The Case Of The Cases: Chapter XXVI

Hugh Hamilton

But before they could begin the tedious business of sorting out the briefcases, the door bell knocked. Warily, Hugh and Ben rose to their feet and went to answer it. It turned out to be a mob of people crowding the door step and shouting for attention. Slowly, Ben and Hugh began to make out some of what they were saying:
"I'm looking for someone!" said one.
"I think my husband is having an affair," said another.
"I've lost my shoelaces!" said yet another.
Ben and Hugh looked at each other knowingly and said: "Here we go again!"
Later that day they discovered the real reason all the people had turned up at their office: it seems a wearisome farmer had handed out ill-advice concerning the whereabouts of a certain police station. This, however, didn't stop our heroes fixing crude badges to their chests and waving handcuffs around, a rouse that didn't prove very successful due to the fact that the real police turned up soon afterwards to stem the flow of noise pollution. They had a brief stint in the local penitentiary before they were once again back at the office and working on the cases at hand. And it is there in which we find them now.
"Oh I say," said Hugh. "I haven't a clue which case goes where."
"Yes, I suspected you wouldn't," snarled Ben.
"Was that some sort of insult?" asked a now-enraged Hugh.
"No, just an observation."
Hugh sighed and stumbled listlessly over to the coffee maker.
"Making coffee?" asked Ben.
"Yes," confirmed Hugh, "that is almost exactly what I am doing."
A few moments passed unspectacularly before Hugh looked over at the seemingly indefatigable Ben sorting through the briefcases.
"It's 2 am," said Hugh. "How can you still work?"
"Duracell," mumbled Ben.
Before Hugh could articulate a reply, the door rang.
"I'll get it," yelled Ben, getting to his feet.
And he did.
"Oh, hello you two," said Hugh as Ben led them into the office.
"Hello," said the couple.
"Coffee?" offered Hugh.
"No thanks," replied the couple.
"So, what is it you want?" asked Ben.
"Well firstly we want to apologise for speaking in appropriated rhyme."
"And secondly?"