"To what do I owe the displeasure of your visit?" Mode asked as he placed his glasses carefully to the side of the counter." I know you have it" growled Calliegh from across the counter. "Madam I haven't the slightest clue what you're talking about. Have what?" Mode looked at her in utter confusion. "My badge," Calleigh growled. "I had it with me in my purse last night and now it's gone and the only other person who had access to my purse was you!" Mode leaned his elbows on the counter and rubbed his temples with his middle and index fingers. "Look Red," at this point Mode was hitting the end of his polite rope after having been accused of taking something he hadn't even seen, "I was too busy laying on my back and trying to recover from practically being trampled to even attempt taking something. Did you even bother checking the alleyway or heaven forbid check the tavern before coming here to accuse me?" Taken aback by his sudden curtness Calleigh took a step back from the counter then crossed her arms across her chest and her countenance took on that of a pout, “Well I looked down the alley and I checked with the tavern keeper and he said it hasn’t been seen.” With a heavy sigh Mode shook his head, “You know with something that valuable you should probably have personally checked where you had been sitting and maybe even checked every nook and cranny of the alleyway.” After hearing his words Calleigh looked a little defeated, “You’re right, I’m sorry I took it out on you.” With that she sighed and uncrossed her arms began to move back toward the door. 

     Mode sighed, “Wait,” though he preferred to stay away from most people due to his condition at the same time he struggled to watch someone else who was obviously having a rough time. “It seems you could use a hand in looking for your badge and I don’t see your friend from the other night helping you at the moment.” His deep voice caused Calleigh to stop and look back, “You don’t have to do that you know.” Mode nodded, “Yes, I realize that but you obviously don’t have help or you have already told anyone who would possibly be willing to help you and they couldn't. If you will give me a moment I’ll come and assist you. Seems you could use a second pair of eyes. I just need to put the closed sign in the window.” Abashed of her earlier behavior, Calleigh simply nodded in response, “I would appreciate it.” With that Mode put the closed sign up in the front window of the shop and stepped out of the door holding it open and motioning for her to go ahead of him out of the shop. 

     As they both stepped out into the final rays of the evening sun they began walking down the street toward the tavern past storefronts that had a rather antique look to them. With signs that were metallic that caught the evening sun just right. Mode was the first to break the silence, not really looking at Calleigh as they walked, “You know I am curious how you found me? It was pretty dark last night, and only your friend had a lantern” Calleigh, a little surprised, blinked once then with a slight blush, “Well even though the lighting wasn’t the best your looks are pretty recognizable. There aren’t many here who wear their hair like yours nor many with such ice blue eyes and well set chin. And the rumors of the gentleman who owns the bookshop out on the edge of town match your description exactly. So I had a good idea of where to start looking” Shaking his head in disbelief her response led him to yet another question, "And what if I hadn't even been in the alley last night? What if you came and had just accused someone who hadn't even been involved?" At his line of questioning Calleigh's face and ears turned the color of her hair in complete embarrassment, "Perhaps I was a little too rash. I've been told I'm too impulsive and quick to judge which was part of why I was out at the tavern last night to begin with. Because I'd made several mistakes at work yesterday and had a similar conversation with the chief." “So this is a regular struggle for you I take it,” Mode said the words more of a confirmation of his previous suspicions than anything but the comment still caused Calleigh to blush an even deeper red. At the same time the two came upon the tavern and the alleyway from the previous night. Mode stood for a second, “Tell you what Officer Calleigh I’ll let you choose which you’d rather search and I’ll search in the opposite place would you prefer the alleyway or the tavern?” Calleigh was more determined now than every to prove herself after such an embarrassing event and conversation, “I’ll take the alleyway if you don’t mind Mr. ummmm, you know I’m sorry,” Calleigh said blushing again, “I don’t even know your name I’m afraid.”  Mode gave an elegant bow toward Calleigh, “My name is Modeus Operandi, but most people simply call me Mode.” Calleigh gave a small return bow, “A pleasure Mr. Operandi. My name is Calleigh, Calleigh Hayes.” “As you wish then Ms. Hayes,” Mode replied, “I’ll check inside the tavern if you’ll be checking the alleyway.”

     After the exchange the two went their separate ways, Mode began searching inside of the tavern after speaking momentarily to the tavern owner and explaining that an acquaintance of his had lost an item of great importance. After his explanation, the tavern owner had no problem allowing Mode to check the seating areas for Calleigh’s badge. Mode did a thorough search in and behind the cushions and under the chairs. Even though he had a general idea of where the two officers had been seated he knew that it was so easy for something as light as a badge to get knocked other places by foot traffic. 

     Calleigh on the other hand had begun scanning the alley way. Even though Officer Bradford had taken a lantern with them, it had still been too dark to see much outside of the ring of its light the night before. Since she hadn’t really seen the alley way well she wasn’t entirely sure how far down the alleyway she had been when they’d caught up to the purse thief. So she had no choice but to start close to the end and start work her way toward the other end. In the midst of her searching only a quarter down the alleyway Mode had come from inside the tavern to see how Officer Calleigh was doing. Finding her still very near the entrance he let out a light sigh already knowing they'd been far deeper into the alley. "Just barely getting started here, eh officer?"