The second case

It's been a solid week since my first case ended up in a wild goose chase. Turned out my client was the perp the entire time, having me dive into the thick of it simply to get my feet wet. I ended up letting her off the hook since nothing was really lost in the end. But really, not soon after my taste for it just begins to develop, the well dries up again. The storms ceased, everyone else had sprung to life, and our days had gone on just as usual without missing a beat, when not that long ago we'd nearly lost our pulse with how quiet it was. And Clyde, he's been gone for just a couple days. Had some sort of trip with his dads for some sort of occasion. Oh well, at least it's a nice day. I guess i'll just-

"Where in the bloody 'ell is it?!" Speak of the devil. I left out of my headquarters and made my way down the road to find a rather chaotic scene. Room looked like it'd be torn apart by a twister, which isn't all that unusual around here. But peering inside, was a sight I never thought i'd behold in this life time. A luna who completely lost her cool.

"I swore I put it in its case last night! Oh, if I EVER find who did this, it won't be the neck of my guitar that i'll be throttling!" Not good. And other than her composure, sounds like that wasn't the only thing she lost. Like the hardened detective that I am, I valiantly entered the current warzone and made my presence known.

"Uhh, hey Luna. Something wrong?"

"Oh, for the luv of christ, what the FU- uhhh, h-hey there little bro." Upon turning around, she caught her words in just the nick of time. She began to sweat, hoping I hadn't heard anything, but now wasn't the time to worry about what she was going to say, but rather what she need to tell me about her current predicament. I repeated myself, and she took the time to straighten out her clothes to look a little less disheveled before explaining herself.

"Sorry about the mess little bro. Did I wake you up or anything? I must've been a bit too loud." I shook my head no, intent on hearing her out. Loud's in the name, nothing new here. But even for her, this a new level of skittishness.

"W-well, the thing is... you know how important your comics and game system are to you, and if anyone lost it you'd blow a gasket, right?" R-right. "Well for me, that thing is a special anniversary pick signed by Mick Swagger 'imself that I won in a contest. Do you understand how AWESOME that is? A memento signed by one of my rock idols!" Oh yeah. Just in the middle of the week we got a package and she wouldn't stop squealing. So that's what it was.

"But, who would try to take it, assuming you of all people could just misplace something like that?"

"I know, right? A right brash thing ta do, innit bruv? I've dun looked everywhere, yet no results. And there ain't no right way to go about just claiming someone took it. It'll just end up being a roundabout." She's right. No one else here is as into music, so it wouldn't really interest them in the first place. I don't really like seeing her in a bind like this, so I did what any other brother would do when something is lost.

"Have no fear, for you have an agent of justice on your side. I'll take up your case and find where your missing pick is and, if it just happens to be, whoever may have fleeced it from you. You have my word. I'll go through every inch of this house."

She looked about ready to dismiss me, but put that thought on hold. "Oh yeah, I heard about how you helped Lola find out who wrecked her tea set. Well junior detective, i'm really thankful you wanted to help me find it. Maybe this will help to inspire those sleuthing juices from you." She went into her closet and pulled out what was a detectives cap and pipe. "It's one of Luan's get-ups, but I don't think she'll mind if it goes to better use." I donned the investigator's wear and looked in a mirror. Whatever'll help get the job done.

I gave my weary sister a nod and set off to look for the missing object. Now this. THIS is a genuine case. Time to set off and prove my worth, that I can do something around here.

"Not so fast Lincoln Loud!" It was none other than Lola herself.

"Oh! I-is there something I can... help you with?" The uncertainty wavered in my voice. This sounds serious. But what could she possibly want now?

"Oh, just cut that small talk and... and..." She daintily scratched her arm while trying to find the right words. "Let me just start over. I heard that Luna lost something pretty important, right? And that sidekick of yours Clyde isn't around, correct? Well... just to make sure I'm not indebted to you anymore, I wanna help!" Indebted? But she doesn't owe me anything. Unless... *smack* That's right, just last week. As much as i'd like to argue about the meaning of "on the house" and get backlash resulting in how there are brains behind her beauty, but I could use all the help I can get.

And the I got a good idea. "Well gee, sure you can come along and help." She lit up like the living room lamp. "BUT, that can only happen if you're appropriately dressed for the occ- and where did you go?" Left with nothing but a smoke cloud where she just happened to be, I scratch at my head wondering where on Earth she could have possibly gone so quickly. Just as soon as I turn around to make my way downstairs, at my back i'm gunned down by an eager "Ready!". After making what is arguable one of the least manly screams I could have uttered, I get to my knees only to see Lola decked out in her own detectived gear. Hat, trench coat, shades, the entire kit and caboodle.

"Do you like it? Two months ago, there was a mystery event pageant where everyone recieved a theme for what they should wear. Just by sheer odds, my theme happened to be hard boiled cop/crime fighter. It definitely fits the part." All before I even got to open my mouth. I knew going to all those pageants gave her quite the wardrobe, but being this prepared? Not that I, or equally anyone else other than maybe Lana would really know. We usually try to stay out of her way when the contest season is in full swing.

N-never the less, I motion for her to come with me in tow. I swear, you could take all the excitement in her, open up a snow cone stand, and just have it ooze out her gap. Sounds like a deal, selling happiness at about a dollar a pop on a hot summer day. Anyway, we made our way down the stairs to reach the basement. Luna may have checked the room, but that's not where all of her stuff happens to be. Any jackets could have it. (Not like skirts have any pockets)

"Woah!" Lola exclaimed. And she's right. Might as well call this the house of the rising sun, because it looks like two bombs have gone off. All of the baskets were overturned. Machine doors open. And no matter where you looked, clean and dirty clothes alike littered the floor. "Do you think the culprit did this to throw us off their trail?"

"Probably not. But I have a feeling that, once again, whoever did this is closer than we think. And they're still probably making a huge mess." We really have our work cut out for us at this point. Who knows in Luna's panic and blind fury what she could have possibly missed. "Lola, check the washer and drier for anything amiss! I'll try to pick up all these clothes and check Luna's stuff to see if she simply overlooked it." But this mish mash of various garments from a household of thirteen people, no ordinary person could imagine trying to take on a collage of this caliber. And it looks like a lot of this stuff is still relatively fresh, which is going to make whoever's job it was to do this just that much angrier. Now, to find the pick, with the added sub mission of folding all these clothes.

Dad's golf pants. Nope
Mom's sweater. Nada.
Lynn's hockey mask. Noth- Hey, what's this doing here? Better toss it to the side.
Leni's pant... Ugh, really?

"Let me just make this clear. I usually hear scattered conversations from my classmates about how awesome it would be to have a girl's underwear, assuming their moms don't factor in. I can't count how many times they've come up to me asking about how it is being with so many sisters, mainly because they're usually so dynamic in their own ways that i'm really the only outlet for any questions. The thing is, of course i'm going to be biased about it. I live with them every day! It's not like they have to wash the pie stains out of Luan's shirt. Or the endless caked on mud with all of Lana's stuff. Lucy and all of her seance stuff has her smelling like a walking incense. Oh, and if you think Lynn wears enough red, every month I have to get out the-"

"Lincoln, who are you talking to?" Whoops, Went on a bit of a tangent there. Lola poked out of the drying machine, wondering what got me all steamed. I glanced it off by telling her that I got lost in my thoughts and started thinking aloud. I then asked for a status report on seeing anything out of the ordinary. "Nope, nothing in here. Just the latest batch of clothes. They're still pretty warm!" Wait, the latest batch? Just then, the sound of footsteps. Oh no.

"Lincoln! Lola? What are you two doing down here, and why are there clothes everywhere?!" Uh oh, how are we gonna get out of this. But before I was able to make a good excuse, she happened to put two and two together and at least calmed down a bit. "Let me guess, Luna again? I was REALLY hoping she hadn't come down here yet. I already happen to know about that missing item of hers because there's literally nothing else that could get her that wound up. And judging from the get-up, you decided to help her out." Right on point, yet again. "Well, I'd love to help you two, but it looks like my hands are full again trying to clean up this mess. But thanks for helping out, even though you didn't really need to. Also Lola, get out of there, pronto." Lori was met with the usual jingle of her cell phone, probably another message from Bobby. Well, it was time for us to move on. Lori was holding down the fort, and i'm sure if she found it, she'd tell us immediately. But there was one important question I needed to ask.

"Lori, wait. One question before we go. What exactly was Luna doing the past few days after she got it?"

"Nothing noteworthy, as far as I can remember. Except I remember her going out to see that roadie of hers. He still kinda gives me the creeps." She shuddered. That's right, Chunk! If anyone would know about her stuff, it'd probably be him. I take Lola's hand so we can make our way to the living room. Just as we were about to make it to the doorway, Lori mentioned something about a jacket with a hole in its pocket. So.... how would we possibly be able to find him?

"I know where Chunk is. He's on his way to the park." I nearly jumped out of my own pants. Lucy always seems to find the right times to spook you when you least expect it. I made sure my heart didn't stop, just to notice that Lola was shaking herself. She composed herself in the matter of a few seconds, and put on her usual defiant look.

"So, how do you know that?" And let me guess, the crystal ball in three, two, one...

"The crystal ball shows me everythng." Bingo. "Also, he just happened to walk past just after Lori went down into the basement. You should be able to catch him." Nice. I ran towards the door, making my way outside. It's time that we ask him a few questions.

"Lola, let's-" Before I could finish that sentence, I was hit by something solid and swept off my feet. I landed in something moving head first, and cool smell what I could only assume to be gas. With every swerve and lurch I could feel my stomach trying to make itself lose its contents. I gotta reposition myself fast. I'm in a kids car. And I'm sure you all can tell who's behind the wheel.

"Don't worry Lincoln, and this rate we'll be able to catch up to him fast and make it back without anyone noticing."

We were roaring down the sidewalk. I was rather worried that Lola would accidentally run into someone along the way, but thankfully she had some rather impressive driving skills. With nothing more than a few wary glances, on the horizon appeared the park. And there was Chunk, sitting on a park bench eating a Hoagie.

"There he is! Now stop Lola!" She did exactly as ordered, but what I didn't expect her to do was slam on the breaks. As you may have noticed, I never put on my seatbelt. Never have I flown as fast as I did in that exact moment. I was graceful, soaring through the air. And then I hit the dirt. Someone should have warned me to close my mouth.

I woke up moments later, faceplanted with a mouth full of soil, a face full of bird bath, and a black eye to boot. Not exactly one of my better moments. But no wasn't time to worry about this aching feeling, but to bring this to a close.

"Uh, hey Chunk. It's Lincoln, Luna's brother."

"Oy, I remember you. Wot brings ye out 'ere in such a hurry, and with dat shiner 'o yours?"

Luckily, Lola butts in. "Hey! We're not ones for small talk." She grabs the hulking brute by his jacket. "We're here looking for Luna's special guitar pick. Now talk!" Out of the two of us, she's clearly the bad cop.

"Dat's what this is all about?! Hahahaha. I just handed it off to one of the other little ones while I was passing by to give it to Luna. It must've fallen out of the pocket of her jacket, since that's where I remember her putting it." He gave up the accent from laughing so hard. But wait, fell out jacket pocket? Hole? Of course! The jacket Lori must've picked up earlier.

"I told her to find a way to make sure the lass doesn't lose it again. With those huge glasses of hers, i'm sure she'll find a way." Huge glasses! That could only mean...

"Lincoln, Lisa has it!" I lock eyes with her and nod in agreement. Now we're all set to bring this to justice. But a second later, a large explosion rings out, from the direction of our house. I hop in Lola's car, and make extra careful to strap myself in. She floors it, and we make it back to our house in the matter of less than five minutes. Grinding to a halt, the front door is wide open, with a rather distressed Luna laying on the front porch rubbing her head.

"Ow, that bloody hurts mate..." She glances at us, trying to hurry into the house. "Oh, where have you too been? I'm hanging in there. Lori just sent me out to get some fresh air is all." She looked pretty bad.

"No time Luna, we've about got this wrapped up." We ran up the stairs and down the hallway. Lola wanted to bust open, but I waved her away as that wouldn't really be necessary. I open the door to see lisa hold a glowing object in the air, with a rather mad  cackle, marveling her.

"Oh, hey guys. What brings you two in here?" Lisa said rather innocently.

I decided to just cut to the chase. "Lisa, you wouldn't happen to have Luna's guitar pick, would you?"

She gave a sly smirk, which wasn't all too common. "Oh, you mean.... THIS!!!" The pick had this eerie light to it, which filled the entire room if you turned the light off. "I was just given this by Luna's helper not that long ago. I thought i'd try out some mixtures I made and make some adjustments."

"OH MY GOD. YOU FOUND IT!" Luna finally perked up at the sight of her collectors item, dragged up by Lola herself.

Well, thankfully it's safe. Though I can't help but feel... dissapointed that we never actually "found it". It was safe the whole time, and there was nothing we could do for Luna in the grand scheme of things. "Glad everything is ok in the end. Well, i'm gonna go relax in my room." I started to slink off. I didn't want to give off the impression that I was rather down by how well everything turned out, as selfish as it sounds, but I have a feeling Lisa may have picked up on it.

"Why yes, I did a quick experiment to make it better, but if it wasn't for Lincoln and Lola's help, it wouldn't have been found." W-what? I turned around, rather dumbfounded that she said that. We didn't really do much of anything but run around everywhere. Luna smothered me in a hug before I could even protest, thankful that I was there since the beginning and apologizing for her horrible mood.

"So Lisa, what did you do to it?" The tiny girl used her hands to show a bending motion. Rather hesitant to actually break it, Luna slowly started to bend the pick before noticing it didn't break, and always went back to its original shape. Apparently our mad genius perfected a protective coating that's hard to break. And gave the pick a cool glowing effect.

Our rocker of a sister got a bit of her pep back, stored it, and went back on her way to playing music. "Nice job Lola, I could always use your help when Clyde isn't around."

"Hmmph, you really think i'd be that willing to help you out again. I just needed to make it up for you this once. A job's a job Lincoln Loud." It was a quick retort, and she was on her way back to her room. "But, if i'm not doing anything important, maybe i'll be in the mood to give you a hand again if you really need it."

With that out of the way, I was off to read more comics, and properly prepare myself for whatever's coming ahead. And then a thought popped in my head. "I wonder what Clyde's doing with his time?"