This is the second story in my series. Please read "Professor Layton and the Odd Keys" first
Professor Layton and the Equivocal Handkerchief
Chapter One
Grown up Things
Hershel Layton, esteemed puzzle mastermind, professor of archeology and Gentleman, had recently returned from the restless city of Folsense. With him, aside from his apprentice Luke Triton, was his new wife, Katia Layton. They were all home in London, living slightly cramped in a townhouse. Now that the wedding, and it's associated fuss and glee was settling down, it was time to get back to business.
"Yes, Mr...I'm sorry what did you say your name was again?"
"Conney. Just Conney." The scruffy old man invited himself into Layton's house and had himself a sit-down.
"What was it that you wished to know?" The Professor, ever polite, asked. Conney snorted and tipped his wrinkled hat up.
"I want my handkerchief back." He said, quite sternly.
"I'm sorry, I don't believe there are any handkerchiefs that don't belong to me in my possesion." Layton admitted.
"Now don't play cute, I want my handkerchief back!" Conney demanded. Hershel stood his ground.
"Mr. Conney, I'm terribly sorry, but I don't think you underst-"
"I KNOW ALL ABOUT YOU LAYTON!" The man rose to his knobbly knees and poked the Professor in his chest, which barely reached the top of Conney's balding head. "YOU HAVE MY HANDKERCHIEF, AND I DEMAND YOU RETURN IT TO ME IMMEDIATELY!!!"
"I'm going to ask you to leave." Layton said, quite calmly. "I'll show you to the door."
Conney grabbed Layton by the collar and pulled him down to his level.
"Listen here, boy." He said. "You will give me that handkerchief."
The man let go of Hershel and stormed out the door. The Professor dusted himself, unshaken, but slightly alarmed.
"How strange." He said to himself.
"Hershel, I heard voices." Katia, the new woman in his life, floated down the stairs with a hand to her mouth. Layton admired her beauty in the afternoon sunlight.
"Nothing to be worried about." He said calmly. "Just a strange man, accusing me of something I am innocent of."
"Ooohh Hershel. Don't get in trouble." Katia wrapped her arms around Layton and pulled him close.
"I won't, darling."
That night, Layton received an unexpected visit from Inspector Chelmey. He simply asked a few odd questions, then went on his way. Luke and Flora had spent the day together, and now that everyone was home they headed up to bed.
"What do you suppose that handkerchief is all about?" Katia asked her husband, sitting at the foot of their bed, brushing her short hair.
"I couldn't say." Said the Professor. He disrobed nonchalantly and slipped into bed. Katia soon followed.
"Why would he think you have it?" She asked.
"It's beyond me." Layton sighed and put his arm around Katia's slim waist. "I just hope it isn't that fool Don Paolo."
"Me too..." Katia said. She blinked her eyes sleepily, gazing off into her husband's direction. "Have I told you that I love you?"
"Yes..." Hershel turned on his side and faced the woman. "I do, too..."
"I love you..." Katia whispered.
"I love you, too." The couple embraced and shared a long kiss. Layton's hands caressed his wife's body slowly, running his fingers down her side.
"Stay with me forever." She said.
"What do you suppose the Professor does with his wife in there?" Luke asked Flora. They were staying up late in the hallway by the adult's bedroom.
"You mean, you don't know?" Flora asked with a giggle.
"Ummm...No?" Luke forced a laugh. "Should I know?"
"Well come on. How old are you now?"
"Just thirteen."
"You should definitely know. How sheltered have you been?"
"I'm not exactly the social butterfly, Flora." Said Luke. He stuck his tongue out in her direction. "So what do they do?"
"Grown up things."
"Like writing letters and paying taxes?"
"Well no. Special grown up things."
"Ohh I don't understand!" Luke complained. Then Flora got onto her knees, slowly crawled over to the boy and got very close to him. Luke's heart skipped a beat. Flora closed her eyes and pressed her lips to Luke's. They kissed delicately.
"Like that..." Flora whispered.
"I can see why the Professor spends so many late Sunday mornings with her, that's for sure." They both laughed. Then they kissed again.
But their childish flirting was interrupted with two simultaneous groans, then sighs, from the near by room. They laughed again.
"What was that?" Luke asked innocently. "They fighting?"
"Well...maybe I'll teach you that some other time."