A foreboding sense of sadness and general upset hung like fog within the living room. No sooner had Timothy entered, wearing a most morose expression, than all the hopeful happiness was unexplainably drained. The glow of the flickering fireplace had died, the morning sunlight from the drawn window sent cascades of grey dust particles floating into the heavy, thick air. James Pennyfeather glanced over at his friend, a worried frown furrowing his kindly features.
"Dear chap, why such a long face?" he inquired, hoping to relieve the detective's worries if he could only persuade the latter to share with his concerns and anxieties.
The thin, lanky detective took no notice. It were as though he hadn't managed to hear James's words; as though he were too far traveled in a desolate maze within his mind. Timothy stared blankly into the fire, his eyes unblinking and glazed over. Whatever he was thinking about, it must be all consuming, thought James sadly. With a heavy heart, the kindly doctor stood up and approached the fireplace, bending over to restart the fire for it was a cold, dreary morning.
"I say, Timothy dear fellow, penny for your thoughts?" He tentatively asked once more, turning his eyes towards the morose detective "whatever is the matter?"
Timothy stood up quite abruptly, though the action wasn't sudden and he executed it with a most tragic sadness. "Ah, James" he smiled wanly "the matter is a matter which shall never be solved. It is a mystery of love; what is love, you ask. Sometimes, and usually portrayed this way, it is a state of deep, ardent pleasure. However, it can also be such a damaging force...such a cruel snare which captures unsuspecting and foolish individuals. Love can damage even the innocent. Love can tear a utopian family apart and plunge them into a disaster of dystopian proportions." The detective's voice became ice cold "Love is a vicious, selfish and untrustworthy force. It ruins all and shows no mercy."
James listened silently then murmured, placing his paw upon Timothy's shoulder "please tell me everything which is upsetting you. I only wish to help, you know that."
Timothy felt moisture within his eyes and turned away, averting his gaze "not now, James."