"Professor?" Layton looked up from his papers to glance over at Luke.
"Yes, my boy?" Luke pursed his lips.
"There's a woman here to see you; she has a girl with her."
"Alright." Layton straightened up. "Do you know who it is?" Luke thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"I'm afraid I don't, professor."
"Hm." Layton thought for a moment. "Let them in, Luke."
"Okay." Luke left the professor's office for a moment, and returned a moment later.
The woman had deep blue eyes, her hair long and pale. The girl gripping her mother's hand looked to be about the same age as Luke, with the same blue eyes, her hair curly and bunched around her neck in --
Layton's eyes widened slightly, then bit his lip.
"And who might you two be?" The woman blinked, and the girl hid behind her mother.
"I am Olivia Sycamore, and this is my daughter, Violet. We're looking for my husband, Desmond Sycamore." Her voice was hushed, gentle. "And you must be Professor Layton, right? Am I in the right place?"
"Yes, you are." Layton extended his hand, going through the familiar motions as his mind raced. "What are you visiting me for?" Olivia pursed her lips.
"A few… a few weeks ago, you returned from a journey with Desmond, yes? Across the world?" The professor blinked. Desmond had mentioned a family, they were dead, right? They couldn't be alive, here, talking to him.
"That's right."
"Do…." Olivia paused, looking down. Violet poked her head around her mother's waist.
"Do you know where papa is?" Layton bit his lip again.
"I…." Luke, who had been silent next to the professor, stepped forward.
"Professor Sycamore said you were dead."
"He had every reason to think that." Olivia frowned down at Luke. "We have only been recently released by Targent."
"You were with Targent?"
"Yes. Bronev didn't want us killed." Olivia looked back at the professor. "Do you know where Desmond is?"
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Sycamore --"
"Just call me Olivia, professor."
"... alright, Mrs -- Olivia, I'm afraid I don't know where Desmond is." The last time Layton had seen him, he was walking back into a crumbling sanctuary. He didn't even know if Desmond was still alive.
"Oh." Olivia looked down to Violet, then looked back to meet the professor's eyes. "Can you -- would you help me find him, please?" Layton didn't have to think very long before he nodded.
"Of course."