Same here, completely out of ideas.
HINT doesn't help at all, the partner just brings up the fern (I've already taken the fern trimming).
Or the books (already checked all of them).
Or the stairs, the desk... (already, already, already...)
Honestly, the partner system has been so spectacularily unhelpful this whole time - anything I ask about, they'll always
respond to with outright hostility. Like...
<enters name of inventory item>
PARTNER: wanna try making sense? you worm? you utter baffoon? what???
<enters name of other object in the room>
PARTNER: i will actually murder you. you're insane. stop.
<enters words relating to the characters>
PARTNER: i have never heard of "police". perish