Last Case Number from Sharpoint List.

[Ksquared]

Here the scenario. We are using Share Point for our case management, and when we log a call we allocated a new case number (a list item)
What im trying to do is send an email with a code in the subject line, which fires off a script which will run a query to get the last number used , then email it back....(Intended for remote support)

Am i over thinking it?...is there a better way?

Greatly appreciated.