying if he said he wasn't happy to be back.

~'^'~

Roman looked up at the hotel and he frowned. "So... You're a world-renowned detective, right?"

"Right."

"And I'm well respected and had a moment of fame for solving the Portsmouth kidnappings, right?"

"Right."

"So, why, for all the love in hell, are we staying at the cheapest-looking Travelodge in the whole of England?"

Logan shrugged. "Because it's only for one night, Milton, grow up." But he couldn't deny how ugly and grimy the building looked, looming awkwardly over them with peeling paint and dirty windows. But now wasn't the time to be picky. The autopsy had taken the body in and was analysing it. The local police had touched absolutely nothing after they got word that the Logan Croft was coming down. All that had been changed to the crime scene, according to the report, was that the body had been removed, and there was a chalk outline where the body had been. The blood still lay on the floor, nothing had been moved and it was off-limits to all who lived in the house.

Logan sighed and walked up to the Travelodge, swinging open the door. A spotty teenager looked up at them and her eyes widened when she saw the man walking in. Anyone who was anyone knew about Logan Croft. His face had been in papers, he had solved international cases and he had a vibe. He had a very unique vibe. 

Roman followed in behind and the two sorted out which rooms they'd be staying at with the stunned teenager. The two detectives went up the stairs - Logan didn't trust elevators after he once had to investigate a murder about a woman with a broken spine because a cord had been cut and she had hurtled to the ground, dead. It wasn't very interesting and it was solved in a day. It had been committed by her ex-husband who actually only meant to kill her husband but didn't know the man was out for a football game. As you can tell, very boring.

As the two men walked up the stairs, Roman started a conversation.

"So, out of the three people we know about, who do you think is the biggest suspect?" He asked nonchalantly.

"You mean out of the two workers who had found the body and the brother of Mr Blacksky?" Logan double-checked. Roman nodded and Logan didn't even hesitate as he replied, "The younger brother. Strong motive and bad relationship. A common thread in murders. But, I was specifically requested by this Patton person. I can think of three reasons why. Either he didn't kill anyone, he's just a fan; he wants to kill me so he killed his employee to try to get me to come; he's such a big fan he'd kill someone just to see me."

Roman looked at him as he explained, nodding slowly. "Good points. But the Patton one is loosely stretched, the ideas are all a little too odd and crazy."

Logan stopped walking and turned to face Roman. "We're dealing with murder, Mr Milton." Logan said calmly. "Things are always crazy."